You thought the past could only be repeated
The shadows in the sky prompted the day to be dark and still, no wind rustling in the trees, a heavy quietness hung in the air. A grayness covered the corners of the nooks in the village, people moving slower or with their heads bowed, kids hushing for one reason or another. As if foreshadowing, as if the world itself knew what was coming, unable to share its warnings.
Tails hoped the dark clouds only brought rain, as he uneasily looked up, not having had the mental capacity to notice the dark sky in the morning's calamity. He regarded the dark phenomenon for another moment, before he sighed out the trepidation irritating his fur, shaking his head subtly.
Whatever had transpired a few hours ago remained a mystery more than a blessing, as only more questions had arisen than answers. He had underestimated the power of the web, how quickly and how efficiently word got around from thief to thief, burglar to burglar. He wouldn't have expected the words from Croford reaching this far, wouldn't have expected his own past coming back to haunt him. He'd left the city for that reason, though wherever he looked, it came back without hesitation.
He changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on that matter right now. He instead cautiously looked around, letting his eyes slowly scan his surroundings.
It was the same odd and mildly threatening looks he was receiving, as if he had trespassed and loitered. Ignoring it and concentrating on suspicious individuals yielded him no results, as nobody was standing in the corners, the only whispers being hushed questions about their presence. He hoped they would be out of here before the entire village knew what had happened, a part of him believing the criminals wouldn't be the only ones hunting them if word got around.
Whatever sum was plastered to Sonic's face was large enough for people to go above and beyond to get it, taking someone's life for the sake of wealth. The thought made one hand ball into a fist, releasing his anger by wondering if it was due to the hedgehog's past by stealing from the royals or if it indeed was because of his Chaos Wielder powers. He heavily leaned on the latter, considering the black market wanted the emeralds as well. It meant, whoever this Shadow person was, knew what a Chaos Wielder was and might even know what they could do. Harness the power of Chaos, bend nature itself, utilize its energy and make it obey to their command.
The question remained why he wanted Sonic dead for that reason? And another part of his mind, the vigilant and careful part, wondered if Chaos Keepers were on the list too, and if he should be looking over his shoulder as well. The thought didn't get stuck in his mind, and it took him too long to realize he felt safe merely because Sonic was with him. Because they were traveling together.
"There we are!" Tails was almost startled out of his musings, blinking, and not realizing he'd been staring at a group of females who were giving him threatening looks.
He turned quickly, and saw Sonic come towards him from a trading cart, packing away numerous items in his quills.
"I got some more food, bandages, some extra pairs of socks, and some matches too! It'll be great if I can avoid starting more fires with rocks," he smiled, his eyes glinting, not worried about their situation. It made his behind appendages whip with irritation, mildly annoyed the hedgehog wasn't on his guard. He brushed it away, instead wondered about a different matter.
"Did you spend all your money?" He asked in a hushed tone, knowing everybody had ears when it was about funds. Sonic waved a placating hand in his direction rather quickly.
"Dontcha worry about that, we're good for a while," the hedgehog reassured, Tails looking at his face, though he was reassured by the calm and smiling expression. He arched an eyebrow in question, starting to walk with the hedgehog. Chao yawned as it still remained on his head, having decided to take a midday nap.
"How? Have you worked before?" The pick pocketer asked curiously, as Sonic linked his hands behind his head, looking calm.
His nonchalant and bouncy exterior was only proof of the outwardly calm demeanor he presented, for one reason or another taking their hours-old fight with the criminals as lightly as someone could.
"Nah, I'm not really into keeping a job like that y'know? My uncle had a pretty sum he gifted me for my travels, and when I went around from village to village I often did favors for people, and they were kind and gave me something in return. I don't spend a whole lot anyway, I like scavenging around, I've done that ever since I was a kid, so I guess I've been able to have a lot for a while," he said loudly, not being concerned about who heard them, nor if they were going to be mugged in the next minute.
It was testament to the fact that Sonic had no street knowledge, having no idea how to move safely through suspicious alleyways. Tails did and was only reminded of how he survived from the hedgehog's explanation, looking away briefly.
"I did something similar," he said, without really knowing why. "I often picked for myself, but sometimes people would seek me out when word got around about my skill. People would ask for sugar, meat, clothes, moonshine-"
"Moonshine?" Sonic interrupted, sending the fox a questioning glare. Tails blinked in confusion, nodding.
"Yeah," he added, filing away the bewildered expression for later questioning. "Depending on how difficult it was to swipe, I had different prices. I asked for food more than money since it won't last long. But sometimes, I would ask for mechanical parts as well. A piece of metal, a server, wires, or something like that," Tails explained, the hedgehog's gaze kept on him, listening interested.
The cold metal objects hadn't mattered to anyone he'd had a deal with, and therefore often accepted it when it was brought to the table. It was how he'd made his reputation, a sly fox who could uncover your deepest secrets for the price of junk. It was only when times were bleak, and he hadn't eaten for days, he'd asked for food. He knew how much the poor needed it as much as he did.
"I didn't know that," Sonic regarded, without judgment, merely seemed interested. "And you used it to build your little thingamajig?" he asked, waving a subtle hand at the fox's behind appendages, knowing it was stored there.
Tails nodded, being brought back to dark nights of insomnia, being too paranoid or too hungry to sleep, merely working on his device, being able to scan and retain information about Chaos. He'd hardly given it a thought during their travel, considering his life had been on the line on numerous occasions.
"Yes," the pick pocketer continued, ignoring the odd looks he was given from a group of workers. "I was hoping to improve it at some point," Tails explained, as his ears perked, hearing someone gossip about them as they moved further through the city. He felt his fur puff without his own consent, his body tingling and prickling, feeling the eyes, feeling the threat around the walls.
"That's quite the hobby you got," he turned his head at Sonic's comment, the hedgehog smiling and looking genuine. He wasn't allowed to analyze the seemingly happy expression for long, as it morphed into bewilderment rather quickly.
"Just, uh, one question. Have you ever, like, drunk moonshine before?" Tails arched a brow from the question, finding it odd and random. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Once when I was younger. But it tasted awful, so I never drank it again. Why?" He asked bemused, already gauging Sonic's expression.
His face was slightly contorted in disgust, his eyes wrinkled and a frown on his brow, hiding beneath a worry the fox didn't know why he had. It all disappeared in the same moment, as relief suddenly showed, the hedgehog smiling again.
"That's good. Just know, that stuff isn't good for you, alright? It'll make you sick," he lectured more than anything, looking at Tails to make sure he'd heard him.
The fox was aware of that fact, having walked past the same tavern in Croford, people almost stumbling into him from uncoordinated movements, slurring their speeches, as they smelled awful.
"I know," he merely answered, meeting Sonic's gaze with a nod, reassuring him he wouldn't touch it.
It made the hedgehog relax again, smiling to disperse the tense atmosphere, turning, and moving into a wider street, people moving back and forth between each other. Only more odd looks were added from their movements.
"But I didn't know you did that," the hedgehog continued undisturbed by the surroundings, sounding genuinely surprised again. Tails shrugged his shoulders, looking at the hedgehog.
"There isn't much else you can do. Pick pocketers aren't really known for-" he was cut off when a male Mobian dog harshly bumped into his shoulder as he passed him.
The chao rolled off his head with the movement, flapping its wings quickly and remained bemused in the air.
"Look where you're going!" Tails turned around from the angry statement, knowing full well the dog had been the one who'd walked into him.
The male was frustrated, his brow furrowed as he had his eyes narrowed at the fox, challenging him indirectly. The pick pocketer chose not to engage.
"Sorry," he merely said, turning around and had intended to walk away.
"Oh no, you ain't getting away that easy," the pick pocketer froze from the voice, having heard similar ones before when he tried to avoid a fight in the middle of an alley.
He turned around again, facing the Mobian who was smirking, crossing his arms over his chest confidently.
"You've caused enough trouble here already. How about you scram and get out of here?" He suggested, jerking his head at presumably the way out of the village.
Tails read his confident stance, watched as the dog's eyes traveled over the Mobians who had stopped to observe. He was beaming, knowing he had people's attention, enjoying that fact a little too much.
The pick pocketer could feel the annoyance in his pelt, a part of him wanting to interrogate him, a part of him wanting to make him tell everybody whatever past he had which craved the attention he needed. From experience alone, he knew it wasn't charity work.
He decided to sigh instead as they wanted to leave; getting an entire village on their bad side hadn't been on their agenda for today. Neither had a fight between him and six criminals, though the world wanted to punish him for one reason or another.
"We were going anyway," Tails answered, sharper than he intended, as he turned around, motioning for Sonic to follow.
"A little smartass, aren't we?" Another voice joined, the fox turning around again and seeing a male Mobian cat join the dog, his hands on his hips. They knew each other, it was apparent from the smirk they exchanged.
"Hey, fellas, leave it alright? We're on our way out of here," Sonic interrupted, trying to disperse the situation with a wave of his hand.
Tails knew it wouldn't work, as his eyes were already going over their bodies, categorizing them. They were normal workers, white long-sleeved shirts, dirtied and turning yellow from age and sweat. Torn at the wrist or at the hem, large dark brown boots used to walk in the wet climate. Broad shouldered and looking confident, showing their teeth in their smirks.
All they were used to were fights at the bar, not being experienced with the criminal web. They had already underestimated them, looking them up and down as a fight was their intention.
"Who said you were leaving without a souvenir?" The cat regarded, a few chuckles echoing from the groups of people who were now watching, being entertained.
Tails narrowed his eyes, knowing well what was happening as picking on the newcomers was most likely one form of entertainment the village enjoyed. No thimble riggers could make them spend their money.
"You've been here long enough, haven't you? It would be a shame to leave without having something to remember us by."
"Don't worry about that, we've got plenty of memories from here," Sonic answered sharply, the pick pocketer giving him a glance. A frown was on his brow, one hand fisted as if he was ready to sprint forward and punch them. He wasn't in the mood for this.
"What do you mean by that?" The dog Mobian asked suddenly alarmed, looking at his partner though he looked equally as confused.
"I heard some fight happened at Mary's Tavern," one bystander suddenly chimed in, a female dog who pushed her kid closer to her. "I bet they had somethin' to do with it."
"Is that so?" the dog asked, arching a brow at them. Their demeanor changed in the same moment, standing taller, hands balled. They now had a valid reason to engage.
"You think coming in here and having a blue fuze-pig and a little freak like your friend is gon-"
"Hey!"
Sonic's exclamation had come out faster than Tails had been able to register the words.
He blinked as the hedgehog took a threatening step forward, his quills rising in the back of his head.
"Listen palls, walk off now and we'll go too, alright? We don't want any trouble," the hedgehog explained, his demeanor changing, his voice sterner.
The pick pocketer noticed the change like the sky had suddenly turned green, not having the time to think about what had been said about him and getting angry as Sonic's frustration accounted for both of them. For some reason.
"You don't want trouble? You should'a thought of that before you stepped into our town!" The cat bellowed, the crowd cheering them on.
Mobians nodding, yelling, some stepping closer, others bumping fists in the air. The situation could change within minutes.
"Did you really think you could walk out of here without consequences?" The Mobian dog smirked, cracking his knuckles. "There's one thing you gotta know, little hedgehog. In this village, we're the ones who get to decide who comes and who goes. An abomination of a two tailed kid and-."
He was cut off when Sonic ran.
Talis reached a hand forward to stop him; his mouth opened agape as the mud settled.
He blinked, feeling his hands shaking as he stared at the hedgehog's form, rigid and slightly shaking, his nose touching the dog's.
The latter stepped back, his expression frightened from Sonic's speed, all evidence of being smug and confident had washed away.
Silence remained, thick and tangible, people frozen in place from anticipation, the dog's breathing getting heavier.
"I would shut up if I were you," Sonic's words came slowly, thick with rage, a clear warning.
Tails felt as much as he heard it, his fur puffing, merely staring at the hedgehog. Staring at his newfound friend who was now protecting him in another manner he hadn't thought about. In a manner he'd fought with his entire life.
The cat and dog stared at Sonic as well, looking much less determined to start anything with him. That seemed to get across the hedgehog as well, as he turned around, almost stomping into the ground, his anger palpable, as he walked away.
Tails was only looking at the two Mobians, their expression startled and frozen in place, before he was gently grabbed by the elbow, and made to follow in Sonic's steps. He was turned around more or less by the hedgehog than himself, trying to understand the situation which had transpired.
A single 'chao' brought him back, blinking and felt as Sonic let go, turning his head to look at the hedgehog. He ignored the slightly frightened looks they were receiving as they walked, intended on getting out considering their quick pace.
The ex-prisoner let a sigh go through his lips, seemingly to calm himself down, his quills starting to deflate again. Tails didn't know what to say, knowing that saying something was appropriate, biting his lip.
"Are you okay?" Were the words which decided to form and come out of his mouth, looking at Sonic.
Chao flew around and in front of the hedgehog's face, letting out a 'chao' which made him look up. A smile quickly appeared on his lips, more so from the chao looking at him than him being happy. His frustration was still visible in his expression, though turned to look at the fox.
"Yeah, I'm cool," he assured, widening his smile. "You?" Was the question Tails had expected, though didn't know what to answer.
He looked away to give himself time to think, feeling the urge to wrap his tails around his stomach, feeling even more exposed and watched than before. He pushed it away to the best of his ability, deciding to nod.
"I'm alright," Tails decided, despite not being sure if he was truthful, though turned his head and looked at Sonic.
"Thank you," he said.
He didn't know if those words covered enough from what he was feeling. From the thoughts of being taken back to him standing and yelling, standing up for himself, punching and kicking out of anger, not wanting people to get away with it. It had never satisfied his anger or his sorrow, as it had still hurt inside every time it had happened. As similar scolding words had been the element which had paved the life before him, had been the sole reason why he was on the street in the first place.
Defending himself had been his number one priority – having someone else do it for him, he'd never imagined. Something he thought he'd never experience.
If his thoughts were translated into his face, he'd failed to hide it, as Sonic's smile reached his eyes, emerald, green glinting, something in them getting relieved. Joy was resting there.
"Hey, it was nothing," he dismissed, linking his hands behind his head. "I told you I wouldn't let you experience that again, didn't I?" Sonic suddenly said, making the fox remember he had indeed said such.
By the fire, in the forest, when he'd felt forced to tell him what had happened when he'd been younger, what challenges he'd faced which had almost caused his death.
Tails blinked from the realization.
"You did," he agreed, feeling warmth pooling into his stomach, looking at Sonic. "That's why it's everything," the pick pocketer said without thinking, finding it difficult to stop smiling as well.
The hedgehog looked back mildly surprised, as if he hadn't expected the words. Nevertheless, he smiled back, lifting his hand, and seemingly aimed for the fox's head, though merely left it on his shoulder, padding it reassuringly.
"You're welcome kiddo," he rephrased, as he seemed to realize it hadn't been nothing. But it'd been everything.
Tails was almost disappointed when Sonic took back his hand, the hedgehog letting out another exhale, Chao suddenly flying back to the fox. It smiled at him, before letting out another 'chao' planting itself on top of his head again. For some reason, Tails had an idea it knew he felt great.
"Alright. Let's head outta here, right?" Sonic suddenly said, in an attempt to disperse the entire situation, though it made the fox look at him again and nod in agreement.
The last thing he wanted was to stay around for longer than necessary, and therefore followed in the hedgehog's steps, out of this place. The looks were still there, feeling them and seeing them as they passed, though the pick pocketer could only endure them from the thought of them leaving, concentrating on walking.
As his eyes scanned the houses, he could recognize the buildings they had stumbled upon when arriving, the decks dilapidated, the houses dark and could fall apart any minute. Turning his head, he saw the swamp again, saw the numerous trees connected by roots, larger puddles of murky and foul water, wet, muddy, and unpleasant terrain ahead of them.
He wasn't fond of getting back out there, though quickly decided he preferred the humid and dirty bog than the village they were leaving. When they passed the last large house with a deck, he could feel the prickling and tickling of his fur wash away, as if ants had decided to leave him alone, sighing in utmost relief. The eyes disappeared, people realizing they were leaving and therefore left them alone.
His shoulders relaxed, not having realized he'd been tense the entire time, his head pounding and ears relaxing as well. Coming back to the village was the last thing on his wish list.
"Hold on a second," Tails turned his head bemused, stopping when Sonic walked away from him.
He blinked as the hedgehog walked straight toward the sign which had welcomed them inside, his traveling partner briefly looking at the ground. A triumphant sound came from him as he bent and picked up a rock, threw and caught it in the air once, before looking at the sign again.
Rather quickly, he began scratching the wood with the sharp rock, Tails lifting his chin to try and look over the hedgehog's shoulder at what he was doing, though couldn't see anything. It wasn't until Sonic said 'there' and stepped back he could see what had happened. A satisfied smirk found its way to his lips.
The 'welcome to' part of the greeting was now scratched and unreadable, only leaving behind 'Plumouth'.
"Now people know to turn around," Sonic established, throwing the rock over his shoulder, and cleaning his hands off dust, walking away.
Tails bit his lip to prevent the giggle he wanted to elicit, instead followed in the hedgehog's steps again, as they walked back into the bog.
"Do you have any idea where we're headed?" The pick pocketer asked, though earned a shrug in response.
"Anywhere but there," Sonic explained, gesturing forward instead. "But this place gotta end somewhere, right? I don't know if there's any more villages or something, but whatever we run into I doubt it's worse than this," the hedgehog continued, as he stepped into a larger mud puddle without realizing, sighing out his frustration.
Despite Tails already feeling the water and mud seep back into his brand-new socks, he had a hard time disagreeing.
"I think you're right," he agreed, turning his head when he felt Chao suddenly starting to fly. It had a bright smile on its face, saying 'chao' as it fluttered between the two.
"Whadday say Chao? You're ready to go on an adventure with us?" Sonic asked then, his smile wide, his eyes glinting, indicating he indeed felt better about walking around in muck than in Plumouth.
The chao only flew higher into the air, doing a somersault as it let out a series of 'chao', indicating its joy and comfort about the situation. Tails was smiling from its antics, figuring the chao was happier with them than possibly being kidnapped by another criminal and given to the inner market for the right price, being sold as pets.
The thought of the illegal trade possibly happening somewhere else made his stomach twist around. He brushed it away.
"You're safe with us," he said, without knowing why. "Until we find somewhere you'd like to stay," the pick pocketer continued, smiling reassuringly.
The chao understood, as it squealed 'chao' and quickly latched onto his chest again in a hug, snuggling its head into his fur. Tails sighed at the asphyxiation attempt, despite the fact that the little chao didn't have the strength. He knew it only showed its gratitude toward them, as they allowed it to follow in their path, until it found where it belonged.
Tails felt a shiver go down his spine when he realized how much Chao's situation applied to his own. He was only following in Sonic's steps until he found somewhere he could stay. Wherever that may be.
He shook his head, forcing the morbid thoughts to go away as he knew the bigger cities had posters with his head on it, and the villages out of Croford's proximity weren't friendly. Thinking about that now yielded him nothing, and instead pushed Chao off him again.
It wasn't happy about that, saying 'chao' in annoyance before settling back on top of his head, pretending to be offended.
"How about we step it up a little? I'm feeling reckless," Tails was happy for the distraction, looking at Sonic.
His smile was still there, his green eyes still glinting and beaming. He felt an utmost reassurance, felt that everything was going to be alright by merely looking at Sonic, by merely being by his side. Where it came from and why he felt it was the case he couldn't explain.
He almost forgot Sonic's question, as he saw his expression change when the silence had lasted for too long.
"Sure," he agreed, before he looked up. The trees grew tall into the clouded sky, giving him ample room to fly.
"Alright!" Sonic triumphantly exclaimed, giving the fox a smirk before he turned around.
Tails knew exactly what was happening, as the hedgehog started to run – faster than he thought anybody could, faster than he had ever experienced. He forgot his traveling partner was an exterritorial being, as the fox began to spin his behind appendages around.
He lifted from the air quickly, suddenly hearing a series of 'chao' coming from their new companion, surprised the pick pocketer could lift from the ground. He smirked, realizing Sonic was running faster, his arms behind him, his hands fisted. Mud threw around his being, moving around boulders and trees, jumping over larger puddles of murky water and sticky mud, running like there was no tomorrow.
Tails followed, feeling his heart beating in his chest, feeling his hands shaking as he began panting for air. But it didn't matter – he felt lighter, his being vibrating with a kind of joy he rarely experienced, a freedom he hadn't thought he could or would gain in the middle of nowhere.
Nevertheless, he flew faster, followed the blue streak through the bog, felt as Chao held on to his head, a squeal of enjoyment echoing between the trees.
They were on their way, a chao in tow, newfound information about mysteries lurking, and a desire to continue exploring.
The path ahead was denser and muddier, more humid, and thicker, as the clouds hung solidly above them, seemingly warning them about the path ahead.
They went further into the bog, leaving behind an experience Tails would never forget.
Author's note: A shorter chapter this time around, though within reason ;)