Amy pulled Sonic out to the dance floor and he followed. Rouge and Knuckles did likewise and danced as well. Cream danced playfully with Cheese. I simply sat down and looked on.
Cosmo and I could've been dancing out there...
"I'm not one for dancing myself." I heard a low voice say, and jumped from surprise. I turned to see Shadow behind me, and he took a seat.
"I don't think I could ever dance with another girl for the rest of my life..." I sighed, looking down.
Shadow must have understood my thoughts, and he spoke calmly, "Tails...I never knew Cosmo, and I know that I had caused you all trouble on the Blue Typhoon. She seemed like a caring girl." He said, looking straight at me.
I simply nodded my head, "I loved her Shadow, and always will. Before I shot the cannon, I spoke to her, be it in my mind, or her spirit actually talking to me. When she...died, I saw her standing in front of me. She held my face to hers, bent down as though she was going to kiss me, then she...she...dissapeared. I felt her Shadow, and I still do." I said, trying to remain strong in front of Shadow.
Shadow was now looking towards the others dancing, then he spoke again," Tails...I'm sorry..."
I looked at him, a little shocked and surprised to hear him apologize, it seemed unusual for him, "No, no, I don't blame you Shadow. Had Sonic and you not destroyed Dark Oak, then we would probably all be dead. It's just that, I-I should have done more." I said trying not to sound to distraught.
"Done more? Like what?" Shadow asked, seeming genuinely interested in what I said."
I thought how to best answer his question, especially since it was Shadow I was speaking to. I decided to answer him straight forward, " Chaos control, use the Chaos emeralds and become stronger. I could have saved her somehow."
"Chaos control?" Shadow echoed with a inquisitive look on his face. He then looked at me again, " I don't think that would have worked...it usually takes more than just coming in contact with the Chaos emeralds."
"I could've learned how..." I defended, turning to Shadow, "I mean, if you and Sonic can do it, than so can I." I remained calm, but I felt my fists clench.
"True, but would you be able to fight? I mean, after that incident with me on your ship, I'd say that even if you used Chaos control, you would need to know how to fight...you have alot to learn about hand to hand Tails. I'm not trying to insult you, but it's true." Shadow pointed out, and it did make sense.
"I guess you're right. Well, still, anything could have helped." I sunk down in my chair, trying not to think too much about it.
Shadow got up from his seat, then turned to me, looking me straight in the eyes. I felt a little intimidated, even though he wasn't trying to be threatening. He then spoke again, "Tell you what, sometime soon, I'll have Sonic and I teach you how to use the emeralds. I don't know when, but sometime soon. That sound okay?"
"Really? Thanks, Shadow!" I exclaimed with hope, jumping up from my chair. Shadow smiled a little then nodded. He then turned and walked over to Sonic and Knuckles.
I sat back in my chair, feeling slightly better, but still sad. Even if I did learn how to use the Chaos emeralds...it wouldn't bring Cosmo back.
I think I sat in that chair for a good fifteen minutes before I felt someone looking at me.
"Well, are you going to just sit here all night, or what?" said a feminine voice.
I looked up and saw a pair of bright teal eyes staring at me. I smiled weakly, "Hey Rouge, how are you? I'm...just not up for anything right now..."
I felt her put a gentle hand on my shoulder, and I could feel my face burning up, "Tails, come on, you can't be like this forever. It's not good for you. You can dance with me; Knuckles won't mind." she then gave me her signature wink, and I laughed.
"Okay, okay...I'm not a very good dancer though." I said, giving in. I could tell my face must have been a light scarlet color by now. I got up and let her direct me to the dance floor. A slow song started playing, and I saw Amy and Sonic looking at each other dreamily.
I brought my hands to Rouge's hips after a little coaxing from her to stop being so shy, and rested my head against hers. Rouge drew me closer, and I felt my heart begin beating rapidly. I couldn't help but sweat. Rouge could tell I was nervous, and she laughed.
"Not bad for someone who's not good at dancing." she said quietly in my ear, I knew she was only teasing me, and laughed a little more.
It felt wierd to dance with Rouge of all people. Though she didn't show it, she was one of the nicest girls I knew. She only acted tough, but with her relationship with Knuckles being evident now, she must have saw the tough girl act to be useless. Dancing with her brought me a brief moment of comfort that snapped me out of my grief.
When the song stopped, she loosened her grip and said to me, "You're a wonderful kid Tails, don't ever forget that. You've got friends here, including me, okay? I know Cosmo's watching you, and she's happy to see you alive and among friends."
My eyes welled up with tears, but I was smiling. I couldn't help but picture my Cosmo watching me, just like a guardian angel would.
"Thanks Rouge." I said, then gave her a hug.
Rouge then bent down and said in my ear, "By the way, I think Knuckles could learn a thing or to from you about slow dancing. Feel free to dance with me again sometime." she tehn gave me another flirty wink, along with a quick peck on the cheek.
I didn't dance anymore that night, but I did talk with the others a bit. Rouges words gave me some joy. I did have friends, and an angel watching me.
When the club began to close, we all headed out. Knuckles carried a sleeping Cream and Cheese into the X Tornado and got them settled in. Before I could go, Amy called out to me.
"Hey Tails...you going to be okay? You're welcome to stay with me and Sonic at my place tonight." Amy offered with a smile.
The main concern on my mind right now was the plant back home, but then I thought back on Rouge's words.
"Sure Amy, just let me stop at my place after I drop off Knuckles and Cream." I answered. Amy gave me a concerned look, "I just have to check up on things, that's all. I'll be there in less than an hour." I assured her with a smile.
I flew to Cream's house first, and then after dropping her off, I arrived at Knuckles' place on Angel Island. I could see the peaceful glow of the Master emerald through the tree line. I suddenly had an idea cross my mind.
When we landed, I stayed for a few minutes, and decided to ask Knuckles something, "Hey Knuckles, can I ask you a question regarding the...Master emerald?"
Knuckles raised an eyebrow, then shrugged, "Sure, might as well. Probably better that you ask me than someone else." he replied.
I pondered on how to approach the question without angering the echidna; he could be quite tempermental when it came to the Master emerald.
"Is it possible to...use the Master emerald's power to make someone stronger, like the Chaos emeralds?" I asked hesitantly.
"What do you mean?" Knuckles asked with unexpected calmness in his voice.
"Well, to put it plainly...can you obtain Chaos control with it?" I explained.
Knuckles began to tap his foot, then rubbed his chin. He was deep in thought, so I knew that it was best not to disturb his thoughts and just wait.
"Don't think so Tails. I never experienced Chaos control from the Master emerald, neither did Sonic or Shadow as far as I know. I did sort of experience Chaos control in the past way back when...I think I did at least, but let me tell you, it's a kind of power that overwhelms you. You feel almost invincible. Through the Master emerald though, no I don't think it's possible. Why do you want to know?" he answered after a minute or two.
"Just a thought that came to mind." I lied, knowing that telling him I wanted to learn Chaos control may seem ridiculous.
"Shadow already told me Tails, and I think if you want to learn how, then go ahead. It'll be difficult, but Sonic and Shadow are probably the best teachers you could find...heck maybe I'll join in the lessons." Knuckles said with a grin.
I said bye to Knuckles and flew back home. I packed a few belongings, including my plant. I secured the plant in the seat behind me, then took off for Amy's place.
I reached her house in about ten minutes; I wasn't going as fast as I had earlier. I saw Amy's lights on in the house, and landed on the dirt road. I saw Sonic waiting for me in the front yard, tapping his foot.
"About time Tails! Geez, you took almost fourty-five minutes!" Sonic grumbled. He noticed my expression, then quickly said apologetically, "Aw, don't take it personal bud. Come over here, I want to talk to you about something."
I followed as we walked around Amy's house. After a brief silence, he spoke, "Shadow told me about you wanting to learn Chaos Control..." he paused, trying to figure out how to continue.
"...Sonic?" I questioned after he was quiet for about two minutes, "What's wrong?"
"Just worried. I mean, I glad you're interested, but it's just a little surprising I guess. Why are you interested?" he asked me.
"...for her...for Cosmo...and you guys too." I felt the sting of tears again.
"Man, she meant alot, didn't she? About a year ago, I would have never imagined what you've become now." Sonic stated, putting friendly arm around my shoulder just like a big brother.
"She kept me going when we fought the Metarex. If not for her, I don't know if I could have kept command..." I answered, now openly crying, but still talking, "Sonic...I miss her...I can't stand this."
I cried for a few minutes, Sonic remained silent, with his head looking away, out of respect I guess.
"Come on Tails, Amy has dinner made for you. She figured you never ate today, so I'm going to make sure you eat every bite. Either that or Amy will...so you choose." Sonic said jokingly. I smiled and laughed, I was glad could still crack a joke even at sad times like these. Sonic then headed for the front door.
"I'll be there in a minute." I called back to Sonic. He nodded and went inside.
I felt a breeze blow through the air, a warm one. A flowerry scent hung on the air...it was a familiar one. I noticed the roses around Amy's small garden.
They looked just like her roses...but hers were much more beautiful The smell brought the image of her to me, her smiling face, her blue, sparkling eyes, her beautiful, green hair.
I looked up to the night sky, the stars were shining brightly. A shooting star streaked through the sky, and then I thought about that fateful night that she landed on this planet. She was like a shooting star that night I met her, and I know that one I just saw was from her. She did that for me.
"Thanks Cosmo..." I said to the heavens, and was given a response with another warm, heavenly breeze. I then went inside.
Amy made a delicious soup dinner, but neverthesless I still found sleep difficult to come by that night even with a full stomach. The couch was comfortable, the room living room was warm, but something was bugging me.
Suddenly, I felt a tapping on my shoulder. I rolled over to see a dark figure standing at the side of the couch.
"Sh-Shadow?" I mumbled.
"Here, hold this while you sleep tonight...it should help." he spoke, and dropped a bright, white object on my lap. The white Chaos emerald, the one Cosmo and I found on one of our adventures in search of the Chaos emeralds,"You need to get in closer contact with Chaos energy, so I figured that would help." he explained, and without another word, pulled out the green Chaos emerald and disspeared with the words, "Chaos control."
I yawned and held the emerald, it was surprisingly warm. Sleep came soon, and along with that followed dream...but a strange one, one that felt real.
I was standing in a white void, and gasped when I saw a familiar face looking at me.
"C-Cosmo?" I stuttered.
Well, that wraps up chapter 2. Hope you liked it! I'll probably update soon, I had alot of the story written out before hand, so chapter three will be here soon!