I'm back again, and I'm here to give you another chapter before this fanfic goes into what might be another eight month hiatus (college again). Yes, I know you're tired of long waits in between chapters, but at least we're moving quickly in the plot! These events would take place in the last Sonic X episode, of course, and we shall see further plot developments that take place on Mobius!

Chapter 5: Chris Leaves

Sunlight landed on Tails' face, signalling the start of yet another day. Tails groggily pushed away the bed cover and stepped toward the desk where he kept Cosmo's plant. He opened his eyes and saw the sprout that was just a little taller than last time. Tails smiled and sighed, "It'll be beautiful for sure." The plant had grown quite gradually over the past few days, but it was as healthy as Tails could keep it. He grabbed the small watering can he kept nearby and poured a little bit of water on the sprout. Whatever the plant was, it seemed glad to take the water.

Tails figured he should get some breakfast himself. He headed toward his small kitchen, passing the "famous painting" that Knuckles gave him. Tails didn't want to leave the frame on the floor, so he decided that the wall near the kitchen was blank enough for it. He grabbed a box of cereal from the cupboard, but Tails felt that it was lighter than before. "Hm, it's getting empty. I should buy more sometime." said Tails as he set the box down next to a bowl. Tails then walked to a drawer to get his usual eating spoon. He actually hadn't come around to use Amy's utensils, but Tails was planning on using it before the next time he saw Amy. The gift was still resting above Tails' usual utensil drawer.

Tails made himself a bowl of cereal and ate quietly. He pondered on what he was going to do today. Lately Tails was organizing his equipment ever since coming back, as well as taking care of the plant and doing some repairs to the X Tornado. Maybe he could do more of that...

A couple of knocks on his door interrupted his thoughts. Don't tell me that's Amy asking about the utensils, mentally groaned Tails. He hastily opened the box to grab one of the spoons and quickly dipped it into the cereal. Tails then rushed to the door and opened it while bracing himself. "...Oh, it's only you, Chris." said Tails, finally relaxing.

"Y-yeah. Uh, did I come at a wrong time?" asked Chris.

"No, I thought you were Amy." Tails answered with a nervous chuckle. "I had to throw one of her spoons in my breakfast so that, uh, in case she was here, she'd be glad that I was actually using it."

"Haha, yeah, I can see. Uh, can I come in, or should I wait until you're done?"

"You can come in." sighed Tails before he went back to his cereal. Chris sat on the opposite side of the table and rested one arm on the surface. He remained quiet for Tails to finish his breakfast. Tails slowly finished the last bit of cereal before asking, "Why did you want to see me?"

"Well, the truth is Cream wanted me to check on you." answered Chris. "This morning she told me to see you and ask if you were feeling better. Uh, than last time, that is."

"You can tell her yes." Tails replied. Technically it was true that, since the last time they came to see him, he had felt better, but not much. In fact, very little. He put the bowl and both the regular spoon and fancy spoon in the sink. "Hm, and if you see Amy, just tell her I used her gift."

Chris raised his arm and started, "Oh, that reminds me, Amy and Cream also wanted me to tell you that they're coming here to give you the cake and pie they made!"

"Huh? That's today?" Tails hurried to check the calendar and saw he nearly forgot about those arrangements. "Thanks for reminding me."

"No problem." Chris followed Tails to the living area, and noticed the notebook that he gave him on the shelf. "So, did you check out the ideas I made?"

Tails cautiously nodded and took out the notebook. "Yes, I looked through your book of ideas, and I like some of them."

"Good!" Chris stared for a moment before asking, "Wait, why do only like some of them?"

"They're all good, really!" Tails flipped through the notebook and said, "I just think a few are confusing. Like..." He stopped at a page and asked, "Why would the X Tornado need a car transformation?"

"Well, there might be a situation when the X Tornado would need to travel fast on land." explained Chris. "The X-Cyclone form is good for walking over difficult terrain, but it cannot go at any higher speeds. On land."

"But it doesn't need to because the X Tornado is fast enough in the air." said Tails as he placed the notebook down. "Look, I don't want to discuss things like this because, well, I'm still working on getting the X Tornado back in its original condition."

"That's okay, I can help you!" Chris offered excitedly.

"Actually, I kind of wanted to repair it by myself..." Tails responded. He saw Chris' face gradually show disappointment. "Hey, it's not because of you. It's just-"

"Cosmo. I know."

"No, I..." Tails couldn't bring himself to deny it. It had only been a couple of weeks since it happened; did anyone really expect him to be completely happy in that time?

Chris sat near Tails and said, "Listen, if it's any consolation, I know what it's like to lose friends that you'll never see again. I mean, when I came back to this world, I had to leave behind my friends. You remember Danny and Francis? And Helen?"

"Yeah, of course I remember them." Tails could tell where this was going, and he knew that it wasn't quite the same as his problem.

"I'm probably stuck here for the rest of my life, and I still miss them." continued Chris. "If I had the chance to see them once again, I'd take it."

Tails made another sigh; that was the point where the two problems were not the same. "Of course you can see your friends again. They're not dead."

Chris quickly realized his mistake and nervously yelled, "Okay, bad choice of words! Sorry!" He saw that Tails still wasn't happy. Chris ran a hand through his hair and added, "There's still something I have that makes me almost forget that I lost friends. And that something is all of you guys." Chris smiled and went on, "I wouldn't mind staying here because I know I can count on Sonic and Knuckles and everyone else to be there for me. And we can be there for you too."

Tails nodded and managed to give a small grin. "Sure, I'll remember that." He glanced out the window and asked, "Do you have to go anywhere today?"

"Well, I should check on Knuckles." replied Chris. "You know how he is with the Master Emerald."

"Yeah, I know." Tails said with a chuckle. "I guess you can go. I'm fine now. Maybe another day we can work on some projects."

"Sure thing! In a week or so I could come over with my tools. And we could build a brand new Typhoon!" Chris walked over to the front door and opened it, then turned to look back at Tails. "And just remember, all of us can help you." He walked out, waving goodbye to Tails.

They didn't know it yet, but it would be for the last time.

A couple of hours after the meeting with Chris, Tails was at work repairing the X Tornado. He was actually close to getting it completely fixed, though Tails wanted to do it in peaceful solitude. One of the other things Tails liked about working in his garage was having a view right in front of the beach. This was probably one of the only times where he could feel like his old self.

Tails was working on the interior when he heard a light voice call, "Hey, we're here!" Cream and Cheese, along with Amy, stood in front of the garage carrying their desserts.

Tails put on his best smile and peeked out from the vehicle. "Hi!" He hovered down to the floor and wiped his face. "Uh, I should set up a table outside."

"No, we can do it for you!" Cream said cheerfully, setting down her cake.

Amy put down her apple pie and added, "Besides, you're all oily, and we don't want that on the tasty stuff we worked so hard on!"

"Heheh, right." Tails headed to the washroom while Amy, Cream and Cheese set up a table and chairs. When Tails was all clean, he grabbed a few plates, glasses, and utensils from the kitchen and carried them to the table on the beach.

Amy at first looked confused. "Uh, Tails?" She tried putting on a happy face and asked, "Don't you think it would be a wonderful moment to use fancy forks and knives?"

Tails hesitantly put the dishes on the table and replied, "Uh, you know, I was thinking the same thing, but, well, I already used your gift. And I didn't get around to washing it."

The look on Amy's face told Tails that she saw through the half-truths. But then she relaxed and said, "If you don't want to use the stuff right away, you don't have to. I can tell you're still struggling with... what happened."

Cream started slicing her cake and said with a grin, "Don't worry, Tails. Let's just focus on dessert!"

The four friends gathered around the table, eating the cake and pie while listening to the sounds of the beach. Tails was always impressed with Cream's baking skills, and this time was no different. Amy also wasn't bad at baking too. After a few minutes, they started talking about what happened to them during the past week.

"Sonic didn't show it, but I could tell he was glad to see me!" bragged Amy with glee. "I told him that if he was feeling bored, I'm always free for a date! And you know what he said?"

"What did he say, Amy?" asked Cream, both she and Cheese staring with expectation.

"He said, 'A date with you is more likely than me getting bored.'" Amy strained to keep her excitement in. "Can you believe it? Sonic actually wants to give me a chance!" She and Cream and Cheese cheered at Amy's fortune.

Tails slightly chuckled and commented, "Well, what do you know? Sonic is finally interested in you." The idea of Sonic being a lover seemed kind of silly to Tails, but then again, Tails never thought he himself would be romantic with someone until Cosmo came. She was the only one that I felt truly in love with... thought Tails. He quickly tried to take his mind off her by grabbing a piece of cake and taking a bite.

Amy raised a finger and spoke, "He was always interested in me. I just had to make him realize it." Cream, Cheese, and Tails laughed along with her. "Hey, Tails! You better be careful with all that food. You could get too pudgy to fly!"

Cream giggled, "Amy and I were just talking about that on the way here! We also talked about whether Tails or Cheese would win in a flying race."

"My bet's on Cheese." said Amy. "Not that I think you are slow at flying, Tails, but I think it'd be cool to see Cheese win."

"Well, maybe some other time, we'll see if that's true." Tails answered before finishing his cake.

"Yes, it would be good exercise." Cream said as she put her arm on Tails' shoulder. "It's a good way to cool down from the events that happened."

Tails could see Cream's caring eyes and felt the way she held his shoulder. She really seems to like me a lot recently... thought Tails. He could only smile and nod.

Cosmo walked down the river, just as she had done last night. If her memory was correct, she should find the tree cluster that Lucas was in when he spoke to Sonic. As Cosmo stepped along the water, she looked up at the night sky, seeing the several stars again. Tails' world had to be somewhere up there, right? Would Tails even want to see me again? After what I made him do? pondered Cosmo.

She cleared her thoughts when she saw the same tree cluster that Lucas used to be in. Cosmo walked into the cluster and, just like last time, there was a faint, white glow in the grass. Her vision suddenly became filled with light, until she no longer saw the cluster. She was instead beside a tree on a hilltop, with a resting hedgehog at the base. Cosmo knew that must have been Sonic, who was probably in the same place that he was when Lucas talked to him. But what should she say to him? She'd probably have a limited time to speak to Sonic.

Cosmo took a second to think of something, then she said, "Sonic, send a message to all of my wonderful friends." She smiled and went on, "Tell them... I'm alright. I am with my mother. We have found a new home, filled with peace and tranquility." Of course, her home wasn't entirely peaceful and tranquil, but it was still enough for her to tell Sonic so he and the others could rest easy. "Harmony reigns here, and we are at one with nature. Tell them all that they are noble and good, and because of them, the darkness has been vanquished!"

She stared at Sonic for a moment, who seemed to be contently listening. Cosmo knew she had to give a personal message to Tails. "Tell Tails to look to the trees and the sky. That is where I will be."

"I'll tell him." said Sonic with a grin. He got up and added, "And hey, I know I'm not much for getting mushy or anything, but I want you to know, Cosmo..." Sonic turned his head toward Cosmo, gave his classic thumbs-up, and stated, "It was sure great having you around!" With that, he sped down the hill and into the horizon.

Cosmo felt herself disappearing from the world, and she said, "Goodbye, Sonic. Goodbye." After that, her vision brightened again, and she was back in the tree cluster. Cosmo took a deep breath, then she stepped out of the cluster and back toward her home. Maybe she could finally have a good night's sleep knowing Sonic would deliver her message to all of her friends.

Tails carefully placed his plant on one of his garage desks. "Here the plant could get more sun this way." he said to Cream and Amy, who stayed to help him move the plant. "And I can check on it while I'm working!"

"Great idea, Tails!" Cream said cheerfully as Cheese agreed. She looked at the sprout and observed the two leaves it had. "I think you'll do a fine job raising it."

Amy started to pack her things outside and began, "Now that we finished dessert and helped Tails, I think we should be getting home by-" A blue blur appeared and stopped in front of the garage. "Sonic! What a surprise to see you!" gushed Amy, dropping her things.

Sonic, however, had a serious look on his face. "Amy, Cream, Tails, Cheese. There's something I have to tell you." The named four stepped to Sonic to hear what he had to say. "...Chris is gone."

At first, Tails was confused at what Sonic meant. "What do you mean 'he's gone'?"

Sonic sighed and explained, "I was running on my usual path when I noticed a flying rocket pod, headed to outer space. The only person that would build something like that recently would be Eggman." He took a breath and continued, "And I knew that Chris wanted to go back to his own world. So I realized that he was the only one that would be on that pod."

Cream, Cheese, and Amy simultaneously expressed their shock at the news, but Tails couldn't hear them. Chris... just left? After what he told me before? thought Tails as his hands formed into fists. "...But he said he would build a new Typhoon with me!"

"I know you're upset that he left without saying goodbye." said Sonic to the four. "But I have a feeling Eggman had something to do with that. He wanted Chris out of the way so he could come out of hiding. Eggman probably has a new scheme we have to stop."

Amy, Cream, and Cheese started yelling about their hatred for Eggman, but Tails just stared as the things Chris told him came back to his mind.

...Cream wanted me to check on you...did you check out the ideas I made?...I can help you!...I know what it's like to lose friends that you'll never see again...If I had the chance to see them once again, I'd take it...I wouldn't mind staying here because I know I can count on Sonic and Knuckles and everyone else to be there for me. And we can be there for you too...we could build a brand new Typhoon!...all of us can help you...

"He told me he could help me..." breathed Tails, who still was unaware of the conversation between Sonic and the others. "Did Chris just... forget about me? Did he think I wouldn't care if he came back to check on me?" Tails clenched his teeth and shut his eyes to restrain tears. "Are his friends really more important than us?"

Of course, Chris deliberately left his human friends in the first place. He considered his Mobian friends important as he came in at the start of the Metarex raid. In Tails' mind, more memories started to surface, this time of what happened when Chris arrived at Mobius.

It started when the Master Emerald started to shine brightly, so Tails hurried to tell Sonic and the others. He also saw that the plant girl was alright, which had removed his guilt for letting her fall out of his plane. Tails was quick to greet Chris, and the plant girl seemed pleased to make a new acquaintance. When Sonic collapsed due to the battle he endured minutes earlier, the girl looked rather frightened at Sonic's unconscious body. As they carried Sonic to Vanilla's house to rest, the plant girl let Tails and Chris know that her name was Cosmo.

At the house, Cosmo started explaining more about the Metarex, but also showed more of her personality. She was able to firmly deny Knuckles' suspicions, yet grew teary-eyed as she said that all her people were killed by the Metarex, and she didn't want others to know what she had to go through. Tails recognized the gravity of the situation, and decided it was best to leave Cosmo to herself. Apparently, Chris also realized the magnitude of what he got himself into.

When they gathered outside, Cosmo was surprised at Sonic's confidence in getting the Chaos Emeralds back. Tails figured it would be the best time to show them the Blue Typhoon he originally made to stop Eggman. Chris and Cosmo were certainly impressed at Tails' handiwork. Knuckles tried objecting to the Master Emerald's use as an energy source, but the girls, including Cosmo, beated Knuckles up to comply. Tails watched from one of the control rooms and was surprised to see Cosmo's determination in such an agressive way. Perhaps he also started admiring Cosmo more for her persistence in her cause.

During the preparation for their journey, Chris showed Tails how better he became at technology and, in a sense, was just like his grandfather Chuck. Cosmo tried to help with bringing food to the ship, but occasionally her clumsiness got in the way. Though Cosmo told them she was fine after every fall, Tails was concerned of her safety considering the things she had to go through. When the Metarex returned to stop the Blue Typoon, Chris was relatively calm about the situation. Thanks to the Sonic Drive Cannon and Chris' assistance in his Hyper Tornado, the machine was destroyed so they could take off into space. Tails watched Cosmo gaze at receding Mobius, as they headed out to planets beyond...

"Tails? Tails!" called Sonic, shaking Tails out of his trance. "If we want to get the first chance at stopping Eggman, we have to do it now. You think the X Tornado is ready to fly again?"

Tails stepped to the X Tornado and, with his back to the others, he discreetly wiped any tears forming. Eggman made Chris abandon us... thought Tails. He grew a determined face and turned back to Sonic. "Let's go."

"Atta boy, Tails!" Sonic cheered as Amy, Cream and Cheese got in the two back seats of the X Tornado. "I'll track down Eggman on foot, and you be ready for aerial support!" He then rushed out of the garage and along the beach.

Tails took one last check on the plant, then opened the door to the cockpit. "Everyone ready, here we go!" He got inside, secured himself, and put the X Tornado on full throttle. We will make you pay, Eggman... even if I have to die trying. With that thought, Tails put aside his sadness for vengeance.

Now that this chapter ended the moment the anime ended, this fanfic shall now go into pure fanfiction territory. There'll actually be more memory moments from Tails, but most of the plot would be from my construction. Oh, and just to reassure you that I'm not dead, I will also get around to reviewing the popular TailsxCosmo fanseries, After the Metarex! Yes, I have some very specific thoughts on these fanfics, and after consulting my sister, I've decided that I should let out those thoughts on certain chapters (respectfully, of course). If you're interested, then stay tuned for that. Otherwise, be prepared for the first part of Eggman's new plan!