It's been One year and 6 months since the formation of Team Skyline. The 4 members of the team have been the center of hate and admiration for their actions in the city of Two Gates. Tails has proven his leadership is not the most successful all the time, but when needed, he can get the job done.
The team leader sits atop a grassy hill on the beach of his current home, Marcus' Cabin house, given to him by his uncle who has since passed away. Tails looks over the hill and onto the blue ocean. He stands up, with a letter in his hands and a pencil in the other.
Tails POV
I know we don't talk much, but I'm writing this letter for you. If there's anyone who has showed me how to be a leader, it's you, Sonic. I wouldn't be the guy I am today if I never met you, and I'm glad we did meet. You know, for awhile I thought things with me Cream, and Espio wouldn't turn out good. But after me and Espio dropped the beef, and Cream gave me her trust again, things with us are great.
Tails makes his way up the green hill, and closer to Marcus' house along the way
Things with me and Cream are going great.. I still remember the day she told me she was pregnant, I honestly almost cried right there. I'm going to be a dad, Sonic, and I'm not even 20 yet.. we're finding out it's gender this week. Regardless if it's a boy or girl, I'll take care of it. I won't make the same mistake my father made, I'm going to be there for my child. We still don't have any names for the baby yet, we're still working on that.
All in all, the team here, we're all doing just fine. Me and Cream are gonna have to take an extended break from this crazy life, we're raising the baby. So Sonic, Thank you for everything you've done for me, Cream and Espio in the past. I think we all turned out well.
I'll talk to ya soon, brother.
Tails drops the paper and pencil as he comes up to meet Cream on the hill top. The two embrace and kiss. The sun shines brightly on the young couple, and in his backyard, Marcus stands in front of a king sized barbecue cooking.
Manic, along with the orphans he looks after, sit at a bench and some chairs. Tails sits down in one chair while Cream sits on his lap, leaving only one chair for the last member of the team. Espio hurries in, takes one last big sip of his drink then tucks the bottle in his backpack. Everyone sits around a large table, just in time for Marcus to lay out the food. Tails looks over at the chameleon, smiles at him and the two nod at each other.
SKYLINE 3
Night falls on the city, but for the first time in years, there is no gang activity anywhere. No drug dealers, no thieves, or pill junkies filling the streets. Espio walks the streets in peace, and is greeted by civilians on the sidewalks. Tonight, a new movie is playing and the Chameleon's girlfriend Lindsey is meeting him in the downtown square. Espio looks out for Lindsey, and soon he spots her.
"Hey, beautiful" Espio greets
Espio and Lindsey come close for a quick kiss and start walking to the theatre. They make it in as rain starts to pour on the streets. Espio pays for both tickets and the two take a seat in the large theatre. About 2 hours pass, when the couple emerges back out onto the street
"Espio, we should stop for a few drinks" Lindsey suggests
"Ah, sure, it's still early out"
As the two walk down the streets, Espio keeps his eyes out for any crimes happening, suspicious people, or any trouble going on. He tries to not make it look like he's looking around, he feels this might offend Lindsey. Espio is out on a date with her, and all her cares about is fighting any 'bad guys.' After their trip to a bar, the couple makes their way around the downtown square, and Espio is still looking around. Lindsey notices, but doesn't say anything about it.
Espio misses the days of taking down the thugs, low life gang bangers and psycho masterminds.
"You okay, babe?" Lindsey asks
Espio turns to face her "Me? just fine, I'm just uh-"
"Espio, I thought we agreed we don't need to lie to each other. Come on, lets go somewhere and talk about it"
The two make their way to a park, the street lights glimmer off their rain soaked jackets as they walk down a lit up path. Lindsey takes out her umbrella and Espio holds it for both of them. The two take a seat at a bench and start to talk.
"So, what's bothering you?" Lindsey asks
The instant Espio goes to speak, a group of teenagers walks up to the couple on the bench and crowd around them
"Whoa, dude, look! It's Espio! dude, you're my favorite from Skyline!" one teenager says
"Do you guys still come out here every night and kick the crap out of criminals?" another asks
"Dude, there ISN'T anyone to kick the crap out of. They took them all out. After they put Miles out of business, everyone on the underground is too scared to fight them" a girl says
Espio waves to the group as they walk away, and he turns back to Lindsey.
"That. That is what's bothering me. Not getting out there, the way it used to be" Espio says
"Well, like that girl said, You and your friends seemed to have cleaned up the streets just fine" Lindsey looks away from him
"Baby.. hey Lindsey.. I'm just saying, it's been a while since I've got the chance to get out there and do what I do"
"Which is?"
"...fight for anyone who can't protect themselves"
"Look around, see this? This is peace, you don't need to fight anymore. We can all enjoy our lives, knowing guys like Miles or The Wolf family aren't planning our deaths. So enjoy it yourself, Espio" Lindsey says
Espio looks up to the giant plasma screen on the side of the investors' building, something gets his attention, but he ignores it. He looks back at Lindsey and smiles at her
"You know, if I didn't have anyone to bring me back to reality, I'd probably be sitting atop one of those buildings, waiting for trouble" Espio says
"Well, you guys helped out a town infested with scum, you fought wars the cops wouldn't, and now everything is peaceful. I think you guys deserve a break" Lindsey replies
Espio comes in for an intimate kiss, then the two stand up, and head back to their house. Along the way through downtown, the couple notices everyone on the sidewalks staring up at something, but they can't see what it is. Espio and Lindsey get through the crowd and get to the front. Espio takes one glance up and keeps his eyes on the big screen.
...I'm sick of hearing 'Tails and Skyline this and that'.. We're gonna run over each one of you dumb shits.
Espio listens closely, just like everyone else around him
..So there it is, We're calling you out, and I don't care who hears it. We are the Babylon Rogues, and this is your wake up call.
The big screen crackles, and finally it is shut down. Sparks fly out, falling on citizens standing on the side walk. Everyone in the crowd looks back at Espio. The chameleon has a grin on his face. Lindsey sees this and begins to worry
"Espio, are you thinking about fighting all of them?" Lindsey asks
"Well, I kinda have to now. you heard them, they just called us out" Espio replies
"But what about taking a break from that?"
Espio stops, and thinks about this. Choose to go out alone and fight all four Rogues, or stay here for a little bit longer. He thinks about what'll benefit everyone, not just himself.
"Alright, I'll just wait 'til they're actually here. I'm gonna need help, anyways. Guess I can pop by Marcus' place later on and check in with everyone" Espio says
"Good. It'll give you a chance to get ready for them. and give US one more night to ourselves.." Lindsey says in a seductive tone, getting Espio's attention immediately
"Oh, I see what you mean. Lets get going then, babe" Espio replies
The couple hold hands and make their way back through the damp, lit up streets of Two Gates. The night goes by fast as Espio and Lindsey get to their apartment. Lindsey lays on her bed, waiting for the Chameleon to come back. Espio walks back in the room, holding his shirt in one hand and his cell phone in the other
"Yeah, I know. Well, I'll stop by tomorrow. We'll talk about a strategy then. Yeah, you too, man. Alright" Espio hangs up and throws both his phone and shirt to a chair before noticing his girlfriend staring at him "What?"
"Oh, sorry.. I just, haven't seen you without a shirt until now.. I never knew you had all kinds of muscle.. " Lindsey blushes as she looks away
"This? Oh, it's probably from running around and climbing buildings. I can put a shirt back on, if you want-"
"No! - I mean, no, it's okay.. come, lover boy"
While Espio and Lindsey lay in their bed, Marcus and Manic, along with a group of friends, walk down the street just a few blocks away. Manic carries a beer bottle in one hand, while hiding another in his left coat pocket. A female hedgehog comes to Marcus' and looks up at him
"Dude, your group just totally got called out a few hours ago" The hedgehog says
"By who? Who is brave enough to call out Skyline? Shit, I'll take 'em out myself" Marcus says, stumbling around the street
"Dude, you're messed up.. wanna crash somewhere?" Manic asks
"Nah, I'm good. Unlike Tails, I can handle my, uh, my.. you know, booze! Yeah, booze.. who do you think you're talking to? The champ, that's who" Marcus leans against a light post
"Yeah, you're drunk. Come on, you're done for tonight. Lets get ya back home.." Manic says, trying to get Marcus up
The large raccoon pushes him back, growls in an angry voice and stumbles again. He doesn't let anyone to touch him, but he keeps turning his back. It only takes a second for Manic to pull out that hidden beer bottle and crack Marcus over the back of the head with it. The bottle explodes on impact, cuts Manic's hand open and drops Marcus to the sidewalk
"Didn't wanna do that, buddy.. Hey, someone want to call us a cab? Be much appreciated" Manic asks, wiping blood from his left hand and checks Marcus
"Seriously, though.. some guys just called out Marcus and Skyline like, an hour ago.." The hedgehog girl says to Manic
"I heard… Why do you think I kept the big guy in the bar? If he was listening and heard that, Marcus would've went out there piss drunk, howling around all night" Manic replies
"Is skyline gonna come back?"
Manic looks at the female hedgehog, but doesn't answer her right away. Within a few minutes the cab arrives, Manic picks Marcus up and puts him in the cab. He looks back at the hedgehog and answers
"Guess we'll all have to just sit and wait, now won't we.."
Manic jumps inside the cab and shuts the door. He tells the cabbie to drive them to the outskirts of town, and to make it fast. Within a half hour the cab arrives to the city limits. Manic gets out and gets the cabbie to help him get Marcus out of the cab. Once they put Marcus on the curb, Manic pays the driver and lights up a cigarette. The hedgehog puts in his headphones and turns on his music. He checks his phone for the time
2:44 AM
Manic makes a call and after only a few words he hangs up. He takes a seat on the curb next to Marcus, still passed out. 20 minutes go by when Manic takes out one headphone and listens for footsteps. Sure enough, Tails comes down the street and walks up to the duo
"3 AM and you're just now getting back?" Tails says
"Hey, he started stumbling around, drunk out of his mind, I had to bring him back" Manic replies
"Well, you're lucky, I was just about to pass out myself. Grab one arm, I'll get the other"
The hedgehog and Fox go to Marcus' sides and pick him up by his arms. They struggle to stand because of how heavy Marcus is. Once they get balanced out, the two walk Marcus down the street and through the familiar tunnel leading back to his house on the beach side. They finally make it back to the house, but still have to drag Marcus up the porch stairs and into the living room. It takes another 10 minutes, but they get him inside and on the couch. Tails takes a seat in the dining room at the table, and opens a bottle of soda pop
"Want a drink?" Tails offers
"Nah, I got stay on the healthy side. girls love muscles, least the ones down here do" Manic replies
"Marcus' room is available if you want"
"Ah, I'll just hike it back to the orphanage. The kids must be worried, I've been gone since they got out from school"
"Well, take it easy, Manic"
Manic gives the peace sign as he walks out the front door, and Tails is left to sit alone in the dining room. He hears footsteps coming down the stairs, so he finishes his drink quickly and stands up
"Yeah, I know. I'm coming now, baby" Tails looks up
"I'm not going to bed yet, it's only 3" Cream looks down at Tails from the stairs "Reminds me of when I used to sneak out of my moms house and come back late like this"
"I don't think I ever snuck out of Sonics house when I lived there. He would've caught me too fast" Tails says
Cream looks into the living room and sees Marcus passed out on the floor "You guys just dumped him on the floor?"
"No, we put him on the couch. He must've rolled over"
Cream takes a seat at the table "I heard about those Babylon Rogues. There's four of them, but.. I won't be there to help you.."
"Babe, we've got this. It wouldn't matter if they had 1000 members, we can handle just about anything. We took out Miles' crew, and he had half the city backing him. I think we can take four kids from Babylon" Tails says
"Well, just make sure you don't get hurt out there. I don't wanna have to look after the baby and you at the same time" Cream replies
"You'll have to eventually, you know I can't take care of myself" Tails jokes
The two go upstairs and shut off all the lights on the bottom floor. While Tails and Cream go to sleep for the night, Four members of the rival group ride down the highway streets, cutting off traffic, and avoiding cops. The leader of the pack, a green haired Hawk flies down the street. He wears a distinct white leather jacket with red and orange flame designs on the sleeves.
The Next member, a taller hawk stops beside him. This hawk has blue spiky quills, a dark crimson red leather jacket with a black hawk design on the back. The third member is a large Albatross, sporting a black trench coat and fingerless gloves. The final member is the Purple female bird. She wears a black and red bandana in her hair, a black trench coat, and a necklace with small lit up screens on them. These are the Babylon Rogues
"We there?" The second hawk asks the first
"Pretty much. Just a little further down the road" Jet the hawk answers
The Rogues jump back on their hover boards, and fly down the street. Each board has lights on the bottom and small exhausts on the back for speed. The Girl's board is the largest of the four, with more accessories on it. All four Rogues speed into town, and are at large in Two Gates as of 4 AM.