Alright, I have one short announcement to make before we get started, I'm going to be leaving on a vacation soon, during which I won't be writing or making any new posts, so there might be a long wait until the next chapter. Just informing you guys now! I've also got my usual review answers so let's get moving on that!
(FFN Reviews)
Purloined Letter: Glad you liked their dialogue! The whole chapter was rather fun to write, and thank you for the compliment on everyone's character, it means a lot!
TheGameNguyener: Thanks, I've noticed you're following on my stories, so even if you're not reviewing, I still know you're liking them! It's great to know that, happy you're liking them!
SharpDragonKlaw: They're certain to be suspicious, it could take him a while.
(AO3 Comments)
TheInsightfulLlama: Thank you for the comment!
nightmaster000: I've had some fun ideas for how to write the Freedom Fighters and Tails' interactions with the group. I'm excited to share them. Alright, that's it for now. Let's get started!
Subject #4261
Friend or Foe
Miles felt a sudden onrush of emotions that he chalked up to nervousness. He had no idea what the Freedom Fighters would think of him, probably rather poorly if his last experience was anything to go by. Sonic led the two of them into the forest and Miles was sure he would've lost the way amid the brambles if he wasn't an arm's length away at all times.
"You there Tails?" Sonic asked, noting the kitsune's stony face.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"You looked a little spaced out there, nervous?" asked Sonic.
"A bit…" He replied softly.
"About what?"
"I'm just scared about what they'll think of me… I mean-"
"Don't worry about it, just be yourself! They'll warm up to you eventually!"
Miles smiled, Sonic's reassurance was helpful, but it didn't entirely remove his doubts. They continued for a while until Sonic stopped the two of them in a clearing.
"Ok, so I had an idea. I'm not sure the others will even be willing to talk to you if they realize exactly who I'm bringing in. So, I brought something."
Sonic grabbed a short rope and handed Miles a brown cloak that was several sizes too big.
"Put this on, hopefully, it fits."
The kitsune did as instructed, pulling the cloak over his head. "Now," Sonic began as he stretched the rope taut. "I'm going to tie your tails together, hopefully, it should look like there's only one."
"Nice," Miles spoke, as he felt his twin tails bound tightly together. Sonic placed the rope around both of them, tying it off and smoothing out the fur over it.
"That should be everything, you don't even look like yourself!"
"What do I say if they start asking questions though?"
Sonic froze for a second, "Ok, so the plan isn't fully thought out I guess."
Miles sighed, "Any ideas?"
They thought about it for a second before Sonic snapped his fingers "Well, be yourself. But they can't know it's you. Say you pretended to support Robotnik only to sabotage his defences and had to flee when he found out. That's not too far from the truth."
"We just need a name though," Miles realised.
"I've already got that covered."
"Wait, so you got a name, but not a full backstory? Geez, you need to think these plans through more." Miles commented.
"What can I say? I'm not really known for planning."
"So what is the name?"
"Lupe, it's what I introduced you as to the rest of the group."
"I think that's actually a girl's name but that can work. What about the last name?"
"it's unisex actually; believe me I looked it up. As for the family name business, it's not really that important, many don't use them anyways."
"Seems like a plan, let's do this!"
"Alright, prepare to have your mind blown," Sonic added, before walking over to one of the nearby trees and reached into a small cavity. A segment of the tree bark swung out, revealing a ladder downward. Miles looked down curiously, it wasn't too deep but it looked dark and uncomfortable.
"Welcome to Knothole!" Sonic responded theatrically before descending down the ladder, Miles followed suit, his now singular tail dangling under him. Eventually, the two of them touched the bottom of the shaft. Miles felt butterflies in his stomach and his breathing sped up. He knew that he couldn't blow his opportunity like last time. Do or die, he had to make a favorable impression He felt like he was treading on eggshells as he entered into the main compound.
"I'll get everyone set, wait here a sec," Sonic told him before stepping out of a side door, Miles tried to calm himself.
Miles felt his legs trembling uncontrollably and locked them together before whispering to himself "Alright, don't blow this Miles, you've got this, you've got this."
Sonic reappeared from the doorway. "Alright, we're ready for you. Come in when you're ready."
Miles nodded, drew a deep breath before he opened the door and stepped inside.
A smaller table, adorned with some form of device in the center, dominated the room, seated at it, were five Mobians, all of which Miles recognized. Sonic smiled at him as he entered before Miles took the seat closest to him.
"Welcome Lupe, " a chipmunk who he recognized as Princess Sally spoke. "Sonic's been talking about you."
Miles smiled back at her, "I'm not that interesting really."
"Well, we'd still like to hear about ya." A rabbit, seated adjacent to Sally spoke. "Sonic's been pretty quiet 'bout exactly what you're like."
"Earlier in my life, I didn't make the best choices with which side to serve, it's not something I'm very proud of, and I'd like to try and start making up for it."
"You mean to say you worked with Robotnik?" A purple walrus, wearing a yellow ball cap questioned.
"In essence, yes."
Soft whispers were exchanged between the others assembled in the room.
"How do we know we can trust you?" A coyote on his right with a faint French accent asked.
"I guess you'll just have to try it, but know, I just want to help."
"What do you think you could provide to us? This is just in your own opinion." Sally asked him.
"I, know quite a bit about Robotnik's machines, I could provide knowledge on how they work and what they're capable of."
Again, more whispers around the table.
"Anything else you think we should know 'bout ya?"
"Not necessarily, as I said, I'm not that interesting.
"Well, we might as well all introduce ourselves," Sally replied. "My name is Sally, I, guess I'm technically the one in charge here."
"Don't know what we'd do without you, Sal!"
She sighed, "I would assume you've already met Sonic."
"That I have," He replied.
"This is Bunnie and Antoine." She continued, pointing to the two on her left.
"Nice to meet ya!" Bunnie replied Antoine, waved at him.
"Finally, you've got Rotor."
"I imagine we'll be spending some time together, I'd like to see what you know."
The Kitsune smiled back at him. "I think that's just about everything, she said, looking to the rest of the group. Sonic interjected.
"Actually Sal, there's one more thing."
"And what would that be?"
Sonic and Miles exchanged knowing glances. They both stood up and Sonic walked behind Miles. "I'd like to introduce our newest team member since nobody has any objections
Sonic removed the rope on Miles tails and they separated themselves behind him, the kitsune nervously smiled at the others in the room, whom of which were in total shock.
The room instantly degenerated into chaos.
"What is he doing here!?"
"Sonic, are you crazy!?" Bunnie exclaimed.
"How do we know he's not working for Robotnik!?"
"This is a new level of insane, even for you Sonic!"
Miles felt dread overtake him as the others continued to yell at each other, he slowly drifted his eyes down to his feet. "Guys," Sonic asked, drowned out by the rest of the conversation. "Guys!" Still nothing.
"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!" He yelled that got their attention as the room went silent. "He's right here you guys…" He spoke, indicating the kitsune.
"That matters why?" Rotor asked, "He shouldn't be here in the first place!"
"I know Rotor but-"
"Well, then why are you even trying it in the first place!?" Antoine asked him.
"Well, there's no rule against it and-"
The remainder of the Freedom Fighters groaned in response. "Sonic…" Sally sighed. "We didn't mention it because we thought it would be a given."
"But you never explicitly stated it!" Sonic pointed out. "Come on guys he just wants to help out!"
The other Freedom Fighters looked over at one another. "Well, I'm not buying it." Rotor began. Antoine nodded in agreement. Bunnie, after thinking about it momentarily, was forced to agree with the pair. That just left Sally to vote.
"Come on Sal!" Sonic encouraged, "Give him a chance!"
She didn't respond for a moment, eventually, she made her decision.
"One," She responded. "We're free to get rid of him for any reason, you're lucky I'm even giving him this."
"Unbelievable!" Rotor exasperatedly added.
"Rotor, if you can find any suspicion for why he hasn't changed, we'll get rid of him. Until then, let's give it a shot."
"Doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy it."
"I assumed as such," She turned to Miles. "Does anybody else have anything to add?"
"This time nobody spoke."
"It's settled then."
"Most exited the room in a hurry, leaving only Sonic, Miles, and Sally."
"Miles, don't blow this." She threatened, before exiting the room as well.
"So that could have gone better…" Sonic deadpanned.
"Are you kidding!? That's better than I could have ever thought it would go!"
Sonic lightly patted him on the back. "Well, at least you're enjoying this."
"I honestly thought that there was no way they would even consider it! This is huge!"
Sonic chuckled at the kit's excitement. That meeting had gone about as bad as Sonic had thought it could, the kit clearly was surprised by his acceptance. "Well, I guess you're officially a Freedom Fighter now."
"When do I start!?"
"Whoa, eager much?" He responded. "We'll need to find you somewhere to stay, at least, until we can clear out someplace for you."
"I guess that's true," Miles responded.
Sonic mulled for a moment before coming up with something. "Well, considering the others' reactions to you, I don't think you're staying with any of them, you could sleep in my room for now until we figure something out."
"I wouldn't mind." Miles shrugged, he was just happy to be here.
"Cool, I'll show you around." The duo exited the meeting room and entered into the main living space. "So this room doesn't really have any real purpose, it's more of just a relaxing space, the main database is over there, kitchen over here, and exit is back where you came through," Sonic instructed, point to various doorways as he did.
"Finally you come to everyone's rooms, mine's here." He pointed to the nearby door. "Ant's, Bun's and Sal's are that way, he pointed down the hall. Rotor's is connected to his workshop, it's at the end." Sonic opened the door to his room and ushered Miles inside.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" Tails gasped say the place was a mess would be the understatement of the century. It looked like it had been cleaned in years.
"Sorry about the mess." Sonic embarrassingly replied.
"Its ok, I'm just wondering where I'm going to sleep."
"Well, you could always sleep in my bed, I'll sleep somewhere else."
"No, it's ok, I'll just sleep on the floor or something."
"On what?" Sonic asked.
Miles laid himself out on the floor and curled himself up into his tails. Sonic snickered at the sight.
"Ok, that's just funny. Well, I guess you found a use for them huh?
"Yep! I'll sleep down here."
"Cool! Just put your stuff somewhere, if it wasn't obvious, this place isn't really well organized."
Miles unwrapped himself and put his bag on a nearby desk, he'd sort it later.
For now, he just wanted to get used to his new living space. He walked around the entire compound, looking at how everything was organized and where things were.
He eventually returned to Sonic's room to better organize his stuff and cleaned out a corner of the room for his few worldly possessions and himself. The other Freedom Fighters apart from Sonic gave him a very wide berth. So, Sonic had to introduce the others by proxy and inform Miles of their group dynamic.
The pair spoke for hours into the night and eventually resigned themselves to sleep, Miles settled into dreamland, excited to finally be able to help out.
Alright, that's probably it before I have to go, I should be able to update once I get back but until then, leave a review telling me your thoughts and follow to be updated whenever I post. Until next time!