Darkest Night: Chapter 8

From behind glassy eyes, the Seedrian beauty smiled more brightly and passionately than Tails had ever witnessed of her before. Her entire body shook with excitement as she slowly lowered her quaking hands from in front of her face, finding herself unable to speak as her raging emotions overwhelmed her. Remaining on one knee, Tails waited anxiously. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each second becoming an infinity unto itself. Staring into the bottomless depths of each other's sea-blue eyes, the two lover's minds began to intertwine, mingling in a manner more deeply and intimately than either had experienced before. For a moment, the two became lost to their special connection, their individual minds becoming indistinguishable as they briefly merged into a single consciousness; a single entity existing in perfect love.

An unknown time passed before Tails realized that he was still on his knee. Recoiling slightly, the terror of Cosmo's silence began to set in. "Cosmo, please say something?" The kitsune begged, his voice strained. "My knee's starting to hurt…"

Cosmo beamed, looking down upon the fox, her fox, who had suffered so much and braved impossible odds just to have her back in his life. Sparkling as the diamond cradled in the palm of Tails' hand, her tears rolled down her pale cheeks, parting her lips as she finally gave him her answer…

"You fool…" said she, words hushed and broken. "Tails-san--Oh, Miles, you silly, ridiculous fox! I'm yours. Yes, of course, I'll marry you."

For a fraction of a moment, Tails could have sworn that his body ceased functioning, his heart failing its next beat as the answer he had awaited finally reached his ears. The answer he had hoped for, and the last he had expected, finally came, and it was "yes". Completely entranced, the young kitsune's body began to operate seemingly of its own accord. Taking her hand gently, Tails removed the shimmering ring from its velvet container, slipping the small token of his commitment upon the finger of Cosmo's left hand. Without missing a beat, the rosey-haired maiden leapt into the arms of her golden knight, locking her lips with his in a dance of passionate intimacy, with no regard to the audience around them. Lost in their own world, they were oblivious to the inordinately loud cheers of their peers around them, chiefly among them being Amy, who screamed her praises as she flailed about violently.

"I KNEW IT!!!" Teared the pink hedgehog, flinging her arms outward excitedly, knocking her glass of tea onto the floor beside Rouge's foot. "I KNEW IT AS SOON AS WE GOT HERE! THIS IS SO AMAZING!!!"

"WAY TO GO, BRO!" Shouted Sonic, pumping his fist in the air. "YOU HIT THE JACKPOT!"

"I KNEW IT!!!" Cracked Vector the Crocodile's voice loudly from across the table. "I SET THEM UP, YOU KNOW!!"

Thus, the fanfare continued, becoming more feverish with each moment that passed. After several minutes of joyous embracing, the newly engaged couple finally stood to acknowledge their friends. Bearing an absurdly wide grin upon his face, Tails held onto Cosmo's hand tightly, who continued to beam tearfully. From the ladies present, Cosmo was met with many hugs and kisses, while Tails received pats on the shoulder and firm handshakes from the men. Shadow remained seated, casting a modest smirk at the fox, clapping from across the table. The Sage, Kai, merely folded his hands in front of his face, grinning deviously as he observed the scenario play out before him. Remaining in her seat as well, Vanilla found herself dumbstruck while watching the circle of friends celebrate over their much younger friends' premature engagement. Gripped in momentary denial, this quickly became abolished upon realizing the seriousness and sincerity with which Tails had posed this seemingly outrageous request. Slowly, the rabbit's head rotated toward the human across from her, noting the smirk upon his lips as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You knew, didn't you?" She spoke crossly.

"Of course I did!" Answered Kai honestly, casting a side-glance at Vanilla.

"And Shadow?" Vanilla continued to inquire lowly. "He knew as well?"

"I couldn't do it alone," he spoke in hushed tone. "Yes, he knew."

"You should have told me," The rabbit said sharply. "This… isn't normal, Jaran! They're barely nine!"

"I know that, Vanilla," replied Jaran gingerly, leaning over the table to look Vanilla in the eyes, "but you and I both know that they just don't fit the bill! Tails was forced to kill, Cosmo was forced to die, and now the Devil's poker buddy has it out for them. I can't—see into their future anymore! It used to be so clear… I don't know how long they have. They may very well live to grow old together; they may not live beyond tomorrow. They need this…"

"So it would seem…" she murmured, looking down at the table.

"When I explained to Tails how this would fit within your laws, there was—one line which I failed to mention," he said uncomfortably. "I didn't want to discourage him…"

"More secrets?" She grumbled back, narrowing her eyes more. "Why am I not surprised?"

"While the clause relating to the abandonment of pups and their citizenship rights does apply here, for their age group there is an amendment. They need the consent of the closest adult figure in their life… That's you. I can't endorse it because I'm not a citizen of Mobius, but you can. Vanilla, I'm begging you, give them this. Please, give them this…"

Silent was the mother rabbit as she gazed thoughtfully at the tabletop, her mind in a state of upheaval beyond Kai's ability to read her intentions. This made him uneasy, as Vanilla's mute expression seemed more uncertain than not. Slowly, however, this expression became a smirk as salty tears made their way down her furry cheeks. Smiling with her, Kai felt relief wash over him, feeling suddenly as though everything would be okay.

"Our approaches to situations never seem to agree, do they, Jaran?" Said Vanilla with a smile, shaking her head. "Just because I don't like your methods, though, does not mean that I am unsatisfied with the outcome. They have my blessing, Jaran, and they always have…"

With that, Vanilla stood, crossing the room gracefully as she made her way over to Tails and Cosmo, kneeling before them and wrapping her arms around the two in a warm embrace. Kai sat in silence, feeling the love pouring from the people around him. They, who he had been so lucky to encounter. Of all of the places he had visited, and all of the creatures he had encountered in the vastness of the Omniverse, never had he been more content that he did right here at this moment amongst these tiny, furry creatures. So small and fragile, yet possessing such strong hearts. Even with his power, and all of his vast knowledge, they still put him to shame. Somehow, they were still greater than him. Despite coming to them under the guise of a teacher and mentor, it was he who had learned the most—and for the first time, in a very, very long time, he was happy…

With a gaping stare, Rouge remained seated, having not budged from the moment Tails had presented the ring. A fire began to spread through her soul, having had her expectations turned on their nose and made into a fool. How unfair was life, that she had sought love since before Tails was out of diapers, and failed to find it, yet he and Cosmo, more than nine years her junior, had managed to receive their "happily-ever-after" right before her eyes. Regardless, she clapped anyway, maintaining her level-headed facade. She would never complain. She would never tell. She would never tell them how her first boyfriend had cheated on her with another woman, or of how her second had nearly beat her to death. She would never tell of the man who had been her own fiancé, and how he had forced himself on her and stolen her most precious possession… She would not allow herself to become weak. As long as she remained angry, she could never be hurt again…

The night passed smoothly thereafter. Finally, after the rental period of their dazzling restaurant suite had expired, the group decided to head home. The conversation did not end there, however, as they walked the main road heading to their respective destinations. Walking in a line, the ladies, apart from rouge, spoke of what sort of wedding would be held for the two, and who would receive the coveted position of Cosmo's maid of honor. The guys similarly discussed any future predictions of the ceremony, save Knuckles, who only spoke of the honeymoon. Together they walked the night road, with Tails and Cosmo taking the front. Side by side they walked the night street, linking hands, Cosmo laying her head on Tails' shoulder as they whispered between themselves. Rouge trailed the rear, silent for the duration of the trip. Strolling side-by-side, Jaran looked to Shadow, looking up at the taller human with a smirk as the two subtly conversed.

"So what did you tell him?" Asked the Guardian to the Ultimate Life Form curiously. "How did you convince him to stifle his fears and go ahead with it?"

Shadow smirked, chuckling, "I told him he was a pansy-ass and to get the hell over it."

"Right…" He replied, rolling his brown eyes and sighing. "They look so content. I hope it lasts…"

"It will," said Vanilla suddenly, slinking alongside the two with a smirk of her own. "I'm sure of it…"

"How?" Inquired Kai. "I can't even see their future for myself—"

"I don't need foresight to know what's going to happen," interrupted the rabbit optimistically. "I just have a hunch."

Looking up the three noticed Tails and Cosmo heading in their direction, all smiles as they approached Kai, walking just in front of him as they spoke in relaxed murmurs. "So, we were talking," began Tails, with tired eyes, "and we've decided a general timeframe for when we want to have the wedding…"

"Oh?" Vanilla inquired, chuckling at the fatigued fox. "And when would that be, dear?"

"Three months," he answered. "I don't like long waits, but—"

"A month seemed like too little time," giggled the Petali, leaning on Tails' arm. "I wanted a bit of time to prepare, so three months sounded reasonable."

"Three months isn't terribly long…" Vanilla spoke concerned. "It'll be a lot of work, but we'll do everything we can to make it happen!"

"We would like it very much if you would help us plan, Miss Vanilla," Cosmo said politely. "You're certainly the most organized of us. Would you, please?"

The rabbit smiled, placing a hand against Cosmo's cheek, patting it. "I'd be more than happy to," Vanilla replied sincerely.

"Also, Jaran?" Tails spoke, a level of hesitation in his scratchy voice. "There's—a favor I'd like to ask you…"

"Of course, my child," said he, leaning down as they continued walking. "Whatever you ask of me!"

"Well—you see," stuttered the fox, stumbling against the road nervously, "you've already done so much for us, so this may be too much to ask, and if you can't that's fine, but—"

"We were wondering," Cosmo again finishing her fiancé's sentence, "we would very much like it if you—"

"Would be the one to marry us?" Tails interjected, reeling back a bit. "If you can. It only seems right… After all, you brought us back together."

The sage stopped in the middle of the road, along with the entire group, who turned to face him with prying eyes as he was taken aback by the request. The sage looked down on them, bringing his hand to his face and wiping his eyes, remaining composed long enough to croak out his answer, "Yes, of course. I can do that…"

"Also," Sonic spoke suddenly, approaching Kai with a slight smile, "there's something we want you to have. We've all talked it over, and we can't think of anyone better to give it to. We know you won't let it fall into bad hands, so—here…"

From behind his back, the cobalt hedgehog produced a large, brilliantly cut violet stone, lighting the dark streets with its own internal glow. Kai gasped, understanding the importance of what was being given to him and the implied trust that came with it. A trust, which he had never believed he would ever receive from them. Shaking his head, the sage stumbled back. "N-no," he refuted. "I can't take that. The Chaos Emeralds belong to all of Mobius! You need them—"

"Jaran," Shadow interrupted, smirking dryly, "take the damn emerald."

Still in silence the Guardian hesitated momentarily. With a heavy sigh he finally reached out his hand, the powerful object gravitating into his palm of its own will. Slipping it inside the folds of his cloak he nodded, choking out a simple, "thank you."

The group continued, looking ahead as the road forked off into two directions. Preparing to depart from the group, as her house was in the opposite direction from the rest, Amy paced backward until she came alongside Rouge, babbling absentmindedly to the quite unconcerned bat…

"That's so great!" She said giddily. "'Cosmo Prower', has a nice ring to it, huh? I can't wait until the wedding! Do you think—"

"It won't last," the bat interrupted bitterly.

"H—what?" The hedgehog reeled back, glaring irritably at the white bat. "How can you say that? You don't know what's going to—"

"I know how this ends," the bat snapped. "They seem happy now, but it's only because of the mood. It'll end, eventually…"

"You don't know anything about love!" Accused Amy Rose. "I don't see you with a nice guy on your arm!"

"Yeah!? I don't see you with any guy on your arm!"

"Wh—" Shuddered the pink hedgehog, looking hurt, "Rouge, why are you being so hurtful?"

"Don't preach to me about something you know absolutely nothing about! Like I said, you've been chasing Sonic for a hell of a lot longer than Cosmo has been after Tails! Where has it gotten you? He'll NEVER stop for you, and you can't seem to come to terms with that! You're just sad, Amy!"

Before she could argue the point, Rouge leapt into the air, flapping her wings and gliding off into the night. Amy was shocked, confused, and crushed. Rouge's words continued to echo in her mind as she finally branched off from the group, all the way to her home…



In the skies above Mobius, the dark silhouette of an aptly named space ship hovered amongst the stars, as its even more darkly captain stared out of the viewport, an implied smile hidden underneath his concealing hood…

"It's time… We move now!"