Author's Note. I've had a lot going on in my life lately as I'm usually even more busy at this time of year.
As per usual, I would like to say a thank you to TGN, Reciprocate, Turquoise Triangle and Keyblade Writer of the Dawn for reviewing. I appreciate your support, and it has motivated me to get this far. I would also like to thank ReaderFever, SuperKirbyLand 234, and The Amazing Spectacular SpiderMan for leaving a favorite on this story. I genuinely appreciate the support.
Lastly, I do have an important notice to share with everyone in the Author's note at the bottom of the page. I'm sorry about it too.
Without any further ado, it's finally time to begin part two, and there's going to be some heartwarming moments in this chapter.
Disclaimer Sonic the Hedgehog belongs to Sega. I don't own anything except for the ocs appearing in this story.
A tranquil atmosphere settled over the city of Red Gate City. The first rays of the sun began to rise over the horizon — the rays illuminated over a small apartment situated somewhere in Sunset Heights one of the many towns mostly consisting of big houses with a prime ocean view only the reasonably well-off citizens could afford, with the downside of noisy neighbors.
The first rays of morning light filtered in through a recently repaired window. The sun's rays illuminated the dark room revealing several shapes lying on the ground huddled under a thin blanket resting their heads on an old worn pillow.
The wolf let out a low moan of discomfort at the light filtering in through the curtains, blearily opened his peering around the darkened room hearing the sounds of their gentle breathing echoing all over the male side of their sleeping quarters. Without his glasses, the world was a blurry mess. Gadget looked around the room his gaze trying his best to focusing on a grey blob still snoring softly. Gadget heard the footsteps of his adoptive mother walking down the stairs into the kitchen.
Gadget padded silently across the room his mind still trying to process the fact six years passed in what he felt like was a blink of an eye. The second the repairs in Shamar were completed his adoptive parents decided Gadget and Mikhail needed to be raised in a safe environment since they'd moved from city to city until both of his adoptive parents were satisfied with Red Gate City due to its excellent education system and its low crime rate.
Gadget and Mikhail settled in well with the other children, often coming home with good grades, pleasing their adoptive parents.
Gadget felt nothing, but the pride of his accomplishments since it meant he could build inventions without a critical eye, or a negative comment leaving his fellow Mobian's mouths. The grappling hook prototype rested on a small hook, which his adoptive mother always made sure to praise Gadget whenever he fixed the dishwasher since Gadget had a way with machines.
"Morning Mikhail," Gadget whispered. "Did you get a good night's sleep?"
"I did," Mikhail said warmly. "Has it been six years ever since we were reunited?"
"I do it only feels like yesterday," Mikhail said nodding over to one of the walls marked with a small line indicating how much both Gadget and Mikhail had grown over the years.
"Happy Birthday Gadget!"
Gadget looked down at the headset being pressed into his hands with Mikhail beaming wagging his tail ever so slightly along with his adoptive parents entering the room Rook slinging an arm around his shoulders Crow and Raven came the room each holding onto a small box wide smiles. Gadget smiled feeling nothing, but happiness before being adopted Crow and Raven had tried for years to have children to no avail.
"I need you, boys, to run out and get the groceries," Raven said smiling. "Crow and I will decorate the place, and we're going to have a big feast. You only get to turn thirteen once, so today's a special day."
The warm morning sunlight greeted Gadget and Mikhail, the two of them walked through the bustling city coming alive with most of its residents about to begin their day, the various buses traveled throughout the city, people sat in congested traffic jams, honking filled the air. Mikhail led Gadget down the street to the local grocery store taking in the sights of the city.
"Okay, we need eggs, milk, bread, and water," Gadget said. "Our parents want us back before seven pm tonight."
Mikhail nodded in silence, for the first time Gadget noticed his older half-brother was carrying a couple of small boxes with him, a slightly teasing smile was on his muzzle. Mikhail scanned the area until a gasp escaped his lips pointing to a small group of jackals lingering near the crosswalk the leader had a massive scar on the right side of his face.
"Gadget! Mikhail!"
A familiar voice caught Gadget's attention, and across the street, it's when he spots Kaito and Zerinn. The wolf's heart skipped several beats; both jackals stuck out like sore thumbs, the Mobians giving them wide berths eying Zerinn's scar warily before making a hasty retreat, the black and silver gloves, and boots, the long hair trailing down Zerinn's back along with the five other jackals crossing the street.
Upon seeing Gadget and Mikhail Kaito broke away from the Jackal Squad swept Gadget and Mikhail up into a tight embrace hugging both brothers tightly in his excitement upon seeing them again.
"Gadget! It's so good to see you again!"
"Kaito! It's good to see you too!" Gadget gasped from the pain of Kaito's forceful hug. "Please put me down I can't breathe."
"Sorry, Gadget," Kaito said releasing Gadget. "Its been six years, I can't believe it's you."
Zerinn drew him into a gentle embrace Gadget hugged Zerinn back noting how much his friend had grown in stature, Gadget frowned feeling the slight bulge of Zerinn's ribs underneath noticing the small muscle along Zerinn's arms and legs.
"You've grown quite a bit ever since we first met," Gadget said. "Zerinn, when was the last time you had something to eat? You look like you haven't eaten in weeks."
"That's none of your concern," Zerinn mumbled. "I picked something up for you in the last town, do me a favor close your eyes."
Gadget obeyed Zerinn's command holding his eyes out feeling something long placed into the palm of his hands. Gadget waited until he heard Zerinn telling him to open his eyes.
"Happy birthday Gadget!"
A chorus of voices echoed all over the small area. Gadget stared down at the long brown strap resting in the wolf's hands. Attached to the brown strap were four pockets running along the second belt. It almost looked like a belt for storing all types of equipment.
"What is it Zerinn?" Gadget asked. "As for my second question, did you steal it?"
"It's a utility belt," Zerinn said. "It was an extra reward from our last mission. I don't have a use for it, so it's all yours. Don't worry about getting me anything in return."
The red wolf turned the utility belt over in his hands feeling the leather between his fingers. He slipped a part of it over his shoulders feeling it becoming tangled up in between his fingers. Gadget felt the blush of embarrassment hearing Kaito sniggering slightly not in a malicious way, more of a teasing tone.
"Hold still Gadget," Mikhail said. " I'll help you adjust it."
Gadget felt Mikhail's hands reaching out for the leather carefully untangling it from his fingers. Gadget held still watching his older half brother's fingers untangling the strap from Gadget's fingers. The red wolf gently pulled it over his head setting it around his shoulders. It almost felt odd against his crimson fur, but at the same time, it felt like a part of him. Gadget couldn't shake the feeling it would come in useful one day.
"There we go it looks good on you."
Gadget turned his attention towards the store window hoping no one saw the faint blush of embarrassment fading away on his face. The utility belt did look good on him. The wolf turned around noticing the olive green boots, gloves and headset Mikhail held in his hands smiling widely.
"I got these items from our local thrift shop a couple of days ago," Mikhail said handing the boots over to Gadget. "They might be a little big, but I'm sure you'll grow into them."
Gadget slipped on the gloves and boots removing his worn shoes getting them down off to the side. The fabric felt good on his hands and feet. The material felt odd brushing against his fur since his toes didn't reach up all the way into the end of the toe cap. The wolf paused to look again in the store window. He looked older more like an explorer or better yet a hero just like Sonic.
"So, what were your plans for today?"
"We were going to do some grocery shopping, after that we were going to head home at seven pm," Mikhail said. "So, are you guys going to be living here?"
"We're going to be staying here for hopefully a couple of weeks," Zerinn replied. "We're kind of in-between jobs at the moment, so if you want to come by and visit our bunker, the door's always open if you want to come by, It's not a classy hotel it's still our temporary home."
"It's no problem Zerinn," Gadget replied. "We'll come round sometime this afternoon for a couple of hours; there's so much we have to catch up on."
Mikhail and Gadget turned around to wave goodbye at the members of the Jackal squad promising they would come by the bunker later when their errands were completed. Zerinn waved back waiting until both Gadget and Mikhail were out of sight before his smile faded to be replaced with a tight frown. Saber silently leaned towards Zerinn picking up on the waves of anger radiating from the jackal.
"I know our last job was a while ago, but we can afford to be patient," Saber said quietly into Zerinn's ear. "We still have some rations back at the bunker. With our reputation, I'm sure we'll find a job here sooner or later since just arrived here yesterday."
"Yeah, yeah rations that'll only last us a day or so at the most," Zerinn rebuked ignoring the growl of his stomach. Zerinn trained hard to prove he could lead the Jackal Squad, and he'd done that. Zerinn had built up a reputation as a mercenary going in for the kill. Saber recalled seeing the expressions of fear appearing on everyone's faces at the mere mention of Zerinn.
"Zerinn now is not the time for your anger to show," Saber spoke gently. "I know you're feeling the stress of leadership, but we're in Sunset Heights, this isn't the desert if someone here ends up dead then it'll arouse suspicion."
"I'm the ultimate mercenary and the leader of the best squad of mercenaries in all of Mobius," Zerinn said tensely. "If I can't even take care of my squad then I'll be viewed as a weak leader, I need to protect all of you."
Everyone fell silent until a low cough alerted everyone to Kaito's presence the young jackal standing there looking uncertain of what to say before mustering the courage to say what was on his mind.
"You've been able to keep us safe for the last six years boss," Kaito said softly. "We've made our mark in Mobius, we're the most feared squad around, people tremble at the mention of your name. You're the best leader in the history of the Jackal Squad."
Several cheers followed Kaito's statement. Zerinn felt his whole body beginning to relax. He drew Kaito into an embrace whispering a swift thank you into his younger half brother's ear finally breaking the embrace hearing Ace suddenly speaking in a hostile tone.
"So, are we really going to let that wolf come to our base?"
Zerinn pivoted on his heel noticing Ace approaching him his usual relaxed expression replaced by a tense scowl his tail twitching in agitation. The other jackals took notice of Ace's aggression Kaito silently stood next to Zerinn eying Ace warily his small dagger held out at his side in case he had to use it.
"You're giving that wolf too much freedom," Ace snarled."That's what Cassius did with Marcus. Your dad foolishly trusted him. Marcus took advantage of that trust and backstabbed him when he least expected it."
"Gadget is my friend," Zerinn replied tensely. "Ace, I'm not getting soft, so there's no need to panic. Besides the less, he knows what we've been doing the better. He wouldn't understand why we had to do those things, and he's not a snitch."
Ace glared at Zerinn before marching away muttering curses underneath his breath tail lashing. Zerinn frowned ignoring Kaito's worried voice asking if he was okay. The jackal walked alongside the bustling city streets ignoring the rumble of his stomach. Feeling entirely at ease upon reuniting with his best friend heading to explore some new territory. He would never break his friendship with Gadget, no matter what would happen in the future.
Author's note I know that this chapter is a bit shorter than the last few chapters. I'm well aware that its a filler chapter and not a lot happens in it. Right from when I wrote up the outline to this story I wanted to build on the relationships within the Jackal Squad while giving an origin of where Gadget and Zerinn got their utility belt and scarf respectively.
The reason Ace is slightly hostile to both Gadget and Mikhail is becuase he has a disdain towards wolves in general due to Marcus betraying Cassius. Iris isn't as hostile towards Gadget, and Mikhail like Blade and Roscoe are, but she does have a slight distrust towards wolves as well.
Now and I'm sorry to say this especially that I've resumed work on this story, that there will be no update to both the Wolf and the Jackal, and the Illusionary Resistance next week. Its due to me helping out with a fundraiser, which is part of the summer activity program this coming weekend. I also have to help out with an event at one of my workplaces. It means I won't have a lot of time to sit down and write chapters, and I'm sorry for the delay.
As per usual any form of constructive criticism/thoughts and reviews are appreciated and welcome as always.