Chapter 6:

Fun in the Sun

Tails flew up to the highest bow of the tree and perched there easily. Sonic sat a little ways below him on a thicker limb that wouldn't brake under her weight. Tails grinned down at her and waved.

"I'm king of the world!" he sang out, reclining against the tree.

"Says who?" asked Sonic. "I'm stronger and faster.

"Faster I'll agree with, but stronger?" asked Tails. "I don't know about that. Also, you can't reach me, therefore, I am king of the world and I decree…"

Tails spotted something out of the corner of his eye and turned his head. A little ways off, in the tree next to theirs, a hedgehog lounged. He gave Tails a rude gesture and Tails waved back. The black and red hedgehog put a finger over his mouth.

"Decree what?" asked Sonic from her lower perch. "Are you indecisive, my king? Have you decided that I am in fact stronger?"

"Of course not," said Tails. "I was just looking at the butterflies. I decree that you catch me ten butterflies and um…"

"Looking at the butterflies?" Sonic asked. "Your kingdom must be a peaceful one. What happens if I invade it?"

"Invade it with what?" asked Tails. "You have no army!"

Tails got distracted as the hedgehog snickered softly. What was his name again? Oh yeah, Shadow. Tails almost facepalmed. How could he forget that? Shadow was wearing a ragged linin jacket over a stained shirt and cut off breeches. Shadow mouthed something at him and Tails almost fell out of his tree in surprise.

"Tell her to bring you one of each color and species," mouthed Shadow. "They must all be different."

"Why?" Tails mouthed back. "I don't know if there are ten species living in the same area!"

"Because I said so," mouthed Shadow. "She'll have to run to different areas and that will take longer."

"You are a strange person Shadow," Tails mouthed back.

"Do it," mouthed Shadow, glaring at him.

"Tails?" Asked Sonic from below. "Are you okay?"

"I decree that you bring me ten butterflies!" Tails decreed, "And it's King Tails! They all have to be different colors too, and they can't all be the same species. That should keep you from invading my peaceful kingdom."

"Okay, your majesty," said Sonic. "What am I supposed to catch them in though? How am I supposed to bring them up to you? Also are there even more than like one or two species of butterfly out there. You're insane."

"Um…" King Tails said. "Am I king Tails or not? I'll have to come down to you I suppose."

Shadow tossed Tails a net for the butterflies and Tails flew down. He handed it to Sonic and she raced off to catch butterflies. Shadow jumped to Tails' tree and gave him a nod of approval.

"It should take her at least a minute or two to catch ten different colored butterflies," Shadow said confidently.

"What did you want them for anyway?" Tails queried. "Some potions require butterfly wings, but I thought you liked animals and insects."

"I have an idea for a—"

Shadow pressed himself back against the tree as Sonic ran up it. Tails moved some big leafy twigs so Shadow was hidden from view. He then accepted the net of butterflies with the top tied shut and grinned.

"Thanks Sonic," he said cheerfully. "I've been wanting to study the different species of butterflies. Let's play a different game now."

"Aww but I was having fun," said Sonic with a pout. "I want to be queen now… But if you want to switch games… What kind of game would you like to play?"

Tails felt a tug on the net and let go, then hastily climbed back down the tree. Sonic followed him, frowning.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Like what?" asked Tails?

"Tails," said Sonic as they walked to a river. "There's something going on here. I don't appreciate being played like this. I love hanging out with you, but I don't like secrets. You're bad at hiding information."

"I'm not allowed to tell you," said Tails, his brow furrowing as he frowned. "Someone wants to help you, but that's all I'm allowed to say. I don't know what else to say."

"What, like Freda?" Sonic asked bitterly. "She can't do anything. She's gone now. My father, he's gone. Those harpies I live with don't care about me. I don't know anyone else besides you and you can't help me. I am happy you found a good family to live with though."

Tails scuffed his foot in the dirt and frowned. Sonic plodded to the river and took off her shoes. She sat down and put her feet in the water, staring at the little fish in its depths.

"You're right," said Tails. "I can't help you. I wish I could, but I do know someone who can. I just can't tell you anything, not until… Well you'll just have to wait a little longer."

"Well…" said Sonic slowly. "You have brightened up my day. That's a little bit of help. You turned this day from a horrible one to a bearable one, and I thank you for that. You were a pretty silly king. I'm sorry for being grumpy. I just hate…"

"I know," said Tails, sitting next to Sonic and taking off his shoes. "At least I think I know. You comforted me when I was upset, and then someone helped me find a place to live. I can never thank you enough for that. Without your help, I'd be stuck eating out of trash cans and sleeping in trees."

"I can't thank Shadow enough for that either," thought Tails as he spotted Shadow walking along the river bank. "He may be short-tempered at times, but he's also insightful and he showed me where Sonic's house was. Yeah… I've got a list of people to thank, and I'm so grateful for each one."

Tails hugged Sonic and rested his head against her. Sonic hugged him back and laughed a little. She ruffled Tails' hair and they both swung their feet in the cool water.

"One day you'll understand," said Tails, picking up a stone and skipping it across the water's surface. "One day it will all be clear and I'll be able to tell my whole story, or at least my side of it."

"I'm sorry for being resentful," said Sonic. "It's not your fault. It's just so hard dealing with three pink terrors who expect everything to be done perfectly. It wears on my mind."

Together they skipped stones and told lame jokes. Tails watched Shadow ambling up and down the river bank, staying out of sight and wondered briefly if he was a stalker. No, he thought, stalkers didn't act like Shadow did. For one thing, they wouldn't be so helpful behind the scenes. After a while, Sonic got up and the two of them parted ways, Sonic back home and Tails towards Shadow's hiding spot.

"I'll see you when I can, little buddy," Sonic called over her shoulder.

"Don't hurt yourself doing all the chores," said Tails. "I'll come visit you lots."

"I'll be fine," Sonic yelled back. "Today was fun. See ya!"