Infinite. The mutual enemy within the Resistance for reasons. The Chaotix had been secretly working with Amy after the report of Infinite apparently showing up, playing the roles of being the investigators. Vector and his team were literally familiar with this concept as they did this for a living, so for them to be going undercover to grab some information was not something they were going to be shy of. If anything, they'd want to get some dirt on their enemy for the past. Sure, Eggman had not been around lately but they refused to take any chances in case they were planning another attack as huge as the previous one. Or even a bigger one.
No, they couldn't allow it to happen again. The results would be devastating should it be a thing again, and this time they were sure Sonic would not have the strength to stop Infinite alone like before. He had lost a lot of strength when he had been tortured during the six months he had been kidnapped, a lot of mental strength at least. Sonic was scarily okay on the battlefield although after the war, he completely crumbled.
Something the Chaotix had never seen before. Never. They had never witnessed the legendary Sonic the Hedgehog having one huge breakdown to the point he became a former shell of what he was. It was then they realised Eggman had broken him beyond words, beyond actions unimaginable to them. They dared not to question it, to even think about it. The fact one of their beloved friends had gone through something awful made their bloods boil. Vector was the first one to growl and with a tightened fist, declare he was going to make Eggman pay for what he did.
Espio soon voiced the same himself under a more calmer tone than what Vector had used. Charmy said nothing, he was too upset to say a word. Both Espio and Vector understood how hard it was for Charmy to hear such things, so when it was just them alone, they both decided to try and take any upset off of Charmy's mind. While it helped to get the young bee to smile again in the end after many rounds of video games and pizza for dinner, both Vector and Espio were boiling with rage throughout the entire night. They did not let Charmy see it. They made out everything was fine.
Charmy was oblivious to their masks they had been wearing, thankfully.
So when Amy spoke to them about her suggestion, they were immediately on the case. No hesitation, just a straight up "yes" from them. Both Vector and Espio took it upon themselves to do the investigating while Charmy stayed watch at their base for anyone suspicious trying to break in. Knowing the bee was not in any harms way, the other two ventured out to begin their search for any information.
They knew it was going to be tough but they did not care. They both had their own reasons, besides seeing Sonic so broken.
Infinite had done some bad things. Espio hated the jackal if he was honest. It was the way Infinite went round trying to scare people and merciless hurt them. He was so hung up on being fair to all, of being somebody who believed everyone deserved to be happy. Yet, Infinite couldn't be forgiven by the ninja. He wanted to hurt him like he had hurt the towns people, like he hurt their friends, their family, to his--
"Yo, Esp! Talkin' to ya! You feelin' okay there?"
"Hmm? What?"
Oh, Chaos. He had gone too deep within his mind again. Once realising what Vector had said to him, the ninja smiled and nodded. "Sorry. I am well. Purely overthinking, apologies."
"Eh, don't be. I get it. Somethin' we've all been doin' lately, huh?"
It was true. So much had happened within the last two years that it was hard to recall every little thing. Espio nodded again, silent this time. He was sure Vector had picked up on his anxiety from the way he was suddenly looking at him. He had hidden this fact from many but he too had been affected from Infinite's actions. Something bad had happened to the ninja, something only Vector knew. He trusted Vector with this secret, to which the leader replied "you can count on it". It made Espio relieved with a smile.
"I just-- Are you sure we should be doing this? I understand we both agreed with no ifs or buts, with mutual feelings, I just fear we might be doing something we shouldn't be doing."
Vector stopped walking. He turned to his partner and blinked, looking almost offended, or seemed like it to the ninja. He wasn't sure anymore. Espio wasn't sure of anything anymore. He hadn't been for ages.
"Whoa, whoa. Where's this comin' from man? What's on your mind? Are you... Are you alright?"
Damn, now Vector was getting worried. Great job, ninja. The last thing he wanted was for Vector to be worrying about him too. They had to think about the others, about Charmy, about this mission! This was no time to be crumbling or going back now! It was too late.
Yet, in Espio's heart...
"Y-- Yes, sir."
'Sir'? Espio never called him 'sir' unless it was something serious. Chaos, now this alarmed the leader. Vector stares for a while as he tries to figure out the words to say to his partner. No, he does not believe him, not for a moment. Not while Espio looks so lost. Not when a close friend of his was suffering on the inside and were trying to hide it under his nose. Vector knew Espio like the back of his hand by now and there was obvious body signs that not all was well. Vector was not about to let him bottle it all up.
"Esp," the detective says, his tone becoming stern out of concern. "Talk to me, man to man. Somethin' is botherin' you and it pains me to let you continue to kill yourself with it. Not sure what it is but I'm gonna do somethin' about it. Startin' with gettin' you to tell me what is on your mind."
A smile from the ninja. "Vex, I'm good."
"Liar." Vector argue back.
"Am not."
"Then tell me, why you lookin' at me like you're dyin' to scream it out? Think I don't know ya? I know you better than anyone else, man! You're my friend damn it, don't shut me out like this... Come on, man. At least, vent to me a bit. Come on. It's me you're talkin' to."
Espio gasped, covering his mouth as his head turned to the side. His heart pounded, chest aching from the demons within him. What he did not want to tell anybody had been locked away within himself to ensure nobody would know. No, he didn't want to let Vector in. Not in this situation. Not in this place. Not while they were out investigating for their enemy.
Not like this. Not while Vector appeared to be so sad. Not with that sad look.
"V-Vex--"
"Espio, you know I'd never tell a soul. You know that, right?"
A silent nod from the ninja. The leader smiled gently at him, arms folded. Honestly, they had both been through too much to throw away their friendship. They were literally invincible together. The three of them.
That was why they were the Team Chaotix, the best detectives in the whole of the world! Nobody could do the work they could so well as these guys. Nobody. And Vector would never let Charmy or Espio forget that he cared very much about them, even when they were fighting or had different views on a subject. They were family as far as they were concerned.
This changed nothing.
"Heh, then you'd know that I would tell you anythin', right?"
Another nod.
"Whatever this is, we can sort it out together. As a team. As a family. No matter what it is Espio, no matter what, I'd never betray you or abandon you. Man to man."
This seemed like this was what Espio needed to hear, because it wasn't long before he burst into tears. Sobbing, he covered his eyes with his hands and leaned his head against Vector's chest, who in turn gave the ninja a huge hug. Just seeing him crying broke the green mobian's heart, and this was definitely something that had indeed been haunting him. Although, this also meant that he was getting all of his stress out by crying, and Vector was okay with this. He was fine with comforting his friend like this. He knew how hard it was to keep going when you felt weak, when you felt like you couldn't go on any more.
"It's cool man, it's all cool." Vector coos. "Cry it out. Let it all out. It'll do you some good man to release it. We can make this a break."
Yeah, just a small break to forget the mission for a bit. If Espio's head wasn't in the game then this mission would be doomed from the start, so they needed to be sure on a mutual ground that they could keep going. Vector knew Espio needed time to vent it out and to feel okay again. Something he was also okay with.
The smile on Vector's face never left him. He was just glad he trusted him enough to cry in public, to him. He knew how important trust was and he promised both Espio and Charmy that he was never going to break it. Never. Not on money, nothing. Their friendship was too important to the leader. They were his life, his best friends, his family, damn it.
However, somebody had seen their guard was down. Somebody was spying on them from the bushes nearby, witnessing their moment of comfort. They smirked to themselves, realising this was the perfect time to attack the two while they were vulnerable.
The stranger carefully drew their weapon from it's shaft, eyes narrowed in concentration, planning their attack. The second the two were completely open, they'd go in for the kill.
Not yet, not yet, wait for it.
The two released each other and smiled at one another. Now they were in the open, this was it. All or nothing!
Attack now! They were alone and no one was around, do it now!
The bushes rattling, the stranger sped out and with their sword in hand, charging at them to attempt to hurt them.
"Die you bastards!"
