Espio and Charmy disappeared. Gone. It was up to Vector to find both of his teammates, but without a clue, it would be very difficult.
Outside the Chaotix building, there were tracks on the soil showing signs of struggle.
Footprints, handprints, scratches, body marks, and other types of tracks were visible.
Vector, avoiding the tracks, looked at the unfamiliar footprint.
Analyzing it, he came up with a very disturbing conclusion.
"Crocodile. A big one."
Espio woke up with a cloth around his mouth. He was unable to make a sound. He looked around to see an eerie environment.
Charmy was already conscious, but also had a cloth wrapped around his mouth.
Just then, it seemed like the ground shook for a second. Espio and Charmy turned to see what looked like a very large suspect.
As he stepped into the light, his disturbing appearance shook the two. Espio had no idea who he was.
"A ninja, huh?"
Espio's surprised face turned into an angry one.
"I thought you were better than that."
Espio kept his stare onto the overweight crocodile.
"Oh, you can't talk? Lemme get that for ya," He sneered.
He pulled the cloth out of Espio's mouth, allowing him to breathe properly. The feel of his hand disgusted Espio.
"You're all tough now, but just wait until you see a friend of mine. He'll give you something to fear."
The crocodile chuckled.
"I'd love to see him try."
The chameleon still kept his eyes on the crocodile.
"The name's K. Rool, but I don't think you'll find that useful."
Espio seemed to recognize the name, but he couldn't remember where it came from.
"You'll be staying here. Probably for the rest of your life, if your friend doesn't come here in time."
Silence.
"It doesn't matter. He'll fall to my wrath like nothing. I'll win just like always," Rool snickered.
Vector, where are you?