Chapter 4
It was a Monday morning and the majority of the Smashers were awake and hunting for the best selection of food that was on offer in the cafeteria. Today also happened to be the mark of an eventful week that was held before the start of every tournament, for a week the Smashers were allowed to invite a guest to the mansion, whether the guest was a relative or just a friend was up to them, the final discretion lied with Master Hand though, it was his decision that was final, though he had been kind enough to allow everybody their chosen visitor for the week.
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The cruise bus rolled along the country path to the Smash Mansion, mirroring its brothers that followed the same route only weeks beforehand. On board were a large bunch of very diverse passengers. Nobody knew each other but they all knew the purpose as to why they were on the bus.
"To see someone close to you"
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The tannoy system in the Mansion flared to life ready to give the Smashers their daily updates.
"Would all Smashers please ensure that they are in the courtyard by 2:00pm as the coach transporting the guests will arrive then. Also would Fox please see me in my office as soon as possible. That is all"
Fox looked up from his meal at the mention of his name in the announcement; if Master Hand wanted to see him then he's probably done something wrong.
Fox noticed some of the eyes in the cafeteria turn away from their meals and turn to him as he stood to leave; they too were wondering what Fox could of possibly done to warrant the personal attention of Master Hand.
Fox left the cafeteria and headed to the main office of the mansion
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A certain blue hedgehog was lying in his room, staring at the ceiling, upon hearing the announcements his face broke into a grin. It was only a few more hours until he got to saw his guest whom he hadn't seen in so long. Sonic rose and left his room to find the other Smashers and find out whom they had invited to be their guest for the week.
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"You said you wanted to see me?" said Fox, just barely peeking around the door, afraid that Master Hand would vaporise him the moment he stepped foot in the room.
"Yes, Fox, I did, please come in." replied the Hand
Master Hand noticed the fear radiating off of Fox
"Don't worry Fox you're not in any trouble, I only wanted to know why you didn't invite anyone to be your guest for this week, the last two years you invited someone so I was only curious as to why you suddenly decided not to even invite anybody. Is there something that I should know about Fox? Is there something wrong?"
"No, nothings wrong, everything is absolutely fine." said Fox. Just glancing at his face would seem to agree with this statement but paying attention you could see the smile was forced and Foxs tone wasn't the most reassuring.
"Fox, don't lie to me." said the Hand, some unknown source boosting and magnifying his voice so much that the very floor seemed to vibrate. "Tell me the truth."
"Alright, but please don't tell anyone else, I don't want this to get out."
For Fox this was almost as bad as confessing to Falco, though if he was lucky the repercussions would be less severe if not at all, Master Hand would be more understanding than his so-called 'friends'
"Very well Fox, you have my utmost promise that I will keep anything you tell me completely confidential, I shall only tell others if it is a matter or life or death. Now, what is on your mind?"
Fox was starting to regain his confidence, whether it was some sort of magic that Master Hand was working on him or whether he just seemed able to have anybody open up to him was uncertain, either way it was time for Fox to reveal his secret to the world for the second time.
"Well, it may not seem like such a big deal but I'm gay. I told Falco thinking that he'd stay my friend and help me, but instead he stabbed me in the back, first he rejected me, slandering me and insulting me for what I am and then just when I thought it couldn't get any worse it did, he forced the knife even deeper." Tears began to form in the corners of Foxs eyes but he persevered, continuing spilling his secret even though it seemed to be troubling him. "He told my friends back home what I was and he turned them against me, the last time I came in contact with them they threatened me to stay away from them lest they kill me, back where I came from being gay is a criminal offense punishable by death, that's why I didn't invite anybody, I have nobody too invite"
Silence invaded the office, now that Fox had stopped speaking there was no noise except for the gentle rustling of the leaves in the trees outside the window, Fox thought he'd blew it, he'd screwed up big-time by saying this and now he was going to pay the terrible price.
"Hmm, it is your life to live as you see fit Fox and I, nor any other person, have the right to tell you how to live it. You have my condolences for what has happened and I'm glad that you've told me. No one shall hear of this from me. I would not worry too much Fox; you are not the only Smasher here to harbour secrets. You may leave now."
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The Smashers were all grouped together in the courtyard awaiting the arrival of the guests, all except Fox that is, he had chosen to remain in his room while everyone arrived.
"Does anybody know what time it is?" shouted Ness
"1:55" replied Zelda.
Sonic grinned to himself, he was standing right at the front of the crowd so he would get the best view as to who was coming off the coach, only one person really mattered to him though. The coach pulled into the elaborate courtyard, doing a circle before parking, poised to leave when its passengers had left and collected their belongings.
The coach door opened and all of the Smashers devoted their full attention to it, acting as if it were some sort of mystical portal to bring forth a person of their choosing.
Sonic didn't care about anyone else that came out; he was just searching for someone in particular. Then he saw it, a flash of acid green.
"Sonic!"
"Hey bro!"
A green male hedgehog charged over to Sonic, grabbing him and embracing him in a loving hug, his quills were similar to Sonics on the back but had grown to be wild on his fringe, sticking up this way and that threatening to poke someone's eye out, he was also wearing a red jacket with a drum-shaped medallion around his neck.
The pair of hedgehogs held each other in their arms for a while, not caring if they were causing any sort of a spectacle, right now the only thing that mattered for the both of them was that they had each other.
"Sonic, I've missed you bro, things haven't been the same since you left and Sonia…"
The green hedgehog faltered, tears forming in his eyes, trying to stop the painful memories from flooding back into him.
"Manic, don't worry, Sonia is in a better place with mom now. Plus I'm still here so stay cool bro"
Manic looked up into his brothers flawless emeralds and saw them gleaming from the tears he was holding back himself. He was staying strong and goddamn if his brother was then he should be too!
"So Sonic, you gonna show me around this place or what?"
Sonic grinned at his brother, grabbing his hand and leading him into the mansion.
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Fox was laid on his bed alone in his room, his eyes boring into the ceiling as if trying to make something interesting happen. He was depressed enough as it was without having the cheery attitude of everyone else suffocating him. He knew no one was coming to visit him this week, he knew because he didn't invite anybody; he didn't have anybody to invite.
"Hah, isn't this grand. The great Fox McCloud reduced to nothing more than a wreck simply because he doesn't have friends."
"Well I wouldn't say you don't have friends."
Fox leapt up to find the source of the voice, it didn't sound like Sonic, it was deeper and Sonic was out greeting his guest anyway. No… this voice sounded familiar, he had heard it many times before, coming through the commlink on his Arwing.
"You have about five seconds to explain what you're doing here Wolf before I do something nasty" snarled Fox, anger surging into him, he wanted to be left alone, to be left in peace and here Wolf was standing primed ready to mock him.
"I came to see if you're all right."
Yup, that's typical Wolf, come in at the right moment to mock Fox and make him feel… Wait a minute, what?
"What did you say?" said Fox, wondering if he had heard correctly
"I said I came to see if you're all right" responded Wolf, he was still standing in the doorway, wondering whether to abandon the conversation or risk furthering angering Fox by entering the room.
"What? I'm fine, I don't see why I wouldn't be." said Fox putting on a resilient face, he was not going to look weak in front of his enemy!
"And if you don't mind I'd rather be alone" Fox added, putting great emphasis on the last word.
Wolf's face fell and he turned to leave the room.
"Oh ok, I'm sorry for bothering you."
Whoa hold on now, this is definitely not normal, Wolf apologised, and to Fox of all people?!
"Erm, on second thought" Fox paused for a moment, raising his hand to cover his muzzle as a small blush started to develop, wondering whether he truly wanted his archrival in his bedroom of all places.
"You want him here in more than one way Fox" said the little voice in Foxs head. Fox quickly dismissed these thoughts, now was not the time nor place for this.
"Come back, stay a while"
Wolf stuck his tongue out at Fox childishly as if to say 'Make up your mind' as he turned and walked into the room.
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Me – Chapter 4 complete, sorry if this chapter seems a bit messy, it may seem a tad short. However a thank you goes out though to the people who are reading this, one day when this is complete I'll come back and remaster this to make it better than before.
Sonic – WOOOOOOOOOOO! I get to see my brother!
Manic – Yeah bro! Been dying to see you again!
Fox - *Sighs* You're lucky Sonic, you have people that care about you.
Wolf – I care Fox…
Me – Wolf! Stop spoiling the plot!
Wolf – Ah crap, sorry!
Me – *Smacks Wolf* Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter; chapter 5 should be coming soon!