Chapter 2 Dreams

Vector was working on some papers when he heard the door open. Curious about who it might be he looked up.

Espio, looking tired and dirty, stumbled in. He was covered in mud and he held dirty papers in his arms.

"Espio?" Vector said standing, "what happened to you?"

Espio stumbled up to the crocodile's desk and set the papers on it. "I was getting your papers," he said tiredly, "sorry about the mess. I'll clean it up."

"No, I'll do it," Vector objected, "you just get some rest."

"I don't have time," the chameleon said sitting down in front of a typewriter. "I've got work to do."

"No, I really think you should take a rest or something, " Vector persisted grabbing a broom and sweeping up the mess Espio had made on the floor. "other wise you'll be-"

He heard the sound of snoring and looked up. He saw Espio's face lying on top of the typewriter keys. He was sound asleep.

"I guess he took my advise after all," the crocodile though with a chuckle.


The young chameleon woke to the sound of footsteps in the hall. Quickly he got out of bed and ran across the room to the door, the floor cool against his bare feet.

He opened the door a crack and saw the guy he'd met the night before rushing down the hall.

The older chameleon stopped when he saw Espio peeking out of his room. "Good morning, Espio," he said his face draining from strained to friendly. "sleep well?"

The young chameleon nodded. "Very well, sir," he said softly.

"Do you want to begin your training today?"

Again the chameleon nodded.

"Well then come with me downstairs."

The two headed down the stairs. The older chameleon led Espio into a small room covered in lots of weird looking things.

"Now," the older chameleon said turning around. "the best way to learn to be a good thief is by learning a few small ninja skills."

"Like what?"

"For one thing," the older chameleon said, giving Episo a look. "how to sneak quietly."

"Oh." he said, knowing what he meant by that.

"Another is escaping quickly which is why I use something called Smoke Bombs."

"But uh-"

"Tikato."

"Tikato, how do I use these things?"

"That's what I'm going to teach you."

"So you're going to teach me how to be a ninja?"

"Something like that," Tikato said. "but not entirely. Real ninjas have a code of honor or something but, I'm only teaching you how to be a better thief so you don't really have a code of honor."

"Oh."

Tikato then led him into the dining room. "We'll begin after breakfast," the older chameleon promised.

And from then on until two years later, when he turned twelve, Espio was taught how to be a professional thief.

Then one day Tikato began planning to rob a school that was bound to house a ton of valuables.

"Okay," the older chameleon said. "tonight will be the night you do your first big robbery. Are you ready for it?"

Espio nodded. "I am ready."


Espio felt someone shaking his shoulder and slowly opened his eyes. He found himself staring at a bunch of jammed typewritter keys. He sat up and saw Vector staring at him in concern.

"Did I fall asleep?"

Vector nodded.

Espio felt real stupid and embarressed.

"I think we need to have another talk," Vector said gestering to his desk.

Espio stood and followed the crocodile. Vector sat behind the desk and indicated that Espio take the seat in front of it.

The chameleon sat down and waited.

Vector didn't say anything. He stared the chameleon down until he said with slight irritation. "What?"

"You can't lie this time, Espio," Vector said his face very serious. "you can deny it all you want, but you're working yourself too hard and you falling asleep at the typewritter proves it."

Espio looked away.

"I'd like to know what has been bothering you lately," Vector continued, "when you're not working you just sit there and stare into space. What is wrong?"

"I don't know," Espio said not wanting to reveal the truth, "for some reason I can't seem to concentrate when I'm not busy."

Vector said nothing. He just shook his head.

Espio waited. He knew Vector wasn't finished yet.

Vector looked at him directly and said. "I should have done this the first time I noticed it. I think you should take a vacation or something. You know something to get your mind off things."

"But-" Espio began.

"No, buts," Vector said firmly. "you're not my secretary. Try doing something you like for a few days until your head clears or just take a nap. You need your rest anyway."

The chameleon ninja was about to argue farther but held it in. He lowered his head and nodded. "Yes, sir," he said softly.

And his mind began to wander back in time again.


Tikato was very hard on teaching the ten year old Espio how to be a good thief and didn't tolerate it when he'd start daydreaming.

One day, a year after Espio had tried to rob his house, when Tikato found Espio staring into space instead of doing what he was supposed to do he wasn't happy at all and sat him down for a long talk.

"Now listen, boy," he began as he stared the younger chameleon down, "I know you're still learning, but I can't tolerate lazyness."

"I'm sorry it's just-"

"Just what? I taught you all you need to know about this and you don't even appreciate it."

"But-"

"No, 'buts'," Tikato cut in sternly," and futhermore, if you don't start showing more respect for people older than you I'll have to teach you a lesson. Understood?"

Espio looked at his feet. "Yes, sir," he said softly, "I'll try harder."


"Are you even listening to me?" Vector's voice cut into Espio's thoughts.

"Huh?" Espio said looking up at the crocodile in confusion.

Vector shook his head. "You're hopeless," he said sighing.

Espio started to stand up.

"I'm not done yet!"Vector said sharply.

The chameleon quickly sat down.

"Now I meant it when I said you should take a vacation," Vector went on," and if you don't do it willingly I'll have to force you to do it. So you have two choices."

Espio nodded. "Yes, Vector," he said quietly.

The crocodile smiled. "Good, but for now I think you should get some sleep. You look tired."

The chameleon ninja nodded again. He was tired he'd just been afraid to admit it.

"You may go now," Vector said.

Espio stood and left the office without a word. When he was outside he found Vector's hammock and climbed into it.

A light breeze rocked it gently and within minutes he was sound asleep.


Espio sat alone in his room at Tikato's house. His legs were crossed under him and his hands rested on his knees. His eyes were closed.

He was meditating.

For the last two years the older chameleon had trained him in the skills of being a thief. He had done may small jobs and didn't care a thing about them. He never felt guilty.

Not one bit.

Now tonight he was doing a bigger job. By himself.

Can I do this? he thought, Will I be able to pull this thing off?

Someone tapped him on his shoulder.

He looked up. It was Tikato.

"Yes," the younger chameleon asked, when the older chameleon peeked his head in.

"It's time," his teacher replied.

Espio stood up and followed the older chameleon out of the house. They walked a bit then Tikato put out his hand. Espio stopped.

"There," Tikato said pointing.

Espio looked up. He saw a huge Japanese style building that looked a bit like some sort of school.

"Is that the place?" he asked.

"Yes."

"What do you want me to get?"

"There is a very important sword in there. It looks like an old Katana from the time of the Samuri. It's in a blue saphire shieth. Do you think you can get it?"

Espio nodded not sure at all. "Yes, sir," he stammered.

"Then go," Tikato said, "and remember I'm counting on you."

The younger chameleon gave a small salute then quickly and quietly made his way to the building.

When he reached the building's south wall he found a rose terris and used it to climb to an open window on the second floor. Once he was inside he began to quietly search the rooms for the samuri sword Tikato had told him about.

Now where could it be? he thought as he crept along the soft green carpeted floor as he went from room to room, Where would someone hide a thing like that?

He entered another room and stopped. He'd just entered someone's bedroom! He quickly looked around hoping the sword wasn't in there.

The room was fully furnished with all kinds of Japanese pictures and writings. On one wall a huge tapestry and open scroll hung from nails that stuck about a half inch out of the wall. The big bed (that no one appeared to be sleeping in at the moment) had a strange Japanese pattern quilted in the fabric and heavy purple drapes adorned the sides of the bed's upper frame. The huge window on the left side of the bedframe let in the moonlight, making the room look almost as bright as day.

After a quick inspection Espio came to the conclusion that the sword wasn't in the room and, as quickly and quietly as possible, he left by the door across the room. He entered another room.

This room wound up being an armory which housed all kinds of strange and deadly Japanese and Oriental weapons.

Maybe it's in here, he thought his yellow eyes scanning the room for the particular weapon.

They rested on a glass case in the center of the room. It was the only thing illuminated by the moonlight coming in from a small window on the left wall. The young chameleon thief walked up to it. He stared at the weapon in facination.

He saw a blue handle and a saphire holder. This is it! he thought excitedly. I've found it!

He knelt down and began to carefully lift the glass off the display.

"Hey what do you think you're doing?!" a voice behind him demanded.

The younge thief jumped, startled, and dropped the glass. It hit the floor and shattered.

Espio turned slowly and saw a dark figure standing in the door way he'd just come through.

"Who are you?" the figure demanded, "and what are you doing with that sword?!"

Instead of answering Espio grabbed the sword and bolted to the other door which stood wide open.

"Stop thief!" he heard a voice shout behind him.

The young chameleon ran down the hall as fast as he could. He had to get out of this place. He had to get out NOW!

The instant he reached the bottom of the stairs someone struck him hard in the side. He flew across the room and crashed into a display on the far wall. The display shattered on contact and he fell to the floor.

Espio stood up dazed and tried to regain his bearings. Someone grabbed him and thrust him back on the floor, face down. He struggled while someone tied his wrists and ankles but it was no use.

He was over powered then pulled to his feet and thrust into a closet. He heard a key turn in the lock behind him.


Espio felt someone shaking him lightly on the shoulder. He turned his head and opened his eyes halfway.

Vector was staring down at him a worried look on his face. The chameleon sensing something wrong became more awake. "What is it?" he asked trying to sit up. "did something happen?"

Vector shook his head. "No," he said," but I think it's about time you were getting up."

What? First he wants me to rest and now he wants me to wake up? He should make up his mind already!

"Why?' Espio asked drozily.

"Well, you've been sleeping since yesterday evening," Vector answered.

"Yeah, and what time is it now?" The chameleon wanted to know.

"Almost lunch time," Vector replied.

I've been sleeping almost the entire day? Out here? Why didn't he wake me up sooner?

"Okay," Espio said sitting up straighter. "I'm up."

"Good," Said Vector, "I was begining to wonder when you would."

Espio only nodded.

He watched Vector walked away then lay back down. He stared up at the palm leaves and told himself he'd get up in a few more minutes.

It didn't happen. He fell back to sleep.


"Don't tell me he's still asleep," Vector said a few hours later after Charmy had checked up on the chameleon.

Charmy nodded. "Yup, he's still sleeping like a log," the bee confirmed, "I tried to wake him up, but all he did was mumble something and then lay totally still. It's almost like he's dead."

Vector shook his big head. He just couldn't figure out what was with that boy these days. When he's awake he works non-stop. When he's asleep you can't wake him. I wonder if he's sick.

Vector left his desk and headed outside to the hammock. Espio was still lying on it, sound asleep. The crocodile put his hand on the ninja's forehead. It was normal.

So he's not sick, he thought, I wonder what else could be wrong? He heard a sigh and looked down. The chameleon was finally stirring. Maybe now he can tell me what's wrong.

Espio's eyes opened slowly and he stared at the crocodile in confusion. "How long have you been standing there?' he asked with slight annoyance. (He hated being stared at in his sleep.)

"Not too long," Vector answered.

The chameleon sat up and stretched. He almost wapped Vector in the nose in the process. "What time is it?" he asked yawning.

"Almost three in the afternoon," his friend replied.

"Three!" Espio exclaimed in shock, "how long have I been sleeping?"

"For almost a day."

Espio didn't like that answer. He stared at his boss in surprise. "A day?"

Vector nodded.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I tried three times. The last time I did you woke up for a few minutes then went back to sleep." Vector cocked his big head. "are you all right? You look a little pale."

"I-I'm fine," Espio lied, climbing out of the hammock, "I-I think I'd better go for a walk. Maybe the fresh air will clear my head."

Vector agreed that was a good idea.

"See you later then," Espio said before he headed into the woods.

As he walked his mind yet again went back in time...


How long he was in the closet he didn't know. But it must have been hours. He'd always had problems with claustrophobia and this only made it worse. He could practicly feel the walls closing in on him. He was short of breath and felt like he was running out of air, hence increasing panic.

They're going to kill me! he thought panicking, they're going to leave me in here to die!

Just when he was about to start screaming someone opened the door and he fell out, breathing in the fresh air in great gasps.

Someone grabbed his arm before he fell on the floor. He was then shoved against the wall and held there. It was another chameleon. This one looked a lot older then Tikato.

"Sleep well?" the guy asked without any sarcasm.

Espio didn't answer. There was no way he was going to tell this creep about his near panic attack from being in a tiny space for eight hours.

"You look a little young for a thief," the older chameleon said, studying the youth carefully, "How older are you?"

"Twelve."

"You are too young. Your voice hasn't even changed yet."

"I've been a thief for years."

"For how long?"

Espio hesitated. "I-I don't know," he said truthfully, "I can't remember when I started. All I can remember is I've always been a thief."

The older chameleon nodded. "Well you're still very young. Why would you want to be a thief?"

"I had to steal to survive," Espio explained. "As far as I remember I've always been a orphan. I don't have a family. I'm by myself."

"So, you were trying to steal my sword to survive?"

"No, two years ago I tried to steal some food from someone's house, but I was caught. The guy who lived in the house turned out to a thief himself. He taught me how to be a better one."

"So he's the one who wanted you to steal my sword?"

Espio closed his eyes and nodded slowly, "Yes, sir."

The older chameleon looked at him sadly, "You poor boy," he said with compassion in his voice, "you shouldn't be stealing to live."

Espio shrugged. "It's all I know."

"Maybe I can teach you something else that would be more useful."

The young thief looked up. "And that would be?"

The older chameleon cut him loose and then grabbed his arm. "Come with me," he said.

Espio had no choice in the matter and let this weird guy lead him down a long hallway.

A little later they reached what looked like a living room. "Sit," the older chameleon ordered.

Espio quietly sat down.

"Now, young man," he began.

"What?"

"Remember last night when you tried to steal my sword?"

"Yeah."

"Well you probably would have gotten away with it if I hadn't decided to do my nightly rounds. You were very very quiet."

"So?" Espio asked defensively, not sure what this weirdo was getting at.

"Don't you see? You have a great gift! You have a very good chance at something else ...something better!"

"Like what?" he asked suspiciously.

"Learning a skill that will probably be more useful when you're older."

"What's that?"

"If you're willing, I can teach you how to use your skill on a better thing," the guy rambled on.

"THAT IS?" Espio shouted wanting the guy to get to the point already. Then he remembered who he was talking to and quickly softened his voice. "That is?"

"If you're willing I'll teach you how to be a ninja," the guy finally spit out, acting as if nothing had happened.

Espio stared at him. He wasn't sure he'd heard him right. "What?"

"I'll teach you how to be a ninja."

"Really? You would really teach me to be a ninja even after I tried to rob you?"

The older chameleon nodded, "Yes, I would. This thing will teach you better things like discipline and respect (Espio suddenly realized the guy had noticed his disrespecful shout). Would you be willing you learn?"

Espio nodded eagerly. "Yes, Yes, I would."


And that was the best thing I had ever learned, Espio thought now, If it wasn't for Master Minnotko I would probably still be a thief today. But why am I remembering these things? I've forgotten them for years. Why are they coming back now? What could they mean?

Author's note: Yeah I know. "That's a bit lame!" Well I can't help it. I don't know much about Espio besides what I read and saw in Sonic Heroes. I don't know how he became a ninja so I'm guessing. Please don't get mad or anything. I admit I'm a bit stupid. This isn't one of my better chapters but I can assure you the story will get better. Just be patient okay?