Author's note: Eh, Deltoran, the talon thing just wouldn't work out. And I see Sk27 is still reviewing well as always. I see you finally got the address right. And … "out of hand" seems EXACTLY right. Thank you!
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Chapter 17: Under the Feather
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Reaching the bottom of the Tower of the Sky once more, I exited and headed straight for Tails' lab with the jar of blessed air in hand. Tails was waiting outside, and led me in the side door. "Did you get the jar of blessed air, Leo?"
I handed over the jar to Tails, and he got to work immediately. Within minutes, whatever he was working on was complete. "All right, Leo, come in here and get your wings open again."
This time around, Tails applied the towel to my right wing. I had gotten quite used to this procedure. Ice, flame, light … what is it this time? I know that blessed air goes into it somewhere, but where? Well, I guess I'm going to find out.
"All right, Leo. Take it off."
Removing the towel from my conservative side (another one of those jokes, sorry), I returned it to Tails and checked the mirror once again. This time around, my wing was dyed green.
"Green feathers?" I asked.
"Wind Feathers," Tails explained. "They stir up air currents and blow things around when shot. Also useful for throwing opponents away."
I smirked. "Thanks, Tails." On a hunch, I picked one of my new green Wind Feathers and put it to my wing. Pulling it back, I shot it at a stack of papers. Air currents scattered them all over the room.
"Nice demonstration," Tails commented, "but next time I'd appreciate it if you tried it in a less messy way. Could you help me gather up those papers?"
"Sure, be happy to."
Tails and I started to gather up all the papers that had been scattered around the room. Some of them had strayed to places that we could only reach by flight. While we were gathering, I explained everything that'd happened at the Tower of the Sky.
"Whoa, that must've been something," Tails replied once I was done.
"Yeah, I agree," I concurred. "But you know what I don't get? When Skyler switched bodies with me, our colors weren't switched. Do you know why that was?"
Tails snapped his fingers, nearly dropping another sheet of paper. "Yes, I think I understand. Remember when you were initially transformed after coming here? Your body color was determined not by the animal, but by your own personality. The fact that your 'personality color' was red like a robin was just a coincidence."
I guess that also explains why Sonic's blue, I thought to myself as I retrieved the last sheet of paper. That Tails is a real know-it-all.
"So, Tails," I finally asked, "what is it you wanted for that last project?"
"That's the problem," Tails responded. "I just can't figure it out. Nothing I can think of would work."
"Maybe you can come with me on my next excursion," I suggested. "You might find something you can use."
Tails nodded. "Not a bad idea, Leo. I'll be sure to come along. Okay, that's finished now. Thanks for helping me gather all those papers."
"Anytime."
"So, where are you going this time?"
"I haven't quite figured that out yet. Let's just go outside and look around."
As Tails and I exited, a cute hedgehog girl showed up. "Tails! There you are! Ever since you told me how Metal Sonic got Sonic, I've been worried sick about … say, who's that guy next to you?"
Tails paused. "Oh, sorry, Amy. Amy, this is Leo. Leo, this is Amy Rose."
"Pleased," I commented as Amy and I shook hands. "So, what've you been doing lately? Besides worrying about Sonic?"
"I've been practicing my tarot card readings," Amy explained. "You want me to give you a reading? I've got my deck right here."
I stepped forward. "Sure, sounds good."
Amy came in, shuffled her deck a few times over, and finally started dealing cards out. After a moment, she spoke. "According to the cards, the two of you are in need of something, and you don't know what, but the answer will show itself soon."
Not knowing what this meant, but assured that it was wise advice, we thanked Amy and let her go. For the next few minutes we took a walk around Emerald Town, and happened to pass a television store.
A news program was on. "This is Kitty O'Brien here with today's news. Terrafirma Jungle, northwest of Emerald Town, has been the site of an amazing discovery. A mysterious building- some kind of base, we believe- has been unearthed. I'm here for an on-the-scene investigation."
The scene changed to reveal an impressive-looking building as Kitty continued. "It's not known where this building gets its electricity, but it looks very impressive. I'd say more, but my claws are beginning to give out … I can't cling to this tree much longer … sorry, folks, that's all for- AAGH!" THUD!
I faced Tails. "I don't know about you, but I think we should do some on-the-scene investigating ourselves." Tails agreed, and we headed off.
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Another new character now, but she's not in the story just yet. Stay tuned!
Quote of the Chapter:
"Prince Pete's Pizza Parlor. Prince Pete's Pizza Parlor. Pince Prete's Pizza- darn it"
-Me, Special Delivery, Ch. 1