DarkHazen: Thanks, Hazen! I plan on it!

I've updated the end of the last chapter for continuity. Be sure to check that out!

The fear eventually faded, leaving only confusion and boiling anger. I didn't know who or what I was angry at—apart from the circumstances. I only knew to get up on my feet. All reason was gone at that point: there was no justification, rhyme, or reason for anything I would do in the next few minutes. I dashed to the nearest exit. The bare walls offered no distraction from my emotions. As I was storming through the corridors, a single thought entered my raging mind: power room. I could think nothing more than that, so that's exactly where I went.

I found myself there in a matter of minutes. Without hesitation, I rushed towards the control unit and went through the main activation sequence. I slammed down the final lever. Nothing. I suddenly wanted out. I turned and raced through the halls again. A series of twists and turns led me out into my basement. Not far enough. I wanted to be far away from that place. I flew up the stairs into my workshop. Still not far enough. I sped through the front door, out into the runway, and onto a small dirt path.

A little of my anger died as I sprinted through the serene forest road. Flickies fled from their treetop perches as I passed by, berating me for breaking the silence. The sight reminded me of something I was trying to forget: I was the one responsible for the turmoil in my life. The reasons for this were starting to resurface, too.

I was the captain! It was my job to make sure everyone got home safely, but I couldn't do that. She died under my care—by my own hand, even! I was the one I was angry at. I could barely see through the tears. In my right mind, I would have slowed down or wiped my eyes, but I pressed on. I pressed on right into a tree, knocking me unconscious. A much needed release from my pain.

x

I came to with a pounding headache. I was in the same spot, but the sun was starting to set. I had no motivation to move a muscle, so I shut my eyes and managed to fall back asleep.

x

I woke again at midnight with a light buzzing in my head. When I tried to stand, I fell back onto my bottom. I was too lightheaded. I rested with my back in the tree and looked up at the night sky to try and soothe my writhing soul. I searched for something I looked for pretty often: the bright side. At least I woke up. I wasn't put in a coma or eaten by wild animals.

Is that a good thing, though? I'd get to be with her again, wouldn't I?

I let my gaze wander from the sky to a tall tree in the distance.

That would do it, wouldn't it? If all I need is height, though, I can fly that high myself. Gah!

I scolded myself for even thinking that. There were living people who cared about me: it'd be awfully selfish to do that to them.

My head was starting to clear up. I stood and started off towards home.

x

I had too much energy to sleep. Instead, I sat in the pilot's seat of my plane. I didn't have the will to start it, so I just sat there sulking. About an hour later, I finally forced myself to turn the ignition. The engine sputtered to life. Instead of pulling out onto the runway as I always did, I launched straight from the hangar. It was a safety violation, but my safety was still rather worthless to me at that point.

I cruised from town to town along the east coast, gazing down at the sleeping communities. After a while of traveling north, I spotted a familiar floating island several kilometers off of the coast. In the midst of my muddled emotions, I had an idea. There was no form or logic to it, but it was an idea. I steered the plane towards the isle.

A quiet landing on the thick foliage was no easy task, but I managed to pull it off. I hopped out of the cockpit and ran towards the center of the island. Although it was mostly plains, a thick forest surrounded the large, grey altar in the middle. I weaved through these trees until I finally came upon the brick wall. No doubts crossed my mind as I whipped my tails behind me and scaled the wall. At the top, I peeked over the edge. There was a sleeping echidna and a huge, green, shining gem—at least two meters in breadth. The Master Emerald. I pulled myself onto the ledge without making a sound. I could feel the warmth of the emerald's glow on my body. It emitted the quietest, highest pitch sound my acute fox ears had ever heard. As I drew near, the gem's warmth penetrated my fur, permeated my skin, and spread through my veins. The feeling of chaos energy coursing through my nerves was unlike any other. I wanted to revel in the sensation all night, but there was no time for that. The feeling was already starting to fade anyway, so I closed the two step gap between the gem and me. I lifted it at full force. The Master Emerald shot through the air as I fell on my back. Knuckles stirred, but didn't wake. I watched the emerald reach the peak of its arch ten meters above the ground before it began a slow descent. I hurried to get up and catch the emerald before it hit the ground. It made a soft landing in my outstretched arms, weighing only as much as a large cat.

Knuckles once told me that the Master Emerald could levitate if it was "stimulated," but I had never seen that before now. I figured that emotion was its stimulus, just as it was to the chaos emeralds. With one last glance at Knuckles, I tiptoed to the edge of the altar, jumped off, and flew above the forest with my prize in tow.

Why am I stealing the Master Emerald, I asked myself as I connected it to a tow cable. The only answer was that I heard it can answer any question, but I'd have to figure out how to communicate with it. I knew for a fact that it could hear people's requests. I only hoped it could answer mine. I hopped in the plane and took off towards home.

x

That night's sleep brought a familiar scene to my dreams. I was sitting in a large, uncomfortable seat with a dark green control board laid out in front of me. A large window presented a magnificently tragic view: in the midst of the black expanse of space, the largest, most beautiful tree I'd ever seen was being devoured by a hideous flame that almost matched the color of the tree's blossoms. The weight of a bowling ball appeared in my chest, as if I were having a heart attack fifty years too early. Through the dead silence of the pitch black scenery came the voice of the one who had stood beside me for nearly my entire life.

"Chaos Regeneration!"

I was relieved of a portion of that weight, but it could never be eliminated entirely. I thought I might've died right then as the world disappeared around me, but I was still aware. Just like that, there was nothing. This nothingness I found myself in wasn't even a black abyss: neither shape, form, tangibility, nor even perception itself existed in that moment. The only color was the color of the voice that began speaking to me.

Tails. Your heart has cried out in pain, and I am compelled to respond. You want nothing more at this point than for Cosmo to live again. That is why you stole me from my altar. The power of chaos is great, but can only be realized through the most powerful interexistencial conduit, emotion. You have plenty of this. In order to do this, collect the chaos emeralds and perform chaos regeneration. At that point, it is only a matter of whether the emeralds have enough energy to open the boundary between the living and the dead or not. The chaos emeralds, however, are not on this planet. Be cautious: your brother and friends are concerned for your physical and mental health. Unless you leave without anyone noticing, it is best to fabricate an alternate reason for returning to space. Finally, it is best to return me to my altar immediately. I will inform Knuckles to heed your wish. He will come along and use me to power your ship. Now: awaken and return me to my altar.

And so I did, for I was in no state of mind to question whether the Master Emerald had really spoken to me or not.

x

I put the plane into its highest gear towards Angel Island. The moon was still bright in the night sky. My eyes were fixed dead ahead as the floating isle once more came into view. I slowed down as I approached it and performed another smooth landing. I hadn't noticed it before, but the crickets and cicadas had started singing a soft tune, easing my nerves.

I made to lift the emerald, but it was considerably heavier than before. I struggled for a few meters until I decided to fly with it. When I did, I noticed that it was only as heavy as Sonic, but it was simply too big to handle comfortably. I struggled towards the altar for an hour before reaching it. I was then reminded of the sheer height of the structure and realized that I would have to carry it up the stairway.

It didn't take quite as long to haul the gem up the stairs as it did to get it there. By the time I reached the top, my entire body was aching. I was quick to sneak past the echidna and heave the emerald into its place. I paused to think, though…

Why did I even take it home in the first place? So that I wouldn't wake Knuckles? I'm glad I did, but why did I?

I still wasn't feeling quite well enough to question or reason through anything. I sighed and strolled towards the edge of the altar. I jumped and flew off towards my ride home.

I don't even know how long it's been, but I've got a nice 1,800 words in. Can't wait to hear what you all think!