A/N: Enjoy.
Chapter 6: A Guileful Offer
Tails had spent most of his time recently in his workshop. Sometimes with company, sometimes alone with the Master Jet.
Tails was rather bored as he sat in his main lab with the Master Jet. The jewel had begun explaining his tribe to him earlier, and with that, that its 'kin' were the Entropy Jets.
"Hey, if the Chaos Emeralds operate on Chaos Force, do the Entropy Jets run on Entropy Force?" He asked.
"Why do you ask?" Was returned.
"Pure curiosity. I'm bored."
"Well, not exactly. While they do exert a similar power to that of the Chaos Force, they 'operate' on Entropy Energy, which is far more powerful than what Entropy 'Force' would be.." The Jet replied.
"What's the difference?" Tails scrunched his eyebrows together. "Sonic uses the Chaos Force all the time and says it isn't any different than Chaos Energy. In fact we kind of just use it as an alternate term for Chaos Force."
"You see, Tails, with Chaos Emeralds, there isn't really any difference." It paused, "Except for the Chaos Force being more likely to corrupt the user, Chaos Force and Chaos Energy are the same thing. However, with Entropy Force and Entropy Energy there is a large difference. Entropy Force is a power quite similar to that of Chaos Force, even being around the same level of power. That being said, a normal being would be safe if dealing with Entropy Force, as it is a tamed power. However, normal beings cannot handle the power of Entropy Energy, which is far more powerful. Absorbing any Entropy Energy at all will immediately cause a rise in the being's physical and mental abilities. Sometimes it will even grant psychic gifts. However, being exposed to Entropy Energy for a prolonged period of time will lead to fatigue, suicidal thoughts, and within moments… Death."
He was prevented from questioning this by someone beginning to knock rather boorishly at his door. He had no clue who it was, but he quickly became annoyed with the stranger - he knew it had to be a stranger, because anyone who knew him knew to just yell and he'd come running.
He advanced on the door. He opened it forcefully in a rare display of vexation.
He slammed the door just as quickly as he'd opened it.
"Allow me entry, ye foolish, abrading, villainous fox!" Mrothtar shouted from the other side of the door.
Obviously, Tails didn't intend to. He quickly locked every lock on the door and went to his back and side doors to do the same. He even locked his roof door. After a bit of consideration, he grabbed the Jet and moved to his cellar, going so far as to lock that door behind him with the deadbolt on that side.
"Well, this is an odd way to begin spending your time." The Jet noted, somewhat boredly. "Can't you just see what he wants?"
Tails gave the jewel a look he knew it could see.. Eyes or no, that jewel could still tell if you were giving it an, "Are you nuts" look.
"Just a question." The jewel defended itself, "Are you sure you don't want to hear what he has to say, though? You could get opportunities to train with me you won't get otherwise."
In all honesty, the Jet knew exactly what had to happen. It knew that Tails needed to do something he really wasn't going to like at first. But it had to be done, or Mrothtar would destroy the world. Even as a jewel, it knew that with all of its power and sentience.
Tails considered it for a minute. "Why do you want me to talk to him? Isn't he the enemy?"
"He is." The Jet agreed, "But don't you want to get a chance to practise with me without having to worry about your friends barging in on you or Rouge and the others finding out about me?"
Tails made no vocal response, but unlocked the cellar door and made his way to the front door anyway. The jewel he stashed in his workbag again.
After the work of unlocking the locks, he cautiously opened the door again, cracking it open to gaze out at the now silent Mrothtar.
"What do you want?" He eventually asked the hawk.
"Surely thou canst be more hospitable than this?" The hawk returned, shifting almost uncomfortably on the doorstep.
Tails silently consulted the Master Jet, and sighed before opening the door a bit wider. "You can come in, but you have to swear on the Entropy Jets and the Master Jet that you won't try to kill me or steal the Master Jet."
After a long second, Mrothtar replied, "I swear it."
Tails stepped aside to let him in. The hawk seemed rather apprehensive about it after all his pushiness, but did enter.
"So, what did you want?" Tails asked again.
"I wanted to offer thee an alliance again. I have never seen the guardian of the Master Jet grasp use of its powers so quickly. Thou art surely an odd little fox."
After about thirty seconds, Tails slowly nodded, "And you won't try to kill me?"
Mrothtar shook his head, "A swear on the Entropy Jets is binding. If I go against it, I shall surely die."
Tails was silent. But Mrothtar was persistent.
"I might or might not have forgotten to mention it earlier, but if you refuse this time, I shall murder thine friends."
"Very well." Tails immediately said. "I'll join you."
Mrothtar grinned.
This was too easy. He thought.
What the frick is wrong with you? Tails asked the Master Jet, This guy's a nutcase!
"I am sorry Tails. But it must be done. I will no longer be able to aid you… Again, I am truly sorry."
Tails forced himself not to freak out. This was dangerous, but he knew better than to show how scared he suddenly was.
"Come with me, Tails." Mrothtar offered his hand.
Apprehensively, Tails took his hand.
A moment later, he was no longer standing in his workshop...
A/N: Please, review. It would make both me and Allie (Nerd of Camelot) very happy.