Shweet, another reviewer! Thanks, Swekyde.
And to answer your question, possibly. :o
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Damn it…damn it…
Amplifying a loud yelp into several reserved sputters, Tails wrenched his eyes shut as he gingerly grasped one of his serious wounds. A large gash tore diagonally from the side of his lower chest to the other side of his lower stomach. A small hole gaped below where the gash started on his chest. A cut on his forehead sent blood curling around his left eye. Another cut similar in size sported on his right shoulder. A number of other bruises and scrapes were strewn about his slight frame. He was also pretty sure that one of his ribs was broken. The wall which he lay in front of was streaked with his blood from when he slid across it. Fresh blood constantly poured onto the floor.
Damn it... "AUGH!" Tails let out a short groan. Why the hell…those bastards… He slammed his blood-stained gloved fist on the ground.
Am I…going to die here…?
Breathing heavily, he scanned the very large and dark room. It appeared to be mostly empty except for what looked like a giant computer and many panels taking up a small portion of the left wall. The once clean and empty floor was now riddled with stains of blood, a few weapons, and three darkly-clothed unconscious bodies. Tails grew faintly aware of footsteps approaching him. After a moment they stopped next to him, and another gloved hand – a fingerless gloved hand – grabbed the frill of thick fur above his chest and pulled him off the ground. Tails was gazing into hard, brown eyes.
"I wouldn't suggest keeping this up," A dark voice observed. Tails returned the cold stare and blew his bottom bang out of his eye.
"I don't care."
Tails felt himself being thrown backward. With a loud smack he collided limply with the wall. A wave of blood and a gasp escaped the fox's mouth as he did so. He found himself sprawled on the hard ground again. Any energy he had left was draining by the second.
But he lifted his arms and heaved his body upright. He wiped the blood from around his mouth and assumed a fighting stance.
The enemy fighter shrugged. His unhooded cloak billowed; the ominous Theta Black symbol in the back waving around. "Suit yourself."
He suddenly dashed. Tails planted his beat-up sneakers firmly in place and gathered his remaining energy for a short burst. He could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins.
Come on, Sonic…
\../
Station Square, 2 days earlier
"What the hell do you mean by 'artificial storm'!?"
Amy's prying voice resounded throughout the living room. Cream, seated on the couch; cringed at her swearing, with Milky playing with her long and droopy ears. Neptune was absent from the room. So Tails and Sonic were standing there helplessly while Amy's easily-sparked anger rose steadily. "What are you looking at me like that for? Are you going to answer me!?"
Sonic avoided her piercing gaze and scratched his sagging cerulean quills. "Don't worry about stuff like that, 'kay? We took care of it. Over with."
Amy stood menacingly over him. "I believe I asked you a question."
Sonic wore a panicked look. "Eh…something about advanced technology…and it doesn't spawn naturally…generator…Tails knows about stuff like that."
Aw, hell, he's putting the spotlight on me…
Tails found his usually low voice squeaking in the wake of an enraged Amy. "It's just…just like a fake storm, Amy. Created by somebody with this big machine. And it's really powerful…and…" he trailed off.
"And what?"
Sonic courageously voiced the next part. "There was one heading this way."
"Oh, really? And where were we?"
"Asleep." Tails couldn't stop a faint smile from creeping into his face.
"So, what happened? Did it just miss us? Or vanish? What?"
Tails felt obliged to answer the most risky chance in setting her off. "We might have gone out…and…"
Amy didn't let him finish. Before he knew it, the flat of a hammer came into Tails's sight, and he was soaring through the air. He was aware of Cream letting out a faint cry of disapproval, and another whack as Amy spun around to pound Sonic. Then a sharp pain exploded through his head as he smacked into the wall and dropped to the floor. Stars danced through his mind.
"Was that really necessary!?" came Cream's protest.
"Of course it was! First Tails goes out and nearly gets himself killed and now this? Their reason has gone out the window!"
Tails regained control of his senses and stood on all fours, catching his breath. Suddenly a wave of bravery rushed through his body. He looked up, his bangs falling over his eyes.
"So is that a 'thank you, boys! We had fun shopping!'?"
A flash of white as Amy's boot collided with his collarbone.
"Now that was necessary."
\../
Dr. Eggman strolled nervously through the halls of an intricate airship base. His uneasiness was displayed on his rotund face, his sunglasses hiding the awe in his eyes. Large double doors were in sight at the end of the corridor he was in. He twiddled his fingers as he approached the doors; the Theta Black insignia was plastered across their steel surface. He stopped in front of it, and punched a button combination he was recently taught into the panel next to it. With a low whoosh, the doors parted and disappeared into the sides of the entrance into the main room of the base.
The room was larger than any the evil scientist had seen. The walls were dotted with computer screens and the symbol revealed itself every once in a while. The walls and floor were a grayish-blue, and bright lights covered the vast ceiling. At the end of the room, a small cloaked figure paced back and forth in front of what appeared to be a glass casing. Eggman resumed walking toward the figure.
The figure noticed him and ceased pacing. It outstretched its arms in a welcoming gesture. "Dr. Ivo Robotnik, I presume," it said in a dark male voice. "We have important matters to discuss. Come look inside this casing."
The overweight man did as he was told and peered inside. Seven holders were placed in the left side of the casing, lined up vertically to the glass ceiling, and four separate holders were suspended horizontally on the right side. However, the seven holders were empty; but only three of the others were as well. The fourth of the separate holders sported a shining and dazzling red gem, shaped in the likeness of a flame. It appeared to be the size of someone's fist, and seemed to flicker through the glass of the casing.
"You told me you have one of the Chaos Emeralds in your possession," the mysterious Mobian said coolly.
Snapping out of his deep interest, Eggman fumbled around in his jacket and pulled out a large green emerald, formed like a diamond and transparent in its exquisite structure. The figure held out his hand, and Eggman placed the gem in the leather of his glove. He lifted the gem, opened the top of the casing by punching in a combination on a nearby panel, and carefully placed the Chaos Emerald in the first of the seven left holders.
Suddenly the emerald and the red gem flashed simultaneously, causing Eggman to flinch. Then as quickly as it came, the glowing stopped. The gems were normal again.
Eggman mustered the courage to speak. "Who might you be, who knows so much about the emeralds?"
"You said you have a little 'rodent' problem, didn't you, Dr. Robotnik?" The figure said, seemingly ignoring his question.
Eggman smirked broadly. He was playing his song. "Why, yes, I think I did."
The Mobian turned around to face the scientist and unhooded his cloak. "I am the leader of Theta Black. I researched the emeralds and found that they had quite an intriguing history."
"Yes, of course, but - "
Theta Black's initiator held out his hand to silence him. "Let's work out a deal, shall we?"
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For some reason, this chapter was extremely fun to write. Especially the first bit, although I don't really know why. I guess dark action sequences spur my imagination on.
Ooh, and we've got lots of swearing in this chapter; especially by Tails. Mwahaha...