Begin Again

"And do you really believe that he won't be doing the same to you? He's stronger than you think."
He kept his stance but floated aback just a few inches.
But something was watching them.. Something that could not speak, something that knew their location from minutes ago. Something that came from the one who began it all in the first place.. Metal Sonic is in the area, and he announces his presence by attempting to dash between them, only to get dodged by.

Before Zero can answer Silver a blue robot jumps out and the jackal dodges to avoid being attacked. His golden eyes shift from the robot and Silver expecting another attack from either one. "You really thought I would fall for your lies Hedgehog? I know exactly whats going on now. Its so obvious. You both work for Eggman".

Silver sighed, and focused on Metal Sonic, attempting to attack it. He used his powers to get a big boulder to smash him to the ground, but the metal hedgehog dashed through it, giving the light gray hedgehog a hefty punch in the chin and making him fall off.

Zero being a normal unpowered mobian stares at the fight in shock and awe. As the two strangers fight the jackal slowly backs away grabbing his fallen radio. Messing with it he quickly calls his family. "Jackal Squad! We have been comprised! We need to leave"! He shouts in hopes of waking them up.

"Hang on, where are you Ze?!"
Asked Trois on the other side of their line in slight panic. Oh they did wake up alright. Silver was still trying to fight Metal Sonic, even if the blue can got some upgrades to its speed.

"Pack up. We are leaving"! Zero quickly escapes the fight furious that the plan to steal from the the doctor was ruined.

"Got it, boss! Over!"
She responded quickly as the noise of someone moving could be heard from the other line. Things started to get harder to deal with, as Silver tried to fight off Metal Sonic while Zero left. In a last attempt to try and warn him, he tried to yell while shielding off the blasting robot with his powers.

"ZERO!! WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T MISS THE GOAT!!"
He yelled as pointing his hand towards him.

Zero is too busy fleeing from the fight to hear what Silver says. Frowning in anger at the loss of a good raid he continues to run back to his camp. Escape then find another way for easy money he thinks to himself

And then, things have changed...

Infinite was nothing but a vague memory for the light-gray hedgehog and the jackal family was still around and well. Times have passed and now Mobius is under a new attack, The Egg Dragon. Eggman has managed to fully use the Phantom Ruby by himself and is now attacking places left and right.

And for that reason, Zero and his siblings thought it would be a good idea to get some cash while also keeping others safe. Whoever wants safety gotta pay a fee. 

One day, he managed to find some people who were willing to pay for their safety, so now he's guiding people to the base he built for them.

Gripping the straps to his backpack Zero continues his long journey of scavenging the enslaved world for supplies or people. Living in a remote village it has managed to avoid the Doctors eyes but it needs supplies to survive. Zero finds himself walking on a long abandoned road with equally abandoned or destroyed vehicles. None of which seem to be functional.

He could now hear some distant noises with his long ears.. It sounded like one person trying to comfort another in these trying times while also hoping for the best. The other voice seemed like they were sobbing in desperation and confusion, with no other option but to let their true feelings out.

Hiding behind a car he crouches and slowly walks forward to find and spy on the voices. Silently he reaches into his backpack to find a knife for protection. The attack on the world has brought out the worst in some people he has seen.

There they were.. Apparently, a goat woman sat on the sand while comforting a small blue Chao. She petted its head while it laid it on her leg. The sounds of the ocean were helping the tension wash away just like the waves did.

The woman appeared to have a white dress with blue dots, white gardener gloves and black boots.

Standing up from the cars he slowly follows the road leading to a parking lot near the beach. Still gripping the knife just in case he clears his throat before speaking. "Uh..hi Miss..its not safe to be out in the open like this". He glances at the sky for any dangers as he speaks.

She looked at him while gently holding the blue Chao. As she noticed who showed up, she decided to get up from the sand while still petting her little buddy.

"Oh, sorry sir.. We thought it would be a good place to run away to after we missed the robots."
The woman responded, her long ears were down.

Walking onto the sand he approachs the goat and her Chao. He puts his knife away and grabs a waterbottle from his backpack. "Its not wise to travel alone without any supplies. I guess there was an evacuation recently"? He asks pointing to the abandoned vehicles.

"I believe so, we didn't see many other people around."
She responded while looking around and keeping the Chao close to her.

Zero drinks from the water bottle as he listens to her and the chao. It seems to him that she may not be able to pay for his services if she even needs it. "Do you have family or any place that can help you? Its not safe for you and your pet to be out here in the open".

"Before taking time to take care of Chippy for a while, i was looking for my sister Kory. She hasn't come back in a long while and i'm worried sick.."
She said, continuing to pet the Chao that she referred to as Chippy.

"Any idea where she might be or anyplace you can stay? I could help you but it won't be free" ,he says looking at the chao smiling.

She noticed his looks and took a hesitant step back.
"Last time i saw her she was running around station square and looking for our father.. As far as i'm aware, she's not that fast but she is able to get far in a few minutes."

"Station Square is atleast a days walk from here if I had to guess. Never been there myself however. If she knew you were here she probably would have found you already if thats true". Zero offers her whats left of the water. "You want any"?

"... Yes please."    She replied, gently taking the water bottle and drinking some of it, before offering it to Chippy, who didn't want it at the moment. She gave the bottle back to Zero right after.

Zero looks around checking the area for any dangers as she drinks. "I dont like staying in one spot for too long. I can help you survive but it wont be free. Im not running a charity service".

.. She was a little bit annoyed by his attitude but decided to ignore it for now. She takes out her wallet and looks at him again.

"How much."