Quills versus Claws By: Alex Gariepy (orion@travel-net.com) LEGAL STUFF =========================================================================== This story borrows characters that are trademarks from the SEGA Sonic Games, the Sonic SatAM cartoon and the Archie Comics based on Sonic. Those that are not are the property of the onwer. AUTHOR'S NOTE =========================================================================== Ok, so I don't expect an overwelming response to "Tigui watches..." but maybe if I show the stories as I go along, the audience will pay some interest. My 'prequel' will be the next story i'll write. However, I want to put this story in first. As you remember the last story, Tigui unleashed a plan to get Sonic and Sally closer. Fortunately, this plan will fail and i'll tell you why after. This enrages Tigui and he starts looking for Sonic. Is there going to be a fight? And, if so, can Tigui stand a chance against the hedgehog? One last thing, this will show how Tigui becomes a formible fighter and will prove to be some help. It's actually part 2 of "Tigui watches...". Oh yeah, you want to read the story now, huh? Be my quest. THE QUESTION =========================================================================== I told you last time I was going to ask a question on when this story comes out. Here are two. First: Is Tigui OK the way he is or should he change a bit? No, i'm not going to remake Tigui. Maybe some powers would help. Second: I heard on the last episode of the SatAM Cartoon Sonic and Sally used the Deep Power stone or something like that. (I live in Canada and I didn't get to see the whole series. Shame on me. I can see hate mail coming in now.) Should they get new powers? If so, which one? CHARACTERS =========================================================================== Tigui* Sonic T. Hedgehog Miles "Tails" Prower Princess Sally Acorn Antoine D'Coolette Bunnie Rabbot Rotor Walrus Snively Dr. Robotnik STORY (before reading, check on "Tigui watches..." first so you get a better idea on what's going on) =========================================================================== Knothole 9:01 A.M. =========================================================================== The celebrations are over. Tigui is now a freedom fighter, the mission was a success and Tigui's plan was unleashed. Today was a busy day in Knothole, Sally didn't call for a mission tonight. However, many people are working on either their latest inventions, planning their next attack, or just moving around a lot. Tigui skipped breakfast. (bad cat, doesn't he know it's good for him?) He was too tired to stuff his face with food. Tigui was resting on his favorite tree near the lake of rings. The residents of Knothole were insisting that Tigui move into a hut. However, Tigui disregarded that. He considered that tree to be his hut. Everyone would know that it was his territory because Tigui would shed some of his fur there. Tigui saw pretty much nothing while he rested. Of course, he couldn't see anything since his eyes were closed. He did hear some noise, it was just a discussion though. Nothing of his interest. Then again, this is Tigui we are talking about. He listened in on them closely, while still resting his eyes. "Have you've heard from the Princess lately?" a scruffy low voice said. "No," another voice sounded. It wasn't as scruffy as the other voice and it had a higher pitch. "Me neither," the other voice said, "She hasn't come from her hut at all today. She wouldn't let anyone in, not even Tails or Sonic." "I wonder why?" the high voice said. "Beats me," the low voice went, "I would like to find out myself." Footsteps were becoming quieter as the two left the scene talking. Tigui opened his eyes and started to wake up. "I want to know too," he said as he yawned. A frown came upon Tigui's seemingly grinning face. =========================================================================== 9:30 A.M. =========================================================================== Tigui finally had breakfast. After that he started to walk, thinking. Did Sally's depression or isolation come from last night, he thought, i'd better ask Antoine on this. He was waiting at Sonic's hut last night. =========================================================================== Antoine's hut 9:35 A.M. =========================================================================== Antoine was grooming himself again at his home. A knock was heard on the door. "Come in," he said as Tigui opened the door. It was pretty hard for Tigui to open the door considering he's very small. "Ahhhhh," Antoine smiled, "I was expecting you, non?" "And why is that, Antoilette?" Tigui looked at him with a 'tell me now' look. "'Ze plan did not work to your expectationne," he said while keeping a confident look. Tigui stood near the door speechless, he couldn't think of what to say. "Maybe I should tell you my point of view on it," Antoine went as he looked towards the window. "Go on," Tigui finally spoke. =========================================================================== Last night about 30 minutes after Tigui left Sonic's hut. =========================================================================== (Antoine's point of view) It was, how you say, quiet during the past 30 minutes. I was starting to get sleepy. Luckily I brought a chair along with a magazine that I stashed with 'ze supplies. I sat near 'ze bushes and started to read. After a while, I started to hear some voices inside 'ze hedgehog's hut. They didn't 'zound so happy. After that, I hear knocks on the barricaded door. I heard "Open the door!" coming from 'ze knocks, it was not Sonic. I stood up from my chair and went to 'ze door, I lifted 'ze wood from 'ze door hooks you implanted and turned 'ze knob. As I did so, it went very quick and 'ze door opened. I jumped into the bushes quickly, taking 'ze chair as well, to avoid being seen. I looked out of the bushes to see 'ze Princess, looking pretty angry. She was yelling at 'ze hedgehog, then turned around and walked away in an enraged positionne. Sonic came out of 'ze door. He looked sorry, tried to say something, then turned around and closed the door. His head was down. =========================================================================== "And that's how it happened, Tigui" Antoine said, "Tigui?" Tigui stormed out of the hut before Antoine could finish completely. That good for nothing hedgehog spoiled the only plan i'd ever made, Tigui was angry, I need to knock some sense into that empty skull of his. Tigui went to Sonic's hut, only to see Tails and Bunnie taking down the hooks that were placed. "Has anyone seen Sonic?" Tigui said as they both turned around. "Nope," Tails went as he get rid of the last hook, "We took the time of his absence to get rid of these hooks." "By the way," Bunnie said, "how did it go with the two?" Tigui looked at her with a 'think!' look. "Oh," Bunnie understood, "guess sugarhog's still nervous." "He'll be more than nervous once I find him," Tigui mumbled. "What did you say?" Tails said. "Uhhh," Tigui moved back a bit, "I said I was dissapointed." "Well," Bunnie said, "let's not let this get us down." "Yeah," Tigui ignored the last statement, "i'll see you guys later." "Where are you going?" Tails yelled as Tigui turned around. "To see if a nervous hedgehog's around," Tigui said as he left. "I have a bad feeling about that," Tails said. "About what?" Bunnie said. "Tigui doesn't look very happy," Tails went, "and remember the last time he was unhappy?" "Aw, come on," Bunnie said, "ah doubt that will happen." =========================================================================== Rotor's garage 1:00 P.M. =========================================================================== Tigui had lunch before going to Rotor's garage. He didn't even catch a glimpse of Sonic yet. However, Tigui was still bitter. He thought maybe Rotor has found Sonic. He decided to ask. A few minutes later after Tigui was discussing the failure of his plan to Rotor. "That's too bad," Rotor said as he went back to tweaking with his computer. "You think?" Tigui said, "I actually thought it was going to work." "Well," Rotor said, "you win some, you lose some." "Pr... I mean Sally's still in her hut," Tigui said, shaking his head. Rotor raised his head, "Oh," he said, "that serious." Tigui nodded. "Well," Rotor clenched his fist a bit, "that hedgehog better have a good explanation." "That's why I wanna.... talk to him," Tigui hid his real intention. "You mean you haven't seen him lately?" Rotor turned his head around. "Nope," he said, "I was hoping you knew." "Well," Rotor's head went down for a moment, "that's where you're outta luck. Although you should check out the Great Forest. He sometimes jogs through there." He jogs? Tigui thought sarcasticly. "I'll check it out," he said finally. "OK," Rotor said as he opened the door for Tigui to go, "but remember to come back later so we can do more experiments on the time machine stone." "I will," he said as he left towards the Great Forest. =========================================================================== The Great Forest 1:09 P.M. =========================================================================== Sonic was running around, apparently not aware of how much time he spent running. He wasn't hungry at all, not even for a chili dog. He'd sometimes run around the Great Forest whenever he felt low. His thoughts were so jumbled that he couldn't think straight. Just then, he stopped when he heard a voice far behind him. "Stop, will you?" Sonic turned around to see Tigui running towards him. Tigui stopped to catch his breath, then looked at him crossly. "What's wrong, Tig?" Sonic said. "You know what's wrong," he said, "you heart-breaking egostatic hedgehog!" "I've heard better insults," Sonic said, "but really, what is wrong?" This made Tigui angry. "Why did you make the Pr... I mean Sally, angry?" "Uhhh," Sonic was sweating a bit. So he actually was behind what happened last night, he thought. =========================================================================== The Fight =========================================================================== Tigui couldn't hold it, he immediately jumped at Sonic, claws drawn. Sonic saw this one coming, and ducked so Tigui missed. Tigui landed behind Sonic. Sonic had to stop him from moving so that he can tell Tigui what he was trying to say. He said, "Let me explain," as he ran in circles around Tigui, either to make him feel over-whelmed or to make him dizzy. Fortunately for Tigui, a nearby branch came in handy. He picked it up, as hard as he tried, and tripped Sonic with it. Sonic flipped and landed safely on his feet. Tigui threw the branch away, since he preffered hand-to...paw combat. Sonic started to run towards him, apparently to ram him. Tigui anticipated this move and jumped onto the nearest tree. Using his claws he grabbed on to the bark and climbed up to a branch. He timed his jump, and then he pounced on Sonic. Tigui managed to scratch Sonic's arm. "Ouch," Sonic yelled then punched Tigui in the stomach with his other hand, bruising him a bit as well. Tigui flew back in pain as he was tossed into the tree which he pounced Sonic from. Tigui didn't want to lose already, he had to be careful. Sonic looked at his bruised arm and then at Tigui. Tigui recovered pretty quick, he thought. Tigui started to growl, he felt some swelling in his tummy, but that wasn't going to stop him. He started to run at Sonic, with his right paw clenching. He was going to give him the right paw smacker. This move was perfected by Tigui during his street fights with other cats. It was usually his knock-out punch. It was very formible but not so strong. Tigui, after all, was just 3 years old, but that move helped him win fights. They were all self-defensive fights, though. Sonic wanted to counter this move, but he told himself not to use the spin attack. Tigui would never survive that, he just wanted to stop him from fighting, that's all. Sonic ran out of Tigui's range, allowing Tigui to ram the tree instead. Tigui was not about to give up, and he quickly recovered. Sonic started to retreat. Maybe if I draw him back to Knothole, someone can stop the fight, he thought. Tigui started to run after him, he wasn't Sonic though, and he was quickly losing gains on him. He's off to Knothole, he thought, better get there too. =========================================================================== Back at Knothole 1:16 P.M. =========================================================================== Sonic ran back to the middle of Knothole, holding his bruised arm at the same time. Tails was nearby and saw Sonic. "What happened?" Tails said, "Are you OK?" Just then, Tigui came to the scene as well. "Get someone to stop this fight," Sonic said, "he's not in a good mood." Tails saw Tigui furious, and knew he had to do something. He left. "I don't want to fight you," Sonic said. Tigui was too stubborn to listen. He ran at Sonic with his claws drawn. Sonic was quick enough to avoid him. A crowd started to form as the fight continued on for 10 minutes. Everyone was wondering why this is happening. As the fight went on, Sonic didn't remind himself to not use the spin attack, and he started to spin dash. Tigui was shocked, "Uh oh," he said. He'd better think of something and fast. He retracted his sharp claws and studied Sonic's spinning technique. This is suicide, he thought. That stayed in his head only for a while. He went back for a bit, then ran really fast, then started to roll. Everyone in the crowd looked and gasped. "They're both attempting to spin attack the other," one said. Sonic was too wrapped up in his spin dash to notice Tigui was copying him. He then started to dash towards Tigui. Tigui closed his eyes as he saw Sonic coming. I wish I made a will, he thought as he spun towards Sonic. The crowd watched as the two collided. Everyone closed their eyes at that moment. Tigui's spin attack was successful, but so was Sonic's. Both recieved blows as they were both sent in opposite directions. Tigui landed, on his feet of course. He was happy to see that he wasn't dead, and that Sonic wasn't dead either. However, he felt very painful as he went down. Sonic flew back as well. He landed on his back. He looked to see that Tigui was alive. What was I thinking, he thought. He, too, was OK, but he was surprised to see that a small cat like Tigui could inflict that much damage. Tigui's stomach was starting to swell badly, and his tail was getting hurt. Sonic recieved a black eye and his left leg was also swelling. Both were too tired to move on. Just then... "All right, nothing to see anymore, go back to whatever you were doing." Rotor came out of the crowd along with Tails, Antoine, and Bunnie. "These two had a rough day," Bunnie said, "we'll take care of 'em." They managed to move the crowd elsewhere. The four looked at the two fighters, who were very tired. "What took you guys so long?" Sonic said in a scratchy voice. "I tried to get Sally to help but she was still in her hut," Tails said, "so I had to get the others." Tigui stood up for a breif moment, they all looked at him. "I feel...." Tigui collapsed afterwards. "We'd better get you two guys to the hospital," Rotor said, "Tails, pick up Tigui while me and the others help Sonic." =========================================================================== Hospital 2:30 P.M. =========================================================================== Bandages were covering Sonic and Tigui's injuries. The fight was considered a draw by the two fighters, but that was the least of their concern. "All right," Tails was tapping his foot and crossed his arm, "how did this happen?" Tigui managed to feel better enough to speak, "Ask the one with the black eye." Sonic turned to look at Tigui, "I was trying to tell you something, but you couldn't let me explain." "Well," Tigui looked at his stomach, which was still swelling, "excuse me for having a bad temper. After what happened last night, you think I would be happy that a plan of mines failed?" "I wasn't ready," Sonic said, "it was too quick." "Better tell us your story, Sonic," Rotor said. "All right, all right," Sonic said, "just don't interrupt." =========================================================================== Last night, 30 minutes after Tigui left Sonic's hut =========================================================================== (Sonic's point of view) I was really surprised to see Sally at my hut. I all of a sudden forgot why I went there. I forgot what Tigui just did. (see "Tigui watches...") The last 30 minutes, well, I can't go into the details since Tails here might be sick from it. Anyway, it was a great night, up to that point. Just then, Sally asked me a question. "Do you have something to say?" she asked while smiling. I tried to say something, but I couldn't. I didn't think it was the time to do so, plus it was hard to say such meaningful words. "Well," she was losing patience. "I.... can't...." I banged my head with my right hand. Her face turned fierce. Smart move, Sonic Hedgehog, I thought. She turned towards the door, she knocked on it and yelled for someone to open it. I was confused. It was a plan, I thought, how stupid of me. The door opened. I saw Ant there for a moment, then he ran to the bushes like an ant that he is. =========================================================================== "Hey!" Antoine interrupted, "I resent 'zat remark." "He said not to interrupt, Antoilette," Tigui said, "Now shut up! I wanna hear what's next." Sonic smirked a bit when he heard 'Antoilette', then continued. =========================================================================== I said, "But Sal..." "Don't 'but Sal' me, I thought I knew you, Sonic Hedgehog, but now I just don't know." She turned around and left. I tried to say something, but couldn't think of it. =========================================================================== "I couldn't sleep very well the whole night. The next morning I tried to clear my head by running in the Great Forest." "And that's where I come in...." Tigui finally said, pointing at his bruises. Sonic nodded, "Now you know what happened." "It's a good thing Sally didn't get the chance to know you guys fought," Tails said, "she was still in her hut." Sonic looked at Tails, "you mean..." "She's been there since this morning," Tigui said, "that's another reason I couldn't hold my temper." "Well," Bunnie said, "what do we do now?" "You guys," Sonic pointed his finger, "do nothing. Tigui and I are going to do something." "What do you mean?" Tigui said. "I mean your plan may have failed this time," he said smirking, "but this time we're going to unleash my plan, and it'll work." "It better," Tigui said, "'cause I can't afford to see two plans fail in one week." "By the way," Sonic went on, "how did you do that?" "Did what?" Tigui asked. "Used a spin attack," Sonic said, "I was really surprised there." "You know," Tigui said, "I really thought I was going to die there. So I gave it my best. It was a suicide attempt from me. I had to use someone else's move, so I tried to spin. In other words, i'm just as shocked as you are." "It's a good thing you're not dead," Sonic said. "It's a good thing those self-defensive fights came in handy," he said. "You know," Sonic smiled, "I sorta brought down my spin a notch so you wouldn't get killed." "Yeah right," Tigui said, "and you're starting to hate chili dogs." Sonic said nothing after. He didn't want to discourage the cat, after all. He just stood there, smiling inside. =========================================================================== Knothole 5:00 P.M. =========================================================================== Sonic managed to heal his wounds, as well as eat 30 chili dogs to account for his skipped meals. Tigui's wounds healed just as quick, and his supper was quite nourishing. He went to Rotor's to do some more experiments, but no success still. Gotta do this right, Tigui thought as he headed to Sally's hut. He breathed in and let out a sigh as he knocked the door. "I need to talk to you," Tigui said. "Not now," Sally's voice was either depressed or angry. Tigui couldn't tell. The door stayed shut. "I want to cheer you up, you know." "I don't want to," she said. "Well," Tigui inwardly smirked, "if you can't talk to me right now. Talk to me later. When you feel better. Around, say 10:00, at the garden." "I doubt it." "Fine," he smiled evily, "stay there. Sulk all you want, but I have a surprise for you waiting. But, after all, you're not curious, I can just give it to someone else. Oh well. (fake sigh) Good day." Tigui turned around and walked away. I hope she's curious enough to go there. Otherwise.... no, she will come, he thought. She'll probably think something's fishy around here, so she'll have to investigate. =========================================================================== Garden 10:00 P.M. =========================================================================== Indeed she was curious. Sally finally came out of her hut. She knew something was up, either another one of Tigui's plans, or some kind of prank. She was in her normal clothes. She decided to sneak into the garden and find out what's going on. Unknown to her, two figures were watching her from a tree. The smaller figure signaled the bigger one to go down the tree, and it did so. Sally crept behind a nearby bush and peeked out of it. No sign of anybody at the garden. She was confused. This is strange, she thought. She came into the garden. "Tigui!" she said, "I had enough of this, if this is some sort of prank, i'll see to it that you'll be very sorry for this." "I thought you knew better, Sal," a voice behind her said. She turned around to see Sonic. "Sonic," she looked at his eye, "what happened to you?" "Oh," Sonic nearly touched his black eye, "someone had to tell me something. (he breifly paused) Now I have to tell you something." "If it's about last night forget it," her face went into that fierce look, "you blew the chance." "Sal, wait!" Sonic yelled but she was starting to leave. "NO!" Tigui said to himself, "It will not happen again! I gotta stop her from making that mistake." He jumped down the tree he was on, told Sonic to wait just a little more, then ran off. =========================================================================== Sally was halfway to reaching her house. "You're making a big mistake, Pr... I mean Sally." Tigui mumbled to himself after he said that. Sally looked at Tigui, "Why are you here?" "Sonic wanted to talk to you," he said. "Is this another plan of yours?" Sally said crossing her arms. "No," he said, "it's Sonic's. He has something very important to you. Just, please, give him just one more chance." "Well," she was trying to think about it. "Listen," Tigui tried a last attempt, "I know the guy can be a pain in the neck. Believe me, i've found that out the hard way. I don't know you guys very much. And I may be the last person to contact if you want some help. However, this is what I know. I've heard how many times Sonic has saved you, or any other fellow FF. I've heard how you two were childhood friends back then. You two have been in tighter spots more than I have ever known, and you always pull through. Please, don't let one thing destroy what has just happened. Don't make that mistake, 'cause you'll regret it for the rest of your life." There was a breif moment of silence, Tigui hoped that he convinced her long enough. "All right," she said finally, "i'll go back." Tigui silently congradulated himself, "He's waiting," he said, "don't make him grow too impatient." "I think it's too late for that," Sally smiled a bit, "he's probably tapping his foot right now." Tigui smiled back as Sally left back to the garden. Was Tigui done? No way, he thought, I want to make sure Sonic doesn't foul up. =========================================================================== Sonic was tapping his foot, what's taking Tigui so long, he thought. He hoped that his worse-case scenario wasn't possible. Sally finally came back, and Tigui went back to the tree. "Well," she said, "Tigui convinced me to hear you out. So, what is it?" From there, the view changed to Tigui, looking down upon the two. Tigui couldn't hear a word. He wanted to see if Sonic would finally say what he's been waiting for. He could see Sonic moving his lips for about a couple of seconds. A breif moment of pause happened. Tigui saw what he needed to see after as Sally gave a big hug to Sonic. "He said it," Tigui smiled, "and about time. I was going insane there." Tigui knew that the two should be left alone now. He turned around and got off the tree. Then he silently left. Tigui went back to his favorite tree. He was finally happy. He didn't have to set up any more plans. He could finally rest and nothing would happen. That's where he was wrong. =========================================================================== Robotropolis 10:34 P.M. =========================================================================== "Status report," Robotnik said to his servant. "Project Doomsday is on scheldule, sir," Snively gave a small report to Robotnik. "Good," he said, leaning back in his chair, "those Freedom Fighters don't stand a chance now. Not even that blasted hedgehog." Robotnik started to laugh like all those villians do in TV shows. =========================================================================== THE END Coming soon..... Pet for Robotnik? The 'prequel'. How Tigui came to Mobius. Malfunction Tigui suffers an accident, and something strange goes on. Not so fast! Robotnik tries to prevent the Freedom Fighters from discovering Project Doomsday too quickly. Doomed Tigui checks out the remains of Doomsday. Is Robotnik still alive?