Sheriff Fox Episode 16: A tale of tree cats

Hershey is walking in the sidewalk, after the sheriff have forgiven her for collaborate with Drago in order to exchange her for a reward, a few days ago, she is feeling relieved and happy. But then, when she is passing in front of the hair salon, the door is opened, accidentally hit her in the face. The black and white cat falls sitting and quickly cover her face with her hand. “Oh, sorry, Miss.” A male voice speak to her, Hershey opens her eyes and look up, realizing that there a nice...and kinda cute skunk - wearing a green scarf, purple shoulder sash and belt - stretching out the hand to help her get up. “Are you okay?” He asks

Hershey blush up as she take the gentleman's hand and get up. “Y-yeah…I’m fine” She replies

“Sorry for hit you. I kind of was in a hurry” The skunk apologizes

“I-It’s okay” Hershey says as she remains blushing. “I’m Hershey” She introduce herself

“Geoffrey” The skunk introduces himself. “Nice to meet you, Hershey.” He greets her. “Now if you excuse me, I have to go.”

“Okay. Bye!” Hershey wave to Geoffrey as him walk away. “What a handsome skunk!” She thought to herself
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Meanwhile in the train station, Mayor Acorn, along with Nicole and Sheriff Fox, are waiting for the arrival of a train that is bringing a very important person. “Now remember, Fiona: when he arrives, you have to do this” Sally show the way of how greet the visitor, joining hands, one opened and the other one closed as a fist and nodding.

“So, Sheriff? Can you do that? Or is too hard for you?” Nicole insults Fiona's intelligence

“Would you pass out if I punch you in the face?” Fiona tries to intimidate the assistant

“Enough, you two!” Sally stops the fight before it gets worse. “I don’t want to know that friction between the two of you. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am” Fiona and Nicole says simultaneously

“Good. Here comes the train.” Sally announces.

The train approaches the station, it slows down until it fully stops in front of the station. The door of the passenger car opens up, and then, a monkey - wearing a red and turquoise vest/coat, a golden headband with a red jewel in the middle and holding a staff - walk out the train car. “Greeting” He greeting them in the way Sally has showed

“Greeting, Prince Khan” Mayor Acorn, along with the sheriff and her assistant, greet him in the same way.

“Please, Milady, just call me Khan” Prince Khan take Sally’s hand and kiss it; making Fiona jealous but amusing Nicole. “Can't wait to start to the negotiations” He says. “As soon as Nikita show up with my bags” He looks back to the train car's door, impatiently.

“Sorry, Your Majesty” a female lynx - using a high-collared black and purple dress with long purple gloves and a red belt, hair up in a bun with hair sticks and with red-orange eyes- walk out the train car, carrying four handbags simultaneously, two in each hand

Then, everyone realize that Nicole and Nikita are pretty much equal, minus the eyes color. “I think that the desert heat is making me sick. I'm seeing double!” Khan comments.

But they are unaware that someone one is spying on them, a skunk, hiding behind a wall and taking notes with his notebook. “Prince Khan has arrived in Knothole Train Station, he has been received by the town mayor, Sally Alicia Acorn, by the local sheriff, Fiona Fox, and by Nicole, mayor's assistant. Fun fact is that both mayor's assistant, Nicole, and Prince Khan's servant, Nikita, are identical to each other. I will continue to follow them.” He writes in his notebook and guards it in his shoulder sash
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Mayor Acorn invites Prince Khan to a formal dinner in the Town Hall, he gladly accepted. Sheriff Fox decided to go to the saloon, fancy dinner isn't her thing, as well as the genre in general. So, the two political, along with their assistants, goes to the Town Hall. The dinner is well prepared and served it. “How is the dinner?” Mayor Acorn asks

“Wonderful!” Khan replies. While he and the mayor are sitting at opposite sides of the table, Nicole and Nikita are standing in the corner watching them eating.

“Look at them” Nikita speak with Nicole, there is a tone of contempt in her voice. “Delighting themselves with a splendid dinner while we stay here in corner watching them.”

“I know this sounds unfair, but it is a special occasion.” Nicole tries to reasons with Nikita.

“Oh, yeah, I know it! A deal to import a bunch of rocks that glow. What a special occasion!” Nikita says sarcastically

Then, Nicole realizes what's up with Nikita. “You had a hard life, haven’t you?”

“Is so obvious?” Nikita asks

“Yes, yes it is.” Nicole replies. Both of them smile to each other.

Moments later, the dinner finished, Sally and Khan clean their mouths with napkin. “My gratitude to the chief.” Khan says. “Now, to business.” He declares. “You see, Miss Mayor, in the Dragon Kingdom suffer a great need for electricity. Most of the electricity produced is used in the royal palace and with the ninja’s clans, leaving most families in the cold”

“Mine is one of them” Nikita whispers to Nicole

“For this reason I have come here to negotiate the terms of the marketing of rocks energy to the Dragon Kingdom.” Khan declares.
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Outside the Town Hall, that same skunk from before, it spying the meeting with a binoculars while above a building to see better. “After the dinner, the negotiations has started. Prince Khan is using valid and noble arguments, but the mayor Sally Acorn is saying as much as she want to help the Dragon Kingdom's people, Knothole is already exporting rocks energy to many places and she fear that the mine will running out before the expected” He writes in his notebook.

“Geoffrey?” The skunk is surprised when he heard someone saying his name. He turns around and realizes that it was Hershey, the cat he met before and who is climbing up the ladder. “What are you doing up here?” She asks as she reaches the top

“I…you…” Geoffrey makes a pause to clean his throat. “What are you doing here?” He asks

“I saw you up here spying the Town Hall.” Hershey replies.

“It’s because I am a…a…” Geoffrey reminds he can’t tell anyone about his true profession. “…a journalist. And if you excuse me, I'm trying to get a story” He says as him goes back to spy the meeting with Prince Khan

“Wouldn't more easy to just make an interview?” Hershey points out, which put Geoffrey's supposed career in a doubt

“I…I prefer a different tactic, okay?” Geoffrey replies

“Well, okay then” Hershey believe in Geoffrey’s words. The skunk sighs relieved, now he can do his job in peace. “Can I stay here with you?” She asks, which surprised Geoffrey again

“W-why?”

“I...just spend some time...with you” Hershey replies blushing as she look down and rub her tiptoe on the floor.

Geoffrey gulps blushing, he could simply say no and hope for her to go away, but he's afraid Hershey might tell someone about what he was doing here. “Alright then.” He allows eventually, which let Hershey happy. “But you can't disturb me, got it?” He imposes a condition and back to spy the town hall

“Got it” Hershey replies as she walks to Geoffrey's side, She look at him smiling and then, decide to lean her head on his neck; the skunk gets blushing, obviously, but in the end, he liked it.
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After hours of negotiations, it's night already and both the mayor and the prince reached a conclusion. “Very well, then.” Mayor Acorn get up, followed by Prince Khan. “We have a deal. Nicole, do you mind in stay late to make the papers?”

“Not at all, Miss.” Nicole accepts the task

Meanwhile, back with Geoffrey and Hershey, they are now sitting. The cat is embraced to the journalist's arm as he still spying with binoculars, he lowers it and start to write in his notebook yet again. “The negotiations have been concluded on the night of the same day. Mayor Sally Acorn has accepted to export rocks energy to Dragon Kingdom, in order to produce enough electricity to warm all the families in the country”

“How do you know what they are saying?” Hershey asks out of curiosity

“I know lip reading.” Geoffrey replies

“Really? That’s cool!” Hershey is impressed. “What else do you know to do?”

“I know hand-to-hand combat.” Geoffrey replies without mind

“I didn't know journalists had combat skills.” Hershey comments.

“Believe it or not, but I have a dangerous job.” Geoffrey says. “But I like to do it.” He adds.

“Cool! Can you teach me some combat moves?” Hershey asks excited

“Maybe another time.” Geoffrey replies
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Back at the Town Hall, Nicole is in her work desk, taking care of the papers to officialize the export to Dragon Kingdom. “Are not you going to sleep?” Nikita shows up, making a question

“I have work to do.” Nicole replies without taking the attention of her task

“And meanwhile, the mayor and the prince sleeps peacefully” Nikita says as she walks to Nicole's side

“How about you? Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?” Nicole points out

“I am not sleepy.” Nikita replies

“Did you sleep all the way here?” Nicole asks

“Pretty much. It was the only time I didn't have to hear that snobbish and hypocritical prince.” Nikita replies with contempt as she sits over Nicole’s desk.

“Snobbish and hypocritical?” Nicole is confused

“Didn’t you hear what he said? Most of the electricity produced is used in his palace!” Nikita says

“Yeah, I heard that.” Nicole replies. “But that's why he is here, to fix this problem.” She adds

“I doubt a few glowing rocks are going to fix the problem.” Nikita says pessimistic. “You know, I'm part of the Raiju Clan, one of the Dragon Kingdom's ninja's clans.” She reveals

“Really? But you said your family was one of the victim by the lack of electricity” Nicole points out.

“It does. Because Conquering Storm, the leader of our clan, use all the energy received in her own house, leaving my family and others in the cold.” Nikita explains

“Doesn't that mean is her fault, not Prince Khan's?” Nicole points out

“Of course not! Conquering Storm has a humble home, the prince has a huge palace!” Nikita defend the leader of her clan firmly. “I bet he doesn't even use all that energy!”

“Then, why you work for him? Seeing how much you hate him.”

“My parents insisted for me to work in the palace, at least I would have a nice place to live.” Nikita replies. “But I can't live knowing my family and everyone else stay in the cold while that snobbish prince sleeps in the warmth of his palace!” She hit the desk angry

“Ok, ok, I get it! You hate him. Now can you please leave me alone? I had to finish those papers.” Nicole asks

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Nikita apologize as she gets off the table, but end up noticed a record player under the desk. “Is that a record player?”

“Yes, it is.” Nicole confirm gladly. “I like to hear music sometimes.”

“What kind of music?” Nikita asks

“I like...slow music” Nicole replies a little embarrassed

“The kind perfect to dance with someone?”

“Y-yeah…you can say that…”

“Me too!” Nikita says all excited as she pick up the record player and put it over the desk

“What are you doing? You can’t put it to play! It can awaken the mayor and the prince!” Nicole says in panic

“Relax. I will set the volume to low” Nikita ignore Nicole and put the record play to play a slow music. “See? I doubt this will wake someone”

“I hope so” Nicole says concerned as she return to do her task

“Hey! Why don't you stop doing this and come dance with me?” Nikita invites Nicole

“M-me?” Nicole gets blushing. “B-but I have work to do! Besides...I'm not a good dancer.”

“Just follow my lead” Nikita says as she extend a hand to her

Nicole looks away, blushing and smiling. “Okay then” She accepts the proposal and take Nikita’s hand; she get up the chair, leaving her task aside with the thought that she can finish it before sun rise.

Nikita pulls Nicole by the arm to closer to her, wrap her other arm around her waist and stare at her seductively, causing the assistant to blush out even more. Soon, they start to dance to the music, since it is a slow one, it's easy for Nicole to follow it. Eventually, the shy lynx start to enjoy the moment, then, Nikita hold Nicole's face gently and passionately kisses her; Nicole is surprised, of course, but she closes her eyes and kiss back.
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Outside the Town Hall, the skunk known as Geoffrey still spying the building. Hershey remains by his side, but sitting and wishing to sleep. “Don't you already have enough for your article?” Hershey asks

“Not yet.” Geoffrey replies. “But you are free to go.”

“Yeah, I think I should go now” Hershey says as she stands up. “I have to say, you are very determined with your job” She admits.

“You have no idea” Geoffrey replies. Then, he sights something with his binoculars. “Wait, what is that?” He lets out, calling Hershey’s attention. Geoffrey looks closely and realizes there is a bat, most likely male, completely dressed in black sneaking around the Town Hall.

“What it is?” Hershey asks worried

“Hershey, go home. I have to do something” Geoffrey says as he guard his binoculars and goes to the ladder

“Geoffrey, please, tells me what is happening?” Hershey beg for answer as she grabs Geoffrey’s arm

“Hershey, let me go” Geoffrey demands. “Something serious is happening and only I can do something about it.” He says, Hershey release his arm. The skunk walks to the ladder without look behind, letting the cat with a feeling of powerless
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The mysterious bat in black walks to the back of the building, he stands in a position under a window. Next, he picks a grappling hook and launches it up, the hook attach itself in the roof tip successfully. He checks if the hook is well firm and so, he began to climb up the rope. The bat eventually reach the window and stop there, then, he pulls out a ninja bomb and start the pump by removing the safety trigger with his mouth, he intend to throw the bomb through the window, into a bedroom where Prince Khan is sleeping.

Then, someone shot into the rope, cutting and making the bat to fall in the ground. Next, Geoffrey, the shooter, quickly gets the bomb and launch it far away, letting exploding without hurt anyone. “What the…?!” The explosion cause to Prince Khan to wake up

“Hands up! You're under arrest for attempt to kill the prince of the Dragon Kingdom” Geoffrey points his gun to the bat. But the bat shoots a ninja star that disarms him and takes fighting stance; Geoffrey takes fighting stance too.

The two fighters stare at each other for a moment and then, they run toward the other. Soon, they deliver a series of quick movements trying to hit the other and giving the other a hard time; the fight soon end when Geoffrey give a headlock on the ninja. “Okay, okay, I surrender!” The bat says

“Why are you trying to kill the prince? Were you send by someone?” Geoffrey begins to interrogates him

“Yes, by Nikita! She paid me to kill the prince!” The bat ninja reveals

“Hands up! Both of you!” Sheriff Fox show up pointing her laser gun to both the skunk and the bat. Mayor Acorn, Prince Khan, Nicole, Nikita and Hershey also show up to see what was happening.

“Do not worry, Sheriff. I'm Geoffrey St. John, I was sent by the Secret Service to ensure security during Prince Khan's visit” Geoffrey reveals as he show his badge, proving what he said.

“Secret Service?” Hershey is surprised

“Wait, what a Yagyu ninja is doing here?” Prince Khan asks

“Your servant hired him to kill you.” Geoffrey reveals, shocking everyone.

Nikita tries to escape but is prevented when Nicole grabs her arm and punches her in the face really hard; knocking her. “That's what you deserve your two-face snake!” Nicole says really angry

“Something wrong?” Sally asks to Nicole

“It’s nothing.” Nicole replies, avoiding to be seeing clearing a tear.
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In the morning, the papers were finished and signed by the two leaders. Sheriff Fox has put handcuffs on both Nikita and the ninja bat, ready to go back to Dragon Kingdom and answer for their crimes.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mayor” Prince Khan shakes hands with the town mayor, causing a little jealous on the sheriff.

“It was a pleasure, Khan.” Mayor Acorn replies smiling. “Are you sure is safe to travel with these two? It's a very long journey” She points out

“Don't worry, Agent Geoffrey will come to make sure nothing happen.” Prince Khan replies

“Uh, Geoffrey?” Hershey approaches the skunk blushing. “C-could I come along?”

“Sorry, Hershey. You can’t” Geoffrey replies

“Oh, come on!” Prince Khan hit Geoffrey’s back friendly. “Let her! I bet she wouldn't cause any trouble, would you, miss?”

“No way!” Hershey replies with joy

“Well, if the prince is okay with it …in this case, so do I” Geoffrey accepts let Hershey come along

“Thank you, Geoffrey!” Hershey hugs the skunk happy.

“All aboard!” The machinist shout out, announcing that the train is about to leave.

Prince Khan, Geoffrey, Hershey and the two prisoners climb aboard the train. “By the way, about those fighting lessons...” Hershey says