The first thing Tails and Cosmo did after the Summit ended, was go back to the hospital. They both had things they needed or wanted to do, but making sure Marrow was going to be okay was first and foremost. Tails watched the security footage Nicole stole from the prison servers and was impressed. He was ambushed by all seven Mecha Sonics at once, but Marrow lasted more than a minute on his own. While he wasn't knocked comatose, the doctors had him in an induced coma to make sure his mutation didn't cause his bones to heal incorrectly. Both Fox and Seedrian were relieved to hear that it didn't look like Marrow had suffered permanent organ damage.
Tails met Marrow's family on this hospital visit. A Female Mobian Mole and three children: a boy Mole that couldn't have been older than five, an infant Mole in a baby carrier, and a Human child around ten years of age. Tails couldn't tell what sex the infant and Human were supposed to be. Cosmo lit up when she saw the four of them and she spoke with them. Tails excused himself so they could talk in relative privacy but waited in the hospital lobby for Cosmo for half an hour.
When Cosmo returned to the hospital lobby, the two split paths. Cosmo mostly just needed to say her goodbyes and get supplies she would need, given that most Mobian medicines didn't work on Seedrians. Tails went back to his plane to get some equipment and com-links. Cosmo's family and friends would need the com-links to talk with her during their adventure. However, Tails suspected that he would need to take a look Newfound Sanctuary's telecommunications network so they could make use of the com-links. While there weren't very many satellites in orbit for them to connect to, the Pteropodidae had various telecommunications features built into it. If everything went well, nothing but freakish weather or sabotage would prevent the connection between them.
Tails was pleasantly surprised to find that Newfound Sanctuary had invested heavily in communications equipment. Some modifications still needed to be made, their network being built well before the Starfall Islands Incident, but Tails didn't even need to do half the work he thought he would need to. Tails passed several Seedrian children and a few Seedrian adults on his way back to their settlement. It appeared that not only were they heeding Tails' advice, but they were taking it a step further by relocating their young into the city itself. They were able to tell Tails where to find Terraminae and he left the com-links with her. She thanked him again for everything and wished him luck.
Tails and Nicole did preliminary scans on the Mechas and Replica Units until evening. While they got a lot of information, they would need more specialized equipment and more advanced facilities to do in-depth research on Eggman's newer designs. Tails used the Pteropodidae's communicator to tell GUN that there was an Eggman base that needed leveling. He would have loved to disassemble the prison and repurpose the equipment, but Tails didn't have time for it this time and they couldn't let Eggman reuse or repurpose the facility.
Before turning in for the night, Tails wanted to check up on Cosmo. Tails had the benefit of having been with his adoptive brother when he started adventuring, the young Seedrian was going with a bunch of people she had barely known for a day. Tails wasn't going to try and dissuade her from coming with him and Nicole, but he also wanted to impress that they weren't going to make her go. Whether Tails had natural intuition or had gained wisdom in the life he had lived, he somehow knew exactly where Cosmo would be. There was a park at the edge of town that happened to overlook where the Oak Clan was staying for the foreseeable future. Tails couldn't think of a better place to think about leaving the only home you had ever known, and he would be proven right.
The park was at the top of a short cliff, so there was railing to keep people and things from falling off by accident. Cosmo was leaning against the railing, clearly deep in thought. Tails thought that she might already be missing home or dreading leaving, but realized something else was on her mind as he got closer. Her posture was clearly pensive, but she didn't seem sad or anxious. Her arms were folded on top of each other on the railing with her head up, looking over the Seedrian buildings. Aside from her head slowly and occasionally turning left and right. This was not sadness; it was a feeling that Tails knew well: guilt. He couldn't imagine what Cosmo would have to be guilty of, but she clearly blamed herself for something.
I know she said it was her fault that those people were taken, but does she really blame herself? Tails thought. Tails cleared his throat to get her attention.
Cosmo's head snapped behind her to face Tails, "Oh, hello Miles."
"I'm sorry if I scared you," Tails said, "I thought it would be creepy if I just crept up from behind and touched you."
Cosmo nodded with a small smile, "I probably would have jumped up and shrieked," She admitted.
"Are you okay?" Tails asked, "It isn't too late to back out, no one would hold it against it you."
Cosmo's smile fell as she shook her head, "It isn't that," She said simply as she returned to the position she was in before.
"May I join you?" Tails asked, "There aren't many clouds out and the stars are bright."
"Sure," Cosmo replied, "I do want to talk about 'it,' but I'm not sure how to put it."
"You're smart enough to break yourself out of prison," Tails reminded Cosmo as he walked up next to her, "I'm sure you can put your own thoughts and feelings into words."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence," Cosmo stated.
Tails started listing off constellations in his head to give Cosmo time There's the Giants' Ladle, Alpha Pegasari, Oh! I think that's the Pole Star and Mustela Minor, "I just feel bad about leaving," Cosmo stated, bringing Tails out of his thoughts.
He turned his head to look at her and kept quiet, "We just suffered two massive tragedies and now I'm leaving everyone behind for revenge? Justice? Call it what you will, it's just… childish, but I can't keep myself from taking this chance."
"Do you know why everyone calls me 'Rosebud?'" Cosmo asked rhetorically as she removed her hairbands. As she did, the flowers on the sides of her head opened and bloomed.
"The prominent thorns of Seedrian males all grow out when they hit puberty," Cosmo explained, "For us females, our flowers bloom."
Tails nodded in understanding, "Why do you keep them closed? I think they look nice."
Both Tails and Cosmo's cheeks got light blushes. Tails meant what he had said, but didn't realize how it would come off until he said it Please don't think I'm trying to hit on you.
"Th-thank you," Cosmo said, "I keep them closed because I born with them like that, and they just opened one day. I know it's natural, but I don't think it looks like me. It would be like if you fur changed colors or if your tails split open."
"I'm also so… short," Cosmo added, "It makes me look like a child and some of my people treat me like a child. It's usually because they don't want to bother the child of two Elders with their problems, but some think I get special treatment because of my parents and resent me for it."
"And now, here I am, going away from home against my parents' wishes," Cosmo added with a wave of her hand, "It's like I'm a petulant brat who didn't get her way and is running from home because of it. Because I have to be the one to help after getting everyone into deeper trouble. How can I expect anyone's respect when I'm acting like a spoiled child?"
Tails stayed silent for a moment to make sure she was finished venting, "There's nothing childish about it at all."
"What would be childish is refusing to do anything to help when you can," Tails argued, "I don't think you're responsible for anything Eggman does, but the fact you're going so far out of your way to fix things instead of hoping someone else will is more than what a lot of people do."
"Wow, Miles," Was all Cosmo could say before Tails continued.
"Don't see this as you abandoning your people 'Rosebud,'" Tails said with a smile, "All you're doing is showing everyone that you've finally blossomed."
Cosmo spent several moments in stunned silence, before she started laughing so hard, she had to brace the railing to keep from falling over, "That. Was. The. Cheesiest. Thing. I've. Ever. Heard," She stated in her laughing fit.
Tails entire face turned beet-red, "I-I was trying to encourage you," He said quietly.
Cosmo quickly regained her composure when she saw Tails' face, "I'm sorry, that just really got me off-guard. And it was sweet."
"If it makes you feel better, that's the first time I've really laughed since Eggman attacked my people," Cosmo volunteered.
Cosmo walked up to Tails and gave him a hug, "Thank you for cheering me up, I really needed it."
Tails returned the hug as his blush lessened to a pink tint on his cheeks, "That's what friends are for, right?"
"It is," Cosmo replied as she released the Mobian Fox, "Good night, Miles, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night Cosmo," Tails said as they parted ways.
That didn't go the way I thought it would, but it's still mission accomplished, Tails thought to himself with a proud smile.
What neither of them saw, was Lucas hiding behind a tree. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on them, he had meant to speak with his youngest daughter. A lot of people idolized Sonic and his friends for saving the world over and over again, Lucas wasn't among them. He was grateful for their efforts, but it said nothing about their character. They lived on Mobius like everyone else and would have suffered under Eggman's rule, even the most self-centered people on Mobius would come together to stop that. Lucas was Tails' age once, and he knew how some boys were. He wanted to advise his Rosebud to be careful and to prepare herself in case the Fox had ulterior motives.
However, he saw Tails approaching Cosmo and hid. He was close enough to protect her if the Fox tried something and he could judge his character, and Lucas was impressed. Tails had tracked someone down in the middle of the night just to make sure they were okay. It would be different if it was someone Tails had known for years and years, but he hadn't even known Cosmo for three whole days. Lucas had no reason to trust Tails with his daughter before this and felt no shame in suspecting him of something. However, Lucas no longer felt that Cosmo needed his warnings.
"All you're doing is showing everyone that you've finally blossomed," Lucas quoted to himself. If he could move his face, he would be smirking at that. It wasn't that long ago that Lucas would have been laughing aloud at that.
Tails' choice of words might have been a red flag to some, but Lucas could see his eyes and face. He was so sincere and honest. The Fox was hiding nothing, and it showed. All he really wanted was to check on Cosmo. However, Lucas's mind was filling itself with ways he could tease Cosmo. All three of his children mostly took after their mother, but Lucas was the one who taught them sarcasm, playful jabs, and friendly teasing. Lucas and Galaxina were going to have a field day when Cosmo came back.
Dawn was just becoming morning when Cosmo woke up the next day. Both she and Miles wanted to get up early and leave, and Cosmo wasn't sure if Nicole needed to sleep, so it might not matter to her. Cosmo enjoyed listening to birdsong as she left the Oak Clan settlement but was slightly concerned about how empty it seemed. Perhaps everyone is just exhausted mentally from imprisonment?
Newfound Sanctuary was much livelier this morning. Adults were getting ready for their jobs or already leaving for them, and even the children were preparing for the school day. Cosmo couldn't help but smile and admire these people. They were displaced by Eggman and just attacked by him for a second time, and they were acting like nothing had happened. It was encouraging and inspiring to the Seedrian. They even managed to move or break down all of the rubble and wreckage from Eggman's machina. It really was like no disaster had happened just recently, it also let Cosmo reach the docks that much faster.
Cosmo could see Miles' plane and its opened pilot canopy. Miles stood up in his seat to wave at her. Nicole was on the ground and Cosmo was too far away to tell what she was doing, but Miles pointed Cosmo out to the Lynx and she turned to wave. Nicole was climbing up the retractable ladder by the time Cosmo got up to the plane, but the cyborg stayed at the top. Cosmo wondered why until she got most of the way up the ladder, where Nicole offered her a hand up. After Cosmo was on top of the plane, Nicole swiftly took her place in the co-pilot seat. Cosmo simply made her way to the closest passenger pit and placed herself within.
As the canopies closed, Cosmo heard a buzzing noise from within her cockpit, "Newfound Sanctuary doesn't have all of the facilities or supplies we need for Rail Canyon, so we'll have to stop in Grand Metropolis first."
Cosmo frowned at that. She wanted to rush to her people's aid, especially her brother, but it couldn't be helped. Cosmo wondered what exactly they would need that they didn't already have or couldn't get in Newfound Sanctuary, but didn't want to both Miles and Nicole with questions while they were piloting the plane. As the plane started flying, Cosmo realized they were going the wrong way. Cosmo knew enough about Mobius to know they would need to go West, but the plane was going towards the rising sun.
Cosmo was trying to remember how to use the intercom when it came back on, "You will want to look out towards your side of the plane."
Cosmo did what she was told and was surprised. They were flying past the Oak Clan settlement at a slant. Their angle gave Cosmo a perfect view of the settlement and all of the Seedrians. Cosmo's people were gathered tightly outside of the settlement, and they were flying close enough that Cosmo could see everyone waving and cheering for them. She couldn't hear them, but they were clearly being supportive of them. Did I not see anyone else this morning because they were setting this up? Cosmo was so touched by this gesture that she was utterly speechless. The plane flew in a loop over and around Newfound Sanctuary to ensure Cosmo got one more good look at the Oak Clan before leaving for her adventure. Cosmo couldn't keep the smile off her face or hold back the tears of joy.
They had been over the ocean for several minutes before Cosmo found her voice again, "Did you plan that yesterday?"
"Yes and no," Miles replied cryptically, "I dropped off the com-links with your mother and she asked for my help. All I really did was tell them the best way to gather so you could see everyone."
"Thank you so much," Cosmo said, "There aren't enough languages for me to tell you how much I appreciate everything you're doing for me and my people."
"You're welcome," Miles replied simply.
AUTHOR'S NOTE-
The doctors have to be really careful with Marrow's treatment. He can consciously mess with how his bones grow and how fast they do so, but he's good enough at his job that he hasn't been injured like this before. They have to make sure his body won't overcompensate for healing broken bones or try to grow out in a way that is harmful to him. His adoptive child, the Human with his wife, is too old for Cosmo to have babysat them (haven't decided if I'm going to make that a boy or a girl) but is still young enough that they couldn't have taken care of their younger siblings by themself. And his wife isn't the same kind of Mobian he is, does that make their biological children Molcupines, or Porcumoles, or some other portmanteau of their species?
I know this chapter was one big 'ol shipping moment for Tails and Cosmo, but it was necessary independent of whether or not you pair them together romantically. Tails and Sonic have worked most of their lives to help everyone live their own lives and to preserve the lives they work towards, that requires being able to empathize with as many people as possible. Despite not being the best people person, Tails can still emphasize with the fact that Cosmo's has recently been turned on its head and she's about to do something totally alien to her. Even if he didn't see himself as the leader of the upcoming expedition to Rail Canyon, he still would have done his best to comfort whoever was in Cosmo's position.
Cosmo hasn't had the chance to return all of the kindness Tails has been showing her, but the circumstance haven't been right. Attacking Rail Canyon will be one of the most defining moments of Cosmo's life, but it will be Tuesday for Tails. Her time to return the favor will come, it just won't be for a little while. Nicole hasn't had many Slice-of-life scenes yet, but that's because she's focusing her processing power on decrypting Eggman files and organizing it in a way that can be understood for people who don't have computers in their bodies. As much as she wants to, any information that could help save Eggman's captives is objectively more important than anyone's interpersonal relationships. At least she's had plenty of badass fight scenes to make up for it in the meanwhile, but we will see plenty of her 'human' side.
If have any constructive criticism, questions you have that won't spoil the story, or even just theories and guesses on how the story will turn out, please leave a Review.