Chapter One.
Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik had finally done it. He had created the perfect machine that would help him defeat that blasted Sonic! But it would take some time for it to come into fruition. But once it did, Sonic had no chance! Eggman began to laugh maniacally at his plan.
His robot lacky's Orbot and Cubot began to question what their creator's plan was.
"So, boss, what IS your plan exactly?" Cubot asked.
"In time, Cubot, in time..." Eggman said before he chuckled darkly.
Orbot and Cubot looked at each other before they shrugged and shook their heads. Whatever Eggman was planing, he meant business this time.
~Scene Change~
Sonic The Hedgehog was -for the first time in a long time- calmly walking towards Staition Square's train station. His brother and sister were coming back in town after four years studying abroad -for separate reasons- Manic had gone to study criminology, he had dreams of becoming a police officer. Sonia on the other hand was learning how to be a teacher. Both had stepped away from the hero business after an accident involving one of Manic's old friends.
But, today they would be home for good, both pursuing the jobs of their dreams. And Sonic couldn't be any more proud of them. Unless they gave him a lifetime supply of chilli dogs. Then he'd literally kill for them!...Okay, maybe not that. Sonic could never bring himself to take another life. Not even for unlimited chilli dogs.
As he got closer to the station he saw some of his friends were already there. Knuckles was patting himself down, most likely attempting to make himself look better for Sonia. Tails was there as well. He had gotten pretty close with Sonic's siblings when he met them. He looked ecstatic to see them again. Rouge and Shadow were there as well. Sonia and Rouge were gal pals so Rouge would be happy to see Sonia again, she had most likely dragged poor Shadow with her as he didn't look to happy to be there. But then again, Shadow's never happy about anything. Sonic had also spotted Sally, Amy and few others in the crowd as well.
When Sonia had called him, she had told him that they had a surprise for the whole group. What it was, Sonic had no clue. But he was happy to see his siblings again after so long.
Tails looked to his right and gave off a happy shout:
"Sonic! I can't believe I am saying this- But about time! What took you so long? You are literally the fastest thing alive. Why are you the last one here?"
"I decided to walk from the apartment, can't a guy take a peaceful walk?" Sonic said.
Tails just rolled his eyes at his friends antics.
The train rolled into the station and everyone got antsy with anticipation. What would they say? What would they look like? Would they still remember them? So many thoughts were racing through all of their heads.
As the passengers all came walking out of building Sonic heard a familiar voice call out to him:
"Sonic! Over here!"
It was Sonia. She was practically running down the steps-luggage and all-in a mad dash to get to her twin.
Sonic's face broke out into a huge grin and he quickly walked up to her, he then pulled her into a bear hug. The two began laughing as Sonic lifted her into the air and spun in a circle.
"Dude, where's my spin hug?" Manic asked from the top of the stairs.
Most of the other visitors/returning residents had already left, leaving only a few people in the immediate area.
"Manic! Get over here bro!" Sonic exclaimed.
Manic ran over to stand next his siblings. Standing in front of Sonia and Manic, Sonic took their appearance's in. Sonia hadn't changed much over the course of four years. However, she had changed her dress out for a pair of cargo jeans with a plaid skirt over it and a "Fall Out Boy" T-shirt. She had also switched her high heels for a comfy looking pair of converse.
Manic had also changed up his style, just not as drastically as Sonia had. Instead of the old vest he once had, Manic now sported an open orange hoodie over a simple black shirt. He also had on a pair of cargo jeans but retained his old style of shoes. He also re-pierced his ears.
"Dang guys, you've changed on us!" Tails exclaimed from behind Sonic.
"So, what was the surprise?" Sonic asked.
"Oh! Right! Dude, get out here!" Manic yelled behind him.
Everyone looked up to see a third person walk out of the building. A violet colored hedgehog made his way outside with a dull look on his face. He wore a simple black vest with a slightly ripped red plaid scarf around his neck. He had a large burn mark on one of his arms while the other was replaced with a metallic arm. He wore a pair of combat boots. His right eye was a piercing hazel while the left was a milky white, indicating he was blind in that eye. His bangs were poking forward in three waves. He had two vertical scars running down the left side of his face. Slung over his shoulder was a single travel bag.
He looked over everyone with a small grin, before it broke out into a full on smile. He shyly rubbed the back of his head with his left arm-the organic one- and looked away.
"H-Hey guys, long time no see huh?" He said with a thick country accent.
Sonic smiled at his brother's friend. Before he could say anything, Tails rushed past him while exclaiming:
"HAYDEN!!!" Tails then threw himself on to the hedgehog with a gleeful squeak.
"Heya, been a while huh?" Hayden asked as he hugged Tails with his normal arm.
"You think!?" Came Tails' muffled voice from within Hayden's scarf.
Everyone began to bombard Hayden with questions about where he went and what he did while he was gone. Hayden tried to shy away but Manic and Sonia had grabbed him by the arms and began to walk with him trapped in between them. Thankfully, the attention had fallen off of him and had switched to Sonic's siblings and how their studies had gone and if they were home for good.
"Yup, my dudes we are back for good now. Save for needing to go back for graduation, but that's it!" Was Manic's response.
"We aren't the only ones either! Hayden's back for good as well!" Sonia added.
Shadow and Rouge had left the group to return to her night club to prep for tonight's big party. Knuckles then left saying he was happy to see them again, but he needed to return to the Island to guard the Master Emerald. Amy and Sally were the last to leave the group and had told Sonia that they would see her and the others later tonight at the party.
Sonic and co made it back to Sonic's apartment and Sonic told his siblings that he'd gladly let them stay with him until they were on their feet again. Sonic attempted to extend the offer to Hayden, but the violet hedgehog denied the offer.
Tails then said:
"If you don't want to stay here, you can take one of the guest rooms in my place."
Hayden looked at the fox, he had grown in the past four years. How much had he missed in his own self imposed exile? He had no idea.
"Are ya sure?" He asked.
"Of course! You think I'm gonna let you leave again?" Tails joked
"I reckon ya won't." Hayden replied.
After a big lunch, Hayden and Tails said their goodbyes and left for Tails' place in Mystic Ruins. Hayden hadn't packed much from where ever he had come from. So there wasn't much to unpack. Tails had asked if it was okay for them to head to the store to pick up some stuff that Tails needed to get so he could restock. Hayden said that he didn't mind. So, they went to the store.
Hyden learned that Tails didn't have many greens in his diet, deciding to help with that, he began to point out some things that he could use to make more wholesome and rounded meals. After getting everything they needed, they went to check out. Once there, the clerk gave the two a odd look.
"Oh? Is this your girlfriend? I enjoy talking with more progressive couples!" She said to Hayden.
"Uhh...I'm a guy..." Tails said, slightly offended.
"Oh my God! I am SO sorry!" She said with an apologetic look.
"Why I oughta-" Tails began to say
"It's quite alright, he's mistaken for a girl all the time, just something about the way he walks." Hayden said with his normal thick drawl.
"Oh...you aren't from around here, are you?" She asked with a confused look while she continued to run their things through the machine.
"Nah, Born an' raised in tha Downunda." Hayden told her.
"Cool, I've never been, anyway that'll be four hundred rings."
Tails began to rummage through his bag looking for the rings. While Tails was doing that Hayden pulled out his ring pouch and handed the amount requested to the clerk.
"Thank ya for yer time miss..." Hayden looked at her name tag.
"Honey, that's a nice name." He said and flashed her a smile.
"You are very welcome, you two have a good night!" She said as Hayden put the bags in their cart.
Once they got to the house Tails let them in. Hayden helped carry the groceries into the house. Tails had a pretty big place, bigger than it should be for a single person to live in. Looking around Hayden saw the place was definitely 'Tails'. It had random blueprints thrown about and tools resting on the counters and tables. The house had an orange color scheme to it. Orange curtains, orange couch and even an orange Wii U. Hayden inwardly laughed at the assault on the eyes (or in his case, the eye). But smiled to himself regardless. The last time he was in here was when he lost his arm.
Hayden carried the groceries that he had with him into the kitchen. Tails looked over at him and smiled. Hayden had been one of his first friends, him and Hedgehog triplets were his first and most trusted friends. Tails knew that he could tell Hayden anything and he would still be the same old stoic hick from before. He'll, Tails was sure that if he asked him to, Hayden would help him hide a body and he'd say nothing to anyone.
"I can show you to your room if you'd like. So that you can unpack." Tails said
"Hn" was the only response that he got from the man.
Hayden began to help him put the groceries away, clearly more focused on helping Tails then settling in. Once they were done putting the groceries away, Tails showed Hayden where his room was.
"Just across the way from mine. Its one of the smaller rooms. I hope you don't mind." Tails said.
"Not at all, I don't have much anyway." Hayden said.
"Then I'll leave you to it. Rouge is throwing a party at Club Rouge later tonight, as a celebration for Sonia and Manic's graduation, and for your safe return..." Tails said the last part softly.
Hayden put his bag on the bed and began to unpack.
"I'll be down shortly, if you wanna leave early." Hayden told him.
Tails nodded and left the hedgehog to unpack his things. Hayden opened his bag and gently pulled the things inside. Inside the bag were a few shirts, a pair of gloves, a few different colored scarfs and some framed photos. Hayden gazed at the last photo with a small smile, it was taken the day before the last mission that Team Spector went on together. The day before Metal Sonic nearly killed him and one week before his self imposed exile.
Hayden placed his scared hand onto his left side of his face. Feeling the deep scars that were permanently scratched into his face. He let out a sigh and looked down at his metal arm. It was beginning to rust, he'd lose it if it wasn't looked at by someone soon. Hayden loathed the idea of having anyone but Tails look at it. After all, it was him that gave this arm to him.
Hayden began to place what few belongings he had in and on the dresser. And with a smile and a nod. He left the room.
He walked back into the kitchen to see an amusing sight. Tails was trying to place a plate on the top shelf of one of the cabinets, but couldn't quite reach it. Just before Tails began to hover to reach the desired shelf, Hayden walked over and took it from him and placed it with its plate siblings. Hayden turned and went to pat Tails on the head when his metal arm broke off and fell to the ground. It let off a loud clank noise when it hit the floor. Both men looked down at the rusty arm and had different reactions to what just happened. Tails looked shocked while Hayden just sighed.
"What the- Workshop. Now." Tails ordered
"Okay" was Hayden's only response.
Once the two made it into the workshop, Tails instructed Hayden to sit near a table. Complying with the mechanics wishes, Hayden sat without a complaint. Tails set to work looking for a replacement. Hayden looked around while Tails looked for the new arm. So many new inventions populated the workshop, but what interested him the most was a robotic arm in a glass case. It looked like the one Hayden had a short while ago, just much sleeker and obviously newer.
Tails surprised Hayden by walking over to the case and giving off a quiet 'Ah-ha!'. Before opening it and pulling out the arm. Tails walked over to Hayden with a big grin and said:
"I made this about two years ago, I had hoped you'd come back for my birthday, and I planned on giving it to you then, but you didn't show. So I put it in a case to keep it perfectly preserved until you came back. And now that your back. I can finally update your arm! Not like you have a choice to accept it anyway. The old one rotted away!"
Hayden just looked at it closer. Inscribed in the arm read "Hayden, your one my best buds! Never forget that!~ Tails." In forest green paint.
"I wanted you to read it and always remember that you are still loved, even as scared as you are. You are still you. And we all love you, for you!" Tails exclaimed once he saw Hayden was reading the text.
Tails set to work on attaching the arm to Hayden's body. Automail was still pretty rare. But most folk knew what it was. The workshop was filled with the sound of gears grinding and turning as the arm clicked in place. While he worked Tails began to talk:
"We were all worried about you, ya'know? When you ran off, Sonic and I looked everywhere for you...But when we couldn't find you after the first three months, Sonic gave up. He felt you'd come back when you were ready. But I didn't give up, not until I almost died during a pretty bad storm...Had Antoine not found me. I don't know what would have happened to me."
Hayden stared at the floor, feeling bad for what happened.
"Even then, I didn't give up hope you'd come home. Even if I couldn't go out looking for you anymore, I held out hope you'd come home. If only for the holidays..." Tails said with tears in his eyes.
The arm finished attaching to Hayden's internal gears and pipes. Once it was done, Hayden threw both arms around the kitsune.
Tails cried into Hayden's chest for only a few minutes before clearing up. Tails pulled away suddenly. But Hayden didn't mind.
"But that don't matter now. Because your back. And I won't let you leave now!" Tails said with a teary smile.
"I wasn't planning on leaving. I'm home to stay bub." Hayden said to him before ruffling his hair.
"Now, what do ya say I whip us up a nice meal and then we head to the club?" Hayden asked.
"Deal!" Tails said happily.
~Scene Change~
Eggman watched the station square camera feed with a twisted grin. So Team Spector were back? Good. He could use them for the experiment. Well, one of them really. But he'd need to take out the other two members so they wouldn't get in the way. Project Speedkiller was going to be quite interesting.
Orbot came into the room and said:
"Boss, the machine is ready."
"Good, now we just need the test subjects..." Eggman said darkly.
"Would you like me to mobilize the troops?" Orbot asked.
"No, I'll do it myself. I'll be back soon." Eggman said before walking out of the room to look at the beauty that was "Project Speedkiller". And then took his leave of his base...
Chapter End.