Chapter 2:
Josh looked around and was about to leave the safety of the trees when he heard Tails stirring. It was slow, but he was definitely stirring. Josh wondered what he should say, he didn't want to seem threatening by asking too many questions and he also felt awkward about giving his name. Then he recalled the voice from before, "Your journey begins, Sky the Fox". Josh knew what to say, also given his new form, Sky felt like a natural name for him. Tails opened his eyes and Sky couldn't hide his concern even if he wanted to. "I saw you trip and fall in the field back there, are you ok?" he asked. Tails looked at him as if he was thinking of what to say. "I was running from Eggman's robots and must have passed out from the strain." Tails finally replied, "Thanks for saving me..." Sky knew Tails didn't know his name yet and said "Call me Sky... and you must be Tails". Tails was mildly surprised that Sky knew his name and it showed, so Sky added "You and Sonic saved Mobius countless times, how could I not know your name?" with a tone of admiration. Tails smiled, but then looked concerned. Sky looked around again, and then asked the question that was bugging him "Speaking of Sonic, where is he?" Tails started to tear up, "Eggman has him" he sobbed, "Sonic and I went to take back Shadow's inhibitor rings which Eggman had stolen a few days ago, and Eggman got him! I barely escaped." Sky couldn't help himself, he pulled Tails into a comforting hug. Tails was surprised, but accepted the gesture.
While comforting Tails, Sky noticed a glint of green from a knot in the tree he was under. He reached in and pulled out the green Chaos Emerald, then he looked at Tails again, Tails still looked like he was in bad shape and that bothered Sky. Suddenly the chaos emerald glowed and as it did, Tails's cuts started to heal and his breathing became more even. "Did I do that?" Sky asked aloud. Tails shrugged. Then they heard mechanical sounds in the distance again. "We have to get moving" Tails said, suddenly alert. Sky was wondering where to hide the Chaos Emerald when he accidently touched it to his wrist computer. There was a flash and the Emerald was gone, but one of the display lights on the computer light up green. The duo made it a short distance from the grove before they were surrounded by robots. One of them had a TV screen in its chest. The screen turned on to reveal Eggman's face. "Greetings Tails, and... whoever you are." Eggman said. "I'm surprised you gave me the slip for this long but now I finally caught you." Tails spoke angrily, "What have you done with Sonic!" Eggman simply replied, "He's fine... for now, but in a few days my mind control implant will be complete, and then my most dangerous enemy will now be my faithful servant" Eggman gave his characteristic laugh and then continued, "You know, there's an opening at my fortress for a brainwashed mechanic, care to surrender to me Tails? Or will I have to take you by force?" Sky couldn't take the way Eggman was talking to his favorite character, or was it now more accurate to say his new friend? He picked up a rock and threw it at the screen. However because of the wind and rain his aim was off and he hit the camera and microphone below it instead. Eggman looked annoyed and said "If you can still hear me Tails, your mine no matter what you do!" He laughed again and ended the transmission. The robots edged closer as Tails wondered what to do. Sky heard the same voice from before, "The chosen's mind has the power to shape the chaos" and saw his wrist comp glow. Somehow, he knew what to do. He opened his wrist comp and the display showed the 3d model of Fire Tails. Sky chanted, "Chaos is power, power enriched by the heart . The mind has the power to shape the Chaos. My good friend, receive the power of Fire Tails!" A flash of energy shot from Sky's wrist comp and connected with Tails. Tails's fur changed color so it was the same color as a flame, and he seemed to glow with the heat of a fire. After looking at himself for a second, Tails flew into action, literally. Spinning his namesake tails, he took to the air. The robots aimed their guns at him but before they could fire, Tails shot fire from his hands at them, these robots were lightly armored, so the fire quickly destroyed their internal systems. Finally only the robot with the TV was left, Tails landed and formed a fireball in his hands, "This is for Sonic!" he said and threw it at the robot. There was an explosion and all that was left of the robot was a few pieces of metal and a smoking crater. After a few seconds, Tails's fur returned to normal and he asked aloud "How'd I do that?" Sky responded, "Its a guess, but I think I gave you that form with the power of the Chaos Emerald I found." Tails turned to look at Sky and said, "Thanks." Sky had an idea, "You know what we should do now?" he asked rhetorically, "We should rescue Sonic!" Tails caught his mood and replied, "Yeah!"