[Major Game Spoilers]
"Alright, kid. Here it is. Welcome to the Resistance."
The gruff old badger let the boy's backpack hit the ground once they were both safely inside the secret base. The sound made him flinch, but the badger decided against scolding him this time. Old Dagger, on this day, would be free to get back to work smuggling food into the Resistance instead of raising his last orphan. When Doctor Eggman took over the world six months ago, everything was in chaos. Cities were turned to rubble, waters polluted, and soulless mechs cut down anyone that crossed their path. Eggman had the planet in his palm, just as he always wanted, all thanks to that... thing. That unbeatable thing. The Doctor's newest creation had beaten the famous Sonic the Hedgehog senseless and whisked him away in less than a minute. With the planet's ultimate hero gone, panic consumed everyone. The other heroes retreated underground, taking as many citizens as possible. Many innocent lives were lost to the fear and the fire. Those that did not die fighting wandered the streets, homeless and helpless. Though the grey badger was not a fan of youths, Dagger took in those he found, hiding them away in his burrow in Mystic Jungle before sending them to the Resistance for training. During the six months, 24 young men and women had passed through his door. Each he nursed back to health, enforced rules and discipline, and encouraged them to take back what was rightfully theirs. All except one. This last charity case needed an extra push. And by that, he means giving him the boot.
"Hurry up and follow me. It's about time I got you out of my fur."
The boy's wandering eyes focused on the badger before he grabbed his bag and broke into a jog to keep up. Dagger's last orphan was a young hedgehog with no name. His blond fur was smooth and healthy, his long legs barely avoided tripping over nothing, and his dark green eyes took in everything the Resistance had to offer. The boy stayed close to Dagger and tried to give any passerby plenty of space, though his short quills were not likely to hurt anyone. The badger was fairly certain that he could not hurt anyone if he genuinely tried. Apparently not all hedgehogs were naturally strong or brave like Sonic or Shadow. This one was cowardly and effectively mute. He was in no state to be fighting wars, but with numbers dwindling to almost nothing, they were all getting desperate. They could not hide from Eggman forever, and they certainly could not fight his monster. The Resistance needed hope, and Dagger knew this boy could be useful. Though silent and unsure, he was intelligent and good with directions. The boy never got lost, and he could master any weapon put in his hands. There was surely something special about him, special enough to give the Resistance an edge over Eggman. Perhaps Dagger was hoping too hard or projecting a certain blue hedgehog's characteristics onto a yellow one, but he had a feeling that this one was a lucky one. He survived most of the chaos alone, proving that some strength resided in him somewhere. Now, it was time for the hedgehog to strike out, help the Resistance, or at least die trying.
"This is your stop," Dagger paused at a large door leading to the main computer room where the Resistance leaders met to form strategies. "I already let them know you're coming, so keep your chin up, listen to your superiors, and don't cause any trouble, you hear?"
The boy nodded quickly, eyes focused, tightening his grip on the straps of his backpack. I'm nervous, but I'll do it.
"Good boy," the badger gave him a pat on the shoulder, carefully avoiding the little spikes on his back, "You'll do fine... Just be careful. Send me a letter or something..."
The old badger quickly turned around and walked away, knowing that if he stayed too long, either of them may change their mind. The hedgehog was left alone at the door. He did not enter right away, taking a moment to take in the voices echoing through the halls and the scent of metal in the air. Despite what his caretaker (now previous) believed, he wanted to be here working with the Resistance. The boy hoped that just being here would give him the courage to fight, and then he could be like the others. He had a dream of being strong and fearless like Sonic and his friends. The dream never died, even after Sonic's capture. Even after-no I don't want to think about that right now- Even after everything he had been through, he still wanted to try. The odds were not good, but he felt that he needed to try anyway. That's what heroes do. The blond hedgie took a deep breath and stepped forward, causing the door to automatically slide open. He froze for a second as the middle of a conversation reached his ears and many pairs of eyes fixed on him.
"-All except for this brave kid, who survived the battle and made it here in one piece. Meet our newest recruit."
The boy forced himself to walk forward. Knuckles, the leader of the organization, beckoned him forward and greeted him with a playful slap on the back to lighten the mood. The hedgie stumbled forward, nearly face-planting into the floor, but he recovered quickly and stared back at everyone in the room. Their scrutiny made his white cheeks turn pink. Even so, he took that chance to observe them in return. Knuckles was surprisingly calm considering his infamous temper. Taking on the leadership role must have changed his attitude towards other people. The pink hedgehog, Amy Rose, cast a disappointed glance his way, most likely hoping for a recruit more on par with her crush. Vector the Crocodile and Espio the Chameleon appeared equally exhausted, though Vector was definitely a bit more irritated with the scrawny newcomer. Silver the Hedgehog maintained an aura of optimism, though he also did not look pleased. While the hedgehog was taking everything in, lost in his own mind, a young bee took this opportunity to fly right up to his face and continue to judge him.
"Hmm, doesn't look like much."
Knuckles did not seem too concerned. "Neither do you, Charmy, but I still manage to find a use for your pointy butt." The red echidna briefly stepped over the console in the center of the room to retrieve a weapon and then place in in the hedgehog's gloved hands. "Here, kid. Take this. We're depending on you." The boy took the wispon without argument and put it on. Satisfied that everyone was ready to get the ball rolling, Knuckles addressed them all, "Okay, let's get going, everybody!" The world's not going to save itself!"
Everyone quickly agreed and began to slowly file out of the room. Knuckles motioned for the new recruit to follow along, and he almost did when Amy stepped in front of him.
"Wait a second!" She put on a polite smile, hoping to make a better impression, "This is all happening really fast for you, isn't it? Sorry! I guess we're just used it. My name is Amy by the way! What's yours? We never even properly introduced you!"
The hedgehog smiled back and shook his head. I don't have a name.
"Huh? You don't want to tell me?" She looked disappointed and slightly angry with him, "That's kind of rude, you know! We're counting on your help and giving you shelter. Shouldn't we at least know your name?"
He frowned, shook his head again, and pointed to himself. That's not what I meant.
"Um... Is there a reason you can't tell me? Do you not like your name?" She gave him a sympathetic smile, "That's okay if you don't. I'll think of a wonderful new name for you! Something brave and enchanting that suits you! Hedgehogs need fitting names. You better go on ahead. Knuckles isn't very patient. Don't worry! I won't pick anything embarrassing! Good luck out there!"
With no further warning, she hurried out of the room, leaving the new recruit to chase after Knuckles and prepare for his first assignment. Whatever it was, he was nervous but ready. He wanted to be strong and brave, and now he was surrounded by people who practically embodied courage and strength. The blond hedgehog ran through the hall as fast as he could. I can do this. I'm scared... but I have to do this! I have to try! This was his chance, likely his only chance, to achieve his dream. He wanted that dream more than anything. To run free, unhindered by anything that might pop up and attack him. To be so strong that he did not need to be afraid. To keep others safe when they needed help. To be happy, to dance, to sing and not care. He wanted that dream to be him. He would chase that dream to the end of the world.
And there was another.
Another chasing the same dream.
Dreaming of pure power and control.
Controlling everything around him.
Hiding behind a mask.
Masking his suffering as the world dies.
Dying to be the strongest creature in the universe by any means.
What do you think would happen
if two such creatures
met one another?
Sonic Forces: Vow of Silence
Opening Theme: The Voice by Celtic Woman