𝑭𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑: 𝔽𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕤

      Somewhere far beyond the forest, where everything around was only black, gray and white, there was a city sign — Welcome to Mobiucisko! Unless you're nagas! Nagas are not allowed in! Shadow and Tails found themselves in some modern metropolis, where there were tall houses made of bricks and stone slabs. Some houses were the size of a human or a Mobian, while others were the size of a naga. True, the whole world around was somehow colorless. In this world, everything around was gray, and some were black or white.

Noir universe of humans, mobians and nagas — the time of the great depression

      Tails looked at his hands and was surprised. He himself turned from orange to gray. — Wow! What's wrong with us, Shadow? Where have all the colors gone? — Don't know. But either everything in this world is gray, or we became color blind when we got here. — Shadow suggested out loud. — But how then in this world can we understand what color is what and what is what? For example, what is this? Grass? — the fox asked and went down to the lawn, looking at the dark gray grass. — Logically, the grass should be green, but it’s not grass, and it’s not clear what. — Okay. We need to quickly find Luz, stop him and get out of this world as quickly as possible before we go crazy. — advised Shadow. — Agree. — the fox answered and sat down again on the striped naga's shoulder. They crawled past an old house, slightly shabby with bricks, outside the window of which sat a famous detective in this city, as well as a professional detective. A Mobian, or rather a hedgehog, Agent Shadow. He sat in his office in a detective hat and a dressing gown and was bored, thinking in his mind: — “There are such days? Nothing interesting happens in our city anymore. Have even criminals finally begun to fear me and no longer act to get me to start my work? Once again cloudy weather descended on Mobiucisko. It feels like it’s not day, but night. I was exhausted and didn’t know what to do.” Suddenly a thunderstorm started and it began to rain outside. Covering the window with curtains, he continued to think: — “I hate rain! It evokes sadness, melancholy and boredom even more than now.” At that moment someone knocked on the door. — Come in! — the hedgehog said out loud and a Mobian, somewhat similar to a scorpion, entered the room. He was taller and cheerful, despite the depressive times. He was slightly taller than the rest of the Mobians, muscular and had a stinger tail. He himself had claws on his hands without gloves, and his feet were wearing black shoes with spikes. — Good afternoon, are you the famous agent Shadow? — Yes. Who are you? — My name is Luz Bucket. I'm your biggest fan. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by your exploits, I know them all, as well as all your techniques by heart. I even learned your signature phrases like poetry. I came to you because I want to get a job with you. I want to become your faithful partner and assistant in your affairs. — I don't need partners. I always work alone. — the hedgehog answered him gloomily and got up and went to the washbasin to wash his hands. — And I don’t need fans either. — Come on! Give me at least a chance to test me. I may be of use to you. Everyone always needs partners, because one is not a warrior in the field. And unfortunately, one person or Mobian cannot always cope in a battle against everyone. Sometimes he needs helpers to defeat the whole crowd. — I see you are quite persistent and cheerful, for a Mobian who lives in the Great Depression. — My mother always told me that you should always look at all sad or gloomy things with a positive attitude and not be a pessimist. After all, a bad mood can have a bad impact on you and your capabilities. That's why I always look at the whole world cheerfully and as if it were a rainbow. — Even in the rain? — Shadow asked gloomily, opening the window, to which Luz laughed in response: — I love rain. After all, you can go outside wearing rubber raincoats, coats and boots so as not to get wet, and you can also run and jump through muddy puddles. It's so fun. — Do you think rain is fun? — the agent asked. — Certainly. — No. It's horrible. Your feet can get wet and then you get sick. I already know that. — the agent explained, sitting down at the table and opening his notebook, he began to write something down there. — Well, yes, this happens sometimes. But what can you do? That's how life is. You cannot always protect yourself from diseases and other dangers. — the scorpion explained, smiling and sat down next to the agent, right on the table. — So what? Are you taking me as your partner? Shadow just took the stamp, took Luz's right palm and stamped the words "Rejection" on it. Luz looked a little sad, looking at him, then smiled again, spat on his palm, rubbed it on his knee and erased this seal from his palm, as if it had never been there. At that moment there was another knock on the door. — Yes? — the agent asked and a hedgehog woman who looked like Amy in a long dress and with a handbag entered the room. — Are you Agent Shadow? she asked. — Yes, what happened, madam? — the hedgehog asked, although in his thoughts he thought about her differently: — Looking at her, I understood. Expect trouble! Dangerous lady! A very dangerous lady! But I was not perturbed, despite my serious nature. She even had slender legs! — Rose. Amy Rose! — the gray hedgehog introduced herself. — Sonic Hedgehog worked for me. I came to you on my business. Shadow's eyes widened and he looked at the frame with a photo of Sonic himself that stood on his desk. — “Sonic! He was my partner until he died. A criminal named Tails dropped a piano on him and killed him, and then when I arrived with the ambulance, Sonic's corpse suddenly disappeared. Some say that he may have survived, but escaped and is hiding, while others say that perhaps the nagi ate him, gnawing his corpse and not even leaving bones. I believed more in the second option. How I hate Nagas! I never caught Tails. It’s as if he’s fallen through the ground and is hiding. However, I swore after that day that no one else would suffer through my fault, and from that day on I began to work alone.” — he thought in his mind and said: — This case has not been solved yet. If Sonic led him, then I'm ready. What are the problems? — I once hired Sonic to get me a box. He made a map, something about a tree and a cemetery. He told me to personally keep this to myself and not give it to anyone. And in the event of his possible disappearance or death, he asked that this be conveyed personally only to you. — the hedgehog explained, taking a notebook out of her purse and handing it to the hedgehog, who took it into his hand. — If you suddenly need something, then I will also always be there, but I will hide and not noticeably. Then she left the office. — Wow! It smelled of mystery and danger. — Luz thought out loud. — Hey! If you want to be a real detective, then never say your thoughts and assumptions out loud directly about the case, the weather, and other things. These are our personal thoughts that no one should know about. Missed it? — Okay, I understand. — the scorpion did not argue with him. — But you still take me with you? — No. I once had a partner. — Shadow explained, turning the frame over, placing the photo on the table. — And then he died... I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. Especially you. — Give me at least a chance to prove to you that I am tenacious, that you don’t need to be afraid for me, and that I can cope with such problems. Shadow rolled his eyes and said: — I’ll give you a test... Just for one day... If you fail during the day, then forget about working with me. — Oki-doki. As you wish! — Luz replies and jumps off the table. Shadow at this time put on his gray coat, took a spare hat and put it on the scorpion's head. — Cool! Now I'm also an undercover secret agent. — Just don’t get carried away too much! Crime investigations are not games or child's play. These are all serious and real consequences. — Okay, I'll remember. The hedgehog and the scorpion got into a black car, somewhat reminiscent of a Soviet Lada, and drove out of the garage. They drove straight along the road, when suddenly they saw in front of them a huge naga, somewhat similar to the scorpion Luz Bucket. — HEY!!! NAGAS ARE PROHIBITED IN THIS CITY!!! GET OUT OF TOWN!!! — Shadow shouted at him, and he waved his hand. — Heck you, little one! I don't care about your prohibitions. — he said, but he saw himself among the Mobinites, one of them. He took out a spiked knuckle on his hand, threatening them, and Shadow took out a pistol and aimed it. — Okay, okay, that’s it, I’m crawling away! — AND DON'T COME BACK HERE AGAIN!!! — the hedgehog agent shouted and was preparing to move on, when the scorpion lightly shook him on the shoulder. — Can I have a gun too? — Do you even know how to shoot? — asked Shadow. — Yes. — Okay, here you go! Just don't shoot me! — Shadow advised, handing Luz his pistol. They drove on and arrived at the cemetery, where Sonic pointed before his death. Shadow got out of the car and asked the junior trainee to sit in the car for now. Entering the cemetery gate, Shadow searched for a long time for the tree that was depicted in the picture. That same tree, oddly enough, was located next to the grave of Sonic himself. The hedgehog took off his hat, showing himself sad for the first time and grieving for his partner. Then he walked up to the tree and examined it. Climbing to the top, he found a hiding place there, in the form of an invisible door, painted to resemble the gray bark of a tree. — Mobians and humans wouldn’t hide anything in a tree. Only naked. Opening the door, the agent takes out from the hiding place a red suitcase with a picture of a tooth. At this moment, Tails himself appears behind the agent. Two-tailed fox in a black business suit and hat. He took out a pistol and poked it lightly into the hedgehog's back. — Without sudden movements, Agent Shadow, give me this little thing! It is not subject to you. — I found this hat. What fell. then it disappeared. — No, you piece of moron, I’m talking about the suitcase. — Which suitcase? — Do not make me angry! Fiona! Scourge! — he called his two henchmen. They were two angry and hungry nagas, one like a hedgehog and the other like a fox. — Eat him up! — “Nagas! Why does this criminal have relationships with these monsters who haven’t been in our city for a long time?” Shadow takes out a pistol and starts shooting back. While the two evil nagas were dodging bullets, Tails took the suitcase and ran away. At that moment, the Lada itself drove into the cemetery with Luz at the wheel. He drove past Tails and took the case from his hands, wrapping his tail around it. Then he abruptly opened the back door and also grabbed Shadow with his tail, putting him in the car. Then they quickly drove away. — What did I say? I can stand up for myself and cover for you, Agent Shadow. — the scorpion said smiling. — Now you trust me. — It’s not enough to save your partner’s life or come to the rescue at the very last moment, even if you disobey him. First of all, you must think with your head and think about the consequences that you may leave after this. — Shadow explained, holding the case with him. — But thanks anyway. I could not have dealt with them myself and would not have taken the case. At this time, Tails jumped up and hit Scourge on the back of the head, shouting: — IDIO-OTS!!! YOU LET HIM ESCAPE!!! Naga Luz Bucket, hiding behind a tree, watched and listened. In appearance, that fox looked like Tails. Although for some reason he didn't smell like a Mobian or a human. It feels like it’s not a Mobian, but some other creature that looks like it and isn’t tasty at all. In this case, it is not surprising why those nagas serve him. He crawls out of hiding and appears in front of that fox with his faithful nagas. — Perhaps... I can help you... If you want! —he told him, smiling sarcastically. — And who are you? You are not one of ours. — Just call me friend. — Luz replied.

***

      Agent Shadow and his rookie partner Luz Bucket returned to his home and noticed a new newspaper on the floor. The newspaper said that the Nagas were back in the city. This infuriated Agent Shadow, who tore the newspaper. — First they attack me, and then they flood the city, just like before. We have to get to the bottom of this! — Maybe we’ll just open the case right away and find out what’s inside! This was something they clearly needed. — suggested the scorpion and opened the suitcase. From there he took out a piece of paper with a warning, which he read out loud: — Shadow, beware of Tails! He is not what he seems! He's not a Mobian at all. His main goal is to seize power over the city and again flood the city with nagas in order to rid it of people and Mobians. When you receive this note, it means I will already be dead, and by that time the president will begin to trust only you more. Pass all this information personally to the president so that he can rid the city of the nagas, just as he manipulated people with the Mobians before! — You won't need this anymore. — a huge snake version of him intervened. — It is you again? They told you to get out of here! — Shadow was just taking out his pistol, but he felt that someone poked him in the back with a barrel. — Not today, Agent Shadow. This time you will not ruin my plan to overthrow the humans and Mobians from the city. You have mocked and despised the Naga people too often. I will not tolerate this discrimination anymore. — said the two-tailed man, but someone also pointed a gun at him in the back. It was Amy Rose herself. — Drop your weapon, Miles. Resistance is futile! — she said. However, the fox only grinned and showed his fangs instead of teeth. — Do you think you can kill me with such a gan-fart? The fox did not understand the hedgehog, but he grabbed his head, tore it open, like the skin of a lizard or a wig from his head, then the arms and legs themselves began to inflate like a balloon and tear at the seams. It turned out that it was not a Mobian at all, but a real Nag-fox disguised as a Mobian. The hedgehogs and the scorpion were surprised to see his true appearance. — O! So that's why you smelled different from the Mobians. You yourself are naked. — said the scorpion naga. — Yes, I was naked all this time. What did you think, stupid big guy? From the very beginning, I used such a disguise to ingratiate myself with the president, so that I could later restore this city to nagami. At that moment, Scourge and Fiona crawled in, grabbing the Mobians Luz, Shadow and Amy in their arms. — Well. Since I helped you, you will not refuse to help me later. I'm raising an army to take over other worlds. — Certainly. I promise. Once I take over this world and give freedom to all nagas, my army will follow you wherever you go. A naga should always trust only a naga and only help him, and not these little ones who cannot be trusted at all! — That's for sure! — the naga scorpion agreed and opened a new portal for himself, where he crawled away. He clearly crawled into a world where there was a lot of ice, cold and snow, and then the portal closed. — What was it? — the Mobian Bucket didn’t understand. — Don't worry, fools. Very soon you will all join Sonic, going to the next world. — said the naked Tails, taking Shadow in his arms and licking his lips. — You’ve been a thorn in my tail for a long time, and now you’ll be eaten by me. May my ancient revenge be fulfilled! The snake fox just raised the agent and opened his mouth, preparing to eat him, when suddenly someone shot from somewhere. The bullet went right through the naga's stomach, leaving some dark gray blood flowing. That monster looked around and saw a Mobian similar to himself. It was Tails himself, along with his faithful naga Shadow, who looked menacingly at that evil naga fox. The wounded naga groaned. — Gra-a-argh. It can't be possible! — all that he could say and fell on the road, dropping Agent Shadow, whom his snake version managed to catch and save. Scorpio Luz thrust a sharp dagger on his tail into the hand of the fox nina who was holding him and thereby forced her to let her go. Even Amy was painfully bitten by the naga hedgehog, forcing him to let her go. — Who you are? — Agent Shadow asked those fox and naga. — Let's just say we are your friends. We were just passing by and decided to help you. — Tails explained and looked at the evil version of himself. — Hm-m. I didn't think I could be this bad. I'm actually good. — I don't understand. — Amy said. — Why are there two of them? And why are each of them a different race? — It's a long story. Basically, we're just here to help you. — explained the striped naga and turned menacingly to Fiona and Scourge. — So. Why are you tyrannizing the unfortunate Mobians with people? — It's not our fault! — said Scourge. — This fox promised us freedom of speech, our personal rights and respect. — We are all tired of you people and Mobians hating us so much, insulting us and not allowing us to live with you in the city. But we, by the way, are also reasonable individuals and have the right to live as civilized as the rest of you. — Fiona explained. — And you believed this villain. Yes, he would only disgrace you more and show you only from the evil side that you cannot be trusted. — Tails spoke up. — If you wanted a fair life, you could just personally talk to people and Mobians yourself. It's just polite to be listened to. — We tried to do that. But you didn't listen to us. You continued to resist us and drive us away, almost throwing garbage at us. You yourself are ignorant, worse than us. — Fiona almost cried. Luz Bucket came up to her and hugged her by the tail, feeling sorry for her. — Well, hush, hush! Don't be such a pessimist. Look at everything differently and simpler! — Are you flooding our cities simply because you want to live a civilized life, like the rest of us? — asked Amy. — Of course. — Scourge confirmed. — Then everything is clear. — Tails thought and approached the agent. — Agent Shadow, I want to offer you a compromise! — Okay, I'm listening. — Tell the president about these unfortunate nagas and what they complained about, so that people and Mobians will try to give them a chance and accept them into their society. So that such ardent villains as this one will no longer appear, who cannot be corrected in any way. — Tails explained, pointing to the naga fox, who was already lying dead. — Okay, I promise! — the agent took off his hat in front of the fox and shook his hand. — Tell me, is that huge naga who opened some door and disappeared by chance not yours?” Tails nodded and Shadow replied: — He is our sworn enemy. We've been hunting for him for a long time. You don't know where he went?