Chapter 4

The White Devil

Shadow resumed his planning with his father and sister, but his heart just wasn't into it. He was hesitant to destroy the girl. It was queer, the feeling he felt. His sister, Shadia, was convinced he was in love, but he wasn't sure. He was created to be a living weapon; he couldn't feel love, right? He shivered, deciding to focus on his work. Shadow would ponder this later.

On the opposite side of Mobius, in Mobian Earth, a white streak leaped across the Arthisgad City rooftops in the afternoon. She was barely visible, but the guards knew she was there. They just didn't know where. Siri crouched close to the flat roof to avoid detection. This store had the best food. This was life for her, now. Ever since that black fox had been banished. She wished that she could live a nicer life, not based on stealing, but she couldn't. No, she had to, to live. This was the only way. Siri gave a heavy sigh, looking for the closest food cart. Right underneath her was a fruit cart. Saliva came from the white vixen's mouth. Food. She looked around, hoping for a good opportunity.

She spotted a shadow pass in front of the store gate, issuing a response from the guards. About three-fourths of them chased after the shadow, swords drawn. She didn't know what it was, but she was grateful. Immediately, Siri swooped down, tackling one of the two guards left, knocking him out. The other, who stood beside the first, jumped back, startled. Using his hesitation, Siri kicked him between the legs, felling him. She knew from studying their armor that they didn't wear protection, there. As he writhed on the ground, Siri pulled a sack from her white trenchcoat pocket. Quickly, she piled fruit into the sack, looking around every second to see if any of the guards had returned. On the way in, Siri had noticed her rope was gone, so she had to leave through the front gate. As soon as her sack was filled, she took off for the door. The sword on her back weighed her down, but it was her only defense. She peered out the gate, seeing no guards. Perfect. She ran across the street, ducking into an alleyway. She climbed the staircase of wooden crates, leaping back onto the roof of an adjacent building. She fell to her knees, noticing she was drenched in sweat. Her muscles were sore, and her heart was beating a mile a minute. Siri opened the bag, looking at her prizes. About a week's worth of food in fruit. There were plenty of apples and oranges. A few lemons and some watermelon. There was a lot more, too. She looked around, standing back up.

"What a day," she huffed, trying to catch her breath before she went back to her outpost.

"So, what have ye gotten?" she heard a deep, raspy voice behind her. She jumped, drawing her sword. Two black foxes stood before her, one a guy, the other a girl. She vaguely recognized the guy. He had rescued her as a cub. Yes, that was it. He'd broken her out of the brothel. He'd been banished for her. "Are ye going to talk, or must I lose hope?"

"I apologize," Siri responded quickly, "I was… Remembering. What is your name? I recognize ye from my past."

"I go by Vulpine," the fox said, then motioned to the girl, "This is my fiancé, Sinia." He paused, "We are heading west to Otherland."

"Otherland!?" Siri exclaimed, "But they tried to destroy us during the Great War!" Vulpine nodded, but gave her a hard look.

"I have heard that Ivo plans to spread his endeavors here, and I propose to stop him," the fox said. His face was calm, but Siri could see he was nervous, maybe even afraid, "Though I am banished, my duty as prince is to protect this land." He turned to Sinia. "And my future wife suggested that I form a small team. We wanted to ask," he turned back to Siri, "If you would like to join us, Siri Grace." The white foxette sat back on the ground, thinking over her options.

"I don't know," she mumbled, "What do I get in return?"

"Your own survival," Sinia told her, stepping forward, "If Robotnik captures this land, he will control the food. He will starve ye out."

"No!" Siri burst, "I can't afford that, sign me up!" She immediately regretted her decision. She had no idea what she was in for. "Just… Give me time to rest." Vulpine nodded, agreeing to let her rest on the condition that she made her way to Port Faber in a week. That would be hard, but Siri had managed worse. The two foxes left her, and she watched them head towards the park. Had they distracted the guards just to talk to her, or was it someone else?