The Sting is a complete story starring Tails that appeared in Issue 272 of Sonic the Comic Online. Although marked as a Tails story on the artwork itself, the home page of the issue states it as being the second Sonic's World story of the issue.
Staff[]
- Jamie J - script
- Adamis - art
- Claire "Mambocat" Ryan - colours
- Chris G - letters
Story[]
Market day in the Metropolis Zone and Tails has already dismantled an Ubernik, dealt with three Badnik invasions and all before lunch. The next task is to hunt down the enigmatic Don Long-Legs, head of The Family. Back at Buddy's Bistro, Amy Rose reveals that the Kintobor Computer has hacked into the Spengle-101 Satellite and will search for the Don's unique bio-signature - as he is the only crane-fly left on Mobius. The mission is a risky one, as the satellite is jointly owned by Kane and G.U.N., so being caught using it could lead to Dunzi issuing an arrest warrant. As market day is usually when The Family make their supply moves, Tails is keen to go ahead and the 26-minute countdown begins.
Tails immediately gets a reading and flies off to the source. Although Tails muses that the Don is the last of his kind, much like Knuckles the Echidna and Tikal, thanks to Shadow the Hedgehog, his pity is short-lived as he stumbles upon a shadowy character. The Don remains silent but it isn't until Tails attacks that he realises it's actually just a pile of scrap metal with Doctor Robotnik's face. Oddly, the signal moves to a completely different location, so Tails begins a wild goose chase, finding himself face to face with flower-seller Roscoe and a small child.
Finally, the signal heads into the sewers and encounters a group of crocodiles and alligators. They have intercepted the Family's supply run, a shipment of weapons that were going to help in the war effort. Tails watches on as they are they attacked by a group of bees/wasps from the Family. The fox is alarmed when the Don appears from the shadows. Rather than attack or run, he reveals how his organisation use these tunnels to provide weapons for the heroes, food for the civilians - all without Robotnik knowing - and that the alligators are just a small, rival gang.
G.U.N. arrive and apprehend all of the criminals. The Don reveals that they hacked the Spengle-101 too, which allowed him to lead Tails on the bizarre chase and allowed the troops to find him. He realised that the forces were closing in on him so wanted to go out on his terms. Amy finally re-establishes contact, and Tails reveals what happened - although he doesn't feel it's much of a victory...
Trivia[]
- This marks the end of The Family story arc that has taken place through much of Sonic the Comic Online.
- The title doubly refers to a number of creatures in The Family that have stingers, as well as a "sting operation".
- This is the Don's first appearance without being in some sort of shadow.
- Many characters appear in the background with non-speaking parts. These include Big the Cat, Bark the Polar Bear, Ray the Flying Squirrel and Vector the Crocodile. There are also people that look a lot like Tekno the Canary and even Super Sonic. Chrysalis also appears in the base, angrily sifting through clothes and helping herself to a warm drink.
- The Spengle-101 Satellite looks like a Poké Ball.
- In one of many funny background events, a young character looks on nervously with some pen and paper. After the satellite is activated, the child now has a signed photo of Tails.
- Trams make their first appearance.
- The Don's initial conversation apparently takes place over 4 minutes according to the G.U.N. countdown, despite only being 12-13 lines in total.
- In a further background event, a G.U.N. soldier is trying to attach his single pair of handcuffs to the Don - but doesn't know how to react to his four arms.
Timeline[]
The previous Tails story was The War Machine. This is the current Tails story.
The previous Sonic's World story was The Fallen. The next is Paying Back.