Chapter Text
"Vector, we been friends a long time. Good friends", Mighty stressed as he sat across from his good friend. It was true, they had been friends for as long as he could remember, or rather as long as he was willing to trek down memory lane.
Vector was currently lurched forward boring a hole into his hands as he wrung them slowly together, his headphones grasped between them like a lifeline. A comfort. Mighty couldn't blame him, that recliner had swiftly become the hot seat thanks to his and Espio's united front. They hadn't even talked about it before they sat on those stairs waiting up for Vector, they knew what needed to be done in response to their boss's uncharacteristic outburst. Espio just went to meditate and Mighty went to make tea and coffee for them both.
It was unreal, Espio relaying what happened it was just... it was unreal. Mighty couldn't believe what he was hearing, that was not his jolly green buddy they were talking about. And if anyone other than Espio was telling the story, he would have immediately rejected it and argued against them. But looking at the damage Espio had been dealt, hearing the tension in his voice, seeing the... tears streaming down Charmy's face... The truth was undeniable.
Vector had crossed a line. Several lines, in fact. And now it was time to properly address it.
"Now, I wasn't there, but everyone is on the same page here", Mighty looked to Espio who never took his eyes off Vector, his arms crossed and his mouth a tight line. "We gotta know why ya went ballistic on an innocent man" he finished, looking back to Vector.
"... he wasn't innocent" Vector grumbled out.
"Ya got proof to that effect?" Mighty asked, trying to hide his emotion.
Vector scoffed low, "Yeah, it's called a confession".
"After ya tortured it outta him? We're not supposed to cripple people and bring 'em to death's door, bad guys or not", Mighty paused. "At least not without concrete evidence", he clarified.
"I know, dat was just an act ta get the guy to talk" Vector replied, almost convincing.
"That was no act", Espio finally spoke, shocking Vector into looking up. "I know when you pull your punches, when you don't mean what you say" Espio's voice broke just a little at the end. He closed his eyes as he continued strong, "Unfortunately, that was no act".
Vector's eyes darted between them and his clasped hands, emotion flashing across his face. Something was going on in that head of his, whatever it was Mighty couldn't say for sure. But the grimace Vector was trying to mask told him guilt was part of it.
The croc sighed a shaky breath before shooting back. "You got no idea how complicated dis thing—"
"Then explain it!" Mighty shouted, startling Vector into silence. "We waited up all night so you could lay everything out, so start talkin'!" he demanded, jabbing his finger at Vector. Unable to contain his frustration any longer.
First he deflected, then he lied, now he's talking about how complicated everything is. How about just giving them answers? An explanation. An admission of remorse, something! It's the least he could do after... after what happened.
"... Sorry but... I ain't got time for this" was Vector's callous response.
Mighty couldn't stop his offended recoil. "Excuse me—?"
"Everythin' I did today—"
"Yesterday" Espio cut in. "You were gone for 20 hours, Vector".
The croc in question eyed Espio with a sharp glint, as he slowly closed his agape jaws. "Yeah, you're right", he said squinting. "And I been real busy bustin' my ass tryin' ta get ta da bottom—"
"You crushed a man's arm, attacked me at full strength, traumatized the boy, and left for 20 hours straight" Espio laid out succinctly, a bite to his tone. Mighty appreciated the aggression, nice to know he wasn't the only one getting fed up with all this.
"We are not concerned about the case, we are concerned about you" Espio clarified, expression softening just a tad as he finally uncrossed his arms. Very few people would be able to see the microscopic change in Espio's demeanor, but luckily the two other people in the room were part of that cherished few.
And yet Vector didn't respond to this gracious offering as he normally would. If everything was as it should be, Vector's eyes would have locked onto Espio's, he would have comforted him, he would have tried to make Espio laugh. But this... no, this was wrong. He remained quiet, clenched teeth hidden behind frowning lips, massive hand rubbing his cheek like the action was the sole thing keeping him grounded. And his eyes refused to meet theirs. Instead, his gaze was focused on a far corner of the room, his head turned to the side.
"Thanks fer da concern, but I'm good" the croc finally answered back, voice gravelly and tense.
"What, and you expect us to take your word on that? We don't even know why ya did this in the first place. And when we ask, you deflect!" Mighty shot back, frustration clear. "Tell me, why should we believe you're all good now?" he challenged, crossing his arms.
Vector shrugged his slumped shoulders. "Guess you're just gonna have ta trust me".
"Trust is something you earn, you shouldn't have to ask for it" Espio dropped. "You were the one who said this to us before".
Vector closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "... yeah. Dat sounds like me, alright".
"You broke my trust when you told me I don't know the real you and forbade me from accompanying you on the mission. The only way for you to earn it back... is to start being honest with us" Espio said, more vulnerable than Mighty could ever remember him being. It encouraged him to follow suit.
"Whatever the deal is with you, the club owner, and this mystery woman, ya obviously can't keep it from affectin' your life anymore", Mighty closed the distance between them, as he continued. "So just tell us, man. We're your friends, your teammates..." Mighty reaches out to Vector, placing a hand on his broad shoulder.
"Your boys", he stressed, squeezing the croc's deltoid. "If ya can't tell us, who can ya tell?" Mighty smirked in spite of himself. He supposed he was just tired, hopped up on caffeine and sleep deprivation, but it was all kinda ridiculous.
Whatever Vector's reasons were, surely he could see that avoiding explaining himself was stupid. They weren't gonna punish him, they just wanted to know what was happening with him. Surely he knew that. He just needed a little assurance. And Mighty was eager to be the one to give it to his friend and leader.
"We gonna pretend like I'm da only one 'round here with secrets? Is dat it?" Vector bit out, brushing off Mighty's hand. Mighty couldn't help how his eyes shot open in response.
"Vector—"
"I could ask both'a ya the same kinda questions, in case ya forgot. For instance, why did ya take up pacifism all'a sudden, Mighty?" his chest went hollow, his blood ran cold. "A world class fighter like you, any fights ya do get in, ya seem ta really enjoy 'em. So why da shift? Ashamed'a somethin'? Afraid'a somethin'?" Vector quirked an eye ridge at Mighty, his penetrating gaze bore into him as Mighty struggled to unclench his fist.
His face contorted in disgust as he slowly backed away from the cruel reptile, still processing what just happened. Did Vector really just come at him like that? After what he did? After Mighty tried to bridge the gap between them? Did he really just... how long had he been holding onto that little accusation?
"Vector" Espio tried before Vector shot a cold look his way.
"And you, Espio. You're a ninja, shrouded in mystery and deception, we never talk about any'a dat. How can we be sure there ain't no skeletons in your closet? Metaphorical or otherwise?" he accused, his grip tightening on the armrest of the recliner.
"Vector, listen to me" Espio called out, louder and deeper.
"But do I ask those questions? No..." Vector shot a look back to Mighty, his indignation hiding something. "No, I don't and I never will. Cuz it's none'a my business. A man's past is his to tell or not, who are any'a us ta point da finger at da other?" he reasoned, making a degree of sense.
As much as Mighty wanted to deny it, but those cutting questions directed at him were enough to remind him of how little he enjoyed his past being dug into. How much he would be unsettled had his past been uncovered without warning.
Vector placed a steadying hand on his forehead as he continued. "I started dis agency as a way for us to move on from whoever or whatever we were. And dat's been workin' out real nice fer all'a us all these years". He huffed an exhausted breath out as he snarled low.
"But as soon as I skirt a line, to get da truth outta some scumbag to save an innocent girl, I get da 3rd degree! Damn da courtesy I give ta all'a you—!"
"VECTOR!" Espio shouted, snapping Vector's jaw shut and causing both him and Mighty to sit up straight. "Listen. To. Me". he demanded and the unruly croc got back in touch with his manners. Mighty had never seen Espio so stern before, even as he cut down enemies, he was more even-tempered than he was now.
"I consider you closer to me than anyone else" Espio dropped, shocking both his friends. "I would lay down my life for you and everyone on this team would do the same. This is because you have shown yourself to be someone worth following. Someone worth trusting"
Nobody broke the silence that followed, the magnitude of what they were experiencing completely blindsided Mighty and by the look on his face, Vector too. Vector's expression finally softened, his brow furrowed painfully, his anger melted away revealing naked pain. The weight of everything he'd done seemed to slowly bear down on him as Espio sat ready to continue his assault of honesty.
Simply put, the chameleon was never in any way this open about his feelings towards them. It was an unspoken understanding, a code among men, Espio was stoic and reserved intentionally. His past obviously had a lot to do with that, but Vector was similar in his own way.
Masculinity demanded that whatever fluffy warm feelings they shared would remain unaddressed. A comfortable undertone to their lives never to be singled out and highlighted by anyone. It was unnecessary and would leave them all far too vulnerable for their liking.
Even Mighty, the most—shall he say—emotionally intelligent of the 3 of them, didn't come right out and say this stuff to them. Even though, yeah, that's how he felt. But putting it out there as naked and embarrassing as Espio had just done... it was unthinkable even for him.
So for Espio, of any of them, to do it... things had certainly taken a turn for the worse, to put it lightly. But as Mighty reeled from the bold declarations of his companion, he couldn't help but think it was the best course of action. To get through that thick skull of his, Vector needed a nice shock and Mighty could think of no better one than this. Inwardly, he commended Espio for his bravery for admitting to these feelings they all shared. Outwardly, he remained quiet and allowed Espio to continue taking the reins of the conversation.
"So if you cannot tell us who this woman you're searching for is, or why you felt the need to mutilate that club owner, or why you had to work this job alone... then I implore you to at least tell me this:" Espio led, Vector visibly dreading the rest of Espio's thought.
"Why don't you trust us?" he finished, the hurt clear in his expression. Immediately, Vector broke out of whatever role he was in and reached out.
"Esp, it... I... it's not—"
"Why have you deemed it necessary to shut us out of such an—evidently—important part of your life?" Espio pressed on, Mighty joining him back on the couch. Vector stopped stammering and hung his head low again.
"I'm... I'm sorr—"
"I don't want an apology, I want answers" Espio shot back, definitive and concerned. But Vector remained silent, face still pinned to the floor.
"C'mon man! Just open up your mouth and tell us what's goin' on!!" Mighty chimed in, frustrated. "It's us, Vector! We just wanna help you!" he implored, adding to Espio's honesty gambit. He too couldn't hide the hurt he was feeling creep into his voice.
To know for a fact that Vector, one of his closest friends didn't trust him with something that is clearly tearing him up inside... he wasn't ashamed to admit that hurt. Vector had always been there for everybody else in their time of need, no matter how rare that was for him and Espio. He was there, told them that he'd always be there if they needed a sympathetic ear or a strong shoulder. And Mighty always told him he'd repay that kindness, he was eager to do so. He hated to be in a one-sided relationship like that.
But the second the opportunity presented itself, the time when the rubber had met the road, Mighty and Espio were here, to prove what they felt was real. Strong. Equal to what Vector had shown them. They were devoted to each other, cared so damn much about each other, would do literally anything for each other.
And all this time Vector... didn't believe them. Didn't have faith in their relationship. Didn't cherish it like he said he did. Evidently because... here he is, shutting them out like they were strangers. Like they weren't really... Mighty gripped his knee tightly, forcing that haunting thought to end before it completed.
"Ya really wanna help me?" Vector spoke up, snatching Mighty's attention back on him.
"Ya know we do" he instantly replied, no hesitation whatsoever. Hope lighting up his features for the briefest of moments.
"Then stop with dis intervention schtick an' help work da case" Vector said, looking up at Mighty with dejected eyes. The armadillo scrunched his nose up, something coming out of his offended heart before he could stop it.
"What in the hell is your—?!" but Vector motioned to the door behind them, cutting him off.
"I found a dozen girls, kidnapped and held up in a shippin' container all da way in Sausalito. I got 'em all home safe, da degenerates dat grabbed 'em are in da hospital or jail, and all'a dat stuff I brought in? Dat's from da girls' families" Vector explained (finally), as calmly as he could.
His headphones still dangled from his grip as Espio looked back at the smorgasbord of gifts awarded their boss. Almost as if he didn't pay any attention to it before now, Vector's behavior and emotional turmoil his sole focus. The ninja simply eyed the pile carefully before looking back to Vector.
"But dat's just da beginnin'!" the croc continued, frantic and tense. "Somethin' huge is goin' on dat's like nothin' you've ever seen, and like it or not, I'm da only one who can get to da bottom of it" he explained, pressing his hands against his chest as he shot pleading looks between the two of them.
"Da clock is tickin' and I got next ta no leads, but instead'a chasin' down what I can, I'm sittin' here gettin' grilled by you two. Over some scuzzball pig dat traffics girls ta da highest bidder" Vector spat out, lost in contempt.
"You're gettin' grilled for good reason, asshole" Mighty corrected, still upset at the lack of answers but especially the convenient distraction of this new case. "Remember how ya snapped the guy's arm like a toothpick, then beat on Espio, then ran off on your own with zero explanation? Yeah, that hasn't been resolved yet" he detailed bitterly.
"Look, I'm sorry, Mighty. I am sorry" he emphasized, his hands outstretched to the armadillo. "I know I deserve what you're dishin' out, I screwed up big time. But guys, if ya really wanna help me, either work dis case or let me keep workin' it" Vector pulled his hands back to his face and closed his eyes. "Cuz dis is da biggest case I've ever gotten in my life and I really can't afford distractions right now".
Neither Espio nor Mighty said a word as they watched Vector squirm under their unimpressed expressions.
He groaned as he shot to his feet. "I know I'm a piece'a shit for everythin' that happened at da club, but we ain't got time for dis!" he took a tentative step towards them. "Love me or hate me, there are lives on da line here and I have ta stop dis before it's too late. And I don't wanna have ta do it alone... but damnit, I will if I have to" Vector steeled his face finally, looking between the both of them expectantly.
"Please, guys..." Espio looked over to Mighty, asking the silent question, and Mighty refrained from answering. He really wanted to keep pressing Vector to explain himself, he really didn't want to leave this here, it needed to be resolved now. But... Vector was still Vector.
This convenient new case that's apparently a huge deal... it's not an act. It's a deflection and a distraction, sure. But a lie? Not at all. And if lives were really on the line right now, if Vector's the best shot at saving even more lives, and if he's asking—nay, begging for help on this... Mighty held his glare as long as he could before he deflated. Goddamn it.
"Well, when ya put it like that..." Mighty sighed, rolling his eyes as he stood to his feet. "But this conversation? Far from over, ya get me, jolly green?" he shot a threatening finger at Vector. "Far from over" Mighty jabbed his finger into Vector's wide chest, forcing him back into his seat.
"I get ya" Vector meekly replied before turning to the side. "Esp?" he asked, a hopeful lilt in his voice.
Espio turned to the side, for the second time that night looking away from Vector. "I do not appreciate nor approve of your methods and attitude, there is much you have to answer for and I will not forget anything that has transpired this day" he laid out, rage hidden beneath his stoic demeanor. Vector shrank down into his recliner with every word Espio shot his way. Mighty almost felt a little sorry for him. Almost.
"But..." Espio said, cooling down with a frustrated breath. "You have not done anything irredeemable, and lives are on the line. So I can shelve my grievances for a later time. So long as you vow to lean on me the next time you..." he struggled silently for a beat. "feel distressed".
Vector nodded as he swallowed hard, eyes focused on Espio's form as he continued. "Because if you lose control again, I will not hesitate to put you down" Espio's sharp eyes cut into Vector, paralyzing him on the spot. "This cannot happen again, Vector. Understood?" the chameleon demanded more than asked. An ultimatum isn't really a question, Mighty noted.
"It won't, Esp" Vector answered, an earnest expression on his face. "I promise" he added, as Espio turned his face away.
"Just bring us up to speed" he ordered, brisk in tone.
Vector cleared his throat before placing his headphones back on his head. "Right, so..."
He explained the situation in excruciating detail, the timeline of events thorough and the number of leads past and present exhaustively relayed. Mighty and Espio just took it all in as best they could. To be honest, Mighty was always the weakest of the bunch when it came to actual detective work, but even he was fully caught up on everything.
Missing persons case turned people trafficking ring run by organized crime. The Dingo Brothers and their crew were behind it, but after questioning the idiots, he wound up with more questions than answers. Girls were all tuned in to a mysterious CD that no doubt hypnotized them into a susceptible state of mind. Vector had to use his Sound aura abilities to neutralize the effects, which suggested someone used similar abilities to create it.
Don't know where the CDs came from, don't know how exactly they were made, don't know how they got that many girls so quickly and so quietly, don't know where they were shipping them to. Girls weren't exactly helpful in the whole answering questions department either, but he managed to get them all home and got their information for further questioning. Hopefully that'll turn up a lead, but the chances were slim. Vector had his own suspicions but he figures they're a long shot at best and he needs more info before he starts down any one path just yet.
Regardless, it looked like Vector was telling the truth, not that Mighty doubted it. But the magnitude of this, while he didn't agree that it was the biggest case they'd ever gotten, it was quite large. And it was no doubt true that Vector was the only one who could get to the bottom of this, after all, who else would have broken the trance the girls were under thanks to that creepy CD? Who else would even be able to defend against the hypno music? No one but Vector came to mind.
And with the croc at the end of his rope and apparently his sanity this soon into the investigation... yeah, things were looking pretty dire for everybody. He was gonna need all the help he could get, even Mighty couldn't afford to take a back seat on this one. It was all hands on deck time, whatever he knew to do, he needed to get busy doing it.
"So we should go around Sausalito and look into The Dingo Brothers' contacts. Family, friends, floozies, their usual haunts" Mighty nodded to himself as he rattled off the most logical next step.
"Yeah, dat's da plan. Only after tearin' through da place like a flammin' tornado of teeth and fists, I can't exactly get in touch with da charmin' public" Vector joked, while his audience remained silent. "So Migh—"
"Yeah yeah, I got it" Mighty answered impatiently, going to the kitchen to take out a bagged lunch. This was gonna take all day.
"Now Esp, can ya get over ta—"
"Sausalito PD, see if they have similar cases on record, rumors, suspicions. I'm on it" Espio finished, making his way to the front door, careful to walk lightly as to not cause the floor to creak.
"And I'll be here goin' over da victims' statements and da evidence I found at da scene. Call as soon as ya got somethin' " Vector instructed, following Espio, his booming footfalls squeaking the floor behind him.
"We know, we're not idiots," Mighty bit out, causing Vector to stop in his tracks. "Tell Ray to meet me when he gets up, he'll be a big help with all this grunt work" he finished as he turned the doorknob and pulled.
"Will do. Meet back here 'round 4, unless somethin' comes up on your end", Vector finished, pulling the door open the rest of the way.
Mighty & Espio shot a determined look at their boss before nodding and heading out the door. The Sun greeting them with a golden warmth to contrast the cool reception they were giving Vector until he explained himself. Until he answered for what he'd done. They weren't fools, they knew this case was important and that lives were truly at stake. But none of that excused Vector's actions nor absolved him of judgement and punishment. Still, they were professionals, no differences between them would get in the way of their work. No matter how vast those differences were.
Vector had crossed the line tonight... today, rather. It wasn't his refusal to explain what happened, it wasn't the fact that he apparently had suspicions and criticisms of Mighty's character he'd been holding onto for a while, which was quite upsetting. It was the fact that he spat in the face of both his closest friends reaching out to him and laying their souls bare to help him. It was the fact that after everything they've been through, the sacrifices they'd all made for each other, after all this time, he flat out didn't trust them. And that... that was too much to brush over and ignore.
Vector had a lot to answer for; flying off the handle and mangling a guys arm, that was pretty bad, yeah. Beating up Espio with serious intent to hurt him, that was horrible, no question. But as far as Mighty was concerned, the lack of trust in their friendship was at the top of the list. It went beyond a temporary moment of blind rage, it was how Vector really felt in his heart of hearts. And that... that's much more serious than a loss of control here and there.
The offending croc reached out and grabbed Espio's arm as he crossed the threshold, stopping the ninja in his tracks. Espio turned on his heel with lighting fast reflexes and flipped Vector onto his face, slamming into the unforgiving wooden porch. Vector grunted low as his head made a crack in the thick wood beneath him, Espio's grip loosened as he subtly took a half step back. Vector frantically pushed himself from the ground, no sign of anger or physical pain on his face as he looked up to Espio.
"S—Sorry, I-I shouldn't've—"
"No, you should not have" Espio cut him off, crossing his arms. "What is it?" he asked, no hint of an apology for what he'd just done to Vector.
The emerald reptile struggled to find the words he desperately wanted to say as he knelt there under Espio's imposing form. Vector rubbed his uninjured arm absentmindedly and looked across the hilly plains where no judgmental stares could meet his gaze.
Finally, he managed to croak out a word. "How, um..." he swallowed loudly as he shifted to look at Espio's shoes. "ho—how is he?"
Ah. Of course he'd ask about the kid. Probably was thinking about him the whole time Mighty and Espio were confronting him, waiting for an opportunity to ask about him. An opportunity they never gave him.
Espio's face remained flat as he answered. "What do you think? This incident really disturbed him..." he finished, shifting his golden eyes to the side for a fleeting moment as his face fell without his knowing.
Vector dared to look up and noticed Espio's withering expression, as much as the ninja wanted to appear only stoic or quietly disappointed. The hurt in his eyes was unmistakable, even from Mighty's position on the front lawn. Tentatively, he reached out to Espio's shoulder... but wisely retracted his large hand to his knee and stood to his full height.
After a steadying breath, he steeled himself and looked Espio straight in the eye "... I'm gonna make it up ta 'im. Ta all'a you" he put his hand on his chest. "I promise", he vowed, doing his level best to pour every ounce of sincerity in the words.
Espio recovered his flat expression and turned to walk down the stone steps to join Mighty without a word. Vector watched them both, sighing to himself as the hurt set in. Good, the armadillo thought to himself. He couldn't help it, this is the least that Vector deserved at the moment.
But as Espio walked past Mighty, he spoke up. "... Get some rest before you bury yourself into this. You haven't slept in over 20 hours" he said without looking back. His voice carried a softness absent from his demeanor all day.
Mighty couldn't help how his brows raised in surprise, nor how he reflexively looked up to Vector and noticed the smallest hint of a smile on the croc's face before he turned to go back inside.
He answered back, as serious as a heart attack, "I'll sleep plenty when I'm dead..."