Sonic was back.
Tails met him when he came back in after racing around trying to find Sally. Quick as he could, the two tailed fox covered his wounds and bandages, cleaned his face and fur, and practiced his expressions. He knew the importance of appearances, and there was no need for Sonic to get involved in things like this. He was the Hero of Mobius, and everyone needed him cheerful, happy, and fighting the Good Fight against Robotnick.
"Sonic!" he called, waving conspicuously.
"Hey there, little bro!" Sonic zipped to a stop, as he always did, in the old part of town near the Ring Pool. Maybe it was habit, maybe it was a conscious desire not to be mobbed by adoring fans, but he usually came to the same spot every time. Tails was there, waiting. Sonic playfully ruffled the fox's hair in greeting.
"I don't suppose you've heard word one from Sal, huh?"
"I wouldn't worry about it. We never got an emergency signal from her transponder, and she was with Tempest." Tails started back to the old quarter, and Sonic immediately took a few steps ahead, but kept the same casual pace.
"Yeah, well, that ain't exactly reassuring…"
"Tempest would never let anything happen to her." Tails could sense Sonic's apprehension, and felt a surge of annoyance at how trivial is really was compared to everything that had happened today. That Sonic had been racing around without thinking, worried that some other guy was after his girl, despite all the times Sonic himself had picked up with other girls… but then, what was just how Sonic was, wasn't it? Deep thought and planning had never been his forte.
It was best to nip this whole mess in the bud.
"Is that so?" Sonic started.
"Sonic, Tempest respects Sally." Tails put on his best friendly-but-serious voice. It was one Sonic knew, and responded to with equal weight. "But that's all. There's no way he'd try and take her from you."
"But…" Sonic bit his lip, and scoffed. "Not that I'm worried or nothing! But what makes you so sure?"
"Kitsune don't mix with other races," Tails explained; it was best to be as clear and forthright as possible. "They're like overlanders or humans. If some human started to get friendly with Sally, would you suspect he was trying to get into her pants?"
"She doesn't wear pants."
"You know what I mean."
"The humans see us as talking animals. We were treated ok, because we saved the city. But did you ever have any human girls chasing after you?"
Sonic thought back, and shook his head.
"Did any even talk to you, aside from GUN types and a couple star-eyed children?"
Again, Sonic shook his head. He could see what Tails meant.
"They're actually like that?" he asked, finding it hard to believe that there were Mobians more xenophobic than even the echidna. "These Kitsune?"
"Worse, actually," Tails corrected his old friend and mentor with a light chuckle. "One Clan of Kitsune even practices ritual cannibalism as a right of passage. Though they don't see it that way, since to them, regular Mobians are just animals."
Sonic actually turned his nose up in disgust. It was the first time Tails remembered seeing such a strong reaction out of the hedgehog.
"Still…" Sonic persisted. "Tempest seems… kinda interested in her. And I think Sal likes him a bit, too."
"Tempest's like a computer. He'll do what he's programmed to do," Tails explained. "And he's programmed to not mix with other races. Sally, though. Well, maybe that's something you should look into. You haven't exactly been spending a lot of time with her…"
"I'm a busy guy, you know."
"I know." Tails knew full well that Sonic's version of busy mostly meant busy playing games and goofing off. But again, it was his casualness, his earthiness and honesty, that people loved about him. He wasn't some aloof genius in a lab, or a Princess in a castle.
"I guess… I gotta talk to her…"
"I'm sure things will work out," Tails reassured him. "They always do!"
Sonic smirked.
He missed Tails slight frown.
"So!" Sonic nudged him as they walked. "Bunnie's sister or cousin or something is in town! I met her yesterday. A real cutie, and your age, too…"
"Are you seriously trying to hook me up with her?" Tails asked, eyes half lidded. Like he needed that kind of mess in his life right now. And besides, Sonic was like one of the five worst match makers on the planet, right next to Knuckles and Vector. Better to go another round with the Babylon Rogues than one of their 'blind date' schemes. And 'his age' – what did that mean?
"Wait," Tails finally put two and two together. "Is she a Freedom Fighter?"
"Yeah!" Sonic nodded, remembering. "I think so."
"And you met her, how?"
"Bunnie introduced her yesterday. We all met her…" Sonic hesitated. "I guess you were working."
Tails thought about it. "Cream, huh?"
"That's her. What do you think? Cute?"
He had been attracted to her, but all that stuff with Fiona… his libido wasn't exactly working on eight cylinders anymore. It didn't help that, as sick as the vixen obviously was in the head, an animal part of himself really had wanted to give in to her, right then and there. Hell, a part of him still wanted to. It was sobering and off putting to think that the Turan'ha had muddled his normally rational thought processes so thoroughly.
"No complaints on the looks department," Tails replied. "But it's been a long damn day. You have no idea…"
Sonic shrugged. "Want to get the group together? Hit a bar or a club?"
That did sound better.
"Alright," Tails relented. He could use a drink. "Sure, why not?"
"Ha Ha!" Sonic pumped his fists and gave Tails another friendly jab. "Leave it to me! We'll hit that new place that opened last week!"
"Outside town? Isn't that a lot of trouble?"
"It'll be cool!" Sonic had obviously just been waiting for an excuse to hit a new night club. "Trust me! Just get our rides ready! I don't wanna be carrying drunk people in my arms all the way back!"
Tails watched him go, and couldn't help but smile.
It wasn't just Mobius that needed its carefree hedgehog Hero.
The suburbs of Robotropolis.
A lifetime ago, they had been the playgrounds for the noblesse: venues to display their wealth and compete in extravagance. Grand palaces and luxurious lawns stretched for acres, as Earls vied to outdo robber barons in their displays of ill gotten wealth. Many had not survived the purges soon after the war stalled. Fewer had survived the tumult of the losing years, or the 'Sad Time' as some grizzled veterans called it. Those few who clung on fell on the darkest of nights, when Robotnick seized power.
Now their monuments to wealth and extravagance rotted on the vine.
The suburbs, also called "The Ring" were a graveyard of the rich and famous. There was little here of worth for the Eggman, and as such, he left it mostly alone, preferring to fortify his great base of Robotropolis, the former Mobian capital of Mobotropolis. Freedom Fighters crawled through the ruins of the Ring, among the overgrown gardens and laurel mazes, and in the many fallout shelters and bomb blasted mansions. In addition to these patriots, more dubious sorts also made a living: smugglers, raiders, opportunists and entrepreneurs.
In The Ring, there were no laws. No Eggman, no King, no cops, no soldiers. The Freedom Fighters mostly kept to their secretive selves, and the SWATbots never strayed from their routes. It was a helluva place, if you weren't afraid of getting mugged and dumped in a ditch. Or if you could afford the protection. Accordingly, the black market ran rampant, and one could find a seller for most anything, if you had the credits and the initiative to know who to talk to.
It may have been midnight, but they heard their location almost before they saw it. Three bikes slowed to a stop near a fence topped by barbed wire. Beyond lay the converted hulk of an old mansion, done over in neon and strobe lights. The building put out a constant and incessant beat. It was just the sort of club music Sonic loved: electric trance and industrial; repetitive and loud. More than once, the hedgehog had actually gone an entire mission just listening to the stuff on a portable player, to the expense of all the other sophisticated gear Tails had built for him over the years.
A battery of guards stood out front, managing the line of hopefuls.
Sonic brought his bike around first, kicking the stand out and using his naked thumbprint to engage the lock. Tails had built the bikes for everyone in the core Freedom Fighters, and more than a few for other resistance cells as well. He even handled the custom colors with a certain personal touch: Sonic's was blue and white and black, while his a preferred gold, black, and blue. Bunnie's was gunmetal gray with some red. They were ample transportation for two people, one driving and the other holding on for dear life, with the bonus of being armed to the teeth and armored like a light tank.
Sonic had been kind enough to take Mina with him; her blushing all the way and offering excuses for coming, even though she had an ostensible boyfriend (one none of them had actually met). Bunnie had come, bringing Cream with her (Tails was only half surprised by that – no doubt more of Sonic's subtle matchmaking). Rush hadn't been able to make it, which meant Tails had a different passenger… he parked his bike, and slipped off. A second later, Rotor's feet hit the ground as he slid off the passenger's seat.
What was left of the poor fox's libido had quickly died having Rotor clinging to him on the ride over (not that Rush, who he found rather annoying, would have been any better). On the other hand, they had shared an interesting conversation that had given him some ideas for upgrades to the vehicles themselves… including a very promising increase in efficiency for the electric motor and hydrogen engine. They were a full nine months old, after all.
"So!" the walrus remarked, taking a look at their destination. "This is the 'Breeding Ground' I've heard about. Quite a crowd out here."
"Watch our great leader get us in," Tails joked.
As usual, Sonic took the lead once they'd locked their vehicles and headed towards the club. He wore his usual: which was to say, nothing. Overlander fashion was in at present, not that he paid it any mind. Rotor had thrown on a shirt of his own, and Tails did likewise (though only to cover up the evidence of his earlier activities that day). It was easy for males: a shirt and a belt of some sort were the current fashion. The females had to put more effort into it. Mina wore her usual top and skirt, in black and purple; Bunnie wore a more mature looking dress, while Cream stuck to jeans, a blue top, and a vest. Tails also noticed what could only be a concealed knife under that same Sally-inspired vest of hers.
It was a nice touch.
"Where are we?" she asked. Aside from the club itself, the place was pretty run down, and for the most part abandoned. Nearby, the broken bodies of some old Swatbots littered the street. Cream was obviously a little apprehensive about the currently lacking security arrangements, and it was overriding her lingering hero worship for all the original Freedom Fighters around her.
"The edge of Robotropolis." Tails pointed to an old building. "I think this whole area used to belong to the Duke of Andopolis."
"What if Swatbots show up?"
"Hey!" Sonic interrupted. "Unless like an army of them shows up, we pretty much the last people who need to worry. Tails, how many SWATbots have you destroyed in one night?"
"I think my best was two hundred and sixty four." He smiled at the memory. "That was a long night, and I did use a lot of high explosives."
"And I'm Sonic. The Hedgehog? Maybe you've heard of me?" He laughed and motioned for them to follow. "Come on and quit worryin'!"
'Cocky as always,' Tails couldn't help but think.
Sonic walked right past the line of well dressed (and/or desperate) Mobians hoping to get inside, and up to one of the bouncers. Both were ursines from the great northwest: big fellows, twice the size of even an overlander. Both wore identical muscle shirts and professional black pants and shades. Sonic pointed to one and winked, and they immediately stepped aside and let him in. There was only one way into the club, short of jumping the barbed wire, and as they walked in, Sonic hardly seemed to even notice the envious and in some cases, angry, stares of less fortunate and famous patrons.
Tails momentarily wondered if he could have gotten in if he had come alone.
Certainly not so easily.
The doors to the Breeding Ground swung open, and the small group walked inside. The entire place was wild with teenage animals… of all species and sexes. Off to the right, a band was playing, while off to the left were two smaller rooms, a tattoo parlor, a boxing theatre, and a crowded bar. There was smoke in the air, too. Tobacco had had a popular resurgence during the war years, when it had been transplanted from plantations in Cat Country. Tails had never found the acidic smell pleasant, but not it assailed his sensitive nose enough to make him wince.
Inside, most of the staff and security seemed to be ethically uniform: raccoons, along with a few weasels. Looking around the booths and the dance floor for anything resembling a familiar face, he came back disappointed. Eyes lingering on one booth in particular, he saw a pale haired feline with a few companions, talking among themselves. For just a moment, she glanced over in his direction, and he entertained the thought that she was the cat who had gotten away before. But the chances of that being the case were… not statistically significant.
"Gah… I do need a drink…" he muttered.
Sonic seemed to have the same idea. "You girls find a nice place. We'll get the drinks."
"You have a running tab here, don't you?" Rotor asked, deadpan.
"If by free drinksies you mean a tab, then yes!" Sonic clapped his old friend on the back. "Get the girls' orders, Tails!"
The fox nodded in silent acquiescence.
Sonic had a terrible memory for little things like this anyway. Inevitably he'd mess up the order but smooth it over with a confident smile and a joke. Tails rather envied the charm Sonic seemed able to turn on at will. But then, wasn't that what people called natural charisma?
"Over there ok?" he pointed to an empty booth a short distance from the floor. The girls seemed happy enough with it, and he listened as they told him what to get. He nodded, happy to get things right the first time and not have to talk his way out of situations. At the same time, he found his eyes wandering over to where he had seen that pale feline. Was he growing paranoid, or…?
No.
'Just relax,' he scolded himself. 'That's why you came here after all.'
Silently heading towards where Sonic and Rotor were already chatting with the bartender, Tails tried to put his work out of his mind. The two older Mobians already had shots in hand, and when Tails came up, Sonic slid one over the hardwood. Tails took it with a grateful nod, and placed the girls' orders in one go. The bartenders were both exotic types: the male who took the order was a kangaroo, a breed rarely found outside of Downunda. To Tails consternation, the mobian reminded him of Walt Wallabee, from the now deceased Downunda FF. He silently cursed Shadow for killing them in cold blood, all those months ago. The other bartender was an echidna girl with blue hair.
Coloring aside, she actually sort of reminded him of Julie-Su.
"Rough day?" she asked.
"You have no idea!" he replied, and turned to Sonic and Rotor who were holding their shots up. He never heard the bartender whisper that maybe, yes, she did have some idea.
Instead, the three males toasted, and tossed back.
Rotor let out a deep breath and pounded the counter heartily. Sonic just puckered his lips. Tails coughed, clearing his throat. Sonic ordered one more quick round, and this time they toasted to something for real. Apparently Rotor had mentioned some of Tails' little run in earlier in the day, and Sonic had decided to toast the evening to his "little buddy kicking ass." After which Sonic had announced his intention to stick around, specifically to show Jet "just who was the fastest thing around."
At least that GEAR he'd built Sonic would be taken out of storage again.
They then went back to business:
"Ok!" Sonic put his shot back on the countertop with a clang. "We've got two single ladies out there. I'll run interference for you guys, so you can feel free to thank me in advance!"
Rotor and Tails both laughed, and the latter had to admit that a little alcohol in his system was helping him loosen up.
"Mina says she's got a boyfriend, you know," Tails reminded them.
"You ever meet this mysterious boyfriend of hers?" Sonic replied, rolling his eyes. "Come on! And what's his name? Ash? What kind of name is Ash? Sounds like some character in a movie."
Rotor barked out another laugh. "Says the guy named Sonic."
"Hey!"
Sonic grinned slyly. "Besides, this so called 'Ash' isn't around now, now is he?"
Tails reached over to give the hedgehog a shove. "Weren't you just sweating bullets earlier about Sally hooking up with someone when you weren't around…?'
"That's different!" Sonic waved his hand dismissively.
"Whatever," Tails said, shaking his head. "Free for all?"
"Free for all," Rotor agreed.
"Free for all is just codeword for cock blocking," Sonic spoke up, a little too loudly. "Well, don't look at me! I'm chaste tonight… at least till Sal gets back…"
"Like I need the picture of you two knocking boots in my head… Thanks a lot for that." Tails nodded to the bartender as the girls' drinks came, just a little discretely late. Sonic just laughed.
The rest of evening grew progressively less inhibited. The girls had been chatting, of course, and had (also of course) immediately changed the subject when the guys got back. At first, Tails watched Sonic and Bunnie and Rotor carefully: he hadn't really spent time with any of them like this until after he came back from Station Square. That trip had changed everything, in so many ways. No one was sure how old he really was, and when he basically took over all the logistics and weapons procurement for the entire movement, it had been all too natural to just accept him as an undersized adult.
It helped that Mobians were less hung up about age and maturity than the longer lived humans and overlanders. Sonic and Bunnie flirted harmlessly, and Rotor withdrew bit by bit, growing shyer the more he drank. And Rotor could probably outdrink any four of them put together, so that said something. Mina quickly lost herself daydreaming about Sonic and trying to get in on his conversations as much as mobianly possible. Sonic didn't seem to mind, at least not as much as he did when Amy rudely interjected herself at the worst possible moments.
'Amy…' he frowned at the name. She wasn't here, of course. Sonic simply hadn't invited her. But he had told her, back then, too, that Sonic hadn't felt about her that way. That she tended to annoy him. That… well, he had said a lot of things. It was no surprise she had slapped him and tried to mallet him half to death.
So he talked to Cream.
She was smarter than he'd originally thought. She wasn't just a Freedom Fighter with a good record. She was studying, too, and she had thoughts about what to do with herself when the war was over. It was really more than he had – he'd always expected to just fade away, let others pick up where he left off, and devote his life to tinkering. She was very girlish in a lot of ways: she loved small animals (he was fond of flickies himself), and fascinated by the exotic. By the time she asked him about his tails, he was lucid enough to hardly feel defensive about it. After all, he wasn't a freak anymore, or a mutant… there was a whole race just like him.
He was… normal. In a way.
Then Sonic and Bunnie headed to the dance floor. No sooner had they done so than he saw Cream blush and he took the opportunity to stare at his drink. Dancing drew attention, and he generally preferred to work out of the limelight, where he didn't belong. Then he felt someone take his hand, and he saw Mina getting up and heading over to the floor.
"Come on…" She was blushing a bit herself, though he was sure she just wanted to stick close to Sonic. Or maybe just use his fox sidekick as a proxy. But he liked Mina; she was a good friend, so even if she did, it didn't matter.
So they danced.
The music had a good beat, one he could finally feel and get into, and – yes – Mina was easy on the eyes, too. She put his hands on her hips, and a flash of Fiona earlier in the day came and went, but didn't linger. Swaying, she moved with practiced grace. Compared to her, he was clumsy and nervous, with little experience following or keeping a beat. They kept reasonably near Sonic and Bunnie, who were dancing more loosely and with less inhibition.
'No wonder Antoine refused to come…' Tails thought to himself, watching the two of them. 'No amount of alcohol would get him to come out and dance like that to music like this.'
He noticed Mina watching them too.
Decision made, he maneuvered the two of them over, and picking a little pause in the music, pulled a switcheroo. Sonic didn't seem to mind, and he grabbed Mina's hand and pulled her up next to him. There was a small crowd all around the Hero of Mobius, basking in the glow of his company. Tails pulled Bunnie back a bit, and shrugged a silent apology.
She just leaned over and whispered in his ear, "You're too sweet for words sometimes, sugah."
"Certain parties would disagree…" he whispered back, and they danced together for a while, letting Mina and Sonic enjoy themselves. It was definitely a little awkward dancing close to her, though, so after a little while Bunnie held up her hands as she danced, swaying back and forth. He held his up, too, remembering how she'd taught him to dance, years ago.
"Watch my hands and shoulders, and move back and forth…" was what she had said. It was a good memory. One he cherished.
They laughed and clasped hands, swinging back and forth, much to the annoyance of the other people nearby. It was silly, and totally off the beat, but they were laughing and having fun, and that was all that mattered.
"You know," she said, leaning in so he could hear her. "Cream… really likes you, I think."
"I'm not myself right now…" he tried to say, but couldn't quite think of how to phrase it. "Getting close to someone, right now, I… I don't know…"
"Tails, let me tell ya something." She leaned in closer. "Ya gotta open yourself up to someone eventually. There's nothing like having someone you can confide in. Someone you can lower your guard around."
It was good advice, but…
"A- hey…" Rotor jumped in, offering Bunnie his hand. Tails smiled at his old friends, and let them go. Thinking about it, if not totally clearly, he saw Cream nursing her drink. He also glanced over at the booth from before, where he'd seen that feline and her friends. But they were gone.
No matter. He'd catch the guilty parties eventually.
"Dance?" he asked, holding out his hand to the girl.
"I... I don't know…" she mumbled.
But she took his hand anyway.
Outside, two figures slowly walked away from the club. "Did he see us?"
"I'm sure of it," the other replied. "Don't worry. We're fine."
"The Trigger was in there, too."
"I saw him. It was hard not to."
"So what do we do?"
"We follow the plan. Mephiles has gotten us this far, hasn't he?"
"I guess… but I don't like working with these people. They're not the types we should be hanging around with…"
"I'm not happy about it either. But if things work out like they should, it'll all be worth it."
"I hope you're right, Blaze."
The lilac colored feline smirked. "I usually am."
The Dead Springs weren't quite as dead as the name implied.
Staring up at the stars, Tempest sighed. They were so familiar, but still different. And vive la difference wasn't a phrase that existed in the Kitsune vernacular. Nothing was more welcome to a Kitsune than the routine, the dogmatic, and the traditional. It was how they had always been, and would always be. He could see now why so many adventuresome young male Kitsune turned back when they strayed south, looking for tales to tell over the fire.
The southlands had ways of making you… uncomfortable and confused.
Sighing, he tilted his head to see where Sally lay, asleep. She initially had lay down near to him for the warmth and company, but hadn't fallen asleep until he had finally let her move up close to him, close enough that his mere presence kept her comfortably warm.
"You'd never survive up north," he spoke softly, and lifted his arm to hold his head up. It was true. But then, it probably wouldn't have just been the weather that threatened her life where he came from. "But you'd probably like to see it, wouldn't you? The Northern Lights…you'd probably even try and find the Lords of the Ice… is this… this miracle deroboticizer so important to you?"
He sighed.
Taking a deep breath, he picked up her scent… just like before.
An Acorn. There was no denying it… she was Royalty… but like no southern royalty he had ever heard of. They were supposed to be deceitful and avaricious, while this female seemed to be both frank and humble within her station. There was something else, too. Tempest trusted his nose with his life, as all Kitsune did, and he still smelt that anomaly with her, inside her. She was sure she had no vulpine blood on her, but what if she had never been told about it? Her mother was supposedly half chipmunk half squirrel, and of course, her father was 100 Acorn born and bred. She certainly didn't have any real vulpine features.
Weak little clawless hands…
Small ears, and a weak nose…
A tiny doe-like tail…
"She is Prey!" A voice like his father's echoed in his mind. Breaking his thoughts, Sally mumbled something and curled up against him, before settling back into her sleep.
"A true Kitsune would slay her." An ancient voice - that of his grandfather - chided. "Take her throat, Tempest. Take her throat or take her hand. If you dare."
"Silence…" Tempest thought, warning his ancestors. The lingering quasi-personalities of his father and grandfather dissipated, leaving only their memories. He was surprised his grandfather was still understandable, given that he had been killed by his son - Tempest's father - so long ago. Still, both were long dead and their memories were now his by right of combat.
In a twisted way, Tempest had always pitied the Wizened Elders - those few ancient Kitsune who were too strong for their own bloodlines, and whose heirs never grew worthy of taking their lives. With centuries of experience and knowledge, they were respected for their power and wisdom, and pitied for they were the last of their blood. An Elder could have an Heir, but he would never survive through him. Instead, the young kitsune would have to start the cycle anew, leaving his father to carry the burden of generations. Yes: Tempest found he pitied them more than anything.
Having more memories of other's lives than one's own must surely be maddening…
Tails never opened his eyes, but he knew when they had arrived.
Secretly, he was a little relieved they had made it back, but outwardly, he kept cool. So, not moving from his position, eyes closed and cross-legged in front of the Ring Pool, Tails only sighed. He raised one hand in greeting. "Tempest… Princess Sally."
"Good to see you, too, boy," Tempest said, approaching slowly. "Are those bags under your eyes?"
"Princess?" Sally walked up to him with a bit more spring in her step. "What happened to Aunt Sally?"
Tails shrugged, but kept his eyes closed. "That one's getting old."
"The boy's needs a good beating." Tempest interjected and then added, "I'll get to that later."
"I also want to learn more about that telepathy thing," Tails said, eagerness entering his voice. "I mean… it was pretty kick ass. And it's potentially very… useful."
"Tails," Sally began to say. "I'm going to be training you this morning... And how long were you up last night?"
"Until about four hours ago," he answered, and rolled his eyes at her exasperated expression. "Yes, I know: I'm terrible. Blame Sonic."
"I will!"
"Excellent…" Tails cupped his fingers and laughed maniacally. Tempest just raised an eyebrow.
"Anyway," Tails turned serious again. "Why are you training me? Haven't you been doing that for like the last five years?"
Sally ignored the quip. "Tempest didn't get any sleep last night."
"That so?" Tails snickered, and then quickly stopped. "I mean: poor guy."
"Tails!" Sally playfully slapped the back of his head. "What are you thinking?"
Tails thought about what he was thinking before answering. "You really wouldn't want to know. …Aunt Sally."
"Do beat some sense into him before I wake up, Princess." Tempest bowed his head ever so slightly, and took his leave. Walking away, he also said, "And do find out where he went last night. The things I smell on him… I don't even know where to begin!"
"And what are those smells, hmm?" Sally asked Tails as Tempest walked off to his hut.
The fox boy stifled a laugh. "Sonic could tell you better than me. Ah… after his hangover subsides."
"I'll be sure to ask him about it… later." She promised, hands on her hips. Then she smiled, mischievously. "Did you meet anyone?"
"Seriously?" Tails finally asked, half shocked.
Sally winked conspiratorially. "Was she pretty?"
Tails stiffened. "I can't believe you're even asking me this! What kind of question is that?!"
"The kind of question I felt like asking."
"Yeah… they were all pretty hot." Tails smiled at the thought. "Especially Aunt Bunnie!"
"Ah!"
"See what you get for asking?" He hid his face in his hand as she sat down next to him. "What does it matter, anyway? I thought you were going to train me… in what, who even knows."
"You don't want to talk with your Aunt Sally about your new girlfriend?"
"Oh, by all means! We can have our hair done while we gossip!" Tails' blurted out with about as much disrespect as he'd ever shown her. He was about to continue along that same vein, when for no real reason he sniffed the air, and smelled Tempest's scent all over her.
"Woah! Where the Hell have you two been?"
"What?" Sally looked down, not understanding his question. "I'm perfectly clean."
"No… I mean… where have you and Tempest been… together?" Tails corrected.
"Oh…" Sally responded. "Where… do you think?"
"I can smell." Tails pointed to his nose. "Him all over you, quite distinctly."
"Oh, Tails…" She placed a hand on his shoulder, "It was cold; so I slept next to him. That's it."
"Uh huh. What about…" Tails paused. "Sonic?"
"What about Sonic?" Sally frowned.
"I dunno…" Tails looked down at his feet. "I mean… you and Tempest aren't…?
"Tails," Sally finally said. "Nothing else happened."
Good. Really, Sally had been the only unknown in his conversation with Sonic before. Tempest would never get over his prejudices, Tails had already determined that. But Sally was less… deeply engrained in her preferences and actions.
"You don't have feelings for him, then? Tempest, I mean."
"I don't know." Sally looked up into the morning sky. "It's hard to explain."
"It shouldn't be a difficult thing to determine." Tails made it sound almost insulting. He really hadn't meant to, but memories of past 'loves' had soured him on the whole concept, and he was feeling bitter about it. "How do you feel?"
"I feel like your delving a bit too deeply into my personal life," Sally ended that topic then and there. "500 push ups!"
"But Aunt Sally…." Tails whined, but finally rolled his eyes, mock saluted, and went to work. "Ok… ok… You're the boss… Which reminds me. We need to talk about work, too."
She nodded. "Work later."
"Yeah."
Hours later, Tails finally got to the day's exercise he was looking forward to. It wasn't like he had not enjoyed having Sally oversee his morning regimen – in fact, it had been a nice change of pace from having Tempest organize things, but there was nothing to be learned from it, and the young Kitsune craved knowledge. And, he felt quite comfortable admitting to himself, he craved a measure of power. It was only natural, really. His strength was the strength of the Kingdom, of the Cause, and by extension: that of the people.
Stronger.
Next time, he wouldn't hesitate or fail!
Bunnie leaned against the side of her hut. She'd meant to talk more about the security operations Tails had put in motion, but hadn't wanted to interrupt the morning exercises. Tails seemed remarkably alert, given the night before. As for herself, the southern belle had few problems with alcohol. Having an artificial 'super-liver' helped with that. But she'd expected Tails to be asleep, nursing a splitting headache.
Instead, he had been up and waiting when Sally returned, and now the two of them were training. It reminded Bunnie of the old days, before Sonic and Tails had left for Station Square. Though, at that time, Sally's lessons had been primarily academic. Less so, this time around, and unless she was mistaken, the door seemed to swing both ways. More than a few times, it definitely looked like Sally was picking up something from the young fox.
"They're still at it, huh?"
Bunnie didn't need to turn her head to know Cream was to her right, leaning against the wall. The younger girl had come and gone, but had probably been around for a minute or two before actually speaking.
"Those two… must be pretty close…" she guessed. Accurately.
"Mmm," Bunnie made a soft sound. "Sonic and Tails have had a few fall outs before, but he and Sally have always been like this. When he was little, he'd do anything to get her approval."
Cream thought carefully, before asking, "And now?"
That, Bunnie also had to think about.
"Probably the same." The older female closed her eyes. "Though…"
Cream let her phrase her thoughts.
"Though… lately, they've had some disagreements. About the war. But I know Tails just wants to do what he can to help."
"Most of the mobians in my unit think he's a human lover."
"Cream!" Bunnie snapped. "Language!"
"Is he?" she asked, sharply.
Bunnie pursed her lips, and looked over where Sally and Tails were talking and laughing.
"He's…" she searched for the word. "Progressive. You know, there are good humans, too. It isn't fair to judge them by the actions of a few."
Next to her, Cream smiled. "I knew you'd say that. I can't really remember the war… but I'd like to meet a human. Or see Station Square."
But then Cream's smile faded.
"I don't think he likes me."
Bunnie turned to her young sibling. "Cream, honey, he…"
"It's ok. I'm here to be useful," she spoke with total determination. "And I will be. I won't be left behind next time!"
Tails took that moment to jump in the ring pool, signaling the end of the actual exercise portion of the morning's activities. Sally started to scold him, but made the mistake of standing too close. A twist and turn of his tails, and she was soaked to the bone. By then, Cream was gone, too. Bunnie sighed.
She'd known the young girl had an interest in their Tails, and thought it rather cute. The fox (or kitsune, she supposed) hadn't exactly had a lot of healthy experiences with the opposite sex. The report in her hands about Fiona Fox's interrogation, and the operations they'd run based on her statements and those of Nic and Nack, only reminded her of that fact. But Cream was a good girl: hard working, friendly, and open minded. And they looked so cute together!
When they'd finally met, she'd taken to him very quickly and readily.
But really, Bunnie sort of wondered why.
It was true that Tails – sweet and smart as he was - had a certain charm, but not with women. Never with women, as far as she knew. Tails had always been sort of shy when it came to girls, and she had known some of the details of the 'Fiona Incident' that occurred over two years ago (something about a female android that tried to seduce him, as if Sonic hadn't fallen for that trick, too). She knew it had hurt his self-confidence. She also knew that Tails had never even tried to get a girlfriend since then, not counting the real Fiona (who turned out to be a basket case). Not that he hadn't been seen with females of many types, just that he never… spent any time with them.
He didn't seem to care.
More to the point… As much as she hated to admit it, Tails' appearance and physical... peculiarity had not done him any favors. Those who worked with him respected him, but she knew that just as many resented him as well. He was the youngest Freedom Fighter, and the closest to Sonic aside from Sally. No one had called him a 'freak' like they did back at the village Tails' had been found in by Sonic all those years ago, but the intentions were there and the thoughts were there under the surface. It was both strange and wonderful that her sister had taken such a liking to him.
She watched as Tempest joined Sally and Tails. The two Kitsune foxes sat, face to face, in the clearing by the Ring Pool. Tails still was not the sheer size of his mentor, but he was … large now. Sonic's height just about, he had also filled out in other areas. His chest was broader, and the muscles on his arms and legs were slightly more defined, though still far from matching Tempest's tempered physique. This was hardly a surprise however, given that the older fox had spent his life working on his body, while Tails had only recently done the same.
There were many differences, though, if one looked closely at the two: Tails' face was still warmer, friendlier, less… worldly. And the long fur that made up Tempest's dark gold mane was shorter in Tails. While Tempest's flowed all the way down his shoulders, touching his shoulders and collarbone, Tails' was shorter, and more ruffled. Of the two, Tails' definitely had the 'wilder' more unconstrained look about him. Then again, was Tempest showing him how to comb his hair?
It looked like serious business.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Bunnie knew full well she was interrupting something, but personal hygiene class could be put off for later.
"Hmm." Tails cupped his chin. "No, no, join in. Tempest here is lecturing me about looking like a… what was it? A wet rat? And Aunt Sally here was yelling at me for getting her a little wet…"
"A little wet! You know it takes an hour for me to dry off!!"
"Sort of wet," Tails continued. "I suppose you have those reports on the operations in the city?"
"Boy, proper grooming is essential to one's status in society…"
"Oh, those!" Sally held out her hands. "Let me…"
Bunnie cocked her head to the side.
"Oh yeah…" Sally lowered her still-quite-wet hands. "I forgot."
"Ok, ok," Tails spoke up. "Sally, Bunnie, give me forty minutes. Tempest. Can we skip the lesson on combing?"
He grumbled, but didn't say 'no.'
"Forty minutes," Sally reminded him, nodding to Bunnie. The two quickly left.
"Oh… I see," Tempest said, after a few seconds. "You want that lesson on telepathy."
Tails stood, and started to pace. "Yes. Your advice before was actually incredibly useful. But I want to know more…"
"Mental powers are the most dangerous of them all. You probably already know this." Tempest crossed his legs and took a few seconds to think deeply about how to proceed. "I will teach you what you will find useful. But some things can only be learned from experience and others… others are forbidden."
"Well, I can understand that," Tails said with an accepting grunt, then snapped his fingers in apparent realization. "Oh, and there is something else I should mention."
He explained.
"Nail, huh?" Tempest asked. "Is this really what you want?"
Tails stood at the edge of the Ring Pool, straightening out the bangs that hung over his forehead. "Yeah…"
Satisfied with them, he smirked.
"…He could be useful."
--Notes Chapter 3--
Finally, we got to the new stuff, and as author, I finally got to start the meat and bones of the ACO Reload project. This marks the major divergence from the storyline.
Unlike chapters 1 and 2, I was happy with how Chapter 3 developed. I actually rather enjoyed Sonic Riders (plotless linear racing that it was), and found certain elements to be an interesting and welcome addition to the COA continuity. The Babylon Rogues themselves make for useful adversaries.
In fact, the original COA adaptation of Sonic Riders was the "Through Fire and Shadow" prequel comic. In that story, Tails bribes the Rogues (and a group of Battlebird Armada remnanats) with the location of von Mainz's Tomb and the treasure of lost Babylon Garden. In return, they help him fight the Black Arms and Eggman Legion troops besieging Westopolis and the continent of Downunda. However, even that alliance goes sour as the Rogues try to cut and run, leading to a two way enmity between them.
Per COA continuity, the Rogues have some prior relationship with Tails as well, as they "replaced" him after he turned against and split the Battlebird Armada (in the game 'Tails Adventures' which chronologically occurs before Sonic 2). As such, the Rogues knows things about Tails' past that he goes to pains to hide, and Jet in particular makes use of this knowledge to infuriate the kitsune.
Last, there's Fiona. Between when I wrote the original first draft of ACO and the Reload project, the comics gave her a much larger role. I adapted that, because I rather like Fiona as an evil villainess (bitch!). Naturally, her COA incarnation is a bit more screwed up in the head, literally enjoying being naughty for its own sake. Tails still obviously cares for her, but it's a stubborn screwed up sort of infatuation. Don't expect any serious Tails/Fiona pairing in the story. It would be too insane and kinky. I did enjoy writing Fiona, though, and I'd like to get back to her sometime in the future.