Chapter 3: The Mad Skunk
There was silence in the Chaotix's office as the leader of the trio struggled with a difficult decision. Finally, with a sad expression, he declined.
"Why not?" asked the skunk with the funny name.
"Weeell, even though what you offered to pay us was really, really generous," Vector began, recalling the number again with agony.
"The Chaos Emeralds are far too dangerous to be entrusted to just anyone," Espio cut in.
"And you look just like a bad guy!" Charmy concluded with far less tact than his comrades.
Xeronexus laughed. Espio raised an eye brow, while both Vector and Charmy let their mouths drop. Even when laughing with obvious feeling, the skunk didn't change his expression one bit. It was really disturbing to watch. If he didn't need air to pass through his vocal chords, then the skunk probably wouldn't even have bothered to open his mouth.
"You misunderstand me, fellow anthropomorphic animals and insect," said the skunk with what he thought was charm. Ignoring the trio's reaction to his unusual choice of words, Xeronexus continued "I merely wish to study these shards of crystallised deus ex machina. I would never dream of using their power for the sake of my own self."
"Not buying it, miser mime!" Charmy sang.
"Mime? We're talking to him right now," said Espio.
"You know, he's like those people in white and black who do stuff like this."
The bee made a poor impression of a person trapped in an invisible box.
"Oh, you mean a pantomime," said Vector. "Now that you mention it, he does remind me of something like that with that creepy not-quite-there look on his face."
The skunk sighed, again with a face as immobile as a puppet's. "I was wrong to make my choice of agents based on reputation alone. I'm going to assume from your wanton lack of respect that you're already acquainted with the likes of the hedgehog named Sonic...the Hedgehog."
"Sure!" said Charmy. "He even helped us out a little that time we save the world from that giant data-sucking robot dragon monster!"
"Yeah, did we ever get paid for that?" Vector asked.
"No," said the chameleon, still keeping his eye on the skunk.
"I find you lack of seriousness disturbing," said Xeronexus, possibly starting to lose patience, but how cold you tell?
"Ooh! Ooh! Just like in that movie, Star W-" Charmy started, only now noticing how impressively similar the skunk's voice was to a certain character from that certain movie.
"ENOUGH!" Xeronexus shouted. "I did not come here to gab with clowns! Even without your willing aid, I can still make one of you useful to me. Chameleon, your powers of invisibility far outweigh the crocodile's brute strength and the bee's...utter uselessness."
"Hey!" went the bee.
"Forget it," said Espio simply.
"I didn't intend to give you a choice," said Xeronexus as his eyes started to burn. "Let me show you something...What? Why are you disturbing me?"
The skunk's eyes dimmed, and suddenly he was facing away from the Chaotix and talking to a wall.
"Leave me be. I need to meditate," Xeronexus told the wall. "Can't it wait? Very well. Tell his majesty I will join him in a moment... I said I'll come. These-these arts could have disastrous results if left unfinished. It won't take long. Just let me have some privacy."
Vector, Espio and Charmy looked at each other, then back at the raving madman.
"I must go," the skunk told them after a brief silence.
"Goodbye."
"See ya."
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
Once the Chaotix were alone again, they spent the next minute scratching their heads and looking awkward before finally remembering what they were doing before the lunatic interrupted them.
"Grab him!" Espio and Vector both shouted, leaping at the bee, who flew up at the last second, causing the chameleon and the crocodile to slam their heads together.
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End of Chapter 3.
