A Shooting Star ~Kirby and Sonic crossover~

Chapter 53: Discovery of the Files

Tails curled his namesakes around himself, trying to block out the noises of the Tiff and Tuff's laughter (as well as Tokkori's annoyed groans) by pinning his ears, holding his head in his hands. He didn't have time for their games, as much as he wanted to join in. He balanced a pencil between his mouth and nose, concentrating on the subject that had been pestering him for days. He would not rest until he found the answer.

Who sent that package to Sonic? The question had never left his mind, festering inside of him until it became intolerable, gnawing hungrily for any kind information. Even after hours of thought and deliberation, he found himself no closer to the answer; instead, he was stuck in the same, recognizable loop.

It was obviously someone who knew about the Dark Matter within Sonic—they would have had to read what was inside the file to gain knowledge of its contents and realize their importance to the Blue Blur. But even Tails, who prided himself for being a young genius, couldn't hack into the Eggman file, and he found it difficult to think of anyone more competent than him who could possibly hope to surpass the doctor's three hundred IQ defense.

G.U.N? Although the mobians had worked with the Guardian Units of Nations in the past and they were a clear enemy of Eggman, knowing G.U.N, they would have taken the more confrontational approach, possibly going even as far as to capture Sonic in order to uncover the dark, mysterious lifeform that was Dark Matter. They prioritized the safety of the world more than anything—if they saw Sonic as a threat, they would either seal him away, like they did with Shadow all those years ago, or make sure the hedgehog was dead, even if he'd saved the world multiple times without their help or insistence. No, definitely not them. Besides, they were back on Earth. They had nothing to do with Mobius.

Rouge? She was smart and an agent of G.U.N, but knowing her, she would have asked for some kind of payment for the files. She's nice and all, but even she knows that we would have paid her anything to get our hands on that file. Why miss an opportunity? That was one out of the way.

Team Chaotix? They were certainly intelligent, but Tails doubted they could hack into Eggman's secret files. They were technologically illiterate—well, at least Espio the Chameleon was. Tails couldn't account for Vector the Crocodile or Charmy the Bee with full certainty, but he doubted the young bee was any better at hacking than Espio was. He was only six-years-old, with no real knowledge on how technology worked, other than playing the occasional game with Tails and Cream from time to time.

But what about Vector?

The crocodile might appear as a big goofy idiot to some, with his loud complaints and obsession with money, but Tails knew that he was something more than what most gave him credit for. He was a detective for a reason, and beneath that silly exterior was an intelligent mobian, processing every clue until he could relive a case in his sleep. Even Espio, with his stoic air and deep sense of justice, couldn't compare to Vector's unmatched brilliance.

Perhaps I should give them a call, Tails thought, reaching for his phone. But before he dialed the Chaotix's number, he paused, frowning. But whoever sent the package is trying to keep their identity hidden. Even if we're good friends with the Chaotix, I don't think they'd tell us, not for the sake of the client. Stifling a sigh, he placed his phone down, drumming his desk with his fingers. He was back where he started, it seemed.

Maybe it is Rouge.

As he sat there, reviewing his options and pondering who could possibly have hacked into a 300 IQ scientist's private files unnoticed, his mind wandered to Amy, and Tails felt a heave of sorrow. The poor hedgehog, whom Sonic had known for years—longer than he had known Tails, in fact—had been heartbroken when Sonic told her of the secrets he'd hidden from his closest friends about Dark Matter and Eggman.