Teardrops and Bloodstains – Chapter 11

'Sorry, this bit is very LONG! Skip it as required'

Sorry about the HUGE delay, I've had looooooooaaaaaaaaaaaddddddddsssssssss of coursework, homework and revision… Year 10 is crap, GCSE is crap… school is CRAP! I just couldn't fit everything in. I've written about 1 sentence per day… sorry! I've had to stick my eyes open with sellotape just to do my homework!

Whoop! Thanks to all my great reviewers! Yay! HydraSprite! I LOVE YOU! Well… 'Cough'… Thanks also to: DigitalSyn, turbotails, Lonely Tails, Lone Wolf, misc, foxfox and XTailsX… you guys are great! Review and you get a mention! Lol! (OMG! Ahhh! Lols in normal writing! Dies)

Oh-bi-doo-do… SWEARING! Oh-bi-doo-do… WHOOO! Oh-bi-doo-do!...

Do you think you could tell me what you like about it, fight scenes or normality? Cos then I can write what you lot want! AND, it will speed up the update rate, and give me ideas for more interesting stuff! AND… could you tell me about you favourite bits? Please? 'Flutters eyelids' 'Eyelids get stuck cos of needing to keep them open with Sellotape'

Blood Wren: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Getitoffgetitoff! Can't……..See…….! NEED TO SEE!

Shadow and Sonic: Why did you get us shot?

Blood Wren: Err… cos I felt like it!

Shadow: Yeah but, haven't I been through enough already?

Blood Wren: Sorry… but… just do the disclaimer Sonic…

Sonic: No one in this Fanfic belongs to Blood Wren apart from Dark, Twin, Super and Flare the chaos. Ok… I'm leaving. 'Leaves'

Shadow: Ok…

Tails: Shadow? Come on!

Shadow: 'Blushes' Coming!

Blood Wren: 'Blinks' Huh? Did I miss something?

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The debris of the fallen building are scattered around beneath my feet. Both Sonic and Shadow's bodies are lying limp and pale on the floor.

"Are… they ok?"

"We've gotta get them away as soon as possible… I hate to say it but… they… they might not make it…"

Cream is on the floor, sobbing.

"'Sniff' What happened to the robot?"

Knuckles was heaving Sonic onto his back.

"I think the building crushed it…"

"Whoa! What the hell happened!"

Mighty and Espio come rushing up to us.

"Long story… could you carry…"

"Yeah… to the hospital?"

"Yep"

I'm feeling scared, Cream gets up and stands behind me, wiping her eyes. I wish I could Chaos Control us to a hospital but my energy levels are at an all-time low.

"Come on, we'd better hurry."

Suddenly losing the ability to speak, I nod and follow in the red echidna's footsteps. It's amazing how quickly the mood can change. From scared and tired, we switch to a sort of sedate walk, hurrying to the hospital, but we don't know where it is.

We travel for what seems like hours, but it's only been a few minutes. A very powerful and painful headache has lodged itself deep into my head, caused by worry. My best friend and… Shadow… I love him. It's impossible to explain how I feel. My feet are aching, and all of my limbs are burning up. My tails droop and sweep the ground, almost causing Cream to trip on them.

"Tails? You ok?"

"Yeah… just tired"

After that, we walk on without a word for ages. The ground has become uneven and bumpy, causing even sure-footed Knuckles to trip, almost falling to the ground due to Sonic's weight. Unable to go any further, I unwillingly trip and forget how to right myself. I fall flat on my face, ears against my head, causing Cream to trip over me. She doesn't fall, but runs up to Knuckles, alerting him of my lack of balance.

"Knuckles!"

I attempt to push myself off the ground; after all, I've only tripped up… I heave myself of the hard ground, only to let my elbows give way. Gasping for the air that has just rushed out of me, I roll over onto my back, panting, eyes closed.

"Mighty, carry Sonic please…"

I feel the soft thud of the guardian's shoes as he walks over to me.

"Tails?"

"Hmm…?"

I open an eye wearily, followed by the other one.

"Are you ok?"

"I think so."

My ears very slowly turn back to where they normally sit, and a small smile creeps onto my face.

"Do you need help getting up?"

"Yeah"

His spiked hand reaches down to mine, and he pulls me to my feet. I sway, and fall backwards, only to land safely into his arms.

"Heh… I learn quickly"

"Thanks"

I take a quick breath before trying to right myself again. I walk forward a bit, then collapse again. Knuckles catches me (again), but picks me up and carries me.

"Grrr, Knux, put me down… I can walk!"

"No…"

He looks down at me, and raises an eyebrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing..."

He pulls a face, and walks onwards, the others following.

"We got to a hospital, they called the others, and managed to get us all back to a place that we knew – Sonic and Amy's house. We still had to stay undercover, but it was easier than before, Eggman was obviously trying to re-cooperate from the damage done to his robot army. Sonic and Shadow where ok… it only took a few weeks for them to fully-recover. As for me, I was still annoyingly laden with bandages from when we got caught..."

"Amy!"

"I didn't do anything!"

"But I saw you!"

"I did nothing Sonic! NOTHING!"

Sonic and Amy are fighting over something… god knows what. Probably something food related. Me, Shadow, Espio, Vector and a now (unfortunately) VERY talkative Charmy Bee are eating lunch at Sonic and Amy's house. Knuckles is staying too, but is out with Cream, Cheese and Mighty, buying him a chao. Even though Eggman is still ruler of Mobius, his madness seemed to have stopped for a bit, so we're taking the time to relax, but have to tell everyone not to totally let they're guard down, cos he could come back at any moment.

"Don't you think it's a bit stupid to be just sitting here, when Eggman is vulnerable like this? We could go and attack him now…"

"No… we all need a break. I mean, look at Amy! She's gone nuts!"

Sonic has just walked in sporting a large bump on his head, the mark of Amy's Piko Piko hammer. He trudges off into the kitchen, only to come back with a large ice pack on his head. He mutters something under his breath, whilst grabbing himself a sandwich from he table and sitting down.

"Whoop-de-diddly-pop! WHOOP-DE-POPPILY-DIDDLE!"

"CHARMY! SHUT UP!" We all shout out in unison.

I finished my sandwich and walked into the living room. Twin follows me, having had enough of Charmy, and Dark follows. Twin starts playing with my dangling bandages. Within about 2 minutes of talking to the chaos, I hear a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!"

I leave the comfort of the sofa and walk to the door. Behind it stand Knuckles, Cream and Cheese. Flying next to Cheese, is a very red chao, which looks uncommonly like Knuckles.

"Hiya Tails! Look what Knuckles got!"

"Heh… well, what can I say?"

The ruby coloured chao floats up to me, and hovers right in front of my eyes, smelling me.

"CHAO!"

It does a mid-air somersault and hugs my muzzle.

"I think he likes you!"

We wander inside, and Twin, Dark and Super come over and greet Cream and Cheese, then go over to the Chao on my nose.

"Chao?"

"Chao! Chao?"

"Chao…"

"CHAO!"

"CHAO!"

"…Chao?"

And with that, they all fly off together.

"Well… that was strange." I say, re-adjusting my face.

"Knuckles called it: Flare. He got on well with the other chaos, apart from Super, who followed in Sonic's footsteps: he teased and annoyed. Shadow and Sonic still had a way until recovering fully. Their gun-shot wounds stopped them from doing too much physical work... but at least Sonic could run... For the first week, he was unable to run, making him easily annoyed, stingy and generally miserable. But 'now' he's ok... and only whinges if we ask him to do chores..."

"Tails, when's the new computer coming?"

"Hopefully, very soon..."

We finally found the time and money for a portable mainframe for out hideouts. It's one of the latest models, and anticipation is starting to get to me.

"They said 2:30 right?"

Sonic comes up behind us, checking his watch.

"Well... it's half 12 guys!"

I flick my Tail roughly in his direction, a warning look on my face.

"Jeez Tails… lighten up! I'm off for a walk with Vector and Mighty - They said they were gonna show me a possible hideout for when things get rough... do you wanna come? Amy will be here if it arrives before we get back."

"Err... ok... you coming Cream?"

"Nah, but I'll ask if anyone else wants to come!"

"Ok... hurry though, I'm meant to meet them in 5 minutes!"

She runs off, gathering people, and comes back with: all of the Chaos, Shadow and Knuckles.

"Right, we sorted now?"

"Be good Cheese, I'll still be here if you wanna come back, ok?"

"Chao!"

We step out into the bitterly cold air, glad to have our jackets on. As always, my mini computer is nestled safely in my right-hand pocket, Cream said that she would contact me when the computer comes.

"Yeah! Your feet may be fast, but your brain sure isn't!"

"Oh yeah? Well at least I HAVE a brain, Knuckle-head!"

"Grr!"

"Hey… calm down you two! There's Mighty and Vector."

Shadow's just standing there, arms folded and face set. Dark is on his shoulder, pulling faces at Super, who is annoying Cheese through poking, and Flare is looking bewildered, floating next to the arguing echidna. Twin is on my head, with her tiny hands over her ears.

The red Armadillo is the first to separate the two, the Vector has to intervene because it look like it's gonna get violent, and it's not the first time (and probably won't be the last). It's never anything serious, but annoying when you want to get somewhere.

"'Mumble' Stupid Echidna 'Mumble'"

Knuckles' eye twitches in annoyance. Being part of a proud race, being called stupid is… well… you get the idea. Shadow and I both shoot him simultaneous warning glares, and he refrains, with some effort, from making a blue hedgehog pizza on the pavement.

"So, where's this place you've been on about for a while Vector?"

"What? Oh… yeah. Not far, but it's suitably well-hidden, and free from possible espionage, but smells a bit. Just a little… nothing that Amy and Vanilla couldn't shift…"

"Let's just go and look? OK?"

"Yeah… ok!"

We set off in the direction of a small alley. There's nothing in here apart from a Biffa bin.

"Mighty…"

Mighty steps forward, and without much effort, pushes the huge bin over, revealing a tatty doorway.

"I warn you now, it's hardly Buck Palace..."

Vector opens the door, and a foul stench bursts out of the door.

"'Nothing Amy and Vanilla couldn't shift'? I feel like I've been standing by the rear end of Eggman after chilli!"

Sonic pulls a disgusted face, and pretends to faint, making Twin giggle.

"After you Sonic."

"You WHAT?"

"Well I'm not going in first!"

"Yeah... cos you're just a big, red wimp!"

"OK! OK! STOP!"

Vector is now jumping on the spot, shaking the ground quite significantly.

"I'll go first then?"

I cover my nose with my hand, and step into the darkness. I sneeze, spreading dust everywhere. Hmm... where's the light switch? It can't be far. It's so hard to see... I know!

"Shadow?"

I hear him step in.

"Can you see a light switch anywhere?"

"Uh... yeah. Hold on."

He walks past me, and disappears for a few seconds. A light flickers on, a single, bare lightbulb hanging loosely from the ceiling. Even with the light on, it's still incredibly hard to see, all it's done is highlighted all the dust, forming a thick, orange cloud. I hear Sonic, Knuckles, Mighty and Vector come in, and the cheep of the Chaos. Twin comes and sits on my head again. I walk forwards, through the dust-laden air.

"I gotta admit, it's got worse since yesterday..."

I risk taking my hand of my nose, and sniff the air, instantly regretting it. But, I get an all-to-familiar scent.

"Eggman..."

"What?"

"I can smell him... ergh!"

"Tails, why don't you try to blow the dust away with your tails?"

"Cos it would just make more dust..."

"Try it!"

I glance at Sonic, who shrugs.

"Try and clear that doorway."

So, doing what Vector says, I turn around, and spin my tails as fast as I can, going forwards a bit.

"Whoooo who!"

The doorway becomes clear, but so does the looming figure of Dr. Eggman. I stop immediately.

"Surprised Sonic?"

Sonic is just standing there, eyes wide. He quickly shakes his head and pulls his biggest smile.

"Not at all, Egghead!"

"I'm surprised my little present didn't kill you once and for all... Shame, suppose I'll have to do it myself... to all 5 of you!"

5? Me, Sonic, Mighty, Knuckles, Vector and Shadow... 6 surely?

"Aww... your little spiky boyfriend isn't here Tails, he can't save you now!"

"Wanna bet?"

Shadow comes out from the dark corner, and sprints towards Eggman, he jumps, and bounces off the evil dictators head. Eggman sways, but steadies himself. A sudden flash of an image races through my head... Oh no! He's got 10 robots waiting behind the door... like the ones we faced at his base, but silver, and... he's got a gun!

"That was absolutely pathetic! This is how you hurt someone!"

One of his hands moves behind his back, then he draws his gun, and points it at Vector. He fires, Vector jumps, but it catches him on the tails. He roars with pain, and lands in a heap, tail twitching. Mighty runs over to him.

"I wouldn't..."

Eggman points the gun at Mighty, and fires. He quickly curls into a red ball, and the bullet cascades off. He continues to run towards Vector. Knuckles is standing next to me, paralysed with fear.

"Isn't this FUN? But... now I feel like... Fox hunting!"

My legs start to quiver, and my eyes widen. He points his gun at me.

"Run foxy, run!"

'BANG!'

I jump out of the way, and land on all fours.

'BANG!'

I dash behind the moth-eaten sofa, still on my hands and feet.

Eggman steps forward.

"Robots! Dispose of these vermin... I have a fox to catch!"

The robots I saw in my mind file through the doorway.

"WHAT THE HELL!"

"COMMENCING EXTERMINATION!"

Eggman walks around the sofa, signing?

"Run foxy, run foxy, run run run! Here comes Dr. Eggman with his gun gun gun!"

I scramble to my feet. Eggman points his gun at me...

'CLICK!'

"Oh dear! Out of bullets!"

He reaches into his pocket, still fixing me to the spot with his eyes. He pops the bullets into the holes, and spins them. He points it at my head.

"Say goodbye... you miserable two-tailed freak!"

"CHAOO!"

Twin flies at him, pulls his glasses off and punches him in the eyes.

"Ahhh! Get off you stupid... bloody Chao!"

Dark zooms over, leaving Shadow's side and joins Twin. Within about 5 seconds, all 5 chao are attacking Eggman. Flare pulls out a remote out of his pocket, and randomly pushes a few buttons. The robots deactivate, leaving Shadow, Sonic and Knuckles to quickly destroy them. Mighty is still with Vector. Shadow runs over to Eggman, and kicks the back of both of his knees, causing him to fall over backwards.

"Tails, are you ok?"

I nod, still too scared to speak. He walks over to me.

"You sure?"

"Yeah... yeah I'm fine."

"Mrrph!"

"Easy for you to say!"

Sonic jumps over the sofa, making another cloud of dust fill the room.

"ARGGHHHH!"

Eggman stands up, flinging all of the Chao across the room. Shadow whips round.

"Shadow! MOVE! I HavE A foX to kILL!"

"No."

"Well... BYE!"

Shadow grabs my hands behind his back.

'BANG!'

The room goes black... Chaos Control.

We reappear on the other side of the sofa. Shadow collapses, too tired to move, the fight with the robots must've weakened him. Sonic runs to attack Eggman, only to be met by his fist, sending him flying into a wall, Knuckles dashes forward, again, to be flattened against a wall, Mighty rolls towards him, but to be kicked away like a football and Vector's hurt too much to help. Eggman strides up to me, and picks me up by the scruff of my neck.

"I've Just HaD thE mOSt WONdErfuLl IdEA!"

I struggle, trying to break free.

'Cough'

Eggman holds his gun up to my temple. I stop. He starts to walk, but stoops by where Shadow fell.

"Tut tut... And I ThoUGht You WhErE STRonG..."

He kicks Shadow in the stomach, then wipes his foot on the floor like he's trodden in something foul. He walks toward the doorway.

"Let... her... go..."

Eggman keeps walking.

"I said... let her go!"

Shadow stumbles to his feet, his eyes half-closed. Eggman turns to him.

"Oh... I will!"

He pushes a button on a different remote, and I can see the room fading away to white, and then again it materialises into a large, concrete rooftop.

"Where are..."

"SHUT UP! Or you'll get a bullet between your huge ears!"

He took three metal objects out from his pocket. They're shaped like rings. By pushing a button on each of them, they grow to four times as big. He slips one over my tails, and presses the button again. It goes back to it's original size, pinning my tails together. He does this again, twice more. If the rings can't go back to they're original size, they just go as small as they can. Tears inadvertently fall down my face, cos I know what he's gonna do next... he's going to throw me off the edge!

"Now all we have to do is wait for all of your freaky friends!"

So... we wait. About 5 minutes after beginning to wait, Sonic, Shadow and Knuckles come through the door.

"Ah... 'egg'selent!"

He gets up, still holding me, and walks over to the edge.

"No!"

"Hahahahaha! Why not?"

Eggman dangles me over the side of the building.

"Wanna play FETCH!"

With that, he lets go, and I grab hold of the edge.

"Hmm?"

He stands on my hand, but it has no effect - It's my metal one.

"Pah!"

He kicks it off. I start to fall, the grey floor a few hundred meters below.

'Back on the rooftop'

"NO!"

Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow shout in unison.

"YES! Finally that fox is out of my mustache!"

A blinding flash of light comes from behind Eggman, who is watching Tails fall. A golden blur zooms past Eggman and races down the side of the building.

'Back to Tails'

So... this is it? I'm really gonna die now? Falling from a huge building? Shadow, I'm... so sorry that... that I was such a coward around you... I was just... I... Oh damn it! I can't even say it in my head! I can now see all of the people below... I can't stand it! I try to twist my body, so I'm not facing them. I look up at the fast-disappearing building, but all I can see is a blinding light coming towards me... Shadow! It is! But, he's too far away...

'Don't you dare die on me!'

He voice comes directly into my mind.

'I'm sorry Shadow...'

I start to feel warmer, and then all I can see is red.

'THUD'

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOO! 'Cries' NO NO NO! Ah! 'Cries more' Might be the end, might not... we shall have to see! 'Sniff' Me tired, I'm finishing this at 2:25 (GMT). REVIEW PLEASE! 5 Reviews and I might do more... me don't know... MIGHT! (Think... I have 5 people on alerts (THANKS GUYS! 'Huggles')... If they all review... I MIGHT bring her back! Get reviewing!)