Chapter 3: Getting Serious
Tails: Lynx managed to hack my social media account and make some rather nasty posts on my behalf. I won't get into details but my god, it was bad.
The text messages kept coming and coming, and since Lynx shared my phone number and address, many angry kids from school came knocking. This is a nightmare.
He even said I was jealous of Sonic and was glad he died. Son of a bitch!...
The next day came and I wasn't gonna hide from school just because of some lies, I intend on telling the truth.
"So, you see: It wasn't me who posted all this garbage!"
The entire school looked at Tails like he was stupid, then more whispers could be heard throughout the crowd.
"Everyone knows you hate the football team, you're jealous of every music student and you can't back up what you say. We know it was you who said these things because you hate everyone here!"
"Now, hold on just a second-"
The school bell rings and the students leave the fox in the main lobby, apart from Lettia and Charmy.
The female hedgehog shakes her head "Tails, whatever you're going through, this isn't the way to handle it"
"But-"
She leaves while Charmy walks up "The competition starts at 2. Try not to start anymore shit with anyone before then, I'd like to leave here with arms and legs attached"
Tails wants to say something but nothing comes out, so he walks towards his class and sits down. He notices other students staring at him, making the experience even more uncomfortable.
Hours pass and the Battle of the Bands gets started. Tails tunes up his Black Electric guitar, Charmy stretches his arms and grabs his drum sticks, and Lettia practices humming through the song they're going to play.
The trio walks up to the curtain and wait for their cue to come onstage
"You guys ready?" Charmy asks
"Yep"
"Ready as I'll ever be"
"Great. One last thing, T: Don't stand too close to the front of the stage, I heard some guys saying they're gonna throw Tomatoes at you, so uh..."
"WHAT?!"
-And our third band competing today-
"Oh, there's our cue, Let's go!"
Charmy and Lettia walk onstage first, drawing a round of applause as they grab their instruments. As Tails pushes the curtain back, the crowd goes silent, some even start to boo. But he doesn't care, he just wants to play their song and leave.
Lettia grabs the microphone "Hey everyone, I'm Lettia, That's Miles on guitar and Charmy on Drums. We're gonna play a song called 'My Own Worst Enemy' by a band called Lit... hope you enjoy"
Tails plugs his guitar into an amplifier and plays the intro, gaining a small response from the crowd.
Just before Lettia starts to sing, Tails jumps in front of the microphone and sings the first line himself:
Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk,
I didn't mean to call you that
He looks at Lettia to finish the lyrics with him, which she does but she stares at him the whole time
It's no surprise to me, I am my own worst enemy,
'Cause every now and then I kick the living shit out of me
They play the whole song this way, getting cheers from the crowd and some even start to sing along
When they finish, the entire auditorium erupts in cheers and applause for the group.
Tails: In the end, no tomatoes were thrown and they cheered for us. That's all I care about.
The trio waves to the crowd as they exit and head backstage. Charmy starts cheering loudly himself as he passes the other bands in the competition
"That was sick, bro! You guys lit them up with that stunt! Man, that was so cool!" Charmy exclaims
"Tails, I don't know what that was all about but I'm glad you did that, now they love us!" Lettia says
She quickly kisses him on the cheek and hugs Charmy as they walk to the dressing room. Tails gets phone call from an unknown number so he goes outside to answer it
"Hello?"
"That was pretty cute, your little performance"
It's Lynx
"So you're still watching me. That's called stalking and it's illegal and frankly, pretty creepy. I can call the cops on you" Tails says
"Using the SAGE program is illegal and I could call the cops on you for having it"
A slight hesitation between both keeps the line silent for a moment "...but you won't because then the cops'll have possession of it. Yeah, I know what game you're playing, Lynx"
"I bet your classmates loved what you had to say about them, didn't they"
"If hacking into my account and posting fake shit is the best you can do then you suck as a bad guy"
"It wasn't just your classmates I sparked a fire with, Miles. I thought your teachers, Landlord and case worker needed a personal touch"
Tails' eyes widen "What did you do?!"
"I'm not gonna spoil it for ya, why don't you go have a look for yourself"
Lettia comes outside just as Tails hangs up his phone and takes off running toward his apartment building
"Where are you going? They're having a party in the Gym!"
Tails looks back "Now's not a great time"
"What about your guitar?"
"Tell Charmy to hang onto it!"
The Fox jumps into the air and flies away from the school while Lettia watches.
He comes home to see the landlord ordering a moving company around Tails' apartment. He tries to plead with her but after the comments made on his behalf and the property destroyed, he is evicted from the premises.
Next, Tails receives a call from his support worker who helps him pay rent. It seems he made a decision to end his partnership with them and will work alone from now on.
Finally, Tails' bank account is drained of all funds and his cellphone service is cut off.
The Fox drags his belongs down the street with him and he sits at a park alone. Even the local families give him dirty looks as they pass by.
Tails: And that's when I found out just how serious Lynx' threats were. He wants the SAGE program so bad that he'd destroy a 15 year olds' life and leave him homeless. That's pretty low, man.
But I wasn't about to give in. I'm still breathing, and he ain't getting this device. I just need a new plan.
I think it's time to call Manic.
Tails is listening to music when suddenly the entire park starts glowing Neon Green, prompting him to look up.
Manic the Hedgehog holds his Jade Medallion up, eyes glowing green for a moment then his energy fades as he looks down
"I hope none of that shit you said is true, bro"
Tails puts his phone down "You really believe I'd say those things?"
Manic looks at him "...not unless you wanted an ass kicking"
They both laugh and shake hands, then sit on the swings.
"So tell me how this whole thing started, what's this guy's name?"
"He calls himself Lynx, he doesn't come out of hiding much and he's pretty smart with computers. He wants this-"
Tails shows the SAGE program to Manic "ain't that the Artificial Intelligence device you took from Predator Hawk?"
"Yeah, I just made a few adjustments to it. So anyway-"
Manic takes the device "What sort of adjustments, what can it do?"
Tails takes it back "Some powerful stuff. I can hack into a military base if I wanted to. The bio-mechanics and technology used in this makes it possible to bypass virtually ANY security system on the planet"
"So you're saying this thing could shut off the camera on an ATM and steal the money inside?"
"Well, Yeah, that's pretty basic for this thing-"
Manic takes the device "Great, let's go. I'm getting short on cash and I'm hungry, wanna try a Casino Zone-Style Sandwich? I want to"
"Manic, wait! You can't just - rob ATM's with this!"
"Why not? The government robs us of trillions with all their taxes so what's a couple hundred bucks to them? C'mon, I know you wanna"
"I swore I wouldn't abuse this power, and only use it for emergencies!" Tails protests
Manic stops "Hm, lets see: this creepy guy hacked your shit and got a whole city to hate you, then he sent his boys after you, and NOW he got you evicted and walking the streets. Tails, bro - I'm pretty god damn sure this is an emergency"
The teenage Fox thinks for a minute, then nods his head in agreement
"There comes a time when every man needs to just say Fuck It. Tails, my good friend, this is your time"
"You're right, Manic. I've been taking everyone's shit for too long, now. This IS my time!"
"And what do you say to all the fakes out there?"
"Fuck them!"
"I can't hear you!"
"I said FUCK THEM!"
"That's the spirit, kid. Now let's make some money"
As Tails shows Manic how to operate his device, The Green Hedgehog points it at an ATM, presses a few buttons and cash starts flying from the machine.
"I think I got it, bro"
Manic starts picking up $20 bills while others look on
"Hello everyone, just picking up some unwanted cash. Trust me, it's for a good cause" Manic says "...okay, you can go about your business, there's nothing to see here!"
"Uh, Manic? I believe they're calling the cops"
"Then let's split, I'll find us somewhere to lay low"
A group of citizens stand in their way "You're not going anywhere, you thieves!"
Manic's fists start glowing green "Wanna bet?"
A few move, and the ones that don't get punched and knocked backwards as Manic's Medallion energy blasts them away.
Tails looks at his friend "Dude!"
"Don't worry, it's non-lethal! Now let's go!"
The duo take off running into the backstreets and hide out while police search the area.
They reach the south end of town, known for gang activity and police raids. Manic enters the lobby of a small Motel and throws a few hundred dollars on the counter.
"I'd like a room with two beds, please and thank you"
The clerk looks at him "We only got rooms with single beds"
Tails looks at Manic, who shrugs at this "That will do. How much for a week?"
"$400"
"Reasonable price" Manic says as he pays and gets the key "Miles, my good friend, would you kindly bring our belongings to the room? I have some business to attend to downtown"
Tails glares at Manic, then takes the room key and brings everything inside.
The room is medium sized, comes with a mini fridge, microwave and decent sized bathroom. The Fox plugs his phone into a wall charger and lays on the queen size mattress.
An hour later Manic comes back with a brand new backpack stuffed full of liquor bottles, Sneakers and a new cellphone.
"Where'd you go? What'd you do with my Device?" Tails asks
"Relax, newbie. I bought some necessities for the stay" Manic responds "And because I knew your phone got cut off, I bought you a burner phone. Neat, huh"
Tails looks through the bag "Shoes? What are those for?"
"Mine are kinda worn down so I took it upon myself to buy some new ones"
"Manic, You can't just steal things because you can... I know I agreed to use SAGE but we can't abuse it!"
The Green Hedgehog takes a bite of a giant Club Sandwich and throws another one to Tails "Why not?"
"Because that's how Lynx tracked me down the first time! I went online, used it on my home security and he found me!"
Manic stops eating "Oh"
"Okay, let me just fiddle around with the settings and we'll wait it out" Tails grabs the sandwich "Thank you for this, and getting the room. They wouldn't ever have rented to a 15 year old runaway"
"Not a problem. By the way, police are looking for you so I don't suggest you leave this room for a day or two"
"That's - just fantastic..."
"Welcome to real life, pal. You gotta do whatcha gotta do to survive"
Tails looks at his laptop screen "Yeah, I guess you do..."