Sorry I haven't been updating as regularly as I normally would, but if you've been reading my Blog you'll know I've been working, and my dad seems to be hogging the computer at the weekend.
Though you should know I'm off to Tenerife for a week on Friday. I may do some more writing there on my laptop. Perhaps I'll start Deep Pressure, I haven't decided yet. It is planned.
Before I start Chapter 3 which introduces more new characters I want you ALL to check my DA. I'm VERY proud of my Sonic Adventure Zero cover. Normally my art sucks but that's pretty good. So good I find myself getting lost in the picture.
All copyright info on first chapter
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TWO TRIBES
BY MASTER HUNTER
Chapter 3 - The Guild of Assassins Spies and Hunters
While all this was going on Cream and Big were busy tidying up after the beach party, rather angry that Amy had left them, guests in her house, to tidy up while she goes on an adventure without them.
"Oh Amy where are you?" said Big
"Now now Mr. Big. I'm sure there's a rational explanation as to why Miss Amy left us alone, leaving us to clean up after everybody", said Cream.
"Rational explanation? She's out having fun with Sonic!" said Big
"No, Sonic left with Mr. Manic", said Cream, "Hey you don't think she's in any danger do you?"
Big paused for a moment
"I do now", said Big
Cream and Big stopped what they were doing for a moment, and then suddenly dashed out of the hut. They found Vector crashed out against the side of the hut. He had hit the drink pretty hard and it showed. Charmy and Espio were pulling at Vector's limbs trying to get him to stand up.
"Come on Vector get up. The Party's over. It's time to go home", said Charmy.
"Come on Vector", said Espio, "We may not have a job but we can't stay here"
"MISTER ESPIO, MISTER CHARMY! We're worried about Amy can you help us track her down", said Cream.
Suddenly Vector jumped to his feet.
"A JOB! Of course we'll help ya Cream", said Vector, "How much does this job pay?"
"Pay? You know we don't have any money Vector", said Big
"Aw man! Oh well anything for a friend", said Vector
"I remember seeing them head this way not too long ago", said Espio, "You want us to go in the same direction Vector?"
"Sounds like a good start, Whoa!" said Vector before falling back on his backside again.
"Are you alright?" asked Charmy
"I'm fine Charmy. Jus' need ta take a moment to shake this pounding headache off", said Vector.
After a few minutes they all headed towards the desert where luckily Charmy caught a glimpse of Manic leading Amy into the Jungle. They managed to catch up just as Manic led Amy inside a secret passageway. The five stopped in front of the entrance as the door slammed shut.
"Now what do we do?" asked Charmy.
"We find a way in", said Vector.
As they started to search the entrance Espio, who had been standing right at the back, had been grabbed by someone. A hand covered his mouth preventing him from screaming. He felt scared at first until he noticed a familiar scent. After he had been dragged through the Jungle for a while his kidnapped stopped and let him go.
"What are you doing here little one?" asked a familiar voice, "Leave this place at once"
"Grandma is that you?" asked Espio.
A figure appeared out of nowhere. A Green Female Chameleon who appeared to be in her mid-sixties. She wore simple dress, a loose light white top with a pink lining and a picture of an emerald in the middle, and a loose Black skirt held up by a brown belt holding several ninja stars.
"Hello Espio, how are you?" asked the Chameleon.
"Grandma Emerald it is you. You're pretty strong for a 70 year old", said Espio.
"Hey I'm not that old, yet", said Emerald, "Anyway you can't stay here. I cannot allow you to uncover the secret here"
"But we got a job to find Amy Rose. She just walked in there with Manic Rose", said Espio.
"Never mind that. I don't want you to get involved", said Emerald.
"Don't worry about me Grandma. I'm pretty tough and I've mastered all the ninja skills you taught me", said Espio.
"I don't care. Someone big is about to happen and I don't want you caught in the crossfire", said Emerald.
"I am not going to abandon a job. I'm not going to let the other Chaotix Detectives down", replied Espio angrily.
"Respect your elder's boy. I'm your grandmother, do as you're told!" said Emerald Angrily.
The two Chameleons stared at each other in angry stances saying nothing until shouts of "ESPIO!" could be heard. Then Emerald disappeared using her stealth camouflage.
"I'm sorry Espio. Please just leave before you get hurt", said Emerald.
"Grandma Wait!" exclaimed Espio.
Just then the rest of the Detectives as the Rose Petals rejoined Espio.
"What was all that about? Who were you talking to?" asked Vector
"Something big is about to happen. We have to follow Amy through that secret passageway. She could be in serious danger if Grandma's worried about me being here", said Espio.
"Grandma?" said Vector softly before following Espio who led the team back to the secret passageway.
The door was closing again and Espio quickly fired a ninja star towards the tiny gap between the door and the wall. It held the door open for a while allowing Vector and big to pull it back open. A dark tunnel appeared before them, with the only light being from tiny torches which lined up the walls.
"Come on, we have to hurry", said Vector leading the group down the tunnel.
Meanwhile Amy and Manic had passed through the dark corridors and arrived at GASH HQ. Its walls were cold, sterile and grey. It felt like Prison Island all over again.
"This is the Guild of Assassins Spies and Hunters, usually just abbreviated to GASH. We are an organisation devoted to mastering the fine arts of hunting, spying and assassination. Many believe these to be Evil; however they still require an honourable amount of dedication to master. I found myself coming here immediately after the old man tossed me out of our old house. Grandma Ruby took care of me, she understood me and she taught me everything I needed to know", said Manic.
"You know we really missed you. Dad didn't say it then but he loves you and he was heartbroken when you disappeared", said Amy.
"I know. But by the time I found out the truth I had already begun my training. I'm just about ready to graduate now. As soon as I kill Sonic I will pass and I will inherit Ruby's hammer", said Manic.
A Dark red Ox suddenly appeared holding a plunger and toweling himself down.
"Do not block the toilet, it sick", said the Ox.
"What?" asked Manic confused.
"Oh never mind. Just stay away for a while", said the Ox, "So who's your friend? And do you think it's wise to bring guests into GASH HQ?"
"This is my sister Amy. She twisted my arm into bringing her here to see Madam Ruby", said Manic
"Welcome to GASH Amy. I'm Wine the Ox", said the Ox
"Wine is master of the bow staff and is very strong", said Manic before whispering the rest in her ear," but not all the bright and a little stubborn"
Amy studied Wine a little more closely. He didn't wear any clothes besides some spiked bracelets, a belt to hold his bow staff, white gloves and brown boots. His Wine covered fur covered most of his body, but like Sonic and herself, didn't cover her arms or muzzle area. Like Shadow, Wine had a small patch of fur on his chest only his was darker shade of red. Another patch appeared between his long bone horns on his head.
"It's a Pleasure to meet you Wine", said Amy
"Hey Manic have you heard? Air's been captured by that Brotherhood organisation", said Wine.
"No way! Air's too good a spy to get caught!" exclaimed Manic
"In fact Madam Ruby's furious right now, I wouldn't go in there if I were you", said Wine unaware that Ruby had just appeared behind him.
"No it's OK Wine. I'm sure Manic has a reasonable explanation as to why my Granddaughter has been brought into the guild without my permission", said Ruby.
As Manic tried to explain Amy checked how much Ruby had changed from the last time she saw her. Her fur didn't seem as solid though besides that there was no difference. Despite being in her late sixties she could still carry that massive hammer with ease. The hammer itself had a stone core with blood red sides and spikes on either end of the block part. She still wore her black top and shorts with black boots, white gloves and a black hair band. The hair bundles either side of her face now drooped a little. She did look very angry and this highlighted the age wrinkles just at the side of her eyes.
Amy decided it was time she spoke and interrupted their argument.
"I persuaded Manic to bring me here. I want you to call off the hit on Sonic", said Amy.
"Child you do not understand. GASH has lasted a long time, I myself being a graduate for fifty years. Not once have we failed, not once have we called off a hit", said Ruby.
"But you're after the Hedgehog I love. I will not allow you or any other person to hurt my Sonic", said Amy.
"Sonic shouldn't be our concern anyway. Air is in trouble. The Brotherhood knows we're after them. We should be planning for an attack", said Manic.
"Completing a client's task is always our concern, but you do have a point", said Ruby.
Just then the Chaotix Detectives and the other two Rose Petals appeared, joining Amy.
"Amy. Oh thank goodness you're alright", said Cream.
"Well another job well done boys", said Vector
"Er Excuse me, who are you?" asked Ruby.
"I ma'am am Vector the Crocodile. Detective extraordinaire and these two are my associates, Charmy Bee and Espio the Chameleon", said Vector.
"I'm Cream the Rabbit and this is Big the Cat, We're Amy's best friends", said Cream
"Ok, so what are you doing in our SECRET HEADQUARTERS", screamed Ruby.
"Yeah what are you guys doing here?" asked Amy
"We though you might be in trouble so we got the Chaotix to help us find you again", said Big, "So what's going on? Why do you leave us?"
"Sorry guys but I had to protect Sonic…" said Amy explaining what was happening.
Meanwhile watching everything on the security cameras was Diamond the Rabbit.
"No No No! Why did Cream have to come here?" asked Diamond angrily
"Face it, the next generation of fighters are involved in our war now", said Emerald suddenly appeared from the shadows
"But I don't want my Granddaughter getting hurt", said Diamond.
"I know the feeling. I warned Espio to stay away from GASH but he went in anyway", said Emerald.
"This isn't good. The last of the footage Air sent us showed the Sonic Heroes and the Ultimate Rogues were siding with the Brotherhood. That includes Rouge. I don't know about you but fighting the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow, and the granddaughter of Sapphire and Joz seems a mammoth task. And with our grandchildren to worry about they do seem to have a big advantage on us", said Diamond.
"Oh Sapphire, If only you were alive today. You could guide us on how to deal with this complicated situation", said Emerald
"It's Sapphire's mentality that got us into this mess in the first place. All that Rivalry with Joz just because he was the Master hunter rubbed off on us. Now we feel we have to beat them to prove ourselves", said Diamond.
"I suppose you're right, but that doesn't help", said Emerald.
The screens showed Vector shaking Ruby's hand.
"Hey what's going on now?" asked Diamond.
Diamond turned up the sound.
"We know what Shadow's like. He has some sort of special influence over Sonic too. We'll talk to them, see if they will leave this matter between you and the brotherhood", said Vector.
"And if they refuse", said Wine.
"We'll fight by your side to even things out", said Vector.
"WHAT? Fight Sonic? Are you mad?" asked Charmy
"We have to help those in need. And if what they say is true GASH will be outnumbered. It's the right thing to do", said Vector.
"In any case we should prepare for battle", said Manic.
"Agreed.", said Ruby, "Wine show our guests to the armoury"