Day 1
1:30 PM
"If it's a kidnapper, it's guaranteed that they'll hide somewhere abandoned, or unknown."
The problem was how to find it. Vector only had the tracks to work with. How was he supposed to find his friends with soil?
His first thought became an idea. And that idea became reality. Vector decided to go to a nearby place and ask questions.
First, he went to a restaurant.
"Sorry, Vector. I haven't seen anyone that matches your profile."
Second, he went to a bank.
"Nope. Can't help ya there, man."
Third, he went to a library.
"SHH! Also, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Then, he went to a bar.
And there, he found a small clue.
"Well, if you're tryin' to find a large crocodile, I think you've come to the right place. At around midnight, I saw a disgusting lookin' crocodile. He was fat, unsanitary, and gave off a bad feeling."
"Sir, do you know where he went after he left?"
"Well, I think he went down that road. He was probably leavin' the city."
Vector stepped next to the window of the bar and looked at the road the bartender pointed at. It was indeed an exit.
He walked back to the bartender.
"Thank you, sir. I owe you one."
"No need to. Anything for a detective."
Vector smiled and headed out.
Before he started his journey, Vector decided to go to the car dealership. Until now, he never needed a car for any mission, but since his friends are at risk, a car is completely necessary.
After hours of talking, Vector bought a small, casual car, trying not to spend the majority of his money.
"After all this time gatherin' cash, it's almost gone," Vector grumbled. He turned on the car.
"I guess it was worth it."
6:30 PM
Espio and Charmy were starting to get to know how Rool treated his prisoners.
They were both hungry, thirsty, tired, and worried.
Espio, unfortunately, had been mildly beaten by Rool himself, making him feel worse.
Espio lifted his head to look at the King of the Kremlings.
"You...you'll regret this."
Rook turned around.
"I'm sorry, I'm not the one in bad condition."
Espio smiled.
"Oh, you w-will be."
Rool rolled his eyes and looked away from the two victims once again.
Espio's head dropped once again. He was too weak to support his body.
Charmy still had his cloth around his mouth. He assumed Rool didn't want him to talk at all, since he was young.
Vector will teach him a lesson, Charmy thought.
Hopefully.
7:30 PM
Vector drove around the dark and mysterious part of the world to look for places his friends would be.
They could be anywhere. Houses and property were spread out everywhere.
Time passed on. Vector seemed to be getting tired himself, so he parked his car in a hidden spot and turned it off.
"I'm sorry guys. I've got to rest."
Vector laid on the car's seats. It was probably one of the most uncomfortable resting spots he had ever known.
"Ugh."
3:00 AM
Vector woke up to what he thought was someone nearby.
He crouched inside his car and peered out through the window.
Nothing. It was all dark.
"Hm."
Vector sat back up and turned to his right. His eyes widened in surprise.
A smaller crocodile was outside of the car with a spear. It shoved the spear through the window, making a hole in it.
Vector immediately got out of the car and tackled the other crocodile.
He dropped the spear and was immediately losing. Vector threw punches on the crocodile and shoved him against the car door, hand on his throat.
Vector, seeing the bleeding opponent, showed mercy and stopped the beating.
"Who are you?"
The crocodile struggled to speak.
"Who ARE you?!"
Then, he started to weep. Vector was awfully confused. He let go of the crocodile's throat and held his shoulders.
"Take it easy, man. I just need to know who you are."
Once the crocodile stopped crying, he spoke.
"I-I'm sorry, s-sir. I'm a Kremling. I'm required to do this job."
"Of what? Killin' people? Explain."
The Kremling completely stopped his weeping and could now talk better.
"My leader told me to hunt down a certain crocodile. I think it's you. I'm not like the other Kremlings. The other Kremlings are all mean and messed up in the head. I was forced into this job, since my parents are dead."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Who's your leader?"
"King K. Rool. He's the meanest being I have ever met. I never want to be a Kremling ever again."
"K. Rool, huh? What does he look like?"
"Well... He's, uh, he's kind of large... He has one eye bigger than the other... He has big teeth pointing out of his mouth... He has a red cape and golden armor..."
For a while, there was silence. Vector knew that this description matched the bartender's description. Then, he decided what he would do to this Kremling.
"If you help me on my journey, I'll make sure you get out of this hell."
"R... Really?"
"Yes, really. I'm sorry for beatin' ya, but I didn't know you didn't want to do this in the first place."
"It's okay. I've been beaten before..."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Anyway, I'm on a journey to help my friends. I'll give you more details in the mornin'."
"I've got to sleep. I need all of my energy to help save my friends. I'll explain my mission to you tomorrow. Got it?"
The Kremling nodded.
Soon Vector got back in his car and went back to sleep. The Kremling went to sleep outside near the car. After his alliance with Vector, the Kremling felt safer than being with King K. Rool.