Notes: think of this as buildup

Disclaimer: I don't own the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise

Sonic 2 & Sonic Chaos

Ch. 1: A new friend and an old foe

It had been almost a year since his last adventure, and Sonic was restless. Since things had been so slow on South Island, he had been traveling the world in his personal airplane. It was a vintage-style biplane. It was big, red, and, best of all, fast. That's why he named it the Tornado. It seemed like he'd visited almost everywhere, but there was one place he'd saved for last. There was an island not too far from South Island that he sometimes visited. It was similar and yet different from South Island. This island was called Westside Island. Sonic had several friends there. No one really close, but he would stop by and say hello when he was free. He landed the Tornado on the outskirts of the largest city. Then he proceeded to greet everyone in every city and town nearby. Some were so glad to see him, they treated him to a few chilidogs. It was the middle of the afternoon now, and all that eating made Sonic a little drowsy.

"Thanks, guys. Next time, it's on me. We can hang some more once I catch up on my sleep."

He ran back to the Tornado and laid under one of the wings. It was nice and warm out. Perfect for a nap.

"Nothing beats hanging out with friends, but now *yawn* time to really relax."

As Sonic dozed off, someone else was just getting started. Now everyone knew Sonic, some better than others, but there was one person on Westside Island who really looked up to him. A young fox with orange fur followed Sonic to his plane. He was still young and rather shy, seeing as how popular Sonic was with everyone. While the fox boy had wanted to meet Sonic personally, he didn't wish to wake him. Plus he was absolutely fascinated with the Tornado. He walked around it, felt it, and studied the controls. He got himself so worked up, he fell asleep under the opposite wing of the plane.

Later

Sonic woke up and had a good stretch. Then he noticed the fox boy.

"Hey, kid, who are you?"

The kid woke with a start and began backing away.

"I'm sorry. I swear I didn't touch anything. I –"

"Okay, okay, calm down. I'm not mad. I just don't want your folks to be upset."

The fox boy looked down at the ground.

"I'm an orphan."

"Oh…um, sorry, buddy."

"It doesn't bother me much anymore. It helps when you keep yourself busy."

"With what exactly?"

"Well…I like machines. That's why I was looking at your plane. That and the fact that it's yours."

"Another fan, huh? I guess when you save the day that's gonna happen a lot. Still, at least you didn't try to tackle me to the ground. Not like some people I know. What's your name, kid?"

"Um…it's, uh…Miles."

"Miles?"

"Miles Prower."

Sonic couldn't help but snicker.

"Everyone laughs at that. Well, I guess I'll get going."

"Hey, wait a minute. Did I just see…?"

"What? Oh that. Yeah, it's weird."

Miles was unique in that he had two tails.

"Two tails? Well, it's different, but there's stranger things out there. I heard foxes with more than one tail are from mythology."

"Well I'm obviously not mythical."

"So, if you don't mind me asking, can you do anything special with your tails?"

"Actually, yeah. I can do this."

He spun his tails around like a propeller. This caused him to start hovering like a helicopter.

"That's amazing! You can use your tails to fly. Tell you what, Miles, how about a nickname? From now on, I'm gonna call you Tails."

"It's about as obvious as you being named Sonic, but cool, I like it."

"I wonder if those tails of yours could be put to another use."

"Like what?"

"Since they propel you, maybe they could help you run faster."

"You mean to keep up with you? I mean, you'll let me hang out with you?"

"Well I don't know. You say you know machines. Did you see anything you could improve about the Tornado?"

"I think I can figure out a way to make it even faster."

"What are you, a super genius or something?"

"Well…kinda, yeah."

"Whoa, really?"

"Being an orphan two-tailed fox who happens to be more intelligent than other people tends to get you ostracized. I've taken the intelligence tests."

"So you're book smart in contrast to my street smart. Now for the final test. Try and keep up."

Sonic took off like a bullet. He ran as fast as he could. Then all of a sudden he heard a whirling sound. He looked behind himself and saw that Tails was indeed not too far behind. He was keeping up better than Amy Rose. Sonic smiled as he skidded to a stop back at the Tornado.

"I knew those tails would come in handy, Tails."

"That was so awesome! I've never ran that fast before."

"Around me, you get used to it. And you better. Because from now on, we're buddies."

Tails almost looked ready to cry.

"I've never really had a friend before. Well I mean, it's not like anyone was ever overtly mean to me, but…you know."

"I get it, buddy. Well whatever possessions you have, go get 'em. Because you're coming with me back to my place. That way you can fix up the Tornado all you want."

"Just give me a few minutes!"

A few minutes later

"I'm ready."

"Cool. Say, Tails, do you think you could learn how to fly the Tornado?"

"I've only read some books, but I think so."

"Good. We'll start tomorrow. Something tells me it'll come in handy. Now hop in."

Elsewhere

In a secret base hidden somewhere off the coast of South Island, Dr. Robotnik was hard at work.

"Sonic is always ruining my plans, but I have something perfect in mind for him. Luckily, I have a robot in the field keeping tabs on him. Now let's see."

The robot was hiding close to Sonic's home. It saw the Tornado land.

"What's this? Sonic has a little friend with him. A two-tailed fox?"

The robot was close enough to hear their conversation.

"Make yourself at home, Tails. Feel free to make any changes you like to the house."

"I'll bet I could build an add-on."

"You know, it's kinda weird you being so young yet you're capable of operating machinery. Still, it's bound to be useful."

"So that fox boy is his new best friend, is he? This is perfect! I'll kidnap the little freak and keep Sonic busy. Continue the project, my minions. I have some other work to do."

Later

Sonic and Tails were out racing each other.

"Looks like I'm gonna win again, Tails."

"You're faster than me, Sonic. Of course you're gonna win."

Sonic had decided to take Tails to a different part of South Island. They ate chilidogs, raced, joked around, and all that good stuff. Sonic had insisted on another race to test Tails. That's when it happened. Out of nowhere, Dr. Robotnik came flying out into the open in his Eggmobile. Tails heard the noise of the engines and turned to look.

"Sonic!"

"What? Eggman! Keep running, Tails."

"That's the evil, fat, doctor guy you told me about?"

"Indeed! I am Dr. Robotnik, the greatest scientific genius of all time!"

"Your mobile is impressive."

"I design all my inventions personally."

"Tails, don't compliment him. He's got a big enough ego already."

"You're one to talk, Hedgehog. As for you, Tails, I have plans for you."

There was a giant claw attached to the bottom of the Eggmobile. It reached out and grabbed Tails. Sonic screeched to a halt and ran towards the Eggmobile, but it had already ascended out of reach.

"Hey, let me go!"

"Sorry, fox boy, but no can do. If he's truly your friend, Sonic, then I suggest to come rescue him. He he he he he!"

"I'll get you for this, Eggman!"

The mobile took off into the distance.

"Looks like the start of another adventure. I had hoped the next wouldn't involve me talking to myself again."

The base

Tails was thrown into a containment cell made of reinforced glass.

"You can stay there and watch your friend's progress. Of course I doubt he'll make it far."

"He beat you twice already."

"He just happened to get lucky."

"I'm real sure."

"I have plenty of traps set up for Sonic. On top of that, I also have this."

He gestured to an empty hallway.

"That corridor?"

"It's in the corridor! Come forth, my new creation."

It was the robot he had sent to spy on Sonic. It stared at Tails with a glowing red visor in place of individual eyes.

"That robot looks –"

"Exactly! It's been in the field observing Sonic. When the time comes, I shall unleash it. Until then, I have other creations to deal with that annoying hedgehog."

Robotnik turned to the screen to check on his other 'pets'.

"I know you'll save me Sonic," Tails said to himself, "But someday I hope I can help you."