(Thank you again to all the readers & Sonic fans out there who have been patient enough to wait for this between work and of course, the delightful Sonic Fan Art Competition. x3 Your reviews and responses to this story have been plenty in number and unbelievably kind, to that I am very grateful. 3 I won't make you guys wait any longer for this one...)

Steal You Away

This, was the defining moment.

To put it into perspective, this was the biggest, the most important event of their lives.

Waiting with a dull dread, Sonic's hands still firmly attached to Amy's, they watched the watery orb they'd just escaped from begin to throb with untamed energy. It's landscape changed, and it appeared to resemble a volcanic rock possessing a pulse.

"It looks so, strange... what is that thing?" Amy's voice carried softly in a question to no one in particular, because nobody seemed to have an answer for what the bizarre thing could be.

"This is NOT good! It's energy is increasing so rapidly, our scanners can't even measure it!" Tails voice rose to the fact, as he typed furiously and fruitlessly to try and keep up.

"Blast! The forestation process is getting too powerful for us to stop!" Eggman continued. Upon this mention, Shadow didn't hesitate to launch himself off and away from Eggman's ship, careening head first toward the malice of the offending planet.

"Shadow!" Chris exclaimed, and Sonic's lime green eyes followed the dark hedgehog. Well, two is always better than one.

"Lets help him." Sonic initiated, and without another word, the three were heading toward the eccentric walnut shaped orb.

"Ring tunnel! Go, Sonic." Chris provided the ring tunnel, and as Amy let him go and bit back her fears, Sonic catapulted into action against the evil that threatened once more. For a moment as Shadow and the others observed, it seemed Sonic's spin-dashing was actually accomplishing something. The next moment would prove otherwise, as the planet appeared to ooze a dark purple matter to push him back. The planets secretions were thick and futile to fight against- it was there to keep intruders away, not battle with them. Shadow could see things weren't going to be that easy, and decidedly joined Sonic's side. Throwing out a powerful arm of Chaos spears against the matter, the ultimate life form was stunned to find his own attacks to be useless. The matter began to surround him, coming up from behind as if it was a being thinking of it's own accord. He was violently thrown into the void of space with a mighty blast, spiraling endlessly from the force. Chris's plane was also blasted back from the impact of it, skidding along the top of the Blue Typhoon like a cheap dinky. Amy, who had been inhabiting the outside of the plane a la Sonic, hurtled fearfully closer and closer to the harsh metal exterior of the Blue Typhoon. There was not a solitary thing between her catapulting body and the outside of the ship. She braced herself for unconsciousness and the pain before it, screaming as she was preparing to see black. In the panic of them being scattered like an ant hill, she heard Sonic's voice distinctly as she was whistling through the air.

"Amy!" Instead of connecting with the metal wall, she felt herself grabbed and tucked against impossibly soft fur- and then she was crushing her savior against the wall she was meant to meet. They fell limply to the deck below, and she heard Sonic's grunt of pain as he continued to hold her.

"Thanks, Sonic..." She said tenderly, still not daring to open her eyes but knowing him by feel and voice. Her hands were trembling with the adrenaline of it, holding to his strong arms for mercy. She felt so wholly safe then, so valued by him. She knew well now not to doubt Sonic, no matter how uneven the odds were stacked. He peeled open an eye and grinned, satisfied she was safe.

"See, I thought ya might have ordered a landing pad, sorry for the late delivery-"

"Sonic!-" She began to scold his poking fun, but stopped mid sentence as Shadow came tumbling through the air toward them. They both watched as the aberrant hog skidded to a land aboard the Typhoon, and Chris came to his senses sitting in the shaken jet. They all stared upon the strange planet, waiting to see what would happen next. The abused Chaos Emeralds were gathered by the Chaotic, and they appeared to be nothing more than cheap stone.

"Those poor Chaos Emeralds... all their power is gone." Cream mourned, gazing upon them with forlorn cocoa eyes as she tested their coldness with a finger. They were so dead to the touch, she visibly shivered.

"That's just great! We don't have a single working Emerald! How can we fight back without extra power?" Knuckles barked. Dr. Eggman was the next to butt in with a game plan, suggesting they use the power of their ships to restore them to their natural state. Their negotiations were cut short by Eggman's small, deviant looking delivery bot.

"Dr, wait! Something's happening!" Bokkun cried, and sure enough, everyone turned to see that the strange planet was now exuding a light. As it passed by them, a purple wave continuously rolled over like a plague, spreading an illness. There was a soft groan, and Sonic instantly grabbed for Amy as she suddenly plummeted downward to her knees. He got on his own next to her, urging her to meet his eyes. He could gauge how bad it was, judging by her eyes.

"You ok?" He held her arm cautiously, then felt a spasm of panic as the vines around them began to sprout rapidly. He shielded her with an arm of protection, eyes wild as they darted around the area in a frenzied scan.

"I'm starting to feel weak..." Chris moaned, and the Chaos Emeralds fell to the floor like cheap plastic.

"What's happening Tails..." Cosmo uttered fearfully, noting the change in everybody but herself.

"Dark Oak is taking all the life energy out of our bodies! Just like the Metarex did to all the planets they attacked..." The intelligent young fox informed, causing a spread of panic to creep along the groups faces.

"It's drawing in all the energy it can find to spread plant life across the galaxy. It's the last stage of the forestation process." Eggman rumbled in his menacing tone, a sense of doom intertwined with his words.

"Cosmo?" Tails looked to her as she bound the useless emeralds in a cloth and bundled them in her arms, wearing a dutiful expression.

"Dark Oak cannot take my life energy away from me...because we both come from the same species of plant. I'll take care of this." With that, she left them all on deck without another word, Tails watching after her long after she'd gone. He'd felt fear for all of his friends when they were in danger... but never before like this. He felt ill. Cosmo began her journey outside the Typhoon, climbing her way to Eggman's ship in hopes that he could still restore the Chaos Emeralds.

"Dark Oak...I know you want to wipe out all animal life in the galaxy. But I still believe that plants and animals can coincide together, there's still time for me to stop your plan!"

"You cannot win... it's hopeless! What can one girl do to stop the Metarex?" The familiar and cold monotone voice began to taunt her, belittle her.

"Don't waste your time, Dark Oak. Nothing. NOTHING you can say will make me give up! I have hope. Hope for true peace...that's the kind of future my friends and I are fighting for!"

In the meantime, Sonic felt consumed in both a fright of what was to happen to his friends, and a need to put an end to it before it got any more dangerous. He snarled with effort as he clenched his fists and teeth, grit with determination. He was standing to attention once more after everything his body had endured so far.

If I'm not dead, then this fight ain't over yet.

A red light passed over them and the vines twisting around the area seemed to twitch with life, focusing on Cosmo and her gallant efforts. They grasped her, and she was absolutely powerless as they slung her forcefully against the exterior of Eggman's ship. She reeled with the shock of it, trying to continue breathing, not allowing herself to be put to a stop. She- not unlike Sonic- indeed would die, before she was made to stop her task. Tails cried out in worry for her, and with her strength truly slipping away from her, her fingers tried in vain to remain clasped around the cloth. Her fingers giving out, the dull, dead Chaos emeralds tumbled into the open space. Sonic watched them anxiously, eyes never leaving them, preparing to launch himself after them. It was the gentle hold on his arm keeping him in place that kept him there, and he looked down in surprise to find Amy staring up at him worriedly. There was an intense fear in her eyes as she wasn't ready to be without him yet. How he hated to see her like this. And he knew he had to try to do what he could to keep her from feeling scared. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was seeing some jerk scare her. He stayed there with her, taking her hands to ebb away her terror.

"I'm with a Ames." Was all he whispered sideways into her ear, and somehow it was all it took to wash a calm over her. Shadow also hesitated to propel into a launch as the absurd planet released a blinding flash, and began to break from the center outward in two. Amy released Sonic in awe and stood beside him, watching with uncertainty for what they'd be facing next.

"This looks fabulous..." She said in quiet sarcasm, holding a fist to her mouth.

"I wish I could figure these guys out. Ain't there a book I can rent about these dudes?"

"Are you two quite finished? Or have you forgotten the Chaos Emeralds are now drifting freely into space?" Shadow snapped, fists bawled at his sides as his gaze held on to the emeralds like a firm grip.

"What's happening?" Knuckles growled inside the ship, turning to Tails.

"We've stopped losing energy!" He responded, and the Chaos Emeralds could be seen plainly now. They were making themselves known, glowing like colored stars above their heads.

"It looks like the life force the Metarex stole from the planets is responding to the Chaos Emeralds." He continued, unable to help the small smile that donned his features. He should have known, the Chaos Emeralds didn't need them to restore themselves...

Cosmo freed herself from the vines grasp, now falling limp around her as though they'd been sliced. Yet they hadn't... catching her breath as she pulled herself to her feet, she caught the vision of the amazing gems circling in the air above. The gratitude she felt was unmeasurable, her eyes welling with the sheer relief of it as she watched the Chaos Emeralds and their brilliant glow. They were colorful smudges in her tears, warming her and soothing her shaken soul. Legendary, timeless, the mystifying stones beamed lustrously upon them. They seemed to have spirits of their own then, like seven more fighting for their cause. 'Thank you...' she thought humbly, hope finally dominating the odds. She didn't feel terrified anymore.

"The pain's gone away!" Chris exclaimed, feeling himself to ensure he was still all there.

"Look, Sonic..." Amy smiled compassionately, and the three hedgehogs on deck watched as the Chaos Emeralds drifted downward, as if inviting them in. Shadow silently eyed them, his mind traveling back to the friend he'd lost during this battle...Molly, who had lost everything she stood for and believed in, including her team, who rebelled against her and joined the dark side... even her life was robbed from her.

For this, exact, moment.

"You ready, Shadow?" Sonic asked, shaking the dark hedgehog from his trance. Amy clasped her hands together, terrified, but accepting the fact that this would be the only way to end it all. It was a rock and a hard place, so true to the words.

"All set." Was the simple reply, and the chaos emeralds coiled through mid air into a blur. Both hedgehogs closed their eyes, consumed by the pure energy of the good of the Chaos Emeralds, and opened them as Super Sonic and Hyper Shadow. Before they allowed themselves to levitate into the air, Sonic turned to Amy in all his golden grandeur, and gave her a wink.

"Be right back." Was the simple comfort he gave her, but she understood it. It was tradition now, for Sonic to guarantee his return- reminding her of his vow to never leave her alone. It summoned a smile through the tears, and she held up a hand of farewell as Sonic & Shadow lifted off the deck of the Blue Typhoon together. Brilliant golden fur seemed like coats sewn by the sun itself, a dazzling glow that made everyone gape in awe. It made Amy remember why she'd never doubted Sonic's intentions, his motives, his heart. He was so truly pure of heart, the Chaos Emeralds awarded him with this ability. They rose into the air as Cosmo watched joyfully, and Cream found her way to the outer deck. Coming up behind Cosmo, she held a confused glance.

"What's going on?"

"Shadow & Sonic are teaming up to stop the Metarex!" Both aluminous hedgehogs plowed forth, fearlessly into the giant split working its way down the middle of the planet. They began to erupt throughout the creation, slicing through as though they were composed of pure diamond. The circled it as it began to illuminate, hesitating only to prepare another blow to deal it. They gained momentum, attacking at a faster and faster pace until they became golden arcs of light jettisoning around and through the planet. It was then that they actually forced this newborn planet to split entirely in two, and it erupted in a magnanimous explosion. It actually stunned everybody, temporarily, to realize what exactly had just happened in such small time. But once everybody got over the initial shock- that Sonic and Shadow had actually accomplished crippling the devastating new planet... well, the only way to describe a feeling like that, would be like a lifetime of Christmases. Everyone was hysterical- quick to celebrate, howling, crying and cheering on through the smog- coughing and laughing all at once. It would have been beautiful, if this defeat wasn't one to be proven false. It would have been pure history book material... until Eggman called it to a screeching halt.

"Something is seriously wrong...the energy levels are starting to reverse! Hmm... it seems like it's imploding now. But why?" Everyone on board- even Charmy Bee- shut up instantly. Nothing kills a genuine celebration better than a bomb threat. It was then that the fear dug it's ill-shapen claws back into the hearts of our vigilant heroes. With the thrill dead, the only thing left was that cursed waiting, to see what demonic pawn would be played this time around.

"Foolish hedgehogs... you have indeed prevented me from reshaping the galaxy...but you can never win this battle! If the Metarex cannot rule this galaxy, then we will destroy it!"

"The pressure inside that thing is growing fast!" Tails exploded. With time sifting thin, it became apparent to the crew what was destined to happen. The Metarex were going to self destruct their own newly formed planet... with the galaxy's planet eggs inside it.

"Dark Oak really is trying to destroy the galaxy..." Cosmo choked, disgusted- but the two super hedgehogs felt the adrenaline burn. Kindling themselves with the urgency, they didn't hesitate to go straight on back into action. They both launched into a spin dash that was promptly brought up short just outside the planet. They were held in place, being pinched, as if trapped like mice on glued paper. Struggling with effort to raise their hands, both hedgehogs plunged their arms upward and suppressed the blow to the best of their ability. It held them in place, the gravity field of the planet too much for even their combined efforts to penetrate. In the meantime, Amy was racing back into the main deck, desperate just to be with the others and not be alone right now. God, what was that thing doing to Sonic and Shadow? Why did there have to be more to it?

"Amy- they're having a hard time with it..." Tails acknowledged her as she arrived with the rest of the crew, filling her in. As she leaned over and looked on Tails screen she could see clearly that Sonic & Shadow appeared to be trapped in place just outside the planet.

"But they're both super right now... how can that thing contain or control the power of the emeralds?" She panicked, truly getting a grasp on just how fierce what they were dealing with was.

"I don't know... I don't see how it's possible... but the fact that it is makes me sick to my stomach. I wish I could be doing somethin' for 'em and not just standin' around here..." Knuckles growled, feeling so small and powerless for the first time in his life. He felt a gentle touch taking his right arm, and there was the lovely bat he'd come to know over the years.

"We all wish there was something we could do, Knuckie." Was her stone serious reply, as everyone continued the grim act of voyeurism. On screen, both hedgehogs could be seen quivering with the effort to keep their arms in place, the darker of the two moving a quaking hand toward his wrist.

As Shadow prepared to remove his rings, Sonic snapped to look at him abruptly.

"Don't use those rings yet! In a few minutes we're gonna need all the power we can get!" Without a word, Shadow consented to Sonic, turning back to their duty of holding off the gravity pull. Sonic had a plan... but little did anyone who loved him know, how drastic times had come to until he shared it with them."Listen up everybody! Our only hope of saving the galaxy is to throw all the energy we've got at this gravity field in one shot! Charge up and use the Sonic Power Cannon... then launch me at it!"

A wave of reeling horror spun through the room, and Sonic's voice saying those words temporarily stole the air from the lips of a certain pink hedgehog. Her throat suddenly became a pain to her- a stinging, tightening. Amy felt a foreboding, dreadful feeling of objection to this plan.

"It's way too risky! We've never launched you from the power cannon as Super Sonic... we don't have any idea what'll happen to you, Sonic!" Tails objected instantly, his kind blue eyes wrought stressfully with objection.

"That gravity field is extremely powerful, Sonic! If you smash into it, it could be too much for your body to take!" Amy let out a short burst of a gasp, the room seeming to rotate as so many feelings were overwhelming her, crushing her... her mind was screaming. Not Sonic. Not Sonic! I can lose anything, but Sonic...how can I go on without him, knowing he died for me? No...this isn't happening...this can't be happening! It's not, it's not, it's not, no, NO...

"Amy..." Cream's cracked voice was so pinched with emotion, it forced the kelly green eyes over to the young rabbit. "He won't do it, will he? He can't!" Amy suppressed her own misery as the little girl clutched the edges of her red dress, exploding into tears. "Mr. Sonic, I don't want you to die! Please, does someone have another idea?" Cream begged, and Amy stroked her long ears in consolation, wishing she could break down and lose it herself. No, no, no...

"You mean to tell us there's a good chance Sonic won't even survive the attack?" Knuckles yelled in resentment, only voicing the throbbing, unspeakable thought on everyone's mind. "Absolutely NOT!"

"He can't do it!" Amy protested finally, lunging toward Tails in his captains seat. Her fists clenched as she trembled with confrontation, unable to keep this in. "We have to come up with another plan! Sonic, please, talk to me, be reasonable! Nobody thinks you should do this!" She begged in panic, pleading in vain against their only true option.

"Guys, I don't know if I can save the galaxy, but I have to try. And there's no way anybody is going to talk me out of it, so save your breath. Now, are you going to help me or not?" He knew he sounded sharp, cutting. But he knew his friends would never understand. Of course, right now, was one of those few times in Sonic's life that he was actually scared he was going to die. He knew it would probably happen if he did this, and if he thought too hard on it, it was easy to be selfish and want more time with his friends. But they were well running out of that, and when it all came down to the ultimate question... when it all came down to him choosing to save himself, or choosing to trade his safety for a chance at a normal life for the people he loved... Sonic would gladly die in an instant. Of course they'd never understand, especially her... but at the same time, she could be the only one amongst them who knew what he was feeling. Because Amy had said before and showed him, she would rather die herself than see it happen to him. He shared her thoughts exactly... and he hated how there was no time to paint that picture for his loved ones. Time had never gotten along with him very well, and he was swiftly running out of it to save his friends. As he readied himself for this extreme measure of heroism, he could hear her whimpering morosely, and he felt a clench at his heart- that this really could be the closing chapter between the two of them. Suddenly, the idea that he'd never get to tell her was doing a number on him, and he could feel the Chaos Emeralds willing strength into him against the tearful feeling clasping his heart. 'I never even got to tell her that. Not even once, and she might never get to hear it.'

As Amy struggled to compose herself, an odd feeling engulfed her. There was a warmth, as if she were bathing herself in the sun, with not a sun to be unearthed in any near distance of this part of the galaxy. She suppressed a startled shout when as if talking in her ear, Sonic's voice came to her in this dire moment.

'...and I love you, Amy. Please, forgive me, for being too damn stupid to take the time out to tell you that... if I don't come back from this, you'd better go out therefind somebody who will.'

'I won't have to...' Amy thought, her spirits taking an upturn as she was charged with an unexplained shot of faith. "You'll be right back..." She whispered to herself.

"Amy?" Cream's innocent gaze captured Amy's attention in a quizzical demand. The youngster must have heard her quiet mutter.

"It's alright, Cream. I'm ok." The hedgehog whispered to her younger sister figure, still stroking her affectionately.

"Hey- w-where's Cosmo?" Tails brooded aloud at the last moment, baffled as to why the mysterious girl was absent. Cream turned her head in concern to look at Tails, then adapted a dutiful look.

"I'll go get her... she must still be outside! Amy, are you..."

"Don't worry about me, Cream. Go and make sure Cosmo is safe." Amy encouraged, and the little girl gave Amy's hand a loving squeeze before she turned, fleeing from the deck. As the door came to a close, it seemed to mark the beginning of the end of time. Because it was now dire and crucial to put this lethal plan into action.

"Ok, guys. Lets do it." Chris consented with a flat, tense voice. The others merely stared at the glowing spot on the screen, their hero, their friend, and all their happy days with him that could now be coming to a close...

"Great." Came Sonic's simple reply, having heard the simple but encouraging thought from the girl who needed him, preparing for the inevitable. It was truly time to face the music, the final battle, perhaps his last...

Amy stood, swirling in a world of uncertainty and hope, sickness, holding her breath as everybody set into motion. All the energy they could muster was now routing to the Power Cannon, and all the lights on board were systematically shut down. Now they all stood paranoid in the cold dark of the ship, waiting...it was so quiet...

"Cosmo!" a small voice distracted Cosmo from the chaos going on before her, and she turned to find the little rabbit racing toward her.

"Cream, what are you doing out here?"

"I was sent to check on you... they're going to shoot Sonic at that planet using all the power we have through the Sonic Power Cannon!"

"What? That's crazy, they can't! It could kill him!" The green girl shrieked, mortified by the risk.

"Don't remind me... they have no other choice!" Blue eyes met brown, sharing the same scared reflection. "Oh, I'm so nervous I can't even look!" Cream whimpered to Cosmo on the deck outside, covering her eyes as she trembled.

"I feel... so, helpless..." Cosmo whispered, closing her eyes tightly as she bawled her fists and held them against her chest in anxiety. It was at that moment, the jewel that had always peacefully donned her chest began to emanate a light. At first, she didn't know if she was being attacked, or if this had something to do with the elated, strong feeling that was suddenly crashing over her...

She took in a sharp gust of air when softly, as beautiful as the first day she'd ever heard it, her mother's voice poured into her eager ears...

'This is the moment you've been waiting for... Cosmo, it's you. You can help save the galaxy and our clan...' She clasped the jewel tightly and felt its warmth, felt the almost forgotten affection of her own mother as she reached an epiphany.

"This... this is why I was sent here..." She saw herself crash landing on Sonic's planet, of all planets... being taken in by Sonic and his friends, the only ones to give the Metarex a taste of their own medicine in the entire galaxy... being the last true, pure survivor of her entire clan...

"Are you ok?" Cream asked cautiously, watching as the emerald haired girl turned to her with a whimsical, secretive smile.

"I... I truly do understand now- that there can be peace in the galaxy. And I have the power to make it happen, Cream!"

"Wait...w-what do you mean?" Cream's expression became increasingly concerned, reaching for her friend in weariness. What did she mean, she had the power? Was Cosmo starting to lose it?

To put it simply, no.

But the events that were about to play out had long since been waiting to happen, and the young rabbit was left in her own confusion as Cosmo's gem illuminated the open deck, her delicate form levitating into the open air as if lifted by some unseen, gentle set of hands. "Where are you going!" The child panicked, running forth in futility. Cosmo was far beyond reach now, her hands opening to fully reveal the brilliantly lightened jewel. She then clasped it tightly in both hands, squeezing it. She was now in the vision of everyone aboard, and everyone watched as the lovely light exploded into many pieces, her hands seeming to cast them out like sparkling pebbles of light. She was moving, flying through the air, changing, growing... as a flower reaches for the rain and blossoms into a breathtaking creation, Cosmo was seemingly blossoming- evolving for the intent of her cause. The buds that had been securely wrapped in green crowning her head erupted into glorious, attractive flowers. They were like a metaphor for her growing in strength, courage, confidence...purpose.

Everyone on board watched in a silent puzzlement, everything that was happening was too much. These moments were overwhelming the helpless viewers of this dangerous happening. They were all typically so wound around the words such as power, usefulness, talent. But today, unlike many days of doubt before, this was the time for their meek, insecure friend to prove her blessed worth.

"No, come BACK!" Cream's terrified, tear littered cry had everyone on board turn and acknowledge her, as she rushed back into the onboard deck to be with the others. Tails turned to her with unsaid morose in his eyes, scared of more bad news.

"What's wrong?"

"Cosmo's out there... I tried to stop her! She's going to go help stop Dark Oak!"

If Tails hadn't known apprehension or dread before, he was becoming familiar friends with it now.

"Huh, why are you here?" In all the chaos, Sonic was taken off guard by the appearance of the now fully evolved girl, who offered him no response. She simply glided on past, through the energy field they conflicted with as if it were a gentle rain. She was entranced, the full passion of the emeralds immersing her in power and durability.

'My friends mean more to me than anything...that's why, I'll give up everything to save them.'

"What's she doing?" Tails emphasized as she entered the center of the planet, which promptly exploded with light. As it finally subsided, a breathtaking, gorgeous cherry blossom tree was sprawling along the entire top of the planet. As everyone took a moment to put the puzzle together, the gears in their minds slowed as it became painstakingly clear. Cosmo's voice filled the deck, confident and loving.

"It's alright...I have Dark Oak immobilized! Now you'll be able to destroy the Metarex...and save the galaxy. Please, don't worry about me...time is thinning." Everyone on deck looked to Tails, who's brow stressed increasingly as she spoke. "Just fire the power cannon. Now."

In the darkness, only the light from the stars giving them sight, everyone fell into a dead silence of mortification. How many friends would have to pay the ultimate price for their survival?

"But... if we fire the cannon... what'll happen to you?" Chris demanded, as Tails gaze slowly fell from the planet to his laps, eyes widened. He was feeling a long, slow churning of malady inside of himself. Suddenly, sharply, Tails painfully realized the doom Amy went through whenever Sonic was in the line of fire. All the same, he wouldn't- he couldn't take this away from Cosmo. He was sure she knew what she was doing... there's no way she'd leave him like this, was there?

"I-if she says not to worry, I have to trust her..." Tails murmured, and closing his eyes with the push of a button, the target range for the Blue Typhoon rose before him. He grabbed the handle for the firing aim, flipping the top up to reveal the trigger button. He sat still then, eyes glaring at the floor as he fussed internally. 'Think, Tails... think. Is there a real chance of her even surviving this? Is it likely?'

"Tails, we've got to act immediately! Fire the cannon at my command!" Eggman's voice crackled into the darkness, alerting everyone's senses as they realized there was literally no time left. This was it. They were mere minutes from destroy, or be destroyed.

Everything, or nothing would come out of this. Amy watched with tortured eyes as Sonic jetted toward the power cannon, Shadow close at his heels. 'If only I could even just hug you, one last time, just in case of...'

"Lock cannon into place and take aim!" Eggman barked, and unable to hold herself together anymore, Cream threw herself fully into Amy's arms, weeping with uncertainty. Amy held hers in with great difficulty, as support for the young child, though she was screaming inside herself.

"Get ready Sonic!" She heard, and as Sonic prepared himself in the power cannon, he was stunned to find Shadow following him. He threw the darker hedgehog a knowing smile, which he got in return. At once, they launched into powerful spin-dashes, the energy mounting beyond measure in their Super forms.

"Sonic and Shadow are attacking together!"

"Which means this blast will be twice as powerful..." Decoe and Bocoe gasped. It bettered their odds of success, but increased the chances of neither coming back alive...

"Here goes..." Chris's voice marked the point of no return, and everyone- even Knuckles, fearing for his old friends life, closed his eyes against the worst case scenario. Him and Sonic hadn't always seen eye to eye in his lifetime, but at this point, he really couldn't see himself without the upbeat, carefree hedgehog in his life anymore. They'd gone beyond friendship now, into brotherhood. And in that same brotherly way, he really did love Sonic deep down. 'Please, God, if I've never asked something of you before, grant me this...' Knuckles was thinking, waiting...

"It's Sonic, Knux." A very quiet, soft female voice close by Knuckles ear was encouraging him- and it surprised him that Rouge could be so soft spoken. "You know Sonic." At that, Knuckles terse smile was both nervous and endearing.

"That's exactly why I'm scared shitless right now." He whispered back, and it struck her with a hit of sentimentality. Even after all the things Knuckles had seen Sonic come out of, he knew him so well, he couldn't help but be afraid of the thought losing him every time- regardless of how unlikely it was. Touched, the bat said nothing, but took the strong mitt clad hand in her own, and squeezed tightly in support. Though nothing more was said, Knuckles was grateful for the comfort, offering a squeeze back. And Rouge understood their soundless exchange completely.

"Sonic power cannon... fire!" Eggman exclaimed, and when the cannon refused to shoot, clearly having to be a malfunction, everyone looked to Tails in horror to see what the problem was.

But it wasn't a malfunction, at all.

"R-roger..." Tails hissed, as his thumb trembled against the trigger. Tension mounted as he shook harder, until it became visible. Everyone watched as the young Captain let out a sudden howl of anguish, and slammed his forehead down against the dash of the weapon.

"Tails... I know this is difficult, but the galaxy is in danger, and time is running out! You must fire NOW." Tails closed his eyes tightly against the weight at his eyelids, and found it too great as it spilled over his bright fur.

"But I can't...what if Sonic never comes back out of this? And what about Cosmo? I can't do that to her!" Everyone watched on in stunned silence. "Wasn't it a promise?" He continued, voice wavering "When everything has been finished...you said you would live along with us on our planet!" He screamed, slamming his fist down with a mighty reverb as he addressed Cosmo.

"Tails." Eggman began again, his voice much more gentle than before. "Do you want her sacrifice to be pointless?"

"Impossible..." He whispered, closing his eyes as another onslaught poured. "I can't shoot her!"

"Do you have any idea what she's feeling right now? You traveled that far with her, of course you understand! Her and Sonic are trying to save us all-"

"Sure I know...still. I...I don't want-"

"Tails!" One more time did the deck fill with the sound of her voice, pleading... "For everything I've put you through, forgive me..." Cosmo's voice seemed to arise from nowhere, and Tails head snapped up at that.

"Cosmo! You've never caused me problems, don't say that! I've always been happy to help you..."

"Then please, promise me you'll do this last thing for me. I need you to push on that trigger, Tails. Please... I beg of you! You'll run out of time, and then-"

"It's too hard!" He bawled, flicking the cover back over the trigger, shaking. "Because..." Tails became overwhelmed, swept away by his feelings for this girl. He couldn't control it, seeing everything they'd gone through together, all they'd overcome and accomplished passing through his mind- for this moment? For him to murder her in the end? No... it couldn't be true. Nothing that ungodly could come out of all the good that they'd brought to this galaxy. He trusted her, didn't he? Of course he did. He'd always believed in Cosmo, even when she didn't herself. The only thing he never trusted her to do was hurt him. So far, she hadn't done him wrong. And now, she was asking for one more favor from him. Couldn't he give her this? His memories were like precious gems he was about to be robbed of...

He did the only thing that was left to do.

Trust her, trust Sonic, and just believe.

Chaos is power, enriched by the heart.

Believe, that good ultimately conquers bad.

"Cosmo... I LOVE YOU!" He sobbed, throwing himself forward forcefully as he flipped the top back up. He gulped down air and tears, and before there was a chance to turn back or let it all fall apart, he pushed down on the trigger swiftly. With all of his friends on the edge of death, he had to bite the bullet. The deed had to be done quick. It was seconds later as Sonic and Shadow spiraled their way toward the planet, that Tails crumpled against the dash, consumed in body wracking cries. It was the most morose thing Amy had ever heard, and the last thing she remembered as Sonic and Shadow became graceful smudges of gold in her vision...

'Oh my God... Sonic, my love, my reason for being here... this may be the last time I ever lay my eyes on you...'

It was the intensity of knowing that in mere moments, one of the people she cared about was definitely going to die.

'Please don't think like that, Amy...it isn't like you...'

That's when it all blurred, dimmed as she headed toward the cold floor of the ship...she saw and heard nothing more, and the universe with everything in it faded into black.

I don't want the night to Steal You Away...

So... O.O um... (pulls self off floor) THAT was extreme. A long chapter (well duh, think I owed that!) But as always this was quite a lot of action to fit into one chapter, so I broke it in two: before and after. In case anybody was wondering, the italicized thoughts that were happening between Sonic and Amy during this was possible because Sonic made a desperate wish inadvertently when he found out he could die that the Chaos Emeralds granted for him...in case he never saw her again. Also, the scene with Tails and Cosmo was done more like the Japanese version, because it was far more sentimental and touching.

So with part one of A Fearless Friend behind us, come back to see what happened in the aftermath- if the risky plan worked. And if it did or didn't, who makes it out of this epic fight alive? (Uh, unless of course you've SEEN Sonic X...m-most likely...in which case, come back anyway! LOL) As always, throw me a line just to beat me for ending it there, or lend me your thoughts, and I'll see ya real soon, Sonic X fans...;3