Chapter 1
The Tornado 2 went into a steep dive as it barrel rolled to one side. Behind the controls the young orange kitsune, known as Tails, was looking around frantically in order to keep track of his targets. The targets he was looking for were in fact missiles coming from the ground base below him. Presently one decided to do just that, flying towards the plane at a fair speed. Tails quickly put the plane into another roll and pulled away to one side allowing the missile to fly past him harmlessly.
"Heh! Not so hard to fool!" he chimed happily righting the plane.
Time had passed by and things had not changed at all. It was now four years after the incident on the space colony ARK and Eggman was still up to his usual tricks. There had been a brief pause in the proceedings after ARK but it hadn't lasted more than a few months and then Eggman was back. Himself and Sonic had never given up trying to stop him, in fact they'd acquired more help from Knuckles in recent years which had pleased them both greatly. Tails had often wondered if Eggman would ever stop trying to take over the world. It seemed he had been fighting this battle all his life and he'd never say it but he was becoming tired of the constant fighting. The three of them weren't getting any younger, quite the opposite in fact, Sonic and Knuckles were fast leaving their teenage years and he was just approaching them. Tails glanced down at his twelve year old frame for a moment, thinking back into the past as he did, some things changed and some didn't, that was the way of life he guessed.
He began to wonder what was keeping Sonic. The older hedgehog had entered the base below what must have been a good ten minutes ago, even giving time for interruptions it was slow for Sonic. As Tails continued to watch the ground below he noticed a brief pause in the attack. No missiles had come his way in a good minute and it was now starting to worry him.
"What's going on…?"
He received his answer soon enough as several bright points of light flickered into life on the base below followed by a barrage of intense laser fire filling the sky. The new attack was so sudden that Tails had little time to dodge and was caught completely off guard. Giving a yelp and curling up in his seat he felt the plane being struck several times in quick succession. Uncurling in his seat he saw that the engine was smoking violently and hydraulic fluid was leaking from the port wing. Quickly shutting off the pumps to the port wing he looked back at the engine and crossed his fingers.
"I hope this still works."
Slowly his hand reached down and pressed a series of buttons on the control panel in front of him. There was a momentary pause before the wings folded up slightly and swept backwards forming a large X shape. At the same time the propeller on the front of the plane folded inside the engine and the engine itself formed into a point. Tails quickly pulled back on the controls as a large booster rocket on the bottom of the plane ignited throwing the plane forwards with tremendous force. The Tornado 2 proceeded to go into a steep climb, gaining distance from the laser turrets below before it arced over in a loop and started to nose dive towards them. Tails didn't have time to notice warning lights and buzzers inside the cockpit as target locks appeared all over his display. His finger played lightly on the trigger as slowly, one by one, the targets all turned red. As the last one locked his finger clutched the trigger forcing a flurry of his own laser beams to arc out away from the plane. Tails quickly started to pull up, the belly of the plane almost scrapping the ground as his own laser fire charged into the unsuspecting laser turrets. Tails beamed in joy at his handy work, pulling a small barrel roll as he climbed away from the base. His thoughts quickly shifted back to Sonic and, picking up the radio, he called his friend.
"Sonic? Hey Sonic what's going on?" he asked quickly still climbing.
The reply was not instant but it came eventually accompanied by numerous explosions and robotic fizzles.
"Quite a bit Tails! You done out there?"
"All set Sonic."
"Good then get on in here, we got work to do."
"Roger!"
Switching off the radio, Tails put the plane into a dive once more and headed towards the ground. A couple of the laser turrets had survived his earlier attack but they were now easier to avoid than before. Swinging the plane from left to right he lined up on a clear strip of land and dropped the plane to the ground. The plane hit the ground and bounced once before its speed decreased enough for it to stay on the ground. Sonic had done a great job earlier in taking out the robots outside the base and Tails' landing was not interrupted by anything. Making sure the plane was switched off completely, Tails leaped from the pilot seat and started to run towards the main entrance to the base. Bits of robot and various other machines covered the ground but Tails effortlessly picked his way over the debris, occasionally using his tails to fly over larger chunks. As he passed through the doors to the base the light level started to decrease dramatically, it was plainly obvious that the less important base systems such as the lights had been turned off to power the defences. However, Tails' keen eyes were able to pick out his route even in the pitch black of night so the current lighting level posed little problem to him.
As he progressed further the noise of laser fire and explosions started to get louder signifying that he was approaching the battle ahead. Tails took a deep breath preparing himself for what was to come and then charged head long into the fray. Tucking his feet under himself he whipped his tails into a flurry as he shot into the room ahead. As he did the light level increased considerably allowing him to see where he was a lot better. He gave a quick glance around the room he had just entered, above him a high dome extended into the air which was covered in lights and gantry ways. Four sets of huge doors served the room, all of which were locked apart from the one he had just entered through, and in the centre of the room sat a huge generator. Sitting atop of this generator was their goal, the Master Emerald.
A further glance around the room caused Tails to freeze for a moment. To one side of the room, cornered by three robots, was Sonic. The hedgehog was still moving fast but obviously having a hard time with the robots he was battling. Tails gave a quick spin heading towards the fight as quickly as he could before giving a short yell.
"Head up Sonic!"
Jumping into the air slightly, he spun round and threw his tails out as he did. An odd shimmer ran across both of his tails before a blade of energy flew from each one, each tearing across the open space between him and the robots before hitting one of them with quite a force. The struck robot was cleaved clean in half and sparked for a moment before exploding. Sonic quickly used the opening to leap out of his corner and started to run circles around one of the robots. A large blue tornado sprung up around the robot quickly throwing it into the air. The final robot decided to charge Sonic at the point and Sonic quickly stepped back just as the second robot came down from its trip and landed squarely on the third smashing them both to pieces. Tails quickly dashed over to his friend and spoke equally quickly.
"Sonic! You ok?" he asked.
"Never better Tails, thanks for the help." replied Sonic.
"It was nothing Sonic."
Sonic gave a grin and then quickly looked over at the centre of the room.
"Tails you get the Emerald, I have a feeling Eggman is about to crash the party." he said.
"Got it Sonic." replied Tails quickly taking off and heading towards the generator in the middle of the room.
Tails hadn't made it more than a few meters when a laugh filled the room causing him to stop. He and Sonic looked over at the farthest set of double door as they slowly swung open to reveal the new arrival. A series of large metallic clangs could be heard as a giant robot slowly plodded into view. It was walking on two short stubby legs which held its giant egg shaped body. Its head was long and stretched over the body and forwards of it quite a way. A series of spikes lined both sides of its head and body as well as a number of cannons which poked from its head. To the left side was mounted an arm carrying an even larger laser cannon and to the right was mounted an arm with a large spiked ball on it connected to a long chain. A long spiked tail also stretched behind the robots and two large pointed wings extended above it out of its back. Tails could feel himself shake slightly at the sight of this monstrous new foe but glancing over at Sonic Tails could see that he was not fazed at all. Sonic quickly took a few steps towards the new robot as he started to talk.
"Finally decided to show up eh Eggman!" he taunted giving a grin as he did.
A small circular hatch opened in the belly of the robot revealing the plump doctor himself, he didn't look too pleased.
"This time you've met your match hedgehog and your furry friend too!" he roared, "You won't be stopping me this time."
"Yo Tails!" called Sonic looking over at his friend, "What do you think the odds are of that?"
Tails grinned slightly, catching onto Sonic's taunt. He flicked himself over so he was supporting himself on his spinning tails and raised a hand to his chin, rubbing it gently.
"Hmm…well I'd have to say fifty thousand to one again at least but then you have to take consideration of the fact that we've always won so maybe it'd be more like…"
"Silence!" screamed Eggman, "You'll both pay today with your lives!"
With that the hatch closed and the robot took up a fighting stance, pointing its large left arm cannon at Sonic. Sonic shot a glance at Tails and shouted.
"Tails! Get the Emerald! I'll take care of egg features!"
"Got it Sonic."
Tails flipped himself back over and started to fly over towards the generator. As he did Sonic leaped to one side just as the robots cannon fired. Tails could feel the heat generated by it even at his distance. The laser blast hit the floor where Sonic had been standing, carving a giant hole in the floor and causing a lot of the nearby metal to melt from the temperature. Sonic had used this time to leap towards the robot, aiming an attack at the hatch. This was quickly deflected as the robot's right arm came round to block Sonic's path using the large spiked mace. Tails didn't notice any of this though as he landed on top of the generator. The Master Emerald was a mere meter away but between him and it sat a thick layer of clear glass. Tails stepped back slightly before spinning and throwing his tails round sending two blades of energy at the glass dome over the Emerald. However, instead of smashing the glass the energy blades simply bounced off creating a dazzling light display. Tails had to shield his eyes from it due to the brightness but then spun as he heard a voice.
"Oh no you don't!"
Tails' face went white slightly as he saw the huge robot now pointing its right arm directly at him. Seconds later the huge spiked ball flew from its arm, propelled by several small rocket motors. Fear was the first thing to enter his mind but then he was hit by an idea. He spun to the side and leaped from the generator, taking flight as he did. Without waiting a second he spun in mid air and sent two further energy blades sailing towards the spiked ball before regaining his flight. The blades struck the ball at an angle and sent it off course, smashing it into the glass dome and shattering it to pieces.
"ARGH! Damn you!" cursed Robotnik as the spike ball started to react.
"That's what you get for picking on people smaller than yourself!" jeered Tails with a jubilant voice.
"Go Tails!" cried Sonic across the room as he took another flying leap at the robot.
Tails quickly landed back on the generator and made a move towards the Emerald. As he did a few sparks started to flash across the Emerald causing Tails to stop short in puzzlement. He blinked wondering what was going on but got his answer moments later as the entire generator below him started to humm loudly.
"Haha!" roared Eggman, "It's ready! The energy extraction procedure has started! Soon the Master Emerald's power will be all mine!"
"Tails stop it!" cried Sonic.
Tails looked back at Sonic for a moment to see his friends picking himself up off the floor holding his left arm.
"You're both fools! You won't win this time!" continued Eggman.
Just then the Emerald gave a huge spark and started to shimmer, energy visibly being transferred to the generator below. As this happened the robot fighting Sonic also started to glow, two huge rocket engines mounted in its wings powering up as it did. It wasn't a second later that the engines fired pushing the huge robot off the ground.
"Tails!" cried Sonic.
Tails quickly looked back at the Emerald, slightly afraid to go anywhere near it right now. Slowly he started to edge towards it, shielding his face from the heat the energy was creating as it sparked out. He started to extend a hand towards the Emerald, soon making it two as he closed his eyes and gripped the Emerald with both hands. At first he felt nothing but then a searing pain shot through his body, his hands gripping the Emerald even tighter as a burning pain froze then to the Emerald's surface. For a moment he sat with the pain, forgetting even to scream, before he reacted.
"Sonic!" he screamed his voice echoing around the entire room.
"Tails!" cried Sonic in response, momentarily pausing in his attack.
This pause was not acknowledged by Eggman, the right spike ball arm of the robot swinging round and striking Sonic heavily in the side. Sonic was thrown off to one side and embedded in a nearby wall causing Sonic to spit up a little blood as he looked back at his friend on the generator. Tails' body was now covered in a bright white glow and for all his will power he could not let go of the Emerald. The pain was now fully swamping his senses, becoming too much even to feel. He felt like he was floating in space, lost in a sea of pain, as slowly he began to fade from consciousness. As he did a sentence slipped from his lips.
"Sonic…urg…sorry…"
Sonic screamed his friends name as he watched his form disappear in a white glow in front of him. For the first time in a long time Sonic actually felt fear. He didn't even attempt to pull himself from the wall as he just stared at the top of the generator. Neither did he notice the giant robot hovering just to one side, its left arm laser cannon pointed directly at him…
-----------------------------------------
"What do you think we should do Shiro?"
"Nara be quiet and let me think."
"He looks hurt."
"I know he looks hurt but we have to be careful remember."
Tails slowly started to become aware of sounds around him as his consciousness returned. He let out a small moaning groan as his senses started to return to him but as of yet he didn't open his eyes.
"Look! Shiro he's waking up!"
"Yeah I know Nara, pipe down a bit will you."
Tails heard the voices but at the moment didn't really pay them any attention. As he came round he started to feel cold water running past his legs and shivered slightly at the temperature. It was then that a sharp thumping pain started to run through his hands causing him to whimper slightly and curl up a little. Slowly his eyes began to open and he caught sight of the grey concrete floor he was lying on. The sound of running water started to fill his ears as did the soft breathing of the two people around him. He was lying on his side at the time and slowly he started to push himself up using his forearms because his hands hurt too much to use at the time. Raising his head he took notice of where he was. He appeared to be in some sort of water tunnel, his legs and tails lay in the water with his upper body resting on a sloped concrete ramp that led down into the water. A cold draft blew down the tunnel making Tails shiver even more than he was already. Still in a dazed state he continued to look around eventually spotting the two people whose voices he had heard. One was a racoon, his fur was a pale grey colour with black rings around his tails and eyes, which were a deep indigo colour. A small black jacket was wrapped around him and on his feet were a pair of faded blue sneakers. His expression was a mix of caution, confusion and worry for the most part. Looking down slightly Tails spotted the other one, a small brown rabbit, being pushed back slightly by the older racoon's arm. She wore a plain white t-shirt, which was stained beyond belief with all manner of things, and a pair of tatty green trousers. On her feet sat a pair of black shoes and on her ears, which hung forward over her face, were a series of red ribbons. She looked curious but afraid but then that was natural for a young child. Tails looked at them for a moment before nearly collapsing back to the ground again. He slowly pulled himself back up and shut his eyes, giving a moan as he did.
"Where…where am I?" he asked slowly.
"The sewers." replied the racoon after a moment.
"The sewers?" asked Tails giving another brief look around, "Where?"
"Robotnik Square."
"Huh? Robotnik Square?"
Tails looked around again before giving another groan and bowing his head.
"Are….are you hurt?" asked the rabbit slowly.
"I don't know." replied Tails with a moan.
"You look hurt." she continued.
"Nara be quiet." hissed the racoon.
"But he's hurt, we should help him." insisted the rabbit.
"We don't even know who he is or where he came from yet Nara."
"My name is Tails." coughed Tails looking up again, "I come from Western Isle originally but right now I just go where I have to."
It was at this point that the rabbit managed to duck under the racoon's arm and darted over to Tails' side. The racoon looked afraid for a second and darted after her, catching hold of the rabbit's shoulder before she got too close. Even so the rabbit was now only a few feet away and kneeling down next to Tails on the concrete.
"My name's Nara." she said slowly, "Glad to meet you Tails! And this is my brother Shiro."
"Brother?" questioned Tails looking from the rabbit to the racoon.
"Well more like guardian, obviously I couldn't be her blood brother." replied Shiro kneeling down next to Nara.
"Are you ok?" asked Nara.
"My hands hurt." replied Tails slowly.
"Let me take a look." said Shiro edging forwards slightly.
Tails' hands were currently clenched into a fist and it took a bit of effort and about a minute for him to open them up. As he did Shiro couldn't help but cringe. Tails' gloves were burnt off on the palm side and his flesh was red raw. Shiro slowly reached out and pulled back part of Tails' singed glove causing Tails to cry out in pain. Shiro quickly let go and withdrew slightly.
"You've got some serious burns on those hands, we better get you seen too or they could go septic." he said.
"Thanks…" replied Tails with a whimper.
"Here, take my arm."
Shiro slowly stood up and then bent over, offering his arm to Tails. Tails in turn slowly pushed himself up a bit more and wrapped his arm around Shiro's. Shiro then slowly pulled up as Tails pushed himself to his knees and then to his feet. Tails still didn't feel completely with it and so stood still for a moment trying to get his co-ordination right. As he did this he gave his legs a small shake, knocking the cold water off them, and then did the same with his tails. This second action made Nara jump and give a small yelp causing Shiro to look over at her suddenly.
"Nara? What is it?" he asked.
Nara just covered her mouth with one hand and pointed to Tails' tails with the other. Shiro took a look himself and couldn't help but look surprised also.
"What the…?" he asked to no-one in particular.
"Where do you think my name came from?" asked Tails slowly, "My real name is Miles Prower, Tails is a nickname."
Shiro looked at him astounded for a moment but then looked to one side and wiped the expression from his face, when he looked back his expression was as it had been before. Nara on the other hand was still staring at the fox's tails.
"Nara don't stare." said Shiro roughly.
"They look funny though." she replied.
"Nara! Don't be rude."
"It's ok, I've had much worst than that." interrupted Tails grinning as best he could through the pain in his body.
"Well ok then, come on, let's get you back to the Den." said Shiro, "Come on Nara."
Shiro started to walk forwards, supporting Tails as he walked beside him. Nara followed along behind, her eyes fixed on the twin tails of the fox ahead of her.
