A/N: Thank you for being so patient you guys! This story may not have many reviewers but quality is way better than quantity and you guys are total proof of that :)

I hope this chapter is of a nice length- though this chapter is basically a bit of an intro to how each team interacts, not super adventure-y yet but I'm working out how I want these guys to be so bare with me for a little bit :)

These guys belong to Sega. I did however come up with these three 'levels'/countries each team is at.

Chapter 7: From Party To Party

The sinking splinter of feverish heat attached itself to the only lone breeze that shifted through the dusty sand filled air. The day grew long for Sonic and Tails as they made their way through the Egyptian-like ruins.

"Of course we get stuck with Desert Hill Zone over here." His sarcasm bleed into his made up name of this new territory.

The hedgehog glanced at his friend who seemed more than a little busy with his own 'technical' issues.

Sonic slowed his walk, much to his chagrin, to match his fox friend's slow pace. "So whats up with this thing anyway? Didn't it used to look...different?" He snatched the small handheld device/translator from his friend.

Tails nodded as he grabbed the gadget back with a smile. "Its still pretty bulky but now its thinner length wise. I've also kinda programmed it to be like a portable computer device of sorts."

He rubbed his thumb over the screen to rid it of a small smudge then continued, "But like I said before, every search is separated by category- from translations to full ancient studies and even scientific and bio-mechanical research...mostly just- you know,"

Trying to avoid this rather boring conversation from taking full form the blue hedgehog went with the simple answer, "Smart kid stuff?"

"Uh," Tails gave a modest grin as he rubbed the back of his head, "Kind of...I guess."

Sonic quickly snatched the gadget back, "And whats it called again?"

The fox sighed, giving up trying to keep the device from his friend, "It's called the Miles Electric."

"Hm?"

"What?"

The blue hedgehog chuckled then went on with a mocking but playful tone, "I thought you didn't like your first name? Not to mention the acronym for Miles Electric- ME along with naming it after yourself in the first place- is frankly kinda arrogant,"

He snickered as he gave Tails back his handheld, "A little too egotistical for you buddy, that's usually my way of namin' stuff isn't it?" He grinned. "Miles Electric sounds more like some kind of electric company anyway."

"Ha ha," The kitsune smiled, "Very funny," He looked the gadget up and down then made his decision, "It's the TME... The Miles Electric."

"Nah. It's gotta spell something real like... Terrific Index Miles Electric- TIME." He nodded.

"Okay... But it doesn't keep time so that...doesn't really match up... Hm... Oh! How about the Modern Index: Miles Electric!"

"MIME?" Sonic's eyes widened as he tried to stifle a laugh.

Tails chuckled at the thought then the two shook their heads, "Nah."

The fox smiled, "Ha, how about this one: Advanced Contemporary Miles Electric." He slowed at his realization, "...ACME."

"I don't think we're allowed to use that one buddy." Sonic rubbed the ridge of his nose.

Tails sighed, "The Miles Electric 2?"

"ME2... Not the best, but I guess that works for now."

Meanwhile, somewhere in a large gloomy forested region not too vastly different or far off from Adabat...

"Hey, look at that thing! Maybe it's one of those sphere thingys." Charmy shouted as he rushed past Knuckles in a hurry.

The echidna sighed as the bee continued.

"Oh, It's just a round rock, never mind."

Knuckles expression was now a grimace, teeth clenched. He bald his fists in frustration as he palely called his current companion's name. "Charmy."

"Yeah?"

Something about the little honey bee's voice was beginning to grate. If ever there was a kid more annoying than this one...

"What is it Knuckles? What'do ya want?"

"What I want is for you to stop getting so easily distracted."

"I'm not easily destra-" He paused for a moment as his eyes went to a nearby flower. He was only brought back to attention by the sound of Knuckles' groan, "Sorry. But I'm just being intestigative!" He announced proudly.

"Investigative?" He rolled his eyes as his patience wore even thinner.

"Yeah! I'm a detective Knuckles! I always tell vector it would be smart to buy me, him, and Espio some of those neat trench coats and those cool hats so people will be able to tell easier, but he never does. Talk about not fair, right?"

Knuckles was about to respond when he was cut off by a ghoulish howl coming from the trees. He quickly turned, eyes scanning the area.

However, even if there was something present it would be quite hard to see given the severity of their misty almost swampy surroundings.

"What was that?"

"I...don't know. It was probably nothing. Just, come on let's keep going."

Charmy stared at the trees as Knuckles walked passed him. He nervously nodded and followed the echidna.

"Boy, this place is kinda spooky. B-But I'm not scared at all."

"Let's just find this Chaos Sphere and get out of here alright?"

"Why are you being so grumpy Knux?"

"Do NOT call me Knux."

"Wow, grumpier than I though. Don't be so upset, this adventure will be fun- all of us searching for these cool new glowy sphere things. Haha, you and your friends were lucky you came to us for help!"

The echidna would have argued the fact of who was helping who but felt too drained to fight it. Instead he let out a long overdue sigh as he decided he would try and focus on the sounds around them to be sure whatever made the howl was not tracking them.

A small smidge of wonder as to why Knuckles was in such a terrifically bad mood lingered in the honey bee's mind.

Nonetheless he kept going with his attempts to lighten the mood, "Yeah you guys made the right choice. We're detectives you want on your side!" He chuckled.

The crocodile's smile beamed of dependable righteousness, "Our directive's tracking down this crime." He nodded to Espio, who suddenly seemed as though he wanted to say something.

Vector smiled at their newest client, a kind elderly woman, and asked politely for a moment of discussion with his partner.

The stealth sleuths turned and spoke in whispered tones, "What's a matter Espio?"

"We can't just keep taking on all of these clients Vector. We're stepping off track from our current mission that is of world importance."

"Look, the lady was robbed by some guy who ran off into this... Tourist town? Or whatever," he shook his head trying to think of what Tails said the real name of the town they had to go to was called. "We're headin' there anyway so we might as well help her."

Espio nodded reluctantly. Side missions were one thing but he knew Vector well enough to suspect that the croc might get a little too sidetracked at just the wrong moment.

The older woman smiled hopefully, "Oh thank you so much deary. I wont be able to pay you much but...I'll give you what money I have left."

Vector heard the worry and looming sorrow behind the woman's words. He knew that this poor lady was probably living in sub-par conditions anyway. Her dress a rusty potato sack color made from the material to match. Her eyes were old and foggy.

Out for a simple walk only to have her purse stolen... 'What is this crazy world coming to when people rob from the poor and the elderly?'

The crocodile sighed, "Don't worry ma'am. That won't be necessary."

"Vector." Espio whispered but the crocodile merely waved his words off.

"Oh, no...but I have to pay you back if you do indeed retrieve my purse."

"Don't you worry about that at all ma'am."

"Oh please, call me Cindy." She extended her hand, "It's short for Cynthia." Her smile- uncomfortably enough was a bit flirty.

"Okay," Vector shook her hand quickly, "Well, we should be heading off now."

"Alright, my house is just up the road. I'll be there if you need me." She winked.

"Urr, yes ma'am- I mean Cindy." Then with a kind nod Vector and Espio ran off towards the town.

"Vector," Espio started, "We cant keep taking cases for free. I understand being charitable but well be the ones needing the charity soon."

"I know that, Espio. But this is obviously a classic case of 'She was rich all along and will give us a better reward thanks to our kindness and bravery'." He smiled his toothy grin in a somewhat cocky manner.

"Uh," Espio hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. 'Perhaps Charmy was right about how much time Vector spends in his own little world.'

"Hey, you look like you got somethin' smart-alack-y to say."

"Huh... No," He shook his head, "Just wondering what lead you to the conclusion that she was actually rich?"

Vector titled his head in thought, he wanted to say that he was simply hoping that that was the case- oh, how his luck and true brilliance would shine if it were true.

But instead of saying all of that, "I just know alright." He demanded.