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Distant Future
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It had been three days since Tails got the news. Deep down, it was no surprise to him, but still…. To have it heard out loud meant there was no denying it. Tails now was truly alone. All he had left was this demonic excuse for an empire, an army of useless SWAT-Bots at his command and all the… supplies he could wish for.
3 days ago
Tails had only just finished his skirmish with Robotnick when he ordered the best maintenance bots under his command to do one quick job for him. he now effectively owned everything Robotnick had. All his computer systems now recognised him as their master. Every robot had had these instructions sent to each of them individually.
He paced round the small room, right outside the main operating theatre where he could hear the continuous drilling, beeping and creaking that Robotnick's maintenance droids made. He only had to wait for a few minutes before he was called in.
As he opened the two main doors into the theatre and passed the few droids scattered around the edge of the main operating table, Tails was met with one of Robotnick's more advanced repair droids, unlike his companions, he was a fully mobile version with limbs and physic much like a slimmed down SWAT-Bot.
"What's… the damage" Tails asked slowly eyeing the subject on the table.
"Hard drive: mostly damaged and burnt. It may be possible to recover some files, but we estimate no more then 10 will be acquired which aren't corrupt. The external devices like the outer case, sound system, LCD screen and holographic projector are all damaged beyond repair but replaceable-"
"JUST tell me about the A.I. chips!" Tails shouted out, silencing the droid.
"All components linking to the computer's artificial intelligence including the core chips are completely destroyed. No chance of recovery" The droid replied
Tails stared down at the table, his teeth bare in anger.
"We have replacement parts on order from factories around the city. We can replace the computers A.I chips with adequate replace-"
Before the droid could finish the sentence, Tails unsheathed his blade and sliced the droid straight from head to thigh. "Any droid who makes any suggestion of that nature will be cut down! If you can't repair her… don't bother mentioning replacements."
All the droids, all with some basic level of Artificial Intelligence backed away, all aware at the danger they were in just being close to Tails in the mood he was in. Slowly Tails stepped forward and picked up the computer laying on the table, unplugging the cords attached to it.
Nichole lay in Tails hands, all surfaces burnt beyond recognition and the inside in no better condition. The last of Tails friends was finally gone and no chance of ever returning. All he had left was an empty shell as a reminder of what she did for him.
So over the two days since he had got the news, Tails had found one more companion to keep him company. One he found, upon leaving the repair bay and returning to Robotnick's throne, lay waiting for him on the chair. Starting with the Champaign, just because Tails couldn't stand to see anything go to waist, Tails slowly understood why some decided to indulge themselves in alcohol.
As Tails drank and finished the bottle, the sensation he felt was truly unique. He had no problems worth thinking about, no memories to bother him. They just washed away. Of course one half bottle of Champaign was no where near to bring him to this state. He needed far, far more 'samples' to gain this level of consciousness. And so over the days Tails had let go of all morals, cares and dignity and just drank.
It wasn't just out of a lack of care. It was mostly because he really didn't have anything to live for. No family he could raise, no one to help or care for. Nothing to nurture or work towards. He had everything in the world and but nothing worth living for. Any excuse to leave part of his pain behind was welcomed dearly.
So on the third day of his reign over the planet, he lay in his throne, many bottles littering the floor. He didn't like to think of himself as an alcoholic. More of a connoisseur. He never tried something he had already, tasting a new flavour each day. As the SWAT-Bot walked up to him, Tails through the empty bottle to the floor.
"What haven't I tried" Tails asked, moaning slightly
"Bourbon, Absinthe and Corn Whiskey are next to be tried, my lord" The SWAT-Bot said, setting down a tray and a single glass.
"OK, let's try the Absinthe" Tails said, slowly reaching down, ignoring the glass and taking the bottle to his lips.
"Sir, that's not advised" The SWAT-Bot tried to warn but was too late when Tails instantly spit out the liquid, coughing violently. "It's alcohol percentage is 73.5. Also known as the Green Devil it is one of the highest grade alcoholic beverages , my lord"
Tails, still coughing looked down at the green bottle in his hands. How appropriate, Tails thought.
Just as he leant down to try one of the other samples before him, he sighed. He was already getting the hits of his hangover and decided against making it worse for the moment. He dismissed the droid and decided to go through Robotnick's schedules for some level of entertainment.
"Computer" Tails called out
The computer screen infront of him blinked to life.
"Show me what my predecessor had planned when he was last in command" Tails said, shaking his head slightly to try and make his hangover more tolerable.
"Checking… Last date for tasks to do was on April the 16th, year-" The computer said
"Just tell me" Tails blurted out, wondering what Robotnick would have planned on his anniversary.
9:00 - 11:00 Not Assigned
"Guess that's what I interrupted." Tails said out loud.
11:00 - 12:00 Checking over of new buildings to be constructed in region Q236.
12:00 – 14:00 Not Assigned
"Surprised he was planning to do anything today, to be frank" Tails again said aloud.
14:00 – 16:00 Torturing of prisoner 19273
16:00 – 18:00 Check up on progress in city Devour
"Ummm…wait. WAIT, go back!" Tails shouted
14:00 – 16:00 Torturing of Prisoner 19273
"… Prisoner? All information on Prisoner 19273!" Tails shouted out, sobering up by the second.
"Prisoner 19273: No records. Only surviving Prisoner since Operation Retribution. Known information, Roboticized Mobian Hedgehog in Cell 234 in Cell block H"
Tails was already a blur as the computer finished off. All Tails mind was telling him was Hedgehog, Hedgehog, Hedgehog…could it be.
As Tails raced down the corridors, occasionally demanding directions from passing SWAT-Bots, he eventually found his way into Cell bock H. He slowly walked, passing each cell. 230, 231, 232… 233……
And, infront of him was the darkened interior of the cell. He slowly opened the cell door and walked inside. Upon walking a few steps, he noticed, slumped in the corner was a Robian. A Robian hedgehog to be precise.
Each step became louder and louder to Tails, as he began to breath heavily. Could it be? Please, god may it be… as he stepped closer he noticed the colour of the hedgehog (who appeared to be offline)… it was blue. At this he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around the Robian.
"SONIC! SONIC!! Can you hear me?!" Tails shouted, tears appearing in his eyes. But as he looked up, he noticed certain features he hadn't before. The colour of the Robian was defiantly blue but far lighter then the ocean blue colour Sonic had. On top of that the Robian had plain running shoes instead of the pointed red and white shoes Sonic wore and…. It was then that Tails noticed the key feature he hadn't before. This Robian had a moustache… it was Uncle Chuck
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Present
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"I doubt that, sir" Tails replied
"Um, if you say so. In any case you should know I can only pull so many strings whilst you are here. I can let you stay but you will probably be treated like a spy, which is normal custom" Cobol stated
"How ironic. Anyway, even with everyone's gaze on me, I should be able to handle myself. If you keep your eyes peeled aswell, there shouldn't be any victims" Tails replied in his monotone voice.
At that instant Tails raised his hand to stop Cobol from talking and pointed to the tent opening. Cobol nodded.
Slowly Lupe hunched down and entered the tent to find both the intruder and the elder just sitting there. She assumed she had just interrupted something but didn't pay any mind to it.
"All the camp is secure. We've changed the guard duty to have three people out at once" Lupe said, sitting down near Tails. "Now, do you mind if I ask you any questions"
"Um, not at all" Tails said, adopting his shy half whimpering voice. Cobol couldn't help but smile before getting up. "I think I'll have a walk about. I trust you can handle the questioning" and before Lupe could reply he quickly disappeared behind the tent flaps.
Lupe sighed and turned back to Tails. "Ok, first off can I have your name?"
"It's John Transford, but I'd prefer Cable" Tails replied
"Ok Cable. May I ask why you were wondering about in the woods? Are you a Freedom Fighter?" She asked, hoping to get someone who could vouch for him.
"No, that's why I'm out here…" Tails went quite, "… I. I used to live in northern Mobius, in a town called Woodpecker. We were one of the few places that Robotnick overlooked since we were hidden in the mountains. We managed OK but…" Tails faked trailing off
"Robotnick found you" Lupe finished.
Tails nodded staring at the floor. "He didn't give any warning. He just burnt out town to the ground and hunted the rest down with his army. I think I'm the only the who escaped"
"Did you have any family" Lupe said, trying to comfort him
Tails shook his head. "I grew up alone. I lived on the outskirts of the town, being the reason why I was able to get away."
Tails looked up, with determination in his eyes. "Please, I want to be a Freedom Fighter. You're Freedom Fighters, right?"
"Well yes but, we work separately from the main organisation." Lupe began. She lent her paw against her face as she thought. "Well, we are eventually going to head to Knothole after we have settled with our own personal errands. From there you should be able to reach your goal"
Tails beamed. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you"
Lupe grimaced. "I am afraid though that we have some rather strict precautions involving strangers. I am afraid we have to treat you as a spy, as a worse case scenario. I hope you understand"
Tails nodded.
"You will be tied up, though we will make sure of your comfort and you will have a guard whilst we are gone. Tomorrow we will be heading out on a mission, which I am afraid I cannot divulge to you aswell. After that we will be heading to a very secret place only wolves are aloud to tread so again…"
"It's ok, I understand. I'm still grateful all the same and can understand the rules you've set in place. I won't be a bother, I swear" Tails replied softly.
Lupe smiled and stood up, urging Tails to do the same. She and Tails left the hut and walked up to the campfire where the other wolfs all sat.
"This is Cable. He will be staying with us but I'm sure you are all aware of how he must be treated. All the same please be polite as he will be travelling with us back to Knothole… Jason, you will be his guard" Lupe said assertively.
Jason nodded and stood up next to Tails. "Come on. I won't bite" He said grinning.
Tails followed Jason through the tree line and stopped just infront of a rather large tree just beyond the camp light. He motioned Tails to sit against the tree. As Tails complied he felt his hands being tugged behind his back and ropes being wrapped around them and his torso. The ropes were firm but still loose enough for some comfort.
"Think you can sleep ok like that?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, I should be fine" Tails replied kindly
"Good, we have a couple sentries around so don't worry about those Hyenas. Just yell if you need anything. Also I'll fetch some leftovers if you're hungry"
At that Tails nodded enthusiastically. Jason walked back to the campfire and a few minuets later returned with a plate of various meats, obviously an animal one of the wolfs caught.
"You a vegetarian?" He asked
"As long as it can't look me in the face whilst I'm eating, I'm fine" Tails said, practically drooling at the plate of freshly cooked meat. Jason slowly lowered himself and placed the plate infront of Tails. He went behind the tree and soon Tails found he had the use of his arm.
Jason left Tails to enjoy his meal, which from the moans of pleasure he heard behind him, he guessed he would have trouble with.
Tails sat there, greedily biting down on the various chunks of meat littered on the plate. He didn't really care where it came from, just having something warm and savoury to enjoy was all that mattered. With seconds the plate infront of him was bare except for the grease stains spread around the rim. Tails gave a satisfied burp and leant back. Being a Prisoner of war did have its advantages.
The next day, still early in the mourning the wolfs were gathered round the remains of the fire checking over the plan one final time before departure.
"Ok, Jason, sorry but still on babysitting duty" Lupe said
Jason just nodded, already expecting to be left behind for the protection of the elder.
"Ok, this should be an easy job. Just one smelting plant with minimal security. Anyway, taking these points here will be Botolf, Cilen and Marrok. With me will be Bardou and Drago going after the central computer. Any questions?"
"Any point?" Drago asked wirily
Lupe just grunted.
"Ok, move out"
Hours later, already treading the dark tainted soil of Robotropolis, the wolf pack were sprinting along, jumping in and out of the shadows the constant maze of streets provided. Soon the factory appeared before them and Lupe gave the hand signal for them to separate. As the other three went off to one street corner, Lupe, Bardou and Drago ran straight through the small back entrance of the factory. As all three ran through the large smelting plant floor they quickly destroyed the workers and SWAT-Bots wondering around the area. Within minuets the factory was vacant expect for the three wolfs. Lupe smiled victoriously, taking out the CD Sally had given her and walked slowly to the main console.
"You two keep watch" Lupe said, whilst she inserted the CD.
"You got it. Just one thing…" Drago replied
Before Lupe could ask what he had to say, Drago wrapped his arm roughly around Lupe's torso. Before she could call out, speak or even fight back, Drago smothered Lupe's mouth with a white cloth. The second she struggled and inadvertently breathed in, the chemicals already began to take affect.
Just before her body became too heavy to support under her own power and her eye lids began to win the battle to close, she could just make out Drago's voice
"…Goodnight"
Cobol wandered around the camp idly. He occasionally spoke to Jason but none of their conversations last more then two sentences. Cobol thought about speaking to Tails but thought better of it.
Just as he was about to wander back into his tent, he heard a distinct static sound from Jason's walky-talky. Jason instantly picked it up and held it to his ear. He didn't reply to anything being said, just nodded and occasionally replying yes. Soon the conversation was finished and he rose to face the elder.
"All going well?" Cobol asked
"Yes. The mission's going fine" Jason replied
"Good. That Plant should be down in no time" Cobol answered back happily.
Just then he heard the cocking sound of a shotgun being loaded.
"I never said which mission was going well" Jason replied, taking aim at the elder.
"A. So you're the spy then. Damn, I rather liked you" Cobol replied, unfazed by Jason's actions.
"So you knew the wolf pack was beached? No matter. Any last words old man?" Jason asked, taking aim at Cobol's head.
"Yes if you don't mind. Could you indulge an old man and tell me who else has fallen to the other side, apart from yourself. Knowing who I can still count as a friend before I pass on would be very relieving" Cobol asked, still taking light of his situation.
Jason grinned, knowing the old man didn't have any communication device on him. "Only me, Bardou and the big man, Drago. But trust me old man, more will follow. With what Robotnick offers, so many more will join our ranks"
"Aw well, say goodbye" Jason said
Just as suddenly, a force knocked the shotgun out of Jason's grip and sent hit hurtling into the sky. As Jason's gaze was temporarily on the elevated weapon, another force knocked him off his feet and sent him flying against a tree. As he looked up to what had struck him, Tails stood before him, one arm raised.
There was no expression to be seen as he grabbed the falling gun and with one hand, aimed the weapon straight at Jason.
"Goodbye"
And with that, Tails pulled the trigger and saw Jason's chest practically explode from the hit.
Tails turned to Cobol, shotgun resting on his shoulder as the elder walked forward and said a short prayer for him
"Such a shame." Cobol said, with real pain in his voice.
"Yeah, never got to thank him for that meal he gave me" Tails said, not a shred of pain or glee in his voice.
As Lupe woke up, she felt heat licking against her legs. She opened her eyes wide as she took in her situation, which was grim to say the least. She was suspended in mid air, held only by a chain wrapped around her waist and arms, hangover over one of the smelting pits in the factory. She tried to remember what happened to her before she was knocked out but the call she got gave her all the reminding she needed.
"Hey, doll. You alright up there?" Came the sniggering response from Drago, who was leaning against the far wall.
"Why you?! What on Mobius do you think you're doing Drago?!" Lupe called, trying desperately to swing herself free of the bonds
"I wouldn't do that. Wouldn't want me to do something drastic" Drago said, with a menacing grin spread across his face. His hand raised and placed itself on a leaver next to him. Lupe's eyes followed the chain linked to the leaver and saw it the one holding her up. He held all the cards.
"Good. Glad you get the picture" Drago said, stepping forward
"Why are you doing this?" Lupe growled
"Because Robotnick asked me to. And because I'm such a nice guy by nature, I'd thought I'd help the poor fellow with his plight." Drago said, his grin ever spreading
"You fool. Robotnick has double crossed every one of his spies. Why do you think you will get away with anything" Lupe barked
"Ow please. Maybe in your eyes he double crossed those he entrusted with his tasks, but to me he only blessed those, whether or not they thought so themselves." Drago said, raising his arms ceremoniously "All he did was bestow his faithful few with strength and power that which they could never gain themselves. A power that I have not feared…. I have embraced" Drago's eyes were wide and practically shining
"Robotnick hates all Mobians. You are no different, besides the fact you're quite obviously insane" Lupe spat.
"I won't deny his hatred for Mobians which I may not share, I no longer care to fight against. Both me and my compatriots have given up that way. I am tired of fighting a lose battle. Every acting the wasp, constantly stinging away at our enemy. Though our strikes are quick and irritating, they do no real damage… and all we need to do is make one mistake and DANG!"
With that Drago pulled on the leaver. Lupe felt the sudden pull of gravity and the chain around her went slack and she plummeted to the fiery pit bellow. After falling for just a second though, the chain tightened again, leaving her hanging ever closer to the liquid metal.
Drago grinned. "We must win every battle just to stay alive, yet he just has to win once and we all die. I'm sick of it. But then I thought about it. What was the one thing that we all feared that Robotnick held over us? Robotification. It was what he gave to all that tried to side with him, whether out of spite or boredom. But now, the only thing Robotnick had I no longer fear. I side with Robotnick not as soft Mobian but…." And with that Drago raised his hand to his face and to Lupe's disgust, ripped off the flesh over his right cheek with his claws. And below the fur, skin and fake blood shone bright gleaming metal. "… as a brother to him."
"I do not care for the moralities of metal over flesh. All that means to me is strength and toughness. And in return I retain my free will. All I need to offer is my loyalty" Drago said, displaying his half metal smile.
"Anyway, back to business" Drago said conversationally "I need you to tell me where Knothole is. I would have preferred to simply follow you to reach it but I was told this plant has to remain active no matter what, so here we are. Mind telling me then, doll?"
All Lupe did was spit down at Drago. "You disgust me. You should know, if you were still a wolf that I'd rather die then give up the cause"
Drago simply shrugged and walked over to one of the corners of the factory, were Bardou was standing, a red light emitting from his eyes. Obviously another Robian with free will, judging from his smile, Lupe thought
Drago passed his companion, lent down and came back, dragging both Botolf and Cilen. Both appeared to have been beaten badly. He stopped infront of Lupe again and dropped the two bodies.
"Ok, lets get down to the nitty-gritty" Drago said, raising his arm. Before her eyes, Drago's arm seemed to rip itself apart, tearing away the fur and fake skin. Half the arm seemed to side in on itself and the other half moved around in different directions. What was left after this transformation was a large energy gun, still with fur and fake blood littered over the barrel. Drago aimed the gun at Botolf.
"Ok, where's Knothole?" Drago asked casually.
"I-I…." Lupe said
Without even waiting, an energy blast was unleashed from the barrel, vaporizing what was once Botolf's head. All that was left was a blackened stain on the floor coming from his cauterised neck. Lupe stared in utter shock, mouth trembling at what she had witnessed
"Too slow" Drago said, taking aim with the gun to Cilen.
"YOU MOSTER!! STOP DAMMIT STOP!!!!" Lupe screamed, tears running down her cheeks as she tried not to stare at what remained of Botolf.
"Or? You'll tell me where Knothole is?" Drago asked casually.
"I…."
"Don't start that again" Drago said, smile now gone and other hand placed on the top of his gun arm, obviously to reduce the recoil.
"PLEASE!! Don't kill him…" Lupe screamed
"Then just tell me…. Ok, I'll give you a scenario. Lets say you act like a good little leader and don't crack, even after I torture this guy infront of you. I then have to kill you. After that I return to the WolfCry Pack. All teary eyed, I tell them that our dear leader died in action. All I could do was listen to her last words before she left this mortal coil. All she says to me is… "Take up the leadership. Fight for our name…". How's does that sound. No one would stop me. Not with two witnesses. So… tell me what's the point of fighting back, honestly."
Lupe just started down at the floor, tears still running down her cheek.
"Ok, to set the mood, I'll give you a countdown. 10" Drago said
"9…8…….7, ow the tension, it's sizzling…6….5….4, I may just blow couple limbs off whilst I'm waiting…3….2………..Ow, fine. Seeya pops-"
"WAIT!" Lupe cried.
"Well… come to a decision?" Drago replied
Lupe could only watch, as Drago looked at her with his ever piercing eyes, sinking deeper and deeper into her. She was powerless. Utterly powerless in the one moment where her pack needed her most.
"Aw well. I tried to be nice" Drago said, sighing. Just before he sent the command for the gun to fire, he heard the sound from behind him. He quickly turned around and saw…nobody…. Nobody at all.
"Hey, Bardou. Come on. Stop playing about…" Drago said cheerfully, until he saw the form of 'Cable' walking out, carrying the body of Bardou… or most of his body. His torso seemed to have been sliced cleanly, with a few odd wires at the back still pull the other half of Bardou's body.
"Why… YOU!" Drago, said taking aim again with the barrel at Cilen. "Move and he gets it.
Tails eyes passed from Lupe, to Drago, to Cilen and then to the remains of Botolf. He looked back to Drago.
"See what I care. I only came for Lupe" Tails said, slowly walking forward.
"W-What? I SAID BACK OFF!!" Drago said, his gun arm shaking slightly.
"Isn't that nice" Tails replied. It wasn't casually like Drago said, fiercely like Jason threatened. It was simply emotionless. Without care or anger he stared at Drago, taking one step after another. "And as I said, all that matters to me is Lupe. As long as she survives, I don't really care"
"Please. Y-you're bluffing" Drago said, still worried at how easily he got passed his friend without so much as a scratch. It wasn't just that… the look that Tails gave him… it didn't scare him… it terrified him, and what was worse was he didn't know why. Just staring at him made him desperately want to turn away.
Finally he sucked in his fear and tried to regain his composure.
"Fine, LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT A FREE WILLED ROBIAN CAN DO!!!" HE roared, raising his gun. But before he could take aim, Tails simply disappeared from sight. Before he could activate his electronic senses, the end of a pole ripped through his stomach, trailing sparks and fake blood along with it. Drago only had a chance to stare at it for no more then a few seconds before he slumped forward in one slow motion.
"Not impressed" Tails replied, still holding the pole.
"You Ok, up there?" Tails shouted.
Lupe, still phased at what she witnessed simply nodded and turned back to Cilen. Tails followed her gaze. "He's fine. Sorry about that, I just needed to get close enough strike out"
Lupe stared back at Tails in relief when her eyes quickly shot to Drago, as his eyes met hers… he was still alive. With his gun arm raised, he took one careful shot before Tails could even notice. The shot passed Tails and struck the chain hold Lupe up.
Tails, eyes wide shot up, in one fluid jump, passing the ledge and hovering above the inferno below. Just before he started to descend his one fluffy tail erupted into two tails, with the string binding them both snapping under the power. Before Lupe even started her descent, Tails caught her in his arms and floated in mid air. Before he could react though, another shot was fired. He turned just in time to see the energy bolt coming towards him. In midair he didn't have the time to move out the way and the blast was going to strike Lupe if it kept it's coarse. Tails did all he could do and turned. He held Lupe, shielding her with his body as the bolt struck and passed through his shoulder. Tails grit his teeth, turning back to Drago, still smiling his ferocious smile.
Before he could charge up another shot however, Tails, using his one free arm, reared back and flung the pole he still had in his clutches straight at Drago. The pole struck straight through the barrel of the gun, just as it was charging again. Drago saw the barrel glow and before his computer mind could take in his situation, the gun exploded. Tails instantly turned again, shielding Lupe once more. As shrapnel erupted off in different directions, many pieces launched themselves into Tails back. Tails eyes widened as the pain struck him like a thunderbolt. He tried, with whatever energy he had to fly back over the edge of the pit. He begun to descend, still hold Lupe in his arms, just reaching the edge of the pit. And just as his energy gave out and his body sank away, he fell onto hard concrete, Lupe escaping his grasp. She turned to him shouting something, but Tails couldn't hear a word being said. His vision simply sent dark and he collapsed on the floor in Lupe's arms.
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Near Future
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The second Tails emerged from the pool, empty lungs desperate to engulf as much air as possible, all there was to great him was smoke. As he took his heavy and regrettable breath, Tails started coughing violently. Tails looked around with watery eyes and saw smoke in all directions. Smoke seemingly to be emerging from every leave, branch and tree around him, creating a fog like barrier around him. Since he could only see a few metres ahead if him, Tails tried to figure out which direction Knothole was in.
Have to get to Knothole. If the explosion reached here, there's no way it could reach as far as the village but they're probably worried sick.
Tails calm and logical reasoning concluded this. He knew the extent on most of Robotnick's explosives and their range. Tails looked around and saw the smoke was not clearing. The only place he was safe to breath seemed to be the just over the pool, but beyond that Tails knew he would soon choke on the fumes and had no idea how far the blast radius actually was. The idea of simply holding his breath and running was not appealing, so Tails bent down, still floating on the surface of the water, and took off his shoe and sock. After placing his shoes back on, Tails wrapped his still wet sock around his face as a makeshift gas mask, just as Sally had taught him. He emerged from the pool and got his bearings after noting the positions of the burnt trees and went along his way.
Tails however did start to get worried as his smouldering surrounds continued as he journeyed on. Tails could have got out of that with simple reasoning that the bomb, if it was a bomb, could have been set off midway between Knothole and the pool…. But Tails knew from seeing it lick against the water that the explosion occurred away from Knothole and the pool. No weapon Robotnick had could causing this much damage.
Tails kept trudging along, his worries ever growing as he stepped over blackened grass which crumbled beneath his feet. The smoke still a wall infront of him, making it impossible to see if he was going in the right direction. Tails then started to convince himself that he had probably gone in the wrong direction. It technically made sense. If the explosion happened away from the pool, then the damage would be this great if he had gone towards the point of impact.
That fleeting glimmer of hope however was shattered when his eyes spotted a hut, no more then 10 metres ahead of him. Tails gasped as he saw the structure, wordlessly stepping forward. As his hand touched the torched wood, the entire hut collapsed on itself. As the final burnt pieces of timber fell to the earth, Tails ran.
He ran ahead, shouting… screaming, at the top of his lungs, begging for someone to answer. As he looked around, panting through his makeshift mask, he saw the huts of the village, ash over all the surfaces. The smoke still as thick as ever, Tails turned around, again and again trying to convince himself that everyone would be Ok. Suddenly he remembered the shelter. Of course, they must have gone to the tree stump.
Tails, once again trying to gain his bearings, looked for the direction of the underground shelter. As he did he noticed, just as the smoke began to clear slightly, a figure just ahead of him. Tails grinned happily and shouted out, as he sprinted ahead.
What he saw however, he knew would scar him and wake him up at nights for the rest of his life…as he stared at the burnt remains of the Mobian lying on the floor, who's features were so scorched that Tails couldn't even tell what species he was, Tails noticed the gleaming medals that now were fused to his chest.
"A-A-Antoine….." Tails mumbled as he stepped back. He tried to shut the image out of his head, closing his eyes and shaking badly. As he turned and tried to run, he saw, no more then a few feet infront of him another body. As the smoke began to thin even more, he saw there were bodies littering the ground all around him. Tails kept turning, as the retreating smoke revealed more and more Mobians. Tails, still not shedding a tear or muttering a word, stepped back, the world slowly started to spin.
Tails started to hyperventilate, his fragile mind taking in scenes which a fully grown adult should never have to witness. All he could do was run. He ran in such a panic stricken state, that he didn't care in the slightest where he was going. He saw images, not flowing scenes now. Images of the large remains of a fallen and scorched dragon, again not stopping for the obviously deceased Dulcy. Next came the image of a burnt Mobian with metal limbs shining over the falling ash. Again not a tear shed or his sprint slowed, adrenaline pumping into his body in such vast amounts, the images he saw that fixed in his mind became distorted. Soon he had to stop, knees down on the ground. He was begging, pleading with whatever force above that what he was seeing was wrong. That he was hallucinating caused from the smoke, or even that he was dead and this was some sort of limbo for him to suffer. He would have so hoped for either of those realities but, as he was panting and breathing heavily, he saw what appeared to be another figure, lying down just ahead of him.
What he told himself was to leave it, just to go on to the tree stump, where Sonic and maybe even Sally would be waiting for him, but no… he slowly walked forward, ignoring what he was telling himself. As he walked forward, just a couple feet away from the figure, he noticed it wasn't just one person. It was two, one laying ontop of the other. Tails, his body still acting of it's own accord, slowly knelt down and shifted the body ontop. All the figures from before, skin almost completely black and skeletal were mere warm-ups for what Tails saw. From being sandwiched between each other, the two Mobians still had the flames lick against the most of their bodes but both their front sides could still be recognisable. Their looks however were truly horrifying. Instead of pure blackness, mixtures of bone, flesh and muscle could be seen over only parts of their body, whereas other parts had barely been touched. This effect was nauseating to say the least. From the look of pain on their faces, it was obvious for Tails to make out the following: they were still partially alive for a good few seconds of the explosion. They were mutilated beyond belief…. They were Sonic and Sally.
Tails effective parents lay their, Sonic ontop of Sally. It was obvious from his scrunched up face and his previous grip on Sally that he jumped on her to shield her. Tails knew Sonic's capabilities better then anyone. If he knew about the impending explosion, Sonic had the speed to even outrun the wave of fire. The problem was that Sonic couldn't have taken Sally, since the acceleration would have killed her instantly by snapping her neck. Tails knew all this well, and understood why Sonic did what he did, however…
"Why didn't you run?" Tails muttered, walking up to his upturned friend.
"Why?" Tails repeated, infront of Sonic, hands on his still soft shoulders.
"WHY?!WHY?!WHY!?WHY,WHY,WHY!?!?" Tails screamed, shaking Sonic in his tantrum. His screams echoed over the silent village. Tails just screaming with all the breath his lungs could give him. But as he stopped, he turned to Sally one last time and his eyes spotted the ring. The ring adorned on her finger.
All the tears that shock alone had stopped like a damn, had erupted forth, as he buried his head into the ground, again screaming at the top of his lungs. His eyes were wide open the entire time, his pupils practically dots in his water drenched white eyes. There was no more hiding, no more denying the reality that he faced or grabbing at illogical hope. Everyone he had every loved, cared for or even known was dead. Gone forever, leaving only scorched bodies, looks of pain permanently etched into their faces. And in the middle of it all, Tails sat, swaying back and forth, next to Sonic and Sally. His eyes dull and lifeless, almost hoping for the inevitable arrival of SWAT-Bots which would come after Robotnick sees the ruins of Knothole with his spy bots.
But as he slowly fell apart, Tails heard a feint crackling sound coming from his left. As he turned the sound became greater, as the crackling reseeded but a voice took it's place.
"Is anyone in the vicinity?" Came the monotone voice of Nichole.
Tails slowly turned and looked down at the remains of Sally. The noise came from what remained of her jacket.
"N-Nichole?" Tails said slowly
"Affirmative. Status report, please Tails" Nichole replied.
Tails gave his account at what had happened so far. It was brief and Tails was happy not to have to say it again as he finished. Nichole just waited there in silence and the second he was finished, Nichole instantly took control of the situation.
"Tails, take me from Sally's pocket. In your possession I will advise you what to do next" Nichole said
Tails sat their gingerly. He didn't feel he had the will to rummage through the pockets of the person who brought him up. He couldn't. He wouldn't. And as he thought that, he did.
As he held Nichole in his hands, who appeared to be mostly unharmed, he looked away from both Sonic and Sally and back down at the village. With most of the smoke gone, it was quite visible now. There was no building remaining. The very few that still stood were on the verge of collapsing.
"Firstly you must go to the tree stump shelter, and acquire some supplies. Tails quickly ran, not caring at what sights he now saw and just focused on the log. When he arrived and hoped beyond hope still that maybe some would be down there, his hopes were let down when he opened the stumped and peered down. The bunker was untouched with no one inside. Only stacks of boxes and stores littered the inside, as Tails lowered himself down to the dark shelter.
As he went to the boxes, he picked up certain items that Nichole insisted he take. A large bag, a gasmask, hundreds of tinned items, mostly food, a couple first aid items and an expandable container, obviously for water.
As Tails took the items he was told to acquire, Nichole examined Tails' condition. Her A.I. capabilities were rather high, able to detect Mobian emotions and respond accordingly. But Tails' condition was far more serious then what she could detect. From such a trauma though, Nichole was sure that Tails would want to talk about it, but instead he didn't say a word, just obeying all her commands. This Nichole shrugged off as just his Freedom Fighter training taking over and dictating him to act sensible even under such stress this event had caused. This though, as Nichole later found out, could not have been further from the truth.
As Tails packed his overly heavy bag without any fuss, and left the shelter, he shot off whilst he still had some cover of smoke, gasmask secured over his head. He made it to the edge of the village, and as Nichole had advised him, slowly began to walk. Nichole estimated that, with a weapon that could cause the damage Robotnick had, he would almost certainly not stop at Knothole. Infact he probably didn't know he had yet. It looked, as Tails stepped at the top of a cliff, that he was simply planning on burning the Great Forest to the ground. Infact, as Tails stood there, he saw one bomb go off about 10 miles off across the vast forest. It wasn't so much an explosion. More an ever growing dome of fire. It constantly grew as it reacted with the air and eventually took out a couple square miles of forestry. Nothing stood in the centre of the ring of blackness, just a plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Nichole was again surprised as Tails looked one, not blinking or reacting in anyway to the weapon's effect. It was then that Nichole's worry began.
And that worry had been growing since. It had been a week since the burning of the Great Forest and Knothole. To Nichole's instructions, Tails had walked the entire journey and had finally passed the forest and was trudging the Great Unknown. The current plan was to find the caves of the Wolf Pack, which Sonic, Sally and Antoine had discovered. There was a good chance that they survived the sudden push Robotnick was making.
But throughout almost all of the trip, Tails hadn't muttered a word. Only on brief conversations that Nichole started could she get any response from Tails, and his voice was certainly not the same. It was more like hers. Slow and emotionless.
It was then she knew she had to do something. First off she had to change her primary directives.
Current Directives:
Owner: Princess Sally Alicia Acorn
Protect Princess Sally Alicia Acorn where possible
Provide information for members of the Freedom Fighters
Open security locks under appropriate circumstances…
The list went on and on, but all linked to her knew life. Now she had one task for her, at the moment atleast. Tails
Updated Directives
Owner: Miles Prower
Protect Miles 'Tails' Prower
Keep Miles 'Tails' Prower at a mentally stable condition
Open security locks when situation calls upon
And again, the list continued as she made new sub directives all dedicated to Tails, as to her, he was all that was left. And at the moment, though his obedience was helpful, she new it wasn't natural.
She activated her search program linking to her entire vast database of information and searched for certain criteria:
Child, Trauma, isolated, lack of communication, loss of loved ones.
She activated the search and came up with one promising response above the others. It was from a psychology database she had on certain books made by famous doctors. This one she could acquire the following.
When a person, particularly a child looses a loved one, then they can react in many different ways, determined by the persons they have lost, and even the amount and how close they were to him/her. One particular response when the traumatic shock is so great is for the child to isolate him/herself in their own mind. This is to create a self imaginative world, in order to escape from reality. This may lead to cases of extreme depression or the inability to tell reality from the reality they have made themselves. One way in which to help the child is to give reminders of the ones they have lost to try and snap them back to reality and find a way in order to allow them to express themselves.
Nichole thought for a second and decided on what to do.
"Dear diary" Came the sound of Sally's voice from Nichole's speaker. Tails instantly turned and held Nichole up in shock.
"Today was our first raid and I can't believe how well it went. Even with Sonic in the equation, everything went down like clockwork. Before, I really did feel helpless just hiding behind people like Rosie but now… tonight is the first real time I KNOW we can beat Robotnick. Awww… I really don't think I will be able to sleep tonight with how exited I am, and knowing what Sonic will be like, I doubt the village will either" Sally said, with a laugh. "Anyway, I guess I'd better sighed off, as I hear the distinct rush of Sonic coming, goodnight" and with that, the messaged ended.
Tails stared and waited for Nichole's response as to why she had played such a message.
"Nichole, what was that?" Tails asked stupidly.
"It was Sally's diary she started after she became leader" Nichole replied, happy at such a response.
"Could I hear some more?" Tails asked hopefully, glad to hear Sally's voice again.
"No" Nichole replied flatly.
Tails brow wrinkled at her response "No? Why?" Tails asked angrily.
Nichole chirped. He was arguing which was certainly an improvement. Now she had to hope he would go with her plan.
"I will play her daily diary recordings, once a night. I do however have to ask that you, yourself start making a diary of your own. After you have made an adequate recording, which I hope you will try and use to express any suppressed feelings you might have, where upon I will play her diary entries. Does that sound fair?" Nichole asked.
Tails grumbled slightly. He was rather looking forward to hearing some of the more private statements that Sally had made, since he was sure he had never seen the real side of Sally, always hiding behind her ever protective mother figure she had, hiding her hopes and dreads from her innocent child. Now he would have to wait each night for it. Though he reluctantly accepted Nichole's terms, though not asking why she had given them in the 1st place.
And as Tails walked on, with Nichole in hand, they made their way into the new world that lay in wait for them. The world which Robotnick had slowly been sculpting over the years and taken a sledge hammer to. All that lay in Tails world were the memories of his family, the loss of all he knew… and maybe a new friend gained.
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Author's Note
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Well, another chapter done. Sorry about the wait. As I do more and more of this story, the more and more I kinda figure I should have rated this a little higher :). Anyway, hope you enjoy and please review (know i shouldn't say that myself). Btw, the two other timelines, incase you are wondering will finish within the next few chapters maybe, so only the "Present" timeline will continue. Hope you enjoy.