All was peaceful, and all was quiet. The wind was blowing softly, the birds were chirping, and a supersonic blur was racing across the grass. But, this was no ordinary blur. This blur was Sonic the Hedgehog, saver of planets and galaxies, defender of worlds and idol of billions.

And he was tired. Tired of the pain, tired of the deaths, tired of losing the ones he cared about, tired of his alternate personality, Fade, breaking free every time he was angry.

He was tired of running. He had been running his whole life; away from his problems and away from his past. What had happened times long gone? Sally? Antoine? Bunny? Rotor? What had happened to Yacker? To Shadow? Chris? To Gamma? Chuck? To Danny? Ella? Tanaka? Sam Speed? Helen? Mom? Dad? Where had they gone? Why did they have to go? Why did they have to leave?

As he was thinking, he started to slow down. He eventually stopped, and sank to his knees. He then started to cry. Years of pain, misery, and suffering rushed to the surface. He could not stop himself. He sat there, for hours, just crying, and wondering why. Why they were gone. Why they had to go. After a time, he finally got to his feet. He stood, remembering. Suddenly, and without warning, he started to run. Faster than he ever had before. He ran over mountains and hills, through valleys and gorges. He ran over oceans, through caves. Nothing could stop him. He was searching, searching for the perfect place. It was like some other force was controlling his feet. He had to find it. The perfect place to honor their memory.

After hours of searching, he finally found it. A beautiful place, more beautiful than he had ever seen before. He was about to start, but there was a soft touch on his shoulder. He turned, and saw Tails doing his best to hold back tears. After a moment, he just couldn't hold it in. He hugged Sonic, bawling, and Sonic could do nothing but hug back and start to cry again. No one was there, just them, the water, and their grief. After a while, he said in a voice near a whisper, "Please, Sonic. Let me help. They deserve that much." Sonic, however, could not speak. He could only nod affirmation. As they set to work gathering wood for the pyres, and stone for the graves, the sun shone on one flower. One tiny flower. And it grew.

Author's Note

Wow... I never expected or intended for this... I was thinking of Cosmo, and it set the mood. I was originally planning this be the chapter where they meet, but things happened instead. This... brought me to tears. It reminded me of how much I missed Cosmo, and hated 4KIDS for what they have done. I hope to honor her memory, and this story will do just that... She WILL NOT be forgotten.