Chapter 2

The sun was setting halfway through the horizon. It was a beautiful sight to behold from the deserts of Pinata Island, one of the few places where the landscape was untouched by the legion of Pinata Central's militia. Despite Pinata Central sending patrols in and out, there was no life to be found.

If you didn't look underground that is… A whole society was established right below their feet, keeping eye and ear out for any trace of Pinata Central Forces. Granted it was cramped, and over population didn't help their situation at all. If one didn't take up a weapon, they took up a pickaxe or shovel instead to help increase space.

Luckily for their sake, confrontation had never taken place between the desert resistance and Pinata Central Forces. But it didn't hurt to be prepared. Unfortunately, training something that was meant to be beaten to a pulp didn't go so well with most pinatas. Even if they were given all the training in the world, they were still dealing with an army decked out with an unimaginable arsenal. Equipment that was made for killing humans rather than pinatas. It raised a lot of questions about how Pinata Central got their hands on such weaponry.

It was a question that Paulie Pretztail wrestled with from time to time. He was able to get hands on with their equipment with some stealthy bow and arrow shots on some unsuspecting Pinata Central patrol groups. Eventually the pretztail was able to upgrade to a sleek sniper rifle.

As the slumbering sun glimmered against his eyes, Paulie leaned against his sniper rifle. Even though he was on watch duty, the golden sunset still proved to be highly distracting. He missed the times he took the same sunsets for granted, able to watch them without the worry of being hunted… At least when it was just Langston doing the hunting.

"...If only you were still here buddy," Paulie mumbled under his breath, wishing for his best friend to be at his side. "but it's my fault you're gone," he gazed up at the faint twinkling of stars that poked through the skies. "It should be me in space right now, not you," the guilt of leaving his partner in crime behind when they were being chased down by Pinata Central forces still ate at the pretztail.

The haunting memory was crystal clear as if it happened yesterday. Their hideout near the beach coast had been ousted in a barrage of gunfire and bullets, sending them out the back door in a fearful frenzy. They were on the move and making great distance between them. That was until the roar of an engine had caught up to them. A death machine on wheels, armed to the teeth with an assortment of torturing tools that were ready to rip, mame, shoot, and kill.

The sight had only hastened the pair's pace. More bullets scattered about behind them, throwing up dust and dirt all over. It was enough to provide them the cover they needed to safely take shelter in a patch of bushes. They were out of the clear for the moment, taking the opportunity to catch their breath and then some.

It wasn't too long before an unexpected squad had happened upon their location. It was a pre-emptive strike for the soldiers, seeing as the two pinatas were sound asleep. A lone grunt already had Fergy caught and grappled against his armored chest. The fudgehog thrashed about while screaming bloody murder. His cries had awoke the snoozing pretztail, who was supposed to be on watch.

Instantly, instinct kicked in as Paulie chose flight over fight and booked it out of there. Peeking back for just a second, he caught sight of Fergy in tears, still get away. As the pretztail ran, he could hear his name being called over and over again by the fudgehog until it was forcibly silenced. Paulie didn't dare look back a second time.

There was nowhere to hide from the guilt of letting his friend down so hard. No amount love or any amount of alcohol could help Paulie swallow the bitter truth. He had broke many hearts and even more empty bottles in his depressive quest with burying the guilt. He had sworn revenge upon Pinata Central for what they did to his friend.

"I'll return them the favor for you, Fergy," Paulie muttered, "I swear, I'll make everything right again," he recited his bold promise made long ago. But even if peace were to return, it wouldn't bring the fudgehog back.

After another session of reminiscing, the sun had finally set, leaving the Pretztail with just the shimmering stars above. He was about to survey the horizon once last time through his binoculars before a young squazzil came by with a message.

"Commander Paulie, Sir! We have someone in the medical bay who has a message for you!" He spoke out of breath, having rushed to reach Paulie's location.

"Huh?" The chipper voice cut the pretztail from his concentration, irritating him a little. But he held his tongue, fearing what the squazzil had to say might be important. "What did they tell you to tell me?" Though he didn't hold his breath, usually nothing good came from the medical bay. Just some sob story about a really bad game of five finger fillet or a misfire gone wrong on the range, nothing too drastic.

"They said they wouldn't speak to anyone but you about it sir!" The squazzil answered, afraid that request would set Paulie off on a tangent.

"Well tell him if it's that important the-," The pretztail rolled his eyes, about ready to just return to watching the borders when the squazzil interrupted him again.

"People are saying this pinata is Hudson Horstachio, sir!" The young pinata added in, striking a sweet spot within the pretztail as his ears perked up immediately.

"Hudson?!" Paulie was wide-eyed, not hearing that name being spoken in years. He had feared the worst had befell the horstachio as well. "You're not pulling my leg or nothin', are ya?" Paulie had to make sure. If he was being duped into another lame prank through Chortles Chippopotamus again, the pretztail would make sure to use the joking pinata as bait next time for the Pinata Central Forces.

"No, sir!" The squazzil shook his head frantically. It was all the convincing Paulie needed to return to base, heading towards the medic bay with baited breath.