The Search
Chapter 1
(Story takes after STC: A Whole New World and The Pretender fan fiction)
Across the world of Mobius; through forests, towns and cities, the mysterious droids were scattered. There was no point from hiding from them; they knew where you were. Popping out from the shadows, their victims were faced with a difficult challenge. To be summoned to serve to an unknown ruler, or to be abolished. Either intrigued with curiosity or filled with promise of rewards, they shook hands with the shadows. Others however did not go by choice; but through force or sheer fear they obeyed, as they were taken away into the unknown…
But their disappearance wasn't recognised; no police call or newspaper recorded their missing. Only a few loved ones called for help; but to no avail.
Some weeks later in the Metropolis zone, in a busy café, the phone was ringing in the main office. The office table was covered with receipts, bills and all sorts of paperwork, scattered across the untidy environment. Some of them were old collected newspapers of the week; only a few of them had small pictures of missing animal folk. They were simply ignored.
The black feline, stretched out her arms from the aching of office work and pulled her office chair toward the phone. She put on her professional voice; to hide away the fatigue and exhaustion.
"Hello Groovy train; Ebony speaking." She spoke out loud, trying to hide a yawn with her free hand.
However, her kind smile upon her, suddenly disappeared as she listened to the other end. As she finished her conversation, she placed the phone back down quietly. Silence filled the room, till she stood up and headed toward the office door. As she peered through the gap, she saw the busy customers being served by the waiters. Amongst them, Super Sonic was politely thanking his customers as they finished their coffees. As she watched the hedgehog carefully placing the empty cups and plates on the large black tray, she followed him through the busy cafe.
He then turned toward her as he placed the work load, into the kitchen sink. She looked at his pleasant smile, but turned into worry as he felt something was wrong. She gave a quick head gesture, nodding toward the office. Super nodded and headed back with her.
As she went inside, the hedgehog closed the door.
"Do I need to get Pyjamas?" Super asked, still looking worried.
"I'll tell her when I see her. I just got off from the phone with an old pal of mine. It's the homeless canteen; It's been burnt to the ground".
The shock on the hedgehog's face was sudden. Ebony understood the importance of the place; it was after all Super's first haven inside the neighbourhood and guided him to her location at the Groovy Train.
"What do you mean? How" The hedgehog asked fully alarmed.
Ebony could see the worry on his face. After so long and much training, she was able to determine his feelings through his spiral eyes. His jagged teeth were strained, his hand turned into a fist. The cat simply sighed toward him.
"I don't know. But none of the workers have showed up; no contact whatsoever. You don't think one of the volunteers did this?"
However, her question, was answered with a bold statement as Super looked straight at her.
"No! They've gone straight; they wouldn't do this. I mean, why burn down the place that provides them with food and shelter?"
"Maybe someone with a bad agenda?" Ebony questioned, folding her arms with worry.
"Or maybe someone who doesn't take kindly to ex-villains? Should we check it out?" Super asked.
"Tonight. The incident has caused a lot of attention; especially in this small neighbourhood." She spoke out, sitting back down at her office chair.
Super Sonic sighed, looking defeated.
"Which will include the police and maybe the freedom fighters. Fair enough. Well, whenever you're ready, we'll go and check it out." The hedgehog responded and left the feline to her work.
But as the hours passed and talking to Pyjamas later on, the urge was simply too much; they had to go and have a look. As the customers dwindled down, Pyjamas was left to the post as Super Sonic and Ebony, left the café.
"Can you not do something about this beard?" The hedgehog urged as he constantly scratched the large grey hair across his hidden disguise.
Giving him the walking stick and zipping up her coat, she replied;
"Well, what do you expect when you don't look after it. I'm your boss; not your mother." She joked.
With a huff, Super took the stick as they walked out into the neighbourhood….
By the time they reached the other side of the neighbourhood, it was becoming quiet. Shops were starting to close down their shutters, workers saying their goodbyes to their colleagues. A few gestured towards the both of them as they walked down. Ebony gave small talk, while Super Sonic kept quiet. He used the "Old manners" and told off Ebony for taking their precious time. Apologising, Ebony set back off down the road.
"I know you're worried but I am collecting info from them."
"What have they told you?" The hedgehog asked as he continued to scratch the beard.
"The manager I just spoke to heard the fire engines early this morning. Nobody was reported hurt." The feline spoke as they continued to walk.
The madness of the event had cooled down and the police had sealed off the area with police tape. Checking their surroundings, they both carefully snuck under the police tape and entered the remains of the homeless canteen and kitchen.
Relieved Super removed his disguise to get a better look. It was difficult to see as the electrics had been snuffed out, leaving everything in darkness. Ebony clicked her fingers to create a small flame; to get a better look. They both nodded and took different sides of the kitchen. The units were coded with black tar and ash. The food had been decimated and the glass smashed onto the floor. The only sound emitting, were the fragile cracks of glass below Super's sneakers.
"Careful round here; glass everywhere." The hedgehog gave a loud whisper.
The feline looked down and carefully took her step. As she continued to look around her surroundings, she saw the ovens had been completely destroyed. She pepped her head through the door of the ovens; nothing.
"Could this have been accident? Someone leaving the gas on?" The feline questioned, looking around still.
Her friend shook his head in denial.
"Captain Claw made sure this whole place was spick and spam; he wouldn't have forgotten something small like that. Plus, he had other workers to help him; remember the BARF members?"
"Yeah…I think you've mentioned them before." Ebony replied slowly as she continued looking.
"So really nothing is out of the ordinarily; except all this." He replied waving his arm across the mess.
As they searched on, both of them were silent. What caused so much damage and not leave any evidence? And where was Captain Claw in all this? Why hadn't any of the volunteers come to the scene yet? Suddenly Super spotted something shiny of the floor. He waved his hand around to gain Ebony's attention. She moved her flame in his direction, to get him a better look.
It was a small piece of metal; scorned and black. Of course there was plenty of metal around the floor, but this particular fragment looked odd. As the hedgehog picked it up, he took a closer look. Then Ebony watched as he shook his head in disgust.
"What is it?"
The hedgehog passed it to her.
"Look familiar?"
Ebony waved her flame across the shiny surface. It felt cold to touch and tough as nails. But it was immaculate and smooth. Defiantly not you would find in a kitchen.
"Looks like our old buddies have been busy here." Super replied coldly.
It took Ebony a moment to understand what he meant. But then in a flash, she remembered everything. The droids that tried to recruit Metamorphia, adducted Super Sonic by mistake and nearly taking them all down within the warehouse.
"Are you saying that those droids attacked this place? But why?"
Then Super Sonic looked directly at Ebony; his face torn with dread and worry.
"What if Metamorphia, wasn't the only recruit they wanted?"
"You think that creep is after an army or something?" Ebony asked.
"I won't be surprised. Sounds like Robotnik all over again. But this tactic of theirs…it doesn't feel like him. I mean Robotnik would simply take over; not destroy everything. So why do it?"
"Maybe to not give them much of a choice." Ebony coldly replied.
Suddenly, something behind fell down with a thud. Both of them moved instantly, turning around and ready for an attack. Then in an outburst, a figure charged right at them. Ebony moved and glowed her small flame into an intense fire.
However, from the sheer force of the fire, turned head over heels on the figure. They were screaming and yelling their hands away from the flame. But then, their vision became clearer. It wasn't hands, but two large claws; one of then holding a large spoon. Quivering away back into the dark, Ebony calmed down the fire, back into a singular flame. Super Sonic moved forwards carefully, to suddenly feel relieved.
"Captain Claw!"
The large crab was a mess. Dirt was smudged onto his orange shell, his captain's hat battered and ripped. Super had never seen him so terrified. When he finally had the courage to come out of his shell, the crab outburst and gave the surprised hedgehog with a hug; sobbing his eyes out.
"Oh Boy! It's so good to see a good face! You have no idea how horrible this has all been!" he wailed as he hugged tightly.
"Hey! Get off me!" Super cried, still shocked that the nasty tyrant of a chef, was lowered to a cowering, shaken up sea creature.
As the hedgehog finally broke free, the feline retrieved his fallen hat, as she tried to calm him.
"Mr Claw, are you hurt?"
But then the claw became lowered down, demanding them to be silent as he hushed them. He crept inside a fallen kitchen cupboard, trying desperately to merge with the burnt objects surrounding them. Super and Ebony both looked at each other and nodded. Clearly, they weren't going to get much out of him in this state.
With a lot of protesting, cursing and occasional thrashing of his claw, Super and Ebony reluctantly took Captain Claw, back to the Groovy Train….
However as one search had just started, another one was already starting its journey…
Through one of the many new dimensional portals on the planet Mobius, one lay the desert planet of Shanazar. As the desert planet merged into Mobius, some parts became separated and thus, stayed connected only through the portals. This story takes place in one of those gateways…
The endless sands covered the whole horizon; not one drop of water in sight. Isolated for miles around, until a rumbling sound could be heard through the dune. It became louder by the second and then whoosh! A small ship sailed through the endless emptiness; with only a small wind to hit the yellow tides.
However, it wasn't you usual ship. The deck was covered with colourful scarves and trinkets. The guns upon its vessels were either broken, or simply fake. The theatre ship was damaged and worn out. The painting had been smeared off, some wood had fallen off and only just hanging on. Decorated lights still sparkled in the glazing sun. From the ship, the awful creaking and shrieking of the radio echoed in the dunes. The last strength of the repeated theme song, crackled and bleeped; until the radio was suddenly smashed by one large hand.
"Curse that blasted song!"
Surrounding the sails, the crew dragged the large ropes down; trying their best to keep the wind in the sails for movement. Finally rid of the terrible music, a large brute shook his hand, adjusted his tattered shawl across his harsh face and reported back to the sails; holding onto as many ropes as he could. He ignored the crew's struggles as he shouted above them.
"Hold tightly you idiots! We only have enough wind to last a few minutes. Boss! How's the engine?" Shouted Gordon.
On the other side of the ship, there was another small group of them, hovering over a small opening on the base of the ship. Suddenly a burst of smoke exploded and the ship rocked to and fro; losing its balance. The brute heaved all his might to keep the sail steady. The crew scattered desperately to help each other out, as some of the ropes fled from their grasp.
From the smoke, coughing away was a smaller fatter creature, wiping away the smoke from his face with a large white handkerchief. In disgust to the mess of his clean garments; he threw his handkerchief into the sands in frustration.
"Beyond reparable! What did you expect from this heap of junk!" Rudransh shouted back.
"Well sir; this was YOUR ship to begin with!" Gordon responded as he tried to keep on eye on the ropes.
"It's a theatre ship you fool! It's job isn't to actually BE A SHIP! We only got this engine, due to selling the parts off and even this isn't working! If it weren't for that idiot's bad luck, we wouldn't be in this predicament!" Rudransh shouted in anger, waving his arms around.
Just that moment, a wooden thud hit the deck. Everyone looked forward to see the Captain of this broken ship. Tapping his wooden leg in frustration, he tutted away. The sun reflected upon his metal hook as he jumped first hand into the exposed engine. The large creature protested as he was forced to head up on deck, waiting like everyone else for the outcome.
The team of mates, ruffled and scampered onto the deck, listening to the banging and clanging of metal. But then they suddenly began to ask questions, when they could hear sounds such as chainsaws, drilling and maybe a duck thrown in?
Then a sudden flash and burst of smoke erupted; roaring the engine back to life. The Captain appeared back up to, coughing violently from the heavy smoke. Behold Captain Plunder as he cursed his way up to the dessert sun.
He crawled himself back onto the ship; wiping the smoke and black oil with his long green pirate cloak. His small winged companion, was coughing violently from the smoke as it wobbled on the pirates shoulder. Then it was caught surprised from the Captain's handkerchief as the old brute wiped his face on it. It passed through his claw by the small wind and pressed right into the parrots face. It continued to squawk and protest as it tried to get rid of the handkerchief.
"You see lads! You need to treat this here ship like a lady; give her a bit of tinkering and she will sail the distance." The Captain shouted with confidence.
"Shame you get an earlobe from them instead." Muttered his second in command.
The pirate ghost had flown down over to the scene from his searching post. The crew ignored Filch as he made his appearance open to all; no longer fearing him as a spectre of the dead. But not before Plunder caught hearing his remark through the sand winds.
"Filch. If this 'ere spell can revert you back to the living, I will shoot you again for the sheer FUN of it!" Plunder shouted.
The other members of the ship, suddenly reverted back to their duties; as not to get the same threat. As they started their journey of fame and fortune, there had been many loses to their newly formed crew. Some of the slaves from the casino, simply wanted to be back home to their families. Plunder wasn't the one to use slaves as his ship mates as he let them go. Others simply moved onto other things. Some wanted nothing to with Gordon and Rudransh; their hatred towards them had already caused splits in the wood. The curse didn't help either; as one bad luck incident, fell into another. Some left simply because Plunder's luck was simply too dangerous for them.
Even though they agreed to follow him on his quest; no one dared to challenge his title of Captain. Especially if the punishment was to deal with Simpson the cat for an hour.
Just at that moment, Simpson the cartoon cat, left the crew quarters, to bring them their food for the day. It came in a large metal bin, which was savaged from the ship. But even the natives of the dessert, were either shocked, or repulsed by what they saw. Even Captain Plunder; strong and fearsome, gave one faint smell of the cat's fine cuisine and almost felt his breakfast raising from his stomach. Peeping inside, it was nothing more then sloop; a mixture of greens and purples. One of the pirates gave a small prayer just by looking at it from afar.
"What is that abomination you got there Simpson?" Plunder shouted, waving his hook at him.
"Well Captain, we didn't have much to go on from the Casino, so decided instead of wasting what's left; thought it be great as a full broth. Nothing goes to waste!" He smiled, tapping his long chef's hat in satisfaction.
"So, you mean to say you used up all our rations for this?" Plunder shouted in anger.
Even Filch, he of course couldn't eat due to his condition of being a ghost, looked pale seeing the broth of doom.
"I'm sure I saw something move in it. Wait, where did he find that hat?" Filch noted as he saw the cartoon cat wearing a chef's hat. He checked every part of the theatre ship and couldn't find one of those anywhere.
Some of the crew gave prayers to hopefully see the after sun after eating this "poison". But then one of the members called out the Captain. Everyone looked up at the crow's nest in the middle of the ship. Even though it was mainly for theatre, it was still useful for someone to look out through the empty dessert.
"I see it Sir!" A member shouted out, pointing to the direction further forward.
Plunder snatched a telescope, only to be disappointed it was only a prop from the theatre ship. He then turned back on himself and reached out for Simpson's neck. The cat shouted his distress, when the Captain pulled him to the front, pointing his head in the direction he needed, stretching out his ears so wide, so that he was able to place his only eye through his ear. Peering through the cat's ear (as learning the cat's cartoony anatomy was a master degree in itself) Plunder used Simpson's eyes as large binoculars. He was able to see far into the distance and there; he saw their destination. A reflected light, sparkled in the distance.
"Set course!" Plunder commanded as the dazed cat squeezed back his pointed ears to their usual size.
Suddenly, Gordon yelled as the ropes he desperately hung onto, snapped. The crew shouted in protest to capture them, but they were lost in the sands. The sails sank down in defeat; the harsh sands had destroyed little of what they had left.
"Now what? The wind has turned against us and with the engine on its final breaths; how do you possibly intend to get us there Captain?" Rudransh complained.
The Captain looked at the disgusting bin of waste and had a sudden idea.
The poor cat only just got his head put back into place, when the Captain looked at him with a snarl, devilish look.
"Eh you know about chefs Simpson? They always have one golden rule" Looking humble towards his small friend.
"And what's that Captain?" Simpson asked as he turned towards him.
"Chefs are always the first to test their food!" Plunder shouted, lifting the bucket of food gulp over him.
The members watched in disgust and awe as the Captain opened the cats mouth and gouged the full bin of food down his throat. Even Rudransh and Gordon looked at little disturbed by the scene. But as the last gulp went down, Simpson stopped and finished by licking his lips. Not a single pound on his black and white belly had altered.
Some of the hooded members mentioned the word "demon" under their breaths as Plunder threw the empty bin, slamming it onto the deck. The cat stood motionless as his taste buds kicked in.
"Hmm, could do with more salt." He calmly stated.
But then everyone heard the low rumbling of Simpsons' stomach. They saw the rippling of the fur, bulging out and in. The members dashed away to hide from what fear was soon returning as the rumbling became louder. Satisfied, the Captain pulled Simpson to the back of the ship, where the sails were hanging low.
"Every man grab a sail!" Plunder commanded.
All crew members help each other, grabbed every rope and pull it down with their bodies; watching the sails being lifted back up. Rudransh and Gordon grabbed one rope next to each other.
Finally ready, Plunder rushed towards Simpson. With a ferocious shaking of the cartoon feline, just like pop in a fizzy bottle, the cat erupted his stomach with an enormous burg. The sands shook from the vibration; the sheer force caught the sails so quickly; the whole ship shook in motion and everyone aboard screamed out as they speeded through the dessert like a bullet.
The crew held on to dear life. Gordon held onto the rope with every ounce of strength he had left. Rudransh fell down to gain balance, holding onto the wooden boards.
Plunder lost his only footing and was sent flying back to the back of the ship. Clutching the wooden helm with his dear life, he ordered the men to keep Simpson stationed as he took the wheel and stayed on track towards their destination. Everyone else held onto dear life as the burb continued to linger; as well as the smell. The crew members wrapped up tightly their shawls to their faces, to hide away from the smell of death from their odd crew member.
Gordon kept his head down to avoid the sand winds, while Rudransh continued to try to see what was ahead of them; shielding his mouth with his torn white sheet. But wherever that fool of a pirate was taking them, he knew for sure it was never good news.
Keeping patient, still trying to find ways of his escape, Rudransh lowered his gaze, waiting for his opportunity to strike…if he could only tolerate the horrendous stench from Simpson.
But watching Gordon give up; looking green and pale and rushing to the side of the ship, he wondered how long could he last? The other crew members moved away quickly as the large brute gave up as he threw up over the ship.
As for the Captain, he was one step closer to his quest; to end his bad case of luck. And from the state of the ship and the crew, he was wearing thin on time. Looking down at the map, piercing the top with his hook from the shifting winds, he could see they were getting close to their first clue. But what was he expecting? He couldn't help but gulp at that moment; either from the danger lurking? Or from the terrible stench that was emitting on the ship. Even he felt ill at the gills as he reached for his hat and covered his mouth…
Back at the Groovy train, Captain Claw was still sobbing terribly as Pyjamas handed him over a tissue. He was sitting down on the office couch, rubbing his claws together nervously. He was still a nervous wreck when Super Sonic and Ebony brought him in; even protesting a few times as he felt unsafe being exposed in such a public space. But by the time they dragged his feet inside, the café was closed and shut up. It wasn't till Ebony gave a call to a phone booth to Pyjamas along the way back, the dog welcomed them inside; with a face of concern and confusion. Now it was just annoyance.
"Stop being such a sissy! You're perfectly fine; no scratches on your shell nor anything." The dog said a sharp tongue to it.
"But you don't get it! These guys; they mean business!" Captain Claw protested.
Ebony sat down at her office chair, while Super sat on top of the table.
"Believe me, we know. So, can you explain what happened?" Super asked.
Just then, the large crab blew on his tissue with a loud sound and returned the tissue back to the dog. Which of course her face looked disgusted when seeing it, as she threw it in the bin near her.
"It was just another ordinary week; opening the kitchen and all. But I noticed some of the helpers didn't arrive. Of course, without any contact numbers, I couldn't reach out to them. I mean it was there option to come and help, so thought nothing was unusual. And then one of the helpers; Fleabyte he's called. Well, he looked white as a sheet. He told me some little robot left a message for him; no idea where it came from. Asking him to be recruited and serve this new guy on the block. And if he refused…well, it left clearly on his face a fair warning. Then he scampered off and never came back. And behold; just as I finished my shift last night and closed the place, it was right there! Hovering with a few of its little friends. I had no idea whom I was talking to, but it was clear what they wanted."
"So, what did you say?" The feline asked, resting her chin in her hands as she folded her elbows on the desk.
"I told him to throw his hook somewhere else; I was done with all that silly business. Then it told me that I will regret it. And then all of a sudden, those blasted things started attacking the canteen! I tried everything to stop the flames; even managed to bash one of those robots with my metal spoon here! The whole place was gone in minutes, there was nothing I could do. Then it came back with another warning; to choose to serve or I'll be next. Well, what was I gonna do? So…I ran and hide; till you two showed up."
"But why go back to the scene?" Ebony asked.
"Because I know for damn sure what they will say; "Ex-villain burns down canteen for the homeless." So, I was hoping that maybe some parts of the robot I smashed was still there; some evidence of the attack before it all went up in flames. Those idiots in their tiny offices would think I've done it for an insurance claim! Some folk around here still don't think we're on the straight and narrow. Something like this will only arose suspicion on us. No one will believe us."
"Which of course will make it easier to recruit ex-villains; it's a win/win for them." Ebony coldly stated.
"And not just that as well. I heard from the other homeless lot; a rumour of folk are being kidnapped." The crab calmly stated.
"Ex-villains?" Super asked, folding his arms.
"Could be. With nowhere to go, they'll be easy pickings for sure." Ebony replied.
"And with no loved ones to look for them; their disappearance isn't being notified by the police. They will simply just…vanish." Pyjamas spoke quietly.
No wonder the crab was terrified. Ebony got off her chair and started to pace in front of them. The hedgehog looked at her and knew instantly what she was thinking. And he was in protest straight away.
"Whatever you are thinking, it isn't a good idea. We only just managed to get away from them last time, and the time before; they tried to kill us with a bomb!"
"But Super, we can't just simply ignore it. These folk want a better life; surely, we should help them."
"I know you want to help them, but it's not good to run straight into it; we need a plan or something." The hedgehog protested.
"But by then, it could be too late! We have to act now!" Ebony protested, waving her arms.
"And run straight into another ambush? Those ex-villains could have changed sides!" Super called out as he jumped off the office table.
"That's why we need to act NOW; before they do!" Ebony yelled back.
"Ebony! This isn't an anti-Robotnik protest with banners and shouting! This is serious!"
"I am being serious!" The feline shouted back, her tail flickering her anger behind her.
The sudden shouting caused Captain Claw to revert back into his shell. The dog coughed loudly, to change the scene before it exploded on them.
"For once Ebony, I am in agreement with Super Sonic here. It is just too dangerous to get involved with this fella again; whomever they are behind those robot screens." Pyjamas agreed.
Suddenly, they saw a tiny figure, pressing their tiny hands at the office window from the cafe. Super sighed as he opened the door and let the tiny chao Cheese through. The late night talking must have woken the little creature up as the hedgehog cradled it in his arms.
"Look it's getting late and Cheese here has got the right idea. We can think about it more tomorrow and maybe Ebony here can make a report to the police or something. Look, believe me Ebony, I want to know who the heck is pulling the strings, but they are way ahead of us. It's best just like Captain Claw said, to keep a low profile for now. I'll even give Johnny a call and see if he's heard anything from Rouge."
Ebony wasn't so sure, especially with the urgency of the situation. And after her last confrontation from Rouge the bat, she still wasn't sure she could be trusted. But with a slight annoyance, she gave a sigh and nodded in agreement. She gave a weak smile.
"Alright, but first thing tomorrow." She stated as she bent backwards, stretching out her back.
It was getting late as the three of them closed for the night.
"Hey guys, you wouldn't mind me staying here tonight? A spare bed perhaps?" The crab asked.
"You can take the sofa there." Pyjamas stated.
"I'll get the extra pillows" Ebony concluded.
Super watched the crab looking relieved and soon after, made him a cuppa to settle him down. Pyjamas had already left for home and Ebony was upstairs. Super Sonic hung up the phone, when he got the call that Pyjamas had made it home safely; just to be on the safe side. Captain Claw, rested back on the sofa, shifting his shell to and fro to get comfortable.
"Hey, you're a good one lad." Claw praised Super as he sipped on the tea, holding the tiny cup delicately in his massive claw.
The hedgehog took one of the small chairs nearby, still holding onto the sleeping chao.
"Do you think this is happening everywhere else? Across Mobius?"
"Not sure kid. But those robots were armed and dangerous; defiantly someone who's got power. But without communication outside Metropolis, there could be many other animal folk missing. Some of them got family; maybe they'll be the lucky ones who will report them missing. As for the others, well, who's to say."
"Do you think, some of them will serve?" Super asked, looking up to the crab.
Captain Claw sipped more of his tea and sighed.
"That depends on what price? And what choice do they have? I'm gonna be honest with you lad and don't tell your lady friends. But what they were offering; the whole wealth, power and revenge. There was a slight; very tiny part of me, that would have said yes. Trying to make folk believe that you're good, can drain so much out of you. That no matter what you do for them, they still won't welcome you. Sometimes I wonder, why? Why don't I just go back to being a bounty hunter? I mean; what's stopping you?" The crab ended.
Super Sonic stopped in his tracks. He quietly held tightly to the sleeping chao and got himself up. He took the empty cup from the crab and left quietly. Captain claw was nervous; did he hit a nerve? But then the hedgehog turned around and sighed.
"In truth; not much. But for the whole world; it will be the end for all. Goodnight Captain." Super spoke, as he switched off the office light and headed to bed.
It was getting late and his feline friend was already in her bed, most likely fallen asleep. He placed the sleeping chao onto his pillow and finally settled for the night. But what he said to Claw was true; as he went through everything he has dealt with recently. And the burning question in his head; would he ever betray his friends? Just…what if? He couldn't and yet, what if he was left with no choice? The overthinking was starting to whelm him up when suddenly, Cheese slumbered down off the pillow to rest beside the hedgehog's chest, snuggling up to him. Tired and frustrated, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep…
But as the hedgehog tried to slumber, one person was very much awake. Ebony simply couldn't wait; what if another person was taken this very night? Someone innocent who's trying to better themselves? As she quietly placed her green cloak around her, she tip-toed to her bedroom window and opening it slowly to make her exit. Looking back to hear nothing, she used her magic to float outside of the building.
Her clue was the homeless folk; maybe they could help on the identity of the kidnappers. Maybe they saw something that could help them search for them? Only just a little search and she'll be right back as if nothing had happened; what could go wrong?
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "The First Clue"
