Author's note. As always I have to give thanks to Keyblade Writer of the Dawn and Sharp Dragon Klaw for reviewing this story. I'm pleased to see you're enjoying this story and thank you both so much for supporting this fic.
I'm going to say it that we are coming to the end of this story. While the following chapter may be short and filler, it will be setting up for the last few chapters which will showcase the changes in the friendship between Gadget and Zerinn which will also affect the members of the Jackal Squad.
A shout out goes out to Nebel Foxy for favoriting and following this story. Thank you so much for the support.
Disclaimer Sonic the Hedgehog is copyrighted to Sega. The only things I do own are the plot and my ocs.
The first rays of the early morning light filtered in through the windows of the hospital. The doors to the hospital opened, Aria and Gadget entered the hospital the former crinkled her lips in disgust at the jackals tugging Gadget forward sitting on the other side of the reception shooting a dagger-filled glare at Zerinn.
"Don't make eye contact with the jackal's Gadget," Aria said loudly. "We're here to pick up Mikhail and take him home."
Zerinn ignored Aria's hostility resuming his frantic pacing in the reception. To put it lightly Zerinn looked exhausted; his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. The faint smell of blood clung stubbornly to his fur. Something was different about Zerinn whenever Saber had time to look at his leader's eyes. They were hardened and somewhat crazed.
"Zerinn, you need to rest," Saber said softly. "I know you're concerned for Kaito. I'm worried about him as well, and there's no doubt in my mind too Nephthys and Ace will be concerned once they find out what happened to Kaito."
Zerinn turned his head towards Saber his eyes heavy with exhaustion. For a few minutes, Gadget saw Zerinn wobbling his eyelids closing. Gadget pushed himself out of his seat causing Quartz to moan sleepily in protest. The red wolf slung Zerinn's arm around his shoulders steadying him propping him upright.
"Gadget, stop it," Zerinn said hoarsely. "It was my fault what happened to Kaito. I won't let anyone else in my squad, no my family ever get hurt ever again. I don't care who my opponent is. No one hurts my family and gets away with it."
"Excuse me, Mr. Jackal?"
Zerinn and Saber turned towards a beaver nurse wearing a name tag that said May. May hastily approached them forward tapping her pencil to a clipboard. "I'm here to inform Mr. Zerinn that his younger half-brother is awake, and he wants to see his older half-brother." The nurse said with a soft, gentle smile. "However his injury on the bridge of his snout will leave a scar."
Zerinn exhaled in relief knowing Kaito was going to be okay. Zerinn knew it wasn't wise to give his real name or any of his squadmates' real names to a stranger. Zeriin was relieved he hadn't failed in his duty as a leader. He and Saber followed the beaver into the elevator traveling up to the third floor hearing small ding signaling their arrival.
The two jackals were led down a hallway towards a small room marked 135.
"So which door is it?" Zerinn asked tiredly stifling a yawn.
"Don't be too long, boys," The nurse said opening the door a creak. "Please be quiet around Kaito. He's still a little sore and tired."
A small shaft of light entered the dark room where Kaito let out a low moan opening his bright yellow eyes. A blood bag remained attached to his wrist a steady drip running down the tube.
"Zerinn, Saber, I'm so sorry I caused everyone to worry about me," Kaito whispered his voice faint. It came as a shock to everyone, for Kaito used to have a loud voice filled with energy. "I wanted to prove you didn't make a mistake choosing me to be second in command."
Zerinn sighed picking up on his half brother's emotional distress. Zerinn gently put his hand over his brother's ungloved hand, rubbing small circles in a soothing gesture. The jackal paused for a few uncertain moments struggling with what to say to Kaito.
"Kaito, I told you to stay put for a reason," Zerinn spoke quietly, but firmly. " I can understand your eagerness to prove you're a capable second in command. No one's saying that you're not a good second in command. I can't have disobedience in my squad. It makes me look like a - I mean the Jackal Squad a weak group of mercenaries. Other mercenary groups could kill us at any moment. You also scared everyone in our squad to death."
Kaito trembled with emotion, small salty tears leaking out from underneath the corners of his eyes. Zerinn leaned forward drawing his younger half-brother into a gentle hug gently running his hand down Kaito's back reassuring him.
Saber stood back allowing the two half-siblings some space until a deep cough caught Zerinn's attention the nurse standing there.
"Kaito needs to rest. I'm afraid its time for you to go."
Zerinn nodded. "We'll come back to visit you. I'm not going to be angry at Nephthys and Ace, but promise me you will never pull this kind of stunt again."
"I promise, I'll never do something that reckless again."
Satisfied with Kaito's response Zerinn turned around silent signaling Saber to follow him the two jackals exited the room, the door closing softly behind them heading down the hallway back to the reception. Upon arriving at the reception, Zerinn saw Nephthys and Ace standing in the reception both of them were conversing with the rest of the Jackal Squad until Nephthys turned on her heel facing Zerinn.
"We just got here," Nephthys said. "Zerinn we're sorry about Kaito escaping when we weren't looking, we should've been more vigilant."
"You should've been. Because of your carelessness, Kaito got hurt. From now on I want the two of you to be more focused, so no one else gets hurt again have I made myself clear?"
Nephthys and Ace exchanged a glance with each other feeling the waves of anger radiating of Zerinn's body. "Yes, boss, from now on we're going to be more vigilant to prevent anyone else from getting hurt."
Zerinn grunted in response heading back over to one of the plastic chairs sinking into it his hands folded across his lap, leaning back in the chair with an irritated sigh glancing up at the clock his tail thudding against the floor.
Meanwhile, Mikhail limped forward on a pair of crutches heading towards the reception area Gadget's couldn't stop the broad smile on his face hurrying over to Mikhail placing a gentle arm across his shoulders.
"I'm so glad you're going to be okay Mikhail," Gadget said. "
"You're lucky you slightly sprained your ankle, and it wasn't serious," Aria said softly. "Mikhail it's all my fault, I should've been keeping a closer eye on the both of you. I have a nice bed set up downstairs for you when we get home."
"The accident wasn't your fault mother," Mikhail said softly to Aria. "I'll promise to be more careful in the future. I'm sorry for scaring both you and Gadget, and in the future, I promise to look where I'm going from now on."
The doors of the hospital opened, and Gadget turned around to notice a familiar brown and white dog entering the hospital with a leather bag slung over his shoulder hurrying over to drop off a pile of mail with a smile on his face before turning on his heel noticing Gadget for the first time.
"Wait, a minute it can't be," Gadget hurried over to Russell seeing a look of recognition appearing in the dog's eyes. "Wait a minute is that you Russell?"
Russell turned around surprised at the sound of Gadget's voice before he grinned.
"Oh, hey it's great to see you again," Russell said warmly shaking Gadget's hand. "I work a mail job in the mornings to help pay the rent since I work in a bakery on my weekends. Okay I know we barely got a proper introduction, but you wouldn't mind coming with myself and a couple of friends of mine to the theater this afternoon with if that's okay with you?"
Gadget froze in surprise his brain struggling to come up with a response. He barely even knew Russell, so being invited on a trip with someone he barely knew was a little daunting. Gadget turned around noticing Ace glancing at him stoically.
"Its very kind of you to take my adoptive son out for a trip to the cinema," Aria said coming closer lowering her voice. "Besides, I think it would do him some good to hang out with other Mobians apart from jackals. We'll come and pick you up at seven thirty tonight."
Gadget glanced down at his feet feeling a heat creeping into his fur from embarrassment. "Its a nice offer, but
"I wouldn't worry about it they like meeting new faces," Russell said. "Besides I owe you one, for getting me out of trouble with my boss. If you want my opinion the jackal, you were hanging around with looks like a troublesome sort of fellow."
"I'll come the next time you guys get to do something," Mikhail said. "Gadget could always use a few more friends. My name is Mikhail by the way; I'm Gadget's older halfbrother."
"Then it's settled then," Aria said beaming. "We'll pick up Gadget at seven thirty tonight. I hope you have a good time sweetie."
"I will mother, and I promise to be at the meeting point at seven thirty tonight on the dot."
A door opened as Zerinn stepped into the reception area, a blanket draped around his body still looking a little sleepy, but a small smile graced his face. Gadget felt relief noticing his friend looked a lot less tense. Zerinn turned towards Gadget smiling softly. Aria scoffed turning on her heel folding her arms across her chest not making eye contact with the jackal gesturing to Mikhail to follow her, Mikhail said goodbye to Gadget before following his adoptive mother the doors sliding shut behind them.
"Kaito will be okay according to his nurses," Zerinn said beaming. "He will have a little scar on his muzzle, but he told me once he wanted a scar like mine, so it's his badge of honor. The nurses say he'll need a few days to recover. I also overheard your conversation about a cinema trip, before I came in. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
Zerinn paused looking in Russell's direction the small smile fading away noticing Russell for the first time. A slight frown crossed Zerinn's muzzle eying the dog warily. Right now the last thing Zerinn wanted to do was to get into a fight with causing him to get thrown out of the hospital especially with Gadget looking at him with such a worried expression on his face.
"Okay, then I guess you deserve to have a little fun," Zerinn said tiredly not wanting to engage in a verbal fight with any of the individuals in the room. "On the condition, you don't tell Russell anything else about us."
Gadget ran forward embraced Zerinn. Zerinn hesitantly placed his arm around them giving him a quick hug before quickly stepping back. Gadget frowned noticing his best friend looking away from him with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Thank you Zerinn," Gadget replied smiling. "I know you're concerned about Kaito and it's not your fault what happened to him. You're not a weak leader."
"I'm sorry I wasn't awake when the nurse showed up and let you know he was going to be okay," Mikhail added in. "Truth be told, I would have no idea what I would've done if something happened to Gadget if he was hurt and I would be worried sick about Gadget too, Zerinn."
Russell wisely chose not to say anything, but a sense of unease cropped up in his body. His brain screamed out in protest that Zerinn was a bully. He had no idea why Gadget and Mikhail would make any promises to this bully of a jackal. A small voice at the back of his mind warned him that getting into an argument with the jackal was not a good idea. The last thing he wanted to do was getting involved in a fight with Zerinn especially with five more jackals shooting him hostile glares from across the reception area.
"It's just one film he's going to see," Russell said keeping his tone respectful. "Besides even though I'm sure they can make their own decisions in the long run."
Zerinn grunted choosing to ignore Russell's barbed comment turning on his heel walking away from Russell his tail thudding on the ground muttering something low under his breath.
"What are you waiting for Gadget?" Russell called out waving his hand. "I'll give you a tour of Sunset Heights before we see the movie."
Zerinn nodded turning on his heel walking back to the reception area. Zerinn observing Gadget was leaving with Rusell. Zerinn tried to ignore a small pit of jealousy building up in his stomach. Ace looked up noticing his leader's unease before handing Zerinn a small piece of paper.
"Boss, I've got some good news," Ace said smiling "While you were seeing Kaito, this fox approached me saying he needs our help to take out the Skunk Squad. They don't even have to do any fighting. All they need to do is to steal their weapons leaving the Skunk Squad with no way of being able to fight back."
In all the time Gadget resided within Red Gate City, he didn't fully realize just how big Sunset Heights was. They stuck close to Rusell walking through the jam-packed streets. Russell pointed out everything various locations such as the most prominent shopping plaza, along with scenic oceanside views. Gadget and Mikhail stared in wonder until they came to a sizeable well-furnished building with a bright billboard showcasing various movie titles. A small crowd of Mobians lined up outside the cinema.
Five Mobians stood off to the side a purple bird, a pair of cyan cats and another dog standing around talking in excitement. Russell came to a stop seeing smiles alight on the four Mobians.
A giant movie poster stood out Chao in Space one and two marathon this afternoon one day only.
"Hey guys, this is Gadget," Russell said. "Gadget is the one who helped me out two days ago when a thief tried to steal a customer's shipment. The purple bird's Song, Tyson, and Mary are the cat twins and Ian is the grey wolf."
Ian approached Gadget shaking his hand with a warm smile on his face his steel grey eyes betraying a warm smile on his face.
"It's nice to meet you Gadget," Ian said smiling. "It's rare to find a wolf here in Sunset Heights; I always like getting to know new faces."
Song shot Gadget a suspicious glance while the group talking amongst themselves. A pair of red gloves covered her hands. Song's footwear consisted of olive green boots, along with a couple of ebony trousers and a blue and white t-shirt, her pink eyes scanned her surroundings carefully. Gadget noticed the hostel expression on her face. Song folded her hands behind her back her amber eyes scrutinizing Gadget.
"So, you're the wolf hanging around with a bunch of jackals huh?"
The wolf recoiled from the bird's intense glare. Gadget looked to Russell who had his back to him ordering an extra ticket along with some soda and popcorn for Gadget Song took several steps towards Gadget scowling.
"Well, yeah, they're my friends," Gadget shakily said taken aback by the cat's hostility. "I know not all jackals are natural born killers. The jackal I was with is a little rough around the edges, but he's still a good guy."
In response, Song let out a scornful laugh shaking her head pityingly at the red wolf. His faith and trust in a jackal almost made her want to laugh out loud in disbelief at the wolf's foolish nature.
"Yeah, keep on telling yourself that," Song said. "Also, as a small notice when that jackal mutt betrays you, don't come crying to me."
Song turned around turned on her heel walking over to Ian. Gadget stood still trembling with emotion considering the possibility Zerinn could betray him. A light tap on his shoulder caused him to turn around facing Tyson with a concerned expression.
"Gadget are you okay?"
Gadget paused unsure how to answer his half brother's question. He struggled to come up with a proper response to alleviate Tyson's concern.
"I'm fine, Tyson," Gadget lied. "We should get going since I think the film's about to start.
Gadget followed Russell into a packed auditorium settling into their seats. The small group settled into their seats watching the trailers until the movie started. Gadget sipped from the soda bottle watching the previews.
Gadget didn't remember much of the movie except there were a lot of fighting scenes, and the Chao actors were adorable. Subtitles flashed by on the screen translating the Chao's language. By the time the credits were playing. Gadget and Mikhail jumped up surprised by the bright lights illuminating the room.
"They were a good pair of films weren't they?" Rusell asked Gadget smiling.
"They were," Gadget said. "Mikhail and I didn't get much of a chance to see a movie since we've been in an orphanage for most of our lives."
Song and Ian gathered up the rubbish from the aisles with Athena shooting Gadget suspicious glances mouthing the words jackal lover underneath her breath. Russell tapped Gadget lightly on the shoulder pulling him aside to talk about something.
"I overheard your conversation with Song earlier," Rusell said frowning. "I know she can be a bit prickly at first, but she's not so bad once you get to know her."
Gadget nodded not choosing to respond to Russell's statement seeing Athena shoot him a hostile glare before she scoffed turning her head away. The wolf doubted he would ever get along with the cat, but he wasn't going to let her hostility ruin his good time.
Russell's group left the cinema talking about their favorite parts of the movie with Russell and Kai acting out their favorite scenes laughing and joking with each other. After a few minutes, everyone in the group parted ways heading home for the night. Gadget glanced up at a golden clock reading 6:15 pm.
"Whoa, look at the time, we've got to head back," Mikhail said. "We did promise our parents we'd be home by seven thirty, so we'll need to make a brief stop to see how the Jackal Squad's doing."
Rusell looked at them with a crestfallen expression on his face saddened his two new friends had to return home.
"Oh, that's too bad," Russell said. "In all seriousness, I do hope we get a chance to hang out again like this another time again."
Gadget and Mikhail smiled warmly at the dog's genuine friendliness. Song huffed rolling her rolls her eyes muttering something underneath her breath. Tyson, Mary, and Ian said goodbye to Gadget, Russell heading on their way back to their respective homes.
"Thank you so much for inviting me out today. The movie was a lot of fun," Gadget replied. "I hope both you, Kai and Athena get back home safely."
Rusell smiled assuring Gadget, he Kai and Athena would get home safely. Gadget and Mikhail waved goodbye to Rusell Kai, and Athena is beginning to walk back through the mostly quiet city sticking to the brightly lit streets hearing the sound of music booming from several local nightclubs. Both half brothers chatted warmly heading back towards a path towards their home looking forward to a good night's sleep.
After an hour's walk Gadget headed towards the Jackal Squad's bunker Gadget stifled a yawn, the two of them walked down the path leading to the Jackal Squad's shelter. A few lamp posts dimly illuminated the streets the walls of the building loomed out of the darkness. Gadget knocked on the door taking several steps back as the door opened. Zerinn stepped through the door a wary expression on his face. For a few minutes, a tense silence hung between the two Mobians until Gadget broke the ice.
"I thought I check in to make sure you're okay," Gadget said hoping not to anger Zerinn. "How's Kaito doing?"
Zerinn visibly relaxed his body becoming less tense forcing a small smile onto his face. Gadget heard him tapping a nail against the surface of the wooden doorway his jaw clenched before he spoke, keeping his voice low.
"Kaito will have to stay at the hospital for a few more days," Zerinn said averting his eyes. "We've received another job from one of our clients. As a favor don't ask me what we'll be doing, it's none of your concern."
Without waiting for a response, Zerinn headed back into the building. Gadget couldn't shake the feeling of dread forming a tight knot in his stomach
There were very few stars up in the dark skies. The red wolf couldn't shake away his instincts telling him something would go wrong within the next few days. Even the sight of the stars failed to reassure the wolf things were going to okay between Gadget and the rest of the Jackal Squad. A loud car horn snapped Gadget out of his ruminations noticing their adoptive parent's car pulling up to the curb with Cairo rolling down the window a warm smile on his face.
"So, Gadget did you, enjoy the movie?" Cairo asked smiling warmly. "Mikhail and Aria are at home waiting for your return."
"We did, it was a lot of fun, "Gadget replied beaming. "Also, Russell, Kai, and Athena turned out to be nice Mobians. Here's hoping we'll get a chance to do something with them again."
The short drive back to their home was silent. When they arrived back home, Gadget entered his room noticing Mikhail was already before falling into a deep slumber. Gadget stayed awake listening to the distant sound of music coming from their local park, before glancing up at the skies noticing a brighter than usual star beginning to look even dimmer than usual.
"Perhaps, maybe our friendship won't be able to survive this fight after all," Gadget said to himself. "If I do get a chance to talk to Zerinn, maybe we can work things out."
It was a small kernel of fragile hope, but for a moment Gadget thought he glimpsed a fennec fox diving into the bushes outside of his home before the wolf shrugged his shoulders closing the window shut before settling into an uneasy slumber.
Aster stalked through the streets of Sunset Heights pausing briefly glancing up at a flash of red fur leaving the windows before a small crooked smile spread across his face lips pulling back to reveal sharp teeth.
"So, this is where the Eggman worshipper's living now," Aster said with a chuckle. "Perhaps a little reunion is in order. I never meant to part ways with Chad and Mara, but I'll find a way to get back into their good graces."
With a plan forming in his mind preparing to head back to Shamar, all Aster needed was a way to convince his former allies to help him deal with the Eggman lover once and for all. Pushing down the fear after witnessing Zerinn murdering the leader of the Wolf Squad, Aster would exact revenge on the rest of the Jackal Squad once and for all.
Author's note While this chapter was shorter along with not a lot of action went on in this one; this is a calm before the storm chapter. After the events with Kaito receiving his scar, I figured it was time to give Russell and his group of friends a little more spotlight in this chapter to establish a friendship with Gadget and Mikhail. While Gadget is forming a bond with his new friends, it will lead to even more tension between Gadget and Zerinn.
Rusell makes his second appearance here while his group of friends also makes their debut. Chao in Space is a series of movies that were featured in Sonic Adventure one and two since I figured having Gadget and Mikhail going to a film gave me an opportunity to do so.
The reason as to why Song is mostly hostile to Gadget and a lesser extent Mikhail is due to her belief jackals under no circumstances can be trusted. Rusell does tend to tell his friends everything. After hearing about how Rusell nearly got robbed by a jackal doesn't paint them in a favorable light with her.
As per usual thoughts/constructive criticism and reviews are welcomed and appreciated. I will be back with next week's chapter. I wish you guys to have a good rest of the week and stay safe.