Chapter Eighteen: A Brother's Love
At this moment, Sonic has Tails cradled in his arms. Shadow and Knuckles ran into the room to see what's happened.
"Sonic! What happened?" Knuckles asked.
"What happened to Tails?" Shadow added.
"He got him! I couldn't save him!" Sonic sobbed.
"Sonic, you can't blame yourself! It wasn't your fault." Knuckles told him.
"But it's my sworn duty to protect my people! But I couldn't save Tails!" Sonic cries again.
"But Sonic, he only came to do what's right for his future king! He saved your life." Shadow explained.
"You don't get it! Tails is not just my blacksmith, or my best friend. He was my BROTHER!" Sonic sadly said, as sad tears fell from his eyes.
"Brother?" Knuckles asked.
"He's been my best friend since we were kids. But when we grew to know one another, I saw him as my brother. He was a little brother that I never had. I loved him, and now he's gone!" Sonic said, as he cries uncontrollably.
"Oh God!" Shadow exclaimed sadly.
"He was such a good kid, too. It was very brave what he did just now." Knuckles complimented. Sonic nodded in agreement. But his placed his forehead against Tails'.
"Please, Tails! Don't do this to me! You can't leave me! We were going to do so many things together, you and I! Go on cruises, archery, all the fun stuff. But I can't do that, if my brother isn't with me! Please, let your heart beat again! BREATHE! Don't go into the light! Get away from there! Come back to me, I need you, and CREAM needs you! This'll break her heart, if I told her what happened to you!" Sonic pleaded.
Sonic started crying uncontrollably. Seeing this made Knuckles and Shadow shed a few sad tears as well. Sonic didn't notice, but Tails' finger actually started wiggling.
.
(Sonic singing)
You are shattered
Like you've never been before
The life that you knew
In a dozen pieces on the floor
When words fall short at times like these
This world leads you on your knees
You think you're never going to get back
To what you used to be
.
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes, now breathe it in
Now let the shadows fall away
Step right in the light of grace
Yesterday is a closing door
You do not live there any more
Say farewell to where you have been
And tell your heart to beat again
.
Beginnings
Just let that word wash over you.
It's in peace now
Love's healing hands have got you through
So stand back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, now feel the sun
Because your story is not over
And your journey has just begun
.
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes, now breathe it in
Now let the shadows fall away
Step right in the light of grace
Yesterday is a closing door
You do not live there any more
Say farewell to where you have been
And tell your heart to beat again
.
Let all the heartbreaks
And every scar
Be an image that reminds you
Who has took your heart this far
Because love sees further than you ever could
At this moment heaven is working
All for your own good
.
(Shadow singing)
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes, now breathe it in
(Knuckles singing)
Now let the shadows fall away
Step right in the light of grace
(Sonic singing)
Yesterday is a closing door
You do not live there any more
Say farewell to where you have been
And tell your heart to beat again
.
Your heart to beat again
Beat again
.
(Tails singing weakly)
Oh, so tell your heart to beat again
.
Sonic was shocked, when he heard Tails' breathing. Tails slowly but surely opened his eyes.
"Sonic?" Tails weakly got out. Sonic laughed in relief.
"Tails, you're alive!" Sonic exclaimed.
"Wow, shit!" Shadow gasped.
"Well, I'll be damned!" Knuckles added.
"Sonic, did we get him? Did we stop him?" Tails asked.
"Yes, Tails. We did. Scourge is ancient history now." Sonic explained.
Shadow ripped off a piece of his sleeve, and Sonic helped Shadow to wrap it around his wound as a tourniquet.
"But Tails, how are you still alive?" Shadow asked.
"Yeah, I saw Scourge stab you through the stomach!" Sonic stated.
"Well, lucky for me, Scourge wasn't a good aim. And closer to my right, it would have got my stomach." Tails explained.
"But how were you unconscious?" Knuckles asked.
"Well, it is very painful. So, I think I might have fainted from the pain." Tails added.
"Well, that's no matter now. As long as you're alive, we can get out of this place." Sonic told him.
"Well, I'm in a very bad situation to move, Sonic." Tails warned.
"That's alright, Tails. I'll carry you back to the ship. Cream will have you stitched up in no time." Knuckles advised.
"I guess so." Tails said.
After that, Knuckles walked towards Tails, and he gently placed his arms underneath Tails, and slowly lifted him up.
"Right, should we be going now?" Shadow asked.
"Damn right, we are!" Sonic stated.
"Now, just relax, Tails. I'll try and move as steady as I can. But we do need to be out of here as soon as possible." Knuckles told Tails.
"I'm good, Knuckles." Tails called.
"One more thing, Tails." Sonic asked. Tails looked at Sonic.
"Yes, Sonic?" Tails asked. Sonic smiled.
"Thank you for saving me. It was a brave thing you did there." Sonic thanked. Tails smiles back.
"Hey, that's what brothers are for, right?" Tails stated. Sonic smiles.
"Absolutely!" he responded. After that, the four made their exit from the castle.
Amy, Rouge and Cream are waiting patiently for the four to return.
"Do not worry, Milady. I'm sure they'll come back soon enough." Silver said, while waiting at the wheel.
"They're strong lads, don't forget." Vector added, sitting in the crow's nest.
"It's only Scourge that's left anyway." Espio finished, waiting by the anchor.
"I know, but there's still that worry." Amy said.
"Well, they better be here soon. I'll be glad once this war's over." Rouge added.
"Hey, isn't that them over there?" Cream pointed.
Everyone looked towards the castle. And they see three men making their way back towards the ship.
"It's them, but where is Tails?" Cream pleaded.
"Let me check!" Vector advised, as he got out his telescope.
As he looked through the lens, he saw Sonic, Shadow and Knuckles walking. As he looked at Knuckles, he saw that he was carrying Tails.
"No need to worry, Cream. Tails is with them. Knuckles is carrying him. He looks wounded, so you better get your kit ready." Vector told her. Cream nodded.
"I'll get it, right away!" Cream said, as she went to her quarters.
"Oh my goodness, they made it!" Rouge exclaimed happily.
"YES!" Amy cheered.
After a long while of waiting, Knuckles was the first one on the ship, who was still carrying Tails. Cream ran back out with her kit.
"Place him here, Knuckles. I'll get him mended." Cream said. Knuckles nodded, and he gently puts Tails down on some hay. After that, Knuckles went to his quarters to sleep, and Cream started to stitch up Tails' wound.
"Tails, what have you been doing in there?" Cream asked worriedly.
"Just doing what I should do. I was protecting my King." Tails smiled teasingly. Cream giggles, and kisses his lips lovingly.
"SHADOW!" Rouge calls, and ran into his arms, embracing him close and lovingly.
"See? I said I'd make it out alive, didn't I?" Shadow teased.
"Yes! But don't ever leave like that again, Shadow! I love you!" Rouge pleaded.
"I love you, Rouge." Shadow responded.
After that, they share a loving passionate kiss. After a while, they break the kiss.
"Your quarters, now? I think it's time we create some young Warriors." Rouge teased. Shadow chuckles.
"Fine by me!" Shadow responded.
And then he suddenly lifts Rouge bridal style, causing Rouge to squeal in surprise, and giggle. Shadow carried Rouge back to their quarters. Sonic was wiping his face to get rid of any remaining ashes that were on his face, and in his eyes. Then he saw Amy.
"Amy!" Sonic rushed towards her.
"Sonic, my darling!" Amy exclaims happily.
As soon as Sonic got to her, he embraced her close, and lifted her up, and playfully swings her around. He then puts her down.
"I thought I was never going to see you again." Amy said.
"That would never ever be the case, Amy. My heart is so set on you, that I was determined to find you, no matter what." Sonic explained.
"When we get home, we're finishing that wedding!" Amy playfully demanded. Sonic chuckles.
"I'll be glad to do that!" Sonic responded.
After that, Sonic and Amy share a loving passionate kiss, which felt like forever since they're done with this adventure. Right now, it felt like a lifetime.
"HOISTING ANCHOR!" Espio called out.
"SET SAILS!" Vector added.
"Next stop, MOBIUS!" Silver finished.
After that the ship was moving, making its way back home to Mobius.