Disclaimer - I don't own the Sonic characters.


Hand

Sonic liked to run fast. Sonic liked to run far. But most of all, Sonic liked to run—a lot. Tails understood this. He understood Sonic's love for moving feet. So he did not whine or complain when Sonic was gone for weeks on end, running. He accepted it. Nevertheless, Tails was lonely.

So one day Tails decided to borrow a friend. "Eggman, can I borrow Metal Sonic?"

From within one of the many giant tubes in Eggman's lab, Metal Sonic clawed viscously at the glass, eyes gleaming red.

"Why not," Eggman said. "Just be sure to keep him on a leash."

Tails said he would.

So they walked home. Later, they walked to the park. The next day, they walked to the museum. And the next day, they even walked next door. And so it was for an entire week, Tails and Metal Sonic were inseparable. Walking places and having fun.

Then Sonic returned.

"What? Tails, what are you doing with him?!"

Tails waved happily to Sonic who stood across the street from him and Metal Sonic. "Oh, I'm just walking him." And Tails politely looked away as Metal Sonic relieved himself.

Sonic laughed. "Walking," he mocked. "So the tin can up and forgot how to run."

"That's not it," Tails protested. "He's walking because I like to wa—" But it was too late; Sonic and Metal Sonic were already racing dangerously down the empty street.

Tails walked after them, the torn leash hanging limply by his side. When he finally reached them, Sonic and Metal Sonic were hanging off the side a cliff, each holding himself up with a single hand. "Help me, Little Buddy," they both cried. Tails rushed toward them, intent on doing just that.

But as Tails' legs vaulted him forward, he realized that he wasn't moving fast enough; their hands were slipping and when he reached them, he'd only have time to save one.

Just as both hedgehogs lost their grip, Tails leapt forward and closed his hands over his best friend's. Using all his strength, he held on to his friend and pulled him up to safety. The loud splash that followed spoke of the other hedgehog's fate.

Metal Sonic, sitting beside Tails, looked over his shoulder at where, just moments ago, he had held on for dear life. "Now that I think of it, I could have used my jet rockets to save myself," he said.

Tails nodded. "I knew that." Then taking Metal Sonic's hand, they walked away. "Let's go buy you a new leash."