-Chapter 199-
Sonic on Trial
Knothole
Two weeks after their beach day, Team Thorndyke had invited Danny, Frances, and Helen to go over the answers to their homework, the group sitting around the coffee table as Frances sat on the Treasure of Babylon, now the game room's throw rug.
"This is an Extreme Gear?" she asked. "It's so comfy."
"I know, right?" Chris remarked. "And it flies."
"So an emergency escape?" Helen questioned.
"Well, not until Tails figures out the full calibrations on it," Keith clarified. "He doesn't want us flying into walls by accident."
"I was fine!" Kat objected.
"You, maybe. But we wouldn't have been."
Hope stood up, holding a container of fish food.
"I'll be right back. Gotta feed the Drakon."
As she headed into the lab and the others got settled in, something pounded on the door.
"I got it!" Helen declared.
She wheeled over to the door, opening it.
"Who is-" Helen's voice died as she took in the sight of several people in armor, faces like the Drakon Prosecutor in the tank. After a moment of silence, she slowly reached for the doorknob.
"Um... I think you have the wrong house."
She quietly closed the door as if to say "I'll pretend I didn't see that"... only for the door to be violently kicked in. Everyone jumped to their feet, Keith, Chris, and Kat all getting between their friends and the Drakons. Hope dropped the entire jar of fish food into the tank..
"We know you are hiding one of our brethren here!" the lead Prosecutor spat.
"How did you find us here?!" Chris demanded.
"Irrelevant," the Prosecutor shot back. "You have something to answer for. Our fellow Prosecutor Davros went missing on Flicky Island over a year ago. Our recordings detail your allies taking him captive, after destroying many of our Sentinels. The one you call Sonic the Hedgehog chief among them."
"We have no idea what you're talking about," Chris insisted.
"Don't let these pint-sized miscreants lie to you!" Davros screamed. "I'm in here!"
Hope smacked the glass, trying to shut him up, but it was too late. The Prosecutors perked before scowling.
"So… you are holding him here."
"We don't know what you're talking about," Keith spat. "Now get out of our house or we'll make you."
"Step aside," the leader ordered.
"No, he said leave," Kat snapped.
The leader scowled. "We do not take orders from you, brat! You and yours have committed grave offenses against the Drakon Empire, and justice will be served!"
Kat popped her neck and went to attack. The Prosecutor jabbed her in the stomach and electricity coursed through her. She screamed, then crumbled to the ground.
"KAT!" Everyone screamed.
As the others prepared to fight, the Prosecutor slammed his staff into the ground, increasing the gravity and dropping them to the ground.
"You may be accomplices to the kidnappers, but we are not unreasonable. Tell us where Sonic the Hedgehog is, and you are free to go."
"Not a chance!" Chris shouted.
"Yeah!" Keith agreed. "Sonic's our friend! Like hell we'll sell him out!"
"So be it. You had your chance."
All of them are rounded up and cuffed... and it was at that moment Cosmo came in, a casual expression on her face. She stopped cold in the doorway, said expression quickly dissolving into fear and panic.
"W-what's going on?!" she exclaimed.
"Cosmo, run!" Frances screamed. "Get out of here!"
All eyes turned to her.
"A Seedrian," one of the Prosecutors said. "I thought they were wiped out long ago."
"It doesn't matter," said the leader. "If these children won't reveal where Sonic is, then they will lead him to us."
"No!" Cosmo cried. "Leave them alone!"
Her body was beginning to shake, every leaf of her form trembling.
"I won't let you hurt my friends!"
She grabbed one, struggling with him.
"Cosmo, get out of here!" Keith shouted. Get help!"
The Prosecutor yanked his arm free before backhanding Cosmo to the ground.
"Seedrian child, you are interfering with justice," he said calmly. "Step aside."
"No!" Cosmo got up, her body shaking as her entire form began to grow. "YOU WON'T TAKE MY FAMILY!"
As they watched, Cosmo's eyes glowed, and her body shifted and morphed into a Velociraptor-like creature with green and white skin, and thorns for claws. The only traits that still identified her as Cosmo were the small rosebuds on the sides of her head, now grown out and thorny themselves.
"Holy-!" Danny shouted.
Screeching and roaring, Cosmo bit and clawed at the Drakons, desperate to save her friends.
"She's morphed!" the leader screamed. "Stop her! STOP HER!"
The Prosecutors struggled to pull her off of their comrade, the kids all just staring.
"Uh…" Kat began, "am I delirious from the shock, or did Cosmo just turn into a Mobosaur?"
"No... she did." Keith confirmed.
As the fight wore on, however, Cosmo began to wear down. Much to their horror, green blood began dripping from her jaws as she coughed, allowing the leader to grab her by the neck.
"Ah yes, the Seedrian Mover Mode," he mused. "I've heard tales of it. Powerful indeed, but you should have waited until you were used to it and knew how to regulate it before you started picking fights, girl."
Cosmo just snarled, only to be choke-slammed to the ground. As he moved to finish her off, Helen pulled herself up with all her strength.
"Wait!" she screamed. "We'll go with you! Just don't hurt her!"
All of the kids were hastily nodding.
"Just let her go, please," Chris pleaded. "You need someone to tell Sonic where we are anyway. Leave her, and just take us."
Seeing the logic, the leader knelt down to Cosmo's level, lifting her head up.
"Tell Sonic we have your friends," he told her. "If he wants to see them alive again, come to the outpost the Mobians have termed the Aquatic Ruins on Westside Island."
With that, he dropped Cosmo, who reverted to her usual form before passing out. He turned to his men, gesturing toward Team Thorndyke and friends.
"Take them away."
Some time later…
Sonic returned to Knothole from his latest appointment with Dr. Sorders. He whistled casually as he opened the door... to find the place in shambles and Cosmo out cold on the floor. Complete horror washed over him as he rushed over to Cosmo's side.
"Cosmo?!" He gently gathered her up. "Cosmo, wake up!"
He gently shook her and slapped her face until she groaned, her eyes fluttering open.
"They... they're gone," she let out, tears in her eyes. "They took them... They took my friends…"
"Who did this?" Sonic demanded.
"D-Drakons… They came for the Prosecutor in the lab's tank… They- they said if you want to- to see them alive again... you need to go to their outpost… in the Aquatic Ruins." She gripped his hoodie. "Please, you have to save them… I can't lose everyone again…"
Sonic gently lifted her up, placing her on the couch.
"I'll get them back, I promise." He headed out the door, a grim expression on his face. "They want a fight? I'm gonna give them an Aurora-damned war."
Aquatic Ruins
The Drakons were waiting in a battle formation, the kids cuffed and on their knees before them. Helen had even been removed from her wheelchair, and Kat's cuffs had been reinforced when she protested the action.
"HEY!"
All eyes turned to see Sonic standing there, glaring daggers at the Drakon.
"Sonic!" Chris cried out, trying to stand before he was immediately shoved back down.
Seeing this, Sonic scowled before glaring at the Drakons. "You have ten seconds to uncuff my friends before I turn you all into the world's nastiest sushi."
"Oh yes, threaten officers of the Drakon Empire," Davros, now free and in a new suit, taunted. "Add more to the charges against you."
"Zip it, fishface! You and your fishstick wannabes better not have hurt them, because trust me…" some black sparks danced across his eyes, "you won't like the results."
The Prosecutors were unmoved.
"Sonic the Hedgehog, you are charged with the kidnapping of an officer of the Drakon Empire, cruel confinement of said officer, and unlawfully destroying Drakon Sentinels," the leader listed off. "Surrender now, or the children will be taking your punishment."
That made Sonic's eyes go wide.
"Whoa, whoa. What?!" he shrieked. "They weren't even there for the kidnapping! Why are they being dragged into this?!"
"Simple, really," Davros replied. "They knew I was being held against my will, and did nothing. In fact, they supported and encouraged my entrapment. Ever hear of the phrase 'accomplice by inaction'?"
"No…" Sonic snarled. "No, you're not taking them! One: They're innocent. Two: They've been through enough. Three: They're just kids!"
"Your laws and morals are not ours, hedgehog," the leader spat. "Justice will be served, one way or another. As for who suffers the swift and severe consequences of your actions... that's up to you."
He held a blaster to a terrified Helen's head, and that's all Sonic needed.
"Alright!" he shouted. "Alright. You win. You got me." He dropped to his knees, putting his hands behind his head. "Just let them go, and I'll come quietly."
One of the Prosecutors went over to Sonic, cuffing him.
"The children will not be tried, but will be brought along as witnesses for the trial," the leader said.
"What?!" Sonic demanded. "That wasn't part of the deal!"
"Our message to the Seedrian was to come here 'if you want to see them alive again,'" Davros recalled. "And here they are, alive. Until your trial is finished, they will remain in custody."
Sonic was clearly not happy, but wasn't in a position to argue, allowing himself to be yanked to his feet.
"At least give Helen her chair back," he requested. "If she's not on trial, she has the right to her mobility device."
The leader took that in before nodding. "Very well."
Helen's wheelchair was brought out, the Prosecutors lifting her up and setting her back in it. With that, the leader waved his staff, a ring similar to the Warp Rings and the ones on Flicky Island manifesting, the Drakons escorting them through.
Planet Drak
When they exited, they found themselves in an elaborate city that was near-identical to the Aquatic Ruins, Ocean Palace, and Rusty Ruins, but brand new.
"Whoa…" everyone let out.
They were escorted to a building atop a large spire of rock. Inside the throne room, seated on the throne, sat an important-looking Drakon wearing a gold headdress and purple mantle, his exoskeleton colored yellow and blue. At the sight of them, he rose to his feet.
"You must be Sonic," he noted. "I am Emperor Ko-Dorr of the House of War, one of the three rulers of Planet Drak and the empire. It is I who commands the Drakon Empire's military and justice system."
He approached them as he went on. "You've built up quite a rap sheet with us. Destroying our Sentinels. Kidnapping and containing a Prosecutor. And interfering with our affairs by preventing the capture and interrogation of the one you call Dr. Robotnik."
"Eggman is a Mobian criminal, subject to Mobian law," Sonic insisted. "He's our problem, not yours."
"That is not your decision to make," Ko-Dorr said sternly. "We, the Drakon, decide what is and is not our concern. And with that in mind, how do you plead, hedgehog?"
"How about I give you the finger…" Sonic flipped him off with his left hand, "And I get my one phone call to a lawyer?"
Ko-Dorr chuckled darkly. "You'll find our laws and justice system are not the same as yours."
The kids all exchanged nervous looks at that.
"Sonic, now is not the time for your usual shenanigans," Keith warned.
"Okay then," Sonic sighed. "What is your justice system?"
"Trial by combat, boy," Davros answered. "There's a reason we're called 'Prosecutors.' Now, how do you plead?"
"Oh, just get on with it!" Sonic snapped impatiently.
"Not guilty," Ko-Dorr decided. "Very well. Tomorrow morning, you will be escorted to the Arena of Judgment and fight one of our Prosecutors to the death. Lose, and you are guilty. Win, and you are innocent. All charges will be dropped."
The others took that in, visibly shocked.
"Seriously?" Kat demanded. "What kind of society believes there's any justice in trial by combat?"
Ko-Dorr smirked. "A strong society."
"And my friends?" Sonic questioned. "What's gonna happen to them until tomorrow?"
"They are free to do as they please, provided they attend your trial in the morning. Regardless of the outcome, once it concludes, they will be sent back to Mobius."
"Fine. Then let them go and take me away. Let's get this farce over with."
At Ko-Dorr's wave, the kids were uncuffed, rubbing their wrists.
"Sonic, we can't just sit here and do nothing," Hope insisted. "What's the plan?"
"Do what you do best: research." Sonic said matter-of-factly.
"But the trial-" Helen began.
"It'll be okay. I can take whatever they dish out."
-X-
As Sonic was taken to the dungeon, the kids, after asking around, were escorted to one of the other ruling houses, the House of Knowledge.
"Okay, House of Knowledge," Chris decided. "Best place to find info, I take it."
"I just hope the books aren't in a weird, alien language," Frances remarked.
"Oh yeah, that would suck," Danny agreed.
Kat sighed. "I don't like leaving Sonic down there."
"Neither do I, but we don't have much choice," Keith pointed out. "We break him out, they'll just come after us again."
"I know, I know," Kat replied. "I guess I've gotten too used to just punching my problems."
"An effective method, but not always the best," Hope remarked.
"So what are we looking for?" Helen questioned.
"The Drakons have had an interest in Mobius for centuries," Chris explained. "At least since the time of Solaran and Pachacamac. We're gonna find out anything that can tell us why. Fill in the gaps."
They entered the House of Knowledge, stopping in the door. They could see walls and walls of books and manuscripts, as well as signs acting like a directory. However, the signs were all written in glyphs.
"Alien language…" Frances facepalmed. "Darn it."
Kat looked at the glyphs, noticing something familiar about them.
"Hold on…" she mused. "I recognize this. This is… ancient Echidna language. Or something like it."
The others approached, looking them over.
"How can that be?" Hope asked.
"I have no idea…" Chris muttered.
"I might," Hope thought. "What if... what if the Echidnas based their language off of the Drakon?"
They turned to her.
"I mean, they were around during the Knuckles Clan's era. It kinda makes sense."
Keith turned to Kat. "Any chance Locke's Guardian teachings included how to read their language?"
"Oh yeah," Kat nodded. "It's a bit of a headache, but I can do it."
"If that doesn't work, we'll think of something." Chris decided.
"Hold on…" Keith grabbed his backpack, taking it off. "They never took our stuff from us, meaning we have our tools. And… bingo!"
He dumped a bunch of pieces of scrap and circuitry onto a small table.
"Hope, Chris, think we could use this to rig up a translator?"
Frances blinked. "You carry all this junk in your backpack?"
"Frances, he literally built a small robot after finishing a test because he was bored," Danny pointed out. "Is it really that surprising?"
Keith shrugged. "Never know when it might come in handy, and then who's prepared?"
"Kat, take Frances, Helen, and Danny," Hope said. "Go find anything you can on Mobius, the Drakon, and their history. We'll work on the translator."
Kat gave a two fingered salute, grabbing Helen's chair and pushing her off.
-X-
The trio was just putting the finishing touches on the translator when the girls and Danny returned. Helen was carrying a sizable stack of books on her lap.
"Now I know how a pack mule feels," she remarked.
"Keep up the good work, and we'll brush your hair and give you a nice bag of oats," Frances teased.
Helen snorted at that before putting the books on the table.
"I grabbed every book with the words History and Mobius," Kat told them. "I also found a few on Chaos, so I grabbed them too."
"Just in time." Hope held up a handheld gadget
Danny raised an eyebrow. "You... made a Game Cog (1)?"
"I sacrificed my Game Cog for the cause," Chris clarified. "But no, it's our translator. All we need is the basic alphabet of the language we're trying to translate."
"Pass it," Kat insisted.
Hope handed it over as Kat got to work.
"Once we have the alphabet, all we need to do is scan the document, and a translation will be automatically provided." Chris explained
"How is it you're not already in college?" Frances questioned.
"Well, if it's any consolation, Tails and Tekno make us look like idiots by comparison." Keith pointed out.
"That and our parents wanted us to interact with people our own age so we'd be able to develop emotionally and socially." Chris tacked on.
Kat typed away on the translator for a few moments before it beeped. With a nod, she handed it back to Keith, who began scanning the various documents.
"Alright, let's see what we can do here."
-X-
Three hours of research later, his jaw dropped at one particular document.
"Guys... you are not gonna believe this."
They gathered around, reading the same document and gasping.
"No way…" Hope let out. "It can't be…"
"It is," Keith said. "According to this… the Drakons are the ones who created the Chaos Emeralds."
"What?!" Kat exclaimed. "That- Is that even possible?!"
"I thought the Chaos Emeralds have always been around!" Helen objected. "Since the dawn of time and all that!"
"No, but the Chaos Force has," Chris looked over the tomes. "They learned to tap into it as an energy source, but it was unstable. They needed vessels to safely use and contain it... and found them in the form of raw emeralds scattered all over the universe."
"So Chaos Emeralds are a galactic phenomena," Danny noted.
"Apparently."
"And if the ancient Echidnas based their language off of the Drakons, their knowledge of Chaos Force had to come from them too," Kat deduced.
"Then... the coming of the Chaos Emeralds was their doing?" Frances asked.
Keith looked over the tomes.
"Not intentionally. The Black Arms of the time learned of the Chaos Emeralds and attacked Drakon scouts in orbit over Mobius. In the ensuing fight, thousands of their stored Emeralds rained down on Mobius, triggering the extinction event that wiped out most of the dinosaurs."
"The first Day of Fury… (2)" Kat muttered.
"This is beyond insane…" Chris remarked.
"Then... that's why we can barely take two steps without tripping over an Emerald," Hope said. "They literally destroyed Mobius when they dumped them."
"It all makes sense now…" Kat went on. "All their outposts, the war with the Knuckles Clan… They were trying to reclaim their property."
"Which means even if Sonic wins his trial, it most likely won't be the last we see of these guys." Chris theorized.
"We need to warn Sonic," Keith insisted.
"Then let's see what this place feels about visitation hours," Helen decided.
-X-
They headed for the dungeon, only for two guards to block them off..
"Let me guess, visiting hours are over?" Chris deadpanned.
"You will interact with the prisoner when his trial commences at the Arena, and not before." one guard said sternly.
"Seriously?" Keith demanded. "How is that fair?"
"As associates of the accused, you are forbidden from interaction until the trial," the second guard said. "Leave, or you will be held in contempt of court."
Kat scowled. "What a load of bull-"
She was cut off by a spear point under her chin.
"Drak does not follow the same laws as Mobius, girl," the guard spat. "As long as you are in our world, you will obey our rules. And that's the end of the matter."
Kat gritted her teeth before stepping back. "C'mon, let's get outta here."
They stormed off, Kat grumbling indignantly as they went.
"And the fact that they kidnapped us from our world and just expect us to go by their laws means nothing to them," she hissed. "Self-righteous, hypocritical hunks of seafood."
"Honestly, I'm just glad you didn't attack them," Keith said flatly.
"I already tried that, and it didn't work," Kat replied. "I'm not stupid. Besides, this is a situation that requires brains, not brute force."
"Well, if we can't tell Sonic face-to-face, time for Plan B." Hope decided.
"What's that?" Frances asked. "Some kinda fancy gadget we can slip in?"
"Not exactly."
-X-
A few moments later, they stood off to the side as Hope finished writing a message on a piece of paper, folding it into an airplane.
"A paper airplane?" Danny deadpanned. "Really?"
"Yeah," Hope nodded. "We find Sonic's cell and chuck it in. Simple as that."
"I mean… sure, if you wanna do it the easy way."
"Why wouldn't we?" Kat questioned, tapping her head. "Work smarter, not harder."
"Right, so, let's find him," Chris decided.
As they looked around, they perked, hearing the sound of a harmonica playing. They followed the sound to find Sonic sitting casually, playing it.
"Uh... where did he get that?" Frances questioned.
Before they could get his attention, a guard approached, carrying a bowl of gruel. Sonic looked up at it, cringing.
"Guess chili dogs aren't a thing on this planet." he remarked.
"This is a prison, hedgehog. Not a bed and breakfast," the guard shot back. "You will eat whatever we bring."
"Yeah, definitely not a bed and breakfast. No way this place would be up to code otherwise."
The guard slid the bowl in. "Be grateful we feed you at all. If you didn't need your strength for your trial, Emperor Ko-Dorr would most likely leave you to starve."
"I'll be sure to bow to him and kiss his feet for it in the morning." Sonic deadpanned.
The guard snarled before walking away. As soon as his footsteps were far enough away, Hope took careful aim before throwing the paper airplane through the bars. It fluttered around a bit before landing in the food bowl just as Sonic picked it up.
"Huh," he muttered. "Air mail."
He picked it up, brushing it off before opening it and reading it over.
"Sonic, the Drakons are the creators of the Chaos Emeralds. They've been around since the dawn of time, and actually played a hand in the ancient Echidnas' rise. You need to be careful. These guys mean business, and there's no telling what they will do, even if you do win. -Hope."
He read and reread it, trying to comprehend what he just processed. His hand then sparked, lighting the paper on fire.
"Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting."
The next day…
Dawn came, and Sonic was escorted to the Arena of Judgement. The kids watched from a box in the auditorium, public screens broadcasting the trial to the Drakon citizens.
"It is time for justice to be served, Sonic the Hedgehog," Ko-Dorr announced from his chair. "Are you ready?"
"You and I have very different perceptions of justice, buddy." Sonic said matter-of-factly.
"Let us see how long your insolent tongue lasts," Ko-Dorr shot back. "Bring out the Prosecutor!"
Davros emerged, carrying a fearsome-looking weapon, a bizarre double-sided scimitar/hook sword/deer horn knife hybrid-edged weapon with a curved blade, four points, and three handholds on the back. (3)
"Should've known they'd choose you for this," Sonic noted.
"As the affronted party, I have been granted the honor of dispensing justice." Davros replied.
Off to the side, a compartment opened up, revealing several weapons.
"But as the accused, you have the right to properly defend yourself. Choose your weapon."
Sonic went over, surveying the weapons. "Hmmm… how about... none."
There was a massive gasp.
"I don't need one. Never have, never will. My feet are the only weapon I need. Well, that… and this."
He gathered blue lightning in his hand.
"Very well. Say goodnight, Sonic," Davros spun his weapon in an intimidating manner. "I will slit your neck."
"Hey, watch your tone. There are children present."
"Now, let the trial commence!" Ko-Dorr declared.
Cheers erupted as the two charged one another. Sonic quickly rolled into a Spin Dash, sparks dancing across his body as he rammed right into Davros' body.
"You got this, Sonic!" Danny cheered.
"Kick his ass!" Kat shouted.
Helen looked around, seeing others in the stands. Much to her horror, the Drakons alternated between thinking Sonic was innocent when he fought back, and when Davros pressed his case (with his fists), they went right back to thinking the verdict may be guilty.
"This is insane…" she let out. "These people really think trial by combat is a fair system!"
"Because to them, it is," Chris remarked.
"He's right," Keith agreed. "Might makes right in the Drakon Empire. So it only makes sense that the strongest would be victorious."
Sonic initially put on a good show, deftly fighting back and knocking Davros down. Then things took a turn for the worst when Sonic was knocked back and started getting pummeled, finally getting slammed into the ground.
"You have conducted your defense well, Sonic," Ko-Dorr remarked. "But Davros did not earn his position by losing fights. I'm afraid it's over."
Davros raised his weapon, a manic look on his face as he prepared to slice Sonic clean in two.
"For the crimes you have committed against the Drakon Empire, it's my honor to serve JUSTICE!" he declared.
"No!" Keith screamed.
He grabbed Helen's chair, ripping off the back panel to reveal the Nitro Gloves. He grabbed on, shoved it on, and powered it up. Just as Davros' blade came down, Keith threw a Nitro Ball, shattering it on impact. He recoiled, looking at his destroyed weapon.
"WHAT?!" he shrieked.
Sonic immediately got to his feet, plowing Davros into the ground before standing up, sighing. Ko-Dorr stood up, holding his thumb to the side... before raising it up.
"Sonic the Hedgehog has won his trial by combat. The law is clear. All charges dropped."
As everyone sighed in relief, Davros got up, indignant.
"Emperor, you can't be serious!" he objected. "He was helped by one of the witnesses! I demand a retrial!"
"Denied!" Ko-Dorr declared. "My decision is final."
"But-"
"Do not question my authority, Davros!" Ko-Dorr snapped. "You forget your place."
Davros slumped, defeated, as the kids embraced happily. Kat grabbed Keith, kissing him.
"Quick thinking. Great job."
Chris grabbed and dipped Helen, kissing her himself, while Hope turned to Danny and Frances.
"You'll forgive me if I just shake your hands." she said.
Danny nodded. "Works for me."
They took hands, shaking.
Outside the arena, Ko-Dorr waved his staff, opening a Warp Ring.
"This portal will take you back to Mobius. Congratulations on your victory."
They went in one after another. Sonic was the last to go, looking right in Ko-Dorr's eyes.
"I'm going," he began. "But starting today, you and yours made enemies of me and mine. You kidnapped my friends, ransacked my home, and beat up another of my pals. And on Mobius, you should know this means war."
His eyes narrowed. "The next time I see any of you on my planet… no mercy."
And with that, he was gone. Ko-Dorr closed the portal, leaning back in his chair.
"On that, hedgehog, we agree," he said ominously.
Author's Note:
(1): Game Gear reference.
(2): Global disturbances that affect Mobius periodically in history, taken from Archie. To quote the Echidnas, they're "nature's way of adjusting to environmental changes it undergoes under a certain duration."
(3): Yes, it's a Klingon bat'leth.
Yeah... to be honest, Author of the Insane and I kinda forgot about the Drakons until recently, and we realized we had to do something to follow up on the Flicky Island arc. And yes, that was my plan; taking from the British Sonic the Comic, the Drakons created the Chaos Emeralds. Though in the comic, they created Chaos energy itself, and placed it in raw emeralds. Here, they just tapped into the Chaos Force and used emeralds to house their power. And before anyone says anything about the trial, that's exactly how it happened in the comic; Sonic was helped by Tails and pronounced innocent regardless.
Last but not least, Cosmo turning into a raptor. My plan from the start to help make her more active in Tales; the Mover Mode, or dinosaur form, can be used by both genders of Cosmo's species here. Though while males turn into giant T-rexes, females become sleek, speedy Velociraptors.
Please R&R. Until next time!
