A/N: This is my first fanfic, and it DOES use an OC. Please don't flame, and if you don't like it, just click that little arrow pointing to the left in the corner. Anyways, this takes place shortly after the events of Sonic Adventure.

Chapter 1- Appearance

"Jane, get out of the pool, you don't even have 50 skill points in swimming, yet!"

"Billy, stop singing, it's driving me nuts!"

"C'mon, Brook, eat your…orange-type thingy!"

It was a rough day. While everyone else was able to rest up after the incident with Chaos, Tails was forced to look after the Chao. Half of them in one garden alone weren't even his!

At least he was in Station Square. Here you could buy what you needed, instead of lugging fruit and hats halfway across the globe. Tails sighed.

When will Knuckles take his turn? He almost never shows up. Tails glanced over to the pool to see Jane struggling to keep her slightly green head above the water. "Jane! What did I just tell you?"

Letting out another exasperated sigh, Tails flew over and plucked up the hapless Chao. "C'mon, little fella'! Go be a good girl and eat your hero fruit."

As Tails looked over all of the Chao, he couldn't help but feel a wave of pride. Eight Chao resided here, two of which belonged to him. Billy, now punching a rock, attempting to break it, belonged to Knuckles. Brook was Tails', along with Jane. The rest, easily identified as the blue ones dashing around, belonged to Sonic. They would be so proud!

"Huh?" Brook waddled over to Tails and poked his leg, then pointed to the fountain. "Stanja!" Tails was confused.

"Stranger?" Brook nodded rapidly, and then hid behind Tails, staring at the splashing fountain.

As Tails glanced at the fountain, he didn't notice anything. That is, until he realized he wasn't seeing things. "WHAA!" Tails back-pedaled in fear, tripping over Brook. Yelping as he fell, he silently cursed himself. "I'm sorry, Brook, I didn't mean it!" Tails tried to console the crying Chao as best as he could, but to no avail. Tails had to think of something. Fast.

Pulling something out of his backpack he always lugged to the gardens, he said, "Cookie?" Brook's face lit up. "Pawease?" Brook begged Tails. He laughed a little.

"Sure! Here!" Nabbing the cookie, Brook sat and diligently nibbled on it. OK, now what was I going…to…"OH GOD!" Tails flew over to the fountain, regretting being so forgetful.

Lying half in the water was a brown fox. Nothing stood out about him except for some flame-colored hair topping his head. Shaking him, Tails tried to wake him. "You there? Please wake up!" Tears rolled down Tails' cheeks. He didn't even know this guy, but he could already feel fear at the prospect of seeing someone die.

Tails tried everything he could, slapping, splashing water on his face, CPR; nothing worked. "C'mon, please wake up!" Hearing a splash, Tails turned and saw Brook paddling over.

Crawling over to the stranger, Brook poked it. Both the Chao and the kitsune fell back as the stranger bolted upright.

Fear danced behind its eyes. "Who…who are you?"

"You're awake!" Tails exclaimed. Composing himself, Tails added, "Oh… and I'm Miles. Miles Prower. Just call me Tails, OK?"

The stranger shrugged. "Fine by me. I'm Simba. Nice to meet you!" Extending his hand, Simba smiled. At least he's of the friendly sort. Tails extended his and they shook hands.

Simba appeared lost in thought. "What is this place? It seems so familiar…but I've never been here before…where did you say this place was, Mi- I mean, Tails?"

"Well…for starters, we're in a Chao garden, in Sta-"

"-tion Square, I remember now!" Simba interrupted. Now I know why this place looks so familiar! On my way here… I saw a sign…it said 'Station Square Police Station', and I even saw this place too!"

"How exactly did you get here, Simba?" Tails asked. "You randomly appear here, half-dead, but I never saw you enter. And you said something about pictures." Tails expression softened. "I don't mean to be rude…I'd just like to know."

Simba's blue eyes clouded. Changing the subject, he asked, "Any food? I haven't eaten in a while."

Why did he avoid that question? "Sure, but not here. Could you wait a bit? I have to finish up here." Nodding, Simba lay on his back, presumably thinking. As he patiently waited, Tails finished up his Chao-related chores. "OK, ready to go?"

Simba stood somewhat awkwardly, and walked over to the large green doors, with a slight limp, one that wouldn't be noticed by a normal person.

Tails realized something he didn't realize before. Simba's right leg, at first glance, was just a little on the skinny side. But Tails knew better. He could always tell when someone had a prosthetic limb.