#x knuckles

[cosmicheartzone]

((Next time on Xtra Miles, Chris Thorndyke's response to the letter!))

[the-knucklesverse]

'Oh no'

[quazart]

The Emerald Comes First

(Modern/ X)Knuckles x (platonic!) Reader

He'd finally gotten the last piece of the emerald back. But, it being in the city had taken a while. Finding all the lost pieces had taken a while. Here he is, almost two weeks later, and barely finished.

Pathetic.

It was already a shame he'd let himself be cornered by that idiot doctor, giving him no choice but to shatter the very purpose of his being. But taking this long to find all the pieces? That made the guilt eat away at him even worse.

A growling interrupted his thoughts. He looked down at himself, disgruntled.

Or maybe it was just his stomach eating itself. 

Frowning, he carries on. It didn't matter right now. Once he was back on his island, then he could relax and eat something. 

He finds a tall enough jump point and leaps into the air. His dreads catching a gust and allowing him to ride the wind home. Picking a new current every once in a while to take him to his desired destination. 

His eyes are dry and red from lack of sleep and it takes effort to keep them open. He's so very tired, having slept little to none during his quest. 

But the emerald came first. He could recover later. 

Unfortunately for him, his body disagreed. His eyes droop and shut for, what felt like, only a moment. This little mistake sending him diving into another current and traveling in the wrong direction. His eyes snap open at the shift and he attempts to right himself before he could fall straight out of the sky. 

He growls and searches for another current to get him back on course. He had to be quick. His glide making him fall miles and miles the wrong way, with each passing minute. 

'There's one!'

He feels for it and turns. The strong gust sending him back where he was originally headed. 

A couple minutes pass before he finally sees his island come into view. 

He sighs, so close.

His excitement and relief cause his muscles to relax, for the first time in a while. He is very close to passing out from exhaustion.

He'd been fighting and searching with no breaks for a little over a week and a half, and his body was more than ready for rest. 

His eyes were beginning to fall again. Only one thought floating around in his mind kept him awake.

The emerald. 

He's just a couple yards away now. Almost there. He begins to zone out.

Until he suddenly finds his vision taken over by a face full of, '(y/n)?!'

You both yell in surprise, not having seen the other until a second before Knuckles crashed right into you.

"Puah!!"

"Oof!!"

Both of you fall over, the echidna landing ontop of you and sending you back a couple feet before stopping. The emerald pieces scatter around you both. Having fallen out of Knuckles grasp, upon impact.

You stay on the ground, unmoving, for a moment. Temporarily, K.O.'d by the sudden echidna's arrival. 

Knuckles was left dazed, but not from the impact. Yes, he was surprised to see you here, but his body is finally getting what it's needed, and he's not sure he can fight its urge to rest much longer.

He was home, his friend was here, the emerald was here.

Everything was fine.

'Wait, the emerald!'

With eyes half-lidded, but still alert,  he lifts his head enough to count the pieces of the gem, ensuring they were all still there. They were. He releases a breath he was holding, in relief, and puts his head back on your shoulder. You wouldn't mind if he took two minutes to rest his eyes would you? 

You were greatly surprised by your friends entrance. How had you not seen him? How did he not see you? A bright red echidna, or a human, on Angel Island? You don't see many humans here. Or any for that matter. Even mobians! How did he manage to run into you?

You take a good look at him. There are bags under his eyes. When did he last sleep? His frame seemed slightly slimmer compared to the last time you saw him. And his tail, which naturally stood raised high, laid limp behind him. He looked exhausted. 

"Knuckles?... Knux?"

He groans as you boop his snoot. A violet eye peeks at you. Letting you know he's listening, more or less.

"Knux, when was the last time you slept?"

He weakly shrugs. Closing his eye. His fatigued brain and body wanting nothing more than some lovely sleep. A fuzzy, blissful feeling just from closing his eyes, taking over his senses. Making him not even bother to fight anymore.

You glare, what does he mean by a shrug? He doesn't know, or it doesn't matter? Either one isn't good.

But apparently not bad enough.

His stomach rumbles, strong enough to practically shake his little frame. He curls in on himself with a grunt. The grumbling lessening, but not going away.

'The idiot hasn't been eating either?!'

Now very worried for him, you quickly sit up. While upsetting your friend, you didn't care. 

He remains in a dazed sitting position, watching as you quickly pick up all the emerald pieces and gesture for him to follow you. He gives you a blank face, but gets up. Or, tries to at least. His shaky limbs not wanting to cooperate with their neglectful owner. No sleep. No food. And on the move for almost two weeks, it was surprising he hadn't full on collapsed yet.

You sigh and frown, this is gonna take forever, unless you do something.

You walk over to where he's standing, his legs shaking under his weight, and gently pick him up and holding him like a sack of potatoes over your shoulder. Your arm looping over his side and back, and his limbs hanging on either side. His head facing behind you as you began your trek to the shrine.

Knowing where you were headed, and having  nothing else to do, Knuckles relaxed and dozed off in your hold. Too tired to argue or fight against the ridiculous way you held him. 

Although, he wouldn't admit it for the life of him, he secretly loved any and all physical contact. Especially when it came from you. You being the only one, of all his friends, that he trusted the most. Besides Sonic and Tails. 

He fell asleep to the sound of your steps and sway of your walk.

The poor idiot.

You tell him, time and time again, 'Take care of yourself or there won't be a guardian to watch over the M.E.', but does he listen? No! Of course not! You're just a human who knows nothing about mobians, let alone an ancient tribe and their ways of protecting a big green rock. It's not like you're his best friend or anything, who he's repeatedly told the history and importance of the emerald and the island to. Or how echidnas, and any mobians in general, have the same basic needs as humans, such as the need for rest and food! No, no. You were an ignorant little human. You didn't know what you were taking about. 

You take a deep breath and sigh, looking at your friend. Sound asleep.  No. You couldn't blame him too much.

For neglecting himself, definitely yes.

His poor stomach still complaining, even after he'd fallen asleep.

You sigh.

You're upset, but you do understand where his stubborn efforts were coming from. 

His job, since he could remember, had been compromised. His self-claimed ,'soul purpose' ,being taken away from him. Of course he'd do everything in his power to get it back, a.s.a.p.

You just wish he'd also dedicate some time to take better care of himself, along the way.

You make it up the shrine. Kneeling down to put the emerald shards in the pile he'd started and covering it with a net like device you'd brought, that Tails had made. With the push of a button it would act as a cage that would camouflage whatever was underneath it. Along with a defense system that would electrocute anybody that doesn't have a programmed chaos energy reading or DNA signature within a ten yard vicinity on the x, y and z axis, so nobody could get anywhere near it.

You didn't know how to put the M.E. back together and probably couldn't if you did. It was his thing. An echidna thing. So you leave it as it is, and walk down the steps.

You make your way to a small house Knuckles had recently fixed up, after you'd scolded and cared for him after getting sick from staying out when it was snowing, a couple months back. You walk in, bend down a bit to get through the door, and take him to his bed. Well, it was a hammock, but he used it as a bed so, same thing.

You look for his blankets and pillow to set him up with. He always folded and put them away after using them. You guessed to either keep the house tidy, or to keep them as nicely kept as the day you brought them for him. Once that's that, you turn away from him.  Wondering when he'd wake up. And what to do in the meantime.

A groan from behind you brings your attention back to your friend. 

The sleeping echidna turns in his hammock with a grimace, curling into himself and holding his middle, but doesn't wake up.

You sigh.

That's what you'll do, while you wait, then.

It's not for another three hours before he wakes up.

At first, he's confused.

How did he get here?

'Where's the emerald!'

He quickly sits up. Vision spinning from the sudden move. He holds his head for a second, giving it a little shake. 

He looks around and finds you in the kitchen, washing a dish, he guessed you'd probably just used.

His senses finally awaken along with the rest of him. His stomach cramps at the smell of food. A pained noise escaping him. 

You hear his short cry and see him sitting up with an arm gripping his abdomen.

"Well good morning sleeping beauty." 

He frowns. You'd told him about human stories before. Human Princess stories, to be exact. So he understood your tease with little to no amusement. 

You laughed at his expression. 

"Put that face away you grump and come and eat."

His eyes gave away his interest for the food, but he didn't move. 

"Where's the emerald." He asks pointedly.

"Up on the shrine, and don't worry. It's protected."

Now he tries to stand up, but his legs shake under him and give way. He falls to all fours with a gasp, and you hurry over to him. Now slightly rested and fully conscious, his pride was touchy, so you just help him to his feet rather than pick him up again. He grumbles under his breath about being fine,  or something along those lines, but accepts your help nonetheless. 

"It's alright Knux, just sit down. I'll bring it to you."

He shakes his head," No. I need to get to the emerald."

Now it your turn to frown. "Um, no, I don't think so. You're staying here. "

"Oh? And who's gonna stop me? You?" He taunts, but not in an entirely joking manner. 

You glare at him and suddenly release him, for only a second.

"Woah!!"

Surprising him as he fell straight to the ground... almost.

You scruff him at the last second and stand him back up.

"You were saying?"

He turns away, crossing his arms. Glaring and mumbling again about who knows what.

You do pick him up this time, but just to get him back to bed.

"I don't need your help. I don't need anymore rest. I need to get to the emerald."

You look him over for a second."Not a chance."

His eyes widen, looking incredulous.

"Look kid, you can barely stand. Let alone walk over to and go up the stairs to the shrine. And then to use even more energy to put it back together? I don't think so."

He looks away from you. Angered by your argument and his predicament. His fatigued and starved body not helping his crabby attitude. 

"Well, then why can't you take me there? So I can see for myself it's safe, at least?!"

You walk away toward the kitchen again, getting a bowl and spoon.

" Is my word not good enough for you? The emerald is fine. And, no."

His jaw nearly drops, and he glares."So, that's it then! You're just gonna leave me here?! I thought we were friends! Isn't that what they're supposed to do? Help each other when one is in need!?"

You fill up his bowl and grab a glass with water. Bringing it over to him.

"Well, yes, friends help their friends. Especially when they're in need." 

"Well this is a need. A big need. I Need your help to get me to the emerald. Right about now would be preferable."

You sit beside him on a stool and place the water next to him on a little nightstand beside you two. The bowl of soup still in your hands, as you stir to cool it off.

"I thought I already said no?"

"Wha-! What is your deal?! Why not!"

"Why, so you can ignore my wishes and think,'Hey, I'm already here. Might as well put the emerald back together and get this island off the ground!' And then I'd have to pick up your comatose tail back to your hammock and fend off harder thieves like Rouge or Eggman by myself, on a floating island. Oh, yes, have the flightless, glide-less, not as durable as a mobian-human fight the tougher bad guys AND take care of you while you're unconscious."

He growls and crossed his arms again. Then you act like you'd just had an idea.

"Ah, you know what? I have a better idea."

He's about to snark and argue with you again, but you hold the bowl you had right infront of his muzzle. The strong smell of the broth and herbs getting to him, and sending another cramp through his torso. 

You look him in the eyes. A serious frown on your face. 

"Eat. Rest. Get better. Then, you'll be able to take yourself, whenever you want. I won't stop you."

He growls in frustration turning away from the bowl, but his stomach decides for him. A painful groan encouraging him to take the soup. Albeit, with a begrudged look on his face, but at least he's eating.

You walk away to give him space.

"And don't worry so much about the emerald. With the island already down, and you huddled up here, nobody would think to come here. Tails' invention will keep the emerald, along with it's energy signature, hidden. Without the emerald, the island doesn't float. No floating island or guardian, no precious emerald....I'll be at the shrine."

He watches as you leave the house. His earlier attitude fading away. You were right. What better time to recover than when the island looked emerald-less.

He looks down at himself. Cozied up with the blankets and pillows you'd gotten him. And a hot meal he never asked you to make.

His insides turn.

You'd been treating him like a friend since he'd gotten back. Maybe better than a friend. And he'd done nothing but argue and claim otherwise since he'd woken up. After you'd probably been watching over his island the entire time he was gone. Without him asking that of you either.

Thinking ahead, keeping the shards he'd already brought, safe. Keeping his home safe and secure.

And after all that. He just had to push and question your loyalty as a friend. All because he didn't get what he wanted. Even though you'd given him what he sorely needed.

He sighs. Setting his spoon back in the bowl. He was starving. Those couple of spoon fulls doing nothing but taunt his stomach. But after you'd departed, so did his appetite.

He set aside the bowl on the nightstand, beside his water, and tries to get up again. He knew if he didn't apologize now, he'd lose the courage to later.

He slowly stands on shaky legs.

He takes a breath and steadies himself. His feet holding firm enough, he begins a slow trek to the shrine. 

Sure enough, there you are.

He'd just come to the clearing where the altar sat and he could see you at the top of the stairs. Keeping lookout, especially now that all the emeralds pieces were together, you knew they'd need watching out for,  now more than ever.

He looks ahead and makes his way to you.

He doesn't make it very far before you disappear. Only to reappear behind him. Your sudden appearance startling him aback, he almost trips over himself.

He always hated when you did that.

You saw him coming even before reaching the clearing. Even among the lush forest greenery, a bright red echidna can catch your eye instantly. You looked away and fumed for a bit and quickly decided to mess with him. Not only for not resting like you'd told him, but to get a little even for how he acted earlier.

And it worked. 

Knuckles hadn't seen you leave the altar and so missed you coming up behind him.

" What are you doing here?"

You asked, making him nearly jump out of his sneakers. You knew he was a little out of it, but you didn't think it was this bad.

He turns to see you, his mouth opening like he had something to say, but closing again. He repeated this again, but still said nothing.

While amusing, you were still very much upset.

"While I do find your fish impression pretty impressive, once again, I ask, why are you here?"

He looked down towards his feet. A couple bugs scurried about, distracting him for a moment. He knew what he wanted to say. So why couldn't he say it?!

'She's your best friend. You aren't a coward, are you?' He repeats in his mind.

He takes a deep breath and looks at you.

"Look, I just wanted to say.. I'm sorry. I know you were trying to help me, but..I didn't see that. I thought you didn't care about what needed to be done. That you didn't respect me or my job. But you did.. you do. You didn't give me what I wanted, but you did give me what I desperately needed. Even if i couldn't see it and fought you over it, you fought back for my own wellbeing. And..I'm sorry for taking you for granted like that, and for questioning you and acting like a jerk. If anybody wasn't acting like a good friend, it was me."

You stare at him for what felt like an hour to him, then reply with a frown. 

"Knux, I'll always be there for you, whether you like it or not. And as much as I appreciate and accept your apology, you really shouldn't be here. You're still doing exactly the opposite of what you should be doing."

He doesn't understand. Shouldn't his apology have made things better?

"Look at me Knux, forget the emerald for now, it's safe. Forget about me for now, I'm safe, and I'm not mad at you, or going anywhere. You,-" you poke his forehead. He gives an almost cross eyed frown.

"You've done your job for now. You should be resting back in bed. Did you even finish the bowl I gave you?"

He frowns and dry swallows, giving you your answer. You roll your eyes. 

"How many times-."

You pick him up over your shoulder, the same way you'd done earlier, with one arm. And surprisingly, he doesn't seem to mind. His head turns towards you as you spoke.

 "You come first Knux. Before the emerald. Before the island. Without you, the emerald has no guardian." He tries to argue, but you quickly shut him down.

"But I-"

"shush*"

He blinks,"Ah? Did you just shush me-"

"Shhh."

He gave you an annoyed look, but doesn't comment anymore. Just glad you were still friends and you weren't mad at him.

You both get back to the house quicker than if you'd let him walk on his own.

You let him down to get to bed, while you get him a fresh bowl of soup.

He doesn't even bother to put the covers over himself. He just drops himself into his hammock. The hanging bed, swinging him back and forth. His fatigue weighing on him even more, now that he was accepting it.

You come over and hand him the food. With his appetite suddenly returned, he quickly sits up and eats.

After polishing off a couple bowls, he thanks you and hands you his dish after you'd come to take it. Laying down, he just stares at his ceiling. Listening to you moving about in the kitchen and then saying you'll be back, as you go to keep watch again.

He nods, and at the same time, thinking about you. His friend, who would keep a lookout for his island and the emerald. Looking out for him. The nice thoughts helping him to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

Just as your out the door, you hear his snoring and smile.

Finally!

[cosmicheartzone]

(CHZ) Cosmo: Knuckles! Amy! Blaze!

(X) Amy: Cosmo! Is… is Tails going to be ok?

(CHZ) Cosmo: He’s taking it as bad as you could possibly think… but that’s actually why I’m here… I need to ask Eggman something important, if I may…

Eggman couldn’t help but smirk.

(X) Eggman: Heh, and I thought you hated me!

CHZ Cosmo rolled her eyes

(CHZ) Cosmo: I DO happen to hate you… or well, more accurately the one I know… but it’s clear you really are trying to help at least at this moment. The Eggman from my universe did not turn against Nega. That alone has proven to me you’re at least better than him… 

So if you’re at all serious about stopping him, as well as the respect you have for this universe’s me for nearly making the ultimate sacrifice. Then you will help me and Tails save her. You helped Nega build the Egg Salamander, so if there’s anything you know about its design that’ll help us… it’d be appreciated. 

(X) Eggman: Hmm… well… there is a hatch on the underside that could be carefully opened if you can park a flying ship near it… but with the power Nega has at his disposal. It will be very risky. You’d need a really good distraction…

CHZ Cosmo nodded

(CHZ) Cosmo: That’s where Sonic and Blaze come in! Nega will be so focused on trying to keep Super Sonic and Burning Blaze at bay. Me and Tails can use his plane to extract the seedling from the hatch!

(X) Eggman: It’ll still be easier said than done, but if it works. It’ll be worth wiping away Nega’s smug face!

Blaze was curious about something CHZ Cosmo said

(X) Blaze: Burning… Blaze…?

(CHZ) Cosmo: That’s what my universe’s Blaze named her super form after wielding the Sol Emeralds

(X) Blaze: But… I haven’t actually tapped into them before… I’ve only guarded them. I don’t suppose since you’ve known another me, you know how I can?

CHZ Cosmo simply winked

(CHZ) Cosmo: You’ll figure it out! Now Eggman, please follow me!

CHZ Cosmo and X Eggman started running to Tails’ house.

(X) Blaze: Heeeey! Wait! Don’t be so cryptic with me! Cosmooooo!

(X) Knuckles: Let them be, it is probably important we get ready for the battle ahead.

Blaze sighed

(X) Blaze: I guess you’re right…

Meanwhile, Eggman Nega was preparing the Egg Salamander. He inserted the seedling into the Egg Salamander’s energy core and took a look at the energy readings on the machine, getting an all new surprise.

(X) Eggman Nega: Incredible… this plant is serving to be the best solar powered engine I’ve ever seen! It must be the Chaos Energy working in tandem with the already infused Sol Emerald energy I’ve already drained! Foolish Blaze might not even realize that I’ve already gotten most of their power. Her journey was all for nothing! HEHEHEHEHEEEEEEE!

Nega then climbed into the cockpit and began to fly out of the station with the swarms of Egg Pawns following him. 

On the ground, the heroes started to gather. Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, and Blaze stood together.

(X) Sonic: Hey… where did Eggman go? 

(X) Knuckles: The other Cosmo is bringing him over to Tails’ house. Eggman mentioned something about a hatch that could potentially be used to free our Cosmo without having to destroy her alongside Nega’s machine.

(X) Sonic: That would be preferable... Tails may say that I can do “what must be done” but I just know that if I have to reluctantly kill Cosmo for real this time to save us all, he may never want to see me again… 

(X) Amy: I have full confidence you can save the day and help our Cosmo too!

Sonic appreciated the backing from Amy

(X) Sonic: Thank you, though I don’t know if Super Sonic alone is going to be enough. The energy powering up Eggman Nega includes some of Shadow’s energy since we both used Chaos Regeneration. I’d be more confident with a partner.

That’s when Blaze steps in

(X) Blaze: I suppose that’d be me… if… if I can figure out how to activate the Sol emer-

Blaze was interrupted as a large machine appeared in the sky. The big red machine known now as the Egg Salamander lowered itself to tower over the heroes below.

(X) Eggman Nega: Greetings pesky blue hedgehog and friends! I’d recommend that you surrender, or I will tear asunder the link between this world and the Sol Dimension!

(X) Blaze: But Nega! That might do untold damage to both our worlds!

Nega belted out a boisterous evil laugh

(X) Eggman Nega: Nothing is more important than victory over your enemies! I’ll rule a world turned into nothing but an endless void if I have to! As long as it comes with the satisfaction that I’ve triumphed over you, Sonic, and especially my worthless counterpart! But that can all be avoided if you submit to me! I have no intention of frivolous things like an “Eggmanland” like my counterpart wanted. As long as you do whatever I say, you will enjoy a quality of life unlike any other!

Sonic shook a fist

(X) Sonic: Fat chance! I happen to like how we live now! We’re all as free as the wind!

Nega smirked

(X) Eggman Nega: So be it, this will be so much more fun anyway…

The Egg Salamander activated some sort of energy sword and cut a dimensional rift. Revealing a colorful void that forged a link between Sonic’s universe and the Sol Dimension.

(X) Eggman Nega: Go ahead and activate those Chaos Emeralds of yours and follow me! I will defeat you at your most powerful!

(X) Blaze: Hey! Don’t forget about me!

Blaze got out the Sol Emeralds, but she still couldn’t currently use them.

(X) Blaze: Darn it! I’ve guarded you most of my life. Why won’t you activate?!

Nega just chortled watching Blaze try to use the emeralds.

(X) Eggman Nega: That’s all you ever were, Blaze! Simply a guardian! Besides, I’ve already drained most of their power for the machine you see before you! There are ways to recharge them but ironically your dedication to protecting them has proved to be a mistake! A soon to be fatal one too! HEHEHEHEHEEEEEE!

Sonic turned to Blaze

(X) Sonic: Keep trying, Blaze. I’m sure you’ll find a way soon. For now though…

Sonic looked up confidently at Nega

(X) Sonic: So you want Super Sonic? I’ll give you Super Sonic!

The Chaos Emeralds began to spiral around Sonic, the hedgehog closing his eyes as his blue fur became golden, his green eyes turning red, and his back spines pointed upward.

(X) Eggman Nega: Yesssss, let our final battle begin, hedgehog!

Both Sonic and Nega entered the dimensional rift, while Blaze was still left struggling with the Sol Emeralds. Amy and Knuckles attempted to give her some encouragement

(X) Amy: Come on, Blaze! You can do it!

(X) Knuckles: Focus, Blaze! I won’t pretend to know how your emeralds work, but I’m sure the method is right around the corner.

The Sol Emeralds for a moment blinked, but faded too soon to be of any sign that they were working 

(X) Blaze: I… thank you for the vote of confidence. But Nega might be right… I’m simply a guardian. Not a wielder…

As Blaze trailed that last statement, an orange ship came flying in. It was Cream’s spaceship. Though when she and Cheese saw that Blaze was on the ground, they quickly lowered their ship down to land.

(X) Cream: Blaaaaaaazeeeeeeeee!

(X) Cheese: Chaooooooooo!

(X) Blaze: Cream!

The small rabbit as well as the chao ran up and hugged the purple cat.

((Blaze sprite from a compiled/remixed sprite sheet by Sonic1093LQ))

(X) Blaze: ! You’re… hugging me? Even… after I snapped at you?

((More after the break))

(X) Cream: Why would I still be mad? It was just a misunderstanding! A perfectly understandable one… how could I have known that a Cosmo from a different dimension was going to show up? And… and… I can tell you’ve been betrayed before…

(X) Blaze: …Yes, you’re right. Being a princess isn’t just looking pretty and smiling for the cameras. There are so many responsibilities, many of which had me often too busy to get involved with friendships. But in my younger years, maybe when I was your age… when I had more free time… everyone that wanted to be my friend was simply trying to curry favor with royalty instead of befriending me… for… me. 

Many of my so-called friends turned out to be nothing but bullies or fraudsters… and while I was learning to control my pyrokinetic abilities… I… snapped and ended up burning someone who had been taking advantage of me. While they probably deserved it, it scared many others from trying to make friends with me.

You’re the first to ever want to be my friend for my sake rather than my title… and that’s why it hurt so bad when I thought you had been lying to me…

While Blaze and Cream continued their embrace, the Sol emeralds began to glow. This time not immediately disappearing.

(X) Blaze: So… I’m… s-s-sorry, Cream… I shouldn’t have yelled at you… and I also apologize for calling you a liar. Knuckles showing me the Blue Typhoon was enough to tell me that what you went through was real, and that shouldn’t have been something someone as young as you should have seen… especially the near loss of your best friend…

(X) Cream: I… I f-f-forgive you, B-b-blaze…

Cream then felt something odd, Blaze’s body heat seemed to be getting warmer. And fast.

(X) Cream: Oh my! Blaze… Blaze… your body heat is rising! Are you feeling ok?!

As Blaze seems to get a bit too hot to continue hugging, Cream lets go and sees Blaze seeming to… change. Blaze looked down at her body, a fiery energy building within her.. Her fur turned pink, her purple dress turned red, her ponytail, the cuffs on her gloves and shoes, and the tip of her cat tail became flames. And a fiery aura surrounded her

(X) Blaze: I... feel fine, Cream… actually… MORE than fine… this energy…

She looked around herself and gasped as she saw the Sol Emeralds orbit around her.

(X) Blaze: The Sol Emeralds! I did it! I unlocked their power! Was… the secret to their power friendship… this whole time?

Cream grinned excitedly

(X) Cream: Oh my gosh! You can now help Mr. Sonic!

(X) Blaze: Yeah… yeah, I can… although… I hope with this power… I can help save your Cosmo too…

Blaze then flew off into the dimensional rift, although Cream was confused by why Blaze said something about saving her Cosmo too.

(X) Cream: Um, does anybody know why Ms. Blaze said she hopes to save our Cosmo?

Knuckles and Amy almost didn’t want to tell her

(X) Knuckles: Cream… the seedling that Cosmo was transformed into is currently being used as the power source of Eggman Nega’s machine….

Cream gasped and reacted in shock.

(X) Cream: WHAT?! NOOOO! I… have to go help…!

Cream was about to run to her spaceship, but Amy quickly ran over and held her back

(X) Amy: No, Cream! It’s too dangerous, you’ll only make it harder for Sonic and Blaze!

(X) Cream: But.. but… we have to do SOMETHING!

(X) Amy: There is already someone doing something, the other Cosmo is taking Eggman to Tails. The other Cosmo I’ve heard has so much more experience than our Cosmo did. And combine that with Tails’ intelligence and reliability, I think they can do it!

Cream was still very worried, but she trusted that Amy was right. The other Cosmo did seem a lot more confident then the Cosmo they knew. And if Tails knew there was still a chance to save her, he’d do anything. So Cream just looked up at the dimensional hole where Sonic and Blaze were currently fighting Nega, the fate of their dimensions hanging in the balance.

((Super Sonic sprite ripped by Bonzai))

From within, Sonic and Blaze kept swirling around the Egg Salamander, dodging attacks, and getting some hits in. Though they both were certainly holding back hoping for some sort of miracle to save X Cosmo until they were given no choice. They quickly learned though that the machine seemed to also have the combined power of Sol Emerald and Chaos Emerald energy.  As their attacks constantly pushed and pulled against each other with no give on either side.

(X) Sonic: Grr, this machine’s certainly tough… It’s a complete stalemate…

Nega cackled

(X) Eggman Nega: Of course! The machine is built to last! It’ll easily outlast both of your super forms! So go ahead and try, but you’ll never defeat me! You’ll fall into the endless void once time runs out. But thanks to the solar battery that is the seedling, I. AM. INVINCIBLE!

(X) Blaze: We’ll see about that… 

At Tails’ house. CHZ Cosmo and X Eggman arrived at the door. The former knocked on the door, Tails looked through the peephole, before opening the door.

(X) Tails: I thought I told you to leave me alone…

(CHZ) Cosmo: I know you did, but this is urgent. I still believe we still have one more chance to save her. I’ve brought Eggman with me, he helped design the Egg Salamander. He can pinpoint an area where we can extract her from the machine!

Tails lowered his head

(X) Tails: But… if we fail… I… don’t want to see her die again… it’s too much… She’s attached to a big threat… Sonic and quite possibly Blaze are in Super Forms similar to how Sonic and Shadow were… I… I just can’t… I don’t want to see history repeat itself…

(X) Eggman: There is a significant difference between then and now though, Tails…

Tails raised an eyebrow

(X) Tails: What? That I don’t have the Blue Typhoon to shoot her again…?

(X) Eggman: No, don’t you remember that Final Mova had that forcefield that incapacitated most living things other than our Cosmo and robots like Decoe and Bocoe? There is no such thing here, as otherwise Nega would be affected too.

Tails gasped, it had slipped his mind, or perhaps the nightmares he had of reliving Cosmo’s ‘death’ where he tried to move closer to save her physically himself. But the dream, much like the forcefield, made it so it was impossible to save her himself each time clouded that memory.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Exactly! Tails, there’s still a chance!

(X) Tails: E-e-eggman.. Where can we extract Cosmo…?

(X) Eggman: It’ll be at the back of the machine. You and this Cosmo could fly the X Tornado up there. You should be small enough to climb into the hatch, grab the plant, and make a quick getaway… that is if Nega doesn’t blow you to smithereens while trying… That machine on full power can keep up with Super Sonic. So just know he could easily swat you like a fly if you’re not careful…

Tails thought for a moment, before lifting his head with a determined look.

(X) Tails: I’ll do it… even the lowest probability chance is worth trying… and if things go wrong… well, at least I tried… and we’ll reunite somewhere else… even if it isn’t this plane of existence…. she risked her life for us all, I must do the same for her!

Eggman, take this wrist communicator in case you need to talk to us while we’re there…

And Cosmo… other Cosmo, I should say… you said before that you’re even better in the air than when you were mowing down robots in Night Carnival… correct?

(X) Eggman: Hey… you know those were MY robots right…

(X) Tails: Uh…

(X) Eggman: Just kidding, the Egg Pawns are mass produced. And the parts are reusable to boot!

Both X Tails and CHZ Cosmo just blinked twice.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Ahem, anyway… yes, Tails. I have had lots of experience flying all sorts of ships, even before I met the other you.

(X) Tails: Think you could pilot the X Tornado then? I’ll need to be in the backseat for the extraction without either of us awkwardly having to switch seats in mid-air.

CHZ Cosmo nodded her head

(CHZ) Cosmo: Of course! I’d have to take a look to be absolutely sure I’ll be comfortable with the controls, but if it’s anything like the ships the Tails from my universe built, I should have little to no trouble!

X Tails and CHZ Cosmo ran toward the X Tornado, the latter hopping into the pilot seat.  She took a careful look at the controls, and was generally satisfied by what she saw.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Good news, Tails. These controls are very similar to both mine and  my universe’s Tails’ main plane! The only thing of course is that it’s not as up to date as our current planes are. But adjusting to a slightly older model should only take a little bit of muscle memory refreshing.

(X) Tails: That’s great to hear! Now let’s get going and save my Cosmo!

(X) Eggman: Good luck, both of you, send Nega my regards and a good butt kicking!

Both young pilots nodded, and CHZ Cosmo activated the plane, going down the runway, and taking off into the air within seconds.  It wasn't long before they approached the dimensional rift where Sonic and Blaze were still fighting the Egg Salamander.

The group on the ground that were currently hoping that Sonic and Blaze prevailed heard the sounds of an airplane engine coming in.

(X) Cream: Hey look! I think that’s the X Tornado!

(X) Amy: Yeah! The other Cosmo must have successfully convinced Tails that there’s still a chance!

(X) Knuckles: Great to see… let’s hope all ends well.

Suddenly Knuckles recieved two taps on the shoulder from someone up in a tree above him. He turned around to see an upside down…

(X) Rouge: Why hello, handsome red~

(X) Knuckles: GAAAH! Rouge, where did you come from?!

Rouge flipped in midair and gracefully landed on her feet onto the ground.

(X) Rouge: I’m not too late to witness the usual Big-Blue-saves-the-day-o’-clock am I?

(X) Amy: Well… we’re certainly hoping he does…

Rouge turned out to not be the only one showing up, as Team Chaotix return to the group, with Vanilla walking beside them.

(X) Vector: Heeeeeeeeeey!

(X) Vanilla: Greetings, everyone! 

(X) Cream: Mr. Vector! Mr. Espio! Mr. Charmy! Mother!

(X) Espio: Everything going on ok over here?

(X) Knuckles: Not going to lie, Espio. It’s nerve wracking. We’re hoping that not only Sonic and Blaze can prevail, but that Tails and the other Cosmo can get our Cosmo out of Eggman Nega’s machine.

(X) Charmy: What?! Our Cosmo was taken?!

(X) Vector: That’s not good… but if Tails is going to be the proverbial knight in shining armor, let’s cheer him on as he rescues his princess!

(X) Charmy and Cream: Yeaaaaaaah!

(X) Cheese: Chao chaoooo!

Amy held her hands together and smiled.  Though before looking back up at the dimensional rift, she noticed something on Vector’s face.

(X) Amy: Uh, Vector? Is that… lipstick on your cheek? 

Cream’s mother looked sideways sheepishly, smiled, and blushed while Vector smugly grinned

(X) Vector: Oh you noticed, huh? It was a gift from Ms. Vanilla for helping save her daughter! I don’t think I’ll ever wash this cheek again!

Charmy leaned over to Espio’s ear as they whispered to each other.

(X) Charmy: You are so turning invisible to watch that cheek while he’s asleep when we get back to the agency…

(X) Espio: Already planning on it…

While the group was all smiles, just about all of them were anxiously awaiting for Sonic, Blaze, Tails, CHZ Cosmo, as well as the plant of X Cosmo to make it all out intact. They all looked up in the sky and continued to hope for the best…

Within the dimension itself the battle continued to go on and on without any end in sight.  Nega’s machine managed to tank the swarming hits by Super Sonic and Burning Blaze, at least in part because of the tremendous energy that the seedling was giving the Egg Salamander.  Any time Super Sonic and Burning Blaze were knocked away, they just got right back in.

(X) Sonic: Ugh, the energy me and Shadow gave the seed Cosmo has become is now a thorn in my side… 

(X) Blaze: Does that mean… we have to…

Blaze looked at Sonic with concern, she didn’t want to destroy the plant either. But if was about the fate of their dimensions…

Thankfully, Sonic shakes his head

(X) Sonic: I don’t even think we could do that all on our own. It’d require an extra boost from say… the Blue Typhoon’s cannon to fire it straight at him to work just like it was with the Metarex. But Tails destroyed that possibility a while ago, and quite frankly I don’t blame him…

(X) Blaze: I agree, if fate determined that he had to shoot his lover twice. I’d understand if he’d just let the universe die just because it was so cruel to him.

Knuckles showed me what remains of the Blue Typhoon earlier, even not having seen it firsthand, the scars from that battle were quite evident. Your friend Tails has clearly been through a lot, and I’m glad he won’t have to repeat what clearly still haunts him to this day. But if we don’t even have that option are we… doomed?

As Sonic and Blaze tried to think of something they could do to break the stalemate, a plane comes flying in, Sonic instantly recognizing it as the X Tornado.

(X) Sonic: Tails?!

He flew in closer to the plane both to check on his friend and also protect him in case Nega tried to fire at him. He checked the pilot seat, but instead of Tails he found CHZ Cosmo. Though Sonic soon took a look at the backseat to see Tails in there too, who had the most determined look on his face. He didn’t even look at Sonic, his gaze entirely focused on the Egg Salamander.

CHZ Cosmo spoke from the plane’s speakers to Sonic.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Sonic! You and Blaze have to distract Nega while we get in close. We have a plan…

Sonic didn’t even have to ask what the plan was. Tails’ face was enough of an indicator that this was a rescue mission. Blaze flew over to Sonic’s side.

(X) Blaze: Hey what are you two doing here!  We can barely scratch that thing with our super forms, it’s dangerous to be here!

(X) Sonic: Blaze, they’re here to rescue our Cosmo. We need to help them in any way we can. Not only is it important for saving a dear friend, but it might be our only shot at saving the day…

Blaze gasped

(X) Blaze: I see… well, let’s not waste any time then…

From within the Egg Salamander, Eggman Nega chuckled

(X) Eggman Nega: These foolish kids want to play hero against my invincible machine? You’re not going to pull one on me like you did to my stupid counterpart!

Speaking of Nega’s counterpart, he started a call with Tails from a wrist communicator

(X) Eggman: Make this count, Prower, we've only got one shot at this!

(X) Tails: I will, Eggman… (I’m going to save you, Cosmo… I have to…)

Nega then fired a barrage of rockets and lasers at the X Tornado. Sonic and Blaze destroyed a majority of the rockets, while CHZ Cosmo’s piloting experience allowed her to dodge everything thrown their way.

Sonic tried to get Eggman Nega’s attention, taunting him.

(X) Sonic: Is that all you've got, Nega? Pathetic! I didn’t know your plan was to BORE us to death!

A clearly annoyed Eggman Nega grumbled

(X) Eggman Nega: I’d choose your last words more carefully, hedgehog!

Nega took the bait and started going after Sonic, giving time for Tails, CHZ Cosmo, and Eggman to plot their next move.

(X) Tails: So… Eggman, how are we supposed to get to this hatch you mentioned?

(X) Eggman: That’s the hard part of all this… somehow you have to hope he’s invested with Sonic and Blaze long enough for you to sneak in. But even then he himself will be on the move. He’d easily catch someone trying to board his ship if you go in directly. You might have to figure something out with Sonic and/or Blaze to manage some sort of window of opportunity. Just a few seconds is all that is needed for you to squeeze yourself inside…

While it was Blaze’s turn to catch Nega’s attention. CHZ Cosmo flew the plane over to Sonic’s side.

(X) Tails: Sonic! We need you and/or Blaze to find a way to not only keep Nega distracted but still. If we’re going to save Cosmo, we need just a brief moment!

(X) Sonic: Got it, buddy. Though I don’t know if there’s anything I can think of that’ll get the time you need. But maybe Blaze has something up her sleeve.

SSonic flew on over to Blaze in the air, and as they knocked away more of Nega’s rockets and dodged more lasers, Sonic mentioned what Tails needed.

(X) Sonic: Blaze, is there anything you can do that will keep Nega still while Tails enters a hatch he’s just small enough to enter?

Blaze thought for a moment while continuing to dodge, and went back to Sonic.

(X) Blaze: Well I may have something, but it's a long shot. As a word of warning, you have to tell both of your friends on the plane to close their eyes. Otherwise it will be detrimental to them too. And make sure not to yell it out, or otherwise Nega might see what’s going on. This move is going to be bright even for those glasses of his…

Blaze flew over in front of Nega, while Sonic flew over to the X Tornado. He used hand signals to point to his eyes and then closed them multiple times.

CHZ Cosmo gasped

(CHZ) Cosmo: Tails! I think Sonic is telling us to close our eyes for a moment! I’m going to briefly launch autopilot!

CHZ Cosmo presses a button to allow the X Tornado to fly on its own. And as instructed, both close their eyes.

Blaze, in front of Nega’s window, began to charge up a move. Curling up into a ball before unleashing a light as bright as the sun

(X) Blaze: SOLLLLLAAAARRRRRR NOVAAAAAAAAAA!

(X) Eggman Naga: GRAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!

Nega was blinded for a short moment, his eyes felt like he had just stared at the sun for a few minutes. All within the flash of Blaze’s technique.

(X) Sonic: COSMO! TAILS! NOW’S YOUR CHANCE!

Both opened their eyes, CHZ Cosmo immediately retaking control of the plane and flying behind the Egg Salamander, directly where the hatch was. Tails quickly opened the windshield on the backseat (the same one that his Cosmo had asked to drop down from on the day they had first met), and got to work on the hatch, opening it and then squeezing himself inside. He climbed around the inside the machine, frantically looking for the seedling. And hoping that she wasn’t damaged while being used as a battery for Nega’s machine.

As soon as he had found the plant, he whirled his tails straight at the glass container, and reached in to grab the plant. An emergency siren started blaring within, but Nega was still recovering from the flash of Blaze’s Solar Nova.

(X) Eggman Nega: HEY! WHAT’S GOING ON BACK THERE! I SWEAR AS SOON AS I CAN SEE CLEARLY AGAIN YOU’RE DEAD MEAT!

But before Nega could even finish that sentence. Tails was already on his way back out. Falling into the backseat. Holding the pot tightly in his arms. He told CHZ Cosmo to…

(X) Tails: FLOOR IT! NOOOOOOOW!

CHZ Cosmo boosted the X Tornado out, flying out of the dimensional rift as fast as she could.

The crowd below gasped, and they wondered if this was good news.

(X) Cream: Did… did they do it…?!

(X) Knuckles: I sure hope so…

Back within the rift, Nega finally regained his eyesight as he glared at Blaze.

(X) Eggman Nega: Amusing little light show there, Blaze! But it accomplishes noth-

Nega then took a look at the readings of his ship. He had drastically lost a large amount of battery power.

(X) Eggman Nega: No way! I… can’t believe this!

Nega went back to check on the seedling that had been powering his ship. And to his horror, he found that it was no longer there,  with nothing but a broken container in its place.

(X) Eggman Nega: NOOOOOOO! It’s gone! My ship’s battery! How did this happen?! Wait… did that idiot counterpart of mine plant a weakness in the ship?! I should have never trusted him from the beginning!

Nega quickly worked to try to get backup power running.

(X) Eggman Nega: No matter! I still have enough saved up solar power to beat both Blaze and Sonic for good! With just a little more time, I’ll…

Sonic and Blaze were in perfect sync as they spiraled around and prepared to attack the now much weakened Egg Salamander, without the plant that was X Cosmo powering it.

(X) Eggman Nega: No no no NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sonic and Blaze’s charge devastated the Egg Salamander, sending it reeling, all the way back to the Sol Dimension, in fact. Eggman Nega was defeated.

Sonic and Blaze gave each other a victorious handshake.

(X) Blaze: We… we did it! And your universe’s Cosmo was saved too!

(X) Sonic: Always great when we get the best possible ending. You did great out there, Blaze. I only wish you could stay longer. I didn’t even get the chance to see what you can do in a 1-on-1!

(X) Blaze: I’m sure a friendly spar between us would be epic. Your friend Knuckles gave me a taste of what you’re capable of, and I can tell it would be very close… but yes, I need to get going soon. There are two things I need to do for your world though, before I close off the portal between us.

That is unless you want Eggman’s henchmen to stay in my universe for whatever reason.

(X) Sonic: If you mean Decoe, Bocoe, and Bokkun. Then please bring them back, they may be Eggman’s henchmen but they’re a part of our planet too.

(X) Blaze: Got it, I shall retrieve them then.

(X) Sonic: But what’s the other thing you’re talking about…

(X) Blaze: That.. you’ll see soon enough.

Sonic and Blaze then quickly flew out of the rift, their appearance instantly resulting in cheers from the crowd of friends who knew that this must mean they’ve won. They both floated down, Sonic reverting to his regular form, but Blaze staying as Burning Blaze for a little while longer. She’d need to stay in that form to both retrieve Eggman’s robots as well as the other thing that she had hinted to Sonic about.

Sonic’s first instinct was to run over to Tails. Who was still holding this universe’s Cosmo’s seedling. 

(X) Sonic: How ya feelin’ buddy? Glad that you saved your girlfriend?

Tails didn’t answer at first, remaining oddly quiet as he was just relieved that this time he was able to save Cosmo this time around.. It felt cathartic for him in many ways, he got the chance to do something he couldn’t do during the battle against Final Mova. He looked up towards Sonic with a smile.

(X) Tails: Yeah… yeah I am. Now I can start thinking of ways to protect her while she’s still regenerating. It’s going to be a worrisome couple of years, or even a whole decade. But as long as she comes back eventually, I’ll be there for her whenever that day comes.

That’s when Blaze gently flew near Tails with a knowing smile

(X) Blaze: But what if you didn’t have to wait?

Tails gasped at that suggestion

(X) Tails: I mean… I would much rather her regenerate now if it was possible… but the other Cosmo said it’d take a while so… I don’t know what you mean by not having to wait…

(X) Blaze: Tails, and Cream as well. I have something special to tell you both about my dimension that will interest you.

Cream stepped forward

(X) Cream: R-really? What is it?

(X) Blaze: There’s a part of my world known as the Plant Kingdom. A beautiful place full of all kinds of plants. Legend has it that the kingdom once nearly went extinct. Before wielders of the Sol Emeralds were able to use their power to quickly restore and grow the kingdom to a prosperity that to this day… still holds. 

The word Sol means Sun. Can you imagine what magical sunlight, combined with the refreshing of a soul that Chaos Regeneration might have done? Can you guess what that might mean for that little seedling?

Tails and Cream quickly thought over Blaze’s words, and when they had figured it out, their eyes went wide, loud gasps escaping from their mouths, and then they both grinned.

(X) Tails and Cream: Y-y-you can speed up Cosmo’s regeneration?!

Blaze simply nodded

(X) Blaze: I fully believe that I can…

Sonic himself was impressed with the idea

(X) Sonic: That sounds great! Just like how Chaos and Sol energies worked together to defeat Eggman Nega, It will do so again to bring back our Cosmo faster then she would have done otherwise!

Tails wasted no time

(X) Tails: Is… is there anything you need me to do before the… ritual I guess?

(X) Blaze: I only need two things.  I suggest you put the seedling down on the ground. And Cream… do you still have the amulet that we pieced together when we first met?

Cream nodded, as she pulled it out of her pocket

(X) Cream: Yes, of course!

(X) Blaze: Please lay it next to the seedling. From what I can gather, those amulets are important to her kind.

CHZ Cosmo nodded to give an indication that it was.

(X) Vector: I hope I’m not being rude about pointing this out, but how is our Cosmo going to take that another her exists?

That made the whole group also a bit concerned about that as well

(X) Tails: Uh, I’ll have to explain it to her. But I think for now if this works, she’ll be too focused on well… actually being still alive to notice that there’s two of her. Once things settle down we’ll tell her what’s happened as of late.

(X) Amy: I hope she doesn’t get heartbroken thinking Tails cloned her assuming she was gone…

Both CHZ Cosmo and X Tails grimaced thinking about that

(CHZ) Cosmo: I’ll make sure to help explain everything to her. It’s going to be as weird for me as it will be for her to be speaking with another self. But it should be clear we’re from different universes, we’ll also have Blaze briefly here to also back up that other dimensions have been in play.

(X) Tails: On that subject. When do you think your universe’s me is going to get here?

(CHZ) Cosmo: I’m unsure, but I know he will have been looking for me the entire time that I’ve been trapped here. He’ll eventually find the right universe along with my universe’s Cream and Blaze.

(X) Cream: Oooo, another me is arriving soon?! You hear that Mother? I’m going to have a twin for a short time!

Vanilla just blinked, but giggled

(X) Vanilla: I guess I’ll have to bake twice as many cookies then, heh heh!

As amusing as this small talk was, Tails got serious and placed the seedling down on the ground, Cream also laying the scarred amulet near the seedling.

(X) Tails: Ok Blaze… we’re ready.

Blaze nodded and stretched out her arms. She put all of her focus on the seedling and the amulet.

(X) Blaze: Just like the Solar Nova during my fight with Nega, I suggest all of you close your eyes for a short moment. This technique shouldn’t be as eye searing as a nova is. But I’d take caution regardless…

Everyone did as Blaze asked and either closed their eyes or looked away. Once Blaze felt the necessary energy flow within her, she was ready to repeat one of the legendary powers of the Sol Emeralds.

(X) Blaze: Sollllllaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr….. PHOOOOOOEEEENIIIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!

Magical light shone outward from Blaze’s hands into the seedling. The amulet began to float up, and the seedling started… growing. It became too large for its container, breaking the white pot and rooting itself into the ground. The seedling could no longer be called as such as it became a full-on plant with a very tall stem, and large leaves. The group stared in awe at the size of the plant. Once it reached its full size, a flower bud grew, with an interesting glow from within that could be seen even from the outside.

(X) Tails: Inside that flower… that… must be… her…

It was only a moment later when the bud finally began to bloom. A giant pink flower, and in the center of it... Was… X Cosmo, laying down as if she was currently in a deep sleep.

(X) Tails: C-c-c-cos… c-co… c-cos…. c-c-COSMOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Even though he was aware this was going to happen, Tails’ was overfilled with emotion as he flew up. Tears dropped from his eyes as he reunited with the love he had once thought was gone forever. He sat next to her as she was lying down. Taking a clear look at her, she looked a little different. She wasn’t in a fully grown form like she had been before her near sacrifice, she was as small as she had been for most of the journey on the Blue Typhoon. Her hair however was slightly longer, and her roses were bloomed just like how they had been on that fateful day.

Tails then picked her up in his arms. Tears of joy continued to stream down his face. He could feel a heartbeat, her warm body temperature, confirmation that she was indeed alive again. Or more accurately, had been still alive all along. A part of him was almost half expecting to suddenly jolt awake in his bed just to reveal that this entire adventure had been just another dream to take everything away from him. But any remaining worries were quickly dispelled as X Cosmo began to awaken. She grunted as if she had been woken up from a deep slumber early in the morning. Though the sun was setting, not rising in the background.

X Cosmo slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Tails’s face. His eyes constantly gushing tears of joy. Still only about half awake, she tried to speak.

(X) Cosmo: T-t-t-t-ta-tails? I-is… t-that you…?

Tails couldn’t resist, he hugged her as tight as he could.

(X) Tails: Yes… Yes, I’m right here, Cosmo! You’re safe… safe with me…

The reunited couple remained in an embrace on top of the flower, everyone below watching the scene either crying tears of joy themselves, d’awwing at the sight, or showing stoic pride for Tails who had long earned this chance to be happy.

Cosmo gradually became more and more aware, happy to be in Tails’ arms. But then something worried her as her eyes went wide.

(X) Cosmo: Wait! What became of final mova?! Did… what I did work? Or… or… did we all… perish and… this is… the afterlife…

For X Cosmo, her memory went blank after she had said what she presumed to be her last goodbye to Tails. She didn’t know how long it had been yet since she put her life on the line to save the galaxy.

X Tails reassured her however

(X) Tails: It worked, Cosmo… the Metarex are gone now. You’re back with me on my planet!

(X) Cosmo: H-h-how… is this p-possible?

(X) Tails: Sonic and… Shadow… saved you using Chaos Regeneration. They were able to revert you into the form of a seed. And thanks to a brand new friend we met, you grew back quicker then you might have otherwise!

She did vaguely recall moments before her memory blanked out that Sonic and Shadow yelled out the words Chaos Regeneration

(X) Cosmo: I… I see… um… who’s the new friend you say sped up my… regeneration?

(X) Blaze: That would be me, welcome back Cosmo…

Blaze floated gently over towards the two. Cosmo stared up at the awe-inspiring sight of Burning Blaze. It might have been because she was still a little groggy from her ‘slumber’, but it was like seeing a deity of fire before her very eyes.

(X) Cosmo: W-w-who are y-you?

(X) Blaze: You may call me Blaze, I’m a princess from the Sol Dimension that came over to Sonic’s world initially just to retrieve my world’s emeralds. But along the way… I found much nobler purposes. From getting to know your friend Cream, and to helping you find your way back with your friends after the terrible things you went through. You deserve a second chance at life, Cosmo. I hope you can now live a long and happy life with those who’ve you endeared yourself to over the course of your journey on the Blue Typhoon

As for me, this might unfortunately be the last time you ever see me. As I must get back home soon, I seek to close the portal between our worlds. 

Blaze turned around and looked down towards the group below.

(X) Blaze: I want to thank you all for your help. And if it’s true that we’ll never see eachother again… just know I’ll never forget you. Especially you Cream.

The small rabbit was a mess of emotions, she was half overjoyed to have her friend from the journey in space. But she also knew she might never see Blaze again, which gave her many bittersweet feelings.

(X) Cream: G-g-g-go-goodbye B-b-Blaze! I’ll never forget you either! I’ll be right here if you ever do come back! I’ll m-m-miss you!

Blaze shedded a few tears from her own eyes.

(X) Blaze: I’ll miss you too…

She waved to the rest of the group before preparing to fly away.

(X) Cosmo: W-w-w-wait!

The newly regenerated Cosmo yelled out to Blaze before she could go anywhere

(X) Blaze: Hmm…?

X Cosmo gave the princess a warm smile

(X) Cosmo: Thank you… for b-b-bringing me b-back.. I hope I get to see you again one day….

(X) Tails: I’m forever in your debt, Blaze. You have no idea… how much this means to me…

Blaze smiled back toward them both.

(X) Blaze: You’re very welcome, I hope you and Cosmo can now live together in peace. Without any more worry of war and destruction.

Goodbye everyone, once more, thanks for everything and I’ll hold out hope that we will see eachother again… some day…

Blaze then finally flew off to the portal, not closing it just yet as she still needed to retrieve Bocoe, Decoe, and Bokkun. But the whole group looked at the portal with the feeling of having met a new ally. Tails then gently picked up X Cosmo and used his namesakes to gently fly them towards the ground. He let Cosmo stand on her own two feet. She wobbled a bit, some lingering effects from having just come back from the form of a seed still present. But once she was stable, Amy and Cream ran up and hugged her.

(X) Amy: We’re so happy to have you back, Cosmo!

Cream didn’t even say anything, she was just a mess of whimpers and sobs. Just so glad to have her back. Her chao Cheese also held on tight to her. Nearly the entire group surrounded Cosmo to celebrate her return.

CHZ Cosmo watched from a distance behind a tree. As they mentioned how weird it would be, she didn’t want X Cosmo seeing her to overshadow this reunion. She’d let X Tails begin to explain her situation before meeting her properly.

(X) Vanilla: I think it’d be a great idea to celebrate with a Welcome Back Cosmo party! Everyone is invited to me and Cream’s house! We didn’t exactly prepare any decorations, but just having a dear friend back shall be a party in and of itself!

Everyone cheered and gladly accepted Vanilla’s offer. They began walking together, ready for a night of mingling and of course surrounding Cosmo with the love and appreciation of everyone who got to know her while on the Blue Typhoon.

Strangely X Tails and both of the Cosmos were the only ones not heading there yet. X Cosmo took this opportunity to hold both of Tails hands, their eyes sparkling as they looked at one another. CHZ Cosmo was still watching from behind the tree.

(CHZ) Cosmo: (It’s… beautiful… this moment right here is why I don’t regret leaping into the portal to here one bit…

Although I do kind of hope my universe’s Tails gets here soon. It’s going to get mighty awkward between me and the other me if I’m here for too much longer…)

X Tails and X Cosmo then embraced each other again. They both bore incredible trauma from the war with the Metarex, but now that they were in each other's arms, they knew that nothing would ever get between them ever again…

TO BE CONTINUED...

FIRST CHAPTER

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

FINAL INTERMISSION

EPILOGUE

[cosmicheartzone]

Thanks to the power of the Sol Emeralds, X Cosmo had been regenerated in mere moments instead of the decade or less that had been estimated by CHZ Cosmo. Once the overflowing joy amongst the group for Cosmo’s return began to subside. X Tails explained to her what had been the turn of events that led to her regeneration. From how long it had been since she nearly sacrificed herself to save the universe, Sonic and Shadow’s Chaos Regeneration, the rather somber period afterward, the first appearance of Eggman Nega and Blaze the Cat, the sudden appearance of another Cosmo from a different universe, and so much more.

(X) Cosmo: I… I almost don’t know what to say… while I still don’t entirely regret what I did, since it did rid the universe of the Metarex, I can’t help but apologize for the effect that it had on many of you… especially you, Tails. Trust me when I say that if I knew that there was a way to both defeat the Metarex for good and cause less emotional stress, I would have… But it seemed like the only option left if the galaxy was to be saved…

X Tails sighed

(X) Tails: I perfectly understand why you did that by now, as much as it hurt. It made sense, no one was going to get past that invulnerable barrier but you since the Metarex leaders were fellow members of your kind…

I just wish that I hadn’t had to be the one to pull the trigger… regardless if it was for the universe. It broke me inside that I had thought I had taken a life, and said life being someone I grew to love over our journey on the Blue Typhoon…

(X) Sonic: Not to butt in, but if Cosmo had asked someone else to fire the cannon in your stead, are you sure you wouldn’t have held resentment for whoever did it? No one there wanted to have to fire at Cosmo if we didn’t have to. 

It’s also true you were the only one who had experience using the cannon. Anyone else wouldn’t have had the steady hands to aim it right, and it wouldn't have been any easier to get over our own feelings about what it might mean for Cosmo.

X Cosmo softly laid a hand on X Tails’ shoulder

(X) Cosmo: To add to what Sonic said… I’m very proud of you, Tails, and I hold no ill will, even if I had actually perished…

Tails turned his back

(X) Tails: That’s… that’s not what you said in my nightmares…

(X) Cosmo: What you saw in your nightmares was not me, bad dreams purposefully fuel your darkest thoughts and fears. If I had more time I would have assured you that you did the right thing, but before I could I di- or rather… lost consciousness as I was transformed into a seed thanks to Sonic and Shadow.

(X) Sonic: Ironically, if you had died. You probably would have still been able to talk to Tails. I heard Dark Oak’s voice speak to me when I was back on my planet

X Cosmo gasped

(X) Cosmo: What… what did he say?

(X) Sonic: Something about how the true nature of animals won’t change, hypocritical statements that we destroy planets, and how the future will be fixed some day.

X Cosmo lowered her head

(X) Cosmo: I see… so even in death he won’t believe in the harmony between plants and animals…  I guess that’s to be expected.

Tails turned back again to face Cosmo

(X) Tails: Well, I guess that’s good that we sent him screaming into the afterlife after the pain and misery he’s caused… especially now that you’re safe and sound with us once more. And there’s nothing he can do about it!

X Cosmo smiled

(X) Cosmo: Now that’s the spirit, Tails!

(X) Knuckles: Forget Dark Oak and the Metarex, they’re just history now. It’s great to have you back with us again, Cosmo.

Everyone else either gave a short cheer or silently nodded.

(X) Tails: Yeah… I’m so thankful that you were able to return to us after all, Cosmo. For as long as we both live, I won’t waste this second chance. I know that it’s only been roughly a number of months. But the time I thought I had lost you forever was the worst time of my life, and I don’t know if I would have ever truly recovered if you were truly gone…

(X) Cosmo: Oh, Tails…

She softly walked up and hugged him

(X) Cosmo: I won’t waste this chance either. With the Metarex gone, I’ll be happy to live alongside you and everyone else here who helped me save the galaxy.

(X) Tails: C-cosmo… can you… p-p-promise me something?

(X) Cosmo: Yes, Tails?

(X) Tails: P-p-please… n-never leave me like that a-again…

He held on tightly while sobbing into her shoulder.  X Cosmo giving him a reassuring scratch behind the ears. Though after a little while, as she got a good look at his head, she gasped.

(X) Cosmo: Wait, that’s a bandage on your head. Did you hurt your head again…? I apologize, I didn’t notice until now…

(X) Tails: Oh, this? No no, I’m alright. This is… actually, the same bandage you gave me when we were stuck in that cave. Remember?

(X) Cosmo: Oh that’s right… I didn’t realize you still had that. Why are you wearing it again if your head’s not hurt though?

(X) Tails: To put it simply… it became… a memento of you. If it’s a little too weird, I can take it off. Especially since the other you said it might have been part of your body you tore off. Is… is that true by the way?

X Cosmo stood silent for a bit before nodding her head

(X) Cosmo: I didn’t want to confirm it back then as maybe you’d think it was weird. But yes, the bandage I made is actually made of cellulose that evolved to look like a ‘dress’ for females of my clan. It looks close to indistinguishable from white fabric until you look at it close enough.

And I’m actually quite touched that you decided to wear it to remember me by. Although thankfully you no longer have to simply remember me. Cause I’m right here! Feel free to wear it as long as you’d like

X Cosmo giggled, before holding Tails’ hands

The room just fell into a silent harmony as many who had thought they had run out of joyous tears from X Cosmo’s return earlier started up the waterworks once again. Eventually, a certain crocodile couldn’t take it anymore as he lunged, picked them up, and gave X Tails and Cosmo a big hug.

(X) Vector: OH IT’S TOO BEAUTIFUL! YOUNG LOVE REUNITED AFTER SUCH TRAGEDY! The day you two get married is going to be the best day of your life! The Chaotix Detective Agency will make sure of that!

Vanilla shot Vector a dirty look, not impressed by his antics.

(X) Vanilla: Vector, let them go this instant… and they’re just children. Let their relationship grow over time before saying the ‘M’ or the ‘W’ word…

On command Vector does as Vanilla says.

(X) Vector: Er… right…. Sorry, miss! And sorry to the both of you too… Ms. Vanilla is right. Thinking marriage is way too soon… gotta have the first date, first kiss,  the commitmen-

Vanilla about shoots him a death glare

(X) Vanilla: VECTOR! Give. The. Kids. Some. SPACE!

Vector backed away and apologetically bowed, while Espio and Charmy snickered.

(X) Vector: Ahhh! Sorry, sorry again, miss! Won’t happen again!

Although he may have gotten on Vanilla’s nerves, Vector’s shenanigans did seem to lighten the mood in the room.

(X) Cosmo: Oh, and for the… er… other me I suppose? It’s strange to be looking at basically a mirror of what I used to look like.  But I am happy to hear of your contributions to my return as well.

(X) Cream: Yeah! As funny as it sounds, I don’t know if Blaze would have thought about regenerating our Cosmo without the other Cosmo here to give us an idea of what really happened to her!

CHZ Cosmo curtsied for the group

(CHZ) Cosmo: Why thank you! I came here for the specific purpose of discovering why the Tails from here was so upset, and cheering him up, if possible. I’m glad that I pursued that to the very end, even if I don’t know when my Tails is going to arrive and take me back. Trust me, it’s as weird for me as it is for you to be seeing another me. But everything your Tails said about you definitely made me want to meet you more and more, and I’m glad I got to have that chance thanks to this universe’s Blaze.

As soon as my Tails arrives, I would like to have a personal talk between our counterparts if that’s ok with the both of you.

X Tails and Cosmo were quite open to that idea.

(X) Tails: I’m looking forward to seeing the other me too! I’m sure that we’ll have some interesting things to talk about!

(X) Amy: Until then, if it’s still going to be a little while until the other Cosmo’s friends pick her up, we've gotta think about living arrangements! I would guess that Tails wants our Cosmo to live with him. But that just leaves the other Cosmo… maybe we should call you Othsmo just so we have a bit of a simpler way of differentiating you two.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Heh, that sounds fair enough.  But I am curious too where the other me plans to live. In my universe, I technically have two homes. Sharing Tails’ workshop, or a mobile home spaceship given to me by my mother. Do you still have your own space ship, other me?

(X) Cosmo: The only ship of my own was the one I crash landed in when I first met Sonic and everyone else.

(X) Knuckles: That ship is still where it was when it first landed. We… kind of used it as the backdrop for a funeral of sorts. It was too personally upsetting for Tails to attend, but we planted red and pink flowers all around the ship to show our respects. By now it must be a full garden.

(X) Cosmo: Awww… that’s very sweet of all of you… as awkward as it is now from my perspective, since it was meant to be a memorial to me.

(X) Amy: I guess now it only commemorates when you first got here instead! Much less somber now! That is unless you want Tails to fix it up so maybe it’ll start working again.

X Cosmo thought for a moment, before shaking her head

(X) Cosmo: I think I’ll leave it as it is. If I want a new space ship, I’ll let Tails make one for me. But for now I want to take my time settling here. I’ll be happy to have a room in Tails’ house if there’s space.

(X) Tails: Ah, unfortunately I don’t have an extra room just yet. But I fully intend on building you one! You’ll need at least a temporary home until it’s done, though.

(X) Cosmo: Oh really? Hmm…

Vanilla walked up and looked down with a warm smile towards X Cosmo

(X) Vanilla: That’s easy, there’s a spare room in this very house you can use. In fact, that room’s bed was the very same one we moved you to after Tails, Amy, and Cream found you unconscious next to your ship.

This idea from her mother excited Cream as she hops up and down.

(X) Cream: Oh my gosh! Cosmo, it'll be like we’re sisters!

(X) Cheese: Chao chao!

X Cosmo was a little surprised at the offer, but the more she thought about it, the more she thought it was perfect.

(X) Cosmo: I… I accept! In fact… if it’s alright… would it be ok if I can freely switch between Tails’ house and Cream’s house even when the room in the former is finished?

X Tails smiled and gave a thumbs up while Vanilla nodded

(X) Tails: As long as that’s what you truly want, Cosmo!

(X) Vanilla: It’ll be a pleasure to have you live with us every now and then, Cosmo. I’m sure Cream will look forward to every visit!

Now that where X Cosmo would live was settled, the attention shifted to where CHZ Cosmo would stay in case it ended up taking even longer for her universe’s Tails, Blaze, and Cream to finally arrive. (X) Amy: Now how about you, Othsmo?

(CHZ) Cosmo: Uh… hm… maybe I’ll live on Angel Island until my Tails finally shows up? I’m quite familiar with it back in my universe. If that’s ok with you, Knuckles.

Knuckles acted a little surprised, but thought about it

(X) Knuckles: Huh… well it is floating again after that adventure we just had. A good sign that things are finally back to normal. And having a polite guest like you might be welcome.

(X) Rouge: Hey wait a minute… you keep telling me you don’t allow guests on your island every time I ask…

(X) Knuckles: I said POLITE guests, Rouge. Take a hint…

((More after the break))

The banter caused some chuckles throughout the room. Although Rouge soon realized that there was probably something she should say to X Cosmo now that she had returned.

((Credit to QuadFactor for Rouge sprites))

(X) Rouge: Say Cosmo… our Cosmo. I… need to say something that’s been heavy on my mind for a while, especially after everything that has happened with the Metarex.

X Cosmo had an idea as to what this was about, but she silently nodded to signal Rouge to begin.

(X) Rouge: I… am so very sorry for that day that me and Shadow… accused you of being a willing spy for the Metarex… the very moment I realized you were attempting to sacrifice your life for the galaxy made the guilt drop like a brick… and it’s only gotten worse since then… you were as much a victim as anyone else, and we should have recognized that

X Tails shot a glare at Rouge as if to say ‘Yeah, you should have’ without actually saying it. X Cosmo, on the other hand, lowered her head and thought about Rouge's words for a moment.

(X) Cosmo: R-rouge… Where is… S-shadow... by chance…

(X) Rouge: Not on this planet that’s for sure. Upon the first time your boyfriend saw Shadow after that final battle, he vented all of his frustrations with him while he still thought you were gone. Not easy to forgive attempted murder. I can’t shake the feeling that it’ll take a number of years for me to get back in Tails’ good graces, and I was only an accomplice. I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive Shadow even with you back.

X Cosmo turned to Tails

(X) Cosmo: Is… is that true…?

He sighed and looked X Cosmo in the eyes

(X) Tails: It’s true that I’d rather never see Shadow again, yes. While you’re back with me now, I still can’t get over him refusing to talk with us first. I still think about what if he had killed you in your sleep before we even knew he was after you… I also can’t forget the cold stare as he chased us through the Typhoon. Even with the caveat that he had apparently lost a lot of his memory, it was hard to see Shadow as the same one who helped us back on Chris’s world on the Space Colony ARK

(X) Cosmo: Cream had mentioned to me how Shadow was a hero that helped you all in the past. So it was certainly a shock when he announced his intention to kill me… still, there’s a part of that… can’t entirely fault him for it. I knew for a long time that my body had been bugged to record all of you, and I never disclosed that out of fear that they’d kill me and/or I’d lose your trust and friendship. Even as an unwilling spy, I never told you all that the Metarex knew where the Blue Typhoon was at nearly all times. And so from that end, there’s little to no difference from a willing or unwilling spy… which is why I nearly abandoned you all shortly afterward.

(X) Cosmo: It was… a huge relief, that despite my deception… You all trusted me to stay regardless, that’s when I knew all of you were truly my friends. I thought that the moment you found out you’d all treat me like a traitor just as Shadow had… With the exception of Tails and Cream, I still wasn’t entirely sure all of you had accepted me, but that day proved me wrong…

(X) Sonic: Heh, just think. We still got the best of them despite you being their unwilling eyes and ears! Gotta think of how embarrassing it was for them that we still had our victories despite the advantage they had! And in the end, it was you who foiled their ultimate plan. If you count as a spy, maybe you became our double agent! Better look out Rouge, she might be a better spy then you one of these days!

Rouge chuckled, if a bit nervously.

(X) Rouge: Now, now… don’t get carried away…

(X) Cosmo: I’d rather leave my ‘spying’ days behind me if you don’t mind… though while we’re on the subject, I’ll say this… I do kinda want to see Shadow again…

This surprised just about the entire group

(X) Tails: Are you serious, Cosmo?! Even after what he tried to do…?

(X) Cosmo: I understand your hesitation, Tails.  But remember, Shadow’s also half the reason I’m still here. It won’t absolve him for what he did earlier.  But with the Metarex gone, he has no reason to be hostile to us anymore. I’d like a chance to start over with him. It was a time of war… and war brings out the worst in everybody…

Tails still looked stunned, but he could kind of understand where X Cosmo was coming from. CHZ Cosmo also had some similar remarks after she had been told what had happened between Shadow and her counterpart.

(X) Rouge: For what it’s worth, I witnessed exactly what pushed Shadow over the edge to attack you. Though maybe I should save that story for another time, the whiplash of the mood in this room has already switched too many times. This should be a ‘welcome back’ party for you Cosmo, not a ‘memory lane of PTSD’ party.

(X) Cosmo: Yeah, maybe it’d be best to save that for if Shadow comes back. Maybe we’ll have more context and understanding.

X Tails grumbled and whispered to himself.

(X) Tails: I’m not sure anything could justify attacking Cosmo in her sleep… 

(X) Cream: Can… can we change the subject? I… don’t like to talk or hear about this stuff…

The group actually agreed with Cream.

(X) Rouge: I need to use the restroom anyway, mind pointing me to the right direction Ms. Vanilla?

(X) Vanilla: Of course Ms. Rouge. The bathroom should be in the hall to your right.

(X) Rouge: Thank you!

While the group wondered what to talk about next Rouge quietly walked to the bathroom. But she actually didn’t need to use it, she got out a keypad and started typing a message…

Far off from Sonic’s Planet, Shadow was brooding on a desolate planet. When he suddenly heard some sort of notification sound from Rouge’s ship.

(X) Shadow: (What? No one had contacted me the entire time I’ve been gone, I thought I was out of signal…)

Shadow began to read the entire message.

‘Shadow, this is Rouge. Sorry for the sudden message, I thought about contacting you earlier but it always happened to slip my mind shortly afterward. You didn’t think I’d let you have my ship without some way to get in touch. It’s what you get when you choose to pick a former government spy’s ship~

Regardless, I have some… interesting news…

Cosmo is back, and I mean, BACK back. She’s fully alive again and healthy’

Although Shadow wasn’t drinking anything he just about spittaked.

(X) Shadow: Wait, seriously?!

He thought about ignoring the message if it was nothing but Rouge boasting her government work. But the news about Cosmo caught his attention, so he kept on reading.

‘What’s more Shadow, is that she has expressed interest in seeing you again. You don’t have to honor such a request if you feel that it’s still best to let things be. And I’d fully understand if you feel it doesn’t change a whole lot. Foxboy is still quite touchy about you even with his girlfriend back. So if that’s still the main deterrent, feel free to stay away. But I thought I’d at least let you know what happened.

And at the very least some of your conscience can be cleared up now that you and Big Blue’s attempt to save her wasn’t entirely in vain.

I hope you’re doing well out there, Shadow. I’ll see you soon if you decide to return, but if not… then just continue to take care of yourself.

Cheers, Rouge’

Shadow stared silently for a moment before closing his eyes, going into deep thought.

(X) Shadow: (Should… should I bother going back…? Maybe Cosmo being back might lighten their ire with me, but once again Sonic’s planet was never my own… on the other hand. Maybe some apologies are due, I did see Cosmo nearly give her life much like I have…

Not to mention… my memory has been returning to me… and… I’ve… been feeling all the more guilty each day… cause thinking about it now… Cosmo really was…  like…) Ergh… Shadow placed a palm on his forehead as he suddenly got a painful migraine. Once it subsided, Shadow thought to himself silently a little longer, before finally deciding to activate Rouge’s ship, and flew back in the direction of Sonic’s planet.

Back at Vanilla and Cream’s house, most of the group mingled and/or snacked on foods that were available. Charmy seemed to be sniffing something in the air.

(X) Espio: Charmy, if you’re sniffing for food you know you can just go ahead and get it.

(X) Charmy: Oh uh, this scent is not food… but whatever it is… it smells really good…

(X) Vector: It’s probably just Vanilla’s air freshener or something, Charmy. She spruces up this place a lot!

(X) Charmy: But I’ve been to Vanilla's plenty of times and never smelled something like this!

(X) Vector: Could easily still be an air freshener, just a different scent that’s more appealing to you?

(X) Charmy: Hmm… maybe but… ah well… maybe I’ll ask Ms. Vanilla after the party. I’ll find out what it is sooner or later!

‘As the party continued, X Cosmo just seemed to feel the love and appreciation from everybody she got to know during the long journey on the Blue Typhoon. Though there was someone who she remembered from those days that didn’t seem to be here. She turned to Sonic to ask a question.

(X) Cosmo: Say Sonic, I noticed that Chris isn’t here. Is he busy?

X Sonic shook his head

(X) Sonic: Chris went back to his planet. Shortly after we returned home Dr. Eggman built a one way rocket that had a brief window of time where it could send him back.

(X) Knuckles: He could have waited for the Master Emerald to restore itself after the damage it took during the final battle against the Metarex. But I guess he did have family and friends he needed to return to.

(X) Tails: While uh… other things were occupying my mind at the time. I did begin to miss Chris’s presence pretty quick, it was clear to me he inherited much of his Grandpa Chuck’s ingenuity from his contributions while on the Blue Typhoon!

X Cosmo frowned

(X) Cosmo: That’s a shame… and he probably still thinks I’m dead. I wish there was some way we could let him know that I’m ok at the very least…

This reminded Vanilla of something

(X) Vanilla: Hm, you know… I seem to remember that Chris’s family was able to send extra luggage… and even a big red spaceship to our world. They suddenly appeared at the Master Emerald shrine even without the Master Emerald being there.

(X) Vector: Ms. Vanilla’s right! Me, Espio, and Charmy saw a spaceship appear out of nowhere that must have been sent by Chris’s grandpa!

(X) Tails: Huh! If the coordinates of Chris’s machine that sent him here are still connected to our world, perhaps we can do the vice versa? Maybe we can send at least a letter and some photos to show Chris that you’re back and safe with us now!

X Cosmo held her hands together and smiled

(X) Cosmo: That would be wonderful! All of you were such great friends to me, so having Chris know I’m alright would make this reunion feel all the more complete!

X Sonic scratched his head

(X) Sonic: Now I kinda feel bad that I didn’t think of that. We could have given him a goodbye letter shortly after he left so that he at least had some way to get a proper send-off.

(X) Knuckles: I’m sure Chris will appreciate hearing from us regardless of how long it took to realize we could do that.

(X) Tails: We’ll just make sure to have a group photo at the end of the party for us to send and then we can draft a letter with all of our signatures at a later date!

(X) Amy: And hey! It doesn’t have to be the only time we send something to Chris! We can be pen pals with him and his family, sending letters back and forth every now and then!

(X) Knuckles: I’m not sure I like the sound of the shrine of the Master Emerald becoming something like a mailbox for everybody, but as long as no one overuses it, I’m sure it’ll be worth hearing how Chris is doing.

The possibility of contacting Chris gave the party a slightly more cheery mood even amongst the already positive feelings that X Cosmo’s return caused. 

Some time passed before a knock was heard at the door.

(X) Vanilla: I’ll get it!

Vanilla opened the door for the sudden visitor

(X) Vanilla: Hello! Are you here for the part… EEEEEEE?!

Vanilla’s eyes went wide as it was none other than Dr. Eggman, Sonic quickly rushed in front of Vanilla.

(X) Sonic: Hey! What’s the meaning of this Eggman? Here to spoil all our fun, like usual?

(X) Eggman: Hohoho! You’d expect me to, wouldn’t you. But I swear I come in peace, this time at least. I even brought a few more guests!

Eggman moved to the side to reveal Bocoe, Decoe, and Bokkun were back and unharmed. The three robots waved to everyone inside.

((Credit to Toad900 for Bokkun, Dolphman for Decoe and Bocoe, and FinalBeyond for Eggman))

Decoe: Greetings, Sonic and Friends! I know we’re supposed to be enemies…

Bocoe: But after the ordeal we’ve been through… we really wanted to see some familiar faces again so we knew for sure that we were home…

Bokkun: We were so so SOOOOOO scared…

(X) Sonic: Hm, well… Vanilla, this is your home. So you get to decide if they get to attend the party.

Vanilla thought for a moment

(X) Vanilla: Well if they don’t mean any harm…

(X) Tails: I think we can let Eggman here this one time, he DID just help us defeat Eggman Nega and save Cosmo after all…

Knuckles eyed him suspiciously

(X) Knuckles: But if I catch any of you doing any funny business, I will personally escort you out with my fists.

(X) Eggman: Considering the Egg King fell to mostly the kids of this group, and I’m here on my own two feet, that’d be like poking a hornet’s nest with a stick expecting not to get stung…

(X) Charmy: It sure would be!

Charmy chuckled while raising up his stinger.

Eggman’s presence did make some of those at the party a bit uneasy. But him pointing out that he was only on his own two feet amongst the full cast of Sonic and his friends did give a sense of security even if Eggman tried to pull something.

(X) Sonic: It’s good to see Blaze brought you all back. How was the Sol Dimension though you three?

Decoe: Oh it was just awful!

Bocoe: We had pirates that wanted to dismantle us into scrap!

Decoe: If it weren’t for a raccoon girl, we might not even be here!

Bocoe: She certainly saved us, but she also wouldn’t shut up! 

Eggman chuckled

(X) Eggman: Heh, now you must know how it feels whenever I’m with all of you…

Sonic smirked

(X) Sonic: Hey now Eggman, don’t act like you didn’t miss them. The whole reason you began to work with Nega was because he had you thinking Blaze destroyed them!

Bocoe: Wait… he cared about us that much?!

(X) Eggman: H-h-hey now! Don’t get carried away!

Decoe and Bocoe quickly hugged Eggman

Decoe: I knew deep inside you cared about us! That’s proof!

(X) Eggman: Aggghhhh! Let go! I was angry about my base being lit on fire! Had n-n-nothing to do with you t-three!

Most of those attending the party just chuckled seeing Eggman struggle against the hug from his formerly missing robots. As much as Eggman verbally abused them, there probably was a small part of him that did miss having them around. Meanwhile, Bokkun searched through the room for someone in particular. When he saw where Cream was, tears flowed from his eyes as he flew over to her.

Bokkun: Oh Cream! I thought I would never see you again!

Cream was a little confused as to why Bokkun singled her out. But tilted her head and smiled.

(X) Cream: I’m glad you’re ok, Bokkun! Looks like both Eggman and our group got to have happy reunions! Bocoe and Decoe, why don’t you say welcome back to Cosmo for us!

Bocoe: Wait, Cosmo’s back?!

The two let go of Dr. Eggman, and they searched the room for Cosmo. Hilariously, Bocoe found CHZ Cosmo, and Decoe found X Cosmo as they separated.

Bocoe: Oh so it’s true! And it looks like you’re even returned to how you looked before!

Decoe: Wait, Bocoe. I see Cosmo over here and it looks like her flowers still bloomed and her hair is a bit longer!

Both robots were kinda stumped for a moment before they realized what was going on.

Bocoe and Decoe: There’s TWO Cosmos?! Which one’s the real one?!

Both CHZ and X Cosmo giggled. The former thought to herself

(CHZ) Cosmo: (These two sure remind me a lot of Orbot and Cubot…)

(X) Tails: It’s a bit of a long story, you two. But in short, the one that looks no different from how she used to look isn’t our Cosmo. She’s from a different universe, who’s just waiting for her friends who are searching for her as we speak. While the Cosmo with the slightly longer hair and bloomed ears is the one that we traveled with.

Bocoe: Oh boy… more dimensional shenanigans that almost fry our circuit brains trying to understand…

Decoe: We’ll just take your word for it then.

Both of them turned toward X Cosmo now knowing which one was her

Decoe: We’re happy to see you’re back, Cosmo!

Bocoe: Thank you so much for holding back the Metarex at the last moment!

X Eggman then approached X Cosmo

(X) Eggman: Ah yes, Cosmo. If it’s alright I want to talk to you. If I may…

X Cosmo was a bit uneasy, to say the least. She had seen for herself how wishy-washy Eggman could be, either working together with Sonic or sometimes even aiding the Metarex. She knew that ultimately Eggman made the right decision to help defeat the Metarex in the end. But she did remember the time where they had thought he had legitimately allied with them.

(X) Cosmo: Y-y-yes… D-doctor…?

(X) Eggman: What you did for the universe took guts. I want to express my gratitude for being so willing to put so much on the line so that the galaxy can stay as vibrant with life as possible. I know that it appeared at times that I was working with those genocidal tyrants. But once I realized what they really wanted, I knew I had to do everything in my power to assist Sonic to destroy them for good. Feel free to believe me or not on this.. but I’m relieved for both your own sake and Tails’ heart that you’ve returned. A young pure soul like yours would have been a shame to lose forever. You shall always have my utmost respect…

The room fell silent, with many surprised that Eggman had such sincerity for X Cosmo. The subject of Eggman’s sincerity herself wasn't sure how to take it.

(X) Cosmo: U-uh… T-thank you?

Eggman then smirked, and proudly posed

(X) Eggman: …Once the Eggman Empire has been established. I promise that you’ll have free rides on Eggmanland for life! I can even throw in a plus 1 for your boyfriend if he’ll stop being annoying with his planes. HOHOHOHO HOOOOO!

The entire rest of the party just groaned and/or facepalmed

(X) Sonic: Of course in typical Eggman fashion he had to ruin even his rare nice moments…

From there the party continued as normal, or as normal as a party could be where Eggman and his henchmen were involved. Everyone from the X universe were mingling, eating, laughing, and overall having a good time. CHZ Cosmo, the only one here not from this universe, was happy to be amongst the group. Though she took a moment to look out the window at the night sky.

Just as CHZ Cosmo turned around back to the party, a bright flash appeared not far from the window she was sitting by. The brightness was enough to surprise those within the house.

(X) Vector: Is someone lighting fireworks outside?

Bokkun: Fireworks? Without me?! How dare they!

CHZ Cosmo carefully watched what was going on, and saw a circle that might very well be a… portal… she sat still wondering if someone was arriving. And pretty soon she could see three silhouettes. Tears of joy filled her eyes as she stood up and started running out the door.

(CHZ) Cosmo: They’re here!

Bocoe: Huh? Who’s here?

X Tails turned to X Sonic

(X) Tails: This must be Othsmo’s me, Blaze, and Cream!

CHZ Tails, Cream and Blaze stood outside the portal, looking around. But it wouldn’t be long until they heard…

(CHZ) Cosmo: TAAIIIIILLLLLLLLLLS!

Tails smiled wide, it looked like Black Rose’s tarot cards were right. The X marked the spot.

(CHZ) Tails: COSMOOOOOOOO!

The search was over, CHZ Tails and Cosmo were back in each other’s arms at last. Blaze smiled, as Cream cheered.

((Blaze sprite from a compiled/remixed sprite sheet by Sonic1093LQ))

(CHZ) Cream: Hooraaaaaay! We found her!

Many of those from the X Universe walked outside to witness another reunion between a Tails and a Cosmo. This one with less tragedy being resolved but nonetheless still satisfying.

Bocoe: So wait, there’s two Tails?

Decoe: He’s always had two Tails, what are you talking about?

Bokkun: Hehe, I guess there’s four Tails then!

Though Bokkun gulped and blushed seeing who else was here.

Bokkun: …And two Creams too… she’s just as cute as the one here!

CHZ Tails and Cosmo continued their embrace for a little while longer, before they let go and held each other’s hands.

(CHZ) Tails: You ready to go home, Cosmo?

As much as CHZ Cosmo did want to get back, she knew that she still wanted to stay a little longer and let her Tails and Cream see who she had been with this whole time.

(CHZ) Cosmo: I will be ready soon, but I’d really like all of you to stay a little longer. The Vanilla of this universe is holding a party. You should partake it in a little bit! Also the other you has been curious to see you. You should also meet this universe’s me! We’ve got plenty to talk about!

(CHZ) Tails: We gotta consider Blaze’s thoughts too though.

(CHZ) Blaze: Hey, if you all want to stay here a little while longer until Cosmo’s fully ready to leave, I don’t mind. I’ll stay back here and guard the portal while you enjoy yourselves. I’ll make sure that no one in this universe ends up trapped outside their dimension.

With Blaze’s permission, CHZ Tails and Cream joined the party inside. They would remark on just how similar this universe’s version of their friends were to their own. If they didn’t know any better, they’d almost think that they were already home. The fact Eggman was there disturbed CHZ Tails and Cream a bit, but CHZ Cosmo explained that this Eggman oddly helped during the adventure she went through while she was here.

The X and CHZ versions of Cream had some fun together, even playing with X Vanilla by showing up in one place and then Vanilla finding the other one in the next room. After which they used face paint to make sure everyone knew which was which. X Cheese and CHZ Cheese seem to eye each other like friendly rivals. They seemed to want to challenge each other in either a Chao Race or Karate but both of their Cream’s called them back before any sort of competition could begin between them. X Cream asked her CHZ counterpart about CHZ Blaze, who stood outside silently, wondering if that was good news for eventually seeing the Blaze she met again. CHZ Cream assured her counterpart that she would see Blaze again, thus giving X Cream more reason to be cheery then she had already been with both X Cosmo’s return and the ensuing party hosted by her mother.

Eventually however, both versions of Tails and Cosmo asked if they could head into the guest room that X Cosmo would be sleeping in once the party was over. They wanted some personal time to talk to their other selves.

As soon as the door was closed, they recapped to each other everything that had happened, and in X Tails and Cosmo’s part, told what had happened against the Metarex. CHZ Cosmo had already heard most of this not too long after she met X Tails, but this was the first time that CHZ Tails had heard of his counterpart’s tragedy.,

(CHZ) Tails: I… just… that’s incredibly sad that you had to shoot your own Cosmo for the sake of the universe… I don’t even want to imagine if the same happened to us.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Thankfully now a happy ending has come out of it, though… I have to imagine some of the scars remain… especially for the other me… I lost many that I cared about on Green Gate when the Black Arms attacked. But if I was the only survivor… it’s just too horrible to think about…

(X) Cosmo: Perhaps one of my few solaces is I was born long after things got bad for Green Gate. So I never really got to see how beautiful it used to be. I could only get mental images from what Galaxina and our friends described what Green Gate was like. At least… before they p-p-perished t-too… sniff

(CHZ) Cosmo: I almost feel bad telling you about myself and some of my tragedies. When it’s clear that compared to you, I got off easy. My universe’s versions of our mother and Galaxina are still alive for one. Green Gate was damaged but there’s hope it will eventually recover, and… perhaps my father was silenced before he could make things worse…

X Cosmo tilted her head

(X) Cosmo: Father? What do you mean?

(CHZ) Cosmo: I’m talking about Dark Oak! Earthia was your mother, she was married to Lucas just as in my universe. And Lucas became Dark Oak! I hope it’s not the case, but there’s a real possibility my father wanted to do what he did in this universe as well!

X Cosmo shook her head

(X) Cosmo: Dark Oak isn’t and was never my father. And I don’t even mean that in a ‘I personally disown him’ way. There literally is no blood of his running through my xylem.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Wait, really?

(X) Cosmo: My mother produced me entirely asexually. So there was never a need to recognize Dark Oak as a parent.

CHZ Cosmo gasped

(CHZ) Cosmo: Oh my… I had heard asexual reproduction was possible in our kind. It takes being in the form of a tree for a continuous amount of months or years, and even then it’s rare a viable child gets produced. Most attempts usually end up in the death of the seed. And it’s often only done in emergencies. In which… an impending extinction certainly counts…

As for myself, I do have my father’s blood running through me. I’m starting to wonder if that’s a bad thing… cause if he’s anything like he was in this universe… I… couldn’t bear even acknowledging I was his daughter…

X Cosmo placed a hand on her counterpart’s shoulders

(X) Cosmo: Listen, you got to see a healthy Green Gate for yourself… correct?

(CHZ) Cosmo: Well, yes…

(X) Cosmo: And Lucas had a hand in your development as you grew up, right?

(CHZ) Cosmo: That is true, too…

(X) Cosmo: Then he’s already cared for you more than Dark Oak ever did for me.

CHZ Cosmo paused, thinking about what her counterpart said

(CHZ) Cosmo: I don’t know… there were times he was pretty strict with me and Galaxina. But I suppose you have a point. I had lived with him for years. He had cooked for and fed me, and as tough as he could be sometimes. He did teach me some forms of self-defense. But even if he did care for me… I still would rather not associate with him if all along his plan was for me to succeed him in a galactic empire…

She turned to CHZ Tails

(CHZ) Cosmo: I know that when we get home there might be questions waiting for us to answer for TailsTube… but I feel that I must get in contact with my mother as soon as possible… to see if she knows anything about what my father was planning before Black Doom killed him.. I just want to know the truth about my father… everything I heard about Dark Oak leaves me afraid of the kind of person he was deep inside…

CHZ Tails nodded

(CHZ) Tails: Understood, I’d really like to know as much as I can about this too. I didn’t exactly have a high opinion of him when I briefly met him when we visited Green Gate. But if he was planning the same things Dark Oak was. Then he was just a monster all along…

(X) Tails: For both of your sakes I hope he wasn’t. Though I suppose even if that was the case, another villain took care of him for you before the damage could be done.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Either way it’s something that needs to be resolved when we get back home.

(CHZ) Tails: Speaking of which, we should probably think about heading out soon enough. Is there anything the both of you want to talk with us about or do before we leave?

X Tails and Cosmo thought for a moment

(X) Tails: I heard you mention something called ‘TailsTube’. What is that?

(CHZ) Tails: Oh! To put it simply, it's a show that we host where we answer questions from fans. It’s really fun!

(X) Cosmo: How does your show work?

(CHZ) Cosmo: We stand in front of a flying screen that serves as a sort of electronic blackboard, speaking directly to an audience watching online. And answer whichever questions we have chosen to answer.

X Tails and Cosmo were intrigued by the idea

(X) Tails: It does sound like it could be fun! What do you say Cosmo?

(X) Cosmo: Hmm… I’m not too sure… have I ever told you I have a bit of stage fright?

(CHZ) Cosmo: That’s understandable, I was kind of shy starting out being a part of Tails’ show too. But it becomes more natural over time.

(X) Cosmo: I see… well, I guess I can give it a try.

(X) Tails: We don’t exactly have a screen though.

(CHZ) Tails: Then why don’t we build you one then! We can head off to your workshop and make one before we take off back to our home universe. Ok?

X Tails and Cosmo nodded before the two sets of counterparts left the room. They informed CHZ Cream and Blaze that they were going to build a big screen for their X universe counterparts before leaving.

At the workshop, X Tails, CHZ Tails, and CHZ Cosmo all worked together building and welding the screen. X Cosmo wasn’t as tech-savvy as either of the other three, so she just watched. But she did get to decide the painted colors. She suggested that it be themed after the blue and white color scheme of the Blue Typhoon, with yellow boosters on the bottom.

Moments later, they were done. X Tails placed a finishing touch by painting a blue X on the right side of the screen. They activated it to make sure that it was working, giving a thumbs up as it performed to their expectations.

(X) Tails: Hmm, if me and Cosmo are going to have our own show… I wonder what we’ll call it…

(CHZ) Tails: I mean… if you want to just call it TailsTube here too, we won’t mind. We’re in separate universes.

(X) Tails: Yeah, but I don’t want to copy you both… Ooh! I got it! We’ll call it… “Xtra Miles!” after my first name!

(X) Cosmo: Hehe, that does sound kind of cute! I’ll concur with Xtra Miles!

(CHZ) Cosmo: Very sweet name, but now that you’re set. I think it’s time we start heading back.

(CHZ) Tails: Yeah, let’s gather around the portal with everybody else to give our goodbyes.

Not long later, everyone at the party packed together before CHZ Tails, Cream, Cheese, and Cosmo went back to their universe.

(X) Tails: It has been great having you here Othsmo, thank you so much for not only giving me hope again but helping get my Cosmo back. 

She curtsied

(CHZ) Cosmo: You’re very welcome! I couldn’t leave you as upset as you looked through the portal, I just had to help. Though I apologize to my own Tails for any stress I caused.

(CHZ) Tails: We certainly saw some strange things while looking for you! But seeing our counterparts happy and reunited after the ordeal they went through. I’d say it was worth it.

(CHZ) Blaze: You lovebirds, ready?

Both CHZ Tails and Cosmo nodded. The X incarnations of Sonic and friends all waved them off before they finally got back to the Mystic Ruins.

(CHZ) Tails: Aaaah…. So good to finally be back home. Apologies Blaze if that was asking a lot of you to look for Cosmo.

(CHZ) Blaze: It’s alright, I know how much you and Cream care about her. For what it’s worth, it was kind of interesting seeing some of those universes. Maybe for the exception of that one where Sonic had a brother… ugh…

(CHZ) Cosmo: Wait, like a legitimate blood brother? Not adopted sort of like Tails is here?

(CHZ) Cream: Mmhmm! He also had a sister! Of which she was in a relationship with that universe’s Knuckles!

(CHZ) Cosmo: Well then… the both of you should tell me everything you came across while looking for me some other time. I’m really curious now about the universes you searched for me!

(CHZ) Tails: Oh we sure will, but let’s just relax now that we’re home…

(CHZ) Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles: TAILS! COSMO! CREAM!

Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles quickly ran up to their returning friends

(CHZ) Sonic: There you all are! We were all worried something happened to you! Did your vacation become a full on adventure at the Sol Dimension? Perhaps Eggman Nega was up to no good yet again?

(CHZ) Blaze: He was a reason why things went downhill. But he was a non-factor from then on. Cosmo got trapped in the multiverse somehow. And both Tails and Cream begged me to go looking for her. It took a while but we eventually found her.

(CHZ) Cosmo: We’ll be sure to tell you all about it… but… yawn I think it’s about time we get a good night’s sleep. I was just at a party in the dimension I was in.

(CHZ) Tails: I’m pretty tired too… multidimensional travel sure takes a lot out of you…

(CHZ) Cream: My mother’s probably been worried sick about me. Miss Amy, can you escort me and Cheese back home?

(CHZ) Amy: Of course, Cream!

(CHZ) Cream: Thank you… and Miss Blaze… thank you so much for helping us find Cosmo… we really do appreciate it.

(CHZ) Blaze: You’re all very welcome. I better get back to the Sol Dimension though. Who knows what Nega might have been doing while I was absent. I suppose at least all that traveling made sure that the jeweled scepter remained out of his hands.

Everyone there waved goodbye to Blaze as she headed back and closed the portal. Amy and Cream went off together to get the latter back home.

(CHZ) Knuckles: Well it’s good to see both of you are ok. Have a good night.

(CHZ) Sonic: What Knuckles said, good to have my buddy and our favorite flower girl! Seeya both tomorrow! We have a race competition to practice for!

(CHZ) Cosmo: Ooooh! That’s right, that is coming soon isn’t it?

(CHZ) Tails: It’ll certainly be great to have some fun after all that! We’ll be ready when you are, Sonic!

Sonic winked

(CHZ) Sonic: You sure? Because I’m ALWAYS ready! But seriously, g’night both of you. Make sure to tell me what you both saw sometime!

(CHZ) Tails: Of course, Sonic!

Once CHZ Tails and Cosmo were alone. They held hands as they walked to the workshop. Getting in their beds up in the log cabin on the top.

(CHZ) Tails: Goodnight, Cosmo… if there’s one thing I’ve learned from our time in the Multiverse. Our love transcends multiple universes! And I wasn’t going to give up looking for you until I could say… I love you once more

(CHZ) Cosmo: Love you too, Tails… and that is a sweet thing to know… Guess we were destined to be together.

(CHZ) Tails: Yeah… destiny.

The two then began to drift off to sleep with plenty of plans for the next day, from the serious matters in regards to Cosmo’s family to more lighthearted events such as practicing for the next racing competition.

Back at the X Universe, the party eventually wrapped up. With a timed camera set up so that everybody could be in the shot that they hoped to send to Chris, having remembered that his family were able to send physical items to the Master Emerald Shrine. At around the time X Tails was building the screen with the CHZ Counterparts of him and Cosmo. He also grabbed a sleeping bag from his house so he could sleep on the floor of X Cosmo’s room. When most of those at the party left for their own homes. 

The young couple said goodnight to each other before they had the best rest they’d had in a long time.

Hours later, when it was early in the morning, as X Tails woke up from his sleeping bag, he looked to the bed, although it looked like X Cosmo had woken up before him, because she wasn’t there. He looked out the window, and found X Cosmo in the distance standing atop a hill with her arms stretched out directly under the sunlight. He proceeded to walk out of the house to the hill Cosmo was standing on.

((The Shining Road English lyrics by Dream Kittu and Cafe Chaotix))

♫ From the first time you held me in your arms, The whole world fell under a spell The great adventures would connect our hearts But secret love was sealed in the rain ♫

♫ Oh boy, come walk with me And together we’ll uncover every key That locked away the realm of dreams unbound Where our fantasy will be set free ♫

(X) Tails: Good Morning, Cosmo! Is it alright if I ask what you’re doing?

(X) Cosmo: Hmm… u-um… I almost don’t really know myself…

(X) Tails: Huh? What do you mean by that?

(X) Cosmo: I think I ended up sleepwalking out to this hill as the sun started to rise. Because I woke up suddenly outside, with this urge to bask in the sun…

(X) Tails: Hm, sleep walking towards the sunlight sounds weird. But you do have plant biology. Are you sure it’s not normal for you?

(X) Cosmo: I mean I did like to take in sunlight before, but I never felt like… this sort of sensitivity before? I certainly never sleepwalked towards the sun or any other star in the sky before all this. It’s like… my body was just begging to get out in the sun compared to how it used to. And as soon as I did, I felt a rush like no other time before… I feel more energized, more aware, …dare I say, more powerful?

♫ I wanna know, to be alone With you on the rising hill secretly Like the birds all around are free to fly Watching over you and I, ’til the dawn Someday I know this love will glow Leading hand-in-hand the way through the mist To the road that’ll shine, open to find Souls intertwined, ’til the end of time

I never wanted this, a shattered mind Locked in my heart, pain you’ll never see It doesn’t matter ‘cause I’ll always find Your shining smile, and my heart’s at peace ♫

X Tails wondered what this meant, though he did remember X Cosmo had been used as a solar battery for the Egg Salamander along with being regenerated faster through the Sol Emeralds.

(X) Tails: Well, while you were still in the form of a seedling. You did get quite a lot of exposure to the Sol Emerald’s power. You think maybe there were some side effects?

X Cosmo gasped

(X) Cosmo: That does sound like it makes sense, I just hope there isn’t a problem that arises with that much exposure. For now, I can only feel the benefits from gathering sunlight. But who knows what else this means for me…

(X) Tails: I guess… it'll be something worth studying together! Whatever the Sol Emeralds granted you, should be fascinating to discover over time! For now though, how about we get ready soon to launch our first episode of Xtra Miles!

(X) Cosmo: O-o-oh right… I’ll try my best, Tails. But don’t be surprised if maybe I’m a bit… quiet at first… I won’t exactly know what our audience will expect of me…

(X) Tails: Honestly, I’m a little nervous too. But the other me seemed quite confident that it was a great bonding activity between him and Othsmo. Like she said, it may get more comfortable as time goes on.

X Tails then gently held X Cosmo’s hands

♫ Oh boy, you never show Any fear or inhibition, only hope I wanna hold on too, be like you Brave enough to leave and let it go

I wanna love you quietly Living in the fairy tale of our dreams Though the pages are faded, pictures lost to the ages We are crossed with the stars One day I know the wind will blow Clear away the dew from cold morning mist And the seal of the road that shines to behold Will be broken now, and forevermore ♫

(X) Tails: But most of all… I can’t stress enough how happy that you’re back with us, Cosmo… this was everything I wanted after everything we went through on the Blue Typhoon. Just you and me, having fun and discovering things together. No more Metarex, no more War, and a lifetime of possibilities between us… I… I love you, Cosmo. I will cherish every second I’m with you… cause I know how close we were to never seeing each other again…

X Cosmo’s eyes sparkled as joyous tears filled her eyes

(X) Cosmo: I-i-i… l-l-love you t-t-too, T-Tails… I’ll never forget what you and the others did for not just me, but the entire galaxy… I shall cherish every second I spend with you as well… I only wish I could make up for leaving you so depressed for the months I was just a seedling…

I’m sure it’s far from being enough, but maybe… you’ll… like this…

Cosmo leaned her head over, her mouth getting closer to Tails’ own. The young fox blushed with eyes wide open wondering what she was doing. And then it happened...

Their first kiss. Or at least the first one that Tails could really feel this time, as the attempt by Cosmo to kiss him while as a… spirit? projection? Whichever it was, that moment was when it really dawned on Tails that she might really be gone. But that wasn’t the case this time, he knew now she was more alive than ever.

When their kiss ended, they then held hands as they walked down the hill back to Cream and Vanilla’s house. Where Vanilla had fresh breakfast ready for them. For X Tails and Cosmo, it was a new beginning. A shining road that awaits them for the rest of their lives.

♫ Calling you Ringing through the endless night Sorrow in my breaking voice, I’ll reach out with your name Calling you Answer me, reveal the light Everything will be released, never be the same

I wanna know, to be alone With you on the rising hill secretly Like the birds all around can truly see All the magic in our dreams and journeys Someday I know this love will glow Leading hand-in-hand the way through the mist And the seal of the road that shines to behold Will be broken now, and forevermore ♫

THE END FIRST CHAPTER

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

FINAL INTERMISSION

[cosmicheartzone]

CHZ Cosmo and the X Universe versions of Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Cream remain stunned from the sudden outburst from Blaze before she ran far away. She had yelled at Cream after assuming her to be a liar because to her, it looked like Cosmo was actually very much alive, and thus Cream had been taking advantage of her. The young rabbit still has her face buried in her palms, tears leaking through the space of her fingers.

All while CHZ Cosmo looked quite distraught

CHZ Cosmo: (Did… I screw up everything…? By trying to get Sonic and Blaze to work together faster… 

I didn’t think about how my counterpart’s sacrifice might have affected Cream, and thus made a significant part of Blaze and Cream’s bond in this world… oh dear…)

CHZ Cosmo walks to Cream’s side, lowering her head before apologizing.

(CHZ) Cosmo: I… I’m sorry… Cream… it’s my fault that happened…

Cream still with teary eyes looks up at Cosmo

(X) Cream: W-what d-do you mean? You shouldn’t bear any blame at all! But I’m so conflicted… I’m happy you’re b-b-back… but… B-b-b-blaze… She thinks I’m a l-l-liar now…

(CHZ) Cosmo: That’s the thing, Cream. I’m not the same Cosmo you befriended before…

(X) Cream: …Wha- What?! What are you talking about?!

(X) Amy: This is crazy! Please elaborate! Cause you look and sound just like her, so it wasn’t hard to assume that somehow, someway, yo- or rather… she had returned to life…

CHZ Cosmo nodded and explained to these alternate versions of her Team Rose companions

(CHZ) Cosmo: Before I ended up in this universe, I had no clue what the Metarex were for instance. Whereas the Metarex had everything to do with the other me. Is that simple enough to understand?

Cream looked down

(X) Cream: Wait… so… o-o-our C-c-cosmo is s-still… is…. S-still….

She starts crying into her palms again.

CHZ Cosmo then goes down on one knee and places a hand on the shoulder of this alternate version of her best friend.

(CHZ) Cosmo: H-hey! But me, Sonic, and Tails have good news about the other me!

(X) Tails: That’s right, Cream and Amy! You know I cared about our Cosmo so much too. I’m not sure if I could have participated the way I have on this adventure without knowing what this other Cosmo allowed me to learn!

Amy and Cream do notice a more positive demeanor in Tails’ behavior. Just by his face alone, they could tell he was in the best mood in a long time. Something positive clearly had to have happened for him to suddenly feel so much better.

(X) Cream: W… what is the good news?

(CHZ) Cosmo: Cream, the other me you befriended on Tails’ spaceship is still alive… she’s just slowly growing back in that potted plant that Tails kept. We have reason to believe Sonic and Shadow’s Chaos Regeneration did work. It’ll just take a long time before she comes back in full…

X Cream gasped

(X) Cream: R-r-r-reaaallllllyyyyyyyyy?! H-how… how long will it take?

(X) Tails: This is still going to be the slightly tough part though, we aren’t 100% sure when she’ll be back. Maybe it could only be a number of months, but the other Cosmo said it could also take many years. As far as a decade even…

(X) Amy: A whole decade?! Oh… that’s bittersweet… but at least you know ahead of time. Imagine if 10 years from now, you still didn’t know Cosmo was regenerating. And by the time she comes back… you had moved on from her ‘death’ and fallen in love with someone else by the time you were fully grown, Tails…

Tails actually hadn’t thought about that

(X) Tails: Oh geez, yeah… that… would have been… awkward… to say the least…

While the length of time it may take for her to fully regenerate still provides a twinge of sadness. The news that the Cosmo she had befriended on the Blue Typhoon was saved after all has allowed Cream to stand up and wipe the tears from her eyes.

(X) Cream: I… I’m relieved that our Cosmo is still alive… and I’ll be sure to welcome her back whenever she does… but… that still leaves Blaze… I know she stormed off and probably looked like a jerk… but even in the short time I’ve gotten to know her… she’s better than that… I know she is…

I have the feeling… that she’s been burnt by attempts at friendship before… and that’s why she felt betrayed when she thought I had lied to her… I wish I was as fast as Mr. Sonic. I’d really like to tell her how much of this is all one big misunderstanding…

(X) Tails: Actually speaking of which, maybe it’s worth it if you tried to catch up with her, Sonic. It might not be too late to clear this all up…

Sonic thinks about it for a moment before shaking his head

(X) Sonic: I think we already have a certain friend of ours going after her that will be able to set her straight.

(X) Amy: Huh? Who?

(X) Sonic: Knuckles, of course. He did say he wanted to get her back for burying him.

(X) Tails: Didn’t you joke that Blaze would just bury him again?

(X) Sonic: Eh, I actually said that to motivate him further. Call it a hunch, but I think Blaze and Knuckles could settle things out between them after another fight. Just like how he and I settle our differences.

CHZ Cosmo thought for a moment

(CHZ) Cosmo: That might just work, or at least I hope so… I don’t know if the hindsight I have will help anymore… But even so, there is one thing that I’ve been meaning to warn Cream about…

(X) Cream: Huh? Warn me about what?

(CHZ) Cosmo: Cream, the events unfolding have similarly happened before in my universe. For example, the reason Blaze left this island in my universe was because the Tails I know accused her of knowing something about the incoming dimensional collision. And the other you from my Universe followed her… the Blaze and Cream I knew didn’t have the… sudden falling out that just happened

But also… Eggman kidnapped the other you as a way to lure Blaze… so it might be more important than ever to protect Cream from Eggman’s clutches.

So, Cream if you please… can I ask you to stay with us? Between everything going on, we shouldn’t add Eggman putting you into distress and making you a bargaining chip to someone who’s no longer guaranteed to try to save you…

(X) Cream: sniff Blaze… I-i-i understand though… Eggman has captured me before, so I wouldn’t put it past him…

(CHZ) Cosmo: And Sonic, you should find your way to Eggman’s fleet. The next Chaos Emerald should be there.

(X) Sonic: The 6th Chaos Emerald along with an excuse to break some of Eggman’s toys? Count me in!

CHZ Cosmo sighed

(CHZ) Cosmo: I just hope we’re not too late to turn things around… I hope Sonic’s right that Knuckles’ confronting her could set her straight…

X Tails gently lays a reassuring hand on CHZ Cosmo’s shoulder

(X) Tails: I wouldn’t be so worried, Cosmo! We’ve been racing against the clock many times over, and Sonic has always come out on top!

The gesture is enough to help reassure her. For it reminded her that…

(CHZ) Cosmo: You’re so much like the Tails that I love…

X Tails sheepishly blushed

(X) Tails: G-good to know… I promise you’ll reunite with the other me soon… Kinda curious about him myself.

CHZ Cosmo giggled

(CHZ) Cosmo: If you get to meet him you’ll realize you’re basically twins!

(X) Tails: Haha… it’s a shame though that my Cosmo won’t likely regenerate by then… imagine if we could get to compare the both of us…

(CHZ) Cosmo: I’d love to meet her too, but making sure this world is safe and getting back to our proper universe is more important.

With the group understanding the plan, Sonic goes off to get the next Chaos Emerald. While Tails, Amy, and CHZ Cosmo stay around Cream. Anticipating any attempt of Eggman to try to capture the little rabbit.

((More after the break))

Meanwhile, Blaze was far away from where Cream and the others were. Still angry, but also heartbroken.

(X) Blaze: (Of course she was no different from anyone else… Should have seen it from the start to be honest, when she expressed excitement at me saying I was a Princess. Maybe that’s on me for saying I was, but then I’d have been the deceiver)

Blaze sighed before looking around, in this still all too new world/universe.

(X) Blaze: (Without Cream I have no guide to this world… ugh… it’s going to make things so much harder. The good news is there’s only two more to go…)

???: HEY! I FINALLY FOUND YOU!

(X) Blaze: (Ugh… I unfortunately recognize that voice…)

Knuckles arrives having finally caught up with Blaze.

(X) Knuckles: That was a dirty thing you did burying me under those rocks! I’d like to see you try that again! You’re not getting away this time!

(X) Blaze: I told you… I had nothing to do with what happened to your island…

(X) Knuckles: I actually know that now, but those Sol Emeralds might have been why! And I know you’ve been collecting them! And regardless or not if Angel Island falling was your fault. It’s personal, now!

Knuckles jumps high up in the air and lunges for a punch on Blaze, who dodges the attack. Knuckles hitting the ground, resulting in a small crater. The two end up trading blows in fisticuffs. Unlike their last fight there wasn’t something Blaze could use to trick Knuckles. Though she suspects even if there was, Knuckles would be more aware this time.

The fight ends up dragging far longer than their last bout. It goes back and forth until Knuckles’ strength starts to wear down Blaze. He is soon making her walk back further and further, until she gasps as she realizes she’s near a cliff. Blaze makes an effort to try to run from the edge but Knuckles anticipates with a hook, making her close to falling off and now hanging on to the cliff’s edge.

(X) Blaze: Ok ok! I concede! You win this time! Just help me please! I’m not good about heights…

To Blaze’s surprise, Knuckles actually does help her up quickly.

(X) Knuckles: There, I’d say that makes us even! You’re a solid fighter. That was as fun as a fight with Sonic was, and with none of his dumb quips!

Blaze looked puzzled

(X) Blaze: …I thought you were mad at me about burying you, why are you acting so… friendly?

Knuckles laughed

(X) Knuckles: Yeah I might have gone off about that, but that’s on me for being fooled. Like I said, we’re even now. And I also heard all about you thanks to the other Cosmo

Blaze raised an eyebrow

(X) Blaze: ‘Other’ Cosmo? Isn’t there just the one?

(X) Knuckles: Believe me, it was a bit confusing too… but apparently there’s the Cosmo that traveled into space with us and then this one that suddenly appeared from another dimension. Not unlike you if I recall correctly.

Blaze still looked skeptical

(X) Blaze: Are you in on Cream’s lie too? She had me sympathetic about her plight only for it to seem Cosmo was perfectly fine…

(X) Knuckles: Cream? A liar? That’d be so unlike her, she’s a good kid. Vanilla taught her all the good qualities. Including honesty.

This began to put some seed of doubt in Blaze’s mind. Was she wrong to assume such bad things about Cream?. But she shook both fists before responding.

(X) Blaze: Ok, but I need solid evidence that there was ever another Cosmo before I’m convinced…

(X) Knuckles: Hm, well if vouching for character isn’t enough. I could take you to Tails house to see the seedling that the Cosmo we knew she became.

Blaze raised an eyebrow

(X) Blaze: …You’re telling me this other Cosmo became some sort of inanimate house plant? Not exactly dispelling my skepticism here.

(X) Knuckles: As strange as it sounds, it’s true. Cosmo is part of a race of aliens that are living, breathing plants. And as it seems we found out from the other Cosmo. She might be regrowing after she nearly sacrificed herself. But who knows how long that’ll take…

Blaze remains a bit unconvinced

(X) Blaze: Uh huh…

(X) Knuckles: But, I do know one thing that may provide the evidence you need. Follow me further into the caverns.

Blaze stood and paused as Knuckles started walking, but she soon followed after him. Curiosity taking over, and a general fear that maybe she had been wrong to snap at Cream like she did.

Back with CHZ Cosmo and the others, they escort X Cream through a forest.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Oh! Cream, your mother told us that you and Blaze glued the other me’s amulet back together. Do you happen to have it on you?

Cream nodded

(X) Cream: Yes! It’s right here!

Cream lifts up the amulet. It was shaped just like CHZ Cosmo’s amulet, only of course with a significant X shape crack in it. Everyone stopped in their tracks to take a look at the amulet. Tails was a bit nervous, but he walked closer to Cream.

(X) Tails: Um… is it alright, can you let me hold it. For just a little bit at least?

(X) Cream: Oh of course, Mr. Tails! I know how special she is to you!

Cream hands over the amulet. And Tails holds it in between his palms. If he had seen this before he had been told his Cosmo was slowly regenerating. He probably would have broken down in tears. But while he still sheds tears looking at it, he manages a smile.

(CHZ) Cosmo: When the other me does regenerate you may want to keep that amulet handy. While it’s another of those things I’m unsure are the same in this universe. They help regulate our aging as well as control our tree forms.

X Tails gasped

(X) Tails: Tree forms?! Like… you can switch between being a tree and your usual form at will…?

(CHZ) Cosmo: …Yeah? Why do you look concerned?

(X) Tails: …It’s just that the one time I saw it being used was of course just before our Cosmo attempted to sacrifice herself. The way she merged her roots with Dark Oak, I wasn’t sure if that was reversible… For a while I was unsure if I would ever look at a tree the same way after that… though there is one concern I must bring up. When my Cosmo regenerates… will she still be a tree?

(CHZ) Cosmo: That I can’t answer with 100% certainty without knowing everything that differentiates this universe’s version of Seedrians compared to my own. But you must remember that one time is a very very small sample size. It’s just as possible your Cosmo was capable of transforming back, just that the roots of her tree form helped tighten her grasp around Dark Oak before her near-sacrifice.

Tails goes into deep thought

(X) Tails: Perhaps…

(CHZ) Cosmo: Remember it was the Chaos Emeralds that were used to save her, when you consider that they turn thoughts into power. I’m sure whatever thoughts Sonic and Shadow had of regenerating her, it’d be as you remember her. And she’ll likely naturally age even as she’s regenerating. If it’s the worst case where it’ll take a decade, she should be fully grown when she comes back just as you will be.

(X) Tails: Oh, that’s a good point and also great to hear! Perhaps I shouldn’t be too worried then about my Cosmo being stuck as a tree forever then. Just walking through this forest made me think about it…

Amy put her hands together and stared up to the sky with stars in her eyes

(X) Amy: Oh Tails, just imagine it… years from now… me and Sonic will be getting married.., and then when I throw out the bouquet… it lands straight into Cosmo’s arms! And you two will know it’ll be your turn next!

Tails looks up to the sky just imagining himself marrying Cosmo, his cheeks blush

(X) Tails: Yeah… that… sounds nice…

Cream hopped happily

(X) Cream: Yes! Yes! Yes! And I can be the flower girl on both of those wedding days!

(X) Amy: Why settle for just the flower girl? By then you’ll be old enough to be a maid of honor, Cream!

Cream gasped.

(X) Cream: Oh! That’s right! …Although I still feel like I’ll want to do flower girl duties anyway,

(CHZ) Cosmo: Nothing says you can’t be both the maid of honor and the flower girl if the newlyweds allow it! (It’s amazing just how similar this universe is to ours, I very much recall that we’ve  had similar conversations before)

(X) Amy: That’s right, Cream! I would be more than happy to let you do anything you want to do during me and Sonic’s wedding! And I’m sure Tails and Cosmo will let you do the same!

Cream squee’d 

(X) Cream: I can’t wait for both of those days!

Tails just about whispers to himself, still in the midst of daydreaming of the future.

(X) Tails: Yeah… I feel the same…

The group continues to walk together for a while longer. At some point however, they begin to hear a faint voice that catches their attention. They walk in the direction they could hear the voice until it starts to become more recognizable. Especially to Cream.

???: elp… Help! I need help! Please… somebody!

(X) Cheese: CHAO CHAO!

Cream: GASP You’re right, Cheese! That voice does sound like Mother!

Cream starts running ahead as fast as she can

(CHZ) Cosmo: Cream! Wait for us!

But Cream has already rushed ahead, Tails, Amy, and CHZ Cosmo all begin to run after her.

(X) Amy: Did Vanilla really get lost in the forest somehow?

(X) Tails: I don’t know… but we better help her if she is!

Cream gets closer and closer to the source of the voice but for some reason doesn’t see her mother. She can even hear screaming.

(X) Cream: M-mom! W-where a-are you?!

???: Oh Cream, darling! Thank heavens, it’s so nice to see you…

Suddenly, the ground gives way under Cream’s feet as she yelps, both her and Cheese end up locked in a cylinder made of tough glass and metal.

(X) Eggman: As in it’s nice of you to DROP IN. HOHOHOHOHO!

(X) Cream: Nooooo! Dr. Eggman?! W-where is my m-mother?!

(X) Eggman: Don’t worry, Cream. Your mother is safe and sound, at least for now. I simply used a digital simulation of her voice to lure you here! I need you as bait to deal with that pesky cat friend of yours…

CHZ Cosmo, X Tails and Amy catch up and gasp as they see Eggman had caught Cream

(CHZ) Cosmo: Oh nooo! We gotta help her!

Eggman was caught by surprise, he was hoping to grab and run with Cream before being caught.

(X) Eggman: Shoot, so you had friends nearby. Shouldn’t have been so careless, but no matter. I’m not afraid of either of you three. You’re no match for the EGG KING!

Eggman unleashes a large humanoid mech, with spikes protruding from round shoulders, that’s mostly a large torso with the doctor seated in the head, and a rocket lower half keeping him afloat.

Amy pulls out her hammer, though Tails looks really worried about facing this thing just on their feet.

(X) Tails: I don’t know if we’re going to be able to take care of that thing with only the three of us!

(CHZ) Cosmo: We have to try! Help would be very much appreciated right now, but I don’t know we’re going to find it on such short not-

Suddenly a boisterous voice is heard off to the side, from the leader of a familiar trio

(X) Vector: HERE WE COME TO SAVE THE DAAAAAAAY!

Vector, Espio and Charmy arrive just in time as reinforcements

(X) Eggman: Ugh, these fools…

(X) Amy: Whoooooa! It’s Team Chaotix!

(X) Tails: What are you 3 doing here? I mean I’m glad you’re here to help, but I had no idea you were nearby

(X) Vector: It’s simple Tails! I heard the voice of Ms. Vanilla from MILES away and came as quick as I could!

(X) Charmy: More like 50 feet…

(X) Vector: Shush, Charmy! Regardless. Where is she?! I must save her like a knight in Shining Armor!

(X) Tails: Sorry, Vector. Vanilla isn’t actually here, Eggman faked her voice to lure Cream… but if you help us save Cream I’m sure she’d still be very grateful!

(X) Vector: Whaaaaat?! How dare Eggman pretend to be Vanil- I mean, use her mother’s voice to capture little Cream!

(X) Espio: I think if we work together, we can take him down

Eggman grumbled. He was not expecting this much resistance to come so quick.

(X) Eggman: No matter! I will crush all of you! And then Blaze is next!

While Eggman might have been able to deal with Tails, Amy, and CHZ Cosmo if they were by themselves. Team Chaotix added 3 more nuisances. Amy’s Piko Piko Hammer, Tails’ dashes, CHZ Cosmo’s whips, Vector’s strength, Espio’s ninja reflexes, and Charmy’s flight speed worked together to either gradually damage the Egg King or otherwise make him swing as if trying to swat a swarm of flies. No matter how many arm swings, or lasers he shot at them.  Eggman got overwhelmed by the teamwork from his 6 foes.

CHZ Cosmo used her whips to restrain one of the Egg King’s arms as Espio threw shurikens at weak points, with a big body slam by Vector ending up breaking the Egg King’s right arm straight off. The Egg King temporarily loses its balance.

CHZ Cosmo and X Tails take the opportunity to free Cream from her capsule. And as Eggman tried a desperate charge. Cream and Cheese take their anger out on the doctor as she flies up to the head and points Cheese to strike the cracked windshield. Exposing the doctor, and Charmy flying straight ahead to sting the doctor multiple times. The rest cut off the other arm. Leaving Eggman no choice but to retreat by escaping in his eggmobile. His attempt to kidnap Cream had been foiled by a group of kids and Team Chaotix

As soon as Eggman was out of sight. The group celebrates their win.

(X) Tails: Oh boy! Just wait til’ Sonic hears what we just did!

(CHZ) Cosmo: Yes! Great job, everyone! We saved Cream!

(X) Vector: All in a good day's work for us!

Espio deadpanned

(X) Espio: Psh, nevermind that we just happened to be nearby because Vector got us lost trying to find anything he can about the current situation…

(X) Vector: Shut up, Espio! We were on the case and we were close to finding clues!

(X) Charmy: Suuuuuuure we were…

Everybody else giggles and laugh

(X) Cream: Thank you all for saving me, everyone! You all did great!

(X) Tails: But our job isn’t done! We should reunite with Sonic soon, by now he should have the 6th Chaos Emerald! Then we can look for the last one, and hopefully also resolve things with Blaze.

The group did one big group high five before they got out of the forest.

Meanwhile, the defeated Eggman still grumbles from having lost to such a pesky group. He then gets a call while floating off. It’s Eggman Nega.

(X) Eggman Nega: Did you capture your suggested hostage?

Eggman sighed deeply

(X) Eggman: No, Nega… I failed to capture Cream.

(X) Eggman Nega: Well, well, well… haven’t you proved to be utterly useless, it’d be outright pitiful if it wasn’t so funny.. You lost… to a six year old and her pet… hehehehehe! And you say you have an IQ of 300.

(X) Eggman: Hey! For the record I DID briefly have her captured… I just was not expecting to get jumped by 6 of her friends at once! There was that annoying fox, that Sonic-obsessed pink hedgehog, a plant alien that I wasn’t expecting to have combat abilities let alone a strong vine whip, and then there was the entirety of Team Chaotix. Don’t you see the bumps on my face?! Those stings hurt!

It was almost as if they knew I was going to capture Cream somehow!

(X) Eggman Nega: Excuses, excuses….

(X) Eggman: As if you’ve had any more success with Sonic! Unless you managed to succeed while defending our fleet…

Eggman Nega paused

(X) Eggman Nega: Yes… unfortunately I had another… setback against that blue hedgehog…

(X) Eggman: Now do you understand what I’ve had to deal with for years now? Not as easy as you thought, is it…

(X) Eggman Nega: At least I didn’t lose to elementary school kids and some bumbling detectives…

(X) Eggman Grrrr..,. Maybe this team up was a mistake! I’ve had just as much success with Bocoe, Decoe, and Bokkun with less of the sass… 

(X) Eggman Nega: I’d say that says more about you than me at this point. 

Eggman Nega then quiets his voice to a dastardly whisper 

(X) Eggman Nega: Perhaps, you should join them soon…

(X) Eggman: Huh? What was that?!

(X) Eggman Nega: Nothing, my counterpart… I’ll just tell you that I’ve sent a robot to fetch something that will entirely make up for your failure. A potentially very powerful energy source was found on my sensors. Something that may help power our latest and best invention yet…

(X) Eggman: If it’s just another Chaos or Sol Emerald I don’t know what it’d do at this point when Sonic and Blaze have most of them…

(X) Eggman Nega: It’s neither of those… although it does seem to have a strange amount of energy akin to a Chaos Emerald… and given its color, it may put a whole nother definition of “green energy”

(X) Eggman: Good gracious please don’t tell me you tried to grab the Master Emerald! That angry echidna will chase you to the ends of the earth!

(X) Eggman Nega: Hmmm, I did notice a huge emerald was left unguarded for the time being… but no, it’s far too large for our machine.

Eggman tries to think whatever else it could be but is stumped

(X) Eggman: Well I guess I’ll just find out once I’ve met up with you in person. Still need to get these bee stings patched up…

(X) Eggman Nega: Of course, see you soon…

Their communications close, and Eggman Nega opens up a camera view on his computer screen that is the point of view of the robot he sent after a new power source.

(X) Eggman Nega: I don’t know how…

On the screen, the robot has a clear view of what Nega was hinting at to Eggman: A decorative white pot with a green seedling.

(X) Eggman Nega: …But this little plant may have just what I need to destroy everybody in my way. Hehehehe… HEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEE!

TO BE CONTINUED...

FIRST CHAPTER

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

NEXT CHAPTER

[cosmicheartzone]

X Sonic & Tails along with CHZ Cosmo move north of the Night Carnival, to a more mountainous region close to an ocean, they however are stopped by a roadblock made out of a large pile of rocks standing in their way.

(X) Sonic: Uh oh, what happened here?

(X) Tails: Looks like a landslide has closed this road… we may have to find another way arou-

X Tails is suddenly interrupted by a familiar, and angry voice coming from nearby

(X) Knuckles: You dirty bat! You better help me out of here or I swear I’ll… grumbles

(X) Sonic: Uh oh, looks like Knuckles is in a pickle…

X Sonic runs toward where they find X Knuckles stuck between two rocks, and the teasing giggles of a familiar batgirl with her legs crossed while sitting on a rock nearby

(X) Rouge: If I help you out, will you give me the Master Emerald?

Knuckles’ reply is as swift as Sonic’s top speed

(X) Knuckles: NO!

(X) Rouge: Oh c’mon, that island of yours isn’t even floating any more. Can’t I at least have onnnnnne tiny piece? As a treat?~ I could use a new ring…

(X) Knuckles: NO MEANS NO!

Knuckles grumbles some more while Rouge chuckles at his predicament as Sonic approaches the two

(X) Sonic: Knuckles? Rouge? What’s going on here?

(X) Rouge: Well if it isn't Big Blue, I don’t know what happened to Handsome Red here… wink but it’s pretty funny

Sonic gets closer to Knuckles  grabbing on to a stuck arm and trying to pull Knuckles out himself.

(X) Sonic: No good… Rouge, I know you like teasing Knux here but we really should get him out. Who knows if we may need him for an ongoing situation.

Rouge shrugged

(X) Rouge: Fine, I guess I suppose I’ve already had my fun… Rouge spins herself into a drilling formation as she breaks the rock preventing Knuckles’ movement. Knuckles slowly getting up, half of his body still asleep from not being able to move.

(X) Knuckles: Would have been nice if you did that WITHOUT Sonic asking you to…

Rouge giggled

(X) Rouge: But I don’t get too many opportunities to talk with you while you’re being a hermit on that formerly floating island

X Tails and CHZ Cosmo walk in

(X) Tails: Formerly floating? What exact happ-

(X) Knuckles: GASP TAILS! LOOK OUT!

(X) Tails: Wait wha- AAAAAH!

Knuckles tackles Tails away from CHZ Cosmo’s side

(X) Tails: Knuckles?! What the heck are you doing?!

(X) Knuckles: There was a ghost beside you!

CHZ Cosmo tilted her head

(CHZ) Cosmo: G-ghost? (…Oh right, he’s probably assuming I’m the other me who ‘died’)

X Sonic shook his head

(X) Sonic: Did one of those rocks take some brain cells from you, Knucklehead? Even if she was a ghost why would Tails need to be afraid of Cosmo’s ghost?

(X) Knuckles: You never know! It could be one of King Boom Boo’s minions trying to lure Tails into a trap or something! Didn’t you tell me one of them possessed Amy back on Chris' world? But if that’s not the case… Wait a moment…

Knuckles runs over to CHZ Cosmo’s side and curiously pokes her. Noticing that she’s actually there, and not a spooky trick.

(X) Knuckles: Whuh… how… Tails, did you…?

(X) Tails: It’s a little more complicated than that… but before we explain. Tell me, what happened to Angel Island.

Rouge looked incredulous

(X) Rouge: Your girlfriend’s suddenly back to life, the same one that your grief turned you into even more of a loner then Knuckles here for weeks, if not months… and you’re concerned about Angel Island?! Who are you and where is the real Tails?

Tails scratches the back of his head

(X) Tails: Ahehheh, I get that it looks that way but seriously we’ll explain soon! But for now I can say that in short, she is not the same Cosmo that traveled with us.

(X) Knuckles: So wait, does that make her some kind of clone you created though all that science you do?

CHZ Cosmo giggles

(CHZ) Cosmo: Nah, I’m not a clone. But please Knuckles, listen to Tails and tell us what happened to Angel Island.

(X) Knuckles: To put it simply I don’t even know, the island just stopped floating for some reason. But I am starting to suspect it has something to do with that purple cat girl! The same one who buried me under those rocks in the first place

Rouge mocked a gasp, putting  the back of her hand over her forehead in an overdramatic and joking fashion

(X) Rouge: Knuckles… you’ve been seeing another girl?! Ohhhhh I’m absolutely heartbroken, I thought we had something special!

Knuckles gets even more red in the face, though it’s hard to tell if it's sheer anger, blushed embarrassment, or both at the same time.

Rouge giggles watching him seethe, Sonic chuckles alongside her. Knuckles just and crosses his arms before continuing.

Rouge giggles, Sonic chuckles alongside her. Knuckles grumbling and crosses his arms.

(X) Knuckles: As I was saying, I saw that catgirl with Cream. Something seemed awfully suspicious about her, especially when I thought I saw what could have been a Chaos Emerald!

(X) Tails: Are you absolutely certain she had a Chaos Emerald?

(X) Knuckles: Well I didn’t see the exact shape of what she had in her hand. But what else could it have been?

CHZ Cosmo speaks up

(CHZ) Cosmo: No, I doubt that’s what she had in her hand

Knuckles raises an eyebrow

(X) Knuckles: And how are you so sure? You just came back to life, which by the way still has to be explained to me… and all of a sudden you’re telling us you conveniently know this girl? Was she an alien friend of yours or something?

(X) Tails: Knuckles! We already told you, she’s not the Cosmo that was with us when we fought the Metarex!

(X) Knuckles: Then why is she acting like she knows us?

(CHZ) Cosmo: Because I know another version of you and the others…

Knuckles is given more details of what has happened lately. Though the information seems to overwhelm him.

(X) Knuckles: Ugh, this is too much. Are you sure there isn’t some sort of weird partial memory loss. This alternate dimension stuff… I know Chris’ world was something like it. But why all of a sudden do we have 2 more dimensions involved? Why has our planet of all places seemingly become the centerpoint of space and time. Urgh… I’m so confused, and still ANGRY… I think I need to punch something just to clear my head!

Knuckles walks on over to the rocks blocking the road and starts mercilessly letting his frustrations out on them. The rest of the group just watched him with wide stares and blinking eyes. When Knuckles is done, he’c created a path through which Sonic, Tails and CHZ Cosmo could walk through.

(X) Sonic: Uh… thanks for the path?

Knuckles wasn’t even considering that he was helping out Sonic when hitting those rocks. But decides to act like that was the intention.

(X) Knuckles: You’re welcome, Sonic! Though before you all go, I’d still like to hear a bit more from Cosmo here.

(X) Rouge: Maybe I can help with that… Cosmo, do you… recall anything about me and… Shadow at all…? It might help Knuckles understand whether you are the Cosmo we knew or not, and… also some guilt I’d really like to shake off…

(CHZ) Cosmo: (Guilt? What could Rouge be so guilty about…) Well, the Rouge I know we’re at best casual friends by now. I don’t see the other you that often, but we do get along. Shadow though…

A big smile comes from her face, she puts her hands together as her eyes shine.

(CHZ) Cosmo: He’s… me and my kind’s greatest hero!

Knuckles acts surprised, while Tails face turns serious as he turns his back.

(X) Knuckles: Ok… NOW I am convinced this isn’t the Cosmo that was with us. There’s no way the Cosmo we knew would see Shadow in such a positive light…

CHZ Cosmo looked concerned. Hearing what Knuckles just said, Rouge’s face of guilt, and especially Tails’ suddenly serious face.

(CHZ) Cosmo: …Ok I think it’s finally time for someone to explain what exactly Shadow did to my counterpart…

((More after the break))

Everyone else other than Tails shows grave frowns, not sure how to explain this lightly.

(X) Rouge: Well… um… how do we put this… Shadow…

(X) Tails: …Tried to kill her

X Tails interrupted with a near whisper

(CHZ) Cosmo: Huh? Tails… can… can you repeat that?

Tails turned around, Tails face’ just about baring his fangs as his teeth clenches before he yells

(X) Tails: I SAID SHADOW TRIED TO KILL HER!

CHZ Cosmo puts both hands over her mouth. She could barely fathom why Shadow would do such a thing

(CHZ) Cosmo: He… he had to have been mind-controlled by the Metarex… surely?

(X) Tails: If only that had been the case… but no, he made the conscious decision that our Cosmo should die because he assumed, and without telling what evidence he has, that she was a willing SPY!

(X) Rouge: He didn’t exactly have his memories thou-

(X) Tails: YOU SHUSH! I still haven’t forgotten that you were basically his accomplice! You said she was a plant in more ways than one!

Rouge lowered her head placing her left hand on her right arm

(X) Rouge: Sigh It’s true the more time has passed since her sacrifice, the more guilt-ridden I feel about that day… If our Cosmo is regenerating as this other Cosmo told us, at least I may still get the chance to apologize…

CHZ Cosmo seems nervous to ask given Tails’ mood isn’t in the best place right now. But she turns toward Rouge.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Um, Rouge… by any chance do you know where this universe’s Shadow is?

X Tails about murmurs quietly to himself

(X) Tails: I don’t care where he is… I hope I never see him again…

(X) Rouge: He um… asked to borrow my spaceship, not that I had much use for it with the Metarex gone. And he did so not long after a heated conversation he had with Tails last time he was here. Foxboy here might have legitimately guilt tripped him into leaving this planet indefinitely.

I witnessed their conversation myself if you want to hear about it. I doubt Tails in any mood to retell it himself.

X Tails had his back turned to the group. Practically confirming Rouge’s doubts. CHZ Cosmo frowned, she wonders if she should hear about what happened the last time this universe’s Tails and Shadow last saw each other. But thought it was best to get it all out there, so she understands how to proceed from here.

(CHZ) Cosmo: Go ahead, Rouge… tell me all you remember of this conversation…

Rouge nodded

(X) Rouge: It is thankfully a bit easier to talk about now that we know our Cosmo might be slowly regenerating. But back when we all thought Cosmo was still gone forever… it… was hard to watch…

FLASHBACK START

On a dreary and cloudy day, X Tails had just finished landing the Blue Typhoon, much of it still retaining the damage it sustained in the climactic battle against Final Mova in the bottom of a deep canyon. He seeked a place to put what’s left of the large space ship where he would never see it again. It’s true the ship had good memories associated for him too. But Cosmo’s sacrifice had tainted all of it. 

The last thing he did before leaving the ship was laying controlled explosives around the entire cockpit. He told Sonic he’d do that in case Eggman got the idea of trying to engineer the Blue Typhoon himself to use against them. That now besides the damage it had taken against Final Mova, the entire cockpit would have to be rebuilt too if it was to be used again. But deep down they both knew that Eggman was fully capable of creating his very own ships, he likely wouldn’t use a ship that Sonic and the others know from top to bottom.

It didn’t matter where he was on the Blue Typhoon, wherever he went. The first thing that came to mind was what he and Cosmo did together in each room of the ship. The room where she tried to set up a surprise party by herself before he and the Chaotix stepped in still had some of the decorations left from where they were that day. The hallways with leftover damage from when either Shadow was chasing him and Cosmo or from the final battle, the launching bay where Cosmo had brought him tea while he was fixing up the X Tornado and other ships, and other places where memories of his time with Cosmo that only made him feel worse about what it all led up to. He nearly had another breakdown walking through the halls this last time, but he persevered and flew out of his ship with his namesakes. 

He looked down at the Blue Typhoon  one more time before pulling out a controller with a big red button. It was for the explosives. With a single press, the cockpit of the Blue Typhoon was blown up. Rendering the vessel unusable until the control systems get rebuilt. He thought about destroying the entire ship, but who knows if there would be another adventure that requires them to go to outer space. Tails hopes that if they have to go somewhere far off in space in the future, it’s years from now. Where maybe by then he will have built an entirely new ship, and/or when he had finally gotten over Cosmo’s death, if he ever does.

What Tails didn’t know was that there were two nearby enough to hear the explosion. Rouge’s sensitive bat ears heard it while she was flying. She flew in the direction of the sound and hid behind a wall of rocks. The other one seemed to have had their solitude suddenly broken by the explosion. An irritated look on his face as he ran over to investigate.

He gasped as he ran over to find Tails, looking over the cliff solemnly just like he had just been doing before the explosion rocked the canyon.

(X) Shadow: What are you doing here, Tails?

Tails turns around with an unamused face.

(X) Tails: I should be asking the same thing to you…

Shadow could feel the disdain in Tails’ voice

(X) Shadow: sigh I get it, Tails… Cos-

(X) Tails: LEAVE HER NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, SHADOW! You tried to murder her! And now she IS gone, maybe not by your hand. But are you happy now, you got what you wanted…

Shadow was taken aback, Tails’ raised voice echoing throughout the canyon adding to the tension between the two.

(X) Shadow: Hey, circumstances have changed… I know now she was forced to spy for them but…

(X) Tails: BUT WHAT?! YOU COULDN’T HAVE TALKED IT OVER WITH US FIRST INSTEAD OF NEARLY KILLING HER IN HER SLEEP?!

Shadow looked down

(X) Shadow: I… I had no idea that she had already endeared herself to you and the others. I especially underestimated how much you in particular felt about her. I am sorr-

(X) Tails: DON’T YOU ATTEMPT TO APOLOGIZE TO ME! It was HER you should have apologized to… BUT NOW YOU NEVER WILL! YOU’RE ONLY SAYING SORRY NOW THAT SHE’S GONE! IF SHE LIVED, YOU PROBABLY NEVER WOULD HAVE APOLOGIZED!

Tails stepped closer to Shadow, actually kind of scaring the Ultimate Lifeform. As he backs off slightly.

(X) Tails: In fact… I bet I know why Chaos Regeneration didn’t work… it wasn’t that you and Sonic failed… you probably HELD BACK ON PURPOSE!

(X) Shadow: That’s… that’s not true! I put nearly everything I had in both trying to save her, but also had to reserve some strength from containing the blast. I was very close to dying for good that time.

(X) Tails: Maybe you SHOULD have… Tell me… Why… WHY DO YOU GET TO ‘SACRIFICE’ YOURSELF AND LIVE ON AND COSMO DOES NOT?!

Shadow lowered his head and sighed

(X) Shadow: …I have no answer for that. It’s true, it’s not fair…

Tails turns his back toward Shadow

(X) Tails: Then maybe you can tell me this, Shadow. Even if I know you’re still recovering your memories, let’s say you had a girl you really care about… and someone or some agency like… I don’t know… G.U.N. perhaps, has determined without evidence that she was a spy. And thus she had to die with not even a chance to prove her innocence and/or whether she had been bugged wilfully or not

Something about this didn’t seem right to Shadow, as if Tails was saying something he knew about Shadow that he still doesn’t quite remember fully

(X) Shadow: What… what are you insinuating?!

Tails doesn’t answer, he simply continues his analogy.

(X) Tails: And then think about this… you successfully fend off her attacker. Only for sometime later a situation happens where it’s either her or the entire world is destroyed… and you have to pull the trigger.

It’s either the one person you care about the most, or the untold billions of lives at stake that you don’t even know… and she herself is insisting you shoot no matter how much it tears you up inside…

Tell me, Shadow… what would you do…

If that girl was none other than… Maria…

Shadow gasped

(X) Shadow: (The… same name… Rouge mentioned in the Metarex base…)

As if a psychic blow had been put on him, Shadow grunts as he’s forced to his knees and he places his arms on his head.

(X) Shadow: (Why… why does that name cause me to flinch so much… I don’t understand…)

Tails simply begins to walk off, leaving Shadow there all alone. Rouge, who had been watching the conversation, looked stunned. Once Tails was out of sight, Rouge flew over to Shadow’s side to help him up.

(X) Rouge: I knew that fox was hit hard, but I didn’t think he was going to bring up the M word in front of you…

(X) Shadow: Urgh… Rouge… can I ask you something?

(X) Rouge: Yes?

(X) Shadow: Your spaceship… I’d… I’d like to use it.

Rouge blinked

(X) Rouge: Well, it’s not like I need it anymore with the Metarex dealt with, so I guess you can… but why?

(X) Shadow: This planet isn’t my home, I shouldn’t be hanging around here… especially if others are going to hold me as if I was partly accountable for what happened to Cosmo…

(X) Rouge: Now hold on, that was just Tails. Cosmo was very special to him, not everyone is going to be so hostile to you… and what about Eggman helping you out with your memories.

(X) Shadow: You really don’t think anyone else who was on the Blue Typhoon will hold the day I attacked Cosmo against me after what happened? I doubt it.

As for the Doctor, hmmph, I think by now he’s only used my memories as leverage for me to work for him. Even if he does know my memories, he doesn’t seem like he’s ever going to tell me without any strings attached.

(X) Rouge: Will traveling through space really help you out though? I doubt you’ll find your way to where Chris’ and the ARK is.

(X) Shadow: I don’t think I need the ARK to regain my memories. I just need solitude in space, I think my memories have been slowly returning. But I need to be alone… it’s for the best that I don’t stick around anyway.

Rouge still wasn’t sure, but she figured she didn’t need her ship for now.

(X) Rouge: Alright, do whatever you feel is best, Shadow. I hope you come back though once you’ve cleared your head.

Shadow turns his back

(X) Shadow: …I can’t promise that. This may very well be the last time we ever speak.

Rouge stood silent for a moment

(X) Rouge: If… if that’s the case, I hope you get your memories back. And that you rest easy, however much of the past may haunt you…

Shadow simply solemnly nodded, before running off.

END OF FLASHBACK

There was simply a moment of silence as Rouge told what happened between X Tails and Shadow. CHZ Cosmo frowns and lowers her head.

(CHZ) Cosmo: t-t-Tails… I completely understand your feelings about this universe’s Shadow. I’m not going to tell you that you were wrong to yell at him. Attempted murder is serious! He deserved a stern talking, and you were right to point out that Shadow could have simply talked about it with you, Sonic, and the others before resorting to sneaking into her room without telling anyone his intentions. Even with the caveat that he lost his memory, that was no excuse for him to… almost be just like the G.U.N. soldier that killed Maria. It might have been a bit of a low blow, but mentioning Maria to Shadow… was kind of warranted…

X Tails just quietly nodded

(CHZ) Cosmo: I will still say though now you must know that Shadow did try to make up for it by attempting to help Sonic save her from death, and you know now that it worked! Just more slowly than you and everyone else tho-

(X) Tails: I know what you’re going to say… that once my Cosmo does regenerate, and if Shadow ever does return... I should find it within my heart to forgive him… I just don't know if I can do that.

Even if he does deserve credit for saving her. I can’t simply forget when he was relentlessly chasing us down throughout the entire ship. It was like a real life horror movie. That cold scowl of his as he walked up to our Cosmo who was scared out of her mind… it’ll take more than saying sorry before I ever consider forgiving him. Him being half the reason Cosmo may still regenerate doesn’t make up for the fact he had once threatened her life.

He sighs, and lifts his head up

(X) Tails: …But let’s forget about Shadow for now. We have more important things to take care of.

(X) Knuckles: I guess we can get back to Cosmo explaining what she thinks that catgirl had in her hands.

CHZ Cosmo nodded

(CHZ) Cosmo: Right, as I was going to say… Blaze more than likely had a Sol Emerald. They’re sort of her dimension’s incarnation of the Chaos Emeralds

Knuckles realized something

(X) Knuckles: Perhaps the Sol Emeralds being in this universe has interfered with the Master Emerald’s power and that’s why my island fell!

Rouge grinned mischievously

(X) Rouge: A new set of emeralds you say? Maybe I should find one for myself, might make a good hunt~

(X) Tails: Please don’t even joke about this, Rouge... The Sol Emeralds likely have to go back if we’re going to avoid any collision between our universes. Do you want to cause a time suspension phenomenon or possibly something worse all because of your greed?

Rouge sighs as she’s denied once again

(X) Rouge: Fiiiiiineee… I guess I’ll just go my own way then, I’m sure Big Blue will fix this mess. If we ended an intergalactic war, surely two Eggmen is nothing. If you need my help feel free to go find me, but it may come at a cost…

She looks at Knuckles with half-lidded eyes

(X) Rouge: I’ll offer one more time, handsome… I can be your mercenary for hire if you promise I can make a ring out of a piece of the Master emerald~

Knuckles deadpanned

(X) Knuckles: The answer is still no…

Rouge giggled

(X) Rouge: Can’t blame a girl for trying! But in that case, I’ll wish you luck boys. And same for the other Cosmo here. Can’t wait to hear how this ultimately wraps up

She winks one more time to Knuckles before waving and lifting off. Knuckles just grumbles

(X) Knuckles: That girl drives me batty…

(X) Sonic: Chuckles Well, she IS a bat after all.

(X) Knuckles: And you’re not helping… regardless, I should take my leave as well. I need to give a piece of my mind to that cat that buried me

(CHZ) Cosmo: You know Knuckles, we’re looking for her too. Why don’t you tag along?

(X) Knuckles: I appreciate it, but I gotta decline. 

(X) Tails: If you find her before us, don’t rough her up too much. We may need her..,

(X) Knuckles: No promises, Tails. You know I have to get even with that cat…

Sonic looked over to Tails and CHZ Cosmo with a smug face

(X) Sonic: I guess we’ll be rescuing him from another pile of rocks soon enough…

Knuckles growled

(X) Knuckles: You wanna go?! I’ll take both you and her down one after another!

X Tails and CHZ Cosmo just giggled

(CHZ) Cosmo: Some things never change no matter the universe, huh?

(X) Tails: Sure seems like Sonic and Knuckles are always destined to butt heads no matter what…

X Tails and CHZ Cosmo manage to prevent Sonic and Knuckles from fighting citing that they need to find the next Chaos Emerald. Knuckles flies off on his own path to search for Blaze, and the rest finally move down the road that Knuckles had opened for them.

The three reach the waters, though Cosmo is a bit puzzled to see no fleet of ships

(CHZ) Cosmo: Um… Sonic, Tails, does G.U.N. still exist in this universe?

(X) Sonic: In this universe? On Chris’ planet if that counts, sure. Here though… not really

(X) Tails: Why do you ask, Cosmo?

(CHZ) Cosmo: (Well… that slightly complicates things, when these events happened in my universe Sonic found the next emerald on a fleet of G.U.N. ships but if they’re not here… perhaps…) It was just a quick question I wanted to know. But I think the next emerald could be underwater.

Sonic grimaces

(X) Sonic: Uh… in that case how about the both of you get this one… you know how I am about water…

(X) Tails: I could go back to my lab to give each of us a respirator.

(CHZ) Cosmo: There is no need, Tails. There’s… something you should know about me. Remember when I told you that I breathe out oxygen?

(X) Tails: Yes?

(CHZ) Cosmo: That means when underwater, I can produce bubbles of air that help keep you and Sonic safe from drowning!

Sonic gasped

(X) Sonic: Whoa, really?! Darn, I could have really used that when I was at the Water Palace!

(X) Tails: That’s amazing! I wonder if our Cosmo had that capability... Though she didn’t exactly tell us she could while we were on Planet Hydo. 

(CHZ) Cosmo: Wait, isn’t Hydo supposed to be a dry planet?

(X) Sonic: Well it’s back to being one after we saved its planet egg. But when we were there, it had a LOT of water. TOO much water in fact…

(CHZ) Cosmo: I see… the planet egg thing is still a bit weird to me. But I suppose as long as it means the planet is safe now. Regardless, follow me! I’ll make as many bubbles as necessary to help the both of you breathe underwater as we search for the Chaos Emerald.

X Sonic and Tails both nod as they wade into the ocean together with CHZ Cosmo to search for the 5th Chaos Emerald.

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