Hey loyal readers! Joe Stalin back will the fifth chapter of his Tails-gone-bad story. This is a shorter chapter from me this time, but the final installment will be longer I promise! Enjoy!
Shadow Fox
The Unmasking
It was a week later following Eggmans attack, and all across the city people were flocking to their nearest electronics store in order to buy the Prower Tech machine. In just 2 days 50,000 had been sold, and the news stations continuously promoted the new machine and praised it's creator in bringing a new dawn in 3D entertainment.
It was during one of these news announcements that Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow watched in stunned silence as news continued on the ever mounting sales of Tails machine.
''Bloody hell! I knew Tails was a genius an all, but this is unbelievable! He's gonna be a millionaire once this week's up!'' Knucklesannounced.
''Hey, maybe if we ask him nicely Tails will give us a share! After all, we are his best buddies!''Shadow joked.
''Don't bet on it! If I was in his shoes I wouldn't give you one cent Shadow, let alone a million!'' Knuckles replied sarcastically.
''Hey guys, quiet! Somethings coming on!'' Sonic suddenly announced and jabbed at the television.
''In other news, a late night raid at the 'Station Square Cutting Mill' resulted in two steel saw blades being stolen. Police are baffled as to the motive of this theft, and the only clue left at the scene was an all too familiar card which read simply, 'Shadow Fox'.''
''Shadow Fox?'' Shadow cried out before looking at Knuckles and Sonic who had the same shocked expressions on their faces.
''Police are still searching for further clues as to thepossible identity of Shadow Fox, butit seems like just as the last raid, Shadow Fox's identity remains unknown''.
''What could he possibly want with two saw mill blades? Is he going from diamond thief to logger just like that?'' Sonic announced.
''Perhaps they're part of a new Eggman robot?'' Knuckles pointed out.
''Yeah, but if thats true why didn't Eggman just make them himself instead of stealing them? It hasn't stopped him in the past!'' Shadow replied.
''It makes no sense! Still, whatever they're planning, we'll no doubt find out in time!'' Sonic announced before getting up and making for the door.
''Hey, where are you going Sonic?'' Knuckles asked.
''I'm gonna do some sleuthing of my own. See if I can find out anything myself! I'll be back in a couple of hours'' Sonic announced before taking off through the door and out of the house.
''So, what else is on?'' Shadow asked before turning over to the next channel.
BR>
Laterthat night at the earily silent Prower Tech complex. The security lights were on and several guard robots silently prowled the complex, with orders to shoot on sight at any intruder. In his office, Tails was looking over a large blue print on his desk, a cruel smile on his face. Just then, the door was opened and Eggman walked in.
''Is everything finished yet Tails? I'm sick of waiting! You promised me that everything would be finished tonight, so stop keeping me in suspense!''
''Relax Eggman! Everythings finished! Want to see it?'' Tails rose from his desk and walked over to Eggman.
''Oh yes please! I've been dying from all this excitement!''
''Then I'll try not to disapoint you'' Tails smirked.
He and Eggman walked out of the office and into a nearby lift.
''Going down'' Tails said before pressing a button.
The lift doors closed and descended. After a few moments, the lift stopped and the doors opened. Tails gestured with his hand, and an excited Eggman all but ran out of the lift and stood in awe at the sight that greeted him.
''Oh! Oh, oh oh!'' Eggman began laughing hysterically and patted Tails on the head repeatedly.
''Go on. You can say it'' Tails announced, a sly grin on his face.
''You...are an evil bastard! And thats why I love ya!' Eggman laughed, and patted Tails on his shoulder repeatedly.
''Well, now that you've seen it, whats say we go get our...willing volunteers?'' Tails announced coldly
''Oh yes! I'll drive!'' Eggman announced before he and Tails re-entered the lift, both of them besides themselves with laughter.
BR>
Back at the Thorndike mansion, Shadow, Rouge, Knuckles and Chris's grandad were preparing to leave.
''Now Chris. While we're out, I expect you and Sonic to be on your best behaviour and do everything Tanaka tells you'' Chris's grandad announced.
''Don't worry grandpa! We'll be good! Besides, I think Amy will keep Sonic from getting upto anything!'' Chris joked.
''Come on Mr Thorndike! We don't want to miss the previews!'' Shadow announced eagerly.
''Talk about a romantic date! Going to see a horror film!'' Rouge said sarcastically.
''Ah don't worry Rouge! If you get scared, I'll hold your hand!'' Shadow joked, before being nudged hard in the ribs by a slightly ticked off Rouge.
''Come on then! We'll be back around midnight Chris!'' Chris's grandad announced before helping to escort a winded Shadow towards the door.
''Okay! Bye guys! Have a good time!'' Chris said.
BR>
Outside the house, Knuckles, Rouge and Shadow climbed into Chris's grandads car. Once inside, Chris's grandad started the car up, and drove it down the drive and out onto the road.Behind them,two headlights appeared through the darkness, and a large truck pulled up near the gate. The doors flew open, and Eggman and Tails jumped out and walked upto the gates. Tails was dressed in a dark suit and coat, with his cane gripped firmly in his left hand.
''You know something! I don't think they're expecting us!'' Tails smirked before flinging the gates open. Behind them, from the rear of the truck, Decoe and Bocoe climbed out of the truck, along with a dozen E-500's.
''Oh, I'm glad we've arrived!'' Decoe grumbled.
''So am I! It was extremely cramped in there! My joints have got pins and needles!'' Bocoe moaned.
''Will you two get a move on?'' Eggman yelled, and the two lackies along with the E-500's entered through the gate.
BR>
''Isn't this romantic Sonic? Just you and me alone together'' Amy purred lustfully.
''What about Chris and Cream?'' Sonic pointed out, at the same time slowly edging himself away from Amy across the couch.
''Oh yes, I forgot! But still, it's just you and me in this room!'' Amy announced before lunging herself at Sonic. At that moment, the doorbell rang.
''I will get it'' Tanaka announced before walking upto the door and opening it.
''Why Master Tails! What a surprise this is!'' Tanaka said.
''Good evening Tanaka. Is Sonic in?'' Tails enquired, his grip on his cane tightening.
''Yes he is. Unfortunately, Mr Thorndike and the others are out. But Miss Amy and Cream and Master Chris are in'' Tanaka announced.
''Good'' Tails smirked. At that moment, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pistol. Tanaka looked from the pistol to Tails with a stunned look on his face.
''Make a sound, and your dead!'' Tails snarled, before Eggman and the E-500's burst through the door and pinned Tanaka to the floor.
''Stick him in the closet. They won't hear him'' Eggman ordered.
''Wait a minute!'' Tails announced, before pulling out the small device from his coat pocket. Without hesistation, Tails thrust it into Tanaka's hand and switched it on. Tanaka realed in pain from the electric shock before collapsing unconscious.
''That hould stop him from blurting out anything that could be harmful to us!'' Tails smirked as he repocketed the device.
Two E-500's then grabbed the uncoscious Tanaka and threw him unceremoniously into the closet.
Tails smiled, before taking his hat and mask from his coat pocket and slipping them onto his head.
''Remember the plan. Seek and capture!'' Tails pointed at Eggman.
''No killing'' Eggman announced to the E-500's. Tails jabbed at Eggman.
''And that goes double for you!'' Tails warned.
BR>
In the living room, Sonic had managed to escape from Amy's clutches and was now sat on the windowsill. Chris and Amy were watching television. Cream was outside playing. At that moment, a shot rang out in the corridor.
''What was that?'' Amy enquired, a frightened look on her face.
At that moment, the living room doors exploded, and Shadow Fox and the E-500's stormed in. Sonic leapt to his feet immediatly.
''Run!'' Sonic shouted, and a terrified Amy and Chris made a break for the kitchen.
''Don't think you can get away that easily!'' Tails snarled.
As Sonic, Chris and Amy made a break for the other side of the house, the E-500's and Tails took off after them. Suddenly, Amy tripped and collapsed onto the floor. Tails was on her in an instant.
''Amy!'' Sonic shouted, as an E-500 approached menacingly. Without a second thought, Sonic went into a spin attack and slammed the E-500 against the wall, disabling it.
On the floor, Tails grabbed Amy's throat.
''Give up! You can't beat me!'' Tails snarled, his eyes burning brightly.
Suddenly, Tails was slammed into by Sonic and sent catapulting into a glass cabinet. The glass shattered and the entire cabinet collapsed onto Tails, burying him completely.
''Come on!'' Sonic grabbed Amy and forced her onto her feet as the rest of the E-500's began to approach. As the robotic army marched past in their pursuit, the cabinet began to shift. With an effort, Tails managed to claw his way from under the cabinet, a dizzy expression on his face.
''Ooh, what a mistakea to makea!'' Tails slurred before staggering down the corridor.
BR>
At the other end of the corridor, Eggman sat in a chair near the stairs. In his hand was a pistol which he was playing with. Just then, he heard frantic footsteps approaching, and he quickly ducked behind the chair, barely concealing his wide girth. At that moment, Amy and Chris ran towards the stairs, with Sonic close behind fending off the incoming E-500's. Eggman smiled to himself.
''Oh, this is too good an opportunity to miss!'' Eggman smiled to himself before aiming the pistol.
''Quick! Get up the stairs!'' Sonic shouted whilst at the same time knocking an E-500 around.
As Amy and Chris took off up the stairs, Sonic finished off the E-500 and ran up the stairs as well. At that instant, Eggman finished aiming his shot, and fired.
The bullet shot throught the air and made contact with Sonic head. Sonic staggered back, and fell unconsious down the stairs.
''Sonic!'' Chris and Amy shouted in unison before running down the stairs to the fallen hedgehog. Before they could reach him, they were surrounded by the remaining E-500's. Laughing hysterically, Eggman approached the fallen Sonic and aimed at his head a final time.
''Hold it!'' A voice shouted from the corridor, and an unmasked Tails approached Eggman.
''Tails? Your Shadow Fox?'' Chris shouted as he was grabbed by two E-500's.
''Shut up brat! Remember the plan Eggman! He'll suffer in time!'' Tails smirked. Eggman laughed, and lowered his pistol.
''Allright! Bring them!'' Tails ordered, and the E-500's marched Amy and Chris back down the corridor. Just then, Decoe and Bocoe appeared.
''Oh, did we miss it?'' Decoe asked.
''I told you we should have kept up with them instead of trying to cut them off!'' Bocoe grumbled.
''I thought it was a good idea!'' Decoe replied.
''Be quiet! Move out!'' Eggman ordered.
''Wait a minute. One last thing.'' Tails smirked before removing a small card from his coat pocket and placing it in Sonics hand.
''Ta ta for now!'' Tails grinned before taking off after the E-500's, Eggman and his lackies in tow.
Sonic lay motionless on the floor, a thin trickle of blood seaping from the wound on his head.
BR>
''Sonic? Sonic can you hear me?''
Sonic slowly opened his eyes. He was in bed, a large bandage over his head. Chris's grandad, Knuckles and Shadow were crowded around him, worried expressions on their faces.
''Thank God! He's alive!'' Shadow exclaimed.
''How you feeling Sonic?'' Knuckles enquired.
''Wha...what happened?'' Sonic stammered.
''Eggman broke into the house. He took Amy and Chris. When we got back we found you unconcious on the floor. We all thought you were dead'' Rouge said.
''He took Amy and Chris? Where?''
''We don't know, but we found this in your hand'' Knuckles announced, before lifting up a small card into Sonics viewpoint. It read simply 'Shadow Fox'.
''Shadow Fox! Now I remember! It was him who stormed into the living room and tried to kill Amy! I only saw Eggman just before he shot me! I've gotta find them!'' Sonic announced before staggering to his feet.
''Sonic, your hardly in the condition to go looking for Eggman and Shadow Fox!'' Chris's grandad announced.
''I've gotta find them! Who knows what could happen to them!'' Sonic cried.
Just then, Tanaka appeared in the doorway.
''Excuse me everyone! I have been reviewing the security tapes from last night, and I have found something that may interest you''
BR>
In the living room, everyone was crowded round the television as Tanaka placed the security tape into the machine. After a few seconds of static, the screen flashed to an image of the unconscious Tanaka being shoved into the closet by two E-500's. In the middle of the screen, Eggman could be seen speaking to Shadow Fox, who had his back to the camera.
Suddenly, Shadow Fox turned around and faced the camera. For the first time, Sonic and the gang caught a glimpse ofShadow Foxwithout his mask on.
''Oh my God!'' Rouge stammered.
''Shadow Fox is...Tails!'' Sonic stuttered.
BR>
Next episode- The final showdown.
Please R&R!