Chapter 48: An Upcoming Choice
"Tangle's Log,
Hey hey! Guess what?! We found a Chaos Emerald! WHOO! BACK ON THE BOARD!
… Ok, SOON to be back on the board! We found the Chaos Emerald… but the three who found it BEFORE US are only gonna let us have it if we bring them back to their home planet, so that is what we are doing today.
Apparently they were traveling through space trying to save their home, since the Metarex stole their Planet Egg… apparently the planet got sick because of it? I don't really know how THAT works, but maybe we'll look into it when we get there.
They said the planet is full of fortune tellers, and they predicted that they'd find the help they needed out in space… yeah, right.
Fortune telling… what a load of baloney! I mean, really?! Who believes in fate or destiny?! I forge my own path like the boss I am!
… Though Amy seems VERY excited about the love fortunes they tell there… yeah, that checks out.
So yeah, we're about to land… guess a little break on this planet would be good considering the gauntlet of stuff we just went through, huh?"
"Welp, bye I guess." Tangle said as she watched Amy drag Sonic off into the distance.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh nervously at that.
"So uh… I guess we'll just split off into our own groups then?" Tangle asked. "You know, take a break and see what this place has to offer?"
Tails nodded.
"Yeah, I think that's for the best. We've been going non-stop for a while now." He said.
"Ok then, come on Jewel!" Tangle said as she began walking away.
As they were walking into a nearby village, Jewel's curiosity got the better of her.
"So what gives? I thought you didn't believe in fate or destiny?" Jewel asked.
Tangle just shrugged.
"Eh, I don't. But this is a whole society dedicated to it… I'm curious I guess." Tangle explained.
Jewel nodded.
"I guess you have a point there."
The two of them walked through town, looking at the various shops, some selling good luck charms, some selling warding charms, and some selling fortunes.
One caught Tangle's attention.
"So, you think you can tell me when I'll meet my first love, huh?" Tangle asked the woman running the stand.
"Indeed, I have successfully predicted many chance meetings over the years… why? Are you interested?" She asked.
Tangle shrugged.
"Sure, why not. Hit me!" She said, tossing a few coins onto the table.
"Very well…" The woman said, shuffling a pile of cards.
She then spread them out in a fan, and gestured for Tangle to take one.
She complied, and there was a picture of… some kind of clock? It looked like it was supposed to be moving counterclockwise…
"Ah, that's a very rare one!" The woman said. "I don't get many people who have already met their first loves!"
"Really? Why?" Tangle asked.
She just frowned, and gestured to the sign that said "Learn when you will meet your first love."
Future tense.
"Ah, I see." Tangle said. "Wait, so I already met the first girl I am gonna date? Is that what you're saying?"
"I suppose so." The woman said. "Sadly, that is the best I could give you… I'm sorry."
She then took the coins and reached to hand them back to Tangle.
"To apologize for failing to meet your expectations."
Tangle shook her head.
"Nah, it's cool, it's still valuable info if true I guess." Tangle said. "Thanks… you wanna try Jewel?"
"No, I think I'm alright." Jewel said. "Let's just focus on you for now."
The smirk on Jewel's face told Tangle all she needed to know.
"Oh great… here we go…"
"So… anything you want to tell me?" Jewel asked.
"Nope." Tangle said. "I do not have a crush on any of our friends, or you… It'd be REALLY weird if I had a crush on you…"
Jewel laughed.
"Agreed." Jewel said. "Still, begs the question of who it REALLY is…"
Tangle shrugged.
"Cream's too young, so is Cosmo, and she's probably gonna get together with Tails at some point, and Amy is…"
At that moment, they felt a breeze, as they saw Sonic speed past them.
"GET BACK HERE SONIC!"
Turning around, they saw Amy chasing after him.
"…Amy."
"Yeah." Tangle said with a nervous laugh. "So really, not worth thinking about. I'll figure it out when I do… if that crud is anything worth believing…"
Jewel nodded.
"That's fair I guess." Jewel said.
As they began walking away though, they heard someone call to them.
"Excuse me! Young miss!"
Turning to the voice, they saw an elderly man waving to them.
"Please come here! I have something important to tell you!" He shouted.
Tangle turned to Jewel, who shrugged, before the two decided to humor him.
"What's up?"
"My… you are from quite a ways away, aren't you?" The man asked.
Tangle frowned.
"Yeah, your point?"
"Well… when I saw you, I decided to do a reading of your future, out of curiosity." The man explained. "I believe you'll want to hear it… free of charge of course!"
'Well, since it's free…'
"Alright, hit me." Tangle said. "What's so important?"
The man frowned.
"One of your close friends is going to die soon."
Tangle groaned.
"Yeah, sure." Tangle said. "Sorry, I don't…"
"Let me finish! This is the important part!" The man said quite rudely.
At this point, Jewel stepped in.
"Listen, if you're trying to sell us something…"
"No! I wouldn't do such a thing!" The man said. "There are many who would… but not me. I just wish to help you, honest!"
Tangle sighed.
"Alright, what?"
The man then gestured to a couple of cards on his desk.
One of them was a symbol she didn't recognize, and the other a skull.
"This symbol, represents an important choice." The man said, pointing to the weird symbol. "The skull… I don't think I have to explain."
Tangle nodded.
"So what? If I make the wrong choice, a friend of mine will die?"
The man nodded.
"Indeed…" The man said. "This… is the first time I had a reading like this to be quite honest…"
Tangle just shrugged.
"Eh, I'll get it all figured out." Tangle said. "… I won't let any of my friends die, I can promise you that."
The man nodded.
"I wish you the best of luck." The man said.
And with that, Tangle began walking away.
"… You alright?" Jewel asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Tangle asked. "Like I said, most of this stuff is bogus anyways."
Then… she got silent.
"… Well, if it is true… I'm sure you'll make the right choice." Jewel said. "I trust you with that."
Tangle nodded.
"Right… thanks Jewel." Tangle said.
She didn't like the idea of one of her friends potentially dying on this whole journey…
But it'll be fine… that stuff was bogus…
Right?
After walking around a bit more, the duo bumped into Cream and Tails, who were looking for Cosmo.
Apparently, she was upset about a fortune that was read to her, and she ran off.
So now, Tangle was jumping around the rooftops, looking for the girl, with Jewel flying above.
"Hey! I think I see her!" Jewel said with a point.
Tangle looked over, and saw Cosmo staring off into space near a cliff.
"There you are!" She said, before making her way over there.
When she arrived, she put a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Hey… you doing alright?"
"Hm…"
Tangle looked to Jewel, who just gestured for her to keep going.
"Cream and Tails told us about the fortune… listen, you really shouldn't let that kinda thing bother you…" Tangle said. "Fortune telling is kinda bogus if you ask me."
"Hm…"
…
"Uh… you… hear me?" Tangle asked, waving a hand in front of Cosmo's face.
"Huh? Oh! Sorry Tangle!" Cosmo said. "I uh… guess I just spaced out…"
"It's cool… ring for your thoughts?" Tangle asked, sitting down at the edge of the cliff, and gesturing for Cosmo to join her.
Cosmo complied and looked out in the distance.
"Did you… ever notice that on all the planets we visited, there weren't any that there were both animals and plants living together?" Cosmo asked.
"Huh?" Tangle said, before going deep into thought. "… I never thought about it, but I guess you're right… why?"
Cosmo sighed.
"Do you think… it's possible for a plant like me to co-exist with animals like you all?" Cosmo asked.
Tangle didn't even hesitate to give her answer.
"Duh! Of course it is!" Tangle said with a smile. "I mean, we get along great, don't we?"
Cosmo looked down.
"Do we… I'm always causing trouble for you after all…" Cosmo said sadly.
Tangle just looked at her like she was crazy.
"That's not true at all!" Jewel said.
"Yeah!" Tangle said. "I mean… you were the one who snapped me out of my funk after I got my butt kicked, remember?"
Cosmo sighed again.
"Yeah, which only happened because you were trying to avenge my family…" Cosmo said. "And then there was the time that I got Tails and I stuck in that cave… he got hurt because of me…"
Tangle looked to Jewel, who gestured for her to say something.
"Ok… listen… do you think I am good at what I do?" Tangle asked.
"Wha- Of course I do!" Cosmo said.
"Well, would you believe me if I told you I was pretty trash at this whole hero thing at first?" Tangle asked.
Cosmo looked surprised.
"When I first met Sonic… I didn't even want to use my tail for anything cause of the attention it attracted." Tangle said. "Him and Tails… they taught me that my tail is a gift, one that I could use to help others… to save people… I always knew that, but I never knew how until they came into the picture.
At first, I had no clue what I was doing with it. Just picking stuff up was tough from being a few years out of practice, I couldn't dodge a laser, and as strong as my tail was, I could only really hit something big and slow… but they never gave up on me.
One day though, I did something dumb, and went off to fight Eggman without telling anyone… I almost died in his base that day."
She then laughed at the memory.
"Sonic really gave me a stern talking to after… he also told me something really important. That he isn't perfect... that he also goofs up from time to time.
Up until then, I always thought that he was the pinnacle of… well, everything. Perfection personified. I pretty much idolized him because of it… but that day, I learned that even the ones who SEEM to be perfect and unstoppable… really aren't… and later, I learned something else.
The reason WHY he always seemed so perfect back then, even though he isn't… is because he always has help. Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream and Cheese, me and Jewel… and now you."
She then looked Cosmo dead in the eyes.
"It doesn't matter how many mistakes you make… cause your friends will ALWAYS be there to have your back... got it?"
Cosmo couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah… you're right." Cosmo said. "Thank you…"
Jewel then joined in.
"We'd all go to the end of the universe and back for you Cosmo… don't forget that."
Cosmo nodded, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Thank you… both of you…" Cosmo said.
Tangle then wrapped her tail around the girl and gave her a hug.
"That's what friends are for you goober!"
At that moment, the sky began changing color.
"Night time already?" Tangle asked.
"Actually, that is just the sky changing color at a certain time!"
They turned around and saw Cream and Cheese approaching them.
"That is what someone told me at least…"
"Oh Cream… I'm so sorry I worried you." Cosmo said, wiping her tears from her eyes.
Cream shook her head.
"It's alright, are you feeling better now?" Cream asked.
Cosmo nodded.
"Yes… much better." She said with a smile.
"Alright! Now, how's about we meet up with Amy, and go exploring huh?" Tangle asked. "… Assuming she's willing to take a break from trying to hook up with Sonic…"
Cosmo smiled.
"I think… I'd really like that."
Before long, the group found Amy, who was surprisingly willing to take a break from what she was doing to go and get everyone's fortunes told.
And of course, everyone got good readings.
What was interesting though, was what Cosmo said suddenly.
"Uh… so does anyone know where Tails went?" She asked.
Everyone turned to her surprised.
'Oh...?'
"I think he said he was going back to the Typhoon to look into why this planet is sick… why?" Jewel asked.
Cosmo just looked sad.
"I just… I think I worried him earlier, and I wanted to let him know that I am alright now…" Cosmo said. "I just… really don't like the idea of him worrying about me…"
Everyone just looked to each other and smiled, before Amy made a "Shush" gesture, telling everyone to just let them figure things out on their own.
"Well, he's busy right now probably, so how's about you apologize when he's done, ok?" Tangle said.
Cosmo nodded.
"Yes, I agree." She said before turning to Amy. "So uh… how's the matchmaking with Sonic going?"
Amy fell to her knees, clearly upset.
"… Yeah, that makes sense." Tangle said with a slight laugh.
"But don't worry… Momo taught me about something very interesting…" Amy said. "This time… he'll be mine…"
She then began an evil laugh.
"… Right…"
At that moment, Cream was getting a call on her communicator.
"Tails?"
"Hey, I found out what's going on with the Planet." Tails said. "After the Planet Egg was stolen, a section of the planet changed, and is now something resembling cancer cells. Removing it should fix everything!"
"Hey that's great!" Tangle said. "So uh… what's the bad news? Cause it's never that easy…"
Tails laughed.
"Well, when we remove it, there's gonna be a giant rush of water coming out." Tails explained. "So, we need to create a barricade so it doesn't end up flooding everyone's homes… can you guys take care of that while Sonic and I take care of the preparations?"
Tangle gave him a thumbs up.
"Of course! That sounds easy!"
And with that, they got to work, spreading word around to the locals about what was going on, and then setting up the barricade…
What was weird though, was what happened AFTER Sonic and Tails finished their job…
"Hey, come with me." Amy said, gesturing Tangle to follow her.
Tangle looked to Jewel, who shrugged, before she went and followed her.
"It's time for my foolproof plan to make Sonic mine!" Amy said. "And I need your help!"
Tangle just sighed.
"Yeah… no, sorry." Tangle said. "Not a fan of playing 'forced matchmaker' today."
At that moment, Amy summoned her hammer.
"What was that?" She said in a very threatening tone.
Tangle began to sweat.
"What I meant to say was, what do I gotta do?!" She said.
Angry Amy with her hammer was one of the scariest things in the universe…
"I already got half the trap set up… apparently someone else already did this a while back." Amy said. "I just need to set the trip rope!"
"Uh… right…"
The two got to work, and set up a rope that Tangle assumed was meant for Sonic to trip on.
"Ok… it's all set." Tangle said.
"Great! Now I just gotta get Sonic to fall for the trap, then the matchmaking spell will do its magic!" Amy said.
Tangle just laughed nervously.
"You REALLY buy into this whole fortune telling and magical match making stuff… huh?" Tangle asked.
"Of course!" Amy said, pulling out a deck of tarot cards. "I'll have you know, I do a bit of fortune telling myself! Heck, it's through these cards that I met Sonic too!"
"… Really?" Tangle asked. "Huh…"
She then thought back to that fortune from earlier.
"… You alright?" Amy asked, genuinely concerned. "You didn't get a bad fortune earlier, did you?"
Tangle just shook her head.
"Nah, just some confusing ones is all." Tangle said.
"… Alright." Amy said. "If you need help figuring them out, let me know. I have a knack for these kinds of things!"
Tangle nodded.
"Right, thanks."
At that moment, they noticed someone approaching, and began to hide, assuming it was Sonic.
However, it was someone else…
Cosmo.
The girl had somehow managed to completely avoid the trap they set, and was walking towards the edge, not at all noticing their presence.
She was then looking over the edge, taking in the view.
A little while later though, Tails joined her, also managing to avoid the trap.
"Aww… they're having a moment together!" Tangle said.
"… Better not set off the trap…" Amy grumbled out. "But yeah… this is cute."
Amy jinxed it.
As the two were leaving, Cosmo tripped on the rope, and set off the trap, hurling them into the air and into a nearby body of water.
At that moment, the moon was in full view, and the two of them just stared at it in awe, still holding each other in their arms.
"Awwwwww! That's so cute!" Tangle said.
Then she realized… that was probably what Amy had planned for her and Sonic.
The matchmaking spell, if it worked, worked on those two.
And Amy was furious.
Before the girl could jump out and ruin the moment, Tangle wrapped her tail around her, and covered her mouth.
"You'll have more chances with Sonic! Let those two have their moment!" Tangle said. "Please? Cosmo was having a rough day before we met up with you…"
Amy crossed her arms.
"Hmph!"
Tangle sighed, before turning and looking at the two again.
Looking at them on the hill, the two so young, yet so perfect for each other… Tangle couldn't help but feel happy…
But… what was this feeling of dread that she had?
"… A choice huh?" Tangle asked herself.
"Huh? What was that?" Amy asked.
"… Nothing. Let's just go back to the others." Tangle said as she turned to leave.
'I won't let anyone die… no matter what.'
End of Chapter 48
More bonding time for Tangle Jewel and Cosmo! HORRAY! Also one of the big Tailsmo moments from the show. I always loved that moment they had, and didn't want to really change anything with it… other than Amy screaming at them. Like girl, let the two have their moment lol.
Also yeah, this chapter also is teasing the big thing: Cosmo's death… or rather, whether or not it'll happen. If you're on AO3, you wouldn't know this, but when I was returning to this story after a two year hiatus, I released a preview of the arc to announce what was happening. A part of that was implying that something could "Save everything, and everyone." This is what that was talking about.
I will say this: No, this is not at all confirmation that Cosmo will live. Truth be told, when I was thinking about whether she should live, there were two things I had to consider.
First, character development. There are a LOT of things I could do with Act 2 in terms of everyone's development after Cosmo dies, especially Tails, Tangle and Jewel (hence me wanting the later two to have a strong bond with her).
But at the same time, I could do the same if she doesn't die, but it would go in a completely different direction.
The second thing is that it would be VERY challenging to come up with a way that she'd survive… there's just so many factors to consider for that sacrifice.
All this being said… I already made my choice, and even wrote it out.
Alright, next up, time for a big Tailsmo chapter! See you then!