Hello all, here is Chapter 12. There might be some spelling errors in here that I missed. It is mostly because I was working on a smaller monitor for most of this chapter. Not a good idea, but it was all I had at the time. I did reread it, but I am not 100 healthy right now. Sigh, oh well. I also apologize for not getting this chapter out sooner. I was working on a new AMV and I was really sick the past couple days. I hope you enjoy it. For the Reviewers:
Kitsune Disciple - Yes, you answered your own question. I set it up that way so Sonic could form a relationship with Tails. But also, I set it up that way so Sonic had some good reputation with The Villagers. Now, I do agree that Sonic should have been thinking , "What the hell?" But that was the only way I could think of at the time to set it up. Don't worry, their bond will build over time. BTW, sorry about your email problems. If I can remember what I said, I'll resend it to you. Also, I like your profile page content details. Do you mind if I copy it? Obviously I won't use your specific information.
Nicend - I hope this distracts you from what you are doing. Glad you like it so far.
Tutis 75 - I think you might have missed this one because it was rated M for a long time. I recently changed the rating to T. Since by default the search parameters in are set to K-T only, I'm sure a lot of people have missed this one. Glad you are watching it and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Thanks all for reading. As usual: SEGA owns the characters; I own the story.
Happy reading!
Chapter 12 - The Coupe
I have no regrets. Sonic didn't either...about me moving in with him. Sure, he was caught off guard, but hell, he asked for a mechanic and a friend. He got both. Damn, I should be slapping myself with my own tails for throwing myself out there like that. But it paid off. Now with new allies, my friends back in the village, Sonic and I had a staging point where we could thwart Robotnik's plans. A year older now, and wiser, I developed some new technologies to help us fight against Robotnik.
"Hey Tails, get in here quick. You have to hear this."
Running into Sonic's communications room, which I built, I heard Sally's voice coming from one of the radio's speakers. Early on in that year after I left, I setup a communications center in the village that ran on geothermal power, which never needs replenishing. While a basic center, it allowed them to monitor all of Robotnik's activities in the area and keep in touch with us.
"Hey Bro, listen to this."
Scratching sounds filled the room with a broken voice. Adjusting the squelch dial and volume dial, I could barely make out a faint, encoded, transmission that Sally was sending. The recording lasted only a few seconds.
"That's all we could get," Sally's voice came back on, clearly. "We were unable to obtain more info on this transmission or what was said."
Grabbing and keying the mic: "No worries, I'll look into it. Outpost out."
Taking the recorded audio to my nearby computer, I began to decrypt the conversation. Pushing a series of keys on various computers and audio tools, Sonic watched in awe and amazement.
"WOW Tails, how did you learn all of this stuff?"
"Mostly from my dad."
"Oh...I..I'm sorry. I guess you never told me about your parents."
"Long story short, Robotnik robotisized them. I found them in a garbage heap one day...thrown out like like waste...in a scarp heap...their bodies laid dismantled...I tried fixing them but...I...I...I just...just couldn't."
Tears flooded my eyes and I lost it. Bawling out loud hard, Sonic came over, patted my back, began to reassure me everything would be alright.
"I'm sorry, Tails. I shouldn't have brought that up. I hope you can find someone out there someday who can better relate to you. But for now, I can take care of you little bro."
"Thanks Sonic."
Sonic left the room. Still crying slightly, I returned to my work...trying to figure out this transmission. Then it hit me. After adjusting a few knobs and switches, I heard the transmission. Still broken and fuzzy, I could make out the key points.
"Capture...village...Tails...Hedgehog..coupe...overthrow Robotnik...Eggman...new...leader...out."
Oh no, I though out loud. Sonic rushed into the room, blowing papers all about.
"What's up bro?"
"Well I think we have a problem here. We have a new threat. His name is Eggman, and from what I can tell...he wants to capture you, me, the village, and overthrow Robotnik. I've heard of Eggman before. Dr. Eggman, a mad scientist...who is smarter than Robotnik. We cannot let him overthrow Robotnik. Now, if we plan this just right, we could overthrow Eggman's plans...and take out Robotnik as well. What do you say Sonic?"
Sonic, in his usual manner and style, winked, with his signature thumbs up.
"Ok, Tails, let's do it."
Grabbing the mic of the radio, contacting the village, I announced our meeting. Not wanting to have "listeners" hear us, Sonic and I took off for the village. Using the Tornado, that's the airplane that I restored for Sonic which Sonic has given to me as my own craft, we made it to the beach and headed straight for the village.
Upon our arrival, the village was hopping with excitement. The possibility of ridding this nation of Robotnik had everyone thrilled beyond belief. At the meeting table, we organized a plan. Sonic would infiltrate the base and distract Robotnik. Myself, along with the villagers, would stop Eggman from getting into the base. Once we knew Eggman was eliminated, we would all gang up on Robotnik, taking him captive while Sonic distracted him. It isn't the best plan, but we had to at least try. With our assignments, we set out.
Reaching Robotropolis, memories of my past flooded me. I hate it here. This place has only brought me pain and suffering. Knowing my luck, I am doomed to a life of uncertainty, loss, pain, and suffering. Damn it, stop getting sidetracked Tails. Focus on the job at hand. Seeing a large craft over the horizon, I knew it must be Eggman's. Oh shit, I thought, that thing against my small Tornado? Damn...well, I need to at least try. Jumping into the Tornado, I head towards the giant craft...an air fortress. Big, black, spouting black smoke from its stacks, it had an evil presence...I hated it.
"Well well well," A voice echoed through amplified speakers. "If it isn't Tails, the dumb two tailed fox. What do you think you can do to me with that puny toy plane of yours? Kill me?"
"You bet, Egghead!" Shouting into my PA system.
Reaching down, pulling a red lever, fire shot out from under the Tornado, propelling me faster towards Eggman. Reaching for another lever, missiles shot and exploded in the bridge area of the fortress, causing the giant monstrosity of the craft to barrel towards the ground.
"OK GUYS!! LET'EM HAVE IT!!" Shouting into my radio.
The villagers, armed with RPGs, automatic weapons, pistols, grenades, and other various weapons, stormed the fortress, destroying anything they came in contact with. Of course, the coward Eggman locked himself in what remained of the bridge. Flying back down towards the ground, towards the bridge, his voice crackled over the PA.
"You stupid little twerp. DIE RIGHT NOW!"
A massive explosion shot up towards me, engulfing the tornado and I in a brilliant light. Fire surrounded us and touched me all over. When the smoke cleared, I was falling to the ground..towards the base. Unable to maneuver the Tornado, I looked at death in the face, yet again...the face of Robotnik...laughing that I would be history. Passing out, I felt nothing.
Ok, this time I have to be dead. But no, I wasn't. Sonic, standing over me, wrapping my arm in a bandage, told me to keep calm. The villagers appeared one by one, emerging from the great forest. Miles away now from Robotropolis, I needed to know if we were successful.
"Did...did we get him?" I asked, hoarsely.
"Sorry bro. Robotnik got away from us. Eggman did too, but at least he isn't in power."
Sadness hung over me. I cannot believe we failed. I watched my skin blister over from the various burns. Well this is shitty. I'm out of action now for a few days. Damn it. Why does this keep happening? I would like a fucking break now and again...sometimes. Looking up into the sky, starring at the fates, I cursed at each and every one of them.
After a couple days of resting back at the village, I began making the repairs to the Tornado. Faulty pieces needed extensive repair, but it was flyable back to Sonic's place for repairs. Saying goodbye to the village, we headed home.
Sonic and I have dubbed that mission The Successful Failure in that we stopped Eggman's coupe, but failed to take down Robotnik. Oh well, he'll be back again...both of them...stronger and smarter the second time around. Little did we know, that time was soon approaching us.