Daybreak: Chapter 1

"I don't get it, Mom!" Said Cream the Rabbit as she walked alongside her mother on the road to Tails' house, "if everything that happened is all in Cosmo's head, why won't she wake up? Things that aren't real can't hurt you, right?"

"Cream…" Vanilla sighed, shaking her head at her daughter's youthful naïveté, "there really isn't an easy way to explain just what happened to Comso. I suppose the best way to think of it is--your brain controls your body, yes?"

"Mhm," Cream nodded, listening attentively to her mother's words.

"Well, when you get sick, your body needs rest," continued the doe, "and it's your brain's job to tell your body how to take care of itself, so you can get better. What would happen if your brain stopped working, though?"

"Um…" The smaller doe hesitated, fearing a trick question from her mother, "Your body can't heal itself?"

"Exactly!" Vanilla replied, "Think of it like an airplane! A pilot can fly a damaged plane, but a plane can't fly without its pilot without crashing."

"And… your brain is your body's pilot?" Asked Cream, twisting her nose in confusion.

"Yes," Vanilla again affirmed, "and Cosmo's brain… is broken."

"Oh," Cream murmured, looking at her feet as she contemplated Vanilla's words. Looking up at Vanilla again, the bunny's face adopted an inquisitive expression, "Is it because of the rape?"

Vanilla came to a sudden halt, looking down at the much younger doe in shock. "Where on Mobius did you hear that word!?" She asked, appalled, "That's certainly not something I ever taught you!"

"I heard Amy and Mister Sonic talking about it," Cream admitted, becoming nervous at her mother's reaction, "What does it mean? Is it a bad word?"

"It's--no, no, sweetheart. It's not a bad word. It's just… a very bad thing."

"Oh… What does it mean, then?" Cream continued to pry, unable to comprehend her mother's revulsion toward such a small word.

Vanilla huffed, rubbing her temples in frustration. This was not something that she had wanted her daughter to know about until she was much older. Undoubtedly, she would have words with both Sonic and Amy at a later time regarding their choices in conversation around her child. While she could not completely limit the flow of information Cream was exposed to without cutting her off from her friends, it was her desire to keep her daughter as innocent as possible for as long as possible, in the hopes their her own colorful history would not be repeated. Nevertheless, what was said, was said, and she would rather Cream hear it from her than someone less savory.

"Do you remember when I told you how babies are made?" Vanilla asked her daughter, treading her words carefully.

Cream winced, her face twisting in disgust as she recalled a conversation she and her mother had shared nary a few months prior, the subject of which still unnerved her. "Yes," she nodded, "That's still icky! I can't believe Mobians actually do that! What does that have to do with anything, though?"

"Well, sweetheart… rape is when someone forces another person to do 'it' without their permission," Vanilla simplified in a manner which she thought Cream might best understand, "it's humiliating, demeaning and one of the greatest violations of a person's privacy possible."

"But…" Cream continued, still not entirely grasping the concept, "I thought you said only married people do it?"

"I said only married people *should* do it--" Corrected Vanilla before cutting herself off suddenly.

A sharp sting of guilt struck at the back of the doe's mind. With the return of Robert the Hare into her life, this statement obviously did not hold true. This would be something that Cream would have to figure out when she grew older, however. For the time being, the elder doe would continue to instill in her daughter the conservative values her own parents had taught her in the hope that Cream become better than she.

"Oh," Cream acknowledged, pondering her mother's statement, "so that was something Tails and Cosmo should have done together after they got married?"

"In a few years, yes," Vanilla confirmed, still somewhat unsettled after catching herself in a lie, "they're a bit too young for that right now."

"And Xemus made Cosmo do 'it' with him, without her permission?"

"Yes," the elder doe again nodded.

"That… is--that's just mean!!" Cream raged suddenly, stomping her feet on the ground, "He did all that nasty stuff to Cosmo just to hurt her and Tails? He's just… evil!"

"Yes…" Vanilla agreed, her ears drooping low to her back, "he's very evil. In the mind or not, this will affect them both for the rest of their lives. Cosmo feels like she's betrayed her fiancé because she was forced to give up something only he was supposed to have, and Tails feels like a failure because he couldn't stop it from happening."

"But it's not their fault!" Cream objected strongly, "Xemus is the one who did it!"

"You're absolutely right," the doe conceded, walking up the small path approaching Tails' modest abode, "it's getting them to understand that's going to be the challenge…"

Stepping onto the front porch, Vanilla noticed a note taped crudely over the doorbell. Leaning down, her eyes scanned the message, reading, "Knock, don't ring!" Standing upright, the doe placed several firm knocks against the frame, in heed of the request on the note. Moments later, the sound of footsteps could be heard in the house, nearing the door. With a click, the door slowly creaked open, as the two rabbits were faced with a very exhausted looking young kitsune.

"TAILS!" Cream cheered, moving in to hug the fox, "IT'S SO GOOD TO--"

"Shh!" The fox hushed sharply, placing a finger over his lips, startling the rabbit. Cream looked to Vanilla in embarrassed after being shut down so abruptly. With a subtle nod of reassurance, Vanilla knelt down to Tails' eye level, speaking in a more hushed tone than her excitable daughter.

"Hello, Tails," Vanilla said, forcing a smile, "Are we intruding?"

"No, it's fine…" The fox murmured, rubbing at his sleep-encrusted eyes, "Sorry for being rude. She's asleep and I'm trying to keep things quiet. Come in."

The fox retreated into the confines of his house, flowed by Vanilla and Cream, who shut the door behind them. Upon entering, the two ladies noticed the lack of upkeep suffered by the fox's living space. Used dishes were scattered across the desk and end tables, limiting the amount of surface area available. Dust clung to the shelves in layers while miscellaneous papers were spread across the coffee table. Vanilla looked down at Tails, becoming aware that he was treading the floor in his socks. In addition, the fox's paws were bare, instead of being covered by his typical white gloves.

"Sorry about the mess," Tails apologized, aware that his living space was being scrutinized, "I try to keep things as neat as I can but, with all that's happened, I can't seem to keep up."

"It's no trouble at all, dear," Vanilla assured him with a smile, hiding her true concerns well. This was not the first time the fox had let things such as this go. She could not help but think back to the boy's darker days, when Cosmo was still a memory and he was contemplating joining her in death. She could only pray that Tails would not make the same mistake twice. "May we sit for a moment?" Asked Vanilla, "We hadn't planned on staying too long, but if you don't mind the company…"

"Sure," the young fox replied, gesturing over to the sofa nearby, "help yourself."

Quietly, the three made their way over to the seating area, Vanilla perching herself on the edge of the sofa while Cream sat near to her. Waddling over to his recliner, Tails hopped up into the seat, staring back at the two rabbits vacantly. After a moment, Vanilla cleared her throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "How is she?" She asked, "Any change?"

Tails sighed, shaking his head grimly as he ran his right hand through his bangs. "No, she just sleeps a lot. I try to let her as much as she can."

"I suppose that’s a good thing," Vanilla remarked with a nod.

"It’s better than being trapped in a useless body," he murmured, "at least I know when she’s sleeping, she’s not hurting."

"What about you, though?" The mother rabbit asked, folding her hands in her lap as she looked into the fox’s sad blue eyes, "How are you?"

"Does it matter?" Asked Tails shortly, propping his head in his hands, "I’m not the one suffering."

"Yes you are," Vanilla replied, not buying the fox’s statement for a moment, "anyone can see that, Tails. I know it hurts seeing her like this, and I know you’re blaming yourself for it."

"Well, it was my fault, so it makes sense…" Tails grumbled under his breath.

"No, it's not!" Interjected Cream, "It's Xemus' fault, not yours! How can you say that?"

"If I had just gotten there a little bit sooner, Cosmo would still be here," Tails replied, his voice flat and emotionless, "I should have gone after her as soon as she was taken instead of waiting for the others to back me up."

"If you hadn't waited, then you would have certainly been killed," Vanilla pointed out to the kitsune, "and Cosmo would have never made it back. She's still here, Tails! She's not gone yet!"

"Yet," Tails repeated grimly, "How much longer does she have, though? Jaran said people don't usually live after what Xemus does to them…"

"Forget Kai!" Vanilla snapped sharply, feeling somewhat resentful toward the sentinel for dashing the poor fox's hopes aside so quickly, "He's done many wonderful things, but his outlook on life stems from bitterness and heartache, Tails! He's poisonous! I for one am not willing to give up on Cosmo just yet, and I'm quite shocked that you, her fiancé of all people, are labeling her as a lost cause!"

Tails was silent, his ears curving back against his skull as he lowered his head shamefully. Of course she was right. With every day that passed seeing her bedridden, it was easy to slip into depression. This was not helped by the fact that Vanilla and Cream were the only ones to visit him in nearly two weeks. While not wanting to appear needy to anyone, the fox was becoming more and more aware of just how much he did in fact need people. Even more surprising was, of all the people who had checked in on him, not once had Sonic come by--the one person he thought he could rely on the most. Why, could only wonder.

"You're right," the fox said with a nod, looking back at Vanilla, "I'm sorry. It's hard not to get lost in my own funk these days…"

"I know, dear," Vanilla reassured him, her smile returning, "and you have nothing to be sorry for. Just don't let yourself lose hope. Miracles do happen."

"I don't believe in miracles…" Tails murmured, "The scientifically improbable, sure, but not miracles."

"Maybe you should start!" Cream piped up with a grin, "I'd say Cosmo coming back from the dead was a miracle! This isn't nearly as bad!"

Despite the circumstances, Tails could not help but smile, finding the bunny's optimism somewhat refreshing. His smile fell, however, when his sensitive canine ears picked up the sound of rustling in the room above. Standing quickly, the fox marched up his stares and into the master bedroom. Concerned, the two rabbits followed behind him cautiously. Reaching the bedroom door, Vanilla came to a stop just outside, watching as Tails sat on the edge of the bed, caressing the apparently conscious Cosmo's hand. The Seedrian made no obvious reaction to their presence, staring with empty eyes at the ceiling, still locked in her catatonic, coma-like state.

"Oh dear…" Vanilla whispered quietly, "Do you suppose we were too loud?"

"It's fine," the fox murmured, caressing the plant-girl's limp hand, "She's been asleep all day. She was bound to wake up soon. You guys can come in if you want. She hasn't had any visitors in a while."

The two rabbits complied, pacing quietly into the room, coming to a stop at the Seedrian's bedside. Smiling sadly, Vanilla ran a gentle hand across the girl's forehead, brushing her leaf-like hair to the side. "Hello, Cosmo…" Vanilla spoke softly, as though the Petali were capable of responding, "It's nice to see you. You look well!"

As expected, the girl made no response. Whether Cosmo could hear her or not was something Vanilla could only guess. This did not prevent the doe from speaking, however. Much like Tails, Vanilla was quite conscious of the importance of continuing to speak to her, feeling it would aid in the possibility of her recovery.

"Tails has been taking good care of you," the rabbit continued, "Cream and I wish you the best. Not a day passes where I don't miss your smile, and I look forward to the day when you are back on your feet, and can talk and laugh and love again…"

The rabbit fell silent, choking on her words as she began to feel tears trickle down her cheeks. Looking up at her mother, Cream tilted her head to the side curiously. "Mom? Why are you crying? Are you okay?" Asked the small bunny.

"Yes," Vanilla gasped, smiling at her daughter slightly, "I'm fine. It's just hard to watch…"

"What do you mean?" Cream asked confused, "She's still here, isn't she?"

"Cream," Vanilla breathed, calming herself as she looked down at her daughter, "when you become a parent, you'll understand. Yes, Cosmo is still here, but when one of your children is hurting, you hurt with them. If it were you lying here instead, I would be just as broken up. More so, even."

"I don't think Cosmo would have wanted that," Tails remarked, still staring down at his beloved, "if I know her, she wouldn't want anyone to go through what she did."

"Of course not," Vanilla laughed lightly, "she always was too willing to take the hit for others. If I could, though, I would take her place…"

"Miss Vanilla--" Tails gasped, unable to find words to describe how touched he was at the doe's gesture. Since the disappearance of his own parents, Vanilla had unarguably been the maternal figure of Team Sonic, even when it wasn't necessarily convenient. Even now, when many of them were moving forward with their own lives, Vanilla did not hesitate to lend a supportive arm, or a shoulder to cry on. The fox shuddered, struggling to hold back his own tears as he whispered to the rabbit. "You're… the best!"

"Hardly!" Vanilla laughed aloud, turning to exit the room, "Cream and I need to get going, dear. We've left you a plate in your refrigerator."

"Thanks," Tails spoke, turning his head to look at the doe, "Miss Vanilla, can you do me a favor?"

"Hmm?" Vanilla inquired, pivoting to look back at him once more, "Whatever you need, darling!"

"If you see Sonic," Tails spoke slowly, "could you ask him to come by? I miss him."

"Absolutely," Vanilla said with a smile, turning to take her leave, "I'll be certain to let him know."

With that, the two rabbits departed, leaving the fox alone with his lover. With a heavy sigh, Tails leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead as he began the struggle of prying his hand away from the girl. Even after weeks of being locked in her state, Cosmo still clung to Tails at every opportunity, going into spastic, panicked breaths each time he had to pull away. This remained a source of some small hope for the fox, knowing that enough of her mind clung to reality to prevent her from becoming lost. Quietly reassuring her that he would return, Tails paced toward the kitchen, seeking the plate that Vanilla had so generously left for him. It had been quite some time since he had a decent meal, and he intended to take advantage of it. If there were to be any hope of Cosmo waking from her nightmare, Tails would need to take care of himself, as well…



Meanwhile, in the quiet of his meditation chamber, Jaran sat, hands folded in his lap as he attempted to reach out with his thoughts. Calling out with his mind into the void, he waited anxiously, hoping his pleas would be answered. He took no pleasure in this. The last beings he had hoped to hear from were now the first he came to for help--the celestial powers who had sent him here in the beginning. In spite of his resentment toward them, they were now potentially the only ones who could help Cosmo. If reality bent for them, then surely they could make a mere child whole again.

"I know you're there," Kai murmured, "I know you've been watching… I can feel it. Help me, please?"

The sentinel received no response, nor had he truly expected one. Despite being shown the error of their ways by the One most high, he knew that beings of such arrogance would undoubtedly hold a grudge. The notion was almost laughable--beings so powerful and long lived, who dwarfed all but One in might and understanding, behaving so childishly.

"Listen to me, dammit!" Jaran snapped, his hands balling into fists, "I need your help! I get it, you're angry at me for meddling with your 'balance', but this isn't about me right now! She's suffering! If nothing is done, she will die! The mission I was sent back to do BY YOUR SUPERIOR will FAIL! Please, save her soul!"

Despite all his pleading, he was met with nothing but silence. No amount of waiting or meditation would garner the attention of those he sought. Likely, they thought his circumstance unimportant--unworthy of the attention of ones so great. The sage's eyes flew open, gritting his teeth as he rose to his feet in anger.

"FUCK YOU, THEN!" He hollered, marching from the rounded chamber in a rage. Perhaps it had been too much to hope that after all the damage they had done to him, they would feel even the slightest bit of remorse--that maybe, just maybe, they would desire to make amends for their prior actions. Much like any other time, however, they had left him alone. It had become quite easy for him to question if they were really as great and powerful as they proclaimed themselves to be. If he had any intention of returning to them before, it was gone now. If Cosmo were to be saved, it would take nothing short of a miracle, and this time, he could not provide one…