Chapter 59; Aftermath

Ash Ketchum had seen many crazy things over his Kanto journey and his current journey. But a flying fox was by far the craziest.

After the authorities arrived on the scene of team rocket's scheme, he was contacted by Knuckles to send medical help their way yesterday as he put it. Ash was surprised at the urgency but had acted immediately nonetheless.

Now they were in Olivine city's hospital all 5 of them. Knuckles and Brock were idly sitting down waiting for the doctor. Misty was petting togepi to distract herself. As for his rival, he was pacing up and down worried sick about his best friend.

Ash had tried to talk to Sonic a couple of times throughout their wait but didn't know what to say. He had so many questions but as long as Tails' health was in jeopardy he couldn't ask.

Some time later, the doctor came out of the operating room. Sonic rushed to him so fast that everyone thought he would tackle the doctor to the ground.

"How is he doc?"

"Your friend will be fine" the doctor raised his hands to defuse the tension.

Sonic exhaled in relief, having to keep himself from slumping down in relief as well. Knuckles too exhaled in relief from his seat.

"So he will recover?"

"Yes. But it will take a few days. And he must rest. Not push himself as much as possible".

Sonic nodded. It would be a tedious task convincing Tails to take it easy, but they would handle it.

"But there is something else. Something we were hoping you had an explanation for" the doctor continued.

Sonic immediately signalled Knuckles to come. The two followed the doc inside the room Tails was.

The sight was heartbreaking. Tails was lying still unconscious on a bed, needles pouring water in his body and an oxygen mask.

"Oh man" Sonic muttered.

"Do not worry" the doctor reminded him "they are just there as a precaution. When we wakes up, he will be free to go".

"Then what do you want to talk with us about?"

The doctor, not answering, simply went to his laptop which was connected to a projector. After closing the lights so that the room was only illuminated by the projector, he placed a small flash drive in a USB slot of his laptop.

After a few seconds a folder opened, with two videos.

"Those were filmed during your friend's treatment because we experienced bizzare moments during that time. First this".

The doctor the proceeded to play the first video. On screen Tails could be seen laying upside down, as he was being treated for the burns on his back. All of a sudden, his tails started rotating, causing all the staff in the room to step back in shock.

Tails was lifted a few centimeters off the table, surprisingly still unconscious and then landed gently back down. Knuckles and Sonic were at a loss for words, just not for the same reason as the doctor.

The latter then proceeded to play the second video. During the final stages of the treatment a nurse went to change the serum that was keeping Tails hydrated. The moment she touched his arm to disconnect the tube and switch it up however, small bolts of lightning crackled from Tails' arm, mildly injuring her.

The doctor had instructed on both occasions for tests to be performed. Opening Tails' medical record folder which was in a folder in his laptop instead of in a flash drive like the videos of Tails' new abilities manifesting, presented them to the two friends.

"The tests were run right after those occasions. Surprisingly the reason those phenomenon occurred could be explained through the tests. This is your friend's inside, literally" the doctor explained showing them a live feed of Tails' body a few moments after he unconsciously flew.

Going on a microscopic level the doctor showed them a depiction of Tails' body cells on his tails.

"When your friend manifested this unique, and dare I say unheard of ability, his body cells displayed outputs of electricity. But not in the way you would think. This is more like the electric signals that travel through our brain. However those are harmless and with no real effect on our body other than brain function. But here" the doctor continued while playing the video of Tails flying while unconscious side by side with the cells video "see for yourselves".

Sonic and Knuckles observed the two videos playing side by side. When Tails began lifting from the table they noticed the electricity crackling on his tail cells but couldn't figure out why. The doctor didn't expect them to so he explained.

"The electricity looks similar to the brain signals I described earlier but the effect here is different. They increase your friend's body's energy output on his tails. That can be compared to an athlete taking steroids to allow his body to perform beyond human capabilities. So in your friend's case, the electricity allows his tails to move faster than normally possible. The flight thing… I'm going to assume that was just instinctive action on his part".

"That's all nice and good doctor, but speak English" Knuckles lost his patience with the scientific explanation, which he understood very little of "what does that mean for Tails?"

"It means that your friend has permanently gained the ability of flight. And I was hoping you two could explain how this happened".

Sonic and Knuckles glanced at each other. Deep down they both knew what was the cause.

The doctor read through their silence, playing the second video of Tails' body side by side with the video where Tails accidentally injured the nurse.

Again the two videos gave them very interesting data to work with. When the nurse began tampering with the serum, aiming only to change it, a signal in the form of a small bolt of electricity travelled through his brain, down his throat and his hand, coming out of his fingers as the electricity that mildy burned the nurse.

"If I had to guess" the doctor said in deep consideration "a reflective reaction. Subconscious too. He wasn't awake meaning his defensive instincts have dialed to 11 defending him from threats somewhat at least, even when unconscious. Do you still have no explanation as to how this happened?"

Sonic nodded negatively.

"No. We have no idea".

The doctor sized him up, trying to figure out if Sonic was lying. Sonic felt sweat running down his back right between his quills. Not out of fear or anxiety. Just because the doctor's look was creeping him out.

"What'd I miss?" a voice then suddenly spoke up, albeit quietly.

Tails was awake. And his two comrades were beyond relieved.

"Nothing major mate" Sonic went to his side.

As the doctor promised, team Sonic was free to go although he instructed Tails not to push himself as he was still not perfectly fine, just fine enough to leave.

Leaving the hospital they ran into Ash's group again. They had stuck around waiting to see if Tails was fine. After Tails assured them he was just fine, Ash tried to question him about the way he had flown away earlier. Tails didn't utter a word.

Instead he showed them by turning into a foxcopter again. They were awestruck but still Ash demanded answers. Sonic covered for Tails, claiming they had no idea how this happened.

Wanting to be alone with his teammates to talk it out, Tails claimed they would go visit the lighthouse to make sure the Ampharos was back where it belonged safe and sound. Ash and his friends would take a boat to head to Cianwood city on the other side of the bay to challenge the 5th gym leader, Chuck. Before leaving however he let team Sonic know that they were all really something but he was coming for Sonic and Knuckles so they better be prepared in the future.

A little bantering and roasts later, the three friends were heading for the lighthouse but Tails changed course at the last second, leading them to the beach. They needed to get some things out of the way.

Far away from Olivine, Raikou met up with its two brethren. The three started roaring at each other. Or at least that's what it would sound like to a human. They were merely talking. And Suicune in particular was livid.

"Are you insane?! Why did you interfere?!"

"It's all good. Everything turned out as we saw back then".

"You could have ruined everything" Entei berated its thunder brother "you could have ruined the future we saw".

Raikou looked down for a moment.

"The yellow one… the one destined to go into combat with me… remember how he could fly?"

"Yeah" Suicune barked in anger.

"I gave him this power".

Entei and Suicune's eyes widened and their jaws dropped.

"I think I know why they weren't exactly what we expected when they awakened us. They are not the heroes we know them to be. Not yet anyway. The trials they will encounter on this journey will shape them. And something tells me we need to be part of those trials".

Suicune and Entei looked at each other. Suicune contemplated before nodding.

"Very well then. Then we shall continue to observe. Soon one of the other two will have to be tested. And when that time comes we will be there. Whatever way that goes down".

Raikou nodded. Entei nodded as well.

The three beasts, having reach an agreement, split up, continuing their roaming of the land. Suicune had decided to stay west, in order to keep an eye on team Sonic.

It had a feeling that soon it would be its turn to test them. In particular, the red echidna.

Back in Olivine, while waiting for the boat, Ash, Brock and Misty were discussing team Sonic, Tails specifically.

"I mean how cool is that?!" Ash exclaimed still trying to believe it himself "he can fly. He can literally fly!"

"I know. And from what that beautiful officer Jenny said" Brock said, earning himself an angry look from Misty which caused him to silently retract his statement "he was vital in making sure team rocket didn't get away with Raikou. He freed Raikou himself too".

Misty however was quiet. She has made a connection that just seemed too big of a coincidence to actually one.

"Now two of them are unique".

"What do you mean?" Ash looked at her, wondering what she meant.

"Remember what Tails said about Sonic after his fight with Entei in Ecutreak city?"

"I do" Brock answered going into deep thought "he said that there is a bond between Sonic and his Raichu, empowering him beyond normal".

"Exactly. And now Tails has gained unique abilities. It could…" Misty stopped as she wasn't fully sure now to proceed with her thoughts.

"Look" she continued "I'm not exactly sure what I'm onto here, or even if I'm onto anything at all. It just feels too… too improbable that they ally to fight team rocket and two out of the three gain abilities. And Knuckles' strength too. I'm not sure I would call it normal. Sure maybe he built his strength over time… but still. A team of unique trainers? And the legendary beasts appearing to them repeatedly, all 3 of them at the same time twice too?"

Ash had started buying into it.

"Yeah. There definitely is something peculiar about them. Which is all the more reason to give our all into our training and grow stronger. It will be all the more worth it defeating them if they are so unique. And you know what? Now I want to fight Tails too, when he grows stronger as a trainer as well".

Brock and Misty smiled at each other. Of course powerful opponents would get Ash hyped to fight them.

"Looks like the Sonic effect is taking over again" they agreed.

As the boat for Cianwood city finally set sail, team Sonic were resting after the crazy day they had. Having set camp there they let out all their pokemon so they could run, stretch and play with each other. They had earned it.

Sonic and Knuckles decided to start the afternoon by getting the topic of how they went to that cave and found – "Holy cow! A shiny larvitar?!" was Tails' exact reaction – so Tails could get with the program. Afterwards, while still keeping the two larvitars in their field of view at all times, it was time to tackle the important topics.

"So" Knuckles started the conversation "what should we mark today as?"

Tails wasn't sure what to make of today. It was probably the most chaotic day of his life thus far. And the rapidly events developing events didn't leave him enough time to fully process anything.

One event however he felt could define today as a defeat.

Sonic could almost read his pal's thoughts. Or it was just painfully obvious by the way Tails was observing the two Larvitars whom the other pokemon in their teams had started getting familiar with.

"I won't disagree buddy" he said to Tails in a serious tone "we messed up there. Greatly".

"We didn't just mess up" Tails was fighting not to tear up "we failed. We failed miserably".

Sonic grabbed him by the shoulder gently.

"We did Tails. I know. But… it's not entirely a failure".

"Pardon me?"

"There are many ways today could have played out. Many things could have been done differently. We could have done many things differently, and so could team rocket. Today is by no circumstance the best possible outcome. But it's not the worst either".

"How is it not? We failed to save Tyranitar. If the death of a pokemon isn't the worst possible outcome what is?"

"Honestly" Sonic refrained from shrugging even though it wasn't hard to imagine the worst possible outcome "team rocket making off with every single pokemon we saved today, including Raikou. And probably forcing us out of the picture too".

Tails couldn't disagree. That sounded a thousand times worse. It didn't make it any easier though.

Sonic, understanding to a great extent what Tails was going through, had one more card to play.

"Back when Jolty died… when I was simply existing without living, lost in darkness… I kept asking myself what we could have done different. Me and Mike that is. At first I saw every other possible outcome as positive. In every scenario I imagined, Jolty lived".

Tails waited to see where his best friend was going with this.

"But when I started escaping the darkness, I realized I was only coming up with positive outcomes because I simply felt pain over Jolty's death. Going over those same scenarios with a clear mind, I started seeing other outcomes. Worse outcomes. Giovanni could have escaped with the master ball. Team rocket could have made off with all the captured pokemon they had" Sonic paused looking around until he found Raichu.

"My partner could have been the one impaled by rhydon that day" he said with a hint of horror at the prospect of that outcome.

Tails looked at Raichu too and nodded in an eye-widening understanding. If the death of Mike's pokemon had caused him to slip so deep into darkness, he didn't want to even begin to imagine what would have happened if Raichu had perished that day. Especially during such a critical point in Sonic's path.

"I can imagine a scenario like that too" Knuckles interjected "can you imagine what would have happened if we have saved Tyranitar by feeding it the sitrus berry?"

Tails looked at him in question.

"The same sitrus berry you fed Raikou so it could regain its strength and escape?" Knuckles added.

"Or more accurately, utterly destroy that truck and then escape" Sonic added.

Tails didn't need to widen his eyes this time. He had reached the outcome in his mind the moment Knuckles began speaking the second part of that outcome. And that was an outcome he didn't want the imagine either.

"Look, point is" Sonic continued "it's just as Knuckles said back then. Dwelling on what ifs will only slow us down. Reality is the one thing we need to accept right now. It's all we have to work with".

"And might I add we need to work fast" Knuckles added "we struggled against them today. We were way too unprepared and we didn't even know".

Tails nodded.

"We literally couldn't beat Butch and Cassidy in one fight. We struck repeatedly, giving them no time to heal their pokemon. Eventually they ran out. But they were stronger than us. Hell they were even able to resist your and Raichu's onslaught".

Sonic knew. He had come to the same conclusion during the second battle, when Ash, Knuckles and himself were battling the two agents. A vital piece of the puzzle that, had it been the same case in the slowpoke well, there was a good chance they would have lost.

"Do you remember what you told me when I tried to discourage you from coming with me?"

"Of course" Tails responded not sure what Sonic meant by this.

"Remind me the exact words".

Knuckles answered that one for Tails.

"He asked you if you really thought we'll let you fight round 2 alone".

"Exactly. We treated this as round 2 of my war against the rockets. But that was wrong. For this is not round 2"

Tails and Knuckles looked at each other clueless.

Sonic elaborated.

"It's not a round 2 of my war. Because we're not facing my old enemy but an entirely new threat altogether".

Tails and Knuckles still couldn't quite grasp Sonic's point of view.

"But… aren't we facing team rocket?" Tails asked confused.

"We are. But they are not the same organization I fought in Kanto".

"I don't follow" Knuckles responded to this explanation.

Sonic sighed.

"The enemies I faced were a dangerous organization for sure. But there is a key difference. Back then they functioned like a pyramid, with Giovanni at the very top. All the power was consolidated to him, therefore leaving the grunts and the admins weaker. Giovanni wanted power so he made sure none of his subordinates would ever pose a threat to him. The organization was bigger but it was weak because they were fighting out of fear for his power or maybe because they even craved to be in his shoes. Hence why the grunts are scared of me. They feared Giovanni so as you said at the plane Knuckles, they fear the one who beat him even more".

Knuckles remembered pointing out that fact when they gave themselves the name team Sonic.

"But the team rocket we are facing here in Johto… that's an entirely different story. Different person in charge, Archer. Or more accurately, the three former admins of team rocket acting as one. Furthermore unlike the old team rocket these ones prioritize their own survival. They haven't come after us because they are doing their absolute best to survive. Self preservation is a vital factor as to why we have had so few run-ins with them. Giovanni's team rocket though was everywhere. And certainly he didn't care about their survival, otherwise he would have come back to lead them himself".

Tails couldn't help but be impressed that Sonic had figured all that out. Then again it was only natural. To beat your enemy you need to know them. And Sonic knew team rocket all too well.

"Lastly, and this is a conclusion from the fact they are now an organization acting as one, every single member contributing for the betterment of the entire team, they are actually working together. The polar opposite of Giovanni's team rocket. But that is also what makes them stronger and more likely to succeed long term" Sonic finished analyzing his views on their enemies.

His two companions understood now. They struggled against Butch and Cassidy because of that very reason; they covered each other's flanks.

"Meaning that our insufficient performance against them is our fault as well" Sonic concluded "our training so far has been not only very little but insufficient as well. We are not prepared yet to fight enemies like them, let alone take on the entire team ourselves".

Looking on to their parties he sighed again.

"This is why Tyranitar died. Because we were too weak".

Tails now felt even worse because it took him so long before he realized he didn't want to sit idly by anymore as the guy in the chair or the support trainer.

"Which is all the more reason" Sonic continued "to get off our asses and get serious from now on. We treated this war with the rockets like some kind of game ever since the slowpoke well. But back then they weren't expecting us. This time they were. And they will expect us next time as well. Which is why we need to be prepared. Like really prepared. Our pokemon need to get stronger. A whole lot stronger. Therefore I propose we follow the training regimen I followed in Kanto. It worked then so it should work again… with the right adjustments".

"What kind of adjustments?" Knuckles asked him intrigued. After all training wouldn't only give them an edge against team rocket but it would also prepare Sonic and Knuckles for the league.

"First of all, sparring. A whole lot of it. We need to get our pokemon acclimated to battling. To be like second nature to them. Like how it was with my Kanto team. It got to a point where they could work independently sometimes. This is exactly what we need here too. Remember how Raichu and Quagsire handled themselves while you saved me from falling off that truck?"

"I do" Tails nodded. While flying towards the truck, after picking up Bayleef's pokeball that Sonic dropped accidentally, he could see Raichu helping Quagsire coordinate their attacks allowing them to prevail against their adversaries, who weren't sure how to battle without instructions from their trainers.

"Excellent. We need to get all our pokemon to battle like that, to be able to make decisions on their own if we can't give them instructions. But that's only one aspect in which we need to grow. Another one is teamwork".

"Teamwork? But we're already a team" Knuckles was confused at Sonic's line of thinking.

"Well yes but actually no Knucks" Sonic joked but then got serious again "we are 3 individuals aiming towards the same goal. Yet on the battlefield we don't act as one. Butch and Cassidy did. Like I said earlier. This team rocket are working off of each other to achieve their goals. Hence why they were able to fight back so effectively. Which is why we need to not only train hard but together. Merge our minds into one with the same singular goal. In other words, learn to work off of each other on the battlefield as well. We watch out for each other out there, the rockets won't stand a chance against us".

Tails and Knuckles were 1000% on board with this. Tails hopped up.

"Alright then. Let's get started".

"Woah woah hold your rapidash there pal" Sonic stopped him "you need to rest. Your body was pushed to exhaustion".

Tails looked like he wanted to say something but was holding back.

"We just agreed to train hard right?"

"Yes. But I was referring to me and Knuckles for the first few days. You need to rest".

"Rest? No way, I'm fine".

"Tails you got electrocuted by Raikou. You literally collapsed. Sure you got some cool new tricks from this ordeal but that's not fine. Hell I'm surprised you recovered so quickly".

"That was then Sonic. Now I've recovered. So let's get started".

Sonic was barely able to keep up with this. Tails was suddenly pushing himself too far for no reason.

Or maybe… not so suddenly.

"Wait a minute" Sonic muttered before reaching a shocking conclusion "oh my god. You insane?"

"Excuse me?" Tails asked confused.

"This whole time I thought unlocking flight also rejuvenated you enough to help us out and you just eventually tired yourself out. But you weren't rejuvenated were you?"

Tails looked away not answering. But just that was an answer in itself.

"You madman. You an absolute madman Tails" Sonic grabbed the sides of his head in shock "you could have gotten yourself killed".

"Need I remind you I saved your life?"

"No you don't need too. But pushing yourself so hard was reckless. Don't deny that".

"I'm not denying or confirming anything" Tails simply said and went to call his pokemon to start training.

"I literally tell you off for pushing yourself to the point of collapse and yet you continue to push yourself even harder. Tails what are you not telling us?"

"Nothing. I just refuse to let team rocket hurt another pokemon due to my own weakness".

Sonic wasn't expecting this. Sure he had pointed out they were unprepared and that had led to Tyranitar's death but right now Tails was placing the entire blame on himself.

"Tails" Knuckles got up as well "you two were there for me when I needed you. Let us be here for you now".

Tails hesitated. The hesitation lasted about 5 seconds before he cracked under the pressure.

"This is all my fault. All the failures we have up until now with team rocket are my fault".

"Your fault?" Sonic couldn't believe what he was hearing "why do you think that?"

"My weakness caused Knuckles to get tortured at the hands of the iron masked marauder. And now it cost the life of Tyranitar".

"Tails…" Sonic was worried for his friend now "I thought we were past that. Is this about Raikou destroying the truck? Probably taking out a few rockets along with it?"

"No. It's… damnit!" the two tailed fox screamed in frustration picking up a rock and throwing it as far as he could into the ocean.

His two companions were now truly worried.

"Tails…" Sonic tried to approach him "talk to us buddy. Why have you gone self-loathing?"

Tails sat down in the sand and curled his tails around himself.

"Ever since this started… your entire journey, since Kanto… all I could do to help was sit uselessly behind a screen. You needed help so many times and I wasn't there to help you".

"Tails you did help me" Sonic countered "you led me to meeting Mr Fuji and Reina. Thanks to them my Kanto team became almighty. We won the league because of that. You helped me realize what I was becoming because of my ego. Helped me figure out what was going on at the orange islands when the Titan Moltres needed saving. And now you're here with us, fighting against team rocket. You were always there Tails. So how can you say you were not?"

Tails didn't meet his eyes like Sonic hoped.

"I literally almost abandoned you and Knuckles because I didn't want to hurt criminals of the worst sort. And after realizing my error, I wanted to build a support team. For you and Knuckles to be our vanguard while I sit idly by just so I don't hurt anyone. My inaction and weakness cost us today".

Sonic didn't realize Tails was hiding such emotions.

"Right before I managed to fly for the first time, Ash said something that made me realize a lot. He said I was trying to imitate you when you were looking for the sitrus berry. He was right. That is because my current self is weak. I didn't believe I could keep everything under control myself".

"Tails I was there too" Knuckles tried to assure him it wasn't true "you weren't imitating Sonic. You were just out of your comfort zone".

"I know" Tails let his friend know "but when I found myself against the threats Sonic faced head on the first time while I was idly sitting in front of a computer screen, I found myself unable to rise to the circumstances. And because of that Tyranitar died. I can't accept it happening again. I won't even if it means pushing myself to the edge of collapsing again".

"Tails…" Sonic went to say before being shushed by Tails.

"Right before flying at that moment I promised I would earn my spot as a member of team Sonic. And I intend to keep that promise to myself. If you and Knuckles want to help me… then help me grow stronger. Help me be able to stand by you two with pride. Help me stand against team rocket and save the pokemon that need us".

Sonic and Knuckles couldn't help but be impressed and inspired by their friend's resolve.

"You were always worthy of your spot in our team Tails. Never doubt that" Sonic smiled "but I understand your feelings on the matter".

"Thanks blue leader" Tails joked but felt gratitude for his friends.

"Then it's settled" Sonic declared "we're setting camp here for the foreseeable future. We train hard for about a week, then if we feel we're ready we continue on but slow down the pace. Get stronger and enjoy the moments. How does that sound team?"

"I'm all in" Knuckles agreed.

"Same" Tails was beyond on board with this plan "and personally I'm starting training right now. And no. Don't object. Nothing. I repeat. Nothing you say, nothing you do, nothing in this universe can convince me to reconsider".

His phone rang. Cosmo's name was written on the screen.

Tails now objected to his own declaration. Sonic and Knuckles burst out laughing.

"Man, talk about the universe having other plans" Knuckles was holding his belly, which ached from the laughing.

Sonic managed to calm down long enough to get Tails to choose the obvious.

"Answer the phone dude" he said while trying his hardest not to continue laughing "don't keep your girl waiting".

Tails' cheeks turned red when Sonic called Cosmo Tails' girl. Walking a few steps away he answered. Cosmo immediately asked what all that laughing was.

"Oh nothing. Just my jerk friends" Tails joked as he laughed along with the situation before picking up where they left off last time they talked.