The obligatory stuff:

None of the Sega & DiC characters are mine, I don't in any way claim that they are. They ideas and dialog however, are mine and not representative of Sega or DiC and their opinions or views.

Ideas, characters such as Jake, and the plot are mine. All are free to use by anyone and everyone because that's what FanFiction is about. Again ideas and dialog in this story are mine and represent my work using copyrighted characters.

The Resistance series takes place in a fictional world of my own devise. I ignore most precedents in terms of world and setting provided by Archie, Sega or Dic in favor of creating my own. I wanted to write a story about how the characters would act in a war against Julian Kintobor (Robotnik) in a more familiar setting where humans are still part of every day life. The timeframe is set not that far into the future and yet should in many ways seem older (think 90's era infrastructure with tech from 100 years from now). Populations of people depending on their location will act differently. This is also true for characters based on their past and current situations. In short what I am saying is that people may seem OOC, but that is because I am interpreting how they would act given the world and scenarios I am putting them in. I don't like to build a world around predefined notions about characters because it forces too many things. All of the characters will retain their core personalities as you will see in the end, I have only given them the means to go beyond what they might do in a normal ff.

Futile is part two of the Resistance series. While it takes place before resistance chronologically, it would still be favorable to read it after Resistance. However, it should still stand on its own and be enjoyable by all. Readers of my first story can expect a lot of similarities between the two as well as plenty of sequences, items, and characters that appeared in the first. This story, much like Resistance, will have the first seven chapters focus on the main character, Fiona, before introducing the secondary character's, Tails, perspective.

Please do keep in mind this story while similar will also be different. I would greatly appreciate feedback and suggestions, especially if you feel like I am drifting too far away from what worked in the past. I know the story starts slow, but it should speed up pretty quick once a certain two tailed fox comes along.

Oddly enough a few weeks ago I noticed, for what ever reason, I started my FanFiction account 4 years ago New Years Day. I thought it would be fun to post the first chapter of this story on New Years for a bit of nostalgia.

Now I am going to stop writing about all of this nonsense and get on with the story.

Please enjoy…

The red vixen sat behind the steel composite bars staring out into blinding solitude. The walls were stained in a metallic white as the overhead lights washed out any remaining color. Day or night there was no reprieve from the brightness that bled through her eyelids. Fiona sighed deeply to herself as she slumped down to the floor. It had been days since she had been deposited in this prison and the only thing she could do to bide her time was think about how she had ended up in this predicament.

Kintobor and his goons had finally caught up with her. Even despite Miles best efforts, the will of the forces colluding against her was too much. It was as if her worst nightmares had come to life causing the feeling of helplessness to set in quickly, forcing the fox to retreat mentally form the world.

Since her capture, the vixen had been drug around with a black satin shroud over her head as men strong-armed her from place to place until they inevitably forced her into this room. The fact that they hadn't killed her yet suggested they had plans for her still, which didn't amuse her in the least. While she had come to know many twisted people in her life, it was clear Julian was perhaps the most well regarded in this facet, and sitting alive in one of his prisons did nothing to lift her spirits.

All Fiona had wanted was to be free, but the feelings were short lived. Ixis had looked after her, given her advice that served her far better than any other. However, for something as stupid as love she went against what he had taught her as well as her better judgment. The vixen had made room in her heart for another, but all it did was soften her. Tails had promised he would never let her go again, but here she sat well outside his reach. It didn't matter that she could here his shouts of sorrow as the van pulled away, he hadn't done what she had been doing her who life, and that was looking after her.

As the hours smashed into one another, Fiona traced her life backwards through time. It was an odd and somewhat futile endeavor to determine where everything had went wrong. There were so many places where just one tiny decision would have resulted in her sitting anywhere but here. The most obvious memories to target were those of the two tailed fox she still pined for in her dreams, but the problem went back further than that. Her earliest option to escape the clutches of Kintobor went back nearly ten years. The vixen had the misfortune of hearing just a few words that would forever change her outlook on life. The tiny seed of an idea given to her by a passing stranger had taken hold, guaranteeing her fate. With as much vividness as she could, Fiona retreated into her memories over a decade…

The young fox skipped along the sidewalk without a care in the world. This city was her playground and there was no one to tell her otherwise. People did their best to make her feel out of place, but she paid them no mind. Waltzing in the shadows of tall buildings and humans that pretended to be larger than life was what she did everyday.

Her boot found the stone she had been kicking along the city street, sending it further down the alley. Perhaps if a school would take her she could find the patience to sit down, but the institutions was just one more reminder that their kind was not welcome. Learning was not something she had an aversion to, but was rather almost an innate gift. Reading came easy, as did the knowledge that gained for doing so.

The fox spied a small group of humans at the far end of the one-way street. They were all older by a few years, perhaps thirteen and fourteen. Like a pack of hyenas, they circled their prey, in this case a much younger boy, prodding him until he lashed out. The kid had a lot of fight in him, but it did little to help against the children who were larger in both stature and years.

Fiona rarely took time to involve herself in the affairs of others, but she held a special place in her heart for those that took advantage of people weaker than themselves. Stepping between the kid and the other bullies, she inserted herself into the situation.

"Get out of here fox," the fattest one requested in a stern tone, "this doesn't have anything do with you?"

The vixen didn't move but instead clenched her fist, readying herself for the inevitable. Being raised in the city as a Mobian made her grow up all the more quickly. She took no issue with fighting, even against those bigger than herself. Her father had taught her that backing down only displays weakness, which is what people like those in front of her thrive on.

The kid she was protecting got back to his feet, wiping a small smearing of blood from his jaw. For a moment it felt as if she had a partner in crime when he took his spot next to her. Meanwhile the other boys exchanged uneasy glances that suggested that they were debating whether it was okay to hit a girl.

"She's just a Mobian," one of them pointed our as he stepped into a punch that was meant to knock her out.

Fiona simply sidestepped his attack, letting his arm sail by her muzzle. When his body came into reach she grabbed his shoulders and threw him hard into the wall behind her. Combined with the momentum already moving in that direction, the collision was not kind to him. He collapsed to the ground, eyes full of tears and he massaged fresh scrapes and bruises.

The others were on her in no time but it made no difference, she was faster, stronger, and smarter than they were. Grabbing one if their kicks, the fox left a bully with only one leg to stand on. The vixen refused to let go no matter how hard he tried to pull his foot away. Leading him around as she continued to do battle with her other arm was surprisingly simple.

Seeing the plight of his friends, the last remaining boy was not nearly as hasty with his choices. He threw quick jabs which Fiona turned aside. However, in the end the bully was just as stupid as the rest. All at once he sprinted towards her, threatening to tackle her to the ground. The fox quickly spun her one legged prisoner in his direction causing the two to crash into one another.

Ceasing his chance, the kid she had rescued leapt onto one their chests and let his fists fly. A bloodied lip and off color eye emerged before the third bully was able to pull him off. Fiona could appreciate what it meant to be smaller than your foe, and much like her, this kid seemed dead set on proving to them it meant nothing.

Despite his scrappiness the larger boy was still able to pin him against the brick wall before returning the black eye. When the bully went to hit him again, Fiona grabbed his fist as he cocked it back . Looking to see what his arm was hung up on, he found a gleeful smile and razor sharp canines protruding over her bottom lip. The smell of fear on him was so strong that Fiona was sure even a human would be able to smell it, but if not that, certainly the look on his face would be telling enough.

The vixen brought her own fist across his ugly mug, leaving something to remember her by. The boy promptly teetered for a moment as he stumbled backwards and onto the asphalt. Fiona looked down at the small gang with pity as they lay nearly on top of each other in a pile on the ground. Preying on the week was too often rewarded with success, but not today. The three goons picked themselves up and ran away all the while shouting for help as they looked over their shoulders to make sure they were not being followed.

Turning back to the kid she had saved, Fiona offered a paw. He stared at it with trepidation from where he sat on the pavement. She chuckled at him softly as she dawned a friendlier smile. If Fiona had been him, it would not have been fear that prevented her from reaching for an arm up, but rather pride. When he finally swallowed his, he clasped his hand around hers as she helped return him to his feet.

This kid wasn't so different from her, so she knew better than to expect a thank you.

"What did they want small stuff?" she asked playfully.

"I am taller than you!" he squeaked in response before calming himself. "Same as always, my lunch money."

"Lunch money?" Fiona asked curiously as she looked around at the absence of any schools in the vicinity.

"I am skipping," he continued, "It's stupid and I don't need it to do what I want to do."

A like minded individual indeed, she thought.

The two walked back toward the main road and down the littered sidewalk. The train station lay just out of view a few blocks away, and both seemed to gravitate toward it for fear of sticking around too long. Whether he enjoyed her company or not the fox was unable to tell, but he was smart enough not to leave her side lest the bullies return in force.

"Where do you live?" she asked.

"Upper east," came the boy's response as he nearly spat the answer with both pride and disgust.

"Me too," the vixen replied with an equally smug look.

Their home turf was the least forgiving the city had to offer. Those who lived there knew what it was, a slum, but with a first world twist. Nothing about where they lived was inspiring other than surviving another day. However, despite this tiny similarity between the two, it did not seem to change his opinion of her. It was obvious that he disliked her for what she was and not who she was.

The boy followed her below the streets surface and onto a subway platform. Standing at several arms lengths away for fear of being associated with a Mobian, he waited impatiently for the train with his arms crossed while he tapped his foot against the stone floor.

Fiona had already accepted that she was different. Mobians were few and far between in the cities despite the abundance of work. Ignoring the eyes that followed her on the street had become as easy as breathing. Looking past people's obvious aversions to her lack of a human appearance was slowly becoming just as easy.

"Don't talk much do you?" she asked, not bothering to change the direction of her gaze away from the steel tracks that ran through the tunnels.

It wasn't surprising to hear nothing but the clatter of the approaching train. When the doors opened she stepped inside followed shortly thereafter by the boy. The car was empty and he took the seat opposite of her, never once taking her out of his sight. She couldn't tell whether the boy trusted her or not. It seemed like a farfetched idea, yet here he sat across from her, almost engaging in a conversation.

"Thanks," he finally said, breaking the monotony of static noises that filled the air.

The kid was proud, but not so much so that it was beneath him to show gratefulness.

"Don't mention it."

"My mom says Mobian aren't supposed to be in the city," the boy continued as he swung his feet helplessly in the air while sitting in a chair meant for someone much taller.

"Did she?" Fiona asked trying to sound surprised.

"Mmhmm," he hummed in response, "she says animals have no place in Capital city. Not outside of the zoo anyway. But Julian is going to fix all of that."

Julian she said quietly to herself. The name had been plastered across billboards all over town. The round man pictured in them was running for presidents almost exclusively campaigning on the promise to rid the country of what he called 'vermin'. With men like him and the propaganda that followed, the city was fast becoming more dangerous for the Mobians every day.

"What do you think," the vixen asked not caring much for his mother's opinion on everything, "Should I only be allowed to live in a zoo?"

He wanted to dodge the question, but with no where to run he was left staring at the fox searching for words.

"I like animals," was the best he could do. It was a start at least. "But my mom says I am not supposed to because they killed my dad,"

"Why?" she asked now somewhat curious about his story.

"He was a dominion agent. Mom won't tell me anymore than that. I got his badge though. Wanna see?" he asked as with pride as he dug a brass badge out of his pocket. An iron fist doused in red was overlaid against the city's skyline. Fiona couldn't ever recall seeing a copper badge that looked like the one he had.

"My mom says after I grow up to be big and strong I will become the best dominion agent there ever was."

Fiona couldn't remember the last time her mother had anything positive to say about her. She was too busy to pay any mind to her own daughter. However the fox didn't hold that against her, without either of her parents and their time consuming jobs there would be no home for her to return to.

Feeling herself slide forward in her chair, Fiona put up a hand to brace herself as the Train slowed for its final stop. The boy promptly leapt to the floor and walked out into the station. He didn't seem to mind that she was tagging along. However, a few steps at his side were all it took to get them both into trouble.

"And what are you doing out of school so early young man!?" A voice asked from across the platform.

His face was drained of its color as he turned to greet a person that he obviously did not intend on running into.

"Is this filthy creature following you?" the woman asked as she approached the two of them.

"No ma," he answered politely.

The fox could see him trying to subtly wave her on, but she felt compelled to stay.

"Did she tell you to skip school? Are you friends with this beast?" his mother asked raising her voice with each new question.

"No ma, she saved me."

"Saved you? The only thing this dirty animal will do pollute your mind, that is if it doesn't get around to killing you first! How many times have I told you Jake? Do not talk to Mobians!"

"But the other boys were going to beat him up," Fiona finally interjected.

"How dare you even speak to me. My boy doesn't need help from the likes of you!"

Their charade was starting to gather onlookers. Travelers that should have already departed were stopping to watch as a mother lectured her child and belittled someone else's. Fiona knew better than to let this woman's ignorance affect her, but she could still feel a pressure in her chest building and the need to cry growing.

"My boy can handle himself just fine. Isn't that right Jake?"

The kid nodded his head with reluctance.

Fiona looked down at the ground now regretting her small act of kindness for the day. Is this the price of doing something good? She couldn't help but ask herself. Where is the reward in being selfless?

"What are you still doing here?!" the woman screamed. "Shoo!"

Looking back up at his mother, the vixen could detect nothing but hatred in both her gaze and voice. There was no argument to be won, because none could be had against someone so zealous. It would be like to talking with a gratified wall, the surface would always be hard and the words never change.

"I said go!" she yelled even louder while pointing at the stairs. "And don't you ever even so much as look at my boy again! You hear me!?"

Fiona wished she didn't. The fox turned and walked away down trodden with her tail dragging along the station floor. Never had she felt so depressed and embarrassed.

"And I thought rats were the worst part about the subways," she heard the woman say, still loud enough for the crowed to hear.

A single tear escaped the confines of her eyelashes and she was quick to whisk it away with a finger. No one had ever taken her presence so personally. However, her plight had not gone unnoticed and so it would seem that the animosity in the boy's mother brought out some good in others.

"Excuse me there little… little miss," a middle aged business man called out to her in a foreign accent as she headed towards the steps. "Are you okay?"

Fiona nodded her head, but she wasn't fooling anyone.

"Don't listen to her, keep your chin up. Not all of us share her contempt."

Another tear fell from her eye as she fought to keep her embarrassment at bay, but it only compounded upon itself until water flowed from both her eyes.

"Listen here little Mobian," he said in a soothing voice, trying to calm her. "If you want to go places in this city you are going to need to grow some thicker skin. Don't let a witch like that get to you or you won't make it anywhere. Let me let you in on a little secret, the only person that matters is you. No one else is going to look out for you, so the only person you can ever truly count on is yourself."

The vixen didn't care for his pity or his advice, no matter how sound. The only reason he even bothered to stop and speak with her was because he felt bad. Doing something out of guilt was almost as bad as doing nothing at all.

"I don't need your help," she snapped as she marched away defiantly, but it pained her to turn on someone who was only trying to comfort her. After a few steps she stopped and turned.

"No need to be sorry," the man said before she could utter the words, "I don't much care for pity either. Just remember what I said and who knows, perhaps we will run into each other again."

The vixen smiled in response. She recognized him from somewhere. He was a restaurant owner in a neighborhood a few blocks over from hers, but his name escaped her. Although his nightclub was hardly what brought in the cash, even she knew he was one of the best black market dealers in the city. The man in the sleek suit was notorious for his crude punishment on those who didn't pay up.

"Why are you bothering to help me?"

It was the man's turn to grin, "Because a small little fox like you is of very little threat to me, but perhaps a big threat to my enemies."

Fiona found herself wanting to prove he should be afraid, but if he was even half the person the stories made him out to be, it would likely be the last thing she ever did. She watched in silence as he boarded a train, tipping his hat to her as he did so.

Just another normal day," the fox told herself as she found the first step back to the surface.

The streets bustled with overloaded vans and a swath of pedestrian traffic. Horns blared as frustrated drivers did their best to navigate the crowded streets. Nothing about this part of town ever seemed to change. People were poor and the conditions in which they lived even poorer. Her family was no exception. Their apartment complex was nothing more than oversized drug den where every junky for miles came to get their fix.

Despite being isolated in the far reaches of the city's underbelly, there was no shortage of people. Even at a healthy two-mile walk from the closest train station, people still turned up in droves to escape the watchful eye of the Dominion. This part of town was nearly out of their grasp and crime, amongst other things, ran rampant in its absence.

The fox stepped over a man who had either passed out or died on her buildings steps before entering into the darkened hallways. Where glass once resided wood planks now covered the windows, making her journey up the stairs all the more interesting. Occasionally one of the addicts would mutter some inaudible words to her but most humans knew better than to bother her. It was not beneath her to scratch or bite.

The landlord had been kind enough to give them one of the bigger rooms tucked away in a far corner where things were quieter. Her parents, unlike many of the other tenants paid their rent. Fiona slid her key into the door and twisted until the deadbolt disengaged.

"Fi is that you, dear?" her father asked from the other room as she let herself in.

"How man times have I told you dad, I am not a deer," she answered back.

He always smiled when she said that, so much so that when she closed her eyes and see it on his face. Her father was sitting in his favorite chair only half watching the TV as he rested.

"What's wrong he asked?" curiously looking at the vixen's saddened face.

"Nothing," she sighed as she plopped herself down in his lap.

Running a paw through her fur, he massaged the back of her ears, "Don't want to talk about it?"

"I don't get it dad?" she proclaimed. "What's the point of helping someone when the only thing you get out of it is pain?"

He was smiling again, she could feel it even though her back was to him.

"I took the time to help this stupid little boy and the only thing it got me was publically humiliated."

"Sweetie, you shouldn't help people because you want something in return, you do it because it is the right thing to do. Now there is some little kid out there who might think more highly of Mobians in the future."

"Not as long as he is living with his mother," the young fox remarked. "That woman wouldn't even let me speak. She thinks we are the enemy."

Her father wasn't smiling anymore, "A fanatic. They are becoming more prolific. I am sorry you had to deal with her on your own."

"It's okay," she replied softly as her mother wandered into the room from the kitchen. "Someone gave me some advice."

"Oh yeah?"

"If I only worry about me then I wont ever have to be let down by anyone else. He told me it would be the only way I would make it anywhere in this city." Fiona said with very little pride.

"And who told you that?" her mom asked in a disappointed voice. "We Mobians need to stick together or we will never survive."

"A man who felt bad for me. He runs the Breaker Inn a few blocks over."

The look on both of her parent's faces went white with fear.

"Stay away from him!" her father said sternly.

"He was only trying to help," the vixen reasoned.

"Listen to your father, Fiona. That man may be open to working with Mobians, but he is far from forgiving or nice. There are good people and there are bad people, dear. He is most certainly a bad one."

"Promise me you will stay away from him," her father added.

Fiona nodded her head in defeat. She had never seen her parents so concerned.

"And speaking of bad people," her dad continued as he eyed the television.

It was the man from the posters, Julian. The round man in his pressed red suit was a sight to behold. His stature suggested he was made of stone and his voice only seemed to confirm it. His small wireframe spectacles covered bloodshot eyes that would guarantee him a victory in any staring contest. Kintobor stood in front of a podium delivering a speech in which he vowed to destroy the vermin infestation that plagued both the city and the country.

"Who is he dad?"

"Just another bad man," came a response laden with distaste and a subtle anger. "Just another bad man."