Ark-Fox Chapter 21.

7hanks to prowerboy, DaddlerTheDalek, jakeroo123, 'Kratos Pwns,' 'Cheep the Hedgehog' and 'Sierra Zanimalini14' for reviewing.

Ok, now I know everyone was a little confused at the content of the last chapter, I explained it to everyone who complained about it in a review, but for all you non-reviewing pooskins out there I'll explain it here as well.

I wanted to remind the general audience that this story is still a humour as well a drama, etc etc. And I thought that making a 'shock chapter' solely comprised of laughs was the best way to convey this, also I needed a situation where Tails would get all the emeralds and I didn't want to make a whole "I need to do this..." chapter. That's the danger of writing on the fly but oh well.

Sorry for the long time it took to update, I just haven't been able to find the motivation to write recently, perhaps getting a lot of reviews this chapter might help speed things along! Nah I don't care but it probably will have an effect of some kind if I get some new reviewer type peoples.

Also there's a new story on FF called, 'The Fate of a Fox' written by my good friend prowerboy, and beta-ed by myself, give it a go!

Don't own any characters, if I did, I would know what "operation deadly cuddles" was. Holy hell, Tails Doll making a full on appearance in the Archie comics is very interesting indeed... If you haven't a clue what I'm going on about search up SonicComicWorld on youtube and go to issue#231. (Thank god for nerds and internet, I never have to buy a thing!)

A collective sigh of relief hit the group of freedom fighters as Nicole trapped herself in her old casing, the nanite monster had been chasing them down the hallways of Castle Acorn for the past ten minutes now. "Rotor... thoughts on why she did this?" Tails asked the obese walrus, who simply shrugged his shoulders. Aunt Sally and Bunnie looked to be in the same frame of thought as he was, I.E. confused.

"My bets on the Chaos Energy she's been using to power herself and this city" Rotor replied, "Chaos Energy is different from most other energy types I've ever seen, it was most likely effecting her in some way." He finished lamely. Sally didn't look pleased at his explanation whatsoever; she knew Nicole for almost her entire life and had never seen her act this way. It would take weeks to fix the damage to the Castle, the only part of the city that wasn't made up of Nanites.

"Whatever it was, we can sort it out later, I need to get the other Chaos Emeralds as quick as I can!" Tails said desperately.

"Oh no you don't..." Bunnie stated, "Not until you tell us why you need them!" she finished, hands on her hips. Sally had a disappointed look on her face while Rotor was... twirling his hat around on his head!

Don't get him wrong, Tails liked Rotor, but things like these just annoyed the hell out of the kitsune. "All well, at least he's not trying to bribe me!" he thought. Rotor had been trying to bribe the fox to join his company Rotor-Tech, ever since he got back from Earth and Eggman lost control of Mobius, his house was filled with top of the line super computers and even most of the Blue Typhoon had been constructed from supplies given to him freely by Rotor-Tech.

Himself and Rotor were the two richest Mobians alive, Rotor had built the largest computer company on the planet after the whole Chaos Control disappearance, while Tails had built legions of robots to repair and construct mechanics. There was an excellent trade agreement between the two but Tails wasn't going to work for anyone, not even one of his friends. He didn't take orders, not after he built the Typhoon, not after he declared himself a captain, not after... not after Cosmo...

Rage, sorrow, anger, depression, loneliness. All very sharp emotions that the fox was feeling right now as he watched the walrus spin his hat, neither of them had changed from wealth (Well he certainly hoped he hadn't!) and knew that Rotor probably just wanted to see what they could do together, maybe a collaboration...

"Tails honey, why do you need the Chaos Emeralds?" Sally asked accusingly, effectively snapping the fox out of his miniature thought session. He took a few seconds to try and calm himself down before responding, breathing in slowly, breathing out...

"Knuckles, Cream, Amy, Metal Sonic, Eggman and two of his sentient robots have all been captured by a group calling themselves, 'The Black Arms'." Tails replied slowly.

"Then why are you here by yourself collecting them?" Bunnie asked curiously, waving her hands in a questioning manner. "Nothing happened to Sonic or Shadow did..."

"No..." Tails interrupted, "They don't know I'm here!" Tails said quickly, he desperately wanted to Chaos Control his way out of there. Sometimes being a good guy sucked.

"Why are you getting the emeralds Tails?" Sally re-questioned, her eyes narrowing slightly. She knew about Tails newfound Chaos Powers, almost all of Mobius had heard by now. And she couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances and his obvious nervousness.

"Because..." Tails swallowed, "Because... for once I don't think we can win without loss of life..."

"Now don't be saying that Sugar-fox!"

"They have the Key!" Tails admitted glumly. Both Sally and Bunnie stopped, shock present on their face, although Rotor obviously didn't have a clue about the Keys significance.

"What, um, what 'key' is that Sugar..." Bunnie asked after a few seconds hesitation.

"That key" Tails replied sadly, "I know all about it... I was created on a space station orbiting earth 60 something earth years ago." He continued, Bunnie stood there stunned, while Sally slid down a nearby wall. "I was... manufactured... to be the ultimate life form, then they connected me directly to the Chaos Force."

Taking the final emerald from Bunnies unresisting hands, Tails Chaos Controlled away, not wanting to see the tears in either of their eyes.

Retrieving the portable emerald locater out from one of his namesakes, he checked one last time to see if he could pick up the signature of a fifth emerald.

Sighing, he went back to earth.

He had four, Sonic and Shadow had one each and The Black Arms obviously got one when their friends were kidnapped.

Sorry again for the small chapter size, but luckily I re-found my enthusiasm for writing with this chapter so expect updates again soon, YAY! ... Rate and Review... YOU!

Please, rate the story, out of 10 if you were to be so kind... IT MAY VERY WELL EQUAL FASTER UPDATES!