Chapter has been completely changed.
Its been one week since that fateful day. Every single one of them had been torture for the purple chameleon. It was constantly loud and noisy, far to distracting to do any meditating. Vector had become attached and protective of the newborn and he told Espio not do any potentially "dangerous" training in or anywhere near the house at least until Charmy got older. Yet another annoying obstacle he had to endure for a couple more years. He decided to take a long walk and on the way, if possible, find a quiet out of the way area to train. If this kept up and he had to go train with his fellow ninja and sensei, he knew that they would all begin to ask annoying questions. In all honesty he did not want to have to carry anything else on his shoulders. Dealing with a psychotic little bee every day was enough as it is.
Espio had been walking for quite awhile and had not been able to find a nice spot. This had begun to vex his nerves. He decided to take a seat to calm himself and take a deep breath. Maybe meditate for awhile. After sitting down in a good place he began to clear his mind. He decided that when he got back he would try to help a bit more since all this must have stressed Vector out just as much as him. Neither of them were expecting it and neither were at the age where you were expected to take care of one. Once he gave it some thought he realized they were lucky Charmy wasn't any younger, on top of it all he was actually very intelligent. Able to pick through the locks on the cabinets to get to any candy they may have hidden inside with no problem at all.
'He might get to become an important part of our team. I should consider myself lucky.'
With new determination and a much more positive attitude he continued his journey. He took a path that led to a much more secluded part of the neighborhood they lived in. Espio thought that if he went deep into the forest he would find the perfect spot. First he wanted to find a trail leading into the forest, he was not in the mood for exploring right now. Before he got far, he spotted a two tailed fox walking down the path in the opposite direction. The chameleon noticed the fox was crying-holding a beat up and broken machine in his arms. Plus the young fox [Im sure you already know who this is]seemed to have a few cuts and bruises of his own. Espio feeling that it was his duty, decided to see what was wrong.
"Excuse me, but are you all right?"
"NO. I'm not all right. Nothings all right. Nothing ever is. I hate everything and everyone!"He sniffled and held tighter to his small robotic machine.
Someone wasn't in a good mood.
"Why?" Espio asked as gently as possible.
"Because no one likes me. All they ever do is gang up on me, push me around, break my inventions,call me a freak, a- and they don't even try to understand me!" Tails sobbed.
"Slow down if you would, who is this they you keep mentioning?"
"Andy and his 2 new minions. They always do whatever they want because they are older. They always seem to pick on me though." Tails hod no idea why he was telling all this to a stranger, but he didn't care. After all his newest and most precious invention had just been broken to near nothingness with clubs. He had worked so hard on it so that it could be ready on time and they just had to ruin it!
"I see. Im guessing they are the ones who destroyed that machine. Did they do anything else?" Espio wanted to know if they had assaulted the kid, he only seemed to be about 8 years old and he couldn't let something like that go unpunished.
"Well... they kicked me out of my workshop that I built and said it was going to be their hideout from then on. Then they broke my robot and stole all my tools." Tails was getting the feeling he could trust this guy.
'he's made no mention of them physically harming him, so so far its not as bad as I thought.'
"Are you saying they kicked you off your own property and stole from you? Are you just going to walk away and let them do this?"
"Even if I did go back Im no match for 3 kids who are more than twice my age. They would just beat me up and throw me out." He replied kind of angry that he would ask something like that.
"Fine. Ill help you."
Tails blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. To surprised to speak.
"What? You would do something like that?"
"Yes. But you must be the one to take everything back, otherwise you will never gain respect and they will just keep coming back. I will be there for support, if they refuse to return your stuff and leave then I will arrest them for trespassing and robbery." 'and hopefully he will learn something from this.'
"O-okay I'll try my best. Follow me, its not to far." Tails seemed to have cheered up and gained a bit of courage.
They went a few yards further down the main road but stopped when they spotted a small overgrown trail to their left. Apparently it led deeper into the woods and was not traveled on very often. They walked for a few minutes. On the way they introduced themselves to each other. Then he saw it, a small well built... shack standing just a few hundred feet away from them. It was impressive, especially if Tails had built it alone.
"T-there it is." Tails squeaked, Espio could tell he was getting nervous.
"Tails, focus- Take a few deep breaths, calm yourself, be confident and know that you can do this."
Tails did what was advised. He told himself over and over again that he could do this, and reminded himself he was not weak. Tails remembered that he must do this. He couldn't let them ruin today. No, he wouldn't let them. It was a very special day after all. He perked up and put on the best bad ass face an 5 year old fox could.
"Im sorry, I was getting worked up for no reason."
"Its fine. Lets go, we don't have all day." Espio waved towards the workshop.
'good seems his moods changed.'
They approached the front of the shack or workshop-as Tails would call it-silently. Espio turned invisible before entering so he could make sure nothing went wrong, while at the same time not giving the bullies the ability to make fun of Tails for being weak and having to rely on other people to do anything. [though that would not really work since it would still only be three on two] Tails did not bother to knock, he just walked right on in because this was his property not theirs. Espio stepped inside and got out of the way. The three kids seemed surprised that Tails had come back.
"Hey what do you think you're doin comin back ere?" Asked who Espio guessed was the leader of this sad gang of bullies. Andy was it? No that he really cared. Andy was a spiky gray hedgehog whom was obviously in his teens.
"Ya I thought we already taught you who's boss. You back for more?" The second one who spoke was a red squirrel.
The remaining inhabitant, a tall brown fox, said nothing and simply watched the scene unfold.
Tails mustered his courage knowing that he had one chance to do this. If he messed up he would be thrown out again and left unable to repair his important gift. He needed to repair it in the next hour or else it would be to late. And if everything went wrong all his hard work would be for nothing. Unless of course Espio stepped in and arrested them for their crimes. But that would mean he himself hadn't accomplished anything! Tails looked then straight in the eyes and said-
"None of you belong here! I built this place and my parents own this land. Get out or else!" Tails declared in a commanding voice, making sure he did not avert his gaze or mess up on a single word.
Silence fell over the room. The first two that spoke seemed to be shocked, the fox seemed impressed and amused. Finally after a few tense moments the squirrel broke the silence
"What? You think you can kick us out? HAHA dont make me laugh-"
He was interrupted by the fox.
"Shut up! Obviously this kid isn't only smart, but he's got guts. Unlike either of you. We should listen to him and leave."
Hedgehog and squirrel turned around and looked at him. Both insulted by what he just said.
"WHAT! I knew we shouldn't have taken you newbie!" Squeaked an upset squirrel.
"Are you serious? This guy is a freak! Look at the things he makes! And he is so nerdy!"
The brown fox stood up. This guy really was strangely tall for his age and species. Towering over either of the mobians in front of him.
"heh I wouldn't call that nerdy, Id call that unique. I was wary of coming here with you guys, wondering why you would pick on a little kid. Anyway you heard what he said, come on lets go!" He pushed them out the door. Before he left he turned around and apologized.
"You've got guts dude, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. Ill try to make sure this doesn't happen again." Then he left not waiting for an answer.
Tails didn't move a muscle the entire time.
'wh-what?'
After Tails was sure they were a safe distance away from the house and unable to hear him- he squealed with joy.
"They're gone! I did it! I actually did it! Espio thank you! If it wasn't for you I never would have had the courage to do something like this and the whole day would have been ruined!"
Espio uncloaked himself and looked at Tails.
"All you have to do is make a stand for yourself."
Tails laughed. This was the first time he felt like he had a friend in years.
"You're right. Thank you for going out of your way to help me."
"No problem. Now I must leave." Espio's expression never changed.
Tails frowned and his ears drooped.
"You're leaving already? All well. I guess ill see you again some other time. Maybe you could come around here some time and ill show you some of my inventions. Bye."
Espio nodded and said a quick "goodbye and good luck" before heading off into the woods.
"interesting kid... '
Espio smirked, in just a few moments he came across the perfect place to start his training. It looked like it had come straight of the movies.
Meanwhile Tails set to work on his important mystery machine. What was it for? And why was the day important?
'time to fix Aunt Sally's birthday present!'