Sometimes you've just got to ante up.

Chapter 1: The chips are down.

How many years had it been since we had sold our souls to Robotnik? How many years had it been since I no longer could look a person in the eye and say "I did all I could to defend the Mobian race from tyranny?" It seems anymore that the years run together.

I had been wondering around Mobius for months trying to avoid the public eye in order to finally figure out exactly how to finish things. I had scrounged enough credits from odd jobs around the few small remaining villages to buy a long coat and hat to shade my figure from the people and their eyes. Those eyes….they always told the truth. They told me how we had let everyone down.

I felt a small tug on the back of my coat. I turned quickly like in old times. Like when I was ready for battle.

Once I turned there was nobody there.

"Mister"

Or so I thought.

"Mister would you like to buy a newspaper? Its only 5 credits. Please? I have to sell a certain amount or I have to pay back Lord Robotnik."

I cringed at the little fox and his predicament. I felt around in my pockets in hopes of finding a few credits.

"Here Kid, I'll take a paper. " I said as I handed over the remaining money I had.

The little boy smiled at me. "Thanks! Thanks a lot!"

I smiled at the boy, although I am sure he never noticed. I kept my hat so far down it was almost impossible to see my face. After the boy left I decided to check the headlines. I needed to know the date as it was.

October 25 2545

Freedom fighter executions continue.

Lord Robotnik urges all citizens to call for the nearest swat bot brigade if any of the remaining freedom fighters are found. Do not try and apprehend them yourselves. They are considered armed and dangerous. Remember, housing a freedom fighter is grounds for instant robotification.

Six years had gone by already. I put down the newspaper in disgust. I knew we shouldn't have begun doing the genetic alteration, unless we knew we would win. We are still being hunted like war criminals for trying to save our people. They still live in a fear that no other generation has ever known. I could remember staying at a hotel and watching as an entire family was robotized for saying Robotnik's name in vain.

I think I felt safer living in Knothole.

Sonic had been right all along. What if we lose? What would the history books say about us? Sally had not been interested in hearing any of that. She was tired. We all were tired. The genetic amplification of our warriors was not enough to stop that man. Plus, the genetics were not full proof. We killed enough people trying to create them to create a whole forth battalion.

"Sir?"

I was growing tired of being bothered. My first time back in the town for six years and I am already being annoyed.

"Sir?"

I turned and looked into the face of one of Mobius's finest.

"Can I help you officer?" I said in my gruff tired voice. I missed my old voice so much.

"I was just wondering what your business here was? I don't think I have ever seen you here before."

I took a deep breath and sighed. "I am here on business. I have a meeting this afternoon."

The cop didn't seem to believe me. I couldn't blame him. I looked like a Dick Tracy rip-off. I watched as the cop looked me over and seemed to be thinking about just who I really was. I didn't want to cause any trouble so I sat patiently with my newspaper.

"Sir, I need you to remove your coat. Robotnik's orders are to check anyone suspicious for weapons."

I stood and swallowed hard. "Of course." I took of my coat. The cop's eyes widened as he noticed my larger than normal frame. He also seemed to mouth something when he noticed my two Tails. I stood and took my glasses off and cleaned them quickly and put them back on. "Is this what you wanted to see?"

"F-freedom fighter? But I was told Robotnik had a price on your heads. I-I have to arrest you."

I rolled my eyes and hit the officer in the neck so fast with my fist he had no idea what hit him. I looked around making sure no one noticed anything and carried him into the alley. I looked at the unconscious husky and took off his clothes. In my enhanced body I could easily fit into the clothes.

"Thanks friend, hopefully you will wake up to a better life."

I walked back out of the alley and looked around at the streets. People mindlessly were moving from place to place, hoping that if they didn't think about their life, then it wouldn't be so bad.

They were failing. I watched as a young fox boy's parents were killed right in front of him for paying half their income to Robotnik. Apparently it wasn't enough. I watched as the boy sat crying in front of them. I started to walk over, but it was over quickly as the swat bots robotized him and took him off toward Robotnik's tower.

I looked at the tower and clinched my fists

Six years. It took me six years to get the courage to come back and finish what we should have finished.

Six years of isolation. Six years of torment. Six years of wondering what could have been.

It was long enough. Even if it meant my death I would avenge everyone else. Rotor….Bunnie, Elias, Sonic…all gone.

Knuckles was gone too. Last I had heard, he was working for Robotnik….I also heard it wasn't of his own free will.

"You aren't a cop are you?" A voice said. I turned around and glared.

"Tails…Prower? I- I'd know that face anywhere! Quick! Someone get the swat bots…FREEDOM FIGHTER!"

"Shit"

I immediately silenced the poor stag. He was probably afraid if he didn't help Robotnik, they'd kill him. I left the unconscious man on the nearest bench and walked as quickly as I could away from the scene.

I stayed hidden from sight for several hours after that. I couldn't get caught now. Not when I was so close. However I had never thought that I would find someone else to help me. Not after what the books said about me.

As I peered out into the streets I heard someone yell at me again.

"You loyalist asshole! How can you take money to put innocents into slavery! I understand genomes working for Robotnik….but a fox…how could you!"

I turned quick enough to be face to face with one of the soldiers I had helped create six years ago. He was a husky, like most of the police officers, but I could tell he was one of mine. It was his eyes. A mixture of ice blue and green.

The boy stopped in his tracks. He recognized me immediately.

"M-master T-Tails?" The boy stuttered. God it was one of ours. A matter of fact one of the last ones I made. He couldn't be more than Seven years old, yet he looked like a twenty something year old swimmer.

"Not. So. Loud." I said deliberately. You are going to get us both killed. How in the hell have you survived here so long?"

The boy hugged me. It was strange being hugged. It had been so long. "I acted as one of these officers of the peace for several years. However, I normally kept people from being harmed, instead of being taken, like most officers. I guess you made me better than those other ones. I knew what was right and what wasn't. Although sometimes in order to keep my cover I did things I am not proud of.

"That still doesn't explain to me how you lived so long. I have watched as people just disappear and die in a matter of minutes around here."

"Well, I never left the force. I decided yesterday that I was tired of the tyranny and would go to Robotropolis tower and kill that fat tub of lard. I'd be able to at least get halfway there before someone would notice."

"So you have been plotting to kill Robotnik for how long?"

"Six years my master. Ever since you were taken from us I have wanted revenge."

"So you joined his police force in order to get close to him. Fairly brilliant work, if I do say so myself."

The husky looked at me and smiled. "That is because you made me the best of everyone. That's why I was able to keep my own thoughts and not end up a slave like most of the other genomes. No one in Robotnik's army truly wishes to do his bidding."

I sighed. Things were just as bad as they were before the truce. Actually, they were worse as they were under complete control of a madman and were forced to believe we were the bad guys. I noticed the boy was not looking me in the face. He was right; he was the best genome I created. I remember him quite well. The loyalty I forced him to have is what kept him from turning on us. Us? Ha.

What I should say is me. I am all that remains. Sometimes I like to believe some of them are still alive somewhere in that tower.

"Have you ever been allowed to venture through the tower?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes master, I have been in the tower many times during the past six years. I had to do things….horrible things to some people there. But I had to learn the layout somehow."

I nodded my head. "We all have done things we regret in order to save the people."

The husky looked at me and then pointed at my police uniform. "Hey, how did you get a police uniform?"

"I knocked out one of the genomes and took the uniform. I left him back in an alley a few blocks back."

The husky looked at the name tag on my uniform. "Carson. The boy you killed to take the uniform was loyal to you Tails. Oh well. I guess you didn't know."

"What are you talking about? I didn't kill him. I knocked him out and left him in the alley. He should still be there unless a swat patrol found him." I noticed the husky's ears perk up.

"Master we need to find him! He is another of your creations! He can help us. Perhaps we can come up with a plan to get you into the tower."

I took off the officer uniform. "Well I guess we had better go get him then. I want you to go get him while I hideout here. We don't need anyone else noticing me. Can you do that for me? Also, there should be a coat and hat in the alley. Get it for me."

"I can do anything. Leave it to me. I will be back in five minutes." I watched as the husky smiled and turned away from me and ran off to get his friend. It must be nice to still have friends.

I stood in the shadows for some time waiting for him to return. However he didn't disappoint me. I saw a figure carrying someone quickly in the shadows of several dilapidated buildings that Robotnik still hadn't managed to fix.

The husky walked up and carefully laid down the other officer. "Sorry master it took awhile to get him redressed so no one would wonder what was going on. You sure did a number on him. He is still out cold."

"That is because I knew where to hit him to silence him for a long period of time. Give me a second and I'll wake him up."

I reached out and pressed my fingers on the boy's neck. Within seconds his eyes shot open wide. The boy looked around in confusion.

"W-what happened to me? Bryce….is that you? Do you know what happened to me?"

"Yes I do. Someone that you should remember knocked you out cold because he thought you were going to sound the alarm."

Carson looked groggily at me for several seconds and let out an audible gasp. "T-t-the master is back? I-i-I thought he was dead like all the others!"

I smiled at the boy. "No, I lived on.

It was at that time I began to feel the effects of my long journey. I couldn't believe I was showing weakness, but it was happening. My vision began to go fuzzy and the two boy's voices seemed to grow more and more distant.

"Master! Oh god, we just got you back! I…no…we can't lose you again!"

"I am ok….really. I just…..tired….we really need to get Robotnik now….before…."

I never finished my sentence as I blacked out.

Bryce P.O.V.

I watched as our master slumped to the ground in a heap. I picked him up and looked him over. It didn't look as if he had been wounded…at least lately. He did have scars, but nothing new. The look on his face told me that he had passed out from exhaustion. Probably a mixture of that, frustration and stress had made him pass out.

"Carson, what are we going to do? He can't fight in this condition. I don't even see how he made it this far."

Carson looked at me and then at the master. "We can take him home. Our work schedule would allow him some rest and not make anyone the wiser about us. Don't you agree?"

I nodded my head. "I agree. We don't have to report to work for 48 hours. If we can heal him and get him back on his feet by 15 hours, then we should be able to make this work."

We then took Tails and I carried him back to our home. It took a few hours, as we had to stay in the shadows in order to keep him safe, but we finally made it back around dusk. I then laid him in bed and Carson and I took off our police uniforms and dressed like we would have we been in the freedom fighters.

After we stood for guard for what seemed like days, the master finally awoke.

Tails P.O.V.

"W-what happened to me?" I slurred. Things were not into focus. I couldn't really think straight.

The two huskies leaned over me. "Master you are awake! We didn't think you were ever going to wake up."

"I fell asleep? You are kidding me! All my planning went to waste! How in the world could I let myself be so weak?"

I wanted to cry, but I knew I had to be stronger, or the two huskies wouldn't listen to me. The two would never follow someone that was weak. It didn't take long for me to regain full use of my mental faculties.

"How did you manage to get me somewhere safe?"

The two boys looked at each other. Carson then stepped forward. "Well… we made it look like we were taking a freedom fighter to be executed. No one saw us and no one questioned us. We figure we still have around 14 hours until your plan can't work."

I looked at the two boys for a few seconds. "How long was I out?"

"34 hours my master. We were afraid to wake you. You looked at peace. A peace we weren't sure you were used to."

I was surprised at how long I had slept.

"Guys….where are your clothes?" I asked curiously. "Last time I saw you, you had the uniforms on….now you are…?

Bryce nodded. "Now we are freedom fighters. We can wear what we want. Just like when we were created."

"I understand. I remember when we all were in the forest and we dressed as we felt. It isn't like clothes are necessary."

I got out of the bed and went straight for the shower. I took the longest shower of my life. It felt good to get the grime of the past few weeks off of me. I took several minutes to make sure I was completely dry and then I attempted to walk into the main living quarters, but Bryce was guarding the bathroom door. As I tried to leave he spun around and looked at me.

"Master…..there is something I must show you. Do you remember how you planned on creating a human warrior to fight with us?"

I nodded. "Yes I remember that I had almost finished, but we were forced away before I could finish. Why do you ask? There is no way I can recreate the equipment in the time left."

"That is the thing master….we have the equipment and the completed boy is in hibernation and ready for completion. We went to the lab and salvaged everything hoping you would one day come to us."

I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe these two had done so much in hopes I would return. The boy took me to a secret room they had hidden in the bedroom closet. Sure enough the equipment was there and so was the boy, ready to be brought to life. It didn't take me long to set up and bring him to us. After an hour, the chamber opened and the boy stumbled out.

The boy looked at the two huskies and then at me. I think he realized who his real master was quickly and he slowly walked towards me. You could tell he hadn't gotten the exact hang of controlling his body.

The boy made it to me and lost his balance. I quickly made a move and caught him. The boy looked at me with wonder.

"T-t-thank…you…" The boy said to me. The boy picked up English and speaking rather quickly.

The boy was strong. I could feel it as he stared into my eyes. His blue eyes reminded me of my own, during my more innocent days. The boy was dark completed and had short blonde hair. His body was well toned and athletic looking.

The boy squirmed and I let him go. "D-do…you k-know who…I am?"

I nodded. "Yes. You were created in order to help us defeat the evil dictator and free us from our oppression once and for all. We hoped if we had our own human, that we could finally defeat him."

The boy looked at his own body…then at ours. "I don't look to be any stronger than any of you. I feel like I look much weaker."

I sighed. "We need you. Do not feel like you are not strong. Each of us have our own strengths and weaknesses. Look at me for example. I am built strong, but my eyes have been failing me for years. I am not perfect and neither is anyone else."

"Speak for yourself master…ooof…HEY!" Carson joked, but was punched quickly by his brother.

"Dude….I was kidding….why'd you hit me so hard!"

"Because…you are being a dumbass. That's why."

The boy looked at the two huskies with general confusion. "Who…are those…two? They looked different than both of us."

I nodded. "They are Mobians, like me. They are genetically altered huskies that I created several years ago. We just recently found each other again. They helped me get here and also held onto you until I could finish creating you."

The boy looked at the two brothers and bowed slightly. "Thank you for helping the master."

The two boys looked at each other for a minute and then smiled at the human. "No problem bro."

The naked human looked at me with confusion. "Bro?"

"It means that you are also one with them. You are family. Do you understand?"

The human nodded. "Does that mean I get a name?"

The two huskies looked at me and I knew what they wanted. "Go ahead and name him, I can tell both of you want to."

Bryce and Carson huddled together with the human for a few minutes before they finally came out. Once they did, the two brothers pushed the human out. I could see he was very happy.

"Well. What is your name?"

"I wished to be called Joey. Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it Joey. Now let's get you some clothes and get a move on. We have work to do."

Carson brought out a human sized police uniform for Joey and the boy put it on. It fit him tightly and almost made him look more intimidating.

"Guys, is it supposed to fit THIS tight?" Joey complained.

Carson smacked Joey in the back of the head. "Hey! Quit your bitchin'! It took a lot of time to get the material to make a human police uniform. They are far more rare then even the husky force."

I pulled my long overcoat back on and placed my fedora back on my head. Guys, do you think even with this that people won't notice who I am?"

"Do you want to truth master" Bryce quipped.

"Yes….I want the truth….and…stop calling me master. We are all family here. Call me Tails, or bro….anything other than that. Please."

"You are one of the only foxes in the world that is orange and has two tails….fairly easy to notice. Perhaps….we should die your fur?"

I smirked. "Carson, that is a DAMN good idea."

I looked around the small house for something to make a grey dye with. After several minutes I found enough material to make a dye. Luck was on my side in this case. Who would ever have thought two young huskies would have had that stuff?

"By the way…..Tails…we assumed you'd need that stuff. That's why we have it here."

"Ahh…that explains it. Give me about ten minutes and I'll be ready."

I ran into the shower and quickly turned on the shower and ran the dye into my fur. After five or so minutes I stepped out and dried myself off. Once I looked in the mirror I let out a large gasp.

"Dear god I look like an old man."

The three kids came to the door. "Tails we heard something. A-." Then I heard them break out into laughter.

I glared at them all. "Is there a problem?"

"N-no Tails. Its just you look so OLD."

"I'm not too old to unmake all of you." After I said that, the three boys stopped laughing.

"Tails…you aren't serious are you….we…we were just kidding." Carson said stepping away from me slowly.

"Wow guys, lighten up. Do you really think I meant that. You are all I have left."

Everyone stared at each other for several seconds and then I ended the silence. "Alright lets go. We don't have a lot of time until Carson and Bryce both are reported AWOL."

I had nothing left to lose….it was time…time to make Robotnik pay for everything he has done to me. Everything he did to all Mobians.

I watched as the three boys moved into their positions.

"Tails? Are you ready to do this?" Carson asked as he unsnapped his holster and drew his gun.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

To be continued.

*small update*

Thanks to ChaoTiC-iak for reviewing as I had NO idea once I downloaded the story that it was completely underlined. I imagine that was fairly annoying.