Just One More Chance
Now in this story, I will tell an experience that happened to me in real life. But with a twist! This part will reflect on Jupiter's character as well as Infinite's.
In the next morning, June decides to go to the grocery store so Zero tries to tag along with her. "Why?" she was puzzled. "Just cause" he smirked. When they got to the store, she got all the items that she needed while Infinite opened up any snacks or drinks at ate them. "...Infinite, you need to pay for those-" "I'm broke and I don't care" he talked back. "Ugh!" June rolled her eyes. As soon as they got to the first cash register, an orange female bear quickly dismissed the two. "I'm not open" she expressed with vexation. "Uhh okay" June said then went to another cash register. "Hello Ms. and Mr. how is your day going?" a blue male cat talked. June turned to Zero to see him staring aggressively at the women. And then, another customer came and the orange bear lady took him in. "Now hold just a darn second!" Zero yelled. He went up straight to the bear lady who became nervous "wait! Zero!" June shouted. "You said you weren't open! And you took this man! What? We're not good enough? Are you jealous of this wolf? That's why you ignored her?" "Zero stop it's okay" "NO! It's not! We could've gotten out of here quicker but this fat chick got a jealousy issue". "I'm calling the police!" the bear lady said. "Com'on Zero, let's leave" Jupiter grabbed him by the arm. "Hope you feel bad!" Zero said. As soon as they got in the car, June started to burst into tears. "What now?" Zero whined. "I don't understand" she looked down "what?" "why a lot of girls seem to dislike me? All my life I had to deal with mean girls and jerks. All because of my looks or intelligence". "Can you blame them? You have something they want. You work hard while they sit and gossip about other people" "but why do they have to be so mean?". "Because some people are like that, I don't know man, they're ugly on the inside. You remind me of Cassidy. Heh! She liked hanging out with guys rather than girls because it was "less trouble" Zero smiled. I honestly can't blame her, girls are so dramatic nowadays". "It's always been like that but now it's worse" June looked up. They both started to laugh it all out. "... Does Eggman know where you're at?" "no! That fat man got rid of me. He kicked me out as soon as you guys destroyed the mecha" Zero respond. They arrived at the house where Gadget was watering the grass and Lance was playing his toys. Once they got outside, June looked at Zero in the face. "But- but why did you try to kill us? What did we do to hurt you? Our world should not suffer because-". "Heheheh! It's all about the wolves and the hedgehogs or the cats. WHAT ABOUT US? HUH?!" He yelled. They all gasped, "we as Jackals! For centuries, we've been mistreated by the rest of you scums. I was hoping you didn't ask that question before I could find my squad. But here's your answer Jupiter! You all treated us like we're the bottom of the bag. I wanted to take revenge for my brethren and the harsh treatment we had gotten generation after generation. I believed that I would be looked up to as a hero who saved the Jackal species and gave them equality. I could go on about how you idiots mistreated us. Our men, our women, our children everything!". There was silence. "Wanna know my first experience by you guys? I was 3 years old and my family was living in a decent house. There was an announcement that all Jackals still living outside "their" town will be sent away immediately by enforcement. I remember the news calling it "ethnic cleaning". So one afternoon, I heard banging on the door and a full force of police came out. The men came and beat my father and threaten my mother. We had to move to where the rest of the jackals where". Zero told. "But, that's all in the past Zero-" Gadget said. Zero looked up at him with a very furious look, now Gadget wished he didn't say that. "Heh! You weren't force to live in the projects just because of your species. You weren't told you couldn't go to a higher school system because "you're weak". Of course not! I wanted to avenge my brethrens but you two idiots and that filthy blue hedgehog ruined my plans. I WANTED TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!" Zero yelled. Jupiter stood her ground while Gadget tried not to cower in fear. "In-Zero, remember when Gadget took you in?" she asked "NO I DON'T CARE! I HATE ALL OF YOU. YOU ALL DESERVE TO DIE!" Zero yelled. "He's probably mental" June thought. "Zero,-" "WHAT WOMAN?!". He was so close to punching her in the face, she saw the anger in his eyes. "Listen to me, I understand you-" "NO YOU DON'T-" "Yes I do! Otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you. I would've hate the same thing you'd hate but understand I'm not evil, Gadget's not evil, Lance or the others aren't we just wanted our world back in peace. We do understand these people mistreated you and your species but there are those who want everyone to be equal. They're fighting it and now the Councils are recognizing it. Zero, you made a big impact (and not in a good way). Killed millions of innocent inhabitants who probably saw you as equal as them. *Sign* Gadget is right Zero, it is all in the past. But we're trying to make a better future for everybody" Jupiter explained. "What do you mean "the councils are recognizing it?" Zero demanded. "The United Federation of Artika knew you were a jackal. After you disappeared, the board of councils made an arranged meeting with the prime ministers to discuss about the mistreatment of your species" June clarified. "They're tearing down the towns you guys lived in. They're tearing down everything. Our news even stated that there would be new laws to help keep peace for us inhabitants". Zero gave a long pause before he said anything. He then looked at June's chest and what he saw was a silver heart shaped necklace. He stared at it and thought of two important events;
*FLASHBACK #1*
"Hey! Cassidy!" Infinite walked in her tent "what's up?" she replied. "You did an excellent job covering up that robbery. Those fools couldn't even think twice". "Oh yeah that dumb girl didn't figure it out either". "I brought you something you might like" he grabbed out of his pocket, a silver necklace that was similar to Jupiter's. "What? Oh…. Infinite! *tears up* nobody gave me anything like this in years" "well, now you have something". "Where did you get it from?" Cassidy was still amazed "Ah! from some old crusty lady near the Casino Zone. Try it on". He put the necklace around her neck and locked it for her. "It's so beautiful, thanks Infinite" so then they kissed and he mentioned "now tomorrow let's actually rob that old lady". "Hehe!" Cassidy giggled.
*FLASHBACK #2*
"Honey, come here I got something for you" Zero's father called to his wife. "Zero, why are you still up? Go to bed now!" she turned to the tiny 4 year old jackal. He pretended to go to his room until his mother turned her attention on her husband. "I got you something for you… I bought it from a coworker. *sign* it was a lot but I hope you like it". He held up an old silver jewelry that was similar to the previous story. His mother burst into tears "no! You shouldn't have-" "I did because I love you, I still love and would do anything to protect our family". "But it's too expensive! How are we going to pay this month's rent? We barely have enough to provide our kids food?" the mother was troubled. "Just trust me okay dear? I'll bring in whatever I can" "you don't know how much this means to me!". They both hugged each other. While Zero looked away with sadness and went into his room.
Zero began tearing up but was fighting back. June went up closer "Please Zero, you don't have to be Infinite again. Think of your friends, think of your family, think of Cassidy!". There was something in Zero, that caused him to grow in anger, so much more. That the phantom ruby energy source was flowing around him and he punch the mess out of Jupiter, making her unconcious. Gadget ran to her and tried to wake her up. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU! OR ANYONE ELSE! WHAT ABOUT ME!" Zero yelled. Gadget looked up seeing the phantom rubies energy source floating around Zero. "Wait! It's not him that's acting crazy, it's the- the phantom ruby is still attached inside him!. Gadget saw the rock glowing bigger in Zero's chest. "DANG IT!" Zero yelled before grabbing his chest and falling to the ground. "Hold on Jupiter! Let me get this outta him".