Chameleon means "earth lion" in Greek

tails part 3

"right when I say ready, fire away" sonic shouted as he readied his wrap rings 

when "ready" was said Espio immediately began to throw 

wrap rings entered the air and a blue flash was barely seen as it crossed 

when it was over sonic returned to the centre it was seen that he had only been able to capture 5 

"hey, my best" sonic laughed 

Espio understood the meaning of this "game"

if the chaos emeralds were somehow to get split up in transformations or when we're bringing them all together it would be good to have a plan to get them all back there and then 

"may I try?" Espio asked 

"of course, go for it dude" sonic said with a thumbs-up as he went to set it up 

"Just say the word" sonic said after retrieving 3 bags (red, green and dark blue) and had given Espio some wrap rings 

and at once Espio began the game 

as he went through the rings in the sky he jumped higher and using the momentum used the kunai's he had attached to a rope to lasso some of the closer emeralds to his chest 

when it's over sonic rushed over to see how many he got 

"5! beginners luck!! sonic commented playfully 

but Espio simply looked at the bags, if this was real he would have left 2 emeralds to get taken 

"I want to try again" Espio stated 

"don't worry you will, but it's my turn now" sonic laughed as he grabbed 2 bags from the chameleon, to this the ninja simply nodded 

sonic knew Espio was seeing this more than a game, it was a training exercise, and sonic would be lying if he didn't think so either 

when he got vectors to call he instantly knew the croc was forcing him to be social 

Sonic liked Espio, he was a cool and caring serious guy, he wasn't his closest friend like knuckles so it was really out of the blue 

non the less he decided it be good to develop better connections and friendships with the 3rd member of team edge 

(shadow, knuckles and Espio) 

and what better way to do that with a socially awkward ninja than a training session that was in the form of a game 

and with how the day went he had to admit it was fun 

seeing all his ninja tricks and skills that he had trained hard to gain, it was truly impressive 

and at the end of the day, the chameleon was only unable to grab the final and 7th "bag" 

"it's always just one" Espio grumbled as sonic laughed, both sitting on the grass and out of puff 

"Yeah, but you were super close" sonic tried to comfort the chameleon 

Espio knew by the look the hedgehog was giving, he wasn't going to let himself beat himself up so he simply rolled his eyes 

"Regardless, if you ever want to do this again, to get all 7 your always welcome, if we're both free of course" sonic continued 

"yes I would like that, although partly frustrating it was enjoyable, so I'll happily take you on, on that offer" Espio admitted and agreed happily 

looking at the time Espio decided to call it a day, he was getting hungry and the world was getting dark 

"I should be heading back, until next time sonic, or when the worlds in jeopardy," Espio said as he got up 

"Great, so I'll see you next week" sonic laughed 

and the blue blur could swear he saw the ninja finally gave a small smile and a little laugh 

"bye sonic," Espio said as he bowed and left 

"see ya next time esp" sonic said giving a wave as he walked off

when Espio came back home he was greeted by a friendly bee and a very proud of himself croc 

"hi esp" charmy welcomed happily 

"well look who's home late, had fun at your friends?" vector asked with a chuckle 

"I did actually, so please do not ruin my mood" Espio stated 

"relax, I cleaned the kitchen so no need to lose your lid" vector laughed 

the chameleon simply rolled his eyes and made his way to his room 

as he walked the croc noticed not only the chameleon is in a good mood but something else 

"hey, your tail isn't as curled anymore" vector stated 

to this, all chaotixs simply looked to said appendage 

"Yeah, it's almost straight" charmy pointed out 

"oh, it only does that when I'm stressed or worried" Espio explained calmly 

....

"but your tail is always curled" Charmy stated worriedly 

silence 

Espio continued walking to his room, his tail already beginning to curl back 

"Espio wait" vector and charmy called out as they followed the chameleon