Chapter 1

“Usually I’m not interested in knowing about everything related to my damned enemies. However, this is a separate topic. I’ll talk about it now...”

***

A violet-lilac chameleon sat on the roof of a collapsed dojo building and looked into the distance at the horizon, where the sun was gradually setting, shimmering with a white and yellow glow. He watched this sun, thinking about something of his own, and sometimes changed his positions to others, making himself more comfortable on the smooth tiles of the roof. It seems that the chameleon does not intend to leave immediately from the top of the building, and only a change in poses confirms our guess. But he didn't come here just to watch the early sunset. The chameleon looked simply depressed and sad.. Hmm.. I wonder why that is?.

***

— Chosen One, allow me to address you..

— Yes, Espio. What's the matter? Did something happen?

— I.. I would like to ask you..

— Speak.

— Why are we in power of the Iron Dominion? What is the reason for this?

— .....

..Long silence. And again, she does not give Espio a clear, clear answer to the questions that concern him... The Chosen One, the Never-Slumbering Eye, is simply confused, and this was just another proof that the Dominion is indeed a real, terrible hell for the Shinobi clan...

that is, for the Espio clan..

***

...The Chameleon is simply confused by all this, just like the Chosen One of the clan. He didn't want to go with them. I didn’t want to betray all my friends, acquaintances, my team called Chaotix... Yes, even Knuckles was not able to follow him in an unscrupulous way, and that’s the only reason why he then helped the echidna in the fight against enemies on Angel Island. He could not simply contradict the will of his clan and the will of the new rulers. Espio, in the eyes of the latter, is just another “cannon fodder” to fight Sonic. And he understood this perfectly. Alas, Espio is no longer able to be who he really wanted to be.

A hero.

Just a hero standing on the side of good; a hero who would be truly proud of... both his friends and his acquaintances... even his enemies would respect him too! But not one of them.

Lightning Lynx.

Ninjas of the Destructix gang. A liar and a masochist. A deceiver and... And just an unlucky mercenary.

Capable of more...

      He is the only one who knows about Espio's possible weaknesses. This is exactly Lightning. And then the chameleon will no longer be able to do anything about it. He had already lied to Nicole about the fact that he was unable to explain the concepts of “clans” and “chosen ones.” I just lied..

..and is this really right, or what?..

..And.

..Nevertheless....

..Espio will be ready for any problems...

      ..For insults, disappointments...

      ..For pain..

      ..Because this is pain.

..The pain of losing all your loved ones..

..animals, people..

..or ANYONE!!...

.......

....

..Hmmm..

This is accurate information..

...Quite accurate.. ???

***

Espio once again changed his prone position from an American figure four to a half plank, resting on his elbows. He looked at the setting sun until he suddenly heard someone's voice from behind.

— Hello, - said this unfamiliar voice. Espio turned around and... saw Lightning. The same one that was the enemy of the chameleon.

— What do you want?! - Baring his teeth, Espio said the words through them. Lightning looked at him now with irritation and disapproval of how the Shinobi clan ninja reacted to the lynx.

      “It would be better if you just listened to me..” Lynx growled to himself, still looking disapprovingly at Espio...

***

— Arghhh, well, why the hell should I go to this “ninja”? - a lynx in blue gloves and boots with yellow lightning marks angrily plowed the grass, walking and angry with himself not only for his stupid gait, but also for his assignment that someone had just received. - Is it possible that the Chosen One of the Never-Slumbering Eye has so much to do that she is ready to send me to him?! Hmm.. Haaaah.. And this is beneficial, by the way. I’m not just a ninja here, but a mediator of all the clans of the Dragon Kingdom..

      Now Lightning simply calmly walked along the path trodden by someone, mockingly thinking about how lucky he was. Even the Chosen Ones of the four ninja clans now trust him and entrust him with various duties and assignments. Of course, in addition to the task that the lynx had to perform.

— He probably simply won’t understand this. Espio is not the type to...rrrr!! What am I thinking? About this idiot, what is behind the pathetic goodness!? In the form of Chaotix? Hmm, what a naive huh..

      For some reason Lightning the lynx grabbed a small blanket with him.. Oh yes.. this was the order from the Chosen One Unsleeping Eye: to take the blanket to the chameleon and entrust him with the task that Espio had to do.

      — Hmm.. I wonder what such a thing could be useful to him for? - Lynx thought, laughing with contempt at the fact that Espio would receive today a "ridiculous toy" like a dark brown blanket measuring twelve by seven with patterns of fire dragons and bright flowers. Although, to be honest, the lynx was also secretly jealous of such a rare gift that he had to give to the ninja chameleon. However, Lightning himself was not at all keen on wearing such things, for he was a full-fledged warrior, guarding the service of his Raiju clan and the Chosen Conqueror Storm..

      From such a thought, Lightning Links sweetly licked his lips and again continued to think about himself and about his beloved — about that very Bure. He was very proud of the fact that initially from birth he was her fellow tribesman and loyal subject, the best ninja for her... in everything and everywhere. And although the lynx has long remembered his first defeat in a single duel with the Chosen One of the Raiju clan, as well as the deep stigma of his shame and dishonor, he is still ready to make amends for the sake of love for Storm.

      He was glad to be with her; work with her when she needs it; stand for her..

faithfully... everywhere and always...

...Lightning himself hoped for a happy outcome of events and for the overthrow of the rulers of the Iron Dominion from the throne. For the lynx simply despised and hated them, considering them an absolute evil for their own, native Raiju clan. And they would especially harm the plans to usurp the power of his beloved, so Lynx is in fact completely ready to bravely fight alongside the Conqueror Storm for joint power over the entire Dragon Kingdom of the Mobius universe.

      “At least with anyone. I’ll even start fighting with Sonic himself.. but.. Well, this is still a possible option.. Quite possible... So, okay.. We should also find this chameleon.. Aha, here he is! "

      Lightning, raising his head up, looked in surprise at Espio, who was lazily changing his lying positions to others. Then the lynx, sighing deeply and resignedly to himself, slowly climbed onto the roof of the abandoned building of the old dojo, despising himself for yet another delay...