I don't know why I even bother keeping this story up.
No one reviews when they come to this section anyway. (SIGH)
I own nothing.
Things in ##### are memories.





"Here's where things stand, people." Sally pointed to the large map hanging behind her. The meeting hall was jam packed with Freedom Fighters and refugees. The squirrel princess cleared her throat before continuing. "Four months ago, Bowser came to Moblius and destroyed New City. Five days later, he launched the major attack against Dr. Robotnik. While most of Robotropolis has been destroyed, Robotnik and the remains of his forces are holed up behind a protective force field. They are subject to periodic raids from Bowser's territory. Meanwhile, most of the overlander countries tried a combined assault." Sally used her pointer to indicate places on the map. "Those areas not placed directly under Bowser's control were destroyed. The only remaining active overlander military organization is GUN. They have yet to win a single engagement with Bowser." Sally turned to the assembled crowd. "The Freedom Fighters have not fought as of yet. I'm open for suggestions." "We should try sending in scouts and spies," somebody yelled from the crowd. "We have been doing that. This is a recording our single surviving scout managed to retrieve." She turned on a viewing screen next to the map. The images of the destroyed areas, and of the mighty castle Bowser called home, shocked and appalled those who watched.





Tails wasn't at the meeting. He was hammering and tinkering with some of his new inventions. He had already developed a remote camera for use in spying, to reduce the amount of lives lost trying to get close to Bowser's domain. Right now, however, he was working on a slightly more personal project. "Finished!" In his hand was a small scanning device that could be set for many different things. Tails tested by setting it to scan for overlanders. It showed many small groups all over the world. He switched it to Emeralds. A yellow spot, marking the Master Emerald, glowed on Angel Island. There were seven smaller black dots - Chaos Emeralds. One was in his workshop, two were deep in Bowser's fortress, one was in a dense patch of wilderness not too far from Knothole - and the other three were in a little group at the North Pole! "That makes no sense…" Tails held his Emerald and looked at it thoughtfully. No one else knew he had it, for it had been a secret parting gift. Tails remembered the night the black hedgehog had come to him…




###### "Tails, can I talk to you for a minute?" Tails jumped off the Tornado and floated to an empty workbench, patted the spot next to him. "Sure thing Shadow, sit down." Shadow sat. "You're leaving, aren't you?" "Yeah." Shadow ran his fingers through his black and red quills. "Shadow, why don't you stay? I mean, we all forgave you for the whole destroy-the-world-and-frame-Sonic bit." Shadow smirked. "I know. But now I need to go on my own. I have some things I need to think about." Tails turned to face his dark friend. "If you really need to, then by all means go. But I want you to promise you won't do something stupid without telling me first." "I promise, Tails." Shadow rummaged, and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a Chaos Emerald. "Tails, I want you to have this. As a thank-you gift." Tails held the shining jewel carefully. "Gee, thanks Shadow…I wish I had something as nice to give you." Tails thought for a second, and flew over to a bin. "Where is that-aha!" He handed Shadow a small holographic projector. "Press the blue button." Shadow pressed it, and many colorful lights started swirling in a series of beautiful patterns. "It's a nightlight I made years ago," Tails said with a laugh. "The patterns never repeat, and it's very durable." "Thank you…" Shadow looked at the lights in awe. Then he switched it off and stood. "Goodbye Tails." "See you later, Shadow!" Tails waved as Shadow skated out of Knothole… ###################################################





Tails stared at the Emerald for a minute, before stuffing it and the scanner away as somebody walked in. "Yo, Tails!" Sonic walked up. "You missed the meeting." "I already saw the tape," Tails said quietly. "Oh. So, did Sally tell you about our little strike force?" "Yeah, and I already told her I'm not going. I'm not gonna be any good in a fight like this, Sonic." "I totally understand. Still wish you were coming along, though." "You only like me 'cause I made you that automatic Chili Dog making machine," Tails teased. "Nuh-uh! Although that was a very cool toy…" They laughed together, and then Sonic left with the other fighters. Tails closed his eyes and thought. 'I'm not going to be too much help…but I know somebody who will be!' Tails raced to prep the Tornado for flight.



Did I catch anybody's interest? Or am I whipping a dead horse?
Please let me know. Thanks!