A/N

The 'story behind this story' is not exactly a pet peave of mind, but as I've posted it up here before, I may as well explain.

Originally this was to be a 'multiverse' adaptation of the story behind Sonic meeting Kintobor, which was the backstory adapted by Western versions of the series, particually in the UK. While writing it however, I changed my stance on the idea. I still like(d) the idea of Sonic multiverse scenarios, but shifted my preference to singular universe fics. In any multiverse fic, certain sacrifices must be made, cutting something out of one universe while leaving another universe's interpretation intact. It's a difficult balancing game and prone to bias.

In the midst of the revelation, I deleted the story halfway through. However, I've decided to repost the original three chapters, in the sense that they can stand alone. AU in a sense, but really something that I had fun writing and possibily reading as well.

Disclaimer: The Sonic the Hedgehog series is the property of Sega. And anyone they licence it to, hence all the different 'verses. Not complaining though!

Sonic the Hedgehog: Friendship

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Knowledge.

It was something that all sentient creatures sought, a pressing need to expand one's understanding of the world. Curiosity was something that was present in every sentient creature, an evolutionary throwback to when their ancestors had first looked up at the night sky with awe and wonder, had first learnt the secret of fire, had first expressed themselves in what later generations would call "art."

There were many reasons for seeking knowledge. At times, it was mere curiosity. At others, it was driven by utilitarian purposes, the understanding that knowledge brought power. In the modern world, a world where many of the planet's sentient creatures were under forms of government, it was utilitarian purposes that drove science, ranging from cures for diseases that had been a blight upon their species since time immemorial to researching more humane ways in which they could slaughter their enemies.

Yet there were still those who remained independent, who pursued knowledge on their own. Often these individuals fell into the category of those who were naturally curious, seeking to avoid the pressure of their superiors to dedicate their skill to what they deemed 'worthwhile' pursuits.

Yet there was one individual who pursued knowledge on his own, yet for utilitarian purposes, purposes that were driven by the highest form of altruism that could be summoned, his subject matter ranging on the metaphysical. Truly one of a kind. But then again, that was to be expected. Exceptional individuals tended to shut themselves away from the world, to hide from their past…

No matter; the experiment was about to begin.

1214 hours, October 5th, 3224

South Island, Green Hills

3224-nothing especially significant about the combination of two types of prime numbers coming together as four digits. Still, it was the continuation of something, namely the Great War between the Kingdom of Acorn and the Overlander city of Megaopolis that had been waging for eight years, currently in the middle of its ninth. It was definitely a grim time to be a Mobian living in that kingdom, as no matter how powerful a force valour may have been, superior technology continued to prove itself the deciding factor. Hardly romantic, but then again, war never is, no matter what propaganda may imply.

Still, even in these dark times, one could still enjoy moments of peace and solitude, forget momentarily that your fellow citizens were fighting in some place you'd never heard of while scientists at home researched into more effective ways of killing. For a brown hedgehog currently in the Green Hills, this was no exception.

There was nothing particularly remarkable about him. At the age of four he was walking and talking as one would expect of a Mobian of his age, albeit with more wisecracking than one on the receiving end would usually care for. Brown fur covered most of his body although his arms and chest were of olive pigmentation, lacking any covering, apart from white gloves that covered his hands-a fairly common cultural norm in Mobian society.

Apart from that and the blue unlaced sneakers he wore he was completely bare. Hardly surprising given his spiky quills extended from the top of his head down to his tail quill. Anyone sneaking up on him would find that he was just as dangerous in the rear as in the front. Of course, the chances of the hedgehog not noticing such an act were quite rare, his black eyes conveying a form of intensity and awareness. Perhaps some of it came naturally. Living with his uncle in Mobotropolis (on the official level at least), who was privy to many secrets that others were not privy to, Sonic generally managed to gain insight into juicy material that few had the privilege of seeing. Still, his attitude was his own, and no-one would deny that.

Although he lived in Mobotropolis, Sonic never really spent much time there. His uncle was one of the kingdom's top scientists and was often sent to South Island to carry out his research, the fact that the capital could fall to the Overlanders at any moment being a well known fact. Situated in the Pacific Ocean with a semi-tropical climate, South Island was far more idyllic and peaceful than anything the kingdom could provide in its own territories.

Therefore, Sonic always tagged along with him. South Island had an air of peace and serenity that Mobotropolis lacked and a kind of open freedom that Sonic had always desired. If someone had asked where his home was, South Island had as much bearing as a possible answer as Mobotropolis, the latter mainly due to that being the location where the war was. Of course, it had been South Island where Sonic had spent his early years. Where Chuck had found him…

The possibility of the city actually falling was something that Sonic always pushed to the back of his mind. After all, loss was something that he was used to. Not that he went on about it much, not wanting to be associated with melodrama, but occasionally the memories came back. Those mechanical automatons, him running like the wind, losing that guitar shaped medallion that had been with him all his life…

Eventually he'd ran into the arms of Charles, who insisted that Sonic call him Uncle Chuck, or at least Chuck for short. The younger hedgehog had no obligations against this-as long as Chuck could provide him with a home, a large degree of freedom and his top notch chilli dogs, Sonic wasn't complaining.

So here he was on the island, running through the Green Hills, situated near the island's southern coast. It was a far better environment for such a thing than in Mobotropolis, where there were people always walking and/or talking in streets that were too narrow for the hedgehog's liking. Given that Sonic had an unfortunate habit of running into people or zooming by them at such a speed that their fur would stick out or certain clothing would be revealed for the world to see such an aversion was understandable. Not that Sonic fully understand such qualms of the latter problem; he'd never had much of a desire to wear clothing. His quills would usually tear up anything that was placed over his upper body and his spike tail would always stick through any clothing on the lower half.

So therefore, the Green Hills were a far more ideal place to explore and rush through. Not only did Sonic have freedom to move but the place was a virtual playground, dotted with yellow springs, red springs, hovering blocks of land that seemingly defied gravity (not even Chuck could provide an explanation and 360 degree arcs that allowed one to do a loop while continuing to move forward. No-one could account for such devices and structures spread throughout the area but when they allowed for the adventure that Sonic craved he wasn't about to complain.

The hedgehog screeched to a halt under one of the many shady palms that was spread throughout the area, yet another amenity value and source of fluid if Sonic desired to take a coconut and drink its milk. It was fairly often too, considering as given South Island's Hills' latitude (around 20N, just south of North Amerdia), it seemed to always exist in a state of summer, prompting thirst. The milk wasn't as good as the thick shakes that Sonic often enjoyed but they served their purpose. At least they prevented him from having to get near water to quench his thirst. H2O was a liquid compound that Sonic avoided like the devil.

"Well, how'd I do?" asked Sonic, looking up at the tree as he did so. At first glance it might have appeared odd, a hedgehog seemingly talking to a tree. Had the heat got to him? Far from it. Instead, a Mobi bluebird flew out from among the leaves, a stopwatch tucked in among the feathers of his right wing.

Flicky Bluebird was two years older than Sonic and one of the many Mobi friends that Sonic had made in the Green Hills, although "friend" might have been too intimate a term for the likings of the avian creature. "Acquaintance" might have been a better term, considering that both of them had a penchant for being wisecrackers, their comments almost always directed at each other. It was one of their few similarities, greatly overshadowed by their differences in physical appearance.

"Five kilometres in two point four minutes," said Flicky, looking at the stopwatch. "Which is…" He trailed off, noticing that Sonic was looking at him with a blank expression on his face. Flicky sighed; "That's two minutes and twenty-four seconds."

"That's better," said Sonic smugly. "Seriously, why do you bother using those stupid mathematical terms?"

"Because we're not all like you," murmured Flicky darkly.

"What!?"

"Nothing."

His suspicions allayed, Sonic checked the soles of his shoes. Flicky flew over curiously; "What are you doing?" he asked.

Sonic didn't answer at first, so intent on examining the soles of his shoes. Flicky sighed; honestly, what was it with Mobians and their clothing? True, most of their kind found their fur adequate but more and more of them seemed to be embracing what appeared to be nothing more than extra layers of skin. With such fads taking hold and the Great War at its peek, it seemed like the amount of difference between Mobians and humans was constantly decreasing.

Eventually Sonic looked up; "Soles are clear."

"Huh!? From what?" asked Flicky. "You're not making any sense." His voice grew softer; "As usual."

"Friction," Sonic explained. "Apparently my running all the time wears out the shoes of my sneaks, at least according to Uncle Chuck." Sonic's face darkened slightly; "Spoilsport. He's always keeping me on a leash.

"And who could blame him?" wondered Flicky. "I bet the geezer lets the kid run through the Green Hills cause he knows that I'll keep an eye on the spike ball."

Flicky resisted the urge to sigh vocally and instead did so mentally; he considered Sonic a friend, true, in that regard he was no different from the rest of the Mobi that Sonic associated with in that regard; Joe Sushi, Bunkie, Chirps, Peter, Tux, Porker Lewis… It was just that he and perhaps Joe were the only ones who had concerns for the hedgehog.

Mobians were closer to sapience than Mobi on the evolutionary tree and therefore took longer to fully mature. Sonic seemed to be an exception to this rule in that he spoke coherently and didn't go rambling on about…well, whatever Mobian kids rambled on about, Flicky had never been able to make sense of it.

Yet there was something more to Sonic than that. Neither Flicky nor Joe could describe it but there was something…wild about him, his insistence on running through the Green Hills probably only the tip of the iceberg, a poor substitute for indulging his…well, whatever prompted Sonic to risk life and limb at every opportunity, jumping over rivers when he knew he couldn't swim, running around the 360 degree arcs…Flicky had genuine fears that his Mobian friend was going to get himself hurt someday to such an extent that there would be nothing that he and the rest of the smaller critters that Sonic associated with could do.

"But maybe I'm worrying too much," Flicky thought. "The kid's had it tough; he can probably look after himself."

Such thoughts had bearing on them after all. Flicky and the rest of the gang had met Sonic roughly three months ago. Pleasant and all, but Sonic seemed reluctant to talk about his past, at least his past before his third birthday, or round abouts. Somehow, he always managed to turn the subject around, using a mouth that was even faster than his feet. Well-…

"Hey, are you even listening to me!?"

Flicky snapped to attention, Sonic's exclamation ringing through his ears and ruffling his feathers. The hedgehog had probably been complaining all this time, no doubt at the fact that friction had taken a vengeance, two months' wear of the soles of his sneaks scraped off. "A few more incidents like this and the hedgehog will be forming roads in this area!" He shuddered at the thought.

"Um, sure," Flicky stuttered, noticing that Sonic was tapping his foot impatiently and was probably a few seconds away from using his "I'm waitinggg" catch phrase. He glanced at the stop watch which doubled as a clock; "Twelve twenty-five," Flicky said. He turned down to face Sonic; "I best be off. Stuff to do, people to see…you know…" The bird trailed off.

"Twitipating?" asked Sonic.

"Yeah, pretty much," said Flicky simply. He blinked a few times; "Wait, what!?" Sonic simply grinned, his black eyes shining.

"Whatever," said Flicky coldly. "See you around spiny." With that, he flew off, ready to…well, whatever Flicky did with female members of his species.

"See ya," Sonic called out. He considered following Flicky to see what he found so interesting about Scout, a white Mobi mockingbird but he decided against it. Girls had cooties after all and disease was something that Sonic could do without, given that disease stopped you from running…from moving. That was a horror beyond words.

Sonic shuddered at the thought and sought to take his mind off it, namely by looking down the cliff at the… "ugh, water," he thought. Apparently he had what his uncle called "hydrophobia". Sonic didn't bother asking what it meant, all he knew was that he detested water and had always done so…with good reason. He lifted his gaze, subconsciously viewing the cliff as he did so; not much to see really. Branches, foliage, rocks, a grate in the cliff face, pieces of-…

A WHAT!?

Sonic's gaze, now fully conscious and alert, immediately swivelled to the anomaly, namely a giant hole in the cliff with metal bars, the type of thing you'd find near a sewerage plant. "Could such a place exist here?" Sonic wondered. He sincerely hoped not, the Green Hills was far too pristine for such an establishment, especially one that relied on such primitive means of waste disposal.

But come to think of it, maybe it wasn't related to sewerage. After all, no liquid waste was coming out of it and looking down at the river below, it was hard to imagine it being more pristine. Maybe it wasn't for releasing sewerage. Maybe it was for something else…

Sonic grinned-there was only one way to find out…

"So what do you think Sonic's doing?" asked Scout to Flicky, currently perched beside him on a branch of one of the palm trees.

"Aw, I wouldn't worry," said Flicky, marvelling at the grey mockingbird's feathers. "Can't be anything dangerous."

"Geronimo!"

Having decided that finding a bridge to the opposite cliff was too wimpy and taking a run-up of one hundred metres still didn't make the cut, Sonic had settled on a fifty metre stretch to get the acceleration he needed to make the jump from one side of the gorge to the next. Of course, there was the slight possibility that he wouldn't make the jump and would either fall to his death or somehow survive and drown instead, but such thoughts never entered his mind either.

They would have been wasted anyway. Seemingly defying the laws of gravity, he made it to the grate on the other side without a hitch. Well, maybe not entirely hitch free; there was the fact that he only barely grabbed the edge of the grate, suffered a bout of vertigo and it was only his hydrophobia that gave him the strength to crawl up to and through the grate.

Still, such facts were irrelevant to Sonic. He'd made it across the gorge and that was all that mattered. Of course, he could always go back and use them to his advantage when telling the story to his friends, having already developed several ideas of fighting robots intent on taking over the area. The hedgehog looked down the tunnel; dark, colourless and dull.

"Just like school really," he thought, shuddering at the memories he had of Mobotropolis's education system. "Well, at least it doesn't stink. And besides, the underground is a hedgehog's natural habitat." With that, he set on running down the tunnel into darkness.

"Sure hope there's light at the end of this thing…"

Failure.

Yet again, it was failure that greeted the scientist. Not that he truly minded; it was to be expected at this stage, for with only six of the required seven, how could he succeed? He knew as well as…well, technically no-one considering the subject matter, that success was truly an impossibility at this stage, a fleeting possibility unless he either acquired seventh item or made some fine tuning to the ROCC, which, given its volatile nature at this point, was something that he wasn't willing to carry out.

No. All he could do until the day of success was prepare for it. He was a patient individual, he was willing to wait, whether it be a day, a year, or even to the end of eternity and the extinction of mortal flesh.

Still, it would be nice to have someone to share his frustration with …