The Beginning of the End
It started years ago with a chance meeting between the chance meeting of The Count's Protgee, Partner, and unknown adopted son: Red Sova and Agent Dylan's Protgee: Nigel Tux.
Nigel had been looking for The Count's partner and the only information he had been given was that it was an animal with an eyepatch of unknown origin. unfortunately when they meet Red had not been wearing his trademark eyepatch and Nigel mistaken Red for a maid, yet Red knew exactly who Nigel was. It was shamefully easy for the squirrel to trick the bashful penguin into eating one of his Acron Muffins that held a sedative inside it.
The squirrel only sighed and slipped on his trademark eyepatch as Nigel passed out. It was easy to bind the penguin and drag Nigel to the Count, whose brief words of praise made Red smile.
Red had stood to the side, guarding Nigel, as Dylan and The Count fought until Agent Dylan knocked the Count out, unfortunately, he also knocked over several chemicals that was in the lab starting a fire. Wasting no time, Red had rushed to the Count's aide, throwing one of the Mad Owl's wings over his shoulder as he supported both himself in the Count.
He half carried half dragged the Count with him to the secret latch for a hidden passage way and once Red had them both inside he glanced back to see Nigel was untied and on his feet being supported by Agent Dylan. Emerald eyes locked onto a sole hazel eye before the passage way's door shut. Red just turned away and helped supported the Count of the burning lair and into safety of the snow outside where the Mice were waiting.
Nigel on the other hand stared at where he had last seen the red squirrel. He didn't really notice when Agent Dylan dragged him out of the flaming lair until they both sat into the snow, watching the Count's Lair burn. Nigel didn't say anything as Dylan told him there was nothing to be ashamed about after being caught by the Count's Partner.
What he didn't know was Nigel wasn't ashamed, instead his mind thinking back to the warm smile that Red had given him when he handed Nigel the muffin, the shiver that had run down his spin as their hands had briefly touched, the unnatural way the squirrel's tail had flickered, and the spark in that determined Hazel eye as Red had carried the Count to safety.
He didn't know how he knew but there was no doubt in Nigel's mind that he and Red would cross paths again.
A smile fount it way to Nigel's face as his emerald eyes sparked as he stared at the midnight sky.
Next time, he won't escape.
