As the wind blew through his hair, the grey wolf moved slowly towards the Agency building, smelling the scent of the crocodile, bee, armadillo and his nemesis, the dragon-hog. His dark brown eyes slowly changed to red as he got closer, his fangs bared.
As he leapt onto the roof, he gently opened the window to the crocodile's room, seeing the necklace on a table. He grabbed it, leaping out the window and running off, almost like he was never there.
"Do ya think he went for it by now? Charmy asked, barely sitting still with anticipation.
"We'll know soon enough," Vector said, looking out the window.
"Let's hope it works," Mighty sighed, lying on the sofa.
"Oh trust me, it works," Skyfire said, a dark grin on his face.
Running on the ground, Espio couldn't believe how fast Michael was moving. Being a ninja, Espio had the upper hand, leaping onto the walls of buildings and leaping from wall to wall when he felt he would be detected. He looked up, seeing the large dark purple wings of the cat above him.
"I hope Skyfire was right about this thing working," he thought, glancing at the black ring on his finger. Still focused on the wolf in front of him, he took note of the route, seeing as the buildings became smaller and more dilapidated. He stopped on top of a hill, seeing the wolf run to one of the warehouses.
"Looks like he was right. The warehouse is right in the centre, looks like its being converted to something," Espio said into his walkie-talkie, seeing Cynder circling overhead.
"Alright, good luck scoping out the place," the cat said. Espio watched as she hovered there, speaking into the talkie to the others. Without a word, he ran to the warehouse, silently slipping inside.
"I got you your necklace Miranda. And our room is ready for us now. We can now live in our own dream room," came the wolf's voice, followed by the clanking of chains and a female voice.
"Michael, get it though that clouded mind of yours! I hate you! I want to be as far away from you as possible! In fact, I'd rather torture myself to death than spend one minute with you!" the voice screamed, ending in long, heavy breaths.
"I'll be back soon my angel. I just need to make everything perfect," Michael's voice said as though nothing had happened. As Espio rounded a corner, he saw the wolf standing by an open door. Taking advantage, he sneaked in past him just as he shut the door. What he saw was a black echidna with waist long black hair, a black tank top, jeans, boots and fingerless elbow length fishnet gloves.
"It'll be okay," he said, breaking the echidna from her sobbing. He looked at her piercing violet eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness.
"Who are you? How did you find me?" the echidna asked, her voice strained and weak.
"My name is Espio. I'm a friend of Skyfire and Cynder. I'm guessing you're Miranda," Espio said, kneeling beside her.
"Yeah, I'm Miranda. You have to get out of here before Michael finds you," Miranda sobbed, the chains holding her to the wall clanking as she moved.
"Don't worry. The other's will be here soon, and we'll get you out of here," Espio said, letting the echidna rest her head on him as she cried. He gently stroked her hair, his other hand around her neck as he comforted her.
As the sun set, the remaining members of the Chaotix ran towards the warehouse, guided by Cynder as they grew ever closer.
"Everyone ready?" Vector asked, standing in front of the door. Everyone nodded, waiting with baited breath. Vector inhaled before with one powerful punch, he broke down the door, the five of them bursting in and running towards a patch of light.
"I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I won't let you fight destiny," Michael's voice echoed, everyone huddling into a tight group.
"I don't intend to fight destiny Michael! I plan on fighting you and ending this today!" Skyfire growled, his hands slowly glowing with flames.
"Very well, bring it!" Michael yelled, launching himself from the darkness at the hedgehog. Expecting the attack, Skyfire batted his wings, catching the wolf in the chest, flinging him across the room.
"Find her now! I'll hold back this psycho," Skyfire shouted, teeth bared as he and Michael ran at each other.
As the sounds of battle echoed inside the small room, Espio and Miranda looked up as huge dents appeared in the door before it collapsed. As light shone in, Miranda shielded her eyes at the four of them came in. While Vector and Mighty pulled the chains from the wall, Cynder held her hands over the shackles, unlocking them instantly.
"I'm so happy to see you're okay!" Cynder cried, enveloping Miranda in a huge hug. Tears in her eyes, Miranda merely hugged back, letting her tears fall.
"We need to get out of here! Those two are gonna wreck the place!" Vector shouted. As Cynder let Miranda go, Vector picked up the dirty and bruised echidna while Espio and Mighty lead the way. Charmy simply flew next to Cynder, the two of them crying out when Skyfire hit the wall hard.
"You always use the same tricks," Skyfire groaned, painfully getting to his feet. His foe simply stayed in the shadows, watching as everyone ran out of the building. Seeing Miranda being carried out, he sprinted forward.
"And that's your undoing," Skyfire smirked, grabbing one of the chains and using it like a flail, smashing on end into the wolf's gut. As Michael howled in pain, Skyfire grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, carrying him out into the open air, flying after the others.
Later that night, everyone back at the agency watched the echidna sleep peacefully for the first time in days. Her fur was covered in dust while her hair was matted with dirt. Her clothes were torn and bruises were covering her body. She lay on the couch, her head resting on Skyfire's lap.
"I can't thank you enough. Without you, I might never have seen her again," Skyfire whispered, gently stroking the echidna's hair.
"We were happy to help. I'm sure Vector will find some way for you to thank us," Charmy said, buzzing around the croc's head.
"Well, Charmy's right. How would ya like to work for the Agency? You sure have potential as an investigator kiddo, and maybe you should put it to use," Vector said, pointing his pencil at the hedgehog.
"You mean all of us? Cynder has a great memory, and Miranda's good at infiltrations," Skyfire asked, looking the croc in the eye.
"The more the merrier. Though I can think of another reason why it'd be great to have Cynder," Vector said, a grin on his face that was shared by Charmy and Skyfire.
While not a full moon, Mighty was enjoying his time with Cynder by the lake. The two of them were lying under an old oak, gazing at the sky and waters.
"We helped find Miranda. Wonder what you'll do now," Mighty said, looking at the cat beside him. Slowly, Cynder sat up, still staring over the lake.
"I guess we'll just go back to the way we used to live," Cynder sighed, curling up and resting her chin on her knees.
"Well, the four of us were talking, and we thought that maybe....." Mighty started, also sitting up. Cynder glanced at him, wondering what he was about to say.
"Well, we decided to let you join the Chaotix, all three of you. Of course, you don't have to..." Mighty started, freezing when Cynder kissed him on the cheek.
"Of course I'd join. But won't you go back to travelling?" Cynder asked, looking to the ground.
"I think I've travelled more than most have in my lifetime. And besides, I've never had a good enough reason to stay," Mighty sighed, his dark grey eyes staring into Cynder's emerald eyes.
"You really are too sweet," Cynder said, falling into his lap. Mighty smiled before kissing her on the lips, the two of them falling asleep in each other's arms under the old oak, the moon's light shining brightly over them.
Well, the case is solved. For reference, I wrote the Mighty and Cynder sections listening to the song Crash and Burn by Savage Garden. I just think the song fits the romance between them. I'll be back with another case soon, so that's all for now.