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-
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 ♫
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.
