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
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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? (
geocities.com/soho/atrium/8271) (
geocities.com/soho/atrium) (
geocities.com/soho)