Tweedle dee, and tweedle dumb, as he called Eggman’s two personal robots, cleaned the glass containers that once held the phantom ruby prototypes, and him. Huffing a gruff, boots stepped on the cold metallic floor before walking past the two dimwits who argued about which cleaners were better.

‘Don’t those two have anything better to do?’ The jackal mused to himself as his feet echoed through the halls. Right after thinking that to himself, he secretly wondered if Eggman would ever let him kill those robots someday for his own personal entertainment, but quickly pushed that aside as he clearly knew the answer would be no.

The lab suddenly felt too congested for his own good, and decided to phase out into the outside. He teleported to the jungle where he had just battled Sonic and his hedgehog companion. Thinking, he wondered why he hadn’t killed the blue blur. Despite how easy it would be to do so, there was no challenge and he had left him, though now having to deal with Eggman’s whining because of it.

Body relaxed as the being known as Infinite took a seat in a tree branch high above the ground, giving a good view to the surrounding jungle. In his sight, he instantly noticed something amiss. A creature not as fast as Sonic or himself, but still at quick speeds, made its way through the jungle. It wasn’t far from his location, but the jackal decided to stay hidden for now and see what came.

In the same location as where he had battled the two hedgehogs, the one newly arriving in the woods stopped and looked around. A red wolf? Wait… something seemed…

Quietly, Infinite used the Phantom Ruby to cause him to become invisible to the eye, before floating closer to the unsuspecting target. Floating by the stranger, some recognition sparked.

‘The wolf I let live in the city?’ Surprise filtered through him, ‘He seemed so frightened then, but now here he is, unaware of how much danger he’s truly in.’

A gloved, clawed hand began to stretch, making its way to the oblivious wolf. A twig snapping caused Infinite to freeze as he felt another presence around. Floating away, he flew up to look over the jungle, though seeing nothing. Strange.

Only a slight shrug was given before commanding his body to return by the wolf. As he approached, the single eye noticed the red one zipping his side bag up. Infinite missed what he had done, but gave little care as he approached him stealthily once more.

It was then the other turned to face the jackal, still not knowing of the other’s presence. Infinite could now see the wolf face to face, every detail there, something he hadn’t seen much of back in the city when they first met. Bright red fur, belt and bag on his waist, green shoes with matching gloves, glasses, bright golden eyes.

Those eyes…

Something stirred in the dark corners of his mind.

Gadget now turned towards the old lab as he took a few steps away from Infinite, not aware that he was being followed, or how close another being was to him before hearing the soft, deep words from an unsuspected voice.

“Who are you?”

Infinite wasn’t sure if he should have done that, but seeing the wolf turn towards him once more, stirred something deep within him, something buried. The two were so close, and one had no idea, while the other felt a brief urge to be closer, before…

“Hey!”

The presence of two familiar faces to the jackal came into view, catching the wolf’s complete attention. Black fur bristled as he floated away to once more sit in a tree; listening and observing the scene below. What was noticed that brought the jackal much delight though was those yellow eyes scanning the area nervously from time to time. His voice had gotten to him, and now seeing the intruder fidget so was a joy he couldn’t explain. Next time Infinite sees that little wolf, he’ll have to toy with him.

The thought brought a wicked grin to his hidden face underneath the mask.