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Blue. The color of beach waves, summer berries and now, the sky above. It can't possibly get any better than this, you tell yourself, and yet anything is possible. Everything down to the weather has fallen into place for today.
"The weather is pleasant today." Espio voices your thoughts after noticing your special attention to the sky.
"No kiddin'! This weather's perfect for a picnic!" Charmy cheerfully swooshes past.
Right, the picnic. It'll be your first time meeting everyone since your arrival to team Chaotix.
"It's been a while since everyone's been together like this, huh? Should I be worried?"
Vector, who's been silent so far, scoffs at your comment. "Ha! I keep forgetting you're new to our agency. Don't worry, kid, you'll be alright 'long as you stick with us!"
His rough hand pats your back roughly and Espio lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Vector, you make it sound as though we're arriving at a criminal meet-up."
"I dunno know~ Knuckles is definitely grumpy like one!" Charmy giggles.
Your attention drifts away from the conversation, redirected to the picnic table ahead. Decked out in and decorated with a gingham blanket, delicious summer snacks, fresh fruits, and cold drinks. The table may as well have been sparkling! What should you even eat first? Chili dogs? Fruit cakes? Or maybe gulp down a glass of cold water? Hehehe...
"Food…" You mumble under your breath, rubbing your belly anxiously.
Espio raises an eyebrow your way.
"Kid's right, we've arrived boys!" Vector announces.
There they're already a few mobians gathered when you approach the picnic area; Silver, Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Knuckles and E-123 to name a few. This will be your introduction to many, but not all thankfully. You recognize several faces among the crowd. You head toward the closest one.
Shadow.
Can the two of you even be classified as friends? Probably not. Guy's got a knack for ignoring you. Hmm, who knows? Maybe today will be the day things change. Or not. The hedgehog grumbles before you even arrive a few feet within distance from him.
"It's you."
"Yup, how are you enjoying the picnic?"
Shadow lazily turns his head and finally meets your eyes. "Is that a joke? I'd rather be anywhere but here."
Sheesh, tough crowd. Knew it, you should've gone up to Silver or something. Maybe the conversation can still be salvaged? Think quick! Change the topic! What's something everybody loves.
"Food." You blurt out.
Clearly confused, the hedgehog raises an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I said pretty good food they have here," Nice save. "Aren't you hungry?"
Shadow turns away again, scoffing. "Please."
Silver appears by your side, levitating mid-air. His boyish laughter immediately lightens the mood.
"Your stomach sounded pretty hungry earlier!"
The silver hedghehog leaves before anyone can reply so you're just stuck in an awkward silence with Shadow. Alone. Yep, this isn't uncomfrotable at all. A relieved exhale leaves your lips when Shadow finallly storms off. Thank goodness, you didn't want to upset him by walking away first, though you did consider it.
Now all that's left is to find someone else to talk to.
You cross your arms, scanning the area carefully. There's so many mobians here now and almost everyone looks to be in a conversation already. And where the heck is Vector anyway? Mr.stick-with-us-and-you'll-be-fine.
You refrain from rolling your eyes in public. Instead, your shoulders sink a little in defeat. Who knew there'd be so much socializing at a picnic…
"Have you aquainted yourself with any new comrades yet?"
You startle at the sudden sound. A small victorious smile appears on the chameleon's face. The ninja continues to speak calmly.
"Have no worry if you've yet to succeed in making any new acquaintances. The day is still young."
An exasperated sigh escapes you. "I know, I guess I'm just struggling a bit to start a conversation. Any advice?"
The chameleon ponders for a moment, resting his chin on his fingers until eventually, he smiles.
"I'm afraid I cannot help you in that regard, but there are several here you're better off not approaching."
Huh? Isn't everyone all friends here? Hmm, guess it makes sense. Shadow, for example, probably doesn't get along with most.
Espio takes your silence as a cue to continue. The first duo he points out are aHawk and albatross. Supposedly members from the "Babylon Rogues," they can be quite cocky. How they achieved this reputation you can only imagine. Though, it looks like you won't have to. The duo's condescending laughter fills the picnic area.
While it's faint, you can vaguely overhear their conversation.
"Who knew the invitation extended to scrapheads?"
The two's laughter only grows louder and more obnoxious. From what you can see, it looks like they're talking to a robot, briefly mentioned by Espio to be E-123 Omega. The robot's already ballling his fists, ready to retort, when Silver once again floats past.
The hedgehog grins. "Well the invitation extended to you two, didn't it?"
Their faces grow so red even you have to look away from second-hand embarrassment. You barely have time to process what just happened when yet another interurption erupts through the crowd except this time it isn't a laugh, it's a shriek.
NOOOOOOOOO!
What happened? Is someone hurt? Did that come from the picnic tables? You and Espio follow the commotion to arrive at the main table where a very distraught Sonic has fallen to his knees, going as far as to even grip his own head.
What in the world happened here? The table's a complete mess. The blanket's been yanked off. Worst of all, the food—once so delectable and appetizing—has fallen to the floor, now covered in dirt and grass. Something truly terrible must've happened if it warranted ruining good food. I mean just look at him. What could've caused such a reaction?
Espio crosses his arms. "Looks like Vector beat us here. Let's find out what caused this commotion."
"Chili dogs."
Chili dogs…
CHILI DOGS???
Maybe you heard him wrong? Yes, yes, you must've misheard him.
"Nope. I said chili dogs." Vector nods confidently.
You glance past Vector and at Sonic, who's sitting swaddled up in a blanket ever since he fainted a few minutes after the "dreaded" discovery. Today can't be real.
"You mean to tell me that scream was because of a missing chili dog?"
"Hey, not just any chili dog, kid. The one on his plate. That makes this theft." The crocodile replies confidently.
You turn to Espio, expecting some support. Doesn't he also see how silly this all is? Much to your dismay, however, he ends up agreeing with Vector.
"As inane as it sounds, Vector may be right. After all, if not the Chaotix Detective Agency, then who will solve this?"
Charmy whines by your ear. "Agh, I'm bored! Anything's better than sitting around!"
Suddenly, everything mutes for a second—no voices, no noise—and you savor the silence to contemplate, reflecting on your past.
Born into poverty, you sought to make a name for yourself. To leave that small town and be someone. You swore to your grandmama that you'd grow up into a successful detective persona she could truly be proud of. That's why Vector's arrival on your front porch one random afternoon with the invitation to join the Chaotix Detective Agency and be a real detective was a question with a surefire answer. Of course, you'd join! Finally, the small town detective could join up with the big names and do some real good in the world. Make a change, one case at a time. No more would your grandmama have to struggle to put food on the table. Nuh-uh, not anymore! More than ever before, she's going to be proud to say her little boy is a big-shot detective doing real detective work. Saving lives and everything! Heck, are you kidding? Her sweet boy will never waste his time searching for something as silly as a missing chili dog! Puh-lease, how impossible! How preposterous! How ridiculous! How hilarious! How laughable! How comical! He'd never-
Fine.
"Let's get this over with." You sigh.
Vector smirks at that. "That's the spirit! Let's go find that missing chili dog!"
The next steps are simple. Since this is now a crime scene, you'll have to treat it as any other case. First, the team will have to clear all party-goers from this area and redirect them someone else for questioning. Next and most importantly, everyone's a suspect. That means making note of any and all evidence and witness statements. Then all that's left is to retrace the victim's steps until the picture is finally clear.
To make time, the Chaotix detectives decide to split up. After the crime scene is cleared, Espio and Charmy begin their investigation for clues. Meanwhile, you and Vector decide it's time to start the questioning. This whole must've had a mastermind behind it. Someone is this darn crowd planned this heist down to the last detail. No matter, you're still one heck of a detective so this should still be open-and-shut.
Or so you thought. The questioning just leapt from one dead-end to another. Apparently no one has seen anything. You've got nothing. Not even the tiniest smidge of a clue. It didn't help that the Sonic team were following you and Vector around the entire time. This entire thing is growing to be very, very frustrating.
You and Vector had to resort to searching the outer premises of the picnic area to find clues. After all, the suspect was bound to slip up somewhere.
Sonic sighs from where he's trailing behind you. "This is the worst vacation day ever."
That's an understatement.
Tails, in response, pats his friends back. "They'll find the culprit. I know they can!"
"Yes, and once we find the culprit, I'll smite them with my fists!" Knuckles pounds his fists together.
"Shh, did you hear that?" The crocodile gestures for the group to quieten. "Those two weren't in the questioning group! And look at how chirpy they are!"
Following Vector's accusatory finger, you spot two mobians by the tree. They look rather relaxed actually, enjoying the shade and drinking cold lemonade. You know, the vacation day you were promised. Though you must admit, it is odd that they managed to avoid all the chaos that's unfolded today.
Sonic hurries past you and Vector. The armadillo is the first to look up from his peaceful conversation.
The blue hedgehog's frown immediately vanishes. "Mighty! Ray! I thought you wouldn't make it!"
Tails and Knuckles follow suit, rushing over to greet their friends. You lean in discreetly toward Vector.
"Do we know them?"
The crocodile chuckles. "Not just that. Mighty is a retired detective from our agency!"
The armadillo, seemingly having overheard your not-so-discreet conversation, pipes up.
"Actually, I'm not retired—"
"Anyway, he no longer works as a detective with us. A shame really…"
Mighty lets out a dejected sigh and you nearly feel bad for the armadillo. Keyword being Nearly. He's still a suspect. Which reminds you…
"Hey, shouldn't we question these two?" You ask aloud.
"Right! We still haven't found out who stole my chili dog…" Sonic side eyes the duo beside him.
When did he suddenly become distrustful?
With a nod from the lead detective, you can finally resume the actual task at hand. Maybe everything will finally make sense. You just need one lead. One.
"Did you say chili dog? You know I think I remember seeing someone walk by really fast eating something like that."
Ray chimes in. "That's right! He was acting all fishy too."
Bingo.
The theory in your mind finalizes with those words. There's no doubt in your mind now about who the culprit is. Of course, he'd been blending in all along. No one, and you mean no one, would've ever suspected him. It's got to be him!
"Vector, I know who it is!"
Everyone turns in your direction. Even the people waiting by the tables perk up at the sound of those words.
"It's—"
Vector's laugh cuts you off.
"I already know, kid. Allow me." The crocodile smirks. "Gents, you're chili dog thief is him!"
His fingers darts toward the large purple cat whom is already elbow's keep in a fried fish someone left on the table. His pupils dilate once he looks up. The fish piece in his mouth falls, plopping onto the plate before him.
Are you serious…?
"What? No!" You shove his finger down and direct yours toward the actually culprit. "It's him."
Vector chuckles. "Oh, yeah sure."
Shadow, who had been leaning nonchalantly against a tree stump, doesn't even bother to look your way. Still, you press on.
"I'm right, aren't I?"
As the hedgehog crosses his arms, you feel the confidence in your conclusion increasing. After all, there's three pivotal clues that pointed to him.
Clue #1
Shadow arrived with an empty stomach yet you never saw him eat. He's too proud to eat in front of everyone.
Clue #2
At the time of the crime, he was the only one not accounted for. This means he had to have been the mysterious figure Ray and Mighty saw.
Clue #3
This is the most telling clue. The corner of his mouth is decorated by a mysterious food stain. One that looks an awful lot like chili from a chili dog!
After repeating this aloud for everyone to hear, there's not a speck of doubt anymore amongst the crowd. All that's left is to get the darn hedgehog to admit it. Easier said than done.
It's your turn to cross your arms now. "Well, don't you have anything to say?"
A smug grin appears on Shadows face as he finally faces the crowd. His eyes narrow in on Sonic.
"Yeah," He lifts the emerald in his hand. "Only that I'd do it again."
Sonic's eyes widen as Shadow lifts the emerald—that's apparently been in his hand the entire time and definitely wasn't just placed there by the author for plot convenience's sake—and shouts.
"Chaos control!"
The entire picnic area is dead silent now. Only your dejected sigh is heard amid the silence.
"Yeah, I quit. Sorry Grandmama."