Chapter 17 - Midnight Rumble
After going through the forest, the four scouts reached back to Zorn village. The patrollers on night duty saw them and pointed down their weapons. Seeing the lead of the team go to the postmen, the others walked past them. An overall sense of tiredness emitted from them which made them look drained.
"Night raid party returning," the antelope man reported.
"Welcome back. How was it going over there?" one of the guards asked. He saw the leader sigh heavily and shook his head.
"We were not able to validate or find if the child was in the cave."
"How come?"
"We got inside and stopped at a four-way intersection. My guess is that we were in the middle length of the tunnel. All the sudden, a monstrous roar echoed throughout the space. We couldn't identify in which direction it came from nor determine what beast it was. Not too long after, a similar roar erupted in the cave though higher in pitch. Again, we couldn't identify where and what it was. We fled from the cave to escape."
"Sounds like a smart tactic," the other patroller acknowledged with a small nod. "How did the roar sound? Was it a primal or something else?"
"It was...not normal. Take the roar from a primal mountain lion and distort it," the lead explained then had a look of concentrating. "It sounded more menacing...vicious...and deeper than what animals would be capable to making. The other one sounded like it was from the same type of monster...just younger based on its pitch."
"Gotcha...so, you and the others hightailed out and then what?"
"...well from the intersection spot we were at...Santis made a trail of black powder coming out of the cave. Once we were clear from the entrance, he lit it with a torch. It set off sparks that went back into the tunnel which caused an explosion," the antelope answered then looked down a little. "As a result from it, a cave in occurred. It ended the immediate threat, but we couldn't check to see if the child was in there or not."
"I see," the second patroller commented then motioned toward the center of the village. "You can go check to see if the chief is up or not. I know Zorn will be asleep by now. Don't know about Oberi."
"Alright. Thanks," the scout lead replied with a head nod. Walking passed the two guards and heading toward the middle of the establishment, there were only postmen and women standing watch. Everyone else had gotten in their places for the night's rest. Going to the admin building, there was only one light on. Not even making it to the front door, it opened with a wolf breed coming out.
"Status update. Any findings?" Oberi asked.
"...sorry chief...we couldn't explore the cave fully. My team caused a cave in when beasts inside were roaring at us," the antelope man stated standing at attention. He saw the leader give an audible sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...brief me in detail tomorrow morning...you are dismissed."
"Yes sir."
"..." the lupine man spoke.
Watching the scout leave towards the guard barracks, his mind drifted towards the remembrance of the battle earlier. Seeing the mutilated adult hedgehog, the being's capabilities, and talking through illicit trade of the boy made him frown. Unable to think about the next course of action, he turned in for the night. Not taking the suggestion from his peer about going to sleep early, Oberi wanted to stay up until the scouts got back. Despite them coming empty-handed, he still held a small hope that the young hedgehog boy was still alive somewhere.
"...after the operation..." Speed continued with his story telling. He had finished making the stew and served a bowl to Chiara. Seeing her consume it seemed to take off an edge on her vibe. Eating some as well, he felt less starved as before.
"...escaped base to forest...killed feline predators...returned back to hot spring cave."
"Hot spring cave?" she repeated then gave a small whistle. "Those are hard to find. Bet if feels hella nice to soak in."
"...yes...it cleanses the body...not good to drink."
"Not unless you want your whole body to shit itself out," the stoat agreed. Taking a drink from her bottle of ale, she felt able to relax for a change.
"If you had that spot as your dwelling hole, why did ya come out here? You normally carry stuff from what I remember."
"...scouts from his village," the amputee said with motioning his head to the sleeping boy. "...trespassed...then set explosion...caused a cave in."
"Shit...did you actually steal the squirt from them?"
"...made a trade deal...boy agreed to exchange...his life for life...of his village."
"So you told me from your story," Chiara remarked. Leaning back in her chair, she looked at the floor thinking.
"Now you are homeless...and you come to me huh? Why?"
"...if I remember correctly...full occupancy...was never achieved here," he remarked looking at her.
"It has happened before," she countered with a small frown. "Just not right now."
"...I see..."
"So...what...after tonight, you going back into the wildness to become a scavenger again? Continue being cloakman with a new sidekick?"
"...possibly... " he answered with doing a half frown. "...the boy expressed interest...in wanting to obtain...superspeed."
"Superspeed? Isn't that some old legend during the Great War or somethin'?" she asked blinking and taking another sip.
"...as the stories go...yes..."
"Meaning the squirt wants to be as fast as you," the stoat stated and saw him nod. "Can you actually teach someone to go faster than animally possible?"
"...teaching is possible...but it would depend...on reaction from pool," Speed informed then took a sip from the glass he had placed on the floor.
"...?" Chiara reacted with a raised eyebrow. Leaning forward and offering her bottle, she poured some of her alcohol into his glass.
"Reaction from pool? What are ya talking about?"
"...I...was never this fast..." he began. Standing up with the bowl in his hand, he headed towards and stood in front of the sink.
"...before falling into a...Mobius pool...was...ordinary..."
"Whoa-whoa-whoa...a Mobius pool?" the stoat spoke surprised. "You mean that going crazy fast and stuff was from a freak accident?"
"...it..." he began then looked unfocused at the sink. Rapid flashbacks came to him in which all were too quick to decipher; however, the one in which he was drowning and confined appeared.
"...is from a number...of events...is hard to explain..."
"..." she responded with observing around him.
Looking at the light that was in the room, it was partially illuminating everything. At the same time, it casted many shadows. From just staring at his back, his gray ash fur with the shaded areas made him appear like a phantom of some sorts. Shaking her head and standing up, she got next to him and adjacent to the sink. About to poke his sides, she paused. Though his regular eye was looking at the sink, his crimson ring eye slowly moved on its own. Looking directly at her, the creppy sight made her shiver a little.
"Hey," Chiara stated and poked his right-side torso. Feeling odd that there was no arm, his body was firm and solid with unmatted fur.
"..." Speed reacted with a blink. Turning his head towards her, both of his eyes were looking at her.
"No creepy shit around me. Alright? Freaking hate being startled and scared at deliberately," she informed then let go of him. "If ya get yourself a cloak again, no hood. I'll freaking tear that thing off."
"...really...do I frighten you...when my face and body...are covered?" he asked with no expression.
"I ain't frightened like some royal bed wetter. I am just jumpy," the woman began reaching for her eye patch.
Removing a couple of protective layers of cloth, it exposed what was being covered. A rather large and painful slash went over her eyebrow, eye, and upper cheek. Though it appeared relatively dry and clean, it seemed it could get infected easily. Not to mention, it looked tender. About to speak, she looked down at his right shoulder stump. The condition of it looked worse than what she had. Shaking her head, she spoke again.
"As I mentioned before, a crackhead did this number. Was doing a patrol in this place when the bastard jumped out of nowhere. Came from the stairwell and was foamin' from the mouth. Had a shiv in his hand when makin' his cocktail snorter."
"...looks painful...your eye damaged?"
"Damn thing is. Opening it stings like hell," she agreed then cringed a little bit. "Even having it covered hurts...damn thing."
"You've...seen medical?" he asked turning his body towards her.
"Pfft. Docs here are all quacks. Don't trust any of them."
"...stubborn..." he commented. Putting his bowl in the sink, he turned on the faucet. Putting the dish down, he began to wipe it with the water.
"Hah. Straight from the horses mouth from what you have," Chiara mocked then crossed her arms over her chest. "You've seen a white coat for YOUR injures?"
"...no...I do not have...money," Speed said plainly and turned off the faucet. Shaking his hands to get rid of water on his hands, he grabbed a towel to dry them.
"That's a good reason. Not many people can in the cities...unless you are from villages," the stoat stated.
Reaching in her jacket, she got another smoke out. Putting it in her mouth, she looked at him. Without even asking, he went to the small counter were the matchbook he had was. Grabbing it and tossing it to her, she caught it. Breaking a stick off and pinching it between the coarse strip and flap, she pulled on it. Getting a flame, she lit the smoke. Puffing a little, she whipped her hand to make the fire stick go out.
"..." the woman commented watching the adult hedgehog. Seeing him going to the overhead cabinet above the stove, he began opening them. Seeing him grabbing a couple of things, he retrieved a wide mouth cup. Placing them on the counter, he began putting things into the dishware.
"What are you doin'?"
"...making...anesthetic..." Speed answered and found something to use as a pestle.
"Uh what?"
"...pain killer..."
"Where d'ja learn that?" Chiara questioned curious. She got closer to him to see what he was making.
"...from a village doctor..." he said while pounding the ingredients. It started off as soft hits then increasing became rapid like machine gun fire.
"How friendly he must have been? Did he tend to your other wounds as well?"
"...no...he didn't..."
"Oh? You beat him up to get the recipe?" the stoat responded from seeing a paste being made quickly.
"...I killed him..." the amputee responded then stopped pounding in the cup.
"..." Chiara reacted with a blink. Taking a drag, she exhaled and saw him turn toward the sink. His expression was focused though remained calm and collected.
"Should I ask?"
"...if you are curious..."
"I am...is that going to cost me something?" she wondered staring him down.
"...it shouldn't..." he answered stoically and looking back at her.
"Alright, I'll bite. Why kill him?"
"...he was...sending injured villagers...to the machines...received supplies in turn to...increase business."
"Freaking sicko," the woman commented a little quieter. Taking another hit and exhaling, she moved back a little. Leaning against the same wall the sink was on, she put a hand on her while the other held onto the cig.
"Was it a human that was doing that?"
"...no..." Speed clarified. Finished with his mixing in the bowel, he turned toward her. Walking to where she was, she stiffened a little. Despite smelling a spiced leafy mixture, his stoic face held no remorse or guilt.
"...it was a...fox breed..."
"..." Chiara replied with a blink. Frowning a little bit and wanting to change the atmosphere a little, she motioned with her head of what was in his hands.
"That for my eye?"
"...it is...if you want," he answered. Reaching with one hand and putting two fingers in it, she had a cringe face.
"Despite you mashing the stuff into paste...it feels gritty and grimy."
"...do not need much...just a thin layer..." the hedgehog instructed and continued staring.
"Alright," she responded. Going to her right eye and applying it, she put the mixture on the length of the wound. Once done, she massaged it on her closed eye lid.
"Not in the eyeball right?"
"...correct..."
"...whoa..." the female expressed. Her left eyebrow rose and had a mild look of wonder.
"It's working freaking fast...holy shit."
"...that it does..." the amputee replied. Turning around and heading back to the sink, he put the bowl in it. Hearing footsteps, he turned his eyes only and stared at the stoat walking up next to him.
"I can actually move my eye a little bit without pain...you should be a quack."
"...doc fee...for a night's stay."
"Hah! I wasn't going to charge you anything," she stated with a confident smirk and slapped his back. "I kinda feel closer to my old self now before the attack."
"...that's good..."
"Tell ya what," Chiara said and moved her face closer to his. His amber iris color was more appealing to look at than the black-red robotic one. Even getting close to him, he did not move or appear to be breathing. Only his right eye blinked while the other remained open and stared at her.
"I might have a job for you and ya sidekick. Interested?"
"...I'm listening..." Speed said calmly. The stoat kept the smirk and stared back. Without breaking away from looking at him, she turned her head side to side slowly.
"Uh, uh, uh...this one's risky business. Ya know...out in the wild type. Either a yes or no for the job."
"...many took advantage...from giving too much...information?"
"See, this is why you're my type," she commented and put her left arm over his right shoulder. "You're quick and smart."
"..." the amputee said with a blink. Pausing for a couple of seconds, he gave a small nod.
"...very well..."
"Alrighty. We have a deal. But before we go any further, we gotta get one thing straight," she emphasized and moved her arm to put a hand on top of his right shoulder. She made sure not to grab the body stump of the missing arm.
"Unless you got a different name, I'm gonna use cloakman to annoy you."
"..." the adult hedgehog replied with a soft sigh through his nose. He motioned his head towards the Otterman.
"...the boy gave name...calls me Speed..."
"Hmm, that does sound more fitting than creeper stranger," the woman commented with a smirk.
"...overjoyed by your...approval," he remarked with a blink and gave a dull expression to her.
"Heh. I can tell you are most certainly AREN'T," Chiara remarked with an amused snort. Letting go of him, she walked to the door. Reaching it and grabbing a handle, she looked back at him.
"Both of ya can use this room to snooze. Just make sure no one else comes in to steal stuff. I'll come in the mornin' to check in and give you the scoop of the job. Can you do that Speedy?"
"...don't you have...a place to run...Miss Manager?" he responded back with one eye narrowing with a frown. Seeing her give a mocking smirk, she left the room.
When the door closed and her footsteps faded away, Speed let out air he was holding. Feeling very tired, he washed out the medicine cup that was in the sink. Looking over at the person sleeping on the furniture, he walked over there. Seeing Sonic still sound asleep, he looked to be mildly cold. Looking around for something to put over the boy, there were no blankets.
Searching the large room over, the only thing he could find were spare towels. Getting one that was large enough, he put that over the child. Looking around for a vantage point, the placement of the Otterman was the best. Sitting on the floor to the left side of the couch when facing it, the ground was not too stiff. Leaning back against the furniture, he brought his knees up toward his chest.
"..." the amputee sighed through his nose from exhaustion.
Lethargically blinking his right eye, the eyelid felt very heavy. Feeling his head bob a couple of times, he decided to succumb to sleep. Resting his head back on the arm rest, his body relaxed as he drifted to sleep. The only thing in the room that appeared to be actively on was the crimson ring eye. It slowly began to pan itself around the room as if sweeping it.
In his sleeping quarters upon the robotic factory base, Robotnik was in his bed. With a tablet computer in his hands, he had continued researching. Not able to pull things from the archive on the smaller device, he searched for scientists. Generating the list of who was here during the Great Mobius War, he applied a filter to how many left the planet after the race battles ended. Seeing a great reduction, there were still some remaining that held similar sentiments upon the anthropomorphic beings.
'How many of these brethren are still alive?' he wondered as he continued. The search produced a smaller numbering pool.
'He is still alive...that is surprising,' Ivo thought raising his eyebrows a little. 'Thought he was killed from getting mauled by tiger breeds.'
'Where does he live?' the doctor continued and toggled the satellite map. Waiting a minute or two for it to generate, it showed a detailing of the globe. Seeing a processing signal, the image of Mobius began to rotate. Magnifying to a continent, the image continued to get closer and closer to a point.
'Stratpolis...that is going over this landmass and the Trident Sea.'
'That isn't too far from here,' Robotnik said in his head. Turning off the tablet and putting it to his nightstand, he laid down and stared at the ceiling. Feeling comfortable, he thought of something before turning in for the night.
'I will not send him a message...I will just...show my presence,' he began to think then gave a smirk. 'He hates surprises with a passion.'
During the night, the apartment complex did not stir too much activity. People were entering and leaving at their leisure. Some stayed in hallways to loiter while others thought about causing mischief. Unlike others establishments that had security, this one did not have it. The tenure people that have been in the Vocifery Apartments know when they needed to turn in or leave. Ones that weren't or as knowledgeable, they either learned the hard way or got lucky to not have an encounter.
A trio of young thugs, known to the locals to cause unwanted trouble, entered the establishment from the street. Walking down the middle of the hallway as if they owned the place, they stared down at anyone that was hanging out in the hallway. For individuals by themselves, they turned around and entered their room. A series of locks were heard afterwards. For those that were in groups more than three, they held their ground and stared back at the hoodlums. Only leering at each other as the youngsters walked by, no fight or confrontation broke out.
"What do we got going on here boss?" one of the three racoon males asked.
"Other than finding what's good to get here, I say a little ransacking is in order boys," the lead answered with a shark smile.
"Sounds good boss," the other began to say then held his stomach. "But, we can't do that on empty...ya know?"
"You're right," the lead thug agreed looking back and nodding. Turning to look down the hallway, he spotted a door and pointed.
"The kitchen of this joint is in there. We'll go in and have some chow. All you can eat and on the house."
"Just have to watch out for the manager here boss...she is tough as nails from what I've heard," the first ruffian warned as the three approached the room.
"I ain't scared of no woman. Man up."
"She is a stoat breed boss," the hungry racoon added. The leader stopped in front of the door then turned around. He punched both in the shoulder.
"Quit your pussy yapping. I don't care who the hell she is. Ain't nobody gonna reck us," he stated with cockiness.
Turning around and opening the door, the three entered the semi-dark room. Seeing the kitchen to their left and smelling the remaining scent of something being cooked, one of the racoons froze. Seeing his comrades moved, he grabbed one of their arms. Causing the man to stop and look, he froze as well staring at the same direction. Doing the same thing to the last one, the two heard their commander sigh irately.
"I thought I told you guys to stop being..." he began then turned. Staring at the direction they were, he stopped himself and stared. Boring back at them was a crimson ring for an eye. Seeing it belonging to a dark silhouette outline next to a couch, it seemed to be breathing from seeing it move up and down a little.
"...what the hell is that?" one whispered not moving.
"Is it one of those primal beasts?" another asked quietly while remaining still.
"Probably just a dummy security camera," the lead said confidently not using a lowered voice. Moving toward the refrigerator, he was stopped by the same hand that grabbed.
"...boss...it moved...the eye moved."
"Get your hands off me you damn wimp," the racoon stated and smacked his hand away. "Since you both are still being pussies, I destroy it to prove who's in charge."
"..." his thug members responded. Watching the hoodlum approach the figure, the crimson ring followed initially. About half the distance, he stopped.
"Hey...this is a hedgehog with a robot eye," the boss remarked then frowned. "There is a kid on the couch as well. Both are just sleeping you damn fools."
"Seems a bit odd for the eye to be open and awake while the guy is sleeping," one of the ruffians whispered at the side of his mouth.
"Yeah...I don't think we should be here," the other agreed.
Both saw the third racoon perk his ears up then turned around. His face was irritated. Not saying anything to them, he began looking around the room. Going to one of the stools that was near the sink, the two thugs saw something in their peripheral vision. Turning back to the crimson ring eye, there was a red hazy light outlining the eye socket. All the sudden, the glow converged to the cybernetic iris.
"...!?" the two reacted with stepping back. As if a shock/pulse charge was set off from the eye, the dark silhouette rattled for a second or two. Hearing a heavy exhale, their boss had picked up the metal furniture.
"Am I the only one who isn't a coward to kill some freak?" he remarked.
Turning around and heading toward where the hedgehog was, he lifted the chair above his head. When getting closer, the amputee's head moved and looked at him. Seeing the other eye open, it looked at him with a small pupil. Not caring, he swung the chair down hard. Impacting the ground instead of a body, the furniture piece clanged hard in the room.
"...!?" Sonic woke up with a start from the sudden loud noise. Darting his eyes around, he froze from seeing how was at the other end of the couch. Seeing a rather crooked looking racoon staring back at him, the man gave a shark smile.
"You stay where you are squirt...and you won't get hurt...you hear me?" he threatened.
"..." the boy replied blinking. Seeing two others standing closer to the room's door, he saw Speed standing behind him.
Without a warning, the adult hedgehog did a heavy hooking punch into the hoodlum's left rips. Hearing the anthropomorphic being gasp in pain from the surprise attack, the one arm man did another wind up. Clobbering the left side of the racoon's head with another fist, the furry man went to the ground on his right side. Reaching down and grabbing the fur on top of the man's scalp, he yanked up. Cringing audibly in pain, the boss scrambled to his feet while grabbing the clinched hand on his noggin's crown.
"..." Speed grunted with agitation.
Walking and pulling the man along, he glared at the other two standing near the door. Both slowly backed up and exited the room while watching him. Reaching the door frame, the amputee shoved the lead in front of him. Doing a forceful front kick to the man's chest, he fell backwards into the hallway. Tumbling and falling to the floor, his underlines went to his side and grabbed his arms.
"Come on boss, let's skip this place," one said trying to help him up.
"We'll come back when things die down," the other agreed getting their lead to his feet. Both felt him shove them away as he breathed harder. Looking at him, he looked to be in pain and angry.
"Nobody...and I mean nobody pushes me around...and gets away with it," the thug stated leering at the amputee. Seeing the hedgehog in the brighter hallway light, they noticed more his deformities of missing limbs. Instead of making him look weaker, it did the opposite effect. Shaking his head and reaching into his inner jacket pocket, he pulled out a switchblade.
"You guys gonna get on this! Or do I have to start looking for new partners?" the boss demanded getting into an offensive stance. The other two reluctantly got their weapons out and started moving in position beside their leader.
The three racoons saw the smaller hedgehog come out of the room and stand a little behind and beside the one arm man. Seeing him kneel and lean his head toward the child while keeping his eyes forward, they were whispering. Once they finished, both of them stood up straight. Facing them with a disinterested look on their faces, the blue boy moved to Speed's left side. Reaching for his left hand, the child grasped it with both hands and stared sternly at the raccons.
"If you want to stay breathing kid, now is your chance to run," the lead hoodlum stated licking the blood that was down his chin.
"...you three have...have a bigger fish...to deal with," Speed spoke with a neutral voice.
"That's where you are wrong sucker," the boss countered and pointed his blade at the amputee. "I'm going to cut you up so you can be dummy bag I can punch with. If you fight back, my boys will cut your kid open."
"Who the freaking hell," a woman announced directly behind the trio. Without enough time to turn around, a swift right leg went in between the lead racoon's legs. Making contact with his groin hard, the man stiffened up quickly.
"Invited you three shits!?" Chiara asked in anger as the racoon thug fell to the ground.
"Gaaaaaaaahhhnnnnn!" he groaned loudly while holding his privates in pain.
"...!?" the other two hoodlums reacted with surprise and turned around. Recognizing the female stoat, both took a cautious step back and regripped their knives.
"I thought I freaking told you dumbass," she stated and kicked the thug in the ribs hard. "You show your face in my joint, I'm rippin' ya a new one."
"Ahaaa!" he gasped in agony. "GET'EM YOU RETARDS!"
"Shut up!" the stoat barked and stomped on his hand that held the blade.
"Come on man, let's just-!?" one of the thugs began to say.
Turning to get away from the female furry, he saw movement back at the open door. The adult hedgehog finished doing a 360 then threw something hard. Blinking, something of a blue ball flew straight at his head rapidly. Unable to dodge it, two boots dropped kicked his face hard. Falling backwards and whacking his head on the wall, he slumped to the floor knocked out.
"..." Sonic spoke doing a single back flip after attacking. Landing on his feet, he got into a defensive stance staring the downed thug. It took onlookers by surprise.
"Shit!" the remaining ruffain expressed. Turning to bolt away, he froze from being nose to nose with the amputee.
"..." Speed remarked with staring the racoon down.
Seeing the man do a quick slash at him, he reacted faster by grabbing his right wrist. Stopping the momentum of the attack, the one arm man continued to stare the thug down. The other man clenched his teeth and reached from something on his belt with his left hand. Grabbing hold of something, his face immediately shot to the left. With eyes widen from surprise, he felt punched in the face.
'...wha...what the hell was-!?' the racoon thought.
Startled from feeling that his right wrist had never been let go, he was punched in the face again. Getting off balance and dropping his weapon, he felt getting jerked toward where the amputee was. In stupidly fast sessions, he was punched and jerked back two more times. Feeling his wrist get released after one more slug to the face, he fell to the ground. Haggardly breathing, he was bleeding from his mouth and nose. His right eye became tender as well as his right cheek.
"..." the one arm hedgehog said blinking at the fallen hoodlum.
"Damnit bitch! Get off me! I swear I'll kill you!" the gang leader. Cringing loudly in pain from getting his short hair pulled, the one eye patch stoat got into his face.
"Save your tantrum for ya momma dickhead," she countered and threw a right cross to his face. Hitting the floor again, he breathed heavily and in pain. Struggling to move his head, he looked up. Seeing the woman that was beating him, his immense anger was shortchanged suddenly by a figure. The amputee walked into his view and stared threateningly at him. Spitting at the floor, he struggled to lash out.
"What the hell you looking at you freak!?"
"...rrrrr..." Chiara reacted with an irritated groan. Reaching into her hoodie jacket pocket, she got a smoke out. Having her lighter this time, she lit it up. Taking a hit and bending down, she blew smoke in the theif's face.
"Just a wild baby in an adult's body," she commented. Standing up, she glanced over at the one arm hedgehog.
"Speed?"
"..." he responded with glancing at her.
"Ya mind throwing out these pieces of trash?"
"..." the man answered with just a stoic stare.
His image vibrated quickly then vanished. Within a few seconds, the three thugs were swiftly removed. It looked like a blurry dark grey figure was flying while carrying the men out. Seeing his image vibrate again in the same position he was standing, he was looking at the apartment manager in the same way. Chiara felt swift winds going through the hallway. She could tell which direction he went based on where the smoke was flowing towards from her cigarette.