Authors Note: Knuckles isn't in this chapter :'( But he is in the next! Sorry if I didn't exactly get Team Chaotix perfectly in character but I did my best with what knowledge I have of them, feel free to help me correct that jumbled up knowledge at anytime! :) And I want to give a quick special thanks to Animanizanny for giving me my first review! Glad Knuckles was in character crossing my fingers for the Chaotix now! ^_^
Side Note: All characters in this story are owned by Sega.
Chapter 2: Child's Song
Although the beginning may not seem too cheery it was that very, as of yet unspoken, argument that seemed to shine a light on the two companions and their quest. Not to mention, it also isn't even the beginning.
It had all started four days earlier...
A warm and sunny spring had fallen upon the dawn. Fresh and beautiful. Vibrant and somewhat new.
Within an old shack in an undisclosed location a fight had begun. Not as major fight or anything, just words.
Simple, annoying little words.
"Yeah well, your a stupid headed dummy!" Called out a high and slightly squeaky voice. That of a small bee.
"WILL YOU JUST SHUDDUP YA LITTLE-...Urrrrrrrrgh..." Another more rough and scrunchy tone echoed. The challenger was at a loss for words as he silenced his thoughts by the booming thrash of his large fists plunging into the desk before him. "Darn it Charmy!".
What had seemed to be an innocent argument had quickly escalated within mere minutes.
Charmy and Vector the crocodile had always been somewhat like brothers. Of course they cared for each other just about as much any other pair of brothers would. Which also in-titled them to somewhat commonly have even the smallest of disagreements over the silliest of things, be it a small tiff or... what seemed to be in this case, a true boiling point being reached on Vector's part.
"I told you that I wasn't the last one with that stupid paper Vector!"
"That stupid paper is very important and if we don't find it we could lose our business."
"I don't care, I didn't have it last. You probably lost it yourself." He crossed his arms.
"Are you callin' me a lier! 'Cause I know for a fact that you were the last one with it!"
"If it's so important than why would you give it to me?" The bee uncrossed his arms and flew over to an unopened bag of potato chips that sat on the floor. He tore the top as he squeezed it, the bag squeaking and crumbling the chips inside.
He quickly started munching on the salty snack with joyful indifference to how angry his friend had gotten.
"Charmy! You better-" He was interrupted by the old rickety wooden door opening. There stood Espio the Chameleon. The third and final member of the team. He was holding a slightly crumpled, watermark stained, bubbled gum tainted piece of paper.
His voice was low with a slight raspy tint to it, "Here Vector." He walked up to the crocodile and handed him the paper. "I got it signed by the Landlord." Vector stood there and stared at it for a minute or so.
Though he may not appear to be the brightest bulb in the socket, Vector was no fool when it came to their Detective Agency. However, at this point it was a complete mystery to him how he could have of misplaced this memory. "I-... Gave the paper... To Espio?" He whispered to himself in a dull stupor.
He sighed then scratched the back of his head, tossing the paper on his desk.
"Uhh... Charmy..." He turned to look at the bee who clearly had not even realized that Espio had entered the room. He was still munching on his chips and reading a comic labeled 'Ristar: The Shooting Star Adventures'.
Vector rolled his eyes then passed it off that the bee had forgotten about the whole thing. He gave a shrug then took his seat again. Resting back and turning the volume up on his headphones with a soft chuckle.
It was then that he noticed Espio staring at him. No- not at him, but through him, as if he wasn't even there. The same way the stealth chameleon always stared at things.
But that particular blank stare seemed just a bit different. There was something about it that spoke to the crocodile. Something that said (in Espio's unheard words mind you, not Vector's- I'm sure the croc would want you to know): 'He's our friend, and no matter how forgetful and young, he deserves an apology. You were wrong Vector.'
It took only a second or two until he finally broke, "Darn it ESPIO! What are you, a PSYCHIC?" He shouted, pointing out the very obvious fact that Espio was not even there for the fight and had no knowledge that his time of arrival was quite coincidental.
Charmy turned around with a cute chuckle and with an almost too innocent and friendly tone teased his friend, "I bet you can't even spell psychic."
Vector cringed at what to him sounded like a very taunting voice, "Neither can you!"
"So?" Charmy flew over to the two. "Hey Espio. When did you get here?"
The chameleon nodded, "A minute ago."
"Oh." His eyes seemed to widen, almost like a puppy dog's, which would seem strange considering he was an insect.
Vector sighed as his eyes fell to the young honey bee, "Urr...Charmy. I-I'm... S-Sorry. You were... R-Right. Espio had the paper."
"Huh?" A soft moment of quiet floated before the three when suddenly, "HA! SEE VECTOR! I TOLD YOU SO! HAHAHA!" The little bee was now in a fit of joyous laughter. Chips flew out of the bag he held like confetti. Proving Vector wrong was nothing really new, but it was funny every time. At least, to Charmy it was.
The small bee's laughter overlapped any curses that Vector had whispered. The crocodile sat back in his chair with a huff and turned his headphones up to the maximum volume.