Chapter 83; Seeking peace
WARNING; CHAPTER CONTAINS REFERENCE TO SUICIDE, READER DISCRETION ADVISED! (Again)
Tails breathed in and out, his entire being in absolute bliss as he watched the sunrise.
The last day had gone by without any signs from Sonic, which did worry him a great deal. But Cosmo knew just how to take his mind off of it.
Her head popped up next to his as she caressed his chest and kissed him on the cheek.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"Force of habit. Used to wake up at dawn to train with Knuckles and Sonic" Tails explained as he caressed her hand.
Cosmo could tell his worry had returned.
"No news?"
"No. I opened my phone just as Sonic suggested i do but no call or text. I know he hasn't been caught because it would be all over the news" Tails said.
Cosmo agreed but could tell there was something else bothering the fox.
"Why don't you try calling Knuckles? He's hiding at Olivine city at gym leader Jasmine's place right?"
"Yeah. I should have given him a call yesterday to be honest".
"Why didn't you then?"
"Honestly I was too busy" Tails smirked as he turned his head to meet her lips.
"Seriously though, I didn't because part of me doesn't want this to end. Getting the call from Sonic means I'll have to go so that we can decide what's next. And I don't want to go. Last night was… magical".
Cosmo felt the same way but also knew what the right thing was.
"It has to happen" she whispered in his ear as they cuddled, looking at the sea as the sun had now fully risen "your friends need you".
She then had him look to the sleeping Raikou that had spent the night in the living room, sleeping while laying like a cat.
"Your pokemon need you" she completed her thought.
Tails knew it to be true.
"But what about us? Just talking on the phone is no longer enough for me".
Another kiss was shared.
"We'll figure something out ok? Focus on ending this feud with Looker for now. And don't worry about us. I'm not going anywhere".
Tails was encouraged, the prospect of a real relationship with Cosmo sounding like a dream.
That would mean a hard conversation with his friends at a later date.
"Focus on the present" he thought to himself "you're here with her now. Enjoy it".
And then his phone rang.
It was Sonic.
"There. I jinxed it" he complained feeling the universe was working against him in the moment.
Cosmo's look of encouragement combined with strictness convinced him to pick up.
"Sonic?"
"Hey you ok pal?"
"I should be asking that question".
"I lost the heat. It's time to meet. I'll call Knuckles so don't worry about it, just get here safely".
"Got it. See you soon" Tails said as Sonic hang up.
"I wish we had more time" he solemnly wished.
"We do" Cosmo hugged him for comfort "go to your friends now".
Tails nodded. He was very grateful for her encouragement.
Turning to Raikou to wake it up, he noticed one its eyes open before quickly shutting, looking like it was sleeping.
"Heeeyy!" Tails teased his legendary pokemon "are you peeking?"
Raikou continued pretending to be asleep.
"Don't you know curiosity killed the meowth? Huh don't you?" Tails rubbed Raikou's belly playfully.
Raikou flipped around in response to the cuddling while purring, even pulling Tails and Cosmo in.
A few minutes of cuddling later, the trio were on the edge of Ilex forest, with Tails riding Raikou, ready to head to Tensei.
"I'll miss you" he told Cosmo.
"Then hurry up and resolve the situation fast my Tailsy" she lovingly encouraged him.
With his face gleaming, Tails was ready.
"Let's go Raikou".
And with a loud roar, Raikou took off, heading for mount Tensei, eager to meet with its brethren.
Far away, in new bark town, police activity was very high.
Looker himself was in town at one point, patrolling, hoping they would show up.
He had gotten word of team Sonic's plan before their escape.
"But where would we go?" the echidna had inquired.
"Where the events of today started" Sonic had clearly said.
And the events of that day had started in new bark town, where team Sonic began their journey.
But they just wouldn't show up.
Looker of course attributed this as misdirection. By his old partner no less.
Heading back to Ecutreak, he went to Morrison's cell.
His old partner lifted his head from the floor, not uttering a word and his apparent calmness enraged Looker.
"Where are they?" he demanded to know.
"I told you all I know" Morrison replied with the same calmness.
"You told me they were heading where the events of yesterday began".
"I did. I never claimed that was what they meant. You made that assumption on your own".
Looker paced around in the cell for a few moments.
"Morrison if you don't tell me where they are there's nothing I can do for you. Is ruining your career as a detective not enough?"
"I have stated my position in this many times Looker. I regret nothing".
"You are willing to rot in prison, leaving behind your wife and child…"
"Children".
Looker got confused for a moment before gasping.
"Carrie's…"
"She told me last night. During her visit".
Looker was at a loss for words.
"So you're willing to give up your family over a trio of vigilantes? Because of a sentiment?!"
Morrison, albeit remaining calm, gave off an aura of anger at those words.
"You will talk about sentiment Looker? You of all people?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I figured it out, you know. While investigating the shadow gas canister. I looked into why you were so adamant in pursuing team Sonic. And I found out why".
"Back off ok?"
"I couldn't help but notice you kept mentioning silph co you know".
"I said back off".
"And yet when you were in Kanto investigating the incident at the same time that the hedgehog was in Kanto, you never tried to arrest him".
"I'm warning you Morrison!"
"Ironic really. You claimed I was acting on a sentiment but it was you who was a slave to your emotions!"
Looker went ballistic, hitting the cell bars with all his might until his hand bled.
Morrison waited patiently until his coworker got exhausted.
"Are you better now?"
"Am I better? You tell me. Do I look better to you?!" Looked turned to Morrison with eyes bloodshot from rage.
"Better no. Maybe lighter though".
Looker slumped next to Morrison on the bed.
"If you know, then you know what the hedgehog took from me".
"I know who you lost. But he wasn't taken from you".
"The hedgehog's actions caused it!"
"It was weeks after silph co Looker. I can't blame Sonic the hedgehog for it even if I wanted to".
Looker buried his face on his palms trying to calm down.
"Looker… I cannot understand your pain so I won't pretend I do. But I implore you to push the anger aside and look at the facts. Sonic was on our side the whole time. The events of Goldenrod wouldn't have happened if we had been working with him and not against him. But that's in the past now. The threat is over" Morrison paused letting Looker process his words before continuing.
"Johto is safe once more. And it's thanks to them it is. They went against all the odds, including you and prevailed. Because of them hope has returned to my homeland. That's an irrefutable proof of their allegiance in my eyes. So follow in their footsteps and be the better man. Call Sonic to a meeting and talk things out, peacefully".
"You're asking me to just forgive him like that? After everything I went through because of him?"
"I'm not asking you to forgive Sonic if you can't. But holding on to your hate and pursuing him will never yield anything good, nor will it make you feel any better. All I am asking is that you and he make peace. Find a common ground and let each other continue their life in peace. That's all everyone wants following the chaos of the last few days".
Looker remained silent. He got up to leave.
As he locked the cell door, he took one look at Morrison and left.
The latter was left alone with his hope that his old friend would heed his advice.
Not too far away from Ecutreak, Raikou was hopping fast from rock to rock, climbing to the top of Tensei, with Tails on its back. Tails was wondering if he would be the first to arrive. His mind was also pondering what their possible next moves were.
The fox's heart however was still back in Azalea.
With one last jump, Raikou made it to the peak, where the beasts and team Sonic had joined forces only the previous day.
There they found Sonic, Raichu and Entei awaiting.
The moment Tails dismounted Raikou, Espeon came out of its ball and made its way to Raichu. Raikou also approached Entei, interacting with it.
As for Sonic and Tails, after exchanging a big hug, Sonic could immediately tell something was different about his friend. His entire being felt different.
His expression switched to mischief.
"Tell me everything".
"Is it that obvious?" Tails blushed like a strawberry but unlike all the other times his smile remained broad.
Before Sonic could reply, Suicune also made its entry with Knuckles. The echidna dismounted his beast and rushed to hug his two friends. Suicune also approached Entei and Raikou.
Just like Sonic, Knuckles also saw through Tails.
"Nooooo! You didn't!"
"Ok seriously what is giving it away?" Tails joked.
"Dude your entire being emits the truth. You feel somehow more… mature in a way. But it's only been a day".
"A day and a night" Sonic added "and that's what I want to hear".
"Yeah dream on" Tails teased him, paying him back for teasing them in Olivine by refusing to speak of his kiss with Jasmine.
Sonic let out a small laugh before getting serious.
"Alright joking is fun but we actually have a situation to resolve. Team rocket is out of commission but now we're wanted by the law".
"More than that, by international police" Tails reminded them.
"It feels so unfair. After everything we did, we are being treated the same way as Giovanni aka the worst human being in existence?" Knuckles said in frustration.
"So what even are our choices at this point? Even if we called Mewtwo and Alakazam here and asked them to get us back to Green Hills, we wouldn't be safe" Sonic wondered aloud.
"We need to negotiate with Looker. Get him to sit down and talk it out. Maybe even understand his motives for pursuing you" Tails suggested.
"But how are we going to do that? And even if we did the guy doesn't seem willing to talk" Knuckles reminded them.
"Maybe detective Morrison could act as some kind of middle man?" Tails suggested.
"And how do we get him to do that? He gave himself up. I don't know how much help he can actually be from behind bars, if he even can be of any help.
Tails paced around, brainstorming, trying to get an idea.
Unfortunately Cosmo dominated his thoughts which made it insanely hard to focus. Now in his eyes Looked kept him away from the girl he was in love with.
The Sonic heroes spent around an hour in relative silence, considering their possible courses of action. Every once in a while, someone would suggest something only for the other two to find many holes in the plan.
While thinking Tails remembered he had something to ask Sonic.
"Did you call your family in Green Hills?"
"I did. Believe it or not, mom and dad actually told me off for scaring them like that".
"Wow. True legends" Tails chuckled.
"Jet and Wave were also happy to hear from me. Though I told them not to mention anything to Amy. She doesn't need to know".
"Maybe that's a little harsh. I mean despite her actions, we shouldn't actively cause her to be sad".
Sonic's look read no.
"Ok. Your call" Tails shrugged and returned to brainstorming.
Another ten minutes later, Sonic's phone rang. It was Jasmine.
"Sonic you there?"
"Yes Jaz talk to me. Everything ok?"
"Good evening. Sonic the hedgehog".
It was Looker's voice.
"Jaz what's happening?" Sonic said calmly but his voice emitted burning rage "what is he doing there?"
"Don't get worked up. I'm calling in peace. I think it's time we had a peaceful meeting" Looker replied.
"Is Jaz ok? I want to hear her voice".
"Yes Sonic. He's telling the truth".
Sonic wasn't fully sold yet.
"How do I know this isn't a trick to get me?"
"You don't. It's a leap of faith. Just like Morrison allowing himself to get arrested for you".
Sonic hated that Looker mentioned this, knowing he would take the bait.
"Ok. But I choose where we meet and you come alone. No police. Just you and me, man to hedgehog".
"Agreed".
Tails looked at Sonic in question.
"You're not seriously going right?"
"I have to. It's a risk I have to take" Sonic whispered "alright you still there?"
"Yes".
"Alright. Olivine lighthouse. This afternoon. 6 pm. Don't be late. And most importantly just you and me".
"Understood" Looker simply said and allowed Jasmine to continue the call.
"Jaz are you ok?"
"Yes. He came to the gym, asking me to set up a meeting for you two. The way he spoke… he sounds sincere Sonic".
"We have heard that kind of sincerity from him before though. Last time we had to race to escape Ecutreak" Knuckles reminded his friends.
"Wait he's not still listening is he?" Tails asked.
"No he left".
"Good".
"Regardless, I got to risk it. Plus it's not like they will be able to catch me" Sonic said confidently as he watched Entei who was observing Raikou laying like a cat, awaiting pets, with a look of disappointment.
"Get up, you're embarrassing our status".
"I suggest you got and get some cuddles with your one".
"I am a proud, fierce and powerful wanderer. I don't get cuddles".
In response to this Raichu nuzzled on Entei's fur who didn't react or pull away.
"Oh my ferocious brother is growing a softer side. I'm so moved".
"CUT IT OUT!" Entei fired a flamethrower on the air trying to make a statement.
"You're lucky nothing's at stake anymore and you have the luxury of acting like cubs" Suicune berated them, though a lot more lax than before.
The hours slowly passed as the rendezvous time approached. All three friends were very nervous, knowing this was their one chance to be done and leave the nightmare of team rocket behind for the foreseeable future.
During that time of course, Knuckles and Sonic interrogated Tails on his night with Cosmo. Even though Tails confirmed it did happen, he refused to reveal anything. That moment was for him and his girlfriend alone.
As they waited Tails remembered something else he was meaning to ask.
"Hey Sonic. Back there in Goldenrod… how did you survive that blast? You know the one strong enough to power the city for a month?"
"It was real simply actually. Right before destroying it, I managed to activate my connection to Raichu on purpose, summoning a lightning bolt and essentially allowing the released electricity to travel through it and into the tower floor and walls. Only after the release was complete did we stop the lightning".
Tails was impressed.
"Quick thinking. How did you know that would work though?"
"I didn't. Just don't make me say it again".
"No worries I will. It's a leap of faith" Tails said with a smile.
"Exactly" Sonic nodded.
Eventually the time came. Around 5:30 PM, Sonic mounted Entei and took off, warning his friends to go back into hiding if they didn't hear from him by 9PM.
Entei covered the distance at insane speed. As the wind hit Sonic's face, he took deep breaths to calm himself.
Arriving halfway up the hill leading to the lighthouse, Sonic saw him in the distance. Looker was already here, taking the view of the sea in.
Sonic dismounted Entei and instructed it and Raichu to keep their distance for now but not stay too far. He then walked slowly up to the lighthouse.
Looker didn't bother turning to meet his gaze as he arrived. Sonic took to also observing the sea for a few moments.
"Place is beautiful" he commented "would have hated to see it under the influence of team rocket".
"Hm… that does make two of us".
A small pause.
"So what changed? Why the sudden urge to meet?"
Looker didn't reply immediately, letting out a deep sigh first.
"Morrison has a way with words. He always did".
"He convinced you to come here?"
"Yes. With team rocket out of the picture for good, I don't really have a feasible excuse to pursue you anymore".
"I see" Sonic said, testing the waters before finally bringing it up.
"Why pursue me though? Morrison did tell me you want to tear down the legend I inadvertently created during my Kanto journey, but that can't be the reason. Your obsession with hunting me could only be attributed to rage… rage caused by something personal".
"You're correct. My reason for wanting you behind bars is personal".
"And if I had to guess it's connected to silph co?"
"That is also correct".
"So what is that reason?"
Looker struggled to answer at first.
"A few weeks after the events if silph co… my father took his own life".
"Say what?!"
Looker now had his eyes closed, clearly holding tears back.
"He was one of silph co's board members. And he had invested a lot in that company. When the extent of the damages caused by you and your friend was revealed he couldn't handle it. That was years, no, that was over half his life stolen in a singular moment. I… I found him hanging in his house three days after last hearing from him".
"Say what?!" Sonic stumbled back. He always knew his actions that day had caused a lot of damage but to actually lead to someone's death?
"I found a note he wrote before going through with the act. He was blaming you, as by that time you were already widely known as the hero of Kanto and no one was looking at the damage you left in your passing".
"Detective I… I don't know what to say… I know I can never apologize enough…"
Looker shushed him.
"Part of my reasoning for chasing you was that I failed to notice my father's deteriorating mental state. I was so focused on chasing Giovanni that I neglected to call him. And now not a day goes by that I don't regret putting my job before him".
"And pursuing me was a sadness outlet?"
"It was wrong of me to blame you for everything. I could always see the bigger picture… but it was only when I saw Morrison's sacrifice to ensure your freedom that I truly tried to comprehend everything".
"I know. I owe him quite a lot, we all do. Had it not been for him, we might have never found their hideout in Mahogany. He risked his freedom and his life with his wife and son to help us.
"Not just his wife and son".
Sonic looked at Looker in question.
"His wife visited him yesterday when we imprisoned him. And she delivered some rather exciting news.
Sonic's eyes widened.
"No! You're not saying…"
"Morrison is going to be a father for the second time".
Sonic's jaw hang wide open.
"But that means…"
"He gave that up for you".
Sonic started waving his head negatively.
"No. This isn't right. He is a good man, he doesn't deserve this".
"I know that. More than you know. More than you will ever know. But he knew the consequences and still went through with it. I don't want to keep him in but my higher-ups demand progress on the Giovanni case. Morrison stole evidence vital to the case, maybe even a lead to Giovanni himself. My higher-ups don't care if I was the reason he did it, they want him punished for it".
"Isn't there anything we can do? Something that could get him acquitted?"
"Do you happen to have a lead on Giovanni? Finding something like that could be used as a bargaining chip for my higher-ups to convince them to release Morrison".
Sonic racked his brain before being blasted on the back with a hydro pump.
Crashing on the lighthouse wall, he heard another hydro pump coming but jumped out of the way just in time.
In a flash Raichu and Entei came to his defense, growling angry at a Feraligatr.
Sonic found the Pokemon familiar before remembering a promise from a couple of weeks ago.
"I have to admit you're true to your word. Silver".
The red haired trainer emerged from behind his pokemon, a look of hatred etched upon his face.
"Yes I am. Team rocket is finished. Now it's your turn to pay!"
Sonic, in all honesty found the threat amusing. He chuckled as he got up.
"This will not go well for you pal. For one you can't beat me. Also you wouldn't want to make me mad, would you?" Sonic cryptically warned Silver.
The hedgehog's frenemy tightened his fist in anger.
"So you take everything from me and now you blackmail me?!"
"What does he mean?" Looker asked Sonic.
Sonic then got an idea. Silver's identity was the key to freeing Morrison.
But at the same time, Silver was just a kid. He didn't deserve to become an outcast because of his father's crimes.
"Silver… I understand you're upset. Really I do. But you also need to understand that your father only reaped the rewards of his own actions. I am the catalyst of his departure indeed. But are you really that blind to his evil?"
"What are you talking about?" Looker asked again. Sonic raised his hand to silence him.
He had to make this work. And he only had one chance.
"You told me yourself Silver. He was weak. And so he left instead of staying and continuing the fight. Bur you are not like that. You didn't give up. You started your own journey, seeking power".
"Don't talk like you know me!"
"I don't know you. That is a fact. But I look at your starter pokemon… and see a pokemon trusting its trainer. Your…"
"It's Feraligatr" Looker informed him.
"Your Feraligatr doesn't seem to hurt. And certainly it doesn't look tortured or even just unhappy and miserable to me. This proves beyond the shadow of a doubt you're not like your father. And therefore you don't need to try and avenge him".
"He's my father! You expect me to just let go of what you did?!"
"Yes he is your father. But where was he in your childhood? Don't answer. In Kanto, doing you know what".
Silver looked to be in extreme conflict.
"So you see Silver… you are right to be angry at me from a certain point of view. But your father wasn't there for you, time and time again. So what real reason do you have to fight for him?"
Silver fell to his knees and screamed, letting out all of his bottled up emotions.
Sonic motioned to Entei and Raichu to stand down as Feraligatr was trying to comfort Silver.
Sonic approached the red haired trainer.
"You don't owe your father anything. You don't have to seek power to prove yourself superior to him. He left. Long before I entered the fray. Your anger is justified but misplaced. So I implore you to look deep into yourself and ask yourself with honesty. Who are you and what do you want?"
Silver's look of anger didn't change one bit. But he did do as Sonic implored.
"I am Silver. And I want to be the strongest. And I want to do it for myself. Not for my father".
Sonic smiled. It was now or never.
"That's good to hear. You are not your father. And you have a chance to prove it".
"What chance?"
"Detective" Sonic motioned to Looker to come forward.
Silver was horrified.
"You're snitching on me?!"
"No. For if you can help detective Looker here, we can ensure no one can ever connect you to your father".
Silver was not sold on it.
"How can you guarantee that?"
"Because this is what the detective and I were discussing before you came along. So here's my proposal. You got information detective Looker needs. I have a friend locked up who needs that information to get out. You share that information, my friend walks and your anonymity is ensured. What do you say? Does the offer of breaking free from your past appeal to you?"
Silver contemplated the offer. He had a lot of work to do before he could completely let go of his father. At this point he wanted him to pay. He couldn't let go yet. So he might as well get back at his father in his own way.
"I will take you up on that. Detective… I am Giovanni's son".
Looker gasped, trying to grasp the situation. This sounded unreal. Giovanni had a son?
"And more than that I saw my father. A few days after he went into exile he came to find me. I'll tell you everything I know, so long as you can promise what the hedgehog promised. That my identity as his son will be lost to time forever".
Looker took a second to reply.
"This is a very peculiar and delicate situation you are putting me in. But there is a chance, if your information yields good enough results, my higher-ups will consider your request".
"I'll take it" Silver nodded.
"Alright then. Come by the Ecutreak police department when you get a chance and we'll talk".
Silver nodded again, recalling Feraligatr. Before he left however he turned to Sonic.
"Hey. Just because I will help your friend by doing this doesn't make us friends. I can't forgive you for your part in my father leaving. I can't".
Sonic nodded.
"It's understandable. I don't know if I would be able to. So I understand".
"And one more thing. Make sure you're at the top of your game in the Johto league. I will do everything in my power to defeat you there".
"I'll be waiting".
Silver then left. Looker also motioned to leave, his work here done. He had to contact his superiors to inform them of the news.
"I share the kid's view you know".
"Hm?"
"I'm not ready to forgive you for your actions. Not yet".
Sonic didn't enjoy this feeling that there was bad blood with others. But sometimes that's just how life was.
"I understand detective".
Looker nodded.
"Tell your friends you three are free. You've earned it".
"Thank you detective. Do your best to get detective Morrison acquitted".
"I am optimistic about his release. I'll be in touch".
And so Sonic was left alone with his pokemon, a huge smile etching itself on his face.
He quickly called Tails.
"How'd it go?"
"It's done. We're in the clear!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
The three friends celebrated via phone before Knuckles realized something.
"Wait… now what?"
"I don't know about you two but I have somewhere to be" Tails mischievously said.
"And I owe Jaz an ice cream date".
"So… that's it? The team's breaking up?"
"From a certain point of view yes. But no worries Knucks. We'll still hang out, train together from time to time. Our mission may be over, but now the Johto league awaits".
"True. I completely forgot about this. We got a lot of training to do".
"Correction, you do" Tails joked.
"Wow keep rubbing it in" Knuckles jabbed him in fun.
"Oh I will".
Sonic laughed at this.
"Well guys if that's all, I'll be going. I got a date to get to".
"Don't slack too much. I'm coming for you in the league".
"Oh trust me I won't".
"You guys got plenty of time. The league is three weeks away".
"A correction of my own foxboy. The league is ONLY three weeks away. There's no time to waste".
"Hehe. If only Ash was as focused as you are" Sonic wished.
"I wouldn't count him out yet. But it's too early to tell. Anyway I'm off. Cosmo awaits. See you guys later".
"Talk soon" Sonic hang up and mounted Entei heading to Olivine.
Thirty minutes later as Jasmine was closing the gym for the day, she heard a familiar voice.
"Excuse me miss but I believe I owe you an ice cream date".
Jasmine smiled.
"The meeting went well I presume?"
"Yes. Come I'll tell you all about it" Sonic said smiling as the two headed off through the streets of Olivine.