Tails sat where he was, didn't make a sound. As patient as I was, he was bothering me with his silence.
"Tails, what are you acting all weird about?" I asked, this time he replied.
"Well, last night...I don't know what it was but, I spoke to Cosmo. We were standing in some white void, face to face, talking to each other." he answered, looking nervous.
This got me interested, if what he said was true, then he may have more in him than I had suspected. I nodded for him to continue. he gave me a very descriptive explanation of what happened, down to the detail of his wet fur on his shoulders from Cosmo's crying. That seemed a bit too vivid for a dream, but still...
"So you think it was a breach in between two worlds, is that what you're saying?" I asked, a little worried now. Messing with time and space is very dangerous business. Tails was intelligent enough to know that, and probably could think of the possible consequences as well.
"Um, yeah...I guess so. Kind of like the world of the living and the world where the spirits of those who were once alive collided...but it was only me and her." Tails replied, now feeling a bit foolish perhaps.
I had ideas going through my mind now; surely he couldn't have used Chaos control...the emerald was with him, but how?
"Don't go jumping to conclusions Tails, it could have been only a dream. That moisture on your fur could very well be the tears you cried." I pointed out, trying to figure out this enigma. Tails' ears drooped when he heard this," Tails, don't get all downcast about it. I'm only saying that it could have only been a dream. I'm sure if you did make contact with Cosmo, then perhaps it was the emerald...who knows, maybe there is an afterlife."
Tails smiled again and nodded, "Right, there might be. I just wonder if it's possible to see her again."
I thought it would be best to change the subject, "I decided that we should begin your training tomorrow. Now it won't be easy, and when we really start getting into it, there may be some emotional and physical pain...well, I can guarantee the physical pain at least...you sure you can handle that?" I asked the young fox kit. He nodded with a determined look, "That's what I thought. Okay, until tomorrow then, Tails." and with that I transported myself out of the house with the green emerald.
The images of trees and buildings sped by, and time seemed to halt as I traveled. It seemed to be like minutes passed, but in reality, it was only seconds at the most. This experience was normal for me, using Chaos control was second nature to me.
I reappeared in front of a riverbed leading from a clear waterfall. Nearby was the stone alter where the Master emerald was placed, glowing peacefully, it's power radiating the area. Knuckles was somewhere nearby, he had to be...
I then heard a gruff voice speak somewhere to the left of me, further down river,"You really think that?" it said.
A feminine voice replied to the question, "Well ofcourse Knucky, I always have." I heard it say.
Not far from me sat Knuckles and Rouge by the river's edge. They were holding hands, and completely unaware of my presence only a few feet behind them.
"Ahem," I said, clearing my throat. They both turned to me. Knuckles looked fairly surprised, with a bit of embarassment and anger maybe. Rouge, on the other hand, was fairly happy to see me.
"Hey Shadow, what are you doing here?" Rouge asked with a smile.
"Well, I do live here now as of recently." I answered. Knuckles had, with some pressure from Rouge, offered me to live on Angel Island. I agreed to, under the condition that I wouldn't steal the Master emerald. Like I would have any use for it.
"What do you want Shadow?" Knuckles asked in a more agressive tone than he intended. Rouge smacked him on the back of the head, and he grumbled an apology.
"It's Tails...he's been experiencing weird...happenings." I answered.
"Happenings?" Rouge repeated with interest.
I explained about the 'encounter' that Tails had with Cosmo. Knuckles merely nodded, but Rouge seemed a bit confused.
"Wait, Cosmo's dead. What happened, did he have a near-death experience and see her, or what?" Rouge asked, putting a hand on her hip.
"No, I think it has to do with the Chaos emerald he held that night, and perhaps that he has a strong connection to her." I answered. Truthfully, I never imagined that the emerald would do little more than help the fox sleep that night, maybe make him feel rivitalized. This was much more than expected. I turned to Knuckles,"Knuckles, I want you to come with me to Amy's house tomorrow morning. Bring the Chaos emeralds that you and Rouge are keeping safe, okay?" I said, and Knuckles understood perfectly.
"Sure thing...anything else?" he asked me.
"Yeah, bring your strength too. I'm going to attempt it tomorrow with Sonic, Tails, you, and myself." I responded, twirling the green emerald in my hand. Rouge's face lit up with excitement.
"You're all going to attempt Chaos control?" she asked, turning to Knuckles, "Knuckles, are you seriously going to try it?" she seemed like she was like a kid who just remembered it was their birthday. She wrapped her arms around him, and said in a teasing voice,"Awww, my big, strong echina's going to learn Chaos control." and Knuckles' face grew red with embarassment again. He tried with little sucess to remain untouched by her behavior. She took his stubborness as a compliment and jumped into his arms, nuzzling his chin.
"R-Rouge, please!" Knuckles stuttered, but didn't seem to really fight back,"Okay Shadow, I'll be ready at sunrise." Knuckles added.
"Sounds good then." I spoke with a nod.
"Hey, Rouge, you wouldn't mind watching the Master emerald while I'm gone, would you?" Knuckles asked her. She was silent with a confused, yet surprised look on her face.
"Are...you serious? You trust me with your responsibility?" she questioned finally. She seemed touched by this.
"Yep," Knuckles answered, "Sure am."
"I'd be happy to help you Knucky." she smiled, gripping Knuckles tighter around the shoulders.
The two remained like this for some time, I saw it as my cue to leave. I ran off to the forest on the island so I could rest and plan for tomorrow. If all went smoothly, both Knuckles and Tails would have new power under their belts, and Sonic and I wouldn't be the only forces to reckon with in serious matters anymore.
end of Chap. 5...you can only wonder what Shadow means by that, can't you? The action will begin soon enough, just be patient...