Chapter 3:

The tasks of a shinobi

Espio had no trouble finding the place marked as the HQ on the map. He didn't live in the city, but he made sure he wasn't too far from sonic. They were the Chaotix's best customers, after all. Also he liked to practice his stealth around the large crowds, since he wasn't very talented when there were many people around. Well, it certainly looks like a villain HQ. He thought to himself, looking at the dilapidated old home. He then camouflaged, and made sure to look through the cracks in the boarded up windows to see if anyone was in the foyer. When he saw no one, (particularly because it was pitch-black inside) he silently opened the front door, revealing antique furniture covered in dust and other grime. I don't understand how anyone can stand living in a place so old and dusty. I can hardly breathe in here. Espio said in his mind. He stopped for a moment, and tracked voices coming from a flight of stairs that went into what seemed to be a basement. Being careful as to avoid any creaking steps, he walked down towards the door. The voices were clearer now, and he could hear a man and a woman below. They were apparently in some sort of argument; he couldn't hear the entire conversation, but he could make out the harsh words flying about down there.

He jumped a bit when the door flew open, and a pink feline emerged from the doorway.

"Fine! Have it your way. I'm sure Mesmeros won't approve, though." She yelled in a sassy tone to a green hedgehog sitting in the room beyond. Espio almost followed her outside, but then decided it wasn't his task to stalk her.

He walked inside the room the cat had walked from, and saw it was surprisingly clean and tidy, compared to the upper floors. The green hedgehog was leaning back in a recliner, but then stood up and turned the radio on. Espio was greeted with a blaring loud symphony of a screaming heavy metal band. The hedgehog was bobbing his head to the beat, with a satisfied smirk on his face. Espio was surprised when he jolted up and turned off the radio, as if his mother had just screamed at him. Is someone else here…? He thought to himself, eyes darting around the room to find a cause. He decided he'd find an answer later, remembering that Sonic was waiting for info.

He left the hedgehog listening to an Ipod, and was glad he was facing away from the other door. Knowing he wouldn't be heard through the way too loud music, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind him.

This room wasn't like the last; it was dark, with only a little bit of light shining through a small window along the top of the wall, and a broad but short flight of stairs with a desk and a high back chair at the top. Even without using ninjutsu, he was still able to sense a dark, ominous presence in the leather seat facing away. He dared not get closer due to a number of traps set along the walls. I'd take a wild guess this is their leader, what with all the corniness. Espio thought as he tried to see through the darkness.

"You can stop the charade, Espio." A deep, echoing voice said. "I've known you were here quit a while."

Espio scowled in surprise, and faded into visibility. "I take it you're the ringleader." He asked, Scratching the back of his head. "One question though; why didn't you stop me when you sensed me here?"

The voice chuckled malignly. "Where's the entertainment in that? I've wanted to kill something with experience for a long time." The seat turned to face Espio, and a purple hedgehog with red eyes stepped into the light. "I hope you've made amends, because I guarantee you won't escape this room with a soul left in your body."

"Next time, make sure you aren't talking to a ninja when you say that." Espio pulled a large shuriken from his back, fanning out its four large razors. He started to throw it at the hedgehog with deadly precision and force… But was frozen in position. "What…? What is my body doing?" He stood wide eyes as Mesmeros chuckled again.

"I don't care who you are or what you specialize at, only seeing this kind of terror storm across your being. I am an illusionist, and I can enter your mind and read your thoughts without lifting a finger." Mesmeros closed his eyes for a second, and smiled a malicious grin. "But what fun would this be without drama?" Two lights in the darkest corners of the room lit up, revealing two faces that left Espio speechless.

"Oh no… Vector! Charmy!" Espio Struggled to regain control of his body in an attempt to free his friends from the trance they stood in.

"Ha. It delights me so much to see such agony in your eyes." Mesmeros walked up towards the captives. "Even if you could break free, I am the only one who can awake them from there dark slumber."

"Damn you, Mesmeros. If I don't kill you, you can be sure someone else will, and not too late, either." Espio could almost feel tears welling up behind his gold eyes. He wanted to hurt Mesmeros so badly he could feel the rage begin to morph his very soul into a twisted, vengeful abomination, not different from Shadow's contempt for the humans. Just then, the door behind Espio flew open and the feline from earlier stomped in. "Master, Necroa has his radio up and blasting-…" She stopped mid sentence when she saw Espio paralyzed in an aggressive position. "Oh, so this is that curious chameleon you were talking about earlier." She said delightfully. "Are you having fun, Master? If you don't kill him today I can find some things to do with him until you do." She walked up close by him, purring lustfully in his ear and much to Espio's agitation.

"No, I intend to end this very soon." Mesmeros raised his arm, aiming it in Espio's direction. "Eur dak. Mune io lyrta xiun." He muttered with a loud, echoic voice. A large mass of purple energy gathered in his hand, and flew towards Espio, hitting him square in the chest.

Even from deep within the trance, Charmy was able to see what happened. He could not control his body, but streams of tears flowed from his eyes as he watched Espio's corpse fall lifeless to the floor. Espio…no… His conscience echoed in his head.

((Ending this chappy! BTW in chapter 2 I am going to continue from Sonic's point of view and elaborate on the cliff hanger. I didn't forget about it!

Also, make sure to comment! I get more stimulation that way and suggestions always help.))