Chapter 4 – Fang's Jewel Trade

As Jeremy and Percival left to find Axl, everyone waved goodbye and wished for them to return safely. Then it was time for Sonic, Tails, Blaze, Viper, Team Chaotix and the other dragons to leave and set off on their mission to recover the stolen Chaos Emeralds.

"Please do take care while you're out there," said Bowser. "There's no telling what sort of tricks and nasty surprises that Fang might have up his sleeve."

"I'll try my best," promised Draco. "At the very we're all in this together, so if any one of us gets hurt, we'll have each other's back."

"Come on, come on, while we're young!" said Sonic impatiently.

"Patience, Sonic," said Tails. "I know getting the emeralds is really urgent, but let them say their goodbye as it is only for a couple of minutes."

"Okay, we're pretty much done here," said Cynder. "Bowser and Amy are going to take Darky inside my hut and spend some quality time together."

"Well, it's about time!" exclaimed Sonic.

"Right," said Vector. "We'll be goin' to lead the way since we have a lead to the whereabouts of Fang and his shady business."

"You know where we can find Fang?" asked Lily.

"Absolutely, we do," said Espio. "From what we heard, he has set up an unauthorised store at Koka City in the Shiga Prefecture."

"He won't be hard to find as I got the Chaos Locator with me," said Tails, and he climbed into the cockpit of the Tornado Z. "I'll also let Percival and Jeremy know where to find us. Now then, let's get going. There's no telling the trouble that could result if Eggman manages to get the emeralds from Fang. Sonic, the wings are all yours."

Sonic smiled and leapt on the plane's wings. Viper, Vector and Espio also got on board.

"I'll be flying, but I'm sure I should be able to catch up with you guys," said Charmy.

"Hope that you can, short stack," said Torden.

With that, after waving goodbye to Bowser, Darky and Amy, the rest of the team took off and flew north to Koka City.


Fang the Sniper drove around the streets of Koka City on his aerobike, watching every corner to make sure not a single police officer was on sight. He then turned to back of his vehicle and smirked as he saw his sack full of the seven Chaos Emeralds still intact.

"Talk about being absolutely lucky," he said to himself. "The hedgehog and his chumps have made it so easy for me to steal their Chaos Emeralds, and now with them in my possession, I shall sell them for millions! Oh, money, money, money, how much I adore them! There's nothing sweeter like being filthy rich!"

Soon, Fang turned around to a certain point in the road leading to a shady part of the city. As he parked the aerobike, he looked around once more before picking up the sack and then quietly sneaking forward to a stall he set up. They were filled with an assortment of jewels he had stolen over the years, and were marked with outrageously expensive price tags. Much to his disappointment, though, no one bothered to have a look at his ill-gotten gains.

"Come on!" Fang called to the passing people. "Step right up and take a ganders at my merchandise! These are really valuable, hard to find jewels! Very expensive, so think twice before you buy! I don't give refunds!"

All was in vain as still nobody stopped. But then later, Fang found himself greeted by a group of customers. Initially, he was elated, until he saw who were standing in front of the counter.

"Excuse me," said Sonic. "Sorry to disrupt your business, but we've got something to talk to you about."

"You!" exclaimed Fang. "How did you find me, and what do you want?!"

"Let's just say that your aerobike had sprung a leak, so we were able to track you down unawares," said Vector. "But anyway, we've come to ask you about where you have claimed your merchandise."

Fang gulped, knowing that he was about to be in serious trouble. Sweating anxiously, he tried to come up with an alibi to have Sonic and his friends distracted. "They're really jewels that people either have discarded or gave away to me," he lied. "I swear it! This is honest trading business I am conducting here!"

"Is that right?" asked Espio. "Could you please elaborate how these people gave away all this stuff to you, and what about those Chaos Emeralds you have here?"

As the team drew nearer and looked at the emeralds on the counter, Fang quickly snatched them and placed them inside the sack. "Hey, finders keepers, losers weepers!" he snapped.

"Oh no, you don't!" exclaimed Sonic and he leapt towards Fang. "Get over here, you thief!"

But before Sonic could stop Fang, the sneaky weasel took out a strange ball and tossed it to the ground, causing a cloud of smoke to burst out.

"What just happened?" choked Draco.

"It's a Smoke Ball!" said Tails. "Fang must have used it so he can make his escape!"

Sure enough, when the smoke cleared, the team could not find Fang anywhere, and the aerobike was gone too.

"That thieving scoundrel got away!" hissed Torden. "Come on, gang! Let's go after him!"

"No!" shouted Cynder. "We're going to have to split up yet again. One group will expose Fang's shady business while the other will pursue him to recover the Chaos Emeralds and take him into custody."

"Good planning, Cynder," said Blaze. "I think we all know which of us will be suited for our objectives."

"Yes, of course," replied Cynder and she turned to Draco, Lily, Tails and Charmy. "You four shall start gathering all the incriminating evidence and present them to the authorities while the rest of us will deal with Fang. Are you okay with that?"

"Absolutely, Cynder," said Tails. "Charmy's got his camera, so we're gonna start taking pictures."

"I'm right on the job!" buzzed Charmy and he took out his camera to snap some photos of Fang's jewel stand.

"We're going to need your Chaos Locator to track down Fang, Tails," said Sonic.

"Here you go, Sonic," said Tails and he tossed the Chaos Locator 5000, which Sonic caught with precision.

"Thanks a lot, buddy," smiled Sonic. "Now then, Viper, Cynder, Charonus, Torden, Jakkin, Blaze, Vector and Espio, time to hurry and catch Fang!"

"Yes, Sonic!" replied the team, and they set off on their mission.


Author's Note: Well, another chapter done, and the team are set to put the bust Fang the Sniper's operations. How will they be able to handle a crook who is armed and very sneaky? Let's find out in the next chapter!