WOW! Two chapter updates in one day. Chapter 10 was hard to write for me. I don't know why, but here it is. Again, thanks to those who have read it so far. For the Reviewer:

Kitsune Disciple - Again, thank you for the constructive review. Damn spelling mistakes. Oh well, I will try to keep an eye out for those. I should type these in a larger font (I'm legally blind, a genetic disability) but I'm just to lazy to do that. So, some spelling/grammar errors slip by me. Oh well, no excuses. My fault. But thanks again and I am glad you like what you have read so far. Yeah, agreed with the technology portion of your comment. Technology is only good when it works, that's for sure. And I see the criticisms, as long as they are constructive, as a time for me to reflect on my mistakes and fix them.

Thanks for Reading and Reviewing. Now to get the legal shit out of the way: SEGA owns the characters; I own the story.

Happy reading!!

Chapter 10 - Demonic Tree Dance

"So, Sonic, tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? You know, all that stuff."

Without going into too much history, I learned that he is from another island in the area. He has the gift of speed. He also is addicted to chili dogs. Mmmmm...those sound good right about now, I thought. Leaving the plane on the beach, we proceeded through the great forest. Dark and deep are these woods. We hear stories all the time how a freedom fighter will get lost in these woods and die out here, never to be seen or heard from again...left out there to be fed upon by the creatures of the wild.

"So, how about you little bro? What's your story?"

Little bro? WOW, that was fast. I've only known him for five minutes and he is already addressing me as little bro? Either he is very trusting very fast...or I am about to fall into a trap. What the hell did I set myself up for? GOD DAMN IT!! I'm a fool...for being trusting so fast.

"Tails? You ok?"

I turned to see Sonic looking at me, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine, why?"

"Well, it's just that I asked my question about five minutes ago."

"Oh, sorry about that. I'm just reflecting on some shit right now."

"Hey hey, watch your mouth there."

"HEY, listen here, where I came from...that language is how I survived..."

Sonic, with a puzzled look and sort of beaten, and apologetic, expression on his face, starred into my eyes. His eyes are a bright green. His black nose stuck out sort of like mine, only his is a bit smaller in size. His ears, like mine, are well pointed and perked. I turned away, looking down, back to the ground I focused my eyes.

"Sorry, Sonic, it's just that...well...I haven't had a great life to be honest. Let me explain."

Sonic listened, hanging onto every word that flowed from my mouth. Was that...a tear? Hmmm, maybe this guy is different. I still don't know. Finishing my story, he took ahold of my shoulder.

"Tails...I'm...I'm sorry you had to go through all of that in your short life so far. It sounds like life will not be easy for you. I cannot relate to that...because...well, I have always been in the spotlight on my island...the hero...I don't mind...but it is nice to get away and just run around. But about those bullies, Tails...Nothing starts until you take action. If you have time to worry, just run. That's how I deal with my problems. I just run. But sometimes, it can get me into trouble. But listen, I am sorry. That is terrible...all the...shit...you have to go through. But you gotta defend yourself little bro."

There it is again...little bro. Something must be up here. I don't know. Maybe answers will come for me in time. But, he does seem like a nice guy. I realize he won't be able to help me mend my broken past. But maybe he can help me get through my present...and maybe the near future. Who knows. I still wonder about that Silver hedgehog though...that is a head scratcher for me. HEY, I thought, maybe Sonic knows him.

"Thanks for the advice Sonic...say...you wouldn't happen to know a Silver Hedgehog would you?"

Sonic looked at me like I was crazy. Oh great, I thought, now he is going to think I am crazy. SHIT. Why does this happen? Ok...ok...maybe He doesn't...maybe I'm just reading too much into is expressions.

"Sorry, I don't little brooooowhooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

One second ago, Sonic was there, then the next second, gone. Then I remembered...a trap. Looking up, there he was; caught in a foot trap, dangling upside down. I've been caught in a few of those in my short time here already. They are setup by the maverick tribe...the maverick tribe...FUCK...if their traps are around, then they are not too far off. Flying up to Sonic quickly, sporting a hunting knife, I cut him down, grabbed him and started to run. Holding onto his hand tightly, I felt it beginning to slip out of my hand. Oh shit, gotta grab on tighter I thought. Before I could act, he was yanked away from my grasp. The Mavericks. They got him. Now...here they are...in front of me. Tying Sonic to a tree, I stood in a fighting stance, while Sonic's advice rattled around in my fuzzy little head. Come on Tails, I told myself, you can do this. These guys are dumb. They use weapons to fight. You have an IQ of 400...use your brain. For once in your fucked up fucking life, use your god damn head.

"HEY, YOU LET SONIC GO, OR I WILL DO SOMETHING TO YOU ALL."

Heh, yeah right, what am I going to do? SHUT UP, you stupid pessimistic mind of mine...oh great, now I am talking to my own mind. SHIT. Laughter poured out from the bullies, numbing my ears, making them desensitized to anything around me. Blood boiled over...anger filled me...I'm going to take Sonic's advice...nothing starts until you take action...well...here it comes.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP...ALL OF YOU...YOU GOD DAMN SONS OF BITCHES!!"

Laughter ceased. The sounds of clicking springs filled my ears...no doubt the same .45 that shot me up a couple months back. No, not this time. Not going to let them do that. Only this time, it was aimed at Sonic, helpless because he was tied to a tree. Sonic, giving me a wink, it was time to turn the advice into action. Ok...give me strength...I can do this!

Running towards a tree, leaping into the air, I pushed off from the tree. Pushing off the first tree so hard, I went to the next tree and did the same thing...this repeated itself for a few seconds, creating confusion among the mavericks while building up precious momentum for me. My first victim...the one in front of me...BAM!! My shoes met his face...bringing him to the ground, but leaving me airborne...leaving bloody tread marks imprinted on his face. WOW...my first blood victim. Finally, I am fighting back. The mavericks saw their comrade fall, grabbing his face in pain.

"TAKE HIM...TAKE HIM." One shouted.

Gun fire sounded, bullets whizzing past my face as I continued to do my tree dance. My next victim...the guy with the gun. As I flew past is face, taking my tails, I wrapped them around his neck while flying by and whipped his neck so hard, it broke...killing him. WOW...ummm...I killed someone...I killed someone...no way. No time to reflect now...I'm still in danger and so is Sonic...WOW...defending someone...Ohhh...no time for that now. Gotta get through this. Grabbing the gun, I moved onto my next victim. Continuing to hop from tree to tree, I found my victim's head, a big head as it is, and pounded on it hard, knocking him out, sending him to the ground, cracking his skull open...he will live. My eyes, filled with hate, anger, and passionate rage turned to the leader of the pack. Frightened, he bolted away. Taking the pistol that I now possessed, I shot the ground in front of him.

"DANCE...HAHAHAHAHA...DANCE MOTHER FUCKER!!" I called out in a demonic voice.

Continuing the fire shots into the ground, he grew tired...at last. He fell to the ground. One more shot in the chamber. Walking up to him, he held up his hand...begging for mercy.

"Mercy is for the weak. I'm not weak. You are weak for having to resort to picking on those smaller than you. Now, I can have my vengeance." Anger filled my tone.

Placing my finger on the trigger, I pulled back, ever so gently...so he could hear the same springing sounds echo in his fucking ears. No...I have a different plan. Releasing my grip form the trigger, I heard a sigh of relief escaping him. Before he could finish, taking the barrel of the pistol in my hand, I lunged towards him...pistol-whipping him across the face as hard and as brutally as I could swing. While not knocking him out, it left a deep gash in his face. Now for my last and finishing touch. Grabbing his shoulder with my left hand, I pulled my right arm back...and flung it at his face in full force...knocking him out instantly. His blood splattered on my white gloves. Taking a finger, I dipped it into some of his blood now oozing to the ground. On his back, I wrote a message for his friends.

"Tell your friends about me bitch. Signed Tails, the two tailed fox, the angry geek."

HA, that will get their attention. Sonic was right. Nothing starts until you take action. Sure, I maybe four years old, but still, I've done things now that I'm sure most people never had to do nor see. I wonder what direction this will lead me. SONIC!!

I found him...still tied to the tree. Walking towards him, our eyes met. His filled with horror, no doubt from what I just did to that group.

"W-w-w-w-wow T-t-t-tails. T-tt-ttt-that was i-i-impressive."

Untying him, sitting down next to him, we both sat.

"Well, I owe it to you...your advice...about taking action."

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting this much."

"I know, but still, you know my story with these guys. Hell had to be paid and I am the messenger. Hopefully, I won't have to do this again."

Sigh. "Your right, Tails. You're right. Next time, go easier, ok?"

"I'll try, Sonic. I'll try."

We sat back against the tree, reflecting on what just happened. WOW, I defended myself...and someone else in the process. I feel so damn good right now...because I did that. WOW, I wanted to thank Sonic, but I just can't do that yet. I need to see what the group thinks of him first. Then, maybe I can muster up the courage to thank him.

These woods are dark and deep, and we still had a few miles to go yet before we return to the village...before we could sleep. Picking myself up, extending a hand to Sonic, I picked him up as well. We proceeded to the village. We arrived just before the sun died for the day...a small light was lit in my hut...welcoming me home.