Surge kicked some rocks that were in her way, the unlucky ones were kicked so hard they left mini craters on the surrounding terrain. She fumed quietly the entire time, deeply thinking back on the argument and wondering why she even attempted to join forces with nobodies. It's like chowing down on gross as hell garbage after eating sweet delicacies for years, she was bound to throw up!
"You promised..."
Surge walked passed Silver, who easily caught up to her on the dirt path near the seaside, making quick zips her way. She went on like normal, as one does when they hear only gentle breezes. Silver sighed and began to float on in front of her this time but she just walked around him. Another attempt, then another, then another until he stopped a few feet behind her.
"Will you please just look at me? I'm the only one here, y'know."
Finally, after many attempts, Surge swiftly turned around, revealing her bored face staring back at him. He sighed once more and moved to speak but was facing her back yet again. She turned back around evenly like the first time.
"Surge!"
"Hey, you said to look at you. I did. You can thank me later." She said emotionless while picking at her ear. Silver's patience was wearing thin, so he decided to do something else. A large psychic wall was formed effortlessly in front of a still unamused Surge.
"Really?"
"Yes, Really. I meant what I said, Surge."
Surge rolled her eyes, getting progressively more done as time went by. It was Silver's turn to be emotionless. He knew a simple pep talk wouldn't be enough to get Surge's mind back on track, so he settled with speaking her language.
"Wanna let that anger out?"
Nothing.
"I know you want to. We've done it before and you felt great afterward. Why not give it another go?"
A twitch in her arm. He caught it. He smirked and thought going a more competitive stance would rile her up in the right direction.
"Or, are you still too sore from the last time you battled with me?"
slowly, she started rolling her shoulders.
' That's it... ' Silver thought. "I get it though, fighting me isn't easy-"
"Worst time to try and poke the bear, Fluff." Surge snickered menacingly, not even fully facing the hedgehog. No, all she bothered to do was darkly look over her shoulder, electricity crackling here and there.
"I think it's the best time!" Silver continued to prod, smile growing wider, his energy masking his form as he prepped for Surge's onslaught.
"Less...you wanna prove me wrong?"
Her electricity crackled violently, clasped onto her like the roots of a tree. "I've had a real bad start once I stepped foot onto this god-forsaken planet, having that blue hedgehog walk free after our fight like I'm some wuss who don't know any better, then I have to deal with his annoying as hell side kick who thinks he's all high and mighty just cause he's scruffin' it up with the holier than thou creatin, now you think I wanna deal with your plaguy nonsense?"
Silver's expression kept the playful smirk and puckish glare but made sure to note what had gotten under Surge's skin. However, his appearance gave an impression of indifference and while Surge knows Silver enough to understand that he most definitely DID hear her out, she still hated how little he presented any care for her situation. She let her arms droop as a result, head bobbing down wondering how she got to this point. How she ended up teaming up with an idiot like him and what she expected to be his reaction to her furies. On one hand, beating her anger out on someone else feels like such a perfect opportunity, but on the other, She'd be doing that with Silver of all people. His strength was of little concern. It's that it's Silver! Sure they've sparred but...
"Listen," She started, her tone and demeanor all toning down. "As much as I'd love to kick your butt, I seriously am not feeling the 'fighty' mood. And even if I was, I still wouldn't go back to helping those losers. I may have made a promise with you but I also made it clear that if I get slighted, even a little, I'd bounce at the drop of a hat. So drop the act and go help your pathetic excuse for friends. Your lucky you're tolerable..."
"I also told you that attacking Sonic was a no-go and that any problems you and he had should be settled after we figure out if the Chaos Emeralds weren't suffering the same way our emeralds are."
"I don't care."
A frown formed on Silver's face. Surge wanted to punch him on the spot for that.
"Can you give it a rest already?! Why do you even need me with you guys, I'd probably screw up any plans you and the others were cookin' up anyway! My involvement would bring nothing to this! Must I remind you that I HATE this nonsensical world!? So why force it?!!" A crackle of electricity charged near the end of her rant.
No answer. Silver just stood there letting the ocean breeze fill what would be emptiness, the waves in the distance adding an oddly calming aura to the heated exchange. She waited for a reason, truly curious about what he'd say, but he just...didn't answer. Though, he was thinking deeply over her words. She scoffed before attempting to walk off but the wall was still present. In fact, it was bigger. He never let it down. Surge growled, feeling her nerves building again.
"You mind turning your magic trick off?!"
Silver didn't move.
"You must feel so cool and mysterious, not answering me and all, but I seriously don't wanna waste any more time with you or anyone, so move or I may just kill you..."
"Sorry, was thinking of the right words to respond to what you said."
'So casual. ' Surge said dumbfoundedly in her head. ' He must think I'm joking, Is this what barely having friends does to people? No, more like isolation, period. Even Holo shows more disdain when I speak, what is up with this freak?! '
"Well," Silver started. "I want you to help because I think you're strong, thoughtful, and a great person to be around." Surge's eyes widened.
' Nice to know he hasn't completely lost it? '
"I know that life hasn't treated you all that well. I know that and I make sure not to forget." Silver began to walk closer to Surge, but stopped once he reached a reasonable distance to not make her feel pressured. "I'm sorry if I seem like I'm being pushy, I just...don't know all too many people who are as cool as you," Silver said, his head drooped. Surge cooled by the tiniest bit. She looked at the ground, refusing to meet his eyes. "Lots of people tend to wanna avoid you, heck I wanted to! I uh...apologize for that by the way..."
"Tch." Surge turned to face the wall. Silver scratched at his head awkwardly. "Can you get to the damned point already...You're going from tolerable to unbearable by the minute."
"Yeah...um...." Silver sighed, thinking over everything again and realizing that, despite not meaning to, this was still very much not a good attempt at convincing her to come back without possibly guilting her. "Ah, you know what, me doing this, putting these expectations on you...It isn't fair. Hurtful."
Surge's expression morphed into an unreadable one, but Silver took it as a negative response.
"If you wanna go back to Torque, that's fine, I won't blame you. Asking you to fight for something that didn't fight for you," Silver said softly. "Of course, you would be less than motivated."
' Wait... '
Silver laid a fist against his palm. "Nicole and I will handle things here, you can head back to Torque and meet up with Kit!"
' Does...does he think I can't handle this mission, low-key? Is that it? ' Surge felt slightly offended by how he was driving things. ' Is this his weird way of calling me... '
"So what I'm getting," Surge's electricity crackled violently, "Is that you're trying to let me off easy? You 'realized' that I'm a waste of space? That it?"
"W-what?! No! Of course not!"
"Feels like it."
"Surge, c'mon!"
"Hey, I'm only reading the room!"
"Clearly not!" Silver yelled loudly and clearly. "I don't know why you do this! I don't mean to give you wrong impressions at all and you know that!"
Surge stayed silent.
"I just...I just don't wanna do what Starline was doing to you, is what I mean."
Surge's electricity simmered tremendously. "Huh?"
"Forcing you to do missions and bossing you around...I don't...wanna do that to anyone...let alone with a best friend who went through so much..."
Her electricity completely vanished, she stared directly at Silver and a twinge of a very very VERY uncomfortable feeling grew in her gut. ' Best friend? W-why would he- '
"Silver!"
The two of them turned to the sky to see three familiar faces: Blaze, Sticks, and Bunnie! Silver's eyes brightened and his face flushed red when he saw Blaze.
"B-Blaze!? What are you doing here!?" Silver flew up to greet her and Blaze released Bunni's hand to fall into a big embrace! Her heart pumped with happiness when in his arms, so much so that he could feel it through her chest. He blushed a little more.
"Silver, thank the stars we've come to meet this day!" Blaze shouted joyously.
"I'm happy to see you too! It's been way too long!" He hugged her tighter as he slowly descended to the ground.
"So you be that Silver feller Blaze gets all giddy for!" Bunnie's comment caused Blaze to snap out of her joyous daze, so too her warm embrace. "Man, you are exactly as imagined, though that'd be 'cause of Blaze's thorough description of ya-"
" AHEM! " Blaze cleared her throat loudly, blushing a maddening red. "Please ignore her words, she merely jests and exaggerates!" Bunnie had a good laugh outta that reaction!
Sticks scratched at her head. "Wait, but didn't that actually happ-"
" SHE MERELY JESTS AND EXAGGERATES. " Blaze firmly repeats in a strained voice. Silver's just lost, but happy to be in the moment.
"Soooo," All turn to Surge, tapping her foot impatiently. "They aaaare?"
"Oh right! I never had the chance to tell you about them. Surge, this is Blaze and her friends, Sticks and Bunnie! This is my first time meeting them in person, too, so I'm pretty excited! Last time me and Blaze met up she told me all sorts of awesome things about 'em!"
"Was it also in detail?"
"Bunnie!" Blaze playfully punched her arm, earning a sweet giggle from her good friend and Silver.
"Yeah, it was actually! We-"
"I don't care about all of that!" Surge interrupted and grabbed Silver by the arm making him face her. "Finish what you were gonna say!"
"Woah woah! What's your problem, Spikey!" Sticks challenged. Blaze and Bunnie too were very caught off guard by her behavior.
"Before you weirdos jumped in, me and him were discussing something that doesn't concern you. So maybe, mind your business ?!"
"And if we don't whaddaya gonna do about it, Spikey!"
"Quit calling me that..." Surge growled.
Bunnie placed her robotic arm on Sticks' shoulder. "Sticks, let's not instigate-"
"Like heck ima stop! She thinks she can ruin a perfectly good moment all cause her yams can't be unsquashed! Maybe if you didn't blend them for so long they'd be perfectly fine and dandy, ever think about that?!"
Surge wanted to be mad but..."What are you even saying-"
"Okay let's just calm down! Surge, I would love to finish what I was saying, but if you don't want them to know anything, wouldn't talking about this later make more sense?"
"OR they can leave and we continue like normal!"
"I'm afraid I won't be allowing such a thing to happen." Blaze stepped in, her fists balled. She doesn't like this first impression she's having.
Silver gulped. "B-Blaze-"
"Aw look. the Princess thinks she has a choice in the matter." Surge cooed mockingly. Blaze tried to keep her cool, but something about Surge reeeaally gets under her skin.
"And look, the delinquent thinks they have any say in a Princess' order..."
That struck a nerve. "What'd ya call me...?" Surge said darkly shoving Silver to the side, nearly making him tumble. Blaze looked at her lazily, not willing to even give her so much as a glare, and that pissed Surge off to no end. Her anger rose when Blaze didn't even bother with a response. She instead walked to Silver, smiling as though Surge wasn't there. "Hey! I'm talking to you, upper-class brat!" No response.
"Silver, It's good that I found you here!" Just like that, she completely ignored Surge, the same goes for her friends, who after glaring and side-eyeing the tenrec, walked off to their leader. Surge was ready to pounce but Silver gave her a look. That damned, stupid as hell look. ' Please cooperate .'
' The audacity... ' Surge's emotions were on a rollercoaster of a lifetime right now. Sticks looked back one last time to pull her face into all sorts of mocking expressions. ' I'll kill them all... '
"We have been looking all over for Sonic and couldn't trace him back to any area!" Blaze said, her worry evident. A confused Silver's eyes widened upon hearing this information. Sonic wasn't answering? It had been a while since they were all together, but what could have happened to make them unreachable?
"The same goes for Tails and Knuckles! They ain't answering their thingamajigs."
"ComLinks, Sticks, and yep, they're as silent as a cemetery in the dead of night. We tried callin' Amy, thankfully she picked up, but she was as clueless about Sonic and the gang's whereabouts as we were!" Bunnie informed.
"Have you seen Sonic at all today by any chance?" Blaze asked, worried.
"We have actually! We settled on splitting up to handle our current mission faster," Silver quickly glanced over to Surge, who was silently fuming. "So me and Surge are doing our own thing. The other four headed to Angel Island."
"Mission?" Sticks quizzed.
"Yeah, long story short, The Chaos Emeralds are in grave danger...may have caught onto something similar to a sickness."
Blaze's heart skipped a beat. "W-what?"
"Even emeralds can get sick!?! Oh geez, If that's the case, maybe I should start drinking that mixture of amethyst dust, MokoMojafruit, and Grubblier meat I've been meaning to make for me and Marine..."
Bunnie cringed at that combination "That sounds like a one-way trip to the hospital."
"Pfft, that's what they want ya to think. 'Sides, don't knock it till ya try it!" Sticks licked her lips and rubbed her belly in anticipation of getting to her beloved cursed concoction.
Bunnie shook her head in familiar futility and turned back to Silver. "Anyway, What makes ya think the emeralds on this here planet be acting awry?!" Bunnie asked.
"On my planet, Torque, we have a set of emeralds too that have shown alarming signs similar to what the others and I saw Tails' Chaos Emerald do. It would have spikes of energy and generally just not being its usual self..."
"Wait a sec...YOU have a set of emeralds on YOUR planet too?? When was anyone gonna tell me this groundbreakin' news!?" Sticks yelled, totally gobsmacked.
"We sadly ain't had the sense to tells ya 'cause we ain't had the sense to find out!"
"It was a major surprise for me too. Me, Surge, and another friend named Nicole, all found out some months ago. Major stuff!" Silver sighed. Surged looked his way once the word 'friend' was dropped.
Bunnie scratched at her head, sighing. "I mean, how many gad dang surprises are we gonna have to deal with in this week alone, til we've seen just about everything?!" Bunnie shouted. "I think even poor Blaze is completely bolted blue by this revelation!" Bunnie points to a pale-faced Blaze, standing still and zoned out. "Um...Blaze, you doing okay, Suga'?"
Blaze was, in fact, NOT doing okay. She replayed everything said in flurries, grasping as dearly as she could how all of this had come to pass. Sick emeralds, a new set, the Sol Emeralds, the map... HIM . What does it all mean? Why is this happening? Whatever the reason may be...she has a soul-crushing feeling that it goes further beyond what is deemed a threat. This is a new endeavor to behold.
"Blaze!"
She snapped out of her fearful descent and looked up to see her friends all staring at her, worried. Even Surge couldn't help but give her a confused sizing.
"Hey...you need a second?" Sticks softly suggested. Blaze breathed heavily but slowly calmed down. "If ya need to sit down, I get it. I mean this stuff about sick emeralds doesn't exactly make our problem look any prettier."
"W-wait, what problem?" Silver nervously questioned.
"Eh, well...Blaze got-"
"No time for this!" Blaze shouted. "I'll explain it all in due time, but right now, we MUST reach Sonic and the others. I'm afraid I have the worst feeling about all of this!" Blaze took hold of Silver's hands, a slight blush appearing on both their faces. "Please, Silver...this is vital." Surge rolled her eyes at the sight of the two lovebirds.
Silver looked into Blaze's eyes. They glimmered, betraying the fatigued look they wore. Even when tired, she shines like elegant stars...
"Of course...How could I possibly say no?" Silver said softly, a sweet smile given her way. "Just promise me to go easy on yourself, okay?"
"That's what we've been saying!" Bunnie and Sticks said in unison, pouncing onto Blaze in a large hug.
"You ain't gotta worry so hard, Lavender, have some faith." Bunnie reassured. Surge looked on in slight dejection at the group but stuffed that gross feeling into the hard-to-reach parts of her brain.
"So Surge," She lazily glanced at Silver and the others. The girls looked unenthusiastic about her joining them, while Silver's eyes held hope. "I guess this is where we part ways for now. I promise we'll meet up with everyone back at home once everything is said and done! Just, make sure everyone stays safe out there. That includes yourself!" Silver smiled. Even his eyes looked like they were smiling...how was he doing that??? "Sorry again, by the way-"
"Will you quit it with the stupid apologizing!? It's annoying now!"
Sticks growled but Silver tapped her shoulder in reassurance.
"Sor-I mean...My bad?" Silver chuckled nervously. Surge just rolled her eyes. "Take care."
"Yeah, good riddance!"
"Sticks, calm yer horses! I ain't a fan of hers either but the hostility ain't gon help nun." Bunnie pleaded with the angered badger.
"Better listen to your mom, cavewoman, she may save your life." Surge mocked slyly, a smirk plastered on her face.
"I beg yer pardon?" Bunnie said, a warning bite clear in her voice. Blaze dragged both of her friends away from the brewing confrontation.
"We DON'T have time to fight with a child, we have more important matters," Blaze said casually, dragging the two who didn't break eye contact with Surge while being dragged away.
'Who the heck does she think she is? She seriously thinks she's better than me??' Surge thought darkly, her smirk staying on her face, but twitched annoyingly. Silver walked with them, leaving Surge in the dust. She didn't like that. She didn't like any of this. She felt...
"Hey, Silver." The hedgehog turned around puzzled to see Surge run up to him. She drifted across the ground and smoothly caught up to the group. "You know what, I think missing out on all of this cool mission junk would be a disservice to me AND Kit. I did promise I'd talk about all the cool stuff I'd do, so to go back to him after doing nothing would be so...lame." Surge spoke clearly, walking up to Silver only to give a mischievous look to Blaze and her posse, who were all unafraid to show their disappointment. "Plus, you're right, I am awesome! Why wouldn't I take this chance to show losers like them just who's boss? What was it that you said back on Torque, Fluff?" Surge tapped on her chin, then raised a finger in faux-joy. "Oh yeah! 'What the hand does, the mind remembers'! Anyone ever tell ya just how wise you sound when push comes to shove?" Surge cackled. "Anyway, I can't wait to get to know these three stooges all the way to the dirty deets."
The three of them, glared at her, completely over her tomfoolery.
"Awww, what, you thought I'd just leave after all that disrespect you spat? Too bad, so sad?" Surge pulled another pout and mimicked the act of wiping away tears before laughing out loud and walking ahead of them. "Now quit sitting around and being useless, we have a bunch of idiots to catch up to. If anything cool happens and I miss it, better pray I don't zap away the remainder of whatever brain cells you have left."
Blaze was already feeling terrible before running into Silver, and the girl in front of her was exacerbating her frustration. She wished she could get her to stop talking, but unfortunately, they were pressed for time, time they'd been letting slip by.
"Surge," Silver called her, but she didn't turn around immediately. Instead, she hummed a low tune and then looked over her shoulder, enough to see him, but enough to also stand her ground. "Don't start."
He stated it clearly, without emotion. She turned, half-lidded, and chuckled. "I hate your guts." Her smile, while still holding its grit, was the softest she's worn yet. Silver smiled back, soft but playful. This left the girls completely baffled as though they were overhearing a conversation in an entirely different language.
"Uh, am I the only one confused by this?" Sticks whispered, but it was barely a whisper.
Bunnie winced at her half-whisper. "Loud, but yeah, I'm lost too. Silver is sweet as a button and she's so...sour. Who woulda thought they'd even be able to communicate at all?" Bunnie actually whispered. Blaze however has a feeling that there is more going on, but she isn't sure what. She plans on asking him later about it when they have time.
"I'll give them some leeway, but only cause you're annoying." Surge waved Silver dismissively but jumped when turning to see Silver charged up next to her creating a large orb around them. She looked back to where he once stood and where he's at now repeatedly. They all began to float off the ground and into the sky.
"Sweet Gaia! Can you maybe WARN ME before you pull crap like this!? You know I hate it when you do that!" Surge yelled in Silver's ear who slightly flinched. He chuckled.
"Sorry! Just happy you're coming along with us!"
"Ew, quit it, your sickly sweet schtick is killing me here."
Bunnie readjusted her hat so she could properly see what was going on. "Ion think I'll be gettin' used to this, Ima be real honest wit ya!" Bunnie said, making sure to move as little as possible. Sticks swam playfully past Bunnie, who was astounded by her lack of fear of the situation.
Blaze swam towards Silver and held onto him tightly, shivering with fear. She attempted to avoid looking down, but eventually gave in and immediately regretted it. Feeling a little guilty for making her uncomfortable, Silver picked Blaze up bridal style to make her feel more secure, which she did not expect at all. As he held her, she gradually turned a bright red, but Silver didn't seem to notice.
"Geez, get married already why don'tcha?" Surge said unamused.
"Fall off and break your neck why don'tcha??!" Blaze hissed. Silver and Surge both froze and looked at each other holding the same expression.
"Watch out guys kitty has claws-"
"Chill out, chill out!" Silver pleaded, he felt her claws retract slowly once Surge stopped talking.
"Hey so, Brainy, can I call ya Brainy, We heading to that Angel Island place ya mentioned to meet up with Sonic and friends?" Sticks asked, cruising around.
"Yeah, that's where the gang is at right now to check on the Master Emerald. Knuckles wasn't the happiest about it possibly being sick too."
"When is Melon Head ever happy?" Surge asked sarcastically.
"When are you eva happy?" Sticks asked with the same tone. Surge groaned.
"How do you manage to be more annoying than that clown?"
Ignoring their argument, Silver used his abilities to try and focus in on any faraway objects practically zooming in on where Angel Island is. After spotting it, he locked on a prepared to zoom towards his destination.
"Yo, brainiac, try not to go too fast like you did last time, you nearly killed me and Nicole zipping so damn fast!"
"Don't worry, I learned my lesson."
And so, without wasting any more time, Silver headed off to Angel Island with the others, post-haste.
Nicole was overwhelmed by the beauty of the island. The waterfalls, forests, and flowers were stunning. As the plane landed, she felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her, and a gentle smile graced her lips as she reminisced. After they disembarked the Tornado, Knuckles quickly made his way up the stairs to the Master Emerald, with the others following closely behind. Once he reached the large emerald, he placed his gloved hand on its surface, linking directly to it.
"Whew, at least it looks okay for now." Sonic sighed.
"Externally, the emerald appears to be fine, but we can't be sure about its condition internally as we don't have enough information," Nicole reminded while passing the emerald, covered in its case, to Tails. "Similarly, on Torque, The Grand Oracle seemed to be in good shape from the outside, but it was suffering internally. The guardians tried their best to help, but they couldn't do much immediately."
"The Grand Oracle? Wicked name!" Sonic complimented.
"Hmm, I suppose the name is pretty cool." Nicole felt awkward saying that but she meant it.
"I guess our best bet is to wait and see what Knuckles ends up finding."
"All right! Ya wouldn't mind if I run around and catch some z's while slowpoke here has his meditation sesh would ya? Been dying for a nap."
"After our rocky introduction, I would feel horrible if I did. Please proceed with your fun hijinks!" Nicole beamed.
"Eh don't sweat it. It happens, plus it wasn't your fault at all!" Sonic reassured her. "Okay! Contact me if anything crazy happens!" in a snap, Sonic dashed off into the forest. Tails went back to looking after the emerald using his mobile data reader to track its condition. The same readings as before, which for now is..."good" he supposes. He looks up from his device to see Nicole still attentive to the direction Sonic went, eyes glimmering softly, smile faint with tranquility.
"I know that look."
Nicole awoke gently amidst her thoughts to turn to Tails. She hummed, wondering what he was referring to.
"I've made that look so many times I'm practically an expert at it, y'know!" A childish giggle rang amongst them, soothing the Lynx further and inviting her to partake in his childish laughter.
"Gosh, I apologize if I have been spacing out! I have no idea what has caused me to daze in and out like this!"
"Come on, Nicole! You know exactly why!"
"Yes, I do," Nicole thumbed her shawl when thinking over everything. "But I do not operate like most. I do exist, but not to the same degree as many. I am missing many key details to make me completely...whole." She spoke almost in a whisper, more evidently near the end, her hands rubbing against each other as if she was trying to come to grips with the sensations it brings.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel, but only the biological explanations embark freely in my mind. I speak, but it doesn't always...match the likes of yours or others. You can choose how to view things on a more personal scale. I face it with robotic lens even when I no longer am strictly robotic. So...when Sonic, Silver…or Sally act so caringly in their beautiful unique ways, so free and strong, I can't help but strive for it but struggle to understand how that is even possible. It's one of the few yearnings I have, yet I can never really understand it. I have been on many adventures with you all, yet I can never keep a grasp on this. It flows through my fingers, like water..."
Tails responded with a hum, as the conversation delved into a rather interesting topic. He was surprised to learn that Nicole was struggling so much with her current form. He had always assumed that she had come to terms with it. After all, she has been in this form for so many years now. However, he remembered that the world is a complicated place, especially for those who were not raised in it a certain way. The steps that came naturally to him were not as easy for Nicole, who never had a proper explanation or guidance into the finer details. He began to feel guilty for not realizing this earlier but was grateful that Nicole was opening up to him about her struggles.
He scooted up to her with little hops and tapped her shoulder gently to get her attention. "When it comes to feelings, did you know Sonic struggles with that the most?"
Nicole's mouth went slightly agape. "Really?"
Tails nodded. "Yep! Not to say he doesn't necessarily understand it, Sonic has always been pretty good at getting how someone feels. But he doesn't talk much about the deeper stuff, not even to me. I always guessed that he didn't wanna ruin the mood or accidentally make someone else feel bad, but I think the reason why he struggles with feelings is because...well...they're complex." Tails scratched the back of his head, chuckling. "He understands that they aren't just random puzzle pieces to fit into place or labels. They embody a person and structure you. Helps to see who you are or what you can become. It can teeter, morph, evolve. Sometimes for the worst. A slippery slope. It can either put you in a box and cage you...or extend your wings to free you."
Nicole held an odd expression, a variant of confusion perhaps? Worry? It was hard to tell. But she stayed silent to let Tails continue.
"I think that's why Sonic always held such a carefree spirit, managing to uplift or guide many to their needed destination, if that makes sense. He never pushes someone away even when he has the choice to...because he 'feels' like it. He 'feels' that he needs to help those who 'feel' bad or are in distress cause while he can't fully grasp it, he knows what such strong feelings can do to a person. He hates being caged, and so he hates seeing others caged too. He relates what he feels is wrong to what is wrong and runs on that simple principle to better understand others. Heh, I have no idea if what I'm saying even makes sense or if it aligns with your worries, but I guess what I'm trying to say is..."
Tails hopped to Nicole's side and gave her a big ol hug, which sparked a small...'emotional reaction?'
"Sonic struggles to make sense of something so compounded too, and I'd say he is one of the most emotionally intune people I know. He just displays it differently because he sees it differently from most. So...It's okay if it's a little confusing, It's never been an easy concept anyway!" Tails smiled wide, wagging his tails, looking at a now happier Nicole. "Heck, you can even ask Sonic yourself if you want, though he'd probably give you the shortened version of my ramble!"
Nicole expressed a wider contented smile, processing...thinking over what was told to her. Information she will take to heart. "Thank you, Tails. I do believe I needed to hear this. It's been a very confusing ride, this life I've lived. I suppose taking steps to understand my feelings, so to better understand others, is another lesson I must not forget."
Tails' communicator rang and interrupted their conversation.
"Ah, sorry! Gotta take this," Tails said as he checked the caller ID. "Oh hey, it's Sally!"
Nicole's heart skipped a beat as Tails witnessed the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face. In that singular moment, he also observed the quickest he had ever seen her move. "Really?!" she exclaimed. "Oh, please Tails, let me speak with her! Please, please, please!"
"How could I say no?! Of course!" He answered the call only for it to immediately end. "Huh?" Both he and her were very confused.
"What happened?"
"No idea...It just-" Another call from Sally rang out. "-ended..."
"Maybe you answered too late??" Nicole scratched her head.
"I don't think so. I believe I answered fast enough for her to pick up."
"Try again, maybe the ComLink is just acting up a little."
He tried to answer her again, but the same thing happened.
"Uh..."
Multiple calls from Sally and other friends bombarded Tails, intensifying the noise.
"What's going on here??"
Soon, the noise grew louder with each new call that appeared on Tails and Knuckles' ComLinks. Louder and loud, it all grew the more unbearable. Maddening...
"Make it stop!!" Nicole yelled, feeling distraught and confused as unpleasant memories flooded back.
Tails attempted to turn off his communication device, but the continuous calls prevented them from shutting down. Tails had to cover his ears with how loud it was.
"Nicole, you have to fry them!" Tails shouted over the noise. "It's the only way for the noise to stop!"
Nicole nodded and proceeded to destroy their devices by placing her electrified hands-on Tails and Knuckles' ComLinks. She noticed Knuckles' unresponsive form with his hand on The Master Emerald, eyes shut, focused expression never changing.
"Knuckles?" Nicole called, wondering why he was so still. "Has he moved at all?" The two approach a frozen Knuckles.
"Knuckles?..." Tails was reaching out to touch him but then a low growl was heard in the distance, causing them to turn around quickly. Nothing was there, just flowers trees and rivers.
"Um, did you hear that?" Nicole asked, voice trembling.
"Yeah...I heard it too." Tails answered.
As the two slowly inched forward, they heard trees falling and branches snapping. A roar rang out throughout the island, startling the two stiff.
"What in the stars!?" Nicole shrieked, as a large gust of wind came their way as a result of the boisterous vociferation.
Tails ran towards the edge of the stairs. "Last I checked, there weren't loud threats such as this on the island!"
"Why is this happening? Has Eggman sent in another foe, you presume?"
"I don't..." Tails stopped thinking about that and remembered something. Something vital. Nicole looked to Tails as though the same thought had been made.
"Sonic!!" The two yelled in unison, both on the verge of taking flight. They were heading straight to the forest but were cut off by a watery substance. Nicole, as she lost her stability, yelled on her way towards a nearby tree, ultimately crashing into it. Tails remained in the air but headed his way toward Nicole to help her only for another long watery tendril to block his path.
"Who in the-" Tails had the air knocked out of him before he could dare to finish his words. He was flung back to the altar with a groan. He struggled to get up and see who was the cause of their dismay but froze at the sight of their strong adversary. never did he think he'd meet face-to-face with him again...