At The End Of The Tunnel
folder
+S through Z › Sonic
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
4,177
Reviews:
21
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
+S through Z › Sonic
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
4,177
Reviews:
21
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Sonic The Hedgehog game series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Reunion
~~~
At The End Of The Tunnel
Co-Written By Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651
~~~
Harley: So, Ant, you want sex? Sorry, this fanfic isn’t about sex. Not entirely, anyway. We’re glad you like the fic though. And you’ll get some good, solid sex chapters later. We know this, because we’ve already RPed them.
Froggy: If you read it, review it! Otherwise, how are we supposed to be able to tell that you like it?!
~~~
Chapter Twelve: Reunion
He was a failure. A criminal. A traitor. A fugitive. Things had gone too far, and now there was no way back. Everyone would know what he had done. He might not have been the murderer of the king, but he was the murderer’s accomplice. He helped the murderer reach her target, and then he helped her escape. Where could he go now? What could he do? He couldn’t help Robotnik, that was certain. He would never help the monster that murdered his family and betrayed his kingdom. But now he couldn’t go back to Knothole either.
James sat on the couch in Breech’s apartment, his head buried in his hands. Robotnik was finally dead, but he couldn’t celebrate. He wondered what Sally would think of him after what he had done, and then the tears came again. Tears spilled out his eyes and down his furry cheeks as he cried without making a sound. His body shook with silent sobs, his tears washing away Max’s blood from his paws.
The grieving guardsman heard the shower water cut off, his bounty hunter partner done washing the blood off her paws. He somehow doubted that she had cried over it. Her reaction was quite the opposite of his; there was a bounce to her step that he hadn’t seen before, like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Breech entered the room, her fur freshly washed, her emerald-green eyes shining. She wasn’t hurt or bleeding like last time. Her demons hadn’t haunted her this time. The feline paused when she noticed James in his miserable state.
“James?” she asked.
James looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. “Yes?”
“You… you know… you saved my life…”
James slowly nodded. Yes, he did save her life. It was the one choice that he did not regret.
“Yeah. I couldn’t let you die. Not like that.”
Breech sat down next to him in her dressing gown, “I… I’m grateful… but please, stop crying… or at least tell me why you are.”
“Why am I crying? A number of reasons. I have failed in the duty I have trained my whole life for. I have lost the closest person I have ever had to a father. And… the most scary reason… I think you were justified in what you did.”
James meant what he said. He did think her actions were justified. What Max had done was terribly wrong, no matter that it was for the greater good. Breech was right to want revenge. What happened to Max was wrong, but the cynical, bitter side of James thought of it as karma.
“I… um…” Breech mumbled, looking uncomfortable. She settled on, “You didn’t know your parents?”
James sat up and nodded, momentarily focusing on something other than his treachery.
“They died when I was just a cub. The Guard raised me. They often take in young orphans or children that parents don't want and raise them as their own. It makes training easier,” he explained.
“I didn't know my mom or dad either," Breech muttered, "But they didn't die... they just threw me and my siblings into a river. In a sack. So I guess I know a bit how you feel...”
James looked her in the eye, understanding dawning in his mind. Such a rough beginning to life helped to explain how Breech got to where she was. Abandoned as a child and left for dead…
“They just threw you away… Did any of your siblings survive?”
“No... I just remember all of us, splashing about in the dark, and I only kept going because I knew there had to be something better than the dark and the cold and the wet... It’s why I never learnt to swim…” she said, her voice trailing off, “Anyway, someone found me... and I was sent to the Guild of Mercenaries. They like influential young minds.”
The infamous Guild of Mercenaries. The school for the greatest spies, bounty hunters, and assassins on the planet. The Royal Guard had received plenty of trouble from it and its students throughout its existence. The fact that Breech studied in the Guild made her lot in life make even more sense to the fox. Strangely enough, their lives seemed to parallel each other…just on different sides of the law. James couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Interesting how we started out so similar. The only real difference is who adopted us,” he said.
“Yeah, I… I guess so,” Breech replied.
She blushed underneath her fur, and James noticed. It was the first time he could recall her being embarrassed by anything, even though he wasn’t certain what she was embarrassed about. Breech placed one paw on James’ shoulder nervously.
“And what I did… if it makes you feel any better… I think it was justified too.”
It was an awkward attempt at comforting him, but James appreciated it. She obviously wasn’t too experienced with that sort of thing. The guardsman looked over at her paw and then back at her face, surprised that she would show any kind of affection towards him.
“I would have done the same thing in your position,” he explained, “It doesn’t make it any easier for me… but I understand.”
Breech looked down at her feet.
“And now you can’t go back to Knothole… Your son’s back there…” she said quietly, a tinge of regret in her voice.
James closed his eyes and braced himself. He felt compelled to be honest with his mercenary partner, although he had a feeling that doing so could be risky.
“It’s not your fault. My son doesn't even know I exist. I keep trying, but I don't know how to tell him the truth. I'm not sure I have what it takes to raise him... I didn't exactly have a normal family life growing up.”
Breech’s expression changed to one of horror.
“You have free access to your son... and you let him think you're dead?!”
It was like he lit a fuse underneath the cat’s tail, but he couldn’t blame her for her reaction. James cringed and looked down, unable to look her in the eye.
“...Yes. And I hate myself for it. He lives just a few huts down from me, and I'm too afraid to talk to him. Maybe it’s better that way.”
“Are you crazy?!” Breech shouted, “I know I’d be a lousy mom, but I’d give anything to be able to see my son again! You…you…”
Breech struggled to find the right words to express herself, and James gave her all the time she needed. He couldn’t bring himself to defend against it.
“You… cheat!” she cried, “You cheat yourself out of fatherhood! How can you do that to yourself?!”
“...I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid that I'll screw him up, and he'll end up like me,” James said quietly.
The guardsman felt a wave of shame roll over him as he realized just how stupid he was being. Something in him snapped, and he thought it was his hesitation. Strange, how the words of an enemy could put everything in perspective.
“Gods, just look at me... I'm afraid of talking to my son, while you don't even have the luxury of an option. I'm disgusting... I swear to you that when I get the chance, I'll talk to him. I'll tell him who I am.”
Breech smiled slightly, her attitude changing as he promised that. Her face fell slightly.
“If you ever get the chance,” she said, “And if he turns out like you… well… that’s a good thing.”
Was that a compliment? James looked up into her face.
“Do you really mean that?”
“I… I guess I do,” she mumbled, squirming in her seat, “I just haven’t met a lot of decent men… people in my life.”
“Well… thank you, Breech. That means a lot to me.”
Breech noticeably blushed again.
“Nack comes close, closer than you’d think, but its not really… not really…”
Suddenly the intercom sprang to life, Robotnik’s voice bellowing at them, “Stone! Loader! Get in here at once!”
James eyes widened.
“He’s not dead? Damn!”
~~~
Of course Robotnik wasn’t dead. That would have been just too lucky for the Captain of the Guard. It wasn’t the first time that people had assumed too quickly that the tyrant had been killed, and from the look of things, it wouldn’t be the last. Dr. Robotnik struck him as being tougher to kill than a cockroach.
James and Breech had hurried to Robotnik’s command center. The fox wondered when, if ever, the damn human was going to die. It was frustrating, standing within a few feet of the man and being unable to even touch him. The doctor’s swivel chair probably had an energy shield built in, and the walls of the war room probably had automated turret guns that could rip a tank in half hidden within. At the push of a button, James wouldn’t have a chance to blink before being cut down.
The two mercenary partners went before the obese genius and told him of the success of their mission. James felt he did okay in hiding what he really felt, and managed to fake genuine satisfaction of a job well done. Breech didn’t have anything to hide; she really was satisfied.
5obotnik rubbed his chin thoughtfully as they gave him a full report, his optical sensors not revealing his feelings on the matter. As they finished, though, a big, ugly grin split the human’s face. He closed his eyes and shivered, blubber bouncing and rolling, disgusting both partners.
“Ooooh, this just warms my metallic heart… The morale of those annoying furballs will be devastated. Their leader is slain, traitors are in their midst, and they have nowhere to hide. Even that blue rodent will feel the pressure squeezing around him!” Robotnik leered gleefully. His mechanical eyes opened, their red glare focused on them. “You have proven your loyalty, Stone, as well as your dependability. As usual, your payment has been deposited in yours and Loader’s accounts, plus a little extra for a job well done.”
James wondered what anyone was supposed to do with money during those times, or even how he was supposed to access it, but decided not to ask. Breech could answer that later, anyway. He stayed silent as the human continued.
“Since you two did so well, I think you are the perfect choice for this next assignment. As you may or may not be aware of, I have acquired the services of a religious cult by appealing to their faith. They have served me well, but I cannot rely on them to be loyal. I want you to take the railway to the Great Desert and to infiltrate their encampment. Uncover whatever they are hiding from me.”
Oh, the irony of it all. James had stumbled into the enemy’s service, but had received the same damn mission. He wasn’t sure he appreciated the universe’s sense of humour.
“While I’m sure you two could handle this on your own, I have decided to have another agent of mine to accompany you. I imagine that you are already acquainted with him, Stone.”
Suddenly, a figure that had been hidden in the shadows revealed himself. James felt a lump form in his throat, and a shiver ran down his spine. Of course he knew the blond-furred, blue-eyed fox that stepped forward. He never forgot a fellow guardsman.
The fox no longer wore his armour or sword, having traded them for a brown uniform and a camouflage sniper cloak, a holster with a .45 handgun, and a sniper rifle slung over his back, but it was undoubtedly his old friend Curtis Mortimer Farlis, cocky swagger and all.
~~~
Harley: End of Chapter Twelve. Get your ass over to Thirteen right now. Yay!
At The End Of The Tunnel
Co-Written By Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651
~~~
Harley: So, Ant, you want sex? Sorry, this fanfic isn’t about sex. Not entirely, anyway. We’re glad you like the fic though. And you’ll get some good, solid sex chapters later. We know this, because we’ve already RPed them.
Froggy: If you read it, review it! Otherwise, how are we supposed to be able to tell that you like it?!
~~~
Chapter Twelve: Reunion
He was a failure. A criminal. A traitor. A fugitive. Things had gone too far, and now there was no way back. Everyone would know what he had done. He might not have been the murderer of the king, but he was the murderer’s accomplice. He helped the murderer reach her target, and then he helped her escape. Where could he go now? What could he do? He couldn’t help Robotnik, that was certain. He would never help the monster that murdered his family and betrayed his kingdom. But now he couldn’t go back to Knothole either.
James sat on the couch in Breech’s apartment, his head buried in his hands. Robotnik was finally dead, but he couldn’t celebrate. He wondered what Sally would think of him after what he had done, and then the tears came again. Tears spilled out his eyes and down his furry cheeks as he cried without making a sound. His body shook with silent sobs, his tears washing away Max’s blood from his paws.
The grieving guardsman heard the shower water cut off, his bounty hunter partner done washing the blood off her paws. He somehow doubted that she had cried over it. Her reaction was quite the opposite of his; there was a bounce to her step that he hadn’t seen before, like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Breech entered the room, her fur freshly washed, her emerald-green eyes shining. She wasn’t hurt or bleeding like last time. Her demons hadn’t haunted her this time. The feline paused when she noticed James in his miserable state.
“James?” she asked.
James looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. “Yes?”
“You… you know… you saved my life…”
James slowly nodded. Yes, he did save her life. It was the one choice that he did not regret.
“Yeah. I couldn’t let you die. Not like that.”
Breech sat down next to him in her dressing gown, “I… I’m grateful… but please, stop crying… or at least tell me why you are.”
“Why am I crying? A number of reasons. I have failed in the duty I have trained my whole life for. I have lost the closest person I have ever had to a father. And… the most scary reason… I think you were justified in what you did.”
James meant what he said. He did think her actions were justified. What Max had done was terribly wrong, no matter that it was for the greater good. Breech was right to want revenge. What happened to Max was wrong, but the cynical, bitter side of James thought of it as karma.
“I… um…” Breech mumbled, looking uncomfortable. She settled on, “You didn’t know your parents?”
James sat up and nodded, momentarily focusing on something other than his treachery.
“They died when I was just a cub. The Guard raised me. They often take in young orphans or children that parents don't want and raise them as their own. It makes training easier,” he explained.
“I didn't know my mom or dad either," Breech muttered, "But they didn't die... they just threw me and my siblings into a river. In a sack. So I guess I know a bit how you feel...”
James looked her in the eye, understanding dawning in his mind. Such a rough beginning to life helped to explain how Breech got to where she was. Abandoned as a child and left for dead…
“They just threw you away… Did any of your siblings survive?”
“No... I just remember all of us, splashing about in the dark, and I only kept going because I knew there had to be something better than the dark and the cold and the wet... It’s why I never learnt to swim…” she said, her voice trailing off, “Anyway, someone found me... and I was sent to the Guild of Mercenaries. They like influential young minds.”
The infamous Guild of Mercenaries. The school for the greatest spies, bounty hunters, and assassins on the planet. The Royal Guard had received plenty of trouble from it and its students throughout its existence. The fact that Breech studied in the Guild made her lot in life make even more sense to the fox. Strangely enough, their lives seemed to parallel each other…just on different sides of the law. James couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Interesting how we started out so similar. The only real difference is who adopted us,” he said.
“Yeah, I… I guess so,” Breech replied.
She blushed underneath her fur, and James noticed. It was the first time he could recall her being embarrassed by anything, even though he wasn’t certain what she was embarrassed about. Breech placed one paw on James’ shoulder nervously.
“And what I did… if it makes you feel any better… I think it was justified too.”
It was an awkward attempt at comforting him, but James appreciated it. She obviously wasn’t too experienced with that sort of thing. The guardsman looked over at her paw and then back at her face, surprised that she would show any kind of affection towards him.
“I would have done the same thing in your position,” he explained, “It doesn’t make it any easier for me… but I understand.”
Breech looked down at her feet.
“And now you can’t go back to Knothole… Your son’s back there…” she said quietly, a tinge of regret in her voice.
James closed his eyes and braced himself. He felt compelled to be honest with his mercenary partner, although he had a feeling that doing so could be risky.
“It’s not your fault. My son doesn't even know I exist. I keep trying, but I don't know how to tell him the truth. I'm not sure I have what it takes to raise him... I didn't exactly have a normal family life growing up.”
Breech’s expression changed to one of horror.
“You have free access to your son... and you let him think you're dead?!”
It was like he lit a fuse underneath the cat’s tail, but he couldn’t blame her for her reaction. James cringed and looked down, unable to look her in the eye.
“...Yes. And I hate myself for it. He lives just a few huts down from me, and I'm too afraid to talk to him. Maybe it’s better that way.”
“Are you crazy?!” Breech shouted, “I know I’d be a lousy mom, but I’d give anything to be able to see my son again! You…you…”
Breech struggled to find the right words to express herself, and James gave her all the time she needed. He couldn’t bring himself to defend against it.
“You… cheat!” she cried, “You cheat yourself out of fatherhood! How can you do that to yourself?!”
“...I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid that I'll screw him up, and he'll end up like me,” James said quietly.
The guardsman felt a wave of shame roll over him as he realized just how stupid he was being. Something in him snapped, and he thought it was his hesitation. Strange, how the words of an enemy could put everything in perspective.
“Gods, just look at me... I'm afraid of talking to my son, while you don't even have the luxury of an option. I'm disgusting... I swear to you that when I get the chance, I'll talk to him. I'll tell him who I am.”
Breech smiled slightly, her attitude changing as he promised that. Her face fell slightly.
“If you ever get the chance,” she said, “And if he turns out like you… well… that’s a good thing.”
Was that a compliment? James looked up into her face.
“Do you really mean that?”
“I… I guess I do,” she mumbled, squirming in her seat, “I just haven’t met a lot of decent men… people in my life.”
“Well… thank you, Breech. That means a lot to me.”
Breech noticeably blushed again.
“Nack comes close, closer than you’d think, but its not really… not really…”
Suddenly the intercom sprang to life, Robotnik’s voice bellowing at them, “Stone! Loader! Get in here at once!”
James eyes widened.
“He’s not dead? Damn!”
~~~
Of course Robotnik wasn’t dead. That would have been just too lucky for the Captain of the Guard. It wasn’t the first time that people had assumed too quickly that the tyrant had been killed, and from the look of things, it wouldn’t be the last. Dr. Robotnik struck him as being tougher to kill than a cockroach.
James and Breech had hurried to Robotnik’s command center. The fox wondered when, if ever, the damn human was going to die. It was frustrating, standing within a few feet of the man and being unable to even touch him. The doctor’s swivel chair probably had an energy shield built in, and the walls of the war room probably had automated turret guns that could rip a tank in half hidden within. At the push of a button, James wouldn’t have a chance to blink before being cut down.
The two mercenary partners went before the obese genius and told him of the success of their mission. James felt he did okay in hiding what he really felt, and managed to fake genuine satisfaction of a job well done. Breech didn’t have anything to hide; she really was satisfied.
5obotnik rubbed his chin thoughtfully as they gave him a full report, his optical sensors not revealing his feelings on the matter. As they finished, though, a big, ugly grin split the human’s face. He closed his eyes and shivered, blubber bouncing and rolling, disgusting both partners.
“Ooooh, this just warms my metallic heart… The morale of those annoying furballs will be devastated. Their leader is slain, traitors are in their midst, and they have nowhere to hide. Even that blue rodent will feel the pressure squeezing around him!” Robotnik leered gleefully. His mechanical eyes opened, their red glare focused on them. “You have proven your loyalty, Stone, as well as your dependability. As usual, your payment has been deposited in yours and Loader’s accounts, plus a little extra for a job well done.”
James wondered what anyone was supposed to do with money during those times, or even how he was supposed to access it, but decided not to ask. Breech could answer that later, anyway. He stayed silent as the human continued.
“Since you two did so well, I think you are the perfect choice for this next assignment. As you may or may not be aware of, I have acquired the services of a religious cult by appealing to their faith. They have served me well, but I cannot rely on them to be loyal. I want you to take the railway to the Great Desert and to infiltrate their encampment. Uncover whatever they are hiding from me.”
Oh, the irony of it all. James had stumbled into the enemy’s service, but had received the same damn mission. He wasn’t sure he appreciated the universe’s sense of humour.
“While I’m sure you two could handle this on your own, I have decided to have another agent of mine to accompany you. I imagine that you are already acquainted with him, Stone.”
Suddenly, a figure that had been hidden in the shadows revealed himself. James felt a lump form in his throat, and a shiver ran down his spine. Of course he knew the blond-furred, blue-eyed fox that stepped forward. He never forgot a fellow guardsman.
The fox no longer wore his armour or sword, having traded them for a brown uniform and a camouflage sniper cloak, a holster with a .45 handgun, and a sniper rifle slung over his back, but it was undoubtedly his old friend Curtis Mortimer Farlis, cocky swagger and all.
~~~
Harley: End of Chapter Twelve. Get your ass over to Thirteen right now. Yay!