A Fissure Among the Factions (c) 01-02 by me, MistressAli
All "Sonic the Hedgehog" characters and related indicia (c) and TM Sega/Archie/and DIC.
Used without permission.
This document may be freely distributed, as long as it's not altered in any way.
Ok, peoples, this story contains: violence, swearing, and a lil bit of sexual things.
A Fissure Among the Factions: Part 1 - The Theft
Chapter 2
They approached the looming factory door. Bunnie drew back one fist and hurled it forward solidly into the middle of that metal surface.
Snively cringed visibly. Geoffrey snickered, but the tiny human couldn't help it. No...the sound of that cold metal echoed in his head, resounding in memories that were brought forth... it was a noise so common to the city. From the stamping of SWAT feet down the corridor at night when he was trying to sleep. To the sound of Julian's fist slamming down onto his chair, over and over while he screamed. He could see that fist now, so powerful and hard, colliding with the armrest, sometimes even denting the green metal there.
There was more clanging, but it was louder and somehow much more threatening than Bunnie's fist. He turned, a small 'eep' noise escaping his throat. A squadron of SWATs were heading their way.
Bunnie followed his gaze. "Oh mah stars! Ah guess we won't be doin' this factory!"
"Damn robots..." Geoffrey scowled and adjusted his crossbow.
"Let's just run..." Snively suggested, looking to where the other 'damn robot' had gone. They could easily get away by ducking down that same alley that the Robian had taken.
He was, as usual, ignored, for the robots were close now, and the two furries fast closing the gap between, artfully dodging laser blasts. He stood against the wall shivering, watching how they fought, using their entire bodies, growling and panting. He realized suddenly the obvious; how dangerous each of these battles were, and why they fought like so, to them this was life and death.
But they were winning here. Only a few more bots remained. But he could see in the distance, the red glow from the SWAT's vision sensors that were fast approaching.
Yelling distracted his attention away from the fighting and back to the alleyway where Chuck had disappeared. He frowned. Another yell came, and this time Bunnie's sharp ears also heard it. She whirled, with a cry of 'oh mah stars, sugah-Chuck's in trouble!'
Geoffrey gave a command for her to go assist him, he'd been fine. Bunnie nodded, ducking out of the fight and down the alleyway she went. Snively followed. He had no desire to stay around and watch Geoffrey, much less help him. Hopefully the annoying brute would get captured. Besides...his eyes focused on Bunnie's fluffy white tail as he ran behind her... he'd much rather be with her...
Charging into the alley, Snively saw what had happened. Three SWATs had entered the far end of the alley, cutting off the tech-disguised hedgehog's escape. And now they were reaching for him; surely they knew he was not one of them now. For a moment Snively felt an evil twinge of pleasure.
'Finally caught you, you old coot'...and then, oh wait...he wasn't on the 'bad' side anymore, so that meant Charles was on his side and therefore getting caught wasn't a good thing. But still, he couldn't, and didn't care to, do anything against the robots. Only Bunnie could and she was leaping forward now.
Or maybe...he had an idea, but then rethought it. Robotnik *had* to have changed the robots' loyalties by now. 'Still', he shrugged, 'it can't hurt.'
His voice rose. "SWATS, return to your stations!"
One turned and he thought for a moment it had worked.
"AHH!" He jumped back against the wall, just barely avoiding a laser blast. It charred the ground in front of his feet. He could feel the heat from that shot through his boots. He shivered. Robotnik didn't want them alive, apparently. These guns were set to kill.
He opened his mouth to cry to Bunnie, warn her, but she was in the midst of the bots, fighting intently. It would distract her... He pressed his back tighter against that cold wall, swallowing back an acidic taste on his tongue. His heart was pounding.
Fear. He was afraid for her. He scowled, trying to calm his shaking body. She wouldn't be hurt...and besides, he shouldn't even care if she did... 'She's nothing but a dumb animal. A dumb dumb animal...'
But he couldn't stop trembling.
She wouldn't lose. Not today. Already, one SWAT was down and in a matter of moments, her strong left arm had disabled another. She grappled with the remaining bot, her robotic hand about its neck, crushing. A few hard kicks were delivered. The SWAT fell to its knees, but a hand grabbing Bunnie about her organic wrist brought her down with it, crying out from the tight grip.
Snively jolted, his legs pushing him forward. He had to help. Her fist flew forward, smashing the bot squarely in the face, and still the grip did not loosen. The rabbit snarled, fist punching again, harder, into the lower torso. Sparks flew. SWATs were well armored against natural fists and feet, but could not resist the cold steel of their own kind. Bunnie smirked as her arm was released.
The bot was down, but being a particularly persistent robot, it managed one last task. It got off a shot from its wrist laser. Bunnie's body was flung backwards, her only sound a short yelp, and then she had twisted around and fallen into the dirt, face down and motionless.
'Oh God!' He was motionless too; couldn't move. Didn't dare to. But finally he couldn't stand it, he rushed forward. He could hear the clanging of the Techbot, as Charles began to climb out, but this was not even registered. His eyes, his hands, his very world seemed focused on that still golden body. He reached her, his knees hitting the dirty ground. It was getting ground into his pants, but he didn't notice that either.
"Bunnie! Bunnie! Are you all right? Please...please answer me..." His voice started out high, strung with fear, and then dissolved into whimpering words bordering dangerously on sobbing. He touched her organic shoulder tentatively, then gripped, but was too afraid to roll her over. His eyes darted about wildly, but there was no blood seeping from underneath her body.
She moaned. "Sugah...Ah'm fine...Ah'm alraight..." She coughed a little, and then sat up.
He didn't fall back from her, no, he clutched his arms around her, locking hands underneath her bosom. Squeezing hard in his relief, his face nestled into the soft silken fur of her head. "Oh God. Thank God. I don't know..." he trailed off. "...you're ok..."
"Yes, sugah...now c'mon..." She squirmed a little.
He didn't realize how tight he was holding her. "You're really ok?"
"Yes, sugah," she laughed softly. "Ya'll can be lettin' me go now!"
He mummered, his lips parting, he had to express this relief, he had to release this, and he did, letting those feelings go into a tender kiss planted right on her golden forehead. And then he let go.
Her green eyes blinked, and her pink nose twitched. Brows were raised and her mouth opened slightly. She rubbed her metallic shoulder. "Ah should be the one askin' if yer alraight, sugah!"
Realization hit.
'Oh fuck! I...I kissed her...' He could still smell her sweetness with every breath; he could still taste the wild warmth of her fur. His cheeks flared red, and his gaze lowered, lungs and eyes burning. 'What will she think...how could I...?!'
But she said nothing. The curious look in her eyes faded and she stroked the metal shoulder again. "That nasty ole SWAT hit me, but only in mah shoulder! It just stunned me, honey. Sometimes Ah'm glad ta have these parts...' She let out a deep sigh, drawing her hand away. The metal gleamed silver in the low light.
Chuck stood next to the techbot. Bunnie glanced over at him. He nodded, smiling. "I knew ya'd be alright, kiddo, but you gave us a scare there for a minute!"
"Hmmm. Yeah." An Aussie voice startled them from the end of the alleyway. "Glad ta see yer alright, Ms Rabbot."
Bunnie nodded. "Ya'll can quit fussin' over me!" She laughed. "Ah'm fine...but..." she glanced over at Chuck again. "It looks like Robotnik knows yer cover now. Ah think ya'll should come back to Knothole with us."
Surprisingly, his head bobbed in agreement. "Yes...I think it's time I go there... for now anyway..." he reprimanded when Bunnie's eyes lit up. "With Nagus being so elusive in his plans, we really need a spy."
"Well, alraight, Chuck, whatever ya decide, honey. But fer now, let's start headin' back. Ah know ole sugah-hog's gonna be very happy ta see ya'll!"
Those robotic features expressed joy. "Me too... me too..."
Bunnie put a hand to her ear suddenly. Snively could just make out the staticky mummer of a female voice. Bunnie listened for a few moments, then dropped her hand.
"Sally-girl says they're gettin' swamped by bot's over there. So they're headin' home...they'll meet us there."
"Good..." Geoffrey scowled at the remains of the bots. "I hate this damn place..."
The walk home was relatively quiet. Bunnie and Chuck exchanged conversation only occasionally, in warm quiet tones as they walked ahead of Geoffrey and Snively.
The tiny human cast a glance over at the skunk, frowning. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Geoff's head swivel, every now and then, to eye him intently. But curiously, the skunk made no jeering comments to indicate what he was thinking of Snively this time.
Snively sighed and debated telling Geoff to get a camera. Then he shook his head. Geoff was not punching, poking, pushing, prodding, insulting or breathing smelly breath on him. He'd be better off just enjoying this rare moment while it lasted.
**
There was celebration in Knothole.
First, the good news of destroyed factories was enough to send the Knothole citizens into an uproar of cheering.
Snively rolled his eyes. Like they hadn't destroyed factories before, a few *thousand* times before. It seemed like it should lose its luster by now, but they apparently didn't think so. He shrunk down on the tree stump on which he was seated, for King "Max" Acorn was among the crowd today.
The second was the fact there were two hedgehogs in Knothole now, and they were currently locked in a welcoming embrace. Both drew back after a few moments of patting each other on the back. The human's eyes rolled again, cringing as the King strode by his stump, but not a word came from the monarch. Still, the human remained huddled, his scoffing gaze upon the uncle and nephew.
"I'm so glad you're here, Unc!"
"Yes...but my cover was blown..."
"Hey, it's cool, unc. You can stay in Knothole now!" The young blue hedgehog beamed. "We can use your help around here, ya know!"
The robotic one smiled as well. "Yes, Sonny, I know..." He looked downtrodden for a moment. "It's just that I was really helping in the city, and now you have no one there..."
"Well, Griff and the Underground city have been talking about doing some spy work too..."
Chuck nodded. "Yes. I get messages from them every now and then, but they seem very indecisive. I think they're afraid to be located, just as we are."
Sonic didn't seem concerned. "It's ok, Unc, we'll figure something out, let's just have fun for now. C'mon."
It was quite dark by now, and the main campfire was being lit. Snively stayed by himself on the stump as the crowd moved towards the blaze. His eyes were closed, focusing on a rather ridiculous scene that had popped into his head. He, running towards his uncle, with a joyous cry. "Oh, Uncle Julian! I'm so glad to see you again!" His little arms hugging as best they could around that flabby waist. Julian's large arms embraced back. "Me too, Snively! I missed you so much."
He burst out laughing, couldn't help it. Oh, it was too funny, too ridiculously funny.
"Oh, sugah, I know."
He jumped, laughter cutting off abruptly. So he wasn't alone yet. Bunnie was still there, standing by another stump, and she looked over with shining eyes.
"It's great ta see them two together, ain't it?"
She was referring to the hedgehogs. He looked towards the fire, eyes narrowing. "Oh...yes. Wonderful."
She didn't seem to acknowledge his dry tone. "Ah'm glad he's here, but he's surely gonna wanna go back to the city...an' I know Sonic won't be havin' any of that. Ya can be sure there's gonna be a lot of bickering goin on between 'em." She sighed, her ears drooping. "Ah wish he would stay too. Ah just don't wanna lose any more friends to that place..."
He bit his lip, rising from the stump. "Yes..." Too bad he couldn't inject more empathy into his tone. He wanted to. Looking at her drooping ears and averted gaze, her eyes downcast, he honestly wanted to comfort her, help her. She was so cheerful, yet inward how much sorrow did she hold?
He opened his mouth to say it was ok, it was alright, even though it was such a cliché and corny thing to say, and probably untrue besides, but she looked up again towards the fire.
"C'mon, let's git somethin' to eat. I think they're roastin' corncobs on the fire. Sounds good, don't it?"
He nodded, but she was already walking away. He hopped up and followed her, but nearing the fire, he faltered. Seeing ole King Max there, seated next to his daughter, talking. A corncob was held deftly between his two hands. Butter was dripping off it and onto his shoe. Sally pointed it out and they both laughed.
Snively gulped. He hated to be even remotely in that man's presence. His neck seemed to burn, reminding him of the rope, even though that had been weeks ago. Still, he couldn't shake that prickling feeling every time he saw the monarch, nor the butterflies that seemed to rise in his belly.
His eyes darted around, catching sight of another he hated, yet did not fear so much, Geoffrey. The skunk was leaning against a tree, talking, or more likely, bothering Antoine. The fox's head was shaking back and forth.
"Uh...Miss Rabbot...I..." He touched her shoulder lightly, the robotic one. She turned and smiled. "...I think I'd rather retire for the night..."
"Alraight, sugah..." She licked her lips upon seeing a plate of the roasted corn being passed around. "Would ya like me to bring ya some back?"
"No...that isn't necessary, thank you..." Without waiting for a response, he fled to the sanctuary of her hut.
**
"Non. It cannot be being true." Antoine's turquoise eyes were focused on the golden rabbit who was just now receiving her cob of corn.
"It is, mate."
Antoine turned to Geoffrey, his face stoic, but there was despair in his eyes. "Did she..." He hesitated. "Kiss him back?"
Geoffrey paused also, an evil twinkle in his eyes. "I don't know, mate. I didn't see the whole thang. Who knows what they'll do next time..."
"I will be asking her myself." The fox's hand rested on the pommel of his sword. "She will not be lyin to me." He nodded sharply at the skunk and then, with a growl from his stomach, went to get his share of food. The skunk smirked, and then followed.
**
Snively needed a bath.
He was an immaculate little creature. He scowled at his reflection, at the dirt smudged on his cheeks, the grime on his knees and hands. His shirt was even torn at the bottom. He rubbed his hands on his pants, but it did nothing. He hated having filth on him, and it was even worse, knowing it had come from that place...
So he retrieved a towel, discarded his clothes, and wrapped in the towel went into the bathroom.
He shut the door behind him and stood looking down at the porcelain white of the tub. He bent and let the water run. It swirled in, absolutely clear. It didn't even smell, unlike the crap in Robotropolis, which was always a sickly rust color.
He smiled a little. But the pure water wasn't enough. He needed something to really cleanse this grime away. He eyed Bunnie's array of soaps, and finally focused on a delicate glass bottle. He pulled out the stopper of cork and inhaled the fragrance. It smelled gently of flowers, orange peels, and other natural things. He shrugged and tilted the bottle. A stream of fragrance hit the water and instantly bubbled into an inviting froth.
He let the towel slip, but not without glancing back at the door. Of course it was closed. The girl wasn't even home. But he didn't want Bunnie to see; he had never been comfortable in the nude. Even before... he looked down at his poor body, with all those tracings of scars... he had gotten these...
He let one foot dip into the water, and satisfied with the temperature, climbed in. He sighed, letting his body relax, his head resting against the rim of the tub. The froth smelled pleasant under his chin, and was thick on the water, obscuring his body from view.
'And that's a good thing...who wants to see that anyway...' He raised a hand from the tub, watching the water drip off, but most of the froth stayed. He couldn't even see that faint ragged mark from when his arm had snapped and...he shook his head. 'Forget it. Don't think about it anymore.'
For long moments, the tan fringe of his eyelashes lay closed. He nearly had drifted off there, lost in the heat and soothing scent, when the firm thud of the front door closing made him startle. He sighed.
"Sugah? Ya in there?"
He jumped as the doorknob turned. "Yes, Ms. Rabbot! I'm in the bath."
"Oh, well alraight then."
Another sigh escaped him. She was not coming in.
'Too bad...I wonder...' He could see her suddenly, fur wet and dripping, hair plastered to her face, those emerald eyes winking so mischievously from underneath. Froth sitting so delicately on the pink button of her nose, then shaken off as she laughed and embraced him against her naked chest. He shuddered hard enough to ripple the water.
'STOP THAT. NOW.'
**
Bunnie stepped towards her dresser in the dimly lit room. Something soft pressed under her foot. In the cold metal of that limb, she could not feel its softness, but she could tell it was there, because both feet were not upon the same textured surface.
She fumbled for the light, and looked down. It was nothing spectacular, just a pile of clothes. Snively's to be exact. A little frown came to her face, not just because he'd thrown something rather uncaringly onto her floor, but because this was something he never did. The little human was quite tidy.
She bent to pick them up. After folding them neatly, she opened the bottom drawer to put them away. With one hand she tried to clear a space in the cramped drawer for this set of clothing, then she laughed a little. "Silly Bunnie! No wonder he didn't put these away. They're all dirty."
She eyed the trousers, the knees dirtied. She glanced towards the direction of the bathroom. He'd dropped down to his knees beside her. She blinked. Had he really put his arms around her, had she really felt his breath, hot on her forehead, and then something gentle press there, a set of lips so tenderly laying a kiss?
"Hmmm." She mused, not really sure what she was musing. So he was worried, well, big deal. But Geoff and Charles had been worried too, hadn't they? And they hadn't been planting smooches on anyone. She shook her head.
Metal legs rose to a standing position, and she turned towards the wicker hamper in the corner. One foot pushed the bottom drawer shut, but before it closed, something golden winked inside. Her eye was drawn, and her heart jumped.
"No," she breathed, but she knew what it was before even pulling it free from underneath his folded clothes.
The round ringlet of gold quivered between her two hands.
"Sugah...oh sugah... why did ya have to do this...?"
No. He couldn't mean anything malicious by it. There wasn't anything evil in this.
'If Ah tell anyone about this, they will tell Sir Max... and he'll be killed."
She gulped. And then still quivering, her flesh hand pushed underneath the clothes, placing that ring back into its hiding place.
Then she stood and made her way to the bathroom.
Snively had nearly fallen asleep again, his cheek pressed against the rim of the tub, eyes shut and lashes sprinkled with froth. One hand draped over the rim, the other lay underwater cuddled in his lap, so unbelieving with what had started to happen there. Quickly shoving thoughts of the naked and wet Miss Rabbot away had caused it to fade.
'It's disgusting' he chided himself, nose wrinkling. 'Getting like that about her...' He snorted. At least he had controlled himself enough not to toy, not to turn this ridiculous reaction of his body into something lewd and perverted. Like Geoffrey did when he thought of Sally. He knew the skunk did. He'd told him as much.
The doorknob suddenly turned, making him jump, both hands flying to cover his crotch underwater, even though there were plenty of bubbles. His eyes shot open wide and startled, staring nearly unbelieving at the girl there in the doorway. She had her arms crossed over her chest, which always looked odd. One shoulder and arm were so much larger than the other, but she didn't seem to notice it right now, her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted.
"B-B-Bunnie?" He gave up his usual title of 'Miss' out of surprise. "What is it?" He gazed down at the froth, then back at her. "I-I'm sorry I'm taking so long, I fell asleep."
She stepped over the threshold of the door, her metal feet clinking on the tiles like dropped marbles.
"Oh...uh..." he struggled to appease her, almost shuddering to see such anger in her eyes. "The bubble bath...I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd mind that I used it..." Damn. He felt like kicking himself, but that would stir the bubbles around too much. He should've realized from that ornate bottle; this was a special soap to her.
"Antoine gave that ta me."
"Oh." He stared down at the foamy water. "I'm really sorry. I didn't know."
"Fer my last birthday. He made it himself."
He gulped.
She stepped up to the bath, glaring down at him. One of her feet rose, delivering a backwards kick to the bathroom door. It slammed shut loudly, making him squeak and cringe like a frightened rat.
"That ain't why Ah'm pissed, sugah."
He gulped again, raising still widened eyes to her face. She said 'pissed'. Bunnie usually never came remotely close to swearing, and here she was saying pissed. Not mad, nor angry, not even ticked, no, she was pissed.
She focused that dagger-like gaze firmly on his face. He squeezed himself against the back of the tub, his hands crossed protectively over his chest now. She could hurt, hurt him badly, she could kill him without breaking a sweat. "Bunnie, what is it?" he whimpered, shivering in the warm water, afraid to look at her face, but not able to look away.
She came out with it bluntly and clear.
His heart plummeted to his toes, and he nearly sank down into that water and drowned himself then, but didn't, no, his mouth opened and asked her to repeat, repeat what he didn't want to hear.
"What?"
"Ya'll've been stealin' power rings!" Her voice rose and her metal hand slammed down viciously onto the rim of the tub. A piece of porcelain chipped off and flew into the air, then sank down into the water somewhere by his feet.
"No..."
"Ah found them! Hidden under yer clothes!"
"No...no...I..." His cheeks weren't flushed now, they were deathly pale, and his eyes frantic, darting around the room. "I didn't do it...I didn't..." He caught sight of a black jar of soap, nestled by a white one. "Geoffrey! He did it. He must've p-p-planted them there..."
"DON'T LIE TA ME!" Her hand slammed down again and he cowered, sinking down into the water far enough for the froth to brush his lower lip.
"No...don't...don't hurt me..."
She sighed and took a step backwards. "Ah ain't gonna hurt ya, Snively. Jest tell me the truth."
The frothy water was looking more inviting by the minute. It would be so easy to just sink underneath and block out her words. But she'd only pull him up again, and besides, drowning was such an unpleasant way to die. He gazed tentatively at her face, seeking out her eyes, biting his lip in fear. But what he dreaded was not there. There was disappointment, yes, there was anger, there was confusion, but there was no hatred.
His lower lip trembled. Eyes were stinging, but not from any soap getting in there. He blinked it back, no, he would *not* cry in front of her.
"I...I..."
She waited, but he fell silent, just staring down at the foam. His fingers traced in the water, making nervous patterns.
"Ah'm waitin', sugah."
He drew his fingers from the water, realizing he was stirring the bubbles, and was able to see the pale skin of his belly under the water. Cautiously, he raised his eyes to her face, but couldn't quite hold her eyes. And so his gaze slipped lower, and he gulped, for now he was staring at the golden rises of her breasts, beneath that purple leotard.
"Snively!" she said sharply, and he snapped his head up, forcing himself to focus on her glare.
"I...I don't know, Bunnie!"
She scowled.
Tears were teetering dangerously on the edge of his eyes. He so wanted to give her an answer, please her, remove the anger from her eyes, just as he wanted so many times with his uncle. But the reasons were different... he had feared his uncle's violence, but her...he feared her hate. It would only make his love hurt more, and it already stabbed deep. He couldn't stand any more bleeding.
"It's t-t-true...Bunnie..." He lifted one hand towards her, not sure if he wanted to push her away or grab her hand. "I don't know...don't know...why I'm taking them..." He managed to brush one of her fingers with his before she took a step back.
"Ya'll don't even know why yer takin' them?"
He shook his head. Water droplets flew. "Honestly, Bunnie...and I know... my honesty is probably at question considering..." he bit his lip and looked away. "But I mean it...I just thought...thought maybe I could use them in the future. That they could help me."
"Help ya'll what?" she demanded.
"I...I don't know!" he burst out, bowing his head, his teeth gritted. Frustrated because he couldn't stop the wetness in his eyes from spilling.
She sighed and paced the room, her feet clinking on the tile. It made him nervous.
"Ah...Ah don't know what ta do, sugah. This is *wrong* what yer doing. It's supposed ta be mah duty ta turn ya in..."
"NO!" His head jerked up, eyes wide and dripping twin lines of tears. "No, Bunnie, please...don't...King Acorn will kill me...please..." He held both hands out towards her, a pitiful gesture that he'd done with Julian many times. But uncle usually just slapped his hands away and proceeded to hurt, but Bunnie wasn't like that...she had compassion...weakness.
Her tone was stern. "Ah won't be havin' any more of this wrong-doin' in mah house!" To reinforce her point, she suddenly grabbed him, hard by the chin with her robotic hand, and stared him dead in the eye.
Not a blink was made. Not one pair of eyelashes lowered. Not one pupil turned away. His breathing grew raspy, but he whimpered and nodded as best he could. "I promise I'll stop...I swear Bunnie..." He gulped audibly. "I wouldn't ever break a promise to you...I swear..." another whimper escaped. "But...you...you won't tell him...will you?"
"Ah don't know..." The rabbit released his chin, looking troubled. "Ah don't know if Ah can trust ya."
Oh God...if only he could bandage this bloody wound inside. It was so dumb, at a time like this, to be so harmed by her words. He should be worrying about King Acorn...about her telling King Acorn...about the rope...
"No...no...Bunnie, please, I mean it, I won't...I'll stop...just don't..." he swallowed hard, ashamed, but unable to stop, tears from running down his face. He reached out and managed to grab her hand.
"I'm so sorry, Bunnie, I didn't want to...to make you mad...I don't know what I was doing...haven't you ever done something stupid?"
She stared back at him, her lovely face so open and honest, displaying her torn feelings. He could tell she didn't want to tell, and yet she was worried for her friends and home, and even him, for she wanted so much to believe he wasn't evil, that he could be good.
He knew then he was given another chance, even without words, even when she pulled her hand away. He sighed quietly in relief.
Then dread struck him all over again. The front door slammed.
"Bonne et bell!"
It was clearly Antoine's voice and Snively shrunk further down into the bubbles. Bunnie loved Antoine...could she keep this a secret? He coughed a little, blowing froth from his mouth. It smelled lovely, but tasted horrid.
"Mon ami? Where are you being?" The clomping of the fox's leather boots echoed closer until the bathroom door was reached and a set of knuckles rapped gently.
"Mon ami...?"
Bunnie didn't answer, just sat on the rim of the tub, looking at Snively silently. He gazed back, unable to read her expression this time, and that made him shiver again.
The door opened hesitantly, and the fox's face peered in. His eyes brightened upon seeing his love, but swiftly narrowed, scowling heavily at the human.
"Bunnie, I must be talking to you."
She nodded and rose, and the two exited. The door was shut.
Snively stared hard at the door, as if hoping his vision could bore through, letting him see them.
But he could still hear, and hoping Bunnie wouldn't suddenly come in, he sat further up in the bath and finally stood and stepped out altogether. A handful of bubbles was scooped and placed upon more intimate areas, and then he moved to the door, pressing his ear against it. He could only hear them vaguely, but from Antoine's annoyed tone, he could only assume they were discussing -him-.
"Geoffrey told ya'll that?" Bunnie snorted. "That's jus' like him, ain't it?"
Antoine's brow furrowed deeply. "Ees eet true? Did you kiss him?"
"Ah, fer cryin' out loud, Antoine! What do ya'll think?"
"I am not knowing!"
"No. Of course not."
"Are you implying that I am not knowing very much?!" Antoine's voice rose.
"No, no! Ah meant of course Ah didn't kiss him! Ya silly fool, ya'll should know yer the only one Ah like kissin'!"
The fox sounded relived. "Oh." Then his frown returned. "But did Snipley kiss you?"
She sighed. "Yeah."
Snively bit his lip. He heard Antoine growl, loud and angrily. Then footsteps were moving fast towards the bathroom door. He backed up quickly, wincing at the touch of the cold porcelain tub against his rear. There was no time to hide amongst the bubbles for Antoine was suddenly there, flinging open the door, and clamping an angry hand onto his shoulder.
Snively didn't struggle; his hands were too busy covering himself, cheeks flaring red. "Antoine...let go..."
"You are not to be touching Bunnie again!" This was not the fox's usual demeanor, this brutalness, shaking the human roughly back and forth. "Are you understanding?!"
"Let go! Let go!" He knew from experience that tight grip would leave bruises to mar his pale flesh. His feet were slick, slipping on the tiled floor beneath him, and he could barely stand with Antoine shaking him.
"I am meaning eet, Snipley!!" Antoine yelled, and then suddenly released, but not without delivering a hard shove to the human, knocking him into the bath. A wave crested the rim and flooded over onto the floor. The human sputtered, coughing water from his mouth. Soap stung in his eyes.
Antoine loomed over, his teeth bared in a snarl, and his hand was tightened around the pommel of his sword. "Are you understanding!?"
None of Snively's biting cynicism came to him, but nor did his just-as-common whimpering fear. He only sat with his feet sticking out the edge of the tub, a fortunate amount of bubbles in his lap, and his face locked in neutral. This was not a time for excessive emotion.
"Are you understanding?!" The fox was still enraged.
Snively didn't answer; Bunnie had entered the bathroom. He watched her eyes move to Antoine, then to him, and was grateful for his cover of bubbles.
"C'mon Antoine...leave him alone...he didn't..." She paused and Snively lowered his eyes. "...didn't do...nothing."
She took the fox's arm and firmly pulled him from the small room. The door was closed again, but this time Snively remained in the tub.
"...he didn't mean nothing by it...he was jest worried that's all."
"I do not want him to be touching you."
"He won't, sugah, it was jest he was worried. Sugah-Chuck was worried too."
"Well..." Antoine seemed reluctant to let it slide. "I will be letting it go theese time. But please to be telling me if he is getting in of line."
"Ya mean out of line?"
"Yes, this ees what I say."
"Ok then, Ah will." A warm chuckle came from the girl and she leaned towards Antoine, erasing his unfounded fears with a touch of lips so tender against his.
Tenderness turned to passion as they moved to the couch, flopping down uncaringly in a sloppy embrace. Nothing much mattered but them in this moment.
Snively's mouth twitched. Even without an ear to the door, he could hear the going-ons in the next room. Indignance flared up, but he shoved it down. He had no right to feel that.
'I should be grateful. She didn't tell. I should be happy.'
He sighed.
Out in the living room, Antoine made a comment in French. Snively couldn't decipher it all, but the word 'amour' rang out like a bell.
He knew that word.
Love.
Then all was drowned out as he slid down into the tub all the way, and stayed there, eyes closed and head submerged, but even then he could still hear that damn word echoing...
Amour Amour Amour...
**
Oh! How his veins ached.
For a moment, two-toned eyes gazed out the window, noting idly how truly dirty the glass was. But did it matter, when everything out there was just as filthy, crusted with year-upon-years worth of grime. It would probably never come off.
Then the eyes blinked and turned, the mouth sighed quietly.
"...factories should be better protected. We need robots, do we not?"
"Um...yes, Master. Of Course."
"Oh, 'of course', the fat one says. He says 'of course', yet comes up with no plans to prevent, 'of course' he says, but makes NO EFFORT!"
"I did try, master!"
"Hmmm. I am, for some reasonnnn..." Nagus rasped loudly on the word. "...having trouble believing that." He aimed his crab claw at the ex-tyrant, a wicked smirk across his misshapen face.
He hated it, but Robotnik couldn't help his body from cringing. The claw had come to represent pain. And he wasn't a big fan of pain. "I'm sorry, Master...I will not fail next time."
"Promises not kept are a sin to make." Nagus made a snorting noise, the claw clinking as he reached up to scratch it against the horn atop his head. "But perhaps, I should expect you to sin. You are supposedly evil, after all." Another snort, and a sudden smile came to the wizard's face. "It is up to you, slave, to maintain the regular activities of this city. I have much more important projects to tend to."
'Like what?' Robotnik wondered, his mustache twitching. It was hard to hold back a sneer, but he did it, and quite well, having learned to hide his displeasure. He wondered just how long it had taken his nephew to lock his face into that passive neutral gaze he always seemed to possess. It took much more talent then he'd ever known. "Master...just what are you up to?"
A loud rasping laugh rang out, making Robotnik cringe again. "I don't believe I'll be telling you, slave."
That fat one's tongue was devilish, bringing forth words that he didn't want spoken. "What are you doing in that lab by the bay?"
The wizard's brow furrowed, and once again the crab claw was lifted and pointed, a blue glow radiating just slightly. "How do you know of that building, slave?!"
Robotnik gulped. He wished he had that chair back, for his legs felt suddenly weak, and the floor was cold to collapse upon. He begged his limbs to regain strength, and for the moment, they did succeed in holding up his bulk. "I-I-I overheard the rebels talking during the last attack. Over a SpyEye feed."
"What did they say?"
"Just...just that you had a building there, and they wanted to 'check it out'."
"Hmmm." The wizard looked displeased, but at least the claw was lowered, placed back onto the armrest of the chair. "Perhaps I will relocate."
The fat one nodded. "To where, Master?"
"That is none of your concern, slave!" A toothy, predatory smile came to the wizard's face. "Slave...how did it make you feel when your nephew pried?"
Robotnik scowled. It always irritated him to find Snively snooping, be it peeking at his personal files, or asking brash questions, or even once, catching him hacking into a secret file. Robotnik had promptly, and painfully, punished him for that one.
"It...it annoyed me, master."
"Exactly."
The fat man gulped again.
The crab claw glowed.
The slave cringed and made a noise that might've seemed odd and out of place a few months ago. Whimpering was all too commonplace now.
Nagus seemed amused and kept the claw glowing for a few minutes more, noting with a soft chuckle how, as the claw shone brighter, the fat man's sweat seemed to flow more profusely, till his entire brow was gleaming and trickles were dripping down his face.
However, the crippling magic was not used. The claw was lowered and Nagus sneered. "The reason I do not tell you is not because I crave secrecy. My ideas cannot be explained simply. They are far too complex, too grand, too *divine* for one such as yourself to even comprehend!"
Normally, Robotnik might've sneered at that statement. He trembled, wiping his wet brow. It was too dangerous to scoff, but how he longed to scream at Nagus how HE was the smartest man on this damned planet. How HIS ideas were the divine ones, but now they had to fester away, trapped in his mind, because his instrument to complete them had been taken away...his city, his holy city.
"Ohhhh...I know what you're thinking." The claw tapped against the black metal of the throne-like chair. "You can't believe my ideas could be any more grand then yours. But let me inform you, slave, that your ideas for this planet and its peoples were crude, unenlightened, and highly unoriginal. World domination is such a common goal. And with everyone turned to robots, who will be there to dominate? Who will be there to look at you in awe? Nobody."
The fat man said nothing.
"You impress no one. They only fear you, which is always a lovely thing, but you were content with petty fear. I seek to go beyond and above!"
Robotnik raised a brow. "It seems you fancy to become a god, master."
The wizard chuckled and smiled. "Gods will be pale and pathetic when I achieve my goal."
Robotnik rolled his eyes, for now who was being cliché? 'To aspire above gods is a task men have attempted since the beginning of time.'
But Robotnik didn't believe in gods, anyway.
'I am a scientist. A realist. I am logical. I visualize. I do not fantasize. I am not, and never will be, a spiritualist.'
A small smile tugged his lips, for he found it amusing that Nagus, one who thought he was so extremely smart and beyond other mortals, could believe in such quaint myths.
'Doesn't he know, gods are something created by the weak-minded to explain away their fears?' He would've laughed, but he didn't dare, for he had a fear of his own, and it was easily explained. The wizard's wrath.
Robotnik turned back to his monitors, keeping a lookout for the hedgehog and his merry band. The screens were empty, as expected. They had just attacked, and successfully. It would be a day at least before they struck again, and Robotnik could only wait in tension for that time.
'Knowing I'll fail. And Nagus will...'
The monitor blurred as his vision unfocused, lost in thought. 'I never used to think things like that. 'Knowing I'll fail'? Where did that come from? I am not a loser! I am not one who fails!'
He turned a sour eye to the wizard, who he could see reflected in the bank of monitors, a vague shadow. 'I have fooled him before. I will do so again. I will throw him back into that Void, or I will kill him, either way he will pay.'
A smile crossed his lips, thinking of the payday, when the wizard would fall. It would be so sweet. Maybe even sweeter than the day of the coup, all those long years ago.
The smile dropped as he saw the reflection move; Nagus had stood and stepped down from the throne.
He turned, and Nagus smiled toothily.
"M-m-master?"
"Calm yourself, slave. I stand, and you cower. I wonder why that is?"
Robotnik scowled heavily. He hated when the wizard taunted.
"Hmmm. And if your nephew had made such a face, I imagine your fist would have had an appropriate response."
Robotnik growled, then snapped like an angry dog guarding his bone, or in this case, his pride. "Stop comparing me to Snively! I am not Snively!"
Nagus's eyes lit up. So did the claw.
Had he been Snively, Robotnik's hands might've lifted and clasped to his mouth, in horrified surprised of what he'd uttered.
His arms stayed limp at his sides, but rounded eyes revealed his fear.
Nagus's stare was piercing, boring into Robotnik's eyes. It felt just like needles sticking through those delicate orbs, straight into his brain, and he let out a low cry. "Uhhh...M-m-master! I'm sorry! I didn't mean..."
"SILENCE!" Nagus snarled, but so far the crab claw was kept at bay, a glowing blue light enveloping it. Robotnik shivered, wishing to lower his gaze to the floor, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. "You are not him, no, you are worse!! At least he attempted to protect this city, you do nothing!!"
The fat one shivered again, but not as violently, for Nagus's rage didn't seem so ardent tonight. He was puffed with it like a balloon, but suddenly, as if the air had rushed out, the wizard seemed to deflate. A smile replaced his snarl. "However...I am not in the mood to discuss this any longer. As said before, I have much more important things to focus on."
"Y-y-yes Master."
"Very good then. I trust you will keep things regulated around here?"
"Of course, Master."
"Hmph. We'll see." The wizard smiled strangely before retreating towards the double doors to the command room. "I am so tiring of the smell of burnt flesh."
Once the doors closed, Robotnik swore.
"That damn wizard! He won't be so 'funny' when I take command again."
He stood looking at the monitors for a moment, grinding his teeth.
"The only laughter around here will be my own..."
**
The morning air held a slight chill, and the ground was cool under bare furless feet. The tiny human walked through the trees, shivering as he brushed against green leaves, their dew sliding onto his skin. He brushed his arm dry and then squinted through the trees at the pool.
The net was there, stretched across the pool. He sneered. That net couldn't be 100% accurate. They had to hang it slightly over from where the ring rose, otherwise it would just hit the bottom of the net and drop back into the water.
He eyed it. If the ring should rise and drop straight down, the net would be useless. Usually it fell a few inches away from where it rose, so the net had been working fairly well so far. And the other times when it hadn't, a freedom fighter had always been there to grab the ring.
There was no one down here today. Yet. He moved down to the water's edge. Wet dirt smushed between his toes and he wrinkled his nose. 'How can anyone take mud baths? This is disgusting! Like stepping in dog crap.'
He rinsed his feet off in the water, but it did little good, for as soon as he drew them out and placed them back upon the ground they were muddied again. He sighed.
He sat upon the log near the pool, after first finding the driest spot with a brief patting of his hands upon the rough bark.
'I don't need a ring anyway.' The water was clear and still now, but soon would be tinted gold, swirling. 'I don't need it. I told Bunnie I'd stop...'
He wondered what she'd think if she found him down here.
'I...can't betray her trust. She trusts me not to do it. I can't betray that...'
There was a dark dark corner of his mind that refused to be swayed. It held all his bitter rage and the bills, the tabs, all those IOU's that had built up over the course of his wretched life. Those Freedom Fighters owed him so much. Julian owed him so much. So much they'd taken away, so very badly they had hurt him, all of them.
Payday was long overdue, and vengeance was the sweet taste that dark corner hungered for. If it meant betraying, so be it. If it meant hurting, then so be it. If it meant killing...
'Damn!' He kicked at the ground. The mud splattered up onto his pants. It was ignored, his hands clutching to his chest, seeking out the dark corner, but it was so deep inside he would never find it. He dropped his hands, a snarl on his face. It was like a blister festering inside him. It wouldn't heal, no, it only swelled up bigger and more painful, bloated with those things he couldn't let go.
'I don't want to kill Bunnie!'
But the blister had been there inside so long. Since he was a child, even? How else could it be healed but with vengeance? Was it even possible Bunnie's love would cure it?
'But she doesn't love me. So shut the fuck up. I'm not going to hurt her. But the others...they'll pay.'
He tried not to think of the effects; how hurting Bunnie's friends would hurt her in turn.
Instead, he looked down at his feet. They were smeared with mud. Dirt. Ground.
'Underground.'
He recalled something Sonic had said the day before. 'Griff and the Underground city.' He'd heard about them before, but hadn't bothered to think about it. Griff and his companions were supposedly located in a city underneath Robotropolis.
'Hmmm. A city? Underground? In Robotropolis?'
His toes wiggled.
'I wonder why we never detected it?'
But it didn't matter now, anyway. Not until he regained his power there.
'I wonder...if things go bad here...' his thoughts turned to Antoine; the fox's furious eyes, his hand grabbing his skinny shoulder so hard. He rubbed that spot, and winced. It had indeed left a bruise.
'Bastard.'
He scowled, his little fists clenching. The fox had been his friend for a time, but now he was nothing but another freedom fighter. An enemy.
The leaves rustled and the blister inside throbbed. He tried to turn his thinking, direct it back to his former thoughts. 'And what was that? Oh yes. The underground city. I wonder if I could go there. If they're any better than the pricks here.'
Doubtful. The hatred for him ran deep in Knothole; most likely it ran equally, or possibly even more deep there.
He sighed. This whole planet was like a rock and a fucking hard place. He couldn't return to the city, couldn't run into the wilderness alone; he didn't know how to survive. He could stay here, but the living was like trying to keep footing on wet ice.
He stood, putting a finger out to touch the net. He hooked it and pulled. The net was quite firm. He let it go, watching it snap back into place, a few drops of dew dropping from it to dot the water.
He stared down into the water's depths. He always wondered what the ring-maker, the power stone, looked like. He always meant to swim down there one day and see, but he didn't like swimming. And the water was always cold.
He rubbed his bare arms, warming them up. The air was still a bit chilly, but the sun was at work now, filtering through the leaves to sparkle upon the water. The log was shadowed, and he remained on the shore in a patch of light. It felt good on his skin.
A stick snapped loudly and he cringed. It could only be one person. He wrinkled his nose; smelling them before he saw. The odor of musk and thick fur.
A hand clamped down upon his shoulder and he let out a loud yelp; it was the bruised one.
"Yer down here again, eh, mate?" A voice rasped close in his ear and he jumped and spun about to face Geoffrey.
"You say that every time."
"Yeah." The skunk fixed him with a piercing stare. "But yer always down here. And there were those rings goin' missin' a few days ago."
Snively sneered, but inside he shuddered. If Geoffrey ever found about those... "I don't have any use for those things..."
"Maybe not." Geoffrey shrugged, then squeezed the human's shoulder again, enjoying the whimper of pain that followed. "But ya never know with Overlanders..."
"What do you want? Other than to harass me, as usual."
"To harass you as usual."
"Fuck you."
Geoffrey's lip lifted into a snarling smile. "Aww, mate. I really wish you'd stop with the cursin'. You know Miss Rabbot don't like it."
Snively's gaze faltered a little, dropping down to the forest floor, before returning to the skunk, eyes guarded and tone neutral. "Why should I care what she likes or doesn't like?"
"Heheheheheh." The skunk let out a loud laugh, kicking a pinecone with his magenta boot. "Why...I wonder...heheheh. All I know is Antoine's about ready to whoop yer ass if you hit on her any more."
"Fuck you..."
"No thanks." The mirth was suddenly gone from the skunk's voice. "I came down to tell you, I'm goin' on a mission."
Snively groaned. "I don't want to go. No."
"I ain't askin' you, faggot. But I don't want yer fag ass there either, so... Stay here. I hear yer causin' trouble, then yer ass is gonna be hangin'! You hear me?"
"Yes...OW!" He squirmed under the skunk's firm grip on his shoulder. "Yes!"
"Good." The skunk squeezed once more, laughing. Then finally left. Snively made a rude motion at the skunk's back, then turned back to the pool.
"Stupid..."
The sunlight was spreading, so he sat on the log again, tenderly rubbing his shoulder.
'God. Antoine...' The fox had grabbed him so hard. He wondered if Geoffrey was right, if Antoine was on the verge of attacking him, hurting him. He'd always considered the French vulpine a weakling, but now his perception was changed.
The fox was dangerous. Well...maybe not dangerous. But he was certainly just like the others now, just another Mobian stepping in line to abuse poor poor Snively.
'Not like I don't deserve it.'
His eyes widened.
'What the hell? I don't. I don't deserve this. I...I didn't hurt them like Julian did. I didn't do hardly any of that, why do I deserve the penance?' His gaze unfocused, turning the pool into a blur of blue and green. 'They don't know what I've been through...'
They probably wouldn't care, even if they knew.
A loud sigh came from his lips, then he let his head sag, eyes closing. His hands were interlocked and rested in his lap. He sat in the contemplative pose for a long while, trying to purge his head of any thoughts. Oh, how he longed for a flat empty plane in that head of his, free of memories, free of pondering over moot points over and over again, free of pining for love from a girl that wasn't coming...
He heard another snapping of twigs and small branches and groaned silently. Not Geoffrey again.
A sweet smell wafted to him, plush fur and wildflowers, and he squeezed his eyes closed more tightly. Only one girl had that smell.
"Snively, darlin, what ya doing out here?"
He didn't raise his head, even when her footsteps were very near, and then stopped. He could feel her presence so close.
"Sugah?"
"Nothing." He lifted just his eyes to see her. "Just sitting. Thinking. Or trying not to think. You know."
She looked over at the pool, then at him, eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't like the look.
"Ya'll weren't..."
"No! No Bunnie...I'm not going to...I promise. I just like coming down here..."
She sighed, then looked up the path. It was empty. He peered into the woods surrounding them. The place seemed bare.
"Ya'll better not." Her tone was not threatening. More like a hushed warning.
"Bunnie, I won't."
She moved a little closer, and he fought back shivers. Her very presence made his insides curl up, his heart patter like a skipped stone, and a light sweat broke on his forehead.
"Look, Snively, ya'll know Ah ain't gonna turn ya in."
He tried to move his features into some form that would convey his gratefulness. "Yes...I'm thankful. Very thankful for that, Bunnie. That's why I want to keep my promise...I don't want to lie to you."
She came even closer and her head brushed low-hanging leaves. Dew spilled down and hung in her fur like pearls.
"Ah believe ya."
"You're the only one I just...just can't lie to." His mind screamed at him for silence.
'She'll guess! She'll know. She'll know you love... So? No. Don't let her know. She can't know.'
"Jest don't do it again. Ah don't want ya getting' caught. Ah can't stop King Acorn if someone sees ya. Ya..." and her hand was placed on his shoulder, evoking trembling in his small form. "Ya don't deserve to die."
"I really don't?"
Damn it. Inside he chided, pleaded. 'Don't lean forward like that. You're too close. This is too intimate.'
"Of course not, sugah."
He had to get her away. Her eyes were too honest. Too forgiving.
'But I want her to love...'
He inwardly sighed. 'It's impossible. She only feels pity, not love. And the others would never accept it.'
He remembered Antoine's shaking. Bunnie's hand was resting on that bruised shoulder, but so gently there was no pain.
'They hate me now for my hate. They would hate me even more if I dared to show love.'
It was true. There was no way.
"I don't deserve it. You're right. Only filthy animals deserve it." He spat out the word 'animal', his eyes stabbing straight into hers. This wasn't lesser animals. This was a derogatory term for Mobians, and she knew it.
She stared at him, eyelashes trembling as she blinked rapidly, as if holding back a sudden rush of tears. No wetness spilled, but she turned away towards the water.
He stood up, stepping tentatively towards her. His words were hesitant, tiptoeing their way out of his mouth. "I didn't... mean that."
"Ah know. Ya hafta look tough. Gotta keep up the façade. Ah know."
He gazed at her. The back of her head, and then the side, and finally a three-quarters view as he came to stand alongside her.
She wasn't even aware of her beauty. She couldn't fake such innocence. The softness of that creamy yellow headfur brushed the leaves above her, spilling more of those intricate pearls of morning dew. They clung to her hair. One even hung on her eyelash.
They adorned... or was it bedorned? 'Or is bedorned even a word?' Snively pondered. They adorned, bedorned, her like the jewelry of a queen. But she was higher than a queen. And she didn't need jewelry.
It would only distract from the pink button of her nose, the gentle lime of her eyes, the velvet scraps of her ears.
His lips tingled. 'It's like those old poetries... 'Trembling in the loins. Mine heart beats for thee. Mine lips ache. Mine soul needs... yea... needs, the kiss of thine lips...'
Oh, did he dare?
She wasn't just an animal, a filthy animal. She was a Mobian, but even so, she was higher than them too. He couldn't fathom this; this desire for one not of his kind. One of a different kind that he had persecuted and found disgust with, now he found love...
Bunnie wasn't looking at him right now. Her gaze was focused on the tree reflections in the water. He wondered what she was thinking. Probably reconsidering her thoughts on him. Her brows were tilted downwards in a slight frown.
O, did he dare? But it wasn't even a question now. It was an action. His body leaned. His arms came out. His lips parted. All towards her.
His fingers latched tenderly onto her arms. His head tilted, his trembling lips attached themselves to ones sweet and soft.
And there he was.
Holding Bunnie in his hands.
Kissing her lips.
Tightening his arms around her.
Kissing her lips
Kissing Bunnie's lips!
The sky spun.
Seconds stretched into minutes... into years. He wanted to stay here forever. Her mouth was so warm, so supple. He wanted to taste that forever.
But it wasn't years.
It was only seconds, 2 at the most. So quick. Her hands rose up and pushed him away. He panted loudly, sounded so harsh. His eyes blinked rapidly, surprised, disappointment, even hurt, crashed heavily upon him.
"Snively, what are ya'll DOING?!" She demanded, crossing her arms over her bosom in almost a protective motion. Her eyes were wide, yet her brows frowned, giving her a look of furious surprise. "WHAT THE HOO HAW WAS THAT?!"
His brain seemed to start up again. He began to stutter, unable to form even one coherent sentence. He stumbled backwards on legs that were suddenly weak, coming to rest his little rear upon the large log. "Oh Bunnie..." His cheeks flared hot and scarlet, and he rose his hands up, hiding his head in them. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." the apology came out cracked, and repeated nearly six times more. He surely was a broken record.
She huffed a little. Her eyes darted from him to water, then back to him. Her frown had softened away, and now she only looked confused, maybe even a little concerned. "Are you allrait there, Snively? Are ya feeling ok?" She laid her hand on his arm, and he began to shake. She drew it away.
"I'm sorry..." he said for the last time. "I don't know what happened. It...it won't happen again... I promise..." he rose from the log, his eyes downcast. He couldn't meet her gaze, not now. "Forgive me...please..." And then he turned and with a tiny whimper, just barely bitten back by quick teeth, he fled down the path to the village.
She stared after him.
Then raised the delicate fingers of her organic hand to her lips. She could still feel his touch there.
Her fingers lingered there for long moments...
He didn't return to her hut until later. He milled about the village center, then went to help out in the gardens. Along the way, he was given biting looks and heard the muttered criticism.
'Hmm. Maybe they don't like the way I dress.' He was after all barefooted and wearing a shirt that was actually, for once, a bit too small for him. Exposing the lower portion of his midriff, not too much, just the tiny strip below his navel and above the waistband of a plain gray pair of trousers.
A bit of blush hit his cheeks and he looked down at himself. Yes, there was one showing. A scar. He covered it with one hand, but it looked strange walking like that, so he stopped.
Most of the Mobians shooed him away from their plots of garden, but finally an elderly chipmunk woman accepted his help. He vaguely remembered her name as Rose-something-or-another.
So he pulled weeds, until, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a group, Bunnie and Geoffrey and Sonic included, leave the town and head into the dark depths of the forest.
He sighed and sat up. Rose-something-or-another looked at him.
"Sick of weeds?"
"For now..." He stood and dusted off his knees.
"Thank you for your help." She was one of the few Mobians here who always greeted him with a smile. But she was old. Maybe even senile?
No. She was just nice. There were nice people left in the world...
He returned the smile and nodded. Then he went to Bunnie's hut, reveling in the silence and emptiness there. To be alone was something special.
His hunger he satisfied with a meal of fruit and bread, and his thirst with a cup of black coffee.
It seemed to wake him up more than it had in Robotropolis. It was the pollutants in the water; they sapped him of what little energy he had. Here he wasn't so lethargic.
'A good thing. Healthier.'
But he wished he could sleep now, more than ever.
To escape.
But his body didn't demand rest, and so he sat at Bunnie's kitchen table, eyes focused on a flower pot that sat in the middle of that wooden surface.
He studied them for a long time.
The petals. Tri colors. Pink. Purple. White.
'Hmmm. Bunnie has those colors.'
The soft pink insides of her ears. The purple fabric of her clothes. The white ball of fluff that was her tail.
The flowers were in good health. The dirt of the pot was strewn with crinkled brown leaves. Discarded remains from flowers long gone.
They all would die sometime.
"Puh." He snorted and flicked his fingers against the clay pot.
It was lighter than he thought and toppled over, spilling dirt onto the table and floor.
"Dammit!"
He sighed and sat a minute more, but finally the naggings of his immaculate mind insisted he clean. So he rose, and clean he did, thoroughly sweeping up the dirt and placing the plant back on the table. The clay pot was cracked, and he gritted his teeth a little and turned it this way and that, but Bunnie was bound to notice. He could only hope she wouldn't be *too* angry.
"Eh. I can always blame Geoffrey or something."
He suddenly looked down at his watch.
"No. I won't."
He retrieved a glass and filled it with water. After taking a few swigs, he gave the rest to the flower. And then he moved around the small hut with the glass, quenching the few other plants' thirsts.
They were mostly presents from Antoine, these green and flowering plants. Bunnie herself was a green thumb, but her talents were usually turned to tending the gardens outside. Vegetables after all were an important food staple, whereas flowers were just nice to look at.
The minute hand went two times around.
"I won't."
His feet carried him to the door and out, and no amount of mind-scolding would stop them. They halted only when his toes sunk into the wet dirt by the power ring pool.
The ring was due.
He sat on the log with his hands in his lap, eyes intent on the water. 'I won't take it. I just want...want to see it.'
That was such a load of the most pathetic shit he'd ever dredged up, for he knew from the itching in his hands and the tensed muscles in his legs that he was going to spring up and grab...
The ring that rose up in a golden spiral of water, which spilled down but the ring still stayed afloat, hovering like the bright and shining halo of an angel.
Then it dropped. He stood. It fell and he moved forward.
The net shook as the ring hit it, then bounced a few times, and finally coming to rest, glowing and turning the tan threads of the net into golden strands.
His breath held in his lungs, he moved to the net and peered in at the ringlet. Five fingers extended and reached, and he'd just brushed the longest fingertip against the smooth radiant surface when a gloved hand came out of nowhere and snatched it away.
"That ain't yours, Snive-ly!" A child's voice rang out, mocking and scolding.
He looked up, finding himself staring into the green peepers of the young two-tailed fox, Tails. The fox was hovering like some kind of organic helicopter, the twin tails just a blur of white and orangish-tan. Then the fox snorted and came to land in front of the human.
The kid shook the ring at him. "Pretty ain't it? Too bad you can't touch, Snive-ly."
"It's Snively, you little mutant brat." Children, especially this one, were not among the Overlander's favorite things. In fact, they ranked close to maggots, dirt, garbage, and Uncle Julian.
The kid's face crinkled like he might cry, but he didn't. Instead he snapped off a pinecone from a nearby tree and aimed a mean shot right at Snively's head. It struck true. The human screeched out and put a hand to his temple, and then lunged at the boy.
Tails avoided him with little trouble, giggling. But then his back was against a tree and he gulped. Snively was tiny, but Tails was only a child and smaller.
"Throwing things is not very polite behavior," sneered the human, with a clenched fist held quite threatening near the child's face.
"If you hit me, I'll tell!" Tails pressed himself back against the tree, his own gloved fists clenching.
"Oh? And is this threat intended to frighten me?" He took a step closer to the child, a snarling smile on his face. God, how good it would feel to crack the kid one. Just off and punch him 'cross the face, watch him fall to the ground and start bawling.
"I'll tell King Max!"
He wanted to hit Tails, oh, how he wanted.
But the threat stopped him in his tracks and his fist dropped down to his side.
He opened his mouth for one final insult, even though the kid had defeated him. But there was a great crashing of sticks from above. He whirled around, just glimpsing something large and green hurl down into the water.
He shivered as he was splashed, and then scowled as the young kit shook off like a dog, splashing him again. Tails had used the distraction to slip out and now he stood by the water's edge a fair distance away from Snively.
They peered at the troubled waters. A reptilian snout poked out and then the whole neck of the beast. Dulcy blinked green eyes and looked dazed.
"Ohhh, MA! I told ya I was sorrrrrrry!" Then she shook her head, and water flew onto Tails and Snively again. Tails squealed and giggled.
"Oh Tails! Didya get it!?"
"Yeah," said Tails, with a sneer at the human. "I got it."
Dulcy climbed from the water and shook off again. Snively snarled. He was just about soaked-through now. She looked over and her long tail swept out. He hit the ground on his rear, and sat glaring while she giggled.
"Ooops! Sorry Snively, didn't mean to do that!"
Tails laughed.
Snively stood. "That 'joke' has long worn out its welcome, dragon."
"What joke?" The dragon blinked in her typical ditzy fashion, but her eyes twinkled.
The human heaved a large sigh and then looked over at Tails. His eyes lingered on the ring, but then he looked away. He didn't need these brats spreading gossip about him. He could hear them now. 'Oh we caught Snive-ly touching the rings! Oh, maybe he's the one stealing them. Gee Golly!'
The dragon began ambling down the path towards the village. Tails followed. She turned and grinned at Snively. "You wanna come with us?"
"And do what?" The human seemed incredulous.
"Me and Tails were gonna play shoot-a-basket but we don't have a ball..."
Tails laughed again.
"I really think not, dragon."
"My name's Dulcy!"
The human snorted and sat upon the log. He glanced at his watch; time seemed to drag on and on in this miserable place. He wished the mission was over and Bunnie was home, and they were around her table eating. "You Freedom Fighters are all the same to me, dragon. I could care less about your names."
"But I thought you was a Freedom Fighter too."
He looked out from under his eyelashes; a menacing glare. "This is only temporary, dragon..." Then he smiled, as if trying to soothe away that threat. He really shouldn't be talking this way, eh? Bunnie would be mad. And if King Acorn got wind of it, he'd probably declare it as treason, and to that swinging prickly rope he'd be marched, and...
He gulped and his face went a bit pale. The dragon and fox glanced at each other and shrugged.
"C'mon Dulce."
They left quietly, but soon he could hear their laughter ringing down the pathway. They'd most likely forgotten the incident already, lost in their childish games and gentle fantasies.
He stayed a while more and then began the short trek back into the village. He stood there on the pathway for a moment, gazing around. Villagers walked by. Most strode by him as if he were just another of them, but some arced a fair distance around him, as if he had some contagious disease.
He ignored them. The garden. He wondered if he should help there again. To waste some time. Who knows when Bunnie and the others would be back. But Rose-something-or-another wasn't there anymore. He didn't know the people there, although he vaguely recognized one of the men as one of those who had attacked him that dark night.
So, going to the gardens was not a desirable option.
He sighed and then something hit his foot. He looked down, frowning, to see a red ball on the grass nearby. He stooped to pick it up.
"Hey, Snive-ly! Throw it here."
The human kept it in his grip, forcing Tails to come to him.
"C'mon, hand it over."
"Yeah," came Dulcy's voice from behind, making Snively jump.
He extended his hand and let the ball drop into Tails' fingers. The fox smiled and then a loud growl came from his stomach. He looked startled, putting a hand to the white thick fur.
"Dulce, ya got any treats?"
"Yeah, let's go under the tree, okies?"
"Yeah." The kit started towards the tree, a huge oak with branches that stretched out like mothering arms.
Snively shrieked. The dragon had his arm in her grip and was pulling him along. He dug his heels into the ground, but only succeeded in stumbling, nearly falling to his knees.
They sat down and made idle motions for him to join. He sighed. Then legs folded and he sat Indian-style, looking back and forth between reptile and fox warily.
Snively noted Dulcy's hands as she moved one arm. They were so slender and graceful, and her arms were slim too, a strange contrast to the large bulk of her body. Her feet were large and blocky, and yet her hands were perfectly formed, even elegant. Those long fingers dipped into the pouch on her belly and withdrew several bags.
Tails set upon the bags eagerly, and with a sniff, Snively knew it was some kind of sweet goodie. Cookies or some such thing. The two were both riffling through, taking handfuls, and then tipping their heads and pouring the food in.
He scowled.
They both chewed open-mouthed, eyes closed and making grunting and 'mmmmmmm' noises. He eyed the food. It was small and square shaped, a coffee-brown in color. It looked like chunks of caramel, but the smell was unfamiliar.
"Want some, Snive-ly? It's tree-sap candy!"
"Don't make me retch, fox." He crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine. More for us, right Dulce?"
"Sure thing."
He seemed to be sighing a lot today. He debated leaving. But to go where? He couldn't sleep. The garden was off-limits and so were most of the other buildings. Except for Bunnie's hut...
'But I can smell her... and she's not there, and it'll make me go crazy...'
His eyes hardened and he grabbed up a piece of the candy, grinding it hard in his teeth and swallowing like one starved; upon that hardened and sweet sap his feelings were carried out.
"Thought ya didn't want any." Tails kicked Snively's foot. The human looked up, glaring.
"I don't..." It was sticking in his teeth. He growled and stood up.
"Hey, don't leave yet, Snive-ly." The dragon smiled, revealing long pale yellow teeth.
"Oh, I suppose you actually desire my company?"
"Sure sure. We just think you should be nicer to people! No one's gonna see you as a Freedom Fighter until you do!"
"Oh, and you really think anyone here wants me as one..."
"Not if you're so mean, Snive-ly!"
"I am not mean...not half as mean as they are to me, and it's *Snively*, goddamn you!"
Dulcy laughed.
Tails seemed to be enjoying the conversation. "Snively is such a weird name. How'd you get it? Or are all Overlander's names funny?"
"It was a 'gift' from my father," Snively sneered.
Dulcy grinned. "Aww, that's so cute! Your pappy gave you a nickname!"
"Oh real fucking sweet, dragon." He was half-tempted to throw out his arms at her, hike up his pant legs, and lift up his shirt, showing them all the other 'presents" pops had given him. Faded, after all these years, but still there.
Tails and Dulcy both gasped in unison, looking at him aghast.
"You did it again!" Tails squealed, an accusing finger aimed at Snively's pointy nose.
He made a rather loud smacking noise upon a bit of candy in his mouth. An eyebrow lifted, and he shrugged. "Did what, brat?"
"Said those *bad* words!"
He leaned forward, azure eyes gleaming wicked, and a mean smile on his face. "Ohhh, child...you mean FUCK, eh? Well, I'm really FUCKING sorry I offended your FUCKING little ears."
He went flying forward into the grass, his face in the dirt. Then, tail dragging and muttering, Dulcy stood and left. Tails went with her.
"Damn that dragon!" He cursed aloud, and rubbed his back. Now there would be a bruise there too, a long one all the way across; the dragon's tail had whacked him hard.
He sat up, gingerly leaning back against the tree. It ached, but he ignored it.
Now what to do? He wasn't going to go the gardens; not with that man there. He eyed Tails and Dulcy, who were going into the meeting hall, and his eyes narrowed a bit at seeing a spark of gold in the kit's hand. They were bringing in the ring...
Oh well, it was only another 7 hours till the next one rose. He wondered if the others would be back by then. Bunnie... he sighed. 'I hope she doesn't get hurt...'
He let his thoughts wander, and wander they did, far, flying across forests and wastelands and finally to a place most familiar. The city. And then the visage of one near but not dear to his heart...
'Uncle...'
'How are you doing? Do you miss me?'
He opened his eyes wide.
'Now why would I think that? Miss? Me? Or do I miss...uncle...'
He tried to visualize him. It wasn't hard. The features snapped into place so vividly, like he was gazing at him right now; that leering face, double triple quadruple chins and shadowed eyes under that eternally frowning brow.
He shifted, his arms curling around himself.
'I can smell it...' The leather of his uncle's glove, pulled taunt on the knuckles of that weapon attached to his arm. His fists were so hard, so strong.
'Goddamn you, stop!' He screamed at his thoughts, and they fled, leaving him shivering under the tree. The leaves overhead rustled softly, and he calmed.
'I could never miss you.'
His arms dropped down to his sides, scrapping in the dirt. He grimaced and stood.