Charmy Bee in...
Hive Mind

Sunset City; Chaotix Detective Agency

*In Sunset City, Vector is seen sweeping out the front as he's listening to his tunes. Fall was settling in and that meant leaves were falling. Vector didn't mind filling in for Espio, but he'd appreciate the ninja not vanishing after they just moved back into the city. After some sweeping, Vector sees a dog Mobian in a blue mailman outfit approach.*

Vector: "Ah, no... Bill, can I not get a bill from the landlord? I just got back from the last place and I really would rather not hear his sass..."

Bill: "Oh, sorry, Vector. Actually, today isn't bill time. I actually got a letter for a Mr. Charmy Bee."

Vector: "Charmy?"

*Vector takes the mail and looks at it curiously. Thanking Bill, the croc goes back inside and finds Charmy playing a Game Boy Advance.*

Charmy: "Whatcha got there, Vector?"

Vector: "Mail for you, lil buddy."

*Charmy gets handed the letter and the emblem on the front immediately gets his attention.*

Charmy: "N-No way... My... My hive!"

*Charmy rips open the letter and reads it.*

Charmy: "'Hey, Charmy. Long time no see. Sorry we weren't able to write to you until now. We've been busy relocating and trying to get back together after being so scattered. We lost our old hive to the Battle Bird Armada, but it is fine. We rebuilt and we will rise again. If you'd like to rejoin us, we have taken the liberty to have a map sent in with this letter. Here's hoping we see each other... Saffron De Bee' ...Saffron..."

Vector: "Girlfriend of yer's?"

Charmy: "Well... Childhood friend really... That I had a crush on for the latter part of a few years... Honestly, I was scared that she may have died when the hive was destroyed... But to hear from her after so long... Vector, you haven't the slightest clue how I feel."

Vector: "I could take a guess."

*Vector looks at the map, rubbing under his chin as he seemed concerned now.*

Vector: "But I dunno... This looks awfully close to Eggman territory. Maybe I should come with, just in case."

Charmy: "Sorry, Vec, but the Great Hive are an exclusive bunch. They don't really trust outsiders much. And as a lowly worker bee, I can't vouch for you."

Vector: "That so, huh? Well now I'm even more against leavin' ya to buzz all the way out there."

Charmy: "But... They're my hive... My friends!"

Vector: "Whoa, easy there, Charmy. It ain't out of hate or anythin'! I'm just worried is all!"

Charmy: "Sorry, Vector, but I'm going. And if you try to stop me, I will sting you!"

*With a huff, Charmy buzzes out the window, leaving Vector to just stare on.*

Vector: "Ah... Espio... Where the heck are you at a time like this?"

Great Hive

*Charmy had flown quite a ways into what remained of Eggman territory. Only a few Flapper scouts remain, but nothing Charmy couldn't handle on his own. He soon finds what looks to be a much larger hive than what he was expecting.*

Charmy: "Whoa... I was expecting a much smaller place, but... Man, these guys got to work quick!"

*Charmy lands in front of the hive door and presses a button.*

Charmy: "Hey! It's me, Charmy!"

*A few seconds pass and the door opens as a girl bee with pink hair and royal garb comes to hug Charmy.*

Saffron: "Charmy! It has been way too long... I feared I was writing to a ghost, but... I'm happy to see my worries were for naught."

Charmy: "Saffron? What's with the get up? I thought you and I were both worker bees."

Saffron: "Oh? Oh, right. Why don't we walk and talk? Get you out of the wilderness."

*Charmy nods before the two enter and the door closes. Once inside, Charmy sees all kinds of high-tech equipment, ranging from computers to sliding doors. His hive before was pretty basic with minimal tech; at most a security system and a few cannons. This was certainly impressive.*

Saffron: "As a result of our last hive's destruction, our queen had suffered fatal wounds and passed away. By vote, I was made the next queen due to my work ethics. But I'd be lying if I said it was easy..."

Charmy: "So you're a queen now, huh? Man, I must really seem like small fry now..."

Saffron: "You don't have to be, Charmy. You could be beside me, if you want."

Charmy: "B-Beside you?"

Saffron: "Yes. Charmy Bee, would you be my personal knight? In whatever coming battles should our kingdom be involved in, I wish for you personally to stand beside me. Hand in hand..."

*Saffron smiles, holding Charmy's hand and making the kid blush. Charmy looks away, a goofy smile creeping across his face, but he also teared up a bit. It may not be a direct confession, but it was close enough to it. But one thing did remained unanswered...*

Charmy: "Before I accept Saffron... I do have to ask about the new tech. Like...a lot of this is so...advanced...'

Saffron: "Teehee! It is a lot to get used to, I admit. But our benefactor has assured us that this tech will keep us defended from any matter of attack."

*Saffron hears a door open and the sound of high heels echo from the hall nearby. She turns with a smile and curtsy as a figure steps in, but upon seeing the figure, Charmy's heart could only sink.*

Saffron: "Charmy, meet our benefactor... Miss Jenni Robotnik."

Jenni: "Well, well... You must be one of Saffron's friends. How...nice..."

Charmy: "Y-You're that lady Princess Sally warned us about! S-Saffron! Why are you working for someone like her!?"

Saffron: "To keep a long story short, she found us and our ruined hive. Either feeling pity or feeling generous in her time, she built us this hive using her machines and have sworn loyalty to her...as our new empress. She made it abundantly clear of her goals, but... We never did like the world."

Charmy: "S-Saffron... I-I..."

Jenni: "And here you told me he'd be more than happy to join his hive. Well, I suppose some time to rekindle is necessary. Do as you must, Saffron."

Saffron: "Yes, Lady Jenni."

*Charmy was in utter shock, unsure of what to say. He was a mix of emotions: Relieved to see his dear friend, happy to see his hive, but angry and mortified to see them controlled by some despot ruler.*

Saffron: "Charmy. The offer is still open. Perhaps... You'd like to sleep on it?"

Charmy: "I... S-Sure... I'd like that..."

*Saffron nods and personally leads Charmy to his quarters to sleep.*

*Outside the hive, some bushes rustle. Vector pops his head out as he spies on the outside of the hive, seeing bees patrolling the perimeter.*

Vector: "I know I should just trust the little guy to handle things himself, but... I can't help but worry... Ugh... The one time I wish I had Espio with me... I'll play it cool right now and stake out here, but if anything happens, I am bustin' down that door!"

*Vector slaps his mouth closed as a bee guard looks around.*

Bee Guard A: "What was that?"

Bee Guard B: "Must've been some coyote. You know how loud they get."

*Later that evening, once all the bees were done for the day and heading to bed, Charmy snuck out and started buzzing his way through the hive very quietly.*

Charmy: "All that time watching Espio is gonna pay off... That mean ol' Robotnik lady did something to my hive. I just know it... If I can just find her lab..."

*Charmy finds the lab in question and walks in, being very wary of any security put into place. Once inside, he finds a computer and starts typing on it. He wasn't sure what he was going to find but he had to look. He then found some kind of blueprint for a device. He looked it over, curious if this was what Jenni was using to control his friends.*

Jenni: "You know, bees that dare to disturb my chambers are likely to get punished."

*Charmy jumps at the sound of Jenni right behind him, causing him to turn and step back until there wasn't room between him and the table holding the computer.*

Charmy: "You... Release my friends, you meanie!"

Jenni: "...? Release your friends? From what, pray tell?"

Charmy: "From whatever hypnosis or machine that's got them under your command! I know my hive better than this and they would never turn on the world willingly!"

Jenni: "Is that truly how you see it, you deluded little fool? My, you must have just been born yesterday if you truly believe such things."

*Jenni starts pacing in front of Charmy, frightening him more.*

Jenni: "I can build entire armies of robots, fleets of battleships at my command, and even entire space stations. Much like my brother Ivo. Why would I control a bunch of fragile bees? And if you believe it is to get to you, then you are sorely mistaken. I care nothing for you or those pathetic friends of your's. Saffron insisted on letting you join the hive's cause willingly... But my patience has ran dry."

*Charmy listens to Jenni's speech before finally letting anger get the better of him. He leaps at Jenni, trying to slug at her, but she catches the punch and tosses him toward a table, flipping it and its contents over. Charmy flies up and aims his stinger at the doctor. But Jenni simply activates her Magnet Shield via her glove, electrocuting Charmy as he came close.*

Charmy: "I... I won't give up until my hive is free from your tyranny!"

*Charmy slowly stands back up but the doors to the lab slide open as Saffron runs in and protects...Jenni.*

Saffron: "Charmy! Enough!"

Charmy: "S-Saffron..."

Saffron: "Charmy... If you continue doing what you are doing, then I'll have no choice but to have arrested and executed for harming our benefactor... Lady Jenni has done more good for us. She gave us a better home. Better ways to collect our honey. And if that makes us an enemy to Mobius, then so be it."

Charmy: "But I don't want to be an enemy to Mobius... Sonic, Vector, Espio... They are all my friends! Betraying them would be like betraying myself! Saffron... Please... Don't do this..."

*Saffron looks back at Jenni, who just simply shrugs. With a sigh, Saffron extends a hand, a spear appearing in it before she swings it around expertly.*

Saffron: "If you can't learn to accept our cause, Charmy... Then learn to hate me."

*Saffron then flew at Charmy with the spear's sharp end pointed at him. He dives to the side, but Saffron grabs him and slams him to the ground. Charmy rolls away from another skewer attempt and buzzes away as fast as he could. Saffron was about to give chase, but Jenni stops her.*

Jenni: "No. I think we got our point across. Besides, you are needed here and there is much to be done."

Saffron: "Yes, Lady Jenni."

*Jenni and Saffron leave the lab to be cleaned by the clean up crew, though Saffron turns back once more towards where Charmy flew before returning to Jenni's side.*

*Charmy flies out of the hive, tears running out his eyes as he crashes to the ground tired. Vector runs up to Charmy and sees the mess Charmy was in.*

Vector: "Charmy! Hey, bud... You alright...?"

Charmy: "S-Saffron... M-My hive... Th-They..."

*Vector looks at Charmy before glaring back at the hive, lightning struck to give it an ominous presence. Vector takes Charmy under his arm and runs away, all while Jenni watches with a smile.*

End of Hive Mind...