Hey everyone! Time to pick up where we left off on the cliffhanger! Let's get moving!
Haloixix: He's certainly got quite a bit of guilt on his shoulders, and we got to see a very different side of the fox in the last chapter. How things unfold for our group remains to be seen!
1TGN: Tails' demons really came out in full force for a bit, and it wasn't pretty. It certainly gives more of an explanation to his connection to the Nightstalkers however, but now there's simply even more questions that need answers…
Void Reader: Here's your update!
Perturbo: Tails' actual identity coming out is certainly going to add a new dimension to the group's relationships, and this is certainly taking the idea of Tails being a mutant to the next level!
AndTails: The cliffhanger last chapter was certainly in a fun spot, but here's another chapter to keep things going!
That's everybody! Let's get started!
Nightstalkers
Child of Night
A million questions flooded Sonic's brain as the other two Mobians with the group approached. They also caught a glance at the unusual feature on the fox's head. Sally was the first to break the strained silence. "So, what do we do now?"
Sonic looked over at the two of them, not quite having a perfect answer himself. He swore he caught a glimpse of fear in the eyes of both other Mobians, and he supposed he himself had no idea what to do.
"He can't be one of those things… This is Tails you're talking about…"
"You just saw it though, how he attacked you! He's a monster just like a Nightstalker!"
"He's my brother! He-"
"Just leave him, it's way too dangerous."
"He'll die out here…"
"And? What makes him any different from the monsters you kill on a regular basis?"
That final question hung in Sonic's mind for a moment as he quietly responded to Sally. "I mean, he can't be one of those things, right? A-"
"Nightspawn." Knuckles interjected. The echidna's voice seemed to be tainted by a quiet sorrow, though the hedgehog could also sense a bit of anger in his tone.
"You know, back on Angel Island, the last Nightspawn discovered there had to die… But… He wasn't a child. If you ask me, they're simply too dangerous. But I assume you know him better than I ever would," Knuckles continued, gesturing to the kitsune. "I'll leave the choice of what to do up to you two."
Sally seemed still completely in shock from the experience and Sonic wasn't doing much better, questions continued to completely flood the hedgehog's thoughts.
"Why didn't he tell me? Did he not trust me?"
"He's dangerous Sonic," The hedgehog's mind continued. "You're not really thinking of bringing him right?"
The look he'd seen in the kit's eyes when he'd been pinned down earlier jumped to the front of his brain. The fury and bloodlust he'd seen in the fox's blue eyes would be ingrained in his mind forever. But an infinitely more pressing question weighed on his mind. If he stayed, what would stop this from happening again? If the fox turned on him again, could he really bring himself to fight his brother like one of the monsters he'd been dealing with most of his life?
"Sonic…" Sally began. "I- I really don't know… I mean we can't just… Leave him here, right?"
Sonic had far too many questions in his brain to answer, and so he simply would have to go with his gut. "Sal, I really don't know what this all means. But I do know this is Tails we're talking about, I'm not just about to leave him out here to die. We'll figure this out… But for now we need to keep moving before those Nightstalkers come back…" The hedgehog looked at the kitsune as he slung him over his shoulder, an unusual sensation of fear entered his thoughts as he continued. "And hopefully before he wakes up…"
-X-
The sharp crackle of the fire made its way to Tails' ears as he slowly awoke. Everything in his mind felt fuzzy, and he opened his eyes just enough to notice the stone walls of a cave. He reached up to his head and rubbed his temples, what happened?
Suddenly, a terrifying realization hit the fox all at once.
His headband was gone…
Memories flooded back to his brain, fighting Nightstalkers, losing control, and finally darkness… Considering he was in a cave, that meant that he hadn't come here himself which meant…
"Tails?" The kitsune sat upright and met the eyes of Sonic looking back at him. The kitsune could make out the concern in the hedgehog's expression, but underneath, one other emotion told the fox everything he needed.
Sonic was afraid…
They knew…
The kitsune pulled back, wrapping his cloak around himself as he looked down at the floor underneath him. "Sonic… Just leave me alone…"
"Tails… I just want to talk… I need answers."
Not daring to lift his gaze upward, Tails was silent as Sonic began.
"Tails, why didn't you tell me? You know my parents were killed by Nightstalkers, why didn't you tell me?"
The kitsune gave no response.
"Did you even care? Did our relationship mean anything to you?"
Tails could feel anger make its way to the surface, every word Sonic spoke with those questions sunk into him like daggers.
"You…" Tails growled, "Have no right to ask that! Of course I cared! Do you know how hard it was!? Every second my own body screamed and yelled at me to turn on you! It would have been so easy to just give in! But I didn't! I didn't because you do mean something to me! But now that I'm some monster to you our relationship means nothing!? Is that it?"
Sonic was taken aback by the outburst and anger in Tails' voice, but before he could respond the kitsune spoke again an angry and sorrowful tone filling his words.
"Just leave me alone! I'm a monster, I don't want to hurt you!"
Deep down Tails could feel the same feeling he'd felt earlier when he snapped making its way to the surface, his emotions seemingly fueling it, if he went any further, he had no idea if he would even be able to control his anger.
Why was he even arguing? Sonic wouldn't understand, he couldn't possibly understand.
Because Sonic, unlike him, wasn't a monster…
"Tails just listen, I-"
The kitsune scrambled to his feet as memories he would rather have forgotten made its way to his mind. The smell of smoke and the sound of a roaring fire reached his ears, shouting made its way to the forefront of his mind.
"Kill the freak! Burn the whole house down if you have to!"
"Monsters like him don't belong here!"
"He's a threat to all of us!"
"He's a monster!"
Left with nothing to do, the kitsune ran. He ran until the voices and the smell of smoke were long behind him.
Just like all those years ago…
As the memory slowly faded from the fox's mind, he found himself no longer surrounded by the walls of the cave he'd been in. Instead, white, snow-covered trees and moonlight blanketed the scenery. Not that it mattered, it was where he truly belonged after all.
In the dark and away from everyone he could possibly hurt…
The kitsune sat down on a nearby log as tears streamed down his face. Why couldn't he just have been normal? Why did this have to happen to him?
The kitsune's entire world came crashing atop him, and all he could do was cry…
-X-
"Tails wait!" Sonic exclaimed as the kitsune left the cave and ran into the night.
"Dang it Sonic what were you thinking!? You can't just come at him like that! Of course he'd be upset! I know you want answers but that's not the best way to do it!"
He quickly turned to Sally who was seated next to the fire, "I'm going after him."
"Sonic, maybe it'd be best if we just give him some time alone."
"He could get himself really hurt out there. I'm going to find him, he's my brother for crying out loud."
Sally sighed, "Alright, just be safe. The last thing I want is for you to not come back."
"I'll be safe Sal, I promise."
"And please go easy on him…"
"I will."
Passing Knuckles at the cave mouth, the hedgehog quickly found the kitsune's tracks from his boots in the snow. He began to follow them as questions once again started to pop into his mind. What was he going to say? Would Tails even want to listen? Would he even forgive him? He didn't have answers so he'd have to go with whatever he felt was best for Tails right now, really in the end, all he wanted was to at least help however he could. The fox clearly had some issues as it was, and he was determined to help.
Eventually, he spotted the fox sitting on a log in an otherwise secluded area of the woods. Even looking at the kitsune from behind, he could tell he was upset. His tails hung limply behind him in the snow, and his head was hung downward and covered by his hood, quiet sobs could still be heard coming from the fox even from here.
As Sonic approached, he tried his best to wipe the anger from his mind as he gently called out to the kitsune. "Tails?"
"Go away Sonic…" The quiet response came.
"Tails, I'm sorry..."
"Just leave me alone… I don't want to hurt you…"
Despite the fox's wishes, the hedgehog slowly continued making his way over to him.
"Go away…"
Again despite the kitsune's words, Sonic made his way to him and quietly sat down next to the fox. While the kitsune turned somewhat away from him, looking down at the ground in shame.
"Sonic… Please just-"
Before the kitsune could even finish, Sonic pulled him into a gentle hug. Wrapping his arms around the fox, the kitsune began to cry as he gently placed his head on the hedgehog's shoulder. This time however, they weren't tears of sorrow or self doubt, they were tears of thankfulness and relief. The two sat for what seemed like hours to them until it finally started to slow down and the fox turned his gaze to the floor again.
"Tails," Sonic began. "I want you to look at me."
"N- No…"
"Why not?"
"Because then you'll have to see me as a monster…"
The hedgehog gently pulled the fox's hood off his head, "Tails do you really think that's all I see in you?"
The kitsune's gaze slowly turned upward until he locked eyes with the hedgehog. Staring into his green eyes, the kitsune saw a mixture of concern and love looking right back at him.
Sonic was still taken somewhat aback as the trio of blue eyes gazed into his, but to him, it really didn't matter. All that mattered to him was that those eyes belonged to his closest friend and brother, and right now, they showed nothing but sorrow and despair.
"Tails," Sonic started. "I want you to listen to what I'm going to say. I'm so sorry for what I said earlier, I don't know what I was thinking. You're my brother, and I don't care if you think you're a monster or anything like that. I'm here to help you. I don't like seeing you like this. Do you remember what you asked me the other night? Before we left Knothole?"
"I- I asked if we were still family…"
"Yeah, and guess what? My answer is still the same, you're my little bro', and nothing is going to change that."
The kitsune's mood seemed to improve slightly with that statement, "Yeah, but… I'm a Nightspawn… I'm just one of those monsters…"
"Tails, I don't care what you are, I care who you are, that's what's important. So while you might see yourself as a monster, to me, you're my family."
The two were completely silent after for a moment as the fox seemingly tried to take in his words. Eventually, he quietly muttered only a few words. "Thanks Sonic…"
"You're welcome Tails…"
The silence continued for a bit until Sonic felt comfortable to speak once again. "Alright bud, so I'm gonna ask you some things ok? I need you to be honest with me, I just want to help. I'm not mad, and I'm not angry, I just need some answers."
"Alright."
Sonic took a deep inhale to calm his nerves before beginning, "How much of it has been a lie?"
"Nothing… I couldn't lie to you, you'd know if I did."
"So, what really happened? I mean, to your…"
"Parents?" The kitsune answered, letting out a soft sigh before continuing. "I never knew my dad, mainly because he was… You know…"
"A Nightstalker."
"Yeah… My mom, Rosemary, was amazing. Even though she knew what I was, she loved me anyway. She taught me a lot, about how to control myself, how to let the hunting urges out in a safe way, how to not speak like a Nightstalker when I was younger…"
"Wait, can you-"
"Understand them? Yeah… Nightstalkers are born knowing how to communicate, and I guess that also happened to me… I just knew how to understand."
"Can you talk back?"
"It's been a long time since, but I think so, I still remember how."
"Well, maybe we'll have to try that later."
"Yeah, my mom always helped me to know what to do so I could just blend in. She was the one that gave me that headband you know, so I could hide exactly what I was."
"So what happened?"
"I… I messed up and… I lost control… Just like I did with you earlier, it wasn't that bad but… They called me a monster, chased me home, and tried to kill me… They burned down our house and…"
Tails' thoughts started to wander as the memories started to come back once again, the scent of burning wood and the heat of flames licking at his fur flooded his senses. His entire body started to tremble as panic flooded his senses, normally his thoughts would simply have paralyzed him with tears in an attempt to repress the memory, like it had earlier when talking with Knuckles, but at this point, there was no hiding anything. Sonic was naturally concerned at the kitsune's panicked expression and the trembling that had completely overtaken him; he gently pulled the kitsune close to him again as he felt the rapid heartbeat against the kitsune's chest.
"Tails, it's alright. It's just a memory, just relax…"
The fire in the fox's mind slowly died out as he focused simply on the warmth of having Sonic next to him. Eventually, the trembling slowed and his panic gently faded, small tears formed in the edges of the fox's vision as he felt the guilt from his memories press atop him.
"They… Killed her…" He quietly spoke, "They always called me a monster but… They killed the only person who'd ever really known me for what I was…"
"Tails…" Sonic responded, still holding the fox close to himself in a gentle hug. "I'm so sorry… I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier, nobody should have to go through that and I didn't know and-"
"It's fine Sonic… I'm not mad at you…"
"Thanks, but if it's alright, can I ask what it's like? Being a Nightspawn and everything?"
"It's… Scary… I get these urges, it's part of being a Nightspawn. I feel like I need to hunt. My mom taught me some ways to deal with them, but sometimes they're so strong that… I lose control… It doesn't happen very often, but I feel something in me change when it does, and then everything goes black… That's the scary part… I don't know what happens after, just that there's the chance that I won't wake up, or if I do, that I'll have killed someone close to me…"
"That sounds… Terrifying, so you didn't know what happened when you lost control back there?"
"No, I just remember feeling something in me snap and then waking up in the cave with you… Everything else is just black."
"Well, if it happens again, hopefully things will go well. But Tails… I've got one more question, why didn't you tell me?"
The fox just sat and contemplated his answer for a moment, "Sonic… I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you since we first met, but I was scared. You heard what Knuckles said they do to Nightspawn like me. When my old home found out, they wanted to kill me. I didn't want that same thing to happen, and I didn't want to put you or anybody else in danger. So I just hid what I was… I told myself that maybe after this somehow all ended I would tell you, maybe then I wouldn't be killed for what I was…"
Sonic originally was more than a bit hurt that Tails had simply hidden this for so long, but hearing what the fox had to say about why he did it, he suddenly understood much more why the kitsune had decided to keep this all to himself.
"Well," The hedgehog said. "I'm glad you're at least willing to tell me now. Tails I promise, we'll figure this out together, I don't know exactly everything about this, but I'm sure things will just work out."
The kitsune looked up at Sonic for a moment, and while Sonic could still see some sadness in the fox's three blue eyes, underneath all that, there was a faint glimmer of hope that everything would be better from now.
"Thank you Sonic…"
"It's not a problem," Sonic answered, making his way to his feet. "But it's getting kinda cold out here, what do you say we start heading back?"
The hedgehog extended his hand out to the kitsune, who took it and allowed the hedgehog to pull him to his feet. As they made their way back toward the cave, the fox smiled.
Maybe things would work out after all…
Alright everyone, that's all for today! Hope you all enjoyed, and if you did, leave a review with your thoughts! Until next time!
