Shadow Fox
The Deal
It had been two days after Tails accident, and no one was any the wiser. Tails hadn't emerged from the lab once in those two days, but everyone was already used to this and so no one was really surprised at the young foxes absence.
''Still not come out yet has he? Well I can't say I'm all that surprised''
Knuckles the red echinda addressed everyone in the room. It was a lazy afternoon, and he and Sonic had left the house some minutes earlier for a walk. Everyone else was still at the house doing whatever they could to pass the time. Sonic was still recovering from his injuries, and thats why they were walking and not running.
''Yeah I know what you mean Knucks, but I'm worried about him. He hasn't been himself recently, and I'm worried that whatever he's doing is effecting him badly'' Sonic replied, a worried look on his face.
''I shouldn't worry too much Sonic. Tails usually gets like this whenever he's building something new. Once he's finished or lost interest, he'll get back to normal''
''I hope your right''
''I am'' Knuckles replied with a smile.
The two of them made they're way back to the house. Cream and Cheese were playing on the lawn, and Amy was helping Ella get the lunch ready in the kitchen. The two hedgehogs walked into the living room and sat on the couch.
''So, how long are you out for? Any chance of you recovering any thime this year?'' Knuckles announced with a sarcastic tone.
''Ha ha! Don't worry yourself! A few more days and I'll be as fit as I ever was!''
''Well lets just hope that we don't hear from Eggman until then''
''After the beating we laid on him? I don't think he'll rear his ugly head again for a long time!''
Just then, the lab door opened and Tails stepped out. Wearing a new white lab coat, and dark shades that covered his eyes, Tails made his way to the front door. Sonic and Knuckles watched with surprised expressions as the fox opened the door and walked outside. Knuckles broke the silence.
''Was that Tails we just saw go outside, or did I just imagine it?''
''Nope! That was him all right! Come on, lets go see''
The two hedgehogs jumped up from the couch and followed Tails outside. They found him inside the garage, several blue prints scattered across the work table. Sonic walked upto him and placed a hand on Tails shoulder.
''Hey lil bud! Long time no see!''
Tails didn't respond, though Sonic noted with surprise that Tails seemed to flinch when he had put his arm around his shoulders.
''Yo Tails! Whats up?''
''I'm busy Sonic, would you kindly let me get on with my work?''
Sonic was surprised at how different Tails voice sounded. It was lower, somewhat colder. Knuckles approached.
''Tails! Nice to finally see you step out for once! Whats with the shades?''
''In case you haven't noticed Knuckles, it's bright out here. I don't want to damage my eyes do I now?'' Tails responded, a slight sneer spreading on his bottom lip.
Knuckles was taken aback by Tails response. It wasn't so much what he had said, but the way he had said it. Knuckles had never seen Tails act so distant before. Sonic had noticed it too.
''Look Tails, we're all worried about you bud and we really want you to stop this and get back to normal as soon as possible. We need you if Eggman comes back''
Tails turned round and looked at Sonic for the first time.
''Thats not what you said last time Sonic. If I remember correctly you shunned my offer to help! Why the sudden u-turn?''
Sonic was getting annoyed at Tails continuous rudeness at him. For the first time he frowned and jabbed his finger at Tails.
''Well if you had bothered to step out of your lab once in a while, you would know that I got injured in that last mission, and I won't be better for at least another few days! So, if Eggman comes back again within those next few days, we'll need you to help stop him! Allright?''
Sonic felt bad about yelling at Tails, but he was getting tired of Tails cold and distant manner.
Tails took all this information in. Sonic out of action for the next few days? Perfect! With him out of the way temporarily, his plan could succeed without any risk of interference from the blue pest. Tails smiled at the thought.
''Allright Sonic. I understand, no problem''
Sonic was surprised at how quickly Tails manner had shifted from distant to friendly, and he smiled.
''Hey bud, I'm sorry I yelled at you. We still okay?''
Tails nodded, and Sonic patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave. Knuckles turned to leave with him.
''Do you think he's back to normal now Sonic?''
''I think so. Give a bit of time, and he'll be okay. Now come on, lets go see what Ella cooked up for us!''
Tails watched the two hedgehogs leave the garage and sneered. Removing his shades, he once more turned to the blue prints on the work table.
''Well well! Now that Sonics out of the picture, my plan can go on without interuption! Now for phase two!''
Removing his lab coat and once more donning his shades, Tails made his way back to the lab making sure he was not seen. Everyone was in the kitchen tucking in for lunch, and Tails was able to slip back into the lab unseen. Once inside, he grabbed a black rucksack and stuffed the machine and the blue prints inside. Once he had done that, he walked upto a computer and typed in several codes and passwords he had stolen from Chris's grandad. On the screen up flashed a flight path direct to a small island in the south pacific ocean.
Printing off the data, Tails made his way to another side of the lab and into a small room. When he next emerged from the room, he was dressed in along black coat and trilby hat, and in his hand was an automatic machine gun. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was pleased with the transformation.
''Perfect. And how to put phase two into operation''
Grabbing the rucksack and slinging it onto his shoulder and placing the machine gun in a holster under his coat, Tails carefully opened the door of the lab and peered out. There was no one about, and so Tails made his way outside the house and towards the Tornado.Flinging the rucksack into the plane, Tails was about to climb in himself, when something tugged the sleeve of his coat. Spining round, Tails was confronted by a surprised looking Cream.
''Where are you going Tails?'' Cream asked nervously. She hadn't seen Tails within the last week, and she was surprised at his sudden appearance, and even more by what he was wearing.
Tails relaxed, and hopped into the cockpit.
''I'm just going somewhere for a while Cream. If anyone asks, just tell them I'm working in the lab. Okay?''
''Allright Tails, whatever you say''
With that, Tails started up the Tornado, and took off, leaving a confused Cream behind.
Once the plane was out of sight of the house, Tails inserted the data from the computer in the navigation machinery, and plotted a smooth route to his destination. Realising that he had gotten away vertually scott free, Tails removed his shades and laughed, his red eyes shining brightly.
BR>
On a small island somewhere in the south pacific ocean, Eggman was fuming silently in his lab.
''That hedgehogs stubborn refusal to expire...IS DRIVING ME INSANE!''
For the last two days, Eggman had drifted in the ocean by himself before being picked up and returned to the island. He didn't realise that his robot had put Sonic out of action temporarily, and since he had returned to the island he had sulked in his lab, now and again slipping into moments of rage. It was at these moments that Decoe, Bocoe and Bokku wisely stayed out of the doctors way, knowing full well that he could easily take his rage out on them.
''If I don't get that hedgehog soon I'll go insane!''
The three lackies looked at each other at this comment, stiffling they're laughing.
''Whats so funny? I'll give you something to laugh about!'' Eggman shouted before hurling a spanner at the three bots, narrowly avoiding them.
''Sorry doc! Don't get yourself so worked up, you'll get Sonic sooner or later'' Bokku announced once he had crawled up from the floor.
''And in the meantime, we've cooked your favourite!'' Decoe announced, before revealing a large meal from under a white cloth. Eggman softened up immediatley.
''Oooh! You spoil me Decoe! I don't know what to eat first!''
Suddenly from the other side of the room, a loud clang reverberated around the lab. Eggman span round, and was confronted by a small figure in a black coat and hat. In the figures hand was a long metal cane, the source of the clang.
''I'd watch yourself Eggman, your fat enough as it is!'' the figure announced. Decoe and Bocoe could hardly contain themselves, whereas Bokku didn't bother and his laughter rang out across the lab.
''Who the hell are you?'' Eggman roared, before he launched his fist and the still laughing Bokku and sending him flying.
''Oh come on Eggman! You've known me for a long time, and yet you don't recognise me? Let me give you a hint''
With that, the figure turned to the side. Eggman was stunned to notice two tails attached to the figure. Eggmans jaw dropped.
''Tails? Whats going on here? Is this a trap?''
''No trap Eggman, I have a proposition for you'' Tails announced, removing his coat and hat but still keeping his shades on.
''Really? Forgive me for not believing you Tails, but past encounters have made me cautious. I ought to kill you right where you stand''
''You could kill me, but then you would never know my proposition. You might be willing to give it a try!''
''I don't trust him doctor, we should kill him now!'' Bocoe announced
''Quiet Bocoe! Allright Tails, you've got five minutes. After that, your dead meat!''
''Fair enough. Lets begin shall we?''
Removing the backpack from his shoulders, Tails pulled out the machine and the blue prints. Walking over to the table, Tails placed the machine onto the table top.
''You wouldn't have a tv by any chance would you Eggman?''
''Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I don't spen all my time trying to kill you and your friends you know!''
''Well, you could have fooled me! Fetch it for me will you?''
Fuming to himself at Tails back talk, Eggman came back with a small television. Tails began plugging it in to the machine, and once he had completed this he stepped back.
''Now, I need some volunteers. Would your two metal friends please care to watch some tv?''
''I do not trust him doctor, what if this is all a trap?'' Decoe announced.
''Yes, and my favourite show isn't on for another hour, couldn't we do it then?'' Bocoe suggested.
Eggman turned to Tails, who was tapping his foo impatiently.
''Oh very well! Decoe, Bocoe, watch television!''
Switching on the television, the two robots were immediatley focussed on the tv screen. Tails machine began to glow and turn slowly. While this was going on, Tails took out a small device from the rucksack and walked over to Eggman.
''Whats going on Tails? This had better not be some game your playing!'' Eggman threatened.
''No game Eggman, I assure you. Would you be so kind as to hold this for a moment?''
''Why? What is it?''
''You'll see'' replied Tails with a smile.
Cautiously, Eggman took the device from Tails hand. Immediately, he began to shake, as the machine began to pour all of Decoe and Bocoes knowledge directly into Eggmans brain. After a few moments, Tails grabbed the device back from Eggman and switched off the machine.
''Impressed?'' Tails asked, still with a smirk on his face.
''What just happened?'' Eggman inquired, rubbing his forehead vigorously.
''That? That was your brain taking in knowledge from your two lackies. Thats what my machine does. Whoever is holding this device takes in all the knowledge of whoever is watching a television with my machine plugged into it! Neat, don't you think?''
''I'll have a bit more thank you'' announced Eggman before making a grab for the device. Tails pulled it back beofre he could take it.
''Oh there's more! But only the first one's free! Heres my bargain. You and your robots will help me steal production capital, so that I can put one of my machines in every home in this country, and become the most intelligent person this planet has ever seen. And in return, not only will you be able to have this knowledge at your disposal, but I will also help you kill Sonic and al his friends! So, do we have a deal?''
''Sounds good to me doc, I think you should accept!'' Bokku, who had just regained consciousness, announced.
''Mmmm! You've broken into my hideout, and interupted my dinner. You have also thrawted my plans on numerous occasions previously, and so because of this I should kill you on the spot right now my foxxy little friend''
Eggman rounded on Tails, who stepped back slightly, a nervous expression on his face.
''However, you do pose an interesting proposition. And so therefore, I accept!'' Eggman announced before throwing a hand over Tails shoulders.
Tails let out a slight sigh of relief and removed his shades,revealing his eyes. Everyone was taken aback by the little foxes appearance, Eggman included.
''Excellent! Now know one can stand in my way! From this moment on, Tails is no more. Call me...Shadow Fox!''
Next episode: The Rise of Shadow Fox