I looked at myself in Amy's pocket mirror, disbelief and joy clearly reflected in my eyes...I couldn't believe it.
"Tails, you look amazing!" Cream said in awe. She was being truthful; my bangs pointed upward much like Sonic's quill did when he became Super Sonic. My eyes were a deep, rich red color, and I noticed the two rings that held my gloves on where shining a silver tone.
I flexed my hands, then hovered, not with my tails, but with the sheer energy I had obtained.
I flew upward, then looked to the sky. I wanted to see what my new powers could really do. I spun my tails rapidly to increase my speed. Within seconds, I was flying in the statosphere. I looped around a few times, then plummeted back down to the planet. The air whipped at my face, but I didn't mind. I glided back down to the ground, everyone standing with various expressions on their faces.
"Tails...you just...covered over ten miles, if not more, in about ten seconds..." Espio said with a stunned look on his face.
"Really? Neat!" I exclaimed, and hovered off the ground again.
Shadow and Sonic walked over to me, again there was the presence of mystified silence,"Tails, you look like you do this on a regular basis." Sonic smirked, clearly amazed.
"Okay, let's see you use Chaos energy and attack...that boulder, about a mile or so that way." Shadow said, pointing to my left. A giant boulder sat just on the horizon, it probably weighed at least a good four to five tons.
"That one? O-okay..." I said hesitantly. I really didn't know what to do. I raised my hand and stood there, unsure what was supposed to happen. I felt embarassed after doing that little antic in the air.
"Focus your energy, grasp that power surging through your body. Imagine yourself unleashing it, then do it." Shadow told me, aware that I had no clue how to shoot Chaos energy.
I decided to brace myself in case I lost control. I pushed one foot against the dirt, and took aim at the distant boulder. I began to concentrate my energy, and soon it was charging rapidly. The energy began to rage within my body; it needed to be unleashed onto its target.
"Chaos control!" I shouted and let loose a giant ball of raw energy. It flew through the air at amazing speed, making a leveled path of smoking ash where it went.
The boulder, along with about another half a mile or so around it, exploded in a flash of light. The sky showered dirt and dust onto the ground. When the area cleared, a large crater lay where the boulder was only moments ago.
My hands trembled. Did I do that? I cleared that entire area?
"Kind of scary, eh Tails?" Sonic smiled, seeing my face.
"It was okay, not completely under control, but still decent," Shadow said with a nod,"Okay Tails, you've done enough today."
"You sure? I feel like I could run five laps around the downtown perimeter." I said, not sure why I should stop.
Shadow laughed quietly,"I'm sure you do, but even though you're full of energy right now, when you do regress back to your normal state, you will most likely be exhausted." he explained.
"Really?" I asked. It made sense; even as I stood there, I was using up Chaos energy ever so slowly.
"He's right Tails. Trust us on this one." Sonic reassured me.
"Okay, if you say so..." I said, feeling a little deflated. I closed my eyes, and felt the energy leave my body. The Chaos emeralds dropped to the ground, still glowing a little.
"We should keep them seperated in case Eggman decides to attack." Sonic suggested, picking up the yellow and dark blue emeralds.
"Sounds good then...say, shouldn't I give Chaos control a try?" Knuckles asked.
"Well, yeah, but give the emeralds some time to replenish their energy." Sonic said to Knuckles.
"How long will that take?" Knuckles asked, getting a little edgy.
"Hmmmm...oh, give them about three hours, then we'll try out Chaos control." Sonic replied.
Knuckles grumbled, but did little more than that. The others decided to sit outside and talk. I however, went inside. I was exhausted. I held the white Chaos emerald in my hand, and felt a wave of soothing energy wash over me. I fell asleep to thoughts of me streaming through the skies at the speed of light.
-
I watched Tails sleeping on the couch, and it made me happy to see him comfortable. He wasn't at peace entirely though...and neither was I.
I'm not entirely sure how I could see Tails, my only knowledge was that if I concentrated on my young fox long enough I could see him. Same went for my other friends, but Tails was my main interest.
"Cosmo, are you allright? You've been standing here for a while now."
"I'm fine Mother. I was just watching him. He mastered Chaos control." I replied with a smile.
I was happy to finally be reunited with my mother and sisters. It had been so long, and I felt complete...almost...
I cried a little. I missed Tails, and this hurt more than any form of physical torture.
"I wish I could be with him." I sobbed, hugging myself. What made me feel even worse was that he probably felt worse than I did.
"Cosmo dear, I understand your pain, but life gives us what we were meant to do. You protected him and your friends, and that's what makes the bond between you and him unbreakable." Mother replied, now holding me.
"I know, but...he's suffering...I can feel the pain he feels...he only acts happy most of the time, but he's really depressed on the inside. I wish I could help him." I sighed, tears swelling in the corners of my eyes.
Mother smiled at me kindly,"Oh Cosmo, you make me so proud. You have such a loving heart, it's no wonder Tails loved you."
"He still does." I added.
"Of course he does, and he knows you're with him know, after you saw him that night. You helped him recover a little, and he will continue to as long as you remain alive in him." my mother said.
I continued to watch Tails while he slumbered. I was so proud of him, he was probably a year or so younger than me in age, but he was the most mature and loving friend I ever met.
"Tails...I miss you so much." I said, my longing to be with him driving me to further tears.
Tails shifted on the couch while sleeping, "...me too Cosmo..."
I gasped in surprise, "M-mother...how did he-?"
"You have a deep connection with Tails, plus he's sleeping. Spirits of the desceased can often have an easier time communicating with loved ones through the subconscience mind." Mother explained.
"Should I talk to him?" I asked, feeling nervous.
"I don't see any harm in it, but he will most likely forget anything he says to you." she replied with a smile.
I felt a sudden wave of joy rush through me. Even a brief moment with Tails was worth the strain it took to stay in touch with him.
"Tails...?" I called to him.
He didn't open his eyes or move around, but he did speak, "Hey Cosmo. It's wonderful to hear your voice again."
I laughed, "You always were good at giving compliments."
Tails laughed as well, eyes still closed, "Well, it's hard to tell a lie about someone when you're really telling the truth."
I smiled at the fox, his two tails wagging on their own, an indication that he was happy.
"Tails, I saw you use Chaos control today...you looked brilliant flying around the sky like that." I said to him.
He blushed a little, and then said, "So you did see me."
"Yes I did. You're so cute with yellow fur!" I teased.
Now Tails was a deep scarlet in the face, "Thanks Cosmo."
"Tails, why did you do that? Was it really for..." I drifted out of speech, trying to think of what to say.
"Yes, it was for you Cosmo...somehow, I'm going to find a way to get us back together," he said, then added,"No matter what the costs Cosmo, I will find a way."
"...Tails..." I sighed.
Before anything further could be said, Tails awoke suddenly, and my connection was broken. I could still see him, but I wasn't able to talk to him now. He seemed to be trying to remember something, but couldn't. He shrugged and walked outside.
"He forgot." my mother stated.
"No, his spirit still remembers the words we shared. I know it." I replied.
My mother laughed softly and hugged me, "I think you're right Cosmo. He does remember...you two mean too much to each other."
I stood there, thinking about Tails' last words...'No matter what the costs Cosmo, I will find a way.' and I felt a little scared.
"What do you think he meant Mother?" I asked.
"I'm not sure Cosmo. Whatever the case though, he seems to know what he's doing. Don't worry dear." Mother replied. Then she added suddenly, "I would have loved to have him as a son-in-law."
I was taken back by this,"Mother! Did you just-?"
"Yes, I did. If you two find a way to be together, he has my approval as a husb-"
"Mother, you're embarassing me!" I blushed deeply.
"Don't be. He's a sweet boy, and I know he would make you happy." Mother said with a laugh.We were quiet for a while, then she turned to me,"Cosmo, let's go meet with your sisters. They're over in the flower fields waiting for me."
"Okay Mother." I replied.
"Let's go then." she said.
"Oh, and Mother," I called to her.
"Yes Cosmo?"
"Thank you."
She smiled again. She had said to me that I reminded her of when she was young. Of course, she said that to all my sisters. It was good to be with family...but I could never be fully content with one major piece missing in my life...Tails.
end of chap.8. On a side note, anything that seemed confusing or left unsaid will be explained later. Thanks for reading, more chaps on the way!