A/N: This first chapter marks a new dawn for Mina and Tails. The sequel to A Mongoose and Her Troubles, this story is much less focused on troubles and much more on finding oneself in ways one would never expect. Sounds cheesy coming from the keyboard of a teenage boy, doesn't it? XP Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Sonic the Hedgehog, Archie Comics, SEGA, Sonic Team, or the like.

CLAIMER: The events, characters, locations, et cetera depicted in this work of literature are, while based off of the property of the aforementioned organizations, still ideas from my own head.

Because these statements remain true for the entire duration of the story, they will only be included once.

Contemplation

It was a long day.

Nothing special, really. It's just that a lot of people came in today with all different projects for me. There was a man from Dowunda – a tiger named Ralph – who came in with blueprints for a complex alarm system; it was to be installed in the office building of the firm he owned. I told him I don't do those kinds of jobs, but he gave me a down payment just to think about doing it for him. Then some lime green wolf came in about a half hour later with the broken core processor for an mOS 8.37T supercomputer. I didn't even know they had those in Soumerca!

The list just goes on. And when you find yourself being the single brightest mind on your side of the galaxy (at least) and working alone, well... I don't even want to begin this. Those job requests I mentioned before? They're about the only type of thing I get that can be explained to an average Mobian. Yeah.

So needless to say, I was very tired by the end of that early winter day. At least it's Friday... When I got home at about 8:45, I guess I was kinda hoping I'd be able to just relax and watch Mondiana Pones and the Invaders of the Ruins of Banecca. You'd better believe I didn't expect the call that came in.

"Espio..?"

It's been five months. Or 22 weeks, or even 153 days if you prefer. I don't care what you call it. This is the five month anniversary of my break up with Ash.

Thank you for dumping me, Ash!

After I was able to pick myself back up from the whole incident with him, I started feeling more free and near actually happy than I'd been in...a while. Also, it didn't take me long to realize that I wasn't really losing much. Ash is a loser. He's insensitive, rude, demanding, demeaning, self-absorbed, perverted, and an all-around prick. I'm not even sure if that covers it.

Okay, so maybe I'm being a little harsh on the guy. Sue me. I'm really more mad at myself for taking so damn long to realize that we don't belong together just because we're the same species. In fact, I think the whole reason I started going out with him in the first place was to mess with Sonic's head. Evidently that didn't work...but I'm long over Sonic anyway.

Now that I think about it, Sonic is kind of the one who helped me out of my rut. Well, he didn't do much good when he came over personally, but asking Nicole to come over was his idea. What was it she said to me again..?

As the still broken and insecure mongoose dragged herself out of the kitchen with her small bowl of not-so-cheeri-o's, thinking about how to finally do something about her predicament, a bright green particle effect began to fluctuate near her front door. The light flashed brighter and intensified outward until it disappeared altogether, revealing a new presence in the room. Where there had been empty air now stood the nanite form of Nicole the AI, aka Nicole Lynx.

After the incident with Naugus' mind control, Nicole and Mina grew closer until they became just about the best of friends. To some it seemed that there was still tension between them, but really neither could prefer anyone's presence more than each other's. Especially since Sally was never really the same after being roboticized and then further enhanced by the mad Dr Eggman...but that's a story for another day.

The tall, lean "Lynx" said nothing at first. She merely made her way over to Mina, who put down her bowl, and they embraced for a moment. For two. Nearly five. It felt like an hour, but Mina knew it wasn't thanks to the clock on the wall. Then Nicole told her something different from what everybody else had said.

"Mina, I know it's hard," Nicole reassured her. "The thing is, you can't give up on your love life – or any aspect of your life, for that matter – because of one guy. As far as we know, your next step could be standing outside the front door any minute now."

That's right. She told me that my next step – my next great venture in life – could be at that door any moment. I thought about it a little bit right at first, I guess, but dropped it after I realized I was probably still delirious from traumatization. However, now that I consider it again, it must be more than a coincidence that a few minutes later who should knock at the door but-

*cool electric pop beat begins* (imagine "Ultimate Sweetie Belle" by DJ Alex S)

Oh, my phone! Who would be calling me at 8:00 on a Saturday morning..?

…

…

"Tails!"

Confused yet? I am! ...Wait, am I? I did write this after all...

And did it take me long enough, or what? First update in months, guys, and I'm sorry. I really plan to get back into my writing this time, and I'm trying to start proving that right now! First chapter of my first ever sequel, and while it may not be very girthy, I think it's still not bad. Thank you for everyone who's still interested enough to read me after such a long disappearance, and for new readers, welcome and thanks to you too! Please don't hesitate to review and subscribe, even PM me if there are any special concerns about this story or whatever else. Thank you everyone and have a good day!

~DP, signing off!