Alright, when I think of an updation for Prince of Babylon, I update it. As for now, I've decided to write Charmy Rogues first. Also, this story will be in Charmy's POV. So, now flames about "Ohh! I didn't know who said what!" And other crap like that. On with the show! Well, fanfic in this case.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but Sterling, Rodrigo, Maxwell, Clause, and Flare.

Ch.1: Goodbye, Team Chaotix

Smoke filled the air. My lungs felt as if they were on fire. Another brick almost crushed me from above. Using my bee wings, I swiftfully dodged them with Vector at my side. More explosions filled the air. Espio was gone, and so were our clients.

"Oh, God! Why? Why us? Why me?"

It had all started when the Chaotix and I recieved a mission from a police officer named Sterling. He was a male, owl lieutenant that was on a top secret mission. We were being asked to help stop an explosions ace from destroying South Island Institute. Sterling explained that if it was blown up, Mobuis would lose thousands of ideas people contemplated there.

"If you accept, you'll be rewarded handsomely," Sterling offered, giving a slight smile.

Vector stood up from his leather seat. A broad grin was plastered on his snout. Suddenly, his face turned very grim. "How handsomely are you saying?" I could tell from the look on his face he was remembering what Dr. Eggman promised before and never gave us any cash.

Sterling plucked a small document from his military uniform. He glanced down at it and began to read aloud. "If said Chaotix do accept their mission and succeed, they will recieve one million mobuims."

Our jaws dropped to wild proportions. This was the chance of a life time! We could get a better place to leave, instead of this dump with mold on the windows. Perhaps, just maybe, we could live near Cream? Vector would've liked living closer to Vanilla. What, wait did I just say? Stop looking at me like that.

Espio straightened himself out, returning to his solitary composure. He shook his head in a negative manner. "I'm very apologetic, but this job we cannot," he emphazied cannot while shooting Vector a sideways glance. "accept your hefty offer."

"But Espio!" I cried, zooming in front of his face. I was always hovering so I could be at their heights. I hate being short. "Think 'bouts it. We could be fancy living!"

Vector automatically agreed with me. I could tell since he pushed me out of the way. "Yeah! Listen to the kid, Epsy."

Espio sighed, a gesture of defeat. Two against one wasn't fair, but it always works against Espio. He nodded towards Sterling.

Sterling smiled widely. He raised his hand and Vector shook it. He explained to us that a private jet would be taking us to South Island. Snapping his fingers, a loud vroom was heard from outside. He opened a window, and a mercedes vehicle was being revved. Sterling added that we would be driven to the airport to get to the jet.

The boss and I cheered loudly. Vector even swung me around. We both chanted, "We're goin' in car! Mer-ce-des! Mer-ce-des!"

The car we owned wasn't even a car at all. But a dainty bob-sled that only went as fast as Espio could run. He was the motor after all.

We all left for Mobotropolis Airport. This was the first time we went on an airplace, excluding the Tornado because that was a biplane. It was enormous. Mobians were bustling in at every entrance. We were lucky though to get through quickly, since Sterling was an agent of the law.

A moniter with a T.V in it showed three birds bursting out of a South Island facility caught my eye. The camera zoomed in on their faces. One was a green bird, another a purple bird, and the last one was the scariest: he had black around his eyes instead of white. His feathers were grey too. However, I was then distracted by a cartoon about a cat chasing a mouth, thus, distracting me from the avians.

Vector yanked my jacket and ordered me to hurry along. "C'mon, Charmy! We don't got all day! That dude's gonna blow the institute up when night falls. That's what Sterling said when you were in La-La Land!"

I start to gag. He finally relinquished his grip on my jacket.

Espio was gathering information about the bomber. Espio learned that the terrorist was a crook named Rodrigo the Crow. He was famous for poisoning innocent civilians for money. Rodrigo was just like any other crow: black feathers, golden curved beak, and violet eyes that always contained a lust for power.

Our plane was located on the roof. Private jets were special in those cases. A few days ago, President Cesare came here to fly to South Island to figure out Rodrigo's motivations. However, when he found out, he fled back to his presidental chambers in Freedom City. (See Sonic OVA)

Sterling stepped into the pilot's seat. "Everyone ready to go?" he asked, finishing pushing in the fastest route to South Island.

Vector finished straping in his seatbelt when he replied with much vigor, "Ya better get your cash ready, cuz we're gonna blow this crow crook away!"

What a pun.

Sterling gave a weak smile, hiding his tinge of fear from the crocodile. He lifted the throttle up and the rutters began moving at a high speed. The doors slammed shut, and we were off.

The sky was absolutely invigorating. The clouds surronded us at every corner. I placed my hands against the window, gazing out in childish wonder. I pointed out any clouds that looked like mobians.

"That one looks like Espio!"

Espio had enough gall to snort in disgust. He still glanced out though.

Vector laughed and pointed to another one that resembled me. Then, he found one that looked like himself without the chain. "What a good lookin' cloud!"

"Yeah, you're good looking alright," Espio whispered to no one particular.

Unfortunately for Espio, Vector was sitting in the middle. He attempted to strangle him, but Sterling asked him to remain in his seat. He grunted angrily in response, slumping far down in his seat.

I couldn't resist a chuckle or two, causing Vector to to shove me a little. Times like this were bliss. Now that I think about, it has been a long time since I recollected my thoughts on these events.

Sterling radioed a comrade from his office, telling them that we would arrive in South Island in an hour and a half. After hearing a confirmation, he hung up, saying, "Well, you three just relax. We won't be there for a while."

"Fine with me!" I jeered, clasping my hands around me helmet-wearing head. Slowly, I drifted into somber slumber.

A jerk awoke me from me cat nap. We were descending onto a platform over South Island Airport. I presumed that it was the roof. Sterling asked us to gather any belongings we brought along. Espio grabbed a bag and slung it over his shoulder. It finally landed. The noise was so loud, I bet we could probably hear it back in Mobotropolis!

Two majors appeared before us, saluting Sterling. He was their boss after all. He nodded in approval for them to be at ease. Sterling introduced us to his subordinates, Clause the Peacock and Flare the Chipmunk. Flare offered to take Espio's bag, but Espio shook his head in silence.

Clause extended a hand and shook with each of us. The peacock led us down to the main floor. His hand was secured on his handgun with a sneer planted on his beak. For a while, I pondered about that sneer. I decided soon after it was nothing. He pointed out to a silver limo in front of the building. "This, my detectives, is the limo we shall go in."

Vector seemed skeptical about Clause. He nodded uncertainly, and we piled in.

Once inside, Espio dug through his bag. He pulled out a video camera and started filming. He mumbled to himself about the mission we were on.

South Island Institute finally came into veiw after twenty minutes of a loathsome ride through traffic. More images of those avians appeared on televisions screens next to the facility.

Flare opened our doors. "Mr. Espio, if you don't mind, video cameras are not allowed."

Espio barely glanced at him. "This is for data collecting. I must use it to aquire any clues."

"Well, you just have to stop Rodrigo."

Clause glanced back at us. He snatched the video camera out of Espio's hands. "I apologize, but you really should listen to Major Flare."

"What's with this peacock? Vector was right, birdies can't be trusted!" I thought, smiling nervously.

He noticed my smile and immediately manuvered away from us Chaotix and his comrades. Clause bolted inside the institute, going straight for the receptionist.

"That guy is very suspicious," Vector said, crossing his arms.

Sterling's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm sorry about my subordinate. This is out of character for him."

"Perhaps he's scared that we could fail?" I asked.

"Oh, no, Charmy. Don't worry about Clause," said Flare, patting my attenae down. The chipmunk followed in pursuit of Clause. "I'm sure he's okay!"

Vector decided to question Clause. A thought struck him as strange. What if Clause was Rodrigo in disguise? He sighed and told us his bothersome questions. He knew what exactly what Espio was going to say and in unison they said,

"Possible."

The chameleon gave a pout to his direction. He scratched his temples in a devious way. One that read, Say one word, and you're toast.

I laughed loudly, barely avoiding Espio's slap. "Aaah, chill Espio! Vector's sorry, right, Vec?"

"Yeah, yeah..." Vector rolled his eyes to the back of his head.

We all walked in. Sterling outstretched a hand to a teacher there. He was a monkey with a long lab coat and glasses. This monkey was the leader of the science department..

"Chaotix, I would love to introduce you to Dr. Maxwell Patrior."

Maxwell shook each of our hands and noticed me. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a cherry lollipop. Watching me eating suck on the top, he began to explain the precise time that Rodrigo will strike. "It shall be at seven pm sharp. He specializes in cherry bombs, poisons, and an expert at throwing knives."

Espio smirked at the final comment. "Knives? How quaint."

"I was told you are a skilled ninja, Espio. Very good." He shuddered a little, before adding, "Rodrigo will do whatever it takes to get our information."

"Why does he even want it?" Vector asked, writing stuff down on a notepad Espio brought.

"For power, I suppose."

He nodded. Suddenly, he noticed Clause was tip-toeing away. "Yo, Clausey! What'cha doin'?"

Clause froze. He swiped his handgun out, aiming it at Vector. In his other hand, was a bottle. The bottle read, Cantarella. Cantarella, as I read in a book, was a terrible poison. He smirked and began firing.

Flare cried out in pain as three bullets pierced his chest. He flopped over motionless. Flare was dead. The same with Maxwell.

My heart stared racing. I managed to gurgle down some vomit that was attempting to flee from my stomach. Espio grabbed me, and we hid in a corridor. Vector grabbed Sterling, but Sterling was shot in the leg. I was almost shot, since a bullet was nearly three inches away from my face.

Espio swore loudly. He pulled out a shuriken and tossed it. It went sideways, starting to swing out of control. Espio's face was filled with rage. "I knew this would happen."

Clause smirked, dodging gleefully. He leaped into the air, pulling out a detonater. "Fools! You don't get it, do you Sterling? I am Rodrigo the Crow!" He yanked off his disguise and revealed a black crow. Rodrigo pressed it without any sign of life left in him. "Boom, baby."

An explosion went off just down where Espio and I were. He picked me, slinging me over his shoulder. As quickly as possible, he dashed about. "Vector! How's Sterling?"

Sterling whimpered softly. The owl grimaced, but forced a smile on his crooked beak. "I...I am terrible sorry. I was a...fool. Tru-trusting that fiend. He dis-disguised himself, possibly kill-killing the real Clause!"

Rodrigo stampeded over to us. For a bird, he had outstanding speed. He shoved the bottle deep down Sterling's throat. The poison automatically took hold. Rodrigo only smirked as Sterling's body functions ceased movement.

I literally screamed at the top of my lungs. More explosions were being detonated. More panic. Chaos. Students piled out in escape exits. Didn't they care? Three people were dead, but no, they just ran away. A hand grabbed mine, pulling me away from Sterling's slightly twitching body. I looked up and saw that it was Vector. I was still floating, but my feet kept slapping onto the floor.

"Charmy! Run!" I heard Espio cry out, dodging an explosion. However, dodging can lead to defeat in some cases. Just like my poor Espio. Where Espio landed, another explosion detonated. Espio screamed as he body was burned to a crisp. All that remained with his yellow horn.

I burst into hysterical tears. They streamlined down my face. I glared at Rodrigo, but his face remained the same, egotistical bolster of glee.

Vector saluted Espio's fiery corpse. "...Sorry, buddy. Shoulda went with you on the reasoning of the case." The crocodile snatched my arms, dragging me away.

I wanted Rodrigo dead. I wanted his flesh, blood, and organs splattered everywhere in the walls. My face was definately out of character. I wanted to regain composure, but wrath overflowed my soul. A long time ago, my comrades, Might and Ray, were killed in an explosion. But now, it happened to Espio.

"Where are you running?" Rodrigo sneered, pulling out another explosive. The crow tossed a stick of lighted dynamite towards us.

Vector and I both ducked. The dynamite exploded onto the wall, causing more fire to burst out. It hit a control panel of sorts. More fire streamlined from behind us. However, the newly added front fire blocked our exit. We were stuck like lab rats.

A small window was to the right above the flames. I noticed it and told Vector.

"Then, I suppose this is goodbye, little buddy," Vector sighed with a small smile. He pulled me into a small hug. Then, he flung me at the window. The impact smashed it open.

I glided through mid-air. A final explosion filled the air, and that was the last time I saw Vector. I screeched his name and Espio's. My wings were frozen like ice, but I kept flying. My stinger landed into a small ridge of bricks on a skyscraper. I was at least thirty feet in the air. I cried until my eyes were puffy. A final explosion filled the air, and the South Island Institute crumbled to the ground.

At last, the fire department and the police came storming about. The odds of finding Vector alive was slim, and I knew that. Life was absolutely irrelevant to me now. I hung my head towards the ground, and the grasp of the bricks finally slipped. My life flashed before my eyes as I waited for death to come.

I opened my eyes. Someone was holding me. It was a grey albatross with black around his eyes instead of white, like normal Mobians. He frightened me for a second, but I recognized him as the bird I saw on television. I attempted to speak, but words failed me.

The albatross spoke. "H-hey, kid, you alive?"

I weakly nodded.

He noticed all of my injuries, since the impact off the brick wall was extremely powerful. "Yikes, I better take you back to Boss and Wave. I'm Storm, and you?"

"...Cha-Charmy Bee."

"That's a girl name!"

I groaned in pain.

"Aah! You really are in pain, huh? I'll help you. I'm riding on Extreme Gear. We're gonna fly up to the sky so my friend and repair ya." Storm pointed with the other hand to a golden and black airboard. He ascended towards the sky. "We're gonna go to my airship."

My new life was just about to begin...