CHAPTER 10
THE RESCUE MISSION
Later at the Chaotix, Shadow was sitting at Tonya's desk going through some paperwork until Vector had approached him.
"Yo, Shad!" The green crocodile called.
The hedgehog mindlessly looked up at him, "What?"
"Where's your partner? I thought she was coming in early to help catch you up with some paperwork?"
He remained silent for a moment. He remembered what had happened yesterday between them and she seemed really upset with him. By the way she had acted, he had high doubts that she would even consider showing up for work. He shrugged and continued to look through some papers. "Yeah like she would ever help me with that", he spoke in a sarcastic tone.
Vector placed a hand on his hip and tilted his head in confusion. He then saw Espio and Tonya and running through the door in panic. The way their expressions looked, he knew something was wrong. "Espio? Tonya? What's up?" The two confronted him in exhaustion and shock. He watched as Espio gave him a piece of crumbled paper.
"Vector, we got a situation", Espio spoke in an exhausted voice.
"Rouge's been kidnapped!" Tonya shouted in panic.
Shadow stopped what he was doing and looked over to Espio and Tonya while they were talking to Vector about Rouge.
"What?" The crocodile's eyes widened in disbelief and he immediately began to look at the paper.
"It happened last night", Espio explained. "The Villains took her."
He took his eyes away from the note and was lost in thought. "This is unbelievable…"
"Boss!" A kid bee had called as he came flying from downstairs in alarm.
"What's up, Charms?"
The bee hovered in front of the crocodile. "Someone broke in last night and took the battle suit Rouge was working on!"
"What? That tears it! We're going to find Rouge and bring her back!"
Espio approached the desk Shadow was sitting at and crossed his arms. "You did hear what's going on right?"
"…Yup", he plainly said while he was stapling some papers together.
"Well you are coming along to help us get her back right?"
"…Nope."
The chameleon's eyes widened in disbelief. He thought Shadow had cared about her and maybe secretly loved her. He didn't know what had made him suddenly so cold hearted towards her. "What? You gotta be kidding me! She's your partner, Shadow! Your teammate!"
"But I'm not her keeper! It's not my job to play hero and save her from every little thing!"
Espio couldn't help but to feel rage build up inside of him. He slammed his fist down onto the desk. "You self centered asshole! Rouge's life is on the line and you're getting defensive over a little drama between you two?"
"What goes on between Rouge and I has nothing to do with you. So stay out of it", he spoke in a deep and cold tone.
He could feel himself about to raise his fist and punch the hedgehog in the face for his carelessness. Vector walked behind the enraged chameleon and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Es. We need someone to watch over the Chaotix anyway."
The chameleon sighed and tried to calm down as he knew it was no use in convincing Shadow to tag along with them any longer. "…Fine." His yellow eyes fixed onto Shadow's once again. "But remember this, Shadow…if she dies, you'll never be able to live with yourself. Think about it."
Shadow watched as Espio left with the rest of the group to get prepared to go rescue Rouge.
Later, Vector, Charmy, Espio, and Tonya were walking through dirty water that was up to their ankles in a dark sewer.
As Tonya walked through the water, she held her nose because of the slight unpleasant odor that was set in the dark and gloomy tunnels they were walking through. "It would've been helpful if those stupid nerds told us that the railway was connected with the sewer system."
Charmy was setting on top of Vector's shoulder while he was walking. He formed a wide smile, "Oh the smell isn't so bad when you get use to it."
"That's what you think, kiddo."
Vector quickly stopped in his tracks and began to look around when he heard distant footsteps splashing around. "Hold on, guys", he spoke in a low tone. "I think I heard something."
Everyone froze and began to listen as well until more footsteps were heard.
"I heard it too", Tonya spoke as she looked around with uneasiness.
Charmy flew off of Vector's shoulder and hovered while he looked around as well. He then saw a shadowy figure appear on the walls in front of them. "Guys, we got company."
Espio looked behind them and saw another figure. He slowly took out shuriken stars and had them in each hand. "Heads up…"
Tonya took out her fan blades as she saw another figure approaching them from the side. "We're surrounded."
As the three figures got closer, everyone recognized Allan standing in front, Razi approaching them from the side, and Damon standing behind them. They all took note as the three were armed with some kind of big special guns.
"Well, well, well", Damon spoke as he raised the gun towards the group of detectives. "Look who decided to join the party."
Razi raised his gun at the group as well. "We've been waiting for you."
Allan aimed his gun at them also. "Now shit's getting good."
Charmy looked around and thought there was no way of passing either of them. "It's a trap!"
Espio sighed towards the bee, "Gee what made you think that?"
"Drop your weapons!" Razi demanded.
Everyone hesitated before they did so.
"Now! Or we'll vaporized ya!"
Everyone did as they were told and chucked their weapons into the water.
Vector clenched his teeth as he was trying to think of a way to pass them but unfortunately couldn't. "Where's Rouge?"
Allan began to laugh evilly, "The bat girl? She's safe and sound and if you don't believe us, we can gladly take you to her."
The crocodile gave the rabbit a cold glare. "…Like we have a choice?"
Damon made an evil smirk and began to walk towards the group while still pointing the gun at them. "You're damn skippy, old man. Hands in the air and start walking!"
A/N:
Vector: What's going on? I demand an answer!
Krad: Looks like your heroic efforts are standing way too high for a detective agency...
Tonya: What have you done to Rouge?
Krad: I'm going to kill two birds with one stone!