A drop of cold water fell in rhythm with others onto Mania's little black nose. He shivered.
It didn't help with the fact he had scratches, bruises, and other wounds littered on his body.
The bullies had decided that each should lend a helping hand, resulting in twelve people taking turns to hit him until they became bored.
It did not help at all.
They hated Mania for his freaky speed, and the abnormal coloring he possessed. How many Mobians have blue fur? One, apparently.
He would have ran away, but they sprained his ankle. Why?
He pondered that question every day. Why?
Why should he continue this life of misery?
He found no answer.
Through all of his constant wondering, he failed to notice his hazy mind drifting off into the land he clung to so dearly. Dreamland. But he was not going to dream tonight.
No, he would remember.
Mania's head slipped down slightly on the brick wall, green eyes flickering closed. His tongue lolled out a bit, and he fell into what was his memories.
(Dreamworld memories brought to you by Dare The Fox)
A little blue hedgehog, at age 3, was running up a large hill to a white, female hedgehog. Her bangs swept over her right eye and her emerald eyes sparkling with pride, she seemed like a perfect mother.
She was crouching to see through a tripod's lenses, and her jeans were ripped a bit. She wore a green polo shirt, and her green high-top converse were worn to match. The tiny hedgie was a blue running up first, gigging like a maniac along the way. Two other hedgehogs followed suit, one green and male while the other was magenta and female. They giggled just as feverently.
"Momma!" The young hedgehogs cried out in unison, each baring eyes of love and curiosity.
"Mania! Melissa! Devon!" The mother held out her arms, and went on the ground once all three fell on her.
The albino hedgehog enveloped all three in a tight, loving hug.
The moment was interrupted by a sonic boom.
The younger hedgies' eyes lit up. "Daddy!" They tug from their mother's embrace, running with speed over to the place where the pine trees shook the most. The little needles were everywhere, crunching under the feet of the hedgehog. Melissa followed behind both, but still keeping pace. They hugged the middle.
A ocean blue hedgehog stood in the middle of them, smile of pride clear as day.
But the day was becoming dark, as shown by the gray smoke clouds herding in.
"Selena?" He called out.
The alabaster mother jogged up to his side through the trees.
"Ocean!" was the returning name. Selena joined the big circle, and snuggled into his fur.
"We can't stay." said Ocean, fearing for his family's life. "You're right." agreed Selena.
"Kids?" The children looked up from the hug-fest, eager to know what to do. The father cleared his throat.
"Let's play a game called Move and Get. I left a special letter along my way, and I'm asking you to get it! I left it sitting on a table at Auntie Sarah's house. Tell her that you have to stay a while. The last one to Sarah's house loses. Go!"
The hedgehogs sprinted as fast as their tiny legs would allow them, meaning very fast for Mania. "Hey!" yelled Melissa, trying to keep up. They were so caught up in their competition they didn't notice the close rumble and squeaks of a badly oiled machine.
Evil laughs of a sinister man drew near, and suddenly orange and yellow sprouts rose from the calm woods. Crackles of flames filled the once peaceful silence.
A bomb was thrown from the shadowed robot, kicking up dirt and dust. More of the relentless blaze crawled up the helpless trees. Selena's breath hitched, and she clutched tightly to Ocean's warm fur.
Meanwhile, the three triplets were thrown into the air, screaming with terror.
Devon and Melissa landed on either side of Mania, and they grasped each other's hands as quick as they could before getting up and running for their lives.
They didn't get very far before Mania tripped over a small collection of the fallen needles.
Melissa and Devon let go and continued running. He tumbled into a ditch, and whilst trying to climb out saw a flying black object hurtling towards the two. Maria's eyes widened and watered before he yelled out and ducked. "DEVON! MELISSA!"
After that, it all went black for him as dirt, wood, and pine needles flew everywhere.
(Memory timeskip brought to you by Dare The Fox)
Ash was everywhere, cloaking even Mania in a thick layer of darkness.
He rose from the smoking timber, eyes still watering from the horror and the flames. Mania could still hear the road of the everlasting fire.
He collapsed after searching around the place, only discovering charred bones and still lit wood.
He couldn't believe it.
ThEY wEre GONe FoRevEr
nO
WHy
(Dream ended by Dare The Fox)
Mania's eyes snapped open, the disbelief still shining in his jade eyes. The same as Selena's.
He knew now that nothing could ever bring them back, and he knew that what happened could not be changed.
All he asked was why.