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Author's Notes:

Tails of the Old Republic is a crossover between the Sonic the Hedgehog universe and the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game.

Sonic and all related IP belongs to SEGA/ Sonic Team
SW: KotOR and all related IP belongs to Lucas Arts/ Bioware Corp
No copyright or trademark infringement intended.

Series rated "Web-14" for violence, mild language, and suggestive themes.

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Upper City Taris — Duel Ring, Part One

"Well that... was interesting," Tails remarked.


"Sorry Human, the betting window's closed," said a deep, grotesque voice. It sounded revolting, like a diarrhetic man shot-gunning a toilet. Tails turned to see who was speaking, and saw a most hideous creature. At the far end of the room sat, or lay, an enormous slug-like creature with a wide face and two degenerate arms. Tails was glad he ate more than an hour ago; just seeing this... thing made him feel like puking.


Tails heard someone walking up behind him, and he identified who it was without even turning around.


"So there you are. Have you found anything?" asked Carth.


"No, I haven't. I've swept through this entire floor, and nothing relevant has popped up. What about you, Carth?"


"The same. We should continue scoping out the place though; people are walking in and out all the time."


Turning to face Carth, Tails asked, "Quick question: just what... is that?" Tails pointed a thumb over his shoulder.


"What, you've never seen a Hutt before?"


"No. Is that what that... slug thing is called?"


"Yeah. Hutts are pretty disgusting, I know, but they tend to populate any planet they can squeeze a profit out of. I walked through here not too long ago; he's the manager of this cantina's dueling ring. Name's Ajuur, or something. They all look like talking bantha feces, to me."


"No kidding... so that thing runs the dueling ring I saw?" Tails inquired.


"Uh-huh. Dueling is, or used to be, a big thing here on Taris. Supposedly death matches have been outlawed, and I hear anyone can sign up. Not that I'm in any way interested."


Tails had never really relished combat, it was always just a means to an end for him. He fought to defend himself, to save the lives of others, and generally to be a pain in Robotnik's fat arse. Unlike Sonic, who made a game out of even the most serious life-or-death struggles, the fox never found combat to be all that "fun". Especially since Tails was the one who always got beat up and injured the most. He tried so hard to keep up with Sonic, but even in victory, Tails' body paid the price. Hence the scars.


And yet...


The Mobian started walking towards the Hutt.


"Where are you going?" Carth asked.


"To talk with the slug-creature."


Tails approached the monstrosity, and wondered if the thing would actually notice him. It did.


"I'm sorry, furry one – the betting  window is closed," the Hutt declared. "No more fights right now. People are sick of seeing the same duelists all the time. It's bad for business Unless..."


"Can I sign up?" asked Tails. Carth groaned.


The Hutt's face, such as it was, seemed to brighten somewhat. "Ah! My name is Ajuur, and I organize all the duels here. We need a new face in the dueling game, furry one. You want to step into the duel ring? It can be a highly profitable venture. I can arrange for you to fight in the duel ring. If you win, you get the standard contract: ten percent of all wagers."


"Interesting," Tails replied. "What are the risks?"


"Nobody dies in the duel ring anymore," Ajuur answered. "Death matches are illegal now. Most fighters in the duel ring use vibroblades or stun sticks because the ring's pretty small, but a few of the duelists use blasters. Use whichever you prefer."


Carth looked exasperated, but interjected, "Vibroblades and blasters... and nobody dies? Why do I get the feeling you're trying to take us for a ride?"


"The duel ring has energy suppressor fields to make sure nobody dies," replied Ajuur. "Weapons are limited so that they can hurt, but cannot kill. And we've got several medic droids ready in case of serious injuries. Are you interested?"


"I don't think this is a good idea," Carth told Tails.


"Relax, these duels are one-on-one, right? So long I don't try to fight any more Jedi, I'll be fine," he answered Carth. Turning back to the Hutt, Tails replied, "Yes, I'm interested."


"Good!" the Hutt gurgled in his revolting voice. "New blood for the ring! But you need a nickname, like Ice or Deadeye or Twitch. Good nicknames make people bet more. Hmmm, what's a good nickname for you?"


"My friends call me Tails. Just use that."


"Hmmm, fitting, yes, but too bland. You're an off-worlder, you're new here, so people won't recognize you. I know! From now on in the duel ring you'll be known as... the Mysterious Stranger!"


"Wha...? 'Mysterious Stranger'? What a dorky nickname! Just use 'Tails'," the fox complained.


"Bah! What do you know about nicknames? I've been giving names for twenty years. Mysterious Stranger – that's your name now! 'Mysterious Stranger' is a perfect name for you. You've got no past, no history... it makes you seem like you're hiding some big, dark secret. People like that, makes them bet more. Take it or leave it."


Miles Prower grumbled.


"Perhaps this is for the best," said Carth, sighing. "We could use those credits from these duels, and using this new alias will help protect us in case any of the Sith knew your real name. One of them could have downloaded the crew manifest from the Endar Spire."


"All right, I'll use the stupid nickname, Ajuur. When can I start?"


"You ready for a duel now? You want to step into the ring right away? I'll set you up with Deadeye Duncan to start. I'll tell you the rules if you're ready."


"I'm ready!" Tails declared. He felt oddly exhilarated.


"Yes! You fight, people bet, and I make money! It's all good. Only one rule – nobody dies. Your opponent goes down, you do NOT finish him off. Death matches are illegal now. You're new at this, so I'll start you off easy. You get to fight Deadeye Duncan in one hour. He should be eager to fight a new challenger. Prepare yourself, furry one."


"Of course," said Tails.


"I'll return to the dining room," Carth said.


"You're not going to watch?"


"No. The information we seek may still yet present itself. Good luck in there."


With that, Carth left. Tails just stood with his back to the Hutt, and saw that a lot of people were noticing him now. Some just scoffed, and others seemed intrigued.


Choosing to ignore them, the Mobian walked to a semi-secluded corner of the room and started stretching his limbs. Despite his new athletic musculature, Tails was still leanly built, and his speed and tactical agility were his primary assets in close-quarters combat, not strength. He wasn't Knuckles. The boy doubted any of these Human duelists could touch him, but he wanted to maximize his flexibility and range of motion anyway. He flexed his namesakes, and was delighted that both tails were working properly. The tail that had parried the lightsaber still ached a little, and he decided to leave the bandage on it as Zelka instructed. Tails' reserve of Chaos energy was only half replenished by his estimation, but he figured he probably wouldn't need it. He wouldn't be trying to kill his opponents, after all.


Tails wanted to remove his extraneous clothing, but he considered what Carth had said about keeping his scars hidden, his "barbecue stripes" in particular. He considered now that he should have showed Zelka Forn his other six lightsaber burns so he could have used that dermal regenerator on them, but it was too late for it. But then, if these Human spectators saw just how battle-scarred his body was, would they bet more? In the end, the boy kept his clothes on.


"It's time for the match," Ajuur stated. "Are you ready to get into the ring now?"


"I am!"


"Excellent! This attendant will lead you to the arena."


A female Twi'lek appeared, and she directed Tails through a small metal door and down a flight of stairs. This one had orange skin, and she was very... aesthetically pleasing. The teenager felt his face get warm, and so kept his eyes off her.


"This last door will open in exactly two minutes," she said. "Once you enter it, you will be inside the ring. Good luck, twin-tail."


Tails smiled politely in return.


At last, the large metal door in front of him opened, and he passed through the threshold. Bright stadium lights shone upon him, and his natural night vision overloaded. Blinking away the stars, he saw he was in the arena. It was about twenty meters in diameter, with high walls and ringed with spectators, sitting in bleachers. He saw his opponent: Deadeye Duncan. He was grinning.


"Ladies and gentlemen! Draw your eyes to the center ring!" called the disembodied announcer. "We have a very special presentation in store for you! You've seen him lose night, after night, after night; but this time, he's after fresh meat! In this corner I give you... Deadeye Duncan!"


Duncan was met with the same mixture of applause and booing as before. Suddenly, he brandished a longsword, and its blade hummed. Tails felt the newest scar on his face itch.


"And in the other corner, a relative newcomer to the Taris Dueling scene. A twin-tailed demon, emerging from the shadows with no history, no past, and no name! The Mysterious Stranger!"


Curiously, Tails received even more booing than Duncan did. Apparently, a lot of the spectators really didn't like him. Ha, what bigots! Tails' ears even picked up the phrase "paste that fuzzy mutant" from above the din. The fox just chuckled.


An air horn blasted, and Duncan, wielding his vibroblade, charged after him. Tails could understand how an "energy suppressor" could render a blaster bolt nonlethal, but how would an energy suppressor stop a sword from slicing someone in half? Whatever, Tails wasn't about to test its effects. As Duncan ran at him, Tails quickly evaluated his threat level. This was definitely the same idiot who dropped his blaster before. Duncan appeared no stronger or faster than any other Human with his build, and his eyes didn't reveal any sort of master plan behind his attack strategy. "Deadeye" was just a man with a sharp metal stick.


Duncan swung, and Tails dodged. The man clumsily recovered himself, and charged again. Tails hopped from foot to foot, and Duncan made a fool of himself with each failed swing. Playfully, Tails slapped one of his tails across the man's face.


Whack!


Tails employed very little force behind the slap, not enough to hurt Duncan, but plenty enough to insult him. The fox folded his arms across his chest and smiled. Duncan growled, and the boy could see the man was losing his focus. Furious, the man charged again. Tails effortlessly avoided his clumsy swings and thrusts. He actually batted a few strikes away with his hands.


Smack! Thwack!


Duncan was struck by Tails' fluffy whips first across his stomach, then across his face. Duncan fell on his rear. Predictably, the man got back up and charged. The Mobian admired his persistence, but certainly not his competence. Tails twisted out of his way and thrust a tail in his path, tripping him. The man fell flat on his face, and his longsword clattered to the floor. Getting back up, Tails could see blood flowing from his nose. Forgetting the sword, Deadeye Duncan ran like a mad man at the boy, trying to tackle him.


Tails sighed.


Balling his right hand into a fist, Tails swung his arm in Duncan's path, and it slammed into his gut. Tails' augmented strength gave his punch much more force than his size would suggest, and the fox had to hold some of his strength back otherwise the blow could have left the Human with organ damage. Stunned, every trace of air was expelled from Duncan's lungs, and the obstinate Human was completely winded. Unable to move, Duncan collapsed on top of the boy, who then deposited the writhing, breathless man onto the floor. Ten seconds passed, and the air horn sounded again.


"Its over, the fight is over! The Mysterious Stranger has won!" declared the announcer. "And without drawing a single weapon, too! But really now, are any of us surprised? Deadeye losing isn't news. You'll have to do better than that to impress us, Stranger!"


Two medical droids carrying a stretcher ferried away the incapacitated Duncan. At first, the spectators were silent, but Tails eventually heard the sound of clapping, soon joined by the random cheer or whistle, but his applause was very subdued. It seemed the announcer was right: Deadeye Duncan losing to anybody, even a complete "n00b", simply wasn't news to them. A least no one booed at him now. Tails bent for an elegant bow, then returned through the large door he entered in, and was greeted by the orange Twi'lek. She seemed genuinely happy that the boy was unhurt, and she gave polite congratulations. Tails wondered if she was some sort of slave, doomed to serve that fat turd upstairs all her life. The thought of it made him angry, though he didn't think it could be helped at the moment.


Returning to the main floor of the cantina, Tails walked up to the Hutt.


"Ah, 'Mysterious Stranger'! Good fight, good fight," gurgled Ajuur in his diarretic voice. "Some people seem to like you; they bet a lot on you this fight. It makes me happy... and rich!"


"Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance to you," Tails replied with a hint of sarcasm.


"I always pay my debts. You won, you get paid. Ten percent of the purse, that was the deal. Here's your credits. You come see me when you want to fight again." said Ajuur.


Tails pulled the datapad out of his black cargo pants and held it in front of him. It chimed softly, and he saw that two hundred forty-seven credits had been transferred to it.


'Huh, so people bet two thousand four hundred and seventy credits on our match? Not bad, I guess.'


"Thank you, fine sir," Tails told the Hutt. "Can the next duelist be ready in an hour?"


"Oh, certainly! I'll set you up with Gerlon Two-Fingers next. He should be itching to fight someone more competent than that idiot, Deadeye. One hour, Stranger; don't be late!"


"I won't be," Tails confirmed. He bowed slightly, then turned to leave the room.