The doors to the Guardian HQ opened and a female Mobian fox entered.
"Good afternoon, Officer Tails, The desk clerk called cheerfully.
"Good afternoon, Tails said not really sounding all that cheerful.
"Another uneventful patrol?" The desk clerk asked.
"Yeah, Tails agreed as she walked up to the desk, "But I guess that's a good thing."
"Yep, The clerk said with a smile.
Tails walked past the clerk's desk and headed into the door behind it. In the back it was as calm as usual. Different guardians were cheerfully going about their day. Tails made her way past them to her desk in the back, as she was thinking to herself. She wished that they weren't all that cheerful. Tails made it to her desk and sat down. In truth Tails was just bored. She took on being a guardian because she wanted to defend the Sega Kingdom from all kinds of evil, foreign and domestic. Also because her father was one of the top Air guardians, the top rank of guardians. Since, the other kingdoms of Mobius seem to be at peace, at least with the Sega Kingdom, that only leaves normal police work for the guardians. However, there hasn't been many outlaws in Metropolis, where Tails was based. Then again the Sega Kingdom has been at peace for the past 20 or so years. The only exception was five years ago, but that didn't last long. Actually, not many people knew it was going on until after it was over.
Tails leaned back in her chair, she started thinking of all the stories her father told her about the different wars the Sega Kingdom was in that her father took a part of. Her father was a big war hero who had earned many medals of bravery and heroism. He was even honored with the Golden Acorn, a very rare medal that is only rewarded to guardians of special valor and who have performed a deed so great that King notices his or her achievement. Of course, that's also how the Golden Acorn got it's name, because the royal family's last name has always been Acorn. Even if a woman in the Acorn family marries, the guy changes his last name. That got Tails thinking of the current aire to the throne, Princess Sally. Of course, it'd be some time before she ever set foot on the throne seeing how the current King was still young and going strong.
"Still, down on the ground floor I see, A voice said interrupting Tails' thoughts. Tails looked over to where she saw a Mobian dog by the name of Antoine and his two teammates. Antoine and his team were Air guardians, but not only that, they were the best in Metropolis. Antoine wore an old war uniform top. He wore it because his father was the General over all the Guardians. The only one higher would be the King himself. Of course this made Antoine very full of himself thinking that everybody should look up to him and see him as some kind of hero. He was like that even in school.
"Well, Tails?" Antoine said as a grin spread on his face. Tails knew all to well where this was going. See, Tails was a nickname that Antoine gave her due to the fact that she had a deformity of having two tails. The name Tails was an insult that Antoine came up with back when he used to bully her in school. The name spread and everyone started calling her Tails. At first she didn't really like it but she grew used to it over time.
"So, Antoine said trying one of the ways he would always pick on her, "Tell us again why your not an Air guardian yet. I mean you've been here as long as I have, haven't you. Shouldn't you be one by now?"
"Well, I should, Tails began, "But then I'd be stuck with you."
"Now that wouldn't be so bad, Antoine said with another grin, "I am the best looking Air Guardian here."
"Only because you re the only Air Guardian here, " Tails shot back, "Besides those two."
Tails could see Antoine s face turn slightly red as he realized. He turned around and headed to the front entrance and made a motion for his two teammates to follow.
"Come on, boys, Antoine said.
Tails smiled as she watched Antoine leave. To be honest, she did kind of like it when he came to pester her. With the boring patrols, it was the best part of her day. Tails glanced down at her desk. It was a neatly organized desk with a simple black lamp, a tray for papers, and a black computer. The computer monitor had a thin screen to take up little space on the desk. The monitor plugged into a tower through a cord in the floor. All the monitors were connected to a super computer below the first floor of the Guardian Station. There was a keyboard and mouse sitting in a pull out tray of the desk. Tails didn't know how the computers did thier functions, because technology just wasn't her area of expertise. Tails pulled out the tray and started typing out her routine report on her patrol. It had just about the same information as all the reports she's done recently. She finished and stretched as she let out a yawn. She then stood up. With her report done she was on her way home.
Something had better happen soon, Tails thought, because it's too boring around these parts.
Emerald Hill zone was sort of a resort, a peaceful place where Mobians came to relax. There was a house there that housed a single guardian. He made sure things stayed that way but even his job wasn't very hard. Mostly when people came to him it was just for simple matters, like assisting others. So that's what the guardian thought when a person came into is place.
"Officer John, " a Mobian mouse called as he entered the house. Officer John was at his desk.
"Yes, how may I be of service?" Officer John said.
"It's my wife sir, The mouse said, "She's missing."
John stood up and crossed the other side of his desk.
"For how long?" He asked.
"Twelve hours now, the citizen said.
"Twelve hours?" John questioned, And you re just now telling me?"
"I thought she was with one of her friends, the mouse replied, "but when I checked with them they said they hadn't seen her."
"Well, let's go look for her," John said, "We'll start at the last place you saw her."
The Mobian nodded.
The two left the Guardian Station and John followed the citizen as he headed to the edge of Emerald Hill zone. The mouse then stopped right at the edge of zone where the zone merged into a forest.
"So this is where you saw her?" Officer John asked the Mobian mouse.
The Mobian mouse didn't respond but kept his back turned to the officer.
"Well? " officer John asked, "Did you see her here or not?"
"Yes John, " the mouse said and turned towards officer John. His eyes had a red glow, "This is where I saw her."
"What the, " The officer managed as he reached for his side arm, but before he could, the mouse all ready had his hands up and a dart flew out of his finger. The dart hit the officer and he clasped. He took a step closer to the unconscious guardian. He then picked up his leg and began to pull him into the forest.
An alarm clock went off. A sleepy hand then rose and pressed the off button. The hand belonged to none other than Tails. Tails sat up in her bed. Thn she flung her legs over the side and yawned.
Another day, Tails thought, another boring day. Tails stood and went to her bathroom to have a quick shower. Afterwards, she dried off and went into her kitchen. Downstairs, her mother and father sat at the dinner table. Tails' father, Mr. Amadeus Prower, sat having coffee and a plate of eggs. Tails' mom, Rosemary Prower, was sitting to his right with the same thing in front of her.
"Morning Mom, Morning Dad, " Tails called from the stairs.
Mr. Prower looked up from a newspaper he was reading. He was decked out in his Air Guardian's uniform. This consisted only of a dark blue Guardian jacket.
"Morning Michelle, He said, then looked back at his paper.
"Your breakfast is there, honey, " Mrs. Prower said as she indicated a plate of bacon and eggs on the table in front of her. Mrs. Prower had on a council's uniform, which consisted of a dark brown jacket. She also wore a light brown skirt along with it. She wore the outfit because she was on the King's inner council. Normally, she'd be at Sega castle, due to her job but she called some time off the day before to do something with Mr. Prower.
Tails sat down at the table and began to eat her food. Now Mobians only wear clothing for either fashion or for special ranks or jobs. Like, Mr. Prower wore his uniform because he was an Air Guardian Captain, meaning he had the power to boss around average Air Guardians such as Antione. Mrs. Prower was only required to wear the Council's jacket but she added the skirt for fashion. Tails, however, never was one for fashion so she only wore white socks, red and white tennis shoes, and a pair of white gloves. Gloves were a normal thing for people to wear in Mobius as well as shoes. Mobians normally wear at least a pair of socks and shoes. Being a Guardian Tails was given a uniform for her to wear but she wasn't required to. She was required to keep her badge on her so she clipped it to the edge of one of her gloves. The badge was about the size of Tails' palm so Tails didn't have to worry about it following off.
Tails was only fourteen but since Mobians only have a type of grade school, Tails was able to have her job. There were special schools to extend ones education but they weren't required, plus they cost enough money that Mobians just decide not to go unless they need to, due to the field their trying to get into.
So Tails finished her breakfast and got up.
"See you later mom and dad, tails said as she turned to leave.
"Bye, Michelle, her father replied. Mr. Prower was really the only one who still called her by that name.
Tails headed out the door to the house. She caught a cab to the Guardian Station so she could see what she needed to do today.
Probably more uneventful patrols, Tails thought.
The cab stopped and Tails paid the Mobian. She then headed into the Station. Once inside she was greeted by the front clerk again.
"Good morning, Tails, " he said cheerfully.
"Morning, Tails replied as she went to the door behind the clerk s desk. She made her way past the other Guardians that were getting prepared for the new day. Tails reached her desk and was about to seat down when...
"Tails get in here," a voice, Tails new as the ground guardian commander here in Metropolis, said.
Tails turned to the commander s office, which was a room with windows pointing towards the rest of the desks. The office's door was opened. Tails made her way into the commander s office.
"Close the door, her commander, Cornelius Wolf, said.
Tails did so, all the while wondering what was going to happen.
"Now Tails I have an assignment for you, Commander Wolf said.
"What is it sir?" Tails said hoping that she'd finally be able to get some excitement.
"Down in Emerald Hill Zone, Commander Wolf began, "We've been receiving a few missing person's reports. The local Guardian, John Masters, has not reported in for some time now. It's possible he's just busy searching for the missing Mobians but I'm sending you just in case. Once you arrive I want you to report in. If you find Masters assist him in these missing Mobians."
"Ok sir, Tails said and left his office. Finally, she thought thinking of how she wouldn't be going on another uneventful patrol. It wasn't as exciting as arresting some big named criminal but it sure did beat patrols.
Tails left the office room and proceeded out the front door of the Guardian Station. She then made her way to a warp train station where she took a warp train to Emerald Hill Zone.
What to do first? Tails thought to herself. It had been awhile since she had any kind of case. She did have to report in so she decided to head to the small Guardian Station in the Zone. Maybe John will be there and has just been too busy to report in, She thought as she made her way through the area.
Now Emerald Hill Zone was a beautiful place. It was a grass land with hills here and there covered in wild flowers. There were also a few palm trees scattered throughout. At one side there was a beach where most Mobians went to when visiting. There were also picnic areas near that. If the simple beauty of the place and the beach wasn't near enough for a resort there was a spa not too far from the Warp Train Station where you could go to relax.
Tails passed all the people walking around and having a good time. It seemed to her that they weren't really aware of the missing Mobians. Tails finally reach the Guardian Station which was about in the center of the zone. It was a simple building with a light brown base with a darker brown roof. Right above front door was a star symbol sign that read 'Guardian Station'. As Tails approached she tried looking in the building's only two windows that were on either side of the door but she couldn't tell if someone was in there or not. She reached the building and entered.
Inside there was a desk about 2 yards from the door. Behind the desk was a simple jail cell for putting criminals until they could be transported out. On the desk was the normal stuff, a flat screen computer, a tray to put paper in, and a cup filled with some pens and pencils.
Tails looked around but no one was there, not even in the black swivel chair behind the desk. Tails sighed but made her way to the computer. She noticed it was on. She checked to see where it was at but it was simply on the desk top. So she used the computer to report in to Commander Wolf. She opened the right channel and a picture of Commander Wolf appeared on the screen.
"So, " Commander Wolf said, "Did you find Masters?"
"No sir, Tails said, I just arrived sir and he's not here in the station."
The commander started stroking his chin in a thinking gesture.
"Ok then, He said, "Your first priority is to find Masters. Your second is to find these missing Mobians. There's more than likely a connection."
"Right, Tails said, "But huh could you send me the missing person's reports."
"Almost forgot, Commander Wolf said.
Tails watched as Commander Wolf's hands dropped to a key board and began to type. He finished typing and a icon flashed in the bottom of the screen.
"Good luck, Tails, Commander Wolf said, "I'll be expecting periodic reports.
"Right sir, Tails said as Commander Wolf hit a key and the link was terminated.
Tails clicked on the files he sent and began to go over them. Apparently, there were fifteen in all, not including Masters. Tails studied the reports trying to see if there was any connection between the missing Mobians. Tails couldn't find a single clue. She printed off a copy of the report through a printer in a desk drawer. Tails picked up the sheets and glanced at them.
So where to start? Tails thought. She did have a copy of the people missing as well as a photo of them. Also was the name of the one who filed the report. Tails decided that she'd have to check with these people. Since it was hard to tell if any of them were still there she decided to check the spa because they'd have a record of the Mobians there. So Tails left the Guardian Station and headed to the Spa. The Spa's name was the Emerald Hill Zone Spa. Tails entered the building and walked up to a receptionist desk where a woman Mobian cat sat.
"I need to speak to whoever s in charge, Tails said as she flashed the Mobian cat her badge that still attached to her glove.
"Just a second, " the receptionist said. She pressed something behind the desk and then spoke into the headset she was wearing, "Ma'am there's a Guardian here that would like to speak with you, She paused then looked at Tails, "She'll be here in a moment."
It didn't take long but a beautiful pink Mobain cat came up to the receptionist. The Mobian cat had long pink hair down to her midsection. She also wore a purple designer scarf and purple pants.
"I'm Ms. Claire, the Mobian said, "And this is my Spa. Please tell me how I can assist you."
Tails handed her the list of Mobians who had disappeared.
"I'm trying to find some missing people, Tails said, "And I was wondering if any of those people who filed the reports are here so I can speak with them."
Ms. Claire studied the list carefully then she pointed to one of them.
"Mrs. Robinson is still here, Ms. Claire said.
"May I speak with her please?" Tails asked.
"Certainly, Ms Claire said as she handed Tails the paper back, "I'll go get her for you."
"Thanks, It'll be most appreciated, " Tails said.
"Anything to help the Guardians, " Ms. Claire said and she walked down a hall.
Tails waited patiently as Ms. Claire went to get Mrs. Robinson. It didn't take long and Ms. Claire was back but this time she was accompanied by a Mobian bird with dark red feathers. She also had a towel draped around her.
"Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Claire said, "This Guardian would like to speak with you about the disappearance of your husband."
"Ok, " Mrs. Robinson replied.
"Now, Mrs. Robinson, I said, "could you please describe to me how your husband went missing?
"Well, me and my husband came here for our wedding anniversary, " Mrs. Robinson said, "We had booked a Spa package that lasted the weekend. So we packed some supplies and came out here. We had a room booked here, too. So we were in our room. I had a nine thirty scheduled for a mud bath but Jimmy didn't have anything scheduled till ten. So he stayed there while I went to my mud bath. We were supposed to meet up for our noon appointment for a message but he never showed." Mrs. Claire started to cry, "I looked everywhere but no one in the Spa had seen him. So I filed the missing person's report with Masters. I've been here waiting for Masters to find out what happened to him."
"Ok, Tails said then turned to Ms. Claire, "Does this place have any security cameras?"
"Yes, Ms. Claire said, "But only in the halls."
"Could I see them? Maybe there'll lead to something, Tails said.
"Certainly," Ms. Claire said. "Follow me please."
Ms. Claire started headed down a hall way to the left and Tails followed suit. The halls and floor were all white. Ms. Clair eventually stopped at a door that had a sign on it that read 'Authorized Personnel only".
Ms. Claire took out a set of keys and unlocked the door. She then stepped into the room and Tails followed. Inside, the room was just as white as the halls. The room wasn't very big but there was a security console on the far side of the room with a large monitor mounted on the wall. Ms. Claire walked to the console and pressed a button. Instantly the monitor came to life. The monitor was now divided into parts to show the different cameras.
"Ok, show me the time when Mrs. Robinson said her Husband was in the room at 9:30," Tails said.
Ms. Claire hit a few keys and the cameras merged into one and showed a hallway. The doors on this hallway were numbered and out of one of the doors, the one number 115, Tails saw Mrs. Robinson exit the room. Tails watched as people walked down the hall and enter and exit different rooms all besides room 115. However, about ten minutes later in the video, for Claire had sped up the footage; Tails noticed a Mobian mouse enter Room 115.
"Play it at normal speed, " Tails said and Ms. Claire did so.
Tails waited and watched as nothing happened. Then, in what seemed like a few minutes later, the door opened up and the Mobian mouse left the room followed by a Mobian bird with black feathers.
"Is that Mr. Robinson? Tails asked.
"Yes, Ms Claire said.
"Try and follow them. I want to see where they re going," Tails said.
So Tails watched as the two Mobians on screen made their way as the Ms. Claire changed the camera to show where they were heading. Eventually, the two headed out the front door of the Spa.
"Do you have cameras on the outside? Tails asked.
"One, Ms. Claire replied and she instantly changed the view to the outside camera. Tails watched as the Mobian mouse lead Mr. Robinson to what looked like the forest at the edge of Emerald Hill Zone. The Spa was close enough to the edge that Tails could see the forest. However, as the Mobian mouse and Mr. Robinson walked closer towards them, it got harder for Tails to make them out. Eventually Tails lost sight of them completely.
"So it looks like they were heading into the forest, Tails said, "But why would they go there?"
"I wouldn't know," Ms. Claire said, "The forest marks the eastern edge of Emerald Hill zone but I don't know of people who go there."
Tails thought it over for a minute.
"Well, thanks for your help, Tails said, "I'll be going now."
"Glad to be of service, Ms. Claire said.
Tails then left the building. She was now heading to the forest's edge to see if she could find any clues there. It didn't take long but Tails made to the edge where it looked where the two entered the forest. Tails looked around scanning the ground and the trees but didn't really see a thing.
There has to be something, Tails thought. Tails went walked into the forest. Then she noticed something. It looked to be some kind of skid marks. Tails knelt down to get a closer look. The marks weren't very fresh. They looked as if someone or something had been dragged. Tails followed the trail with her eyes and noticed the trails didn't waver.
So whatever it was, didn't struggle, Tails thought.
Tails began to follow the trail as it lead her deeper and deeper into the forest. Suddenly, Tails began to notice a black looking structure down a little ways and the trail was leading right towards it.
Odd, Tails thought remembering that there weren t any records of any structures out in the forest.
Tails continued on her way as she got closer and closer to the structure. She began to be precautious as she proceeded.
Flash.
An object moved in the corner of Tails' eye. Quickly, Tails turned her head to see what it was, but she didn't see anything. Tails turned back towards the black structure. The trees were obstruction Tails view so she couldn't tell the exact shape of it.
Well, I'd better head back and report this, Tails thought, I may need back up.
Tails turned around. Out of nowhere Tails go the foreboding feeling that someone was watching her. Slowly she turned back to the structure.
"What the..." Tails said as a black Mobian mouse was suddenly standing in front of her. The strange part was this mouse's eyes were glowing red.
"You re the..." Tails started but the mouse made a grab for Tails. Tails instantly delivered an uppercut to the mouse's head.
Slam.
Tails, hand struck home under the mouse's chin. However, her fist stopped dead in their tracts as it felt like she had just hit something hard. More like metal as a metallic sound was made.
"Ouch, Tails said as she tried to retract her hand the mouse quickly snatched it. Then the mouse gave it a twist.
"Ahh!" Tails yelped. Tails tried to counter by hitting the mouse with her free hand, but the mouse grabbed it to. It then swung Tails around pining Tails' arms behind her back. Tails' struggled but couldn't get free.
"What are you?" Tails asked in bewilderment.
"That is the question, now isn't it?" A sinister voice called out.
The mouse forced Tails to turn back towards the black structure. Tails watched in shock as a man came walking towards them.
"Y-you re a human, Tails stammered out.
"Correct, the human said as he drew nearer.
Tails studied the human. He was a round man that wore a red and black uniform. He had no hair except for his rather large mustache. He also wore a black glove on his right hand. Strangely, his entire right arm and hand was mechanical.
"Who are you?" Tails asked in a sort of shout as the human reached a reasonable talking distance.
"Ah yes, allow me to introduce myself, " the man said he did a sort bow before continuing, "My name is Dr. Ivo Robotnik. However, here on this planet I'm known as the evil Dr. Eggman."
"You re Eggman?" Tails said with shock and bewilderment, "But I thought the blue blur got rid of you."
"Oh he did, Robotnik said then said in a lower tone that Tails could hardly here, "That miserable hedgehog."
"Hedgehog?" Tails asked, the Blue Blur she knew of was a Mobian rabbit.
"Never mind, that" Robotnik said, "But as you can see, I've returned to finish the job I start five years ago."
"So you re turning Mobians into robots again?" Tails asked, "Like this poor guy here?"
"Yes, Robotnik replied, "All through the one holding you is a special model. I was only able to create one due to lack of resources but I was able to make him look like a normal Mobian."
"Why are you telling me all this?" Tails asked.
"Well, it really doesn't matter," the evil doctor replied, "I do enjoy gloating to you Mobians. It really won t help you anyways because I'm going to robotize you anyways."
"Robotize?" Tails asked all through she knew the answer all ready.
"That's the name of the process where I turn you into a robot, Robotnik said then he happened to notice Tails' unique deformity, "That's interesting."
"What is?" Tails said she followed Robotnik's gaze and saw he was looking at her two tails, "My tails?"
"Yes, Robotnik said, "I ve never seen one of you Mobians with a deformity like that, but I wonder..."
"Wonder what?" Tails asked.
"Oh, nothing, Robotnik said, "Well come along now and we'll get you robotized."
Robotnik turned towards the black structure and started walking that way. The mousebot pushed Tails so she'd follow. Tails began to struggling all the more.
"You won't get away with this, Tails cried out.
"Oh It's too late for that, the evil doctor said, "I've already made my final preparations for my assault on Metropolis."
"What?" Tails asked stunned.
"Yes, Dr. Robotnik told her as they continued towards the entrance of the Black structure.
"The Blue Blur will stop you, Tails said, "Like he did the last time."
Robotnik stopped and turned back towards Tails.
"Oh I doubt that, " He said sinisterly, "I've already got something that even that speedy blue hedgehog of yours won't be able to stop."
Robotnik turned back towards the entrance to the black structure.
"Now come, let's get you Robotized, Robotnik said as he entered the structure.
Last chance, Tails thought. The robot mouse pushed Tails towards the entrance. However, Tails jumped up and pressed her legs against the top of the entrance. She then pushed with all her might. The mouse lost its balance and toppled over backwards releasing Tails from its grip. Tails quickly took off into the trees.
"What happened, Robotnik said as he turned around. He saw as Tails escaped into the trees. Robotnik looked at the fallen Mouse robot. The fall had crushed something on him so it just lied there.
"All well, " Robotnik said to himself, "This won't stop my plans."
Robotnik moved the damaged robot back into the black structure. He then walked into another room. There was a control desk for what could have been for some flying vehicle. Robotnik sat at the controls. He then hit a button and the black structure, which was really a ship, sent out an EMP burst that turned off any and all electronics outside of the black ship. Robotnik then pressed some other buttons.
"Time to get my conquest underway, Robotnik said.
Tails was running as fast as she could through the forest at the edge of Emerald Hill Zone. She had to get to the Guardian Station fast and warn Metropolis of Robotnik's attack. She neared the entrance to the forest and ran out. She had to report this to HQ. But suddenly something took her mind off that. Behind her the trees started shaking as if a ferrous wind was hitting them. Suddenly, the ground started shaking too. That's when Tails saw it. Rising out of the forest was the black battle ship.
That's the black structure I saw, Tails thought.
The Ship then headed towards the Warp Train station. Tails gasped.
"He's going to destroy the warp train station!" Tails said. She ran towards it but her speed was nothing compared to the speed of the battle ship. The battle ship reached the warp train station and sent out two ray beams which cause an explosion in the station. Tails watched in horror as Mobians screamed in panic. The battle ship then turned its head in a new direction. Metropolis.