Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog.
A/N: I'm considering making this story multi chaptered but it won't be a smooth point A to point B. Rather I'm thinking of touching up certain parts of "Sonic 2" in a very loose manner. To help explain what I think Sonic is going through after his first grand battle in Scrap Brain zone because despite saving it in the end, it had still suffered a lot of destruction at Robotnik's hands. And since Sonic is still a measly kid at this point I doubt all this is easy on him. Let's just say I'm trying to combined concepts from the games, comics and shows so it pretty sloppy…
You might want to read my other story Slowly Welcomed first.
Let me know what you think.
Also, this takes place after the chemical plant level (I really hate that level).
"Sonic, Sonic…"Concentrating on the name was just a means to find his way back to consciousness. He latched onto the familiarly of it and dug his way forward through a muck of nausea. "Sonic?" If he ever regretted allowing the little fox to come with him, he'd take it back now. Miles Prower had saved his life when he had lacked the strength to do it himself.
The memory was blurry now, the feeling of lukewarm liquid washing up around him and the shaky grip of his own fingers, clinging to the edge of the platform as one of the blocks dropped out from underneath him. That was the end for him, he was sure and if he had left the fox behind at the beginning of this journey, it probably would have been.
"Sonic?" He was prodding him now and Sonic slid one arm beneath his exhausted body, easing himself up. The fox had yelled his name, back at the plant, but then he had hardly heard it over the roar of the liquid's current in his ears. Submerged in the chemicals as feet pounded in his direction. It was in the past now, he was back on dry land and away from that horrible place.
"You're alright." There was an obvious sigh of relief from Miles that left Sonic rather baffled. As if the fox would be heartbroken if he was gone even though they hadn't known one another for very long. His silence or stillness must have been unnerving because Miles went on in a quivering voice: "you are alright… right?"
Sonic offered up a small nod in response clearly causing the fox to surge with previously restrained excitement. "That was so cool. We beat his butt good, didn't we Sonic? He was all bam bam!" Miles tossed his arm out and spun around, bouncing on his feet. "And we were POW! Hit him hard, sent him flying."
It was hard to resist, Sonic found himself smiling as he watched his friend. That was right, his friend- even that didn't seem like a good enough title for the kid that saved his life. "Only you slipped at the end… for a moment…" Miles voice dipped as Sonic began to rise to his feet, "I thought…"
A strangled sound escaped Sonic as a bout of dizziness hit him and he feel back onto his butt. The preferred choice to landing on his face. "Sonic?" Judging by the look on Miles' face Sonic wouldn't be surprised if he worried the kid to an early grave. "You're alright?"
"Fine…, Tails." His voice was low but then it often was, aside from when he addressed Robotnik.
"Okay." Clearly the fox felt as if he had simply been brushed aside but didn't push the matter which Sonic was thankful for. "I really did think… for just a moment…" Was he really going to get stuck on what happened? Sure Sonic had messed up but that was nothing new. To think he had been the victor and yet he still managed to screw up.
Coming down from the last blow with Robotnik, he had landed on an unstable section of the floor and nearly plummeted straight into the abyss with it.
He still remembered the feel of Miles fingers closing around his wrists and miraculously heaving him up out of the chemicals, just when he thought he might not be able to hold on any longer.
"I like the name Tails, it's much better than Miles Prower." While Sonic had already noticed the pun with the name, he choose not to say anything about it like all the times before. "It's cool, like Sonic." He was glad the fox thought his name was 'cool' since he was never going to share his real one with him, or anyone else for that matter, he intended to try and leave his past behind.
A fact that would be a lot easier if Robotnik wasn't wandering about causing destruction and misery.
"So where are we going next Sonic?" The kid really must have liked his name to keep saying it.
Once Sonic finally managed to get up he nodded his head in the direction that he determined they should go. "Can we… um… get some rest first? I'm kinda tired from running through that che.. Chemical plant." He glanced sideways at Tails and shook his head with a sigh. "Please Sonic…" Though the fox grabbed him, Sonic's quills only quivered in the slightest this time around. How could he be wary around someone who saved his life? But then Robotnik…
Sonic shook his head before the thoughts could find a way to the forefront of his mind. "Fine." Once more he looked about since he felt exposed on the outer edges of the zone. He started forward at a considerable slow pace which might have something to do with Tails dragging him down, the fox was yet to let go.
"Where you goin' then?"
Flicking his gaze over his shoulder Sonic grunted, "somewhere safer."
"Oh." Tails bounced to his feet, releasing Sonic so he could walk beside him. "What was that pink stuff anyways?"
Sonic worked his mind around that for a moment. He knew the term but usually had trouble saying things like names and at his age… it was embarrassing to not be able to speak properly even if it was only when it came to certain things. Especially since this kid could talk like a pro, but then Sonic supposed that must be because he was some sort of genius. "Mega Mack."
"Mega Mack?" Tails repeated causing Sonic's stomach to flop as he wondered whether or not he said it right.
He nodded his head with a small "yea".
"Oh." For some reason Tails didn't even ask what that was and they continued on in silence for several minutes. "You sure you're alright?"
Sonic didn't even have to think about it: "yes." In a way all the concern was disturbing. This kid wouldn't care so much about him if he knew what a failure he truly was. All he had to do was speak the truth and his traveling companion would be gone.
The words died long before they reached his tongue though. He liked the company. It was a relief to know someone had his back and was willing to walk beside him despite the dangerous path he was now leading. He didn't want to lose that- it was selfish but he'd live a lie to keep it.
He'd become the hero everyone thought he was and keep his past hidden.
No he'd do better than that… he'd forget it all together.
It'd be easy then.