Chapter 5: Foundation Of a Team
The next morning, Tails thought about asking Cream what happened last night, but he knew this would only cause more problems so he kept his distance. Around noon Espio came back to Grace's house to find the Fox and Rabbit having a conversation with the Chameleon's friend. As soon as he walked through the door, Tails got up and pulled Espio out of the living room and into the backyard. Cream knew what he was going to talk about so she decided to talk to Grace about last night. Tails and Espio walked through the large house, past one of Grace's brother's rooms and finally to the back door.
"What's this about?" Espio asked, the smell of liquor coming from his mouth as he spoke. "I was just out here, Miles. Why are you dragging me outside again?"
"Dude, you really gotta control your drinking, I can smell the booze on ya from 20 feet away.." Tails answered as he opened the back door. The two stepped onto the porch and look out at the rainy grey sky. "It's about Cream-"
"Let me stop you right there. Listen kid, I don't give advice, especially not on girls or relationships so whatever you're gonna tell me-"
"Come on, just hear me out.."
Espio leaned on the dark purple wooden railing, wiped water off and sighed. "Fine…what's up?"
Back in the house, Cream told Grace about how Tails approached her and when they talked in the middle of the street the night before.
"I think you should give him a chance, he seems like a good kid." Grace said, taking a drink from her glass mug.
"I want to but, he's messed with me before and I..I guess I don't want to get hurt again, you know?"
"I've been there before.. well, it's all up to you, and I know you'll make the right choice in the end."
The Rabbit nodded and sat back on the couch thinking about her new friends' words. On the porch, Espio listened to Tails' story but was hoping to be done with this conversation so he could drink.
"Hmm.. shit, I don't know what to tell ya.. I've never been in this situation." Espio looked at the floor thinking. "I guess just keep things where they stand right now, don't rush into anything just yet and maybe wait for her to come to you..? I don't know, I'm not good at giving advice, Tails.."
"Wow, that was actually…pretty good stuff." Tails leaned on the wet railing and looked at the sky. "Thanks, Espio."
"Just don't ask me for anymore advice cause I suck at that… you kids still have those Chaos emeralds right?" The Chameleon asked.
"Yeah, they're inside."
Cream stood up and looked at Grace. "I'm gonna go talk to him, and sort some things out."
Just as Espio and Tails walked back in, massive amounts of police sirens and gun shots rang out from the city causing everyone to jump back.
"Grace, lock the doors and get downstairs. Guys, we're gonna need those Chaos Emeralds now, we have work to do." Espio picked up his bag and rushed out the front door.
Tails stopped and saw Cream staring into his eyes. "What's wrong?" The fox asked.
"Nothing, lets uh, lets get going."
The three packed up their bags, took a few Chaos Emeralds and headed out into the city to see what was going on. Tails noticed Cream trying not to make eye contact with him while Espio gulped down one last drink of his bottle for courage. The fox and Rabbit took flight into the cloudy sky while Espio rushed around on the ground, watching for any danger. They reached downtown but saw no one around for blocks, only the sound of sirens and gun shots in every direction.
"I'll take north, you two stay together." Espio ordered as he raced away from the Fox and Rabbit.
Tails tried to yell something to The Chameleon but he was cut off. "Just go, damnit! And keep your heads down!"
Tails turned to Cream and pulled out his beanie from his back pack. "Alright, so where to first?"
A man yelled for help close by so Cream raced off toward the sound of his voice, leaving Tails in the middle of the street.
"Alright, left it is..." The fox put his beanie on and followed the Rabbit.
The sound of punches hitting flesh grew louder as Cream ran down back alleys and small streets, wanting to help stop the attack. Tails flew above buildings to see where The Rabbit went off, then he saw her. The Fox looked ahead to see a gang of purple bandana wearing thugs beating one blood covered raccoon to a pulp.
Cream took out two Chaos emeralds and raised them above her head which caused them to release energy into her. She ran head on into the gang and with lightning speed she started her assault. Tails watched from a rooftop as the rabbit threw punches and kicks everywhere, knocking all the gang members back. The leader then angrily stood up and pulled out a pistol.
"Who the hell is this little girl?!"
The leader took aim at Cream, but Tails landed behind him and knocked the gun away. The gang member spun around and punched at Tails but the fox ducked and grabbed him by the shirt, then flew 15 feet up. Tails tossed the leader to the ground, knocking him out. The other gang members ran in different directions, leaving Tails, Cream and the bloody gang member.
The Raccoon got to one knee, looked up at Tails then at Cream, as if he knew her. She went to help him up but was startled by footsteps coming towards the three. Espio appeared in front of them and when Cream turned to the Raccoon, he was already half way down the block.
"Hope you know you just saved that piece of shit from a well deserved death." Espio said while opening his next bottle of liquor.
"What?" Cream asked. "What the hell makes you say that?"
"That's the same guy who helped mug you the night me and Miles showed up. I'm assuming his old gang was here to put him down." The Chameleon walked past Tails and picked up the pistol.
"He's the one who walked away when the leader tried to rape me." Cream said.
"...that doesn't bring back all the people he and his gang have murdered. Every banger belongs in the ground in my eyes." Espio took the magazine out of the pistol and discharged the final bullet from the chamber. "Now lets keep moving, cops will be crawling all over in a few minutes."
The Chameleon tossed the weapon in a dumpster as he raced off again, while Tails waited for Cream to join him. She only stared blankly at the concrete.
"You okay?" Tails asked.
"Yeah.." Cream answered.
"Alright, lets get going."
It seemed like every corner they turned, Tails, Espio and Cream were faced with hostiles with guns or a small gang causing havoc on the street. With the power of all 7 Chaos emeralds the three were able to fight the gangs and trigger happy gun slingers for hours. Soon day turned into night and the battle continued on as the trio pushed the criminals against the wall, at least doing their best.
Just when it seemed like it was over, more gun shots rang out on another side of town. Tails started to wonder where the police were in this city because the whole night they'd only seen two cruisers racing around town. Finally, just after midnight every criminal was either beat down or chased away, giving the group of vigilantes a chance to rest. Espio sat on a park bench and started to drink while Cream sat on the opposite side on the wooden bench and put her head on the table top. Tails fell to the ground in exhaustion and laid in the grass.
"Christ, I'm exhausted...I thought we were supposed to be like, invincible with the emeralds?" Tails asked as he looked up into the dark sky.
"They give you energy for a short period of time, not hours...The fact we all held up for this long...we must be in good shape." Espio said, talking between drinks.
"I don't know what you guys are complaining about, I feel fine." Cream put her head up and looked at Espio.
'Maybe you've got a special ability. Durability or unlimited energy boost."
"I guess I don't crack under pressure..."
"Whoa, how come I don't have a special ability?" Tails asked.
"You might, come here a second."
Cream looked at Tails as he stood up and walked over to her. She punched him in the stomach and he yelped in pain.
"Well, you're obviously not invincible." Cream laughed while Tails caught his breath.
"No shit!.." Tails coughed and backed up.
"Now, now kids…hey, I got a question for you guys. Who feels like spending the night at a motel?" Espio asked, pulling out a wad of 20 dollar bills and two other wallets.
"Did you steal from people earlier?!" Cream demanded.
"Yeah, the gang bangers out here are loaded, definitely hit them up if you need cash. Now lets get a nice two room suite before the cops show." Espio stood up and led the way.
Cream followed and Tails was slow to join. The trio traversed the silent streets of Two Gates on their way to a motel on the opposite side of town. Tails was far behind Cream and Espio, so they'd occasionally wait for him to catch up. Finally, by 2:30 they reached the motel.
"I got this, just let me do the talking and we'll be inside in no time." Tails takes some money from Espio and walks in first.
Tails walks up to a tall Hedgehog reading a book and looks at him, expecting a greeting but it stays silent. Cream angrily slams down a small bell to get this hedgehogs attention. Tails gives her a dirty look, but quickly turns to face the hedgehog.
"Yeah?" The hedgehog said, putting his book down.
"Nice to meet you too. Look buddy we're in need of a two room suite, can you hook me up?" Tails asked.
"Nothings free in this world, kid.." The hedgehog says, hinting at a large payment.
Tails hands the hedgehog 40 dollars and looked up at him. "The room is 90 bucks a night, so cough it up."
"Of course."
Tails glanced back at Espio for more money, forcing the Chameleon reach into his pockets.
"You their baby sitter?" The hedgehog asked sarcastically.
"More like Chaperone." Espio replied.
The hedgehog took a key off a wall and handed it to Tails. "More like third wheel."
Tails pulled an angry Espio down the hall with him and Cream. "Easy, man. We'll get him back some other time."
The three entered their suite and found the first room as well as a small kitchen and another room in the back. Cream took the back room and set her stuff on a bed while Tails sat on a chair in the first room.
"Out. This is my room." Espio said.
Tails looked into Cream's room and sees two beds. "Any chance of us sharing a room?"
"I think not." Cream called back from her room.
"Where am I gonna sleep, huh? The floor?"
"It's better than the street isn't it?" Espio replied, pushing Tails into a very small hallway separating the two rooms.
He slammed the door and left Tails by himself. The fox huddled in a corner and closed his eyes. Just before he falls asleep, Cream's door opened.
"Get in here.."
Tails jumped to his feet and walked into the room. The lights were off but he could see enough to find the other bed beside Cream's. She sat on her bed and looked at Tails.
"Shut up and go to sleep. And hands to yourself. If I feel you near me I will kick your ass." Cream said as she laid down.
"Agreed."
"Goodnight."
"Night."
The Fox and Rabbit wouldn't get much sleep as they would be kept up by loud rock music in Espio's room.
"...this drunken BASTARD doesn't sleep much either. (sigh) I hate him."
Over in Espio's room, the chameleon was unloading a case of liquor onto a night stand and had his clock radio cranked up to full volume on the Classic Rock station. He sat back and turned the volume up louder when his favorite song came on.
"Liquor and Led Zeppelin.. my two favorite things.."