Sorry for the long wait. Stuff happened, so i've been busy lately. Anyways! Onwards to the next keyboard bash! I mean chapter...

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OCs

Chapter 4: The Next Day

"So then, we really didn't find anything, did we?" Vector said.

"Nope!" I agreed.

"Actually, I found something." Espio said.

"What?!" Vector asked.

"Well... I don't know if it's very important, but I found a yellow screwdriver hidden under some leaves by what appears to be an old, rundown trail." Espio told him, pulling said object out of his personal hammer space. (What? It's not like that many people have pockets. Where do you think Amy stores all those HAMMERS anyway?)

"Really? Do you think it could be Tails's?" Vector asked.

"Hmm... doesn't he always carry around some tools with him?" I asked.

"That's what I was thinking. And it's been heavily used, yet still looks in good shape. Only Tails would keep his tools in such good condition instead of buying new ones." Espio added.

"That's it!" Vector exclaimed.

"What's it?" Espio asked.

"I know what happened now! Tails really was kidnapped!" Vector explained.

"Huh?" Espio said "Again with the kidnapping story?"

"Isn't it obvious? Tails left his precious tools like a trail of breadcrumbs! He's a genius, so it makes sense that he would think of it." Vector told him.

"That's it! It all makes sense now!" I exclaimed.

"Look, now you've got Charmy all hyped up again." Espio chastised.

"I've figured it out!" I said "I know who did it!"

"Really?!" Vector asked.

"The answer lies, I mean sits, right in front of you! Can't you see?" I said "The perpetrator is... ESPIO!"

"... You've got to be joking..." Espio muttered.

"Why would you think that?" Vector questioned.

"Who's so against the idea of a kidnapping? Espio! Who has the ability to kidnap someone in broad daylight without a single person seeing them? Espio! Who has a motive for kidnapping Tails? ESPIO!" I declared.

"... So, would you like to tell me my motive?" Espio asked.

"Jealousy!" I answered.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because, doesn't Tails get all the attention while your ignored even though you yourself are a much more skilled sidekick than he is? Doesn't it make you jealous?" I accused.

"Charmy, I'm a NINJA. Being unnoticed is part of the job description. Besides, why would I want attention in the first place?" Espio shot back.

"For no apparent reason." I explained.

"... You were so logical up until this point, you just had to ruin it." Espio said sadly.

"Logical? Lo-gic-al... what does that mean exactly?" I asked him.

"Never mind." Espio answered.

"Anyways, we should probably check things out at that trail Espio was talking about. Let's go, gang!" Vector exclaimed, leaping up and dashing towards the door suddenly.

"Yeah! Let's do this!" I said, hitting the wall, again, on my way out.

"You two never change, do you?" Espio asked, hurrying after us.

"Change? What does that mean?" I asked.

"Yep, you sure don't." I heard Espio mutter softly.

"Um... Vector?" Espio asked. We were all hiding in a large bush by the main park entrance.

"What? Do you not understand the plan?" Vector asked.

"No. Not really." Espio said.

"Okay, then I'll go over it one last time." Vector said "Are you guys listening?"

"Uh-huh." We answered.

"Here goes, Espio turns invisible and climbs up the wall. When he reaches the top he jumps off and Charmy flies him to the destination. I will casually walk in the front gate, whistling loudly to distract anyone who might be watching." Vector explained "Any questions?"

"I've got one." Espio said.

"What?" Vector asked.

"Why do we have to do this?" Espio said.

"... Because it's cooler than just walking in the park normally." Vector admitted.

"... At least you're being honest." Espio sighed.

"Any more questions?" Vector repeated "No? Let's do this!"

We executed are plan without any flaws (As far as I know. It's hard to tell if you're doing something wrong when Espio keeps whispering something about going the wrong way. Seriously, doesn't he realize I need to focus on the mission?!) and made it safely to the path. It was old, overgrown, and ugly (Which I then tried to say five times fast... it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.).

"Charmy." Vector said, getting my attention.

"What?" I asked.

"I want you to check the trail. Report back to us at any sign of trouble." Vector told me.

"Roger!" I said, pushing back a branch and beginning my journey. It was a very strange journey. Why? It's mine, do you really need to ask?

Continuing down the path, having finished talking to the reader(s) (Take that fourth wall!), I found it harder and harder to get through the thick swath of undergrowth which had grown onto the path. I was about to give up and go back when I noticed an opening in the side of the trail up ahead. Pushing onwards I managed to make it to the opening, and what I saw was extremely random.

"Heehoohoohahaha!" Tails laughed, rolling around in the valley below. I thought it was a very original laugh. Most people would think he was insane. Which he probably was at the moment.

He looked malnourished (I think... I don't quite understand the meaning but it seemed like a good way to describe him.) and tired. As if he hadn't done anything but laugh this entire time (We'll never know... but that gave me a very funny mental picture.). Remembering Vector's warning I decided it would be best if I let them decide what to do next. I turned around and headed back down the path... it took me a while before I realized I could fly over the low branches and prickly bushes. When I got back I gave them a full report on what I had seen. We went back home to discuss what we should do next. Seeing as Vector wanted to stay "inconspicuous" (I honestly don't understand that word either.) we left one at a time in 30 minute intervals (Huh?). I went first because I'm "restless" (Somebody take a hint and just spell out what you mean already!) and might attract attention, and Espio had to go last since he's "patient" (ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Oh, wait... I think I actually know what this one means.). I headed out of the park, and made a beeline (Pun totally intended... I think... it depends on whether or not that means what I think it does.) for home. But I inevitably (... I don't even care anymore.) got distracted.

"Hey, Charmy!" called Reynard from up ahead.

"Reynard?" I said, surprised "What's up?"

"Nothing much." He said "So, what have you been up to?"

"Just checking out the park with Vector and Espio." I told him.

"Why?" He asked.

"Well, I'm not supposed to tell anyone... but we're detectives." I said.

"Uh... I'm pretty sure you're allowed to tell people that. How else would you get business?" Reynard questioned.

"Really? Oh... then I should probably put our sign back up." I said.

"... So... why are you checking out the park?" Reynard repeated.

"We're looking for Tails. No one's seen him for a while, and people are getting a bit worried." I explained.

"So you're doing it for free?" He asked.

"No, our client asked us to." I said.

"Oh. So who's that?" Reynard pried.

"Cream." I informed him "OH NO! I broke the confidentiality contract! I'm not supposed to reveal any information unless told so... this is bad..."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Reynard assured me.

"Thanks Reynard!" I said gratefully.

"No problem, see you later!" He called, walking away.

"Bye!" I called back before returning to returning home (Well that sounds better in my head. Good thing I'm not saying it out loud.).

"*yawn* This is boring." I complained, smashing yet another bothersome SWATBOT into bits and pieces. "Isn't this supposed to be a challenge?"

"Why hello there." said a voice from behind.

"Huh? Who's there?" I asked, spinning around.

"It is I! The great first boss!" announced a short figure. I couldn't tell what it was because it silhouetted by the setting sun.

"Umm... I don't think that's something to be proud of..." I told it.

"You think I wanted this rank?! I'm just trying to be positive about the position I ended up with! You try being a first boss!" It yelled angrily.

"Oh, sorry, my bad." I said apologetically.

"Uh, well... thanks... maybe I overreacted a little bit..." It replied. Silence followed.

"... This is awkward..." I said.

"Yep, it sure is..." It agreed. There was another pause.

"... Anyways, what exactly are you?" I asked.

"Huh, me? I'm a cameo." It answered.

"A what?" I asked.

"A cameo. I come from another game's universe." It explained.

"I... see. So... what cameo are you?" I asked more specifically.

"I'm a koopa." the koopa stated "The name's Kooper."

"... I see... a koopa... as a boss..." I said.

"Hey! Don't look down on me!" Kooper yelled "I fought alongside Mario, you know! I'm stronger than I look!"

"Uh-huh... well then, I'll be leaving." I told him, walking away.

"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" Kooper shouted, chasing after me.

"See ya later!" I called over my shoulder, running off before he could catch up.

"I'LL GET YOU!" He vowed.

"Is this seriously supposed to be a challenge?" I asked myself as I headed towards the next location on the map.

Chapter FINALLY finished. I can't believe how long this took me. I'm really out of it. So, how was it? Thanks for reading, and please review! I'd love to hear your opinion!

-signed, (*OUIU90fmUCj0dim(OP)U0f9i,k0k3j09-=F-I

(What? Didn't I say there would be a keyboard bash?)