Cosmo took Tails into his workshop just outside of his house. In the workshop she showed him to the Matter Transporter that she told him about earlier. It was a capsule equipped to a large machine. Cosmo stepped into the open capsule and hand-gestured Tails to follow her. Tails stepped into the machine after she did, and the capsule was enclosed by a glass cover.

“This won’t hurt, Tails.” Cosmo exclaimed.
Tails looked around as the lights were turning on above them in the capsule, “You’re sure this is safe, right?”
“You built it, so don’t worry.”
Tails held onto Cosmo’s hand and patiently waited for the machine to do its job. The light kept getting brighter and brighter.
“I don’t like this very much.” Tails complained.
Cosmo giggled, and they suddenly were surrounded in pure bright light, and they vanished.

Tails and Cosmo suddenly re-appeared in a similar capsule somewhere near the Master Emerald’s altar on Angel Island.
“That was… Cool…” Tails exclaimed in astonishment.
“See, Tails? Nothing to worry about.” Cosmo stepped out of the capsule after it opened up, and Tails followed her. On their way to the altar they found Knuckles sleeping on the steps near the emerald.

“Sleeping on the job again, eh Knuckles?” Tails laughed. Knuckles quickly sat up with a snort and swung his fists around in the air, “Who’s there?! …Oh… Hi guys…”
Cosmo giggled, “You’re amusing, Knuckles.”
“No I’m not…”

Knuckles’ dreadlocks were longer and pointier now than they used to be. He didn’t grow much taller though. Also the metal buckles on the top of his shoes were now plated gold.
“Woah, when did you get the gold on them shoes, Knuckles?” Tails wondered.
“You already knew that I thought…” Knuckles shrugged, “I found some ancient treasure in the ruins on the island one day while treasure hunting and traded it for these new buckles.” He then caught onto something, “Waaaait a minute… You’re still trying to pull that prank on me, aren’t you? That’s why you asked me where I got these buckles when you already knew! I’m onto your tricks.”
“Tricks?”
“You know, that whole stupid ‘you woke up 17 years later’ gag that Cosmo told me about. You asked me about these buckles to convince me that you don’t know about your past 17 years. HA! That’s a good one.”

Tails rolled his eyes, “Yes. Gag…”
“No gag, Knuckles, it’s true.” Cosmo exclaimed.
“You’re only supposed to believe him because you’re his wife.” Knuckles laughed. Cosmo rolled her eyes, “I wouldn’t be making the jokes about being gullible if I were you, Knuckles.”
“Hey, I’m not as gullible as I used to be!”
Cosmo laughed, “Yeah, ‘not as’, meaning you still are.”
“Shut up…”

Rouge suddenly flew over head and landed next to the Master Emerald.
“Oh, Knuckie!!” She taunted.
“HEY! Get away from that emerald!” Knuckles ran up to her with fists waving in the air. Tails and Cosmo stared watching.
“I guess some things just never change.” Tails thought.
“I think Knuckles needs to get a grip…” Cosmo laughed, “This same thing has been going on for years.”

Rouge flew away from the emerald and landed down next to Tails and Cosmo.
“Hey, you two.”
Knuckles continued running up to Rouge and stopped just before contact, “How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from that emerald!”
Rouge giggled and shrugged. She then looked back at Tails and Cosmo, “So how have you guys been?”
“We’ve been good. Thanks, Rouge.” Cosmo nodded.
“And how’s the little one?” Rouge wondered.
“Roots is doing well, thanks.” Cosmo exclaimed.
“Sure is a cute little thing!” Rouge added, “I sometimes wish I had a kid of my own.”

“So, Rouge. You still working for the government?” Tails asked.
“Yeah, those guys are starting to get a bit cheap though. I’m thinking of quitting.”
“Oh, what’re you gonna do if you quit?” Tails wondered.
“I dunno, probably move on Angel Island and treasure hunt like Knuckles does to make his money.”
“Don’t even think about it!” Knuckles growled.

“As we were saying earlier…” Cosmo started, “That whole thing about Tails…”
Knuckles chuckled, “Whatever.”
“That whole Tails is from the past thing?” Rouge asked and looked at Tails with a giggle, “Sounds pretty nerdy, Tails.”
“Nerdy?!”
Rouge suddenly flew off the ground and began to head off the island, “Well I’ll see you guys later. I gotta go attend with my government assignment! Byyyye Knuckieeee!”
“Ya save it, bat!” Knuckles called back.

“Well we’re gonna head home.” Cosmo said turning back to the Matter Transporter capsule. Tails followed, “Yeah, see you later Knuckles. Good to see ya.”

As they were heading to the capsule Cosmo giggled, “What a pair, eh Tails?”
Tails had to agree and laughed, “Yeah.”

……
When they got back home, they heard the baby crying the second they got in the door. Tails frantically ran in, “ROOTS!”

“Roots just woke up.” Cream informed. Tails ignored her and took Roots away from her arms then shoved her onto the floor.
“It’s okay Roots, daddy’s here! Shhhhh…”
“WAAAAAAAH!”
“Shhhhhh…”
“WAAAAAAAAAH!!”
“I said SHHH!!”
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

Cosmo laughed, “Tails, you have a lot to learn.”
“Hey I’m doing the best I can!”
“WAAAAAAAAAH!!”
“Shuuut uuuup…”

Cream stood back up and stared at Tails and pointed at him, “What’s wrong with him, Cosmo?”
“He’s learning how to be a father.” Cosmo explained.
“Whaaat? He’s been a father for almost a whole year!”
“Maybe, but technically this is Tails’ first day with a child. Due to his time change situation.”
Cream rolled her eyes, “That’s impossible, Cosmo!”
Cosmo pointed at Tails, “Does he look like he’s acting 25 to you?”

“WAAAAAAAH!!”
“SHUT UP, ROOTS!”
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

Cream kept staring at Tails and shook her head after finally realizing the facts, “Oh… my… Gosh…”