The Skyskipper had taken to the sky upon Rosy’s disappearance as everyone had panicked with no knowledge of where she could have gone. That she had not answered any attempts to communicate with her either was more than enough reason to justify taking to the skies to spot the pink hedgehog. When a massive crash echoed through the air ship from the direction of the Ring Gate Beacon no one had expected to find what they did. Instead of an attack from the Battle Kukku Armada compromising their guarantee of safety, they instead found an unexpected pair within. “Hee-hee. I hope I didn’t worry everyone, but look who I found. Or maybe he found us? Huh?”

     Looking back behind her Rosy did not see Fang seated upon the Marvelous Queen. The now wrecked air bike had since been abandoned and Fang took to hiding behind the control panel that operated the shifting ceiling of blocks engraved with blue glowing geometric patterns. It was not his first time being inside of a Ring Gate Beacon, but it was his first time inside of one that could be called relatively personal.

     Typically, the technology linked together cities and distant locations, controlling the destination of Ring Gates from the size needed for a person to travel through to Ring consuming juggernauts that entire fleets of air ships could pass through. Such locations were usually enormous in size and scope with far more than just the ceiling being comprised of the shifting, glowing blocks. How they worked were a mystery to all who used them, and yet they had managed to find a way to create the ancient technological marvels allowing civilization to survive in their ever-shifting world. The technology and knowledge to miniaturize the Beacons though was held by only a few, and Zooey, one of the four who rushed into the Beacon Room, was one such individual.

     “Rosy, where did you go? We were all worried about you.”

     “Sorry Zooey,” Rosy apologized sheepishly. “I was really kind of upset so I guess I didn’t think it through.”

     “You got that right kid,” Sonic butted in as he eyed the wrecked air bike. “Running off with that weasel could have spelt all sorts of trouble for us. So where is he anyway?”

     ‘This is not turning out to be my day,’ Fang swallowed nervously as he found himself sweating bullets behind the control console. ‘One wrong move and I’m history. I should have stayed with those blasted birds if I knew I was going to land in this much hot water.’

     “Fang isn’t a bad person!” Rosy stood up both figuratively and literally against the assault against the treasure hunter’s character. “He was worried enough about me to work with those awful sky pirates when he heard they were coming after Tails to make sure I was safe. I don’t know why everyone thinks of him as an awful person. It’s so bad even he thinks he’s an awful person and that’s horrible.”

     “Rosy…” Zooey wanted to say something but Rosy puffed up her cheeks and grew red in the face. She was on the verge of throwing a fit and Zooey did not want to be the trigger.

     ‘What a shame that the door is full of her pesky friends,’ Fang lamented that things still were not going his way as he peaked around the console. He did not risk getting spotted and ducked back into full cover to look at his hands.

     ‘I’ve got more than enough Rings of my own to make a Ring Gate and beat it, but without knowing how to operate this beacon I could wind up anywhere, and without the Queen I’d be as good as stranded. But do I really stand a chance against this mob?’

     Peering out again and risking getting spotted Fang weighed his options as the conversation continued.

     “Rosy, I know he’s your oldest friend, and I guess I’ve never really met him, but–”

     “Not you too Tails!” Rosy cut Tails off with a huff. “Why is everyone out to get Fang. What did he do to anyone? He just likes treasure. What’s wrong with that? He never hurt anyone who didn’t come after him first when I traveled with him and we found all the treasure we did in old ruins with the help of my cards. How come it seems like everyone was more willing to give Gill a chance and not Fang too?”

     “Maybe because he hasn’t tried tried to off me before,” Sonic answered first.

     “Gill did risk his life to help us learn about the state of Rings out here,” Tails answered second.

     “I don’t think we’ve ever met, but I suppose I could give him the benefit of the doubt,” Mighty attempted to play the peacekeeper third.

     “Rosy, it’s just before and after traveling with you his reputation is… well it’s not good,” Zooey finished fourth. She did not stop there though and pushed perhaps a little too hard. “I mean, you have to consider that he did accompany the Battle Kukku Armada and Sonic had to use his Emergency Ring Gate to get away. And you know they aren’t planning anything kind for the rest of us if they catch up.”

     “Well now friend, it sounds like you might actually have to step up for yourself here,” a voice Fang was not familiar with spoke in a whisper from behind him. He would have jumped but his desire not to be found out kept him seated as the color drained from his face. Turning slowly and chained down by a terrible sense of dread he came face to face with a smiling frog.

     “And who are you supposed to be?” Fang managed to whisper out his question as he started to gather his rings before he was ousted.

     “Just a friend of Rosy-lass there, and the fellow they’re comparing you to,” Gill answered with his smile growing more chilling. “I have to admit too friend, it’s bit surprising to see a treasure hunter with a worse reputation than a Ring thief.”

     “So, what is this supposed to be, some sort of honor among thieves nonsense? Phooey! I never did buy into that.”

     “Maybe not friend, but if you don’t act, Rosy-lass may start to distrust you. I happened to see your little abduction attempt after seeing a Ring Shift for the first time since I’ve been out here on the Prison Prairie. I thought maybe my luck would change, and it looks like you could use a change for the better yourself.”

     “So, what am I supposed to do, get buddy-buddy with these goody-two-shoes and choke on my own spit in disgust?”

     “It’s worked out surprisingly well for me friend,” Gill admitted looking away as though he was not fond of the idea either. “Nearly gotten me killed a few times too, but you outsiders seem to attract danger like that. Still, I know an opportunist when I see one, and you’re about to let your best opportunity from what I’ve seen go. Is that really worth it in your situation.”

     “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

     “Maybe I am friend,” Gill smiled. He suddenly took on a more business-like disposition though and leaned in towards Fang. “But I’ll tell you what, you ain’t wrong about Rosy-lass. She comes with a fair bit of trouble, but I haven’t even known her for a full day and asides from a near brush with death once or twice I’ve had more good fortune than I have at any point out here. In other words, I’m with you in making off with her, but we have to play it smart. I’m more than glad to make an excuse for you too if you need it.”

     “You’ve got this all figured out and think you’re a real wise guy don’tcha?” Though Fang accused Gill of playing even dirtier than him, the frog simply continued to smile and offered Fang his hand. Gritting his teeth Fang knew it really was his best bet to get out of this mess. It was just going to be a matter of playing buddy-buddy with Rosy’s friends until they could spirit her away. And buying time to figure out if he could be rid of Gill in the process.

     With a resigned sigh he took Gill’s hand. “Fine then, you have yourself a deal…”

     “Gill friend. Mach Frog Gill Bradley,” Gill introduced himself and gave Fang a firm handshake. “Now, just follow my lead and we’ll be right as rain.

     “OW! That right hurt!” Gill suddenly cried out and scared the daylights out of Fang. “I should have kept on my way instead of coming back. You lot will be the right death of me yet.”

     “Gill?” Rosy turned around towards the console and saw Gill stand up and lean against it to support himself while holding his head. “When did you…? Are you okay!”

     Fang was out of time to get into the act and barely fell back clutching his own head before Rosy came around the console to help Gill. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, but concern chased away her good cheer. “Fang! Don’t tell me you got thrown way back here. I’m so sorry! I should have warned you I was going to open a Ring Gate!”

     Though Rosy was apologizing, Fang could not focus on her as he broke into a cold sweat at the arrival of Sonic, Tails, Mighty, and Zooey. “Hehehe… I can explain, really. It’s not even as bad as it’ll probably sound.”

     “Oh, I’m going to want to hear this,” Sonic assured Fang as he crossed his arms and began tapping his foot.

Scene 12 · CLEARED

Honor Among Thieves, End