So, this will be the last chapter for a while. I'll do batch releases for this one. One last note is that this is a side story for me, my main that I'm working on is still going on.
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Sonic made a mental note to never offer to pay for Surge's meals after the bill hit. It probably would have been cheaper to get her to name a price. Still, if it helped make his point, then a few rings were worth the peace of mind.
"Uh. Why are we here?" Surge's disgust was almost offensive to Sonic as they entered the Hanger. It wasn't too messy… if you ignored the news papers on the ground, the smell of oil and sweat, a few soggy socks being left out to dry… Maybe a clean up was in order.
Sonic shook his head, "Well, I need to find out if everyone moved."
Surge snorted, "They're at an Egg base, duh." She looked down at her fox-shadow, "Sound right?"
Kitsunami nodded aggressively, "Yes ma'am."
Surge wore the smug look on her face with pride. Sonic rolled his eyes, "Well, last I saw they were on this weird abandoned continent. Eggman didn't build a base there last I checked."
Surge snarked back at him, "And when was the last time you checked?"
Sonic was about to retort when in all fairness, he hadn't exactly checked the continent very much. There were so many places to explore, and the place wasn't exactly known for its food. "Fair enough."
Sonic started up the monitor and pulled up the Restoration Tracking beacons.
The blue dots specked up on the continent. They were there… except for Charmy's, which was out over the ocean.
Red dots popped up at the workshop.
Surge immediately noticed them, "Hey… wait a minute. How did you find us?" She looked closer, and came to a realization, "You put a tracker on us?"
Sonic smiled, "Yeah, I did. You were so busy trying to get a good zap in, I placed it without you even realizing it."
Surge's eyes pulsed with electric energy, her fists bursting with the immense power, "WHERE THE FUCK IS IT?"
Sonic raised his hands calmly, "It's in your quill band."
Surge blinked, and reached up, pulling the band out and allowing her quills to fall downward. She was actually… pretty. Shame She was a complete and utter jerk.
The small chip dropped down, hitting the ground. Surge looked down at it, "That tiny thing?"
Sonic nodded, going to reach for it, "Yeah, Tails wanted to keep tabs on you in case you tried anything, or if Eggman tried to stir us up by framing yo-"
Surge brought her foot down on the chip, and put her quills back up, "Yeah, yeah, fuck that. You sure as hell aren't keeping tabs on me. Where's Kit's?"
Sonic shrugged, with a bit of a smile.
Surge growled, throwing her hands up, "Faker, don't lie to me!"
Sonic nodded, and held his hands up defensively,"I'm not lying. I don't know. Tails never told me; we were more concerned with keeping tabs on you. He didn't ask where I put mine."
Surge growled, balling a fist, "Is that right?" She was looking for a fight. Sonic, unfortunately, did not have the time to waste having fun with her.
She was fun, he admitted that. Racing against her, fighting her, it made him feel alive, not like he felt since Blaze first came to his dimension. But he was way too worried about his friends. They needed his help.
Surge growled, "I'm Talking to you! Don't have head monologues while I'm yelling at you, faker!"
Sonic cocked his head in a mocking fashion, "I am sorry. Please, yell at me some more."
Surge grumbled, but she sat down. Sonic then looked back at the map. Sonic would need to bring some warp rings for the first trip, because he didn't remember too much about the continent. He glanced over at the Tenrec, who was picking her ears to stay occupied.
Sonic cleared his throat, "Ok, So, one ground rule, we save my friends."
Surge blinked, before rolling her eyes, "Yeah, I figured that, stupid."
Sonic clarified again, "I mean it, I don't want my friends fried because you got frustrated."
Surge groaned, "I get it!"
"Promise me!" Sonic growled, glaring at her. She got the message, because the shiver ran up her spine as Kit shrank down slightly.
"Alright, Alright… fine, I won't hurt your friends if I can help it." Surge snorted, trying to laugh it off.
Sonic growled.
Surge threw her hands up, "Fine, I won't hurt your friends period. Happy now?"
Sonic nodded, "Thanks. Alright, I'll grab some warp rings, a fresh pair of shoes, and a shower. You need shoes or a bath?"
Surge snorted and slapped the bottom of her steel shoes, "Nah, Starline might be a total bitch, but he made some good shoes. These babies will last forever."
Kit sniffed under his arm pits, and his fur shot up, "A-A bath please…. If it's ok with you ma'am."
Surge raised her arm, and sniffed, before recoiling, "Awe man, that's awesome. Yeah, I need a bath."
Sonic took his bath, and came out… to find the two sprawled out on the couch, Kit sleeping on Surge's stomach. The girl let out a loud snore that echoed through out the house. Sonic was on a time crunch… so he needed them up.
Still… his workshop was a sanctuary, and one of the few places Sonic actually got a deep sleep in. There was something about it the made everyone comfortable. He also probably made the two feel safe..ish.
Sonic was, after all, a goodie two shoes in Surge's eyes. She'd made it very clear. He didn't particularly mind her insult, and at least it wasn't more swearing.
Sonic let them stay like that for a few minutes before shaking the tenrec.
"Grah…hnng.." Surge groaned sleepily.
Sonic Sighed, "Oh wow… you really are just a copy of me."
Surge's eyes immediately shot open, "What did you just say!?"
Sonic recoiled, "Shower is ready."
Surge blinked, and scowled, leaving the confused fox in a state of panic as she stormed the bathroom.
It went pretty smoothly, and by smooth, Surge didn't electrocute herself. That was a plus. Sonic was sitting there with the Fennec, who seemed to look at the door, waiting for Surge to come out.
Sonic cleared his throat. The kit stayed focused on the door. The water was still running, so she was still probably in the shower… unless she was trying to hike his water bill…
Sonic growled at that thought. She could insult him, she could make him look bad, but if his water bill ran over two hundred rings, then he was going to have some choice words with her.
Sonic cleared his throat again, "Hey… little guy… Kit right?"
Kit stayed focused on the door, "Kitsunami."
"Right… can I just call you Kit?" Sonic asked, hoping for a pleasant response.
"Only she can call me Kit…. Or Drippy." Kitsunami stated monotonously. He was focused on the door like at any moment
"Ok Kitsunami, that's an interesting nick-name." Sonic tried to smile, but the kid was really making it hard.
"Please don't talk to me." Kitsunami asked, admittedly in a polite tone. Sonic just didn't get why.
"Why not? Do you hate me too?" Sonic asked, tapping his foot, suddenly longing for Surge's bickering.
"Yes." The Fennec stated, no elaboration or explanation.
"Why? I didn't do anything to you… outside of our last little spat." Sonic smiled, throwing his hands up apologetically.
"She hates you. That's enough for me." Kitsunami stated, his voice in a low growl.
Sonic sighed, "And why does she hate me?" Sonic knew the answer, or at least he had an understanding of it.
"She was hypnotized to." Kitsunami stated, again quiet and angry.
Sonic sighed, running his fingers through his quills, "And You don't think that's a problem?"
The Fennec growled, "There is nothing we can do about it. It's who we are now."
"Come on, you both know you can change." Sonic tried that, he knew his chances were slim, but he wanted to try, "You don't have to be what that Duck tells you."
"He's a platypus." Kitsunami corrected monotonously, trying to hide any emotion he could possibly have.
"It's a jab." Sonic explained, "You do something to upset someone. You try." Sonic hoped to at least to try to get to know the little guy.
"You're a blue rat." Kitsunami stated, clearly not enjoying Sonics attempt at conversation.
Sonic nodded, trying to stay positive, "Alright… not too creative, but I guess it's a start."
The bathroom door opened up, and Kitsunami's face lit up, so joyful and happy. Surge walked out with a scowl, "Nice shower, faker."
Sonic smiled and shrugged, "Sorry it wasn't up to your standards."
"Whatever. Drippy, get in and get out." Surge growled while walking out.
Sonic had to blink a moment to register that her quills were allowed to lay down without the headband keeping them up. She almost looked entirely different.
Kitsunami was apparently as awestruck as Sonic was. Surge, however, was not having it, "Your ears broke Drippy? Get in and Get out!"
The Fennec shook his head, and ran into the bathroom.
Surge noticed Sonic's gawking face, "What!?" She shouted, clearly on the temperamental side.
"Your quills are down." Sonic pointed out, smiling, "It looks good."
Surge growled, before pushing her quills up, and putting the headband around them, getting her spikey quill style back.
Sonic shrugged as she rolled her eyes, "Just shut up and don't talk to me."
Sonic sighed, "Fine, I'll be in the attic if you need me."
He walked up the stairs, and pulled out his music player. Sonic started it up, and restarted the song.
Welcome to your life, there's no turning back
Sonic sat back in the chair, that was up there, resting his feet on the desk after grabbing the warp rings. He kept his eyes closed. He rocked to the tune slowly, completely aware of the fact the Surge had moved up the stairs and refused to look at him, despite clearly not wanting to be alone.
Sonic… felt bad for her. He didn't even like houses that much, he couldn't imagine being trapped in an illusion created by an Eggman fan boy. Still, Surge seemed like the kind of girl to get upset over sympathy or attempts at helping.
All for Freedom and For pleasure
Kitsunami came out of the shower as Sonic began to finish up his song. He paused his music player, feeling slightly upset that he didn't get to finish it completely, but that could wait. His friends were being used to power badniks, and Sonic needed to save them.
Surge sat up, groaning, "About damn time."
Sonic saw the Fennec walk out, looking oddly cheerful and happy. His fur was matted, Kitsunami's face was bright and joyful.
Surge had to ruin it, "Come on Drippy, I was waiting!"
Kitsunami's joy left, "I'm sorry ma'am."
Sonic glared at the tenrec, "Come on, show him a little respect."
Surge snorted, "What? He doesn't care, watch. Kit, you're a chump." Surge smiled, and pointed as the Fennec's face remained still. For some people, that would have been enough to convince them, but Sonic saw the drooping shoulders.
"He's had enough. Kitsunami, you're a cool gu-" Sonic started with a hopeful smile, but the Fennec held up a hand.
"Don't talk to me." The Fennec sighed, his voice empty.
Sonic hated that feeling, that little guy needed a big hug. Sonic couldn't give him that hug, because he was so desperate to please Surge, he didn't want to associate with Sonic.
"Alright, Come on Faker boy, let's go." Surge growled, slamming her fists together.
Sonic nodded, feeling conflicted once again about having to work with her. They walked outside, and Sonic had a realization.
"Kitsunami, are you going to be ok? Can you keep up?" Sonic asked, realizing the difference in speed.
Surge spoke up, "Uh, He's fine, ok? He'll catch up. I'm the one who is going to be doing all of the work anyway."
Kitsunami seemed to stand up straight as if trying to prove her point.
Sonic asked, "Why don't I give you a ride."
Kitsunami lit up for a brief moment, before looking at Surge, who groaned, "Fine, Just don't slow down."
Sonic picked up the fennec, who immediately lost his joyful smile, and replaced it with a scowl, "We aren't friends."
Sonic smiled, "Of course not."
They headed straight to the docks, and paid for the boat ticket. Hopefully, the last real expense Sonic would have by the end of the journey.
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That is the last chapter of the introduction. I guess I can also add the character list and cover now. I did not make this cover.
Please leave a review, and tell me what you thought.
