I own nothing SEGA does or the idea of PTSD.
Chapter 3
Sonic jolted up. He rubbed his eyes and yawned as he looked around. He fell asleep on the beach apparently. He scratched his head before looking up at the edge of the forest… or jungle… whatever. Sonic was not a… whatever someone's called when they study plants.
The hero has been scouring the area to find where the fox who named himself "Tails" lived. He knew Tails was not going be near other people and the only place like that would be the forest.
Sonic turned with lowered lids only to leap up "YIIIIIIIIIIIII!" The water nearly slid up and soaked his gloves.
The hero scrambled up the bank and stood glaring at the water. He slapped his shoulder and knees getting the sand off "Stupid water, cursed ninja like water. First it attacks with a full on assault and then now it just tried an assassination… and people call me paranoid about it! Oh, ho-ho. Wait till water actually collects that bounty on me!"
The hero kicked some of the beach at the ocean and shouted "EAT MY DUST YA 'H-TWO-O'! OR SAND! WHATEVER MY FEET PICK UP WHEN I RUN!"
Sonic's ear twitched and he spun around in a flash with his fists up. He glared up at the trees ready for a fight "WHO'S THERE?!"
There was nothing but silence. The hedgehog remained standing with his fighting stance as he looked amongst the vegetation. The hero dropped his arms and let them dangle as he mumbled "I swear. Fighting Eggman is making me paranoid. First the engine… well… that did try to kill me… and I'm talking to myself again." Sonic stood there with a perplexed face and arms sticking out in a shrug like formation. He then planted his hands on the sides of his back and pushed. The hero grunted and sighed out, satisfied from the back stretch.
The hero then bent down in a starting position and tore off at high speeds down the bank to circled the island for a good morning jog. He skidded to a halt right where he was moments ago "Wow, this island is not long at all. Makes me miss Green Hill… I should try out Emerald Hill some time. Been told it's similar."
Sonic spun on a dime and glared at a certain spot. A figure stumbled back in shock at the movement and rushed back into the cover of the trees… it was Tails.
Sonic's jaw dropped and he ran off after the fox "Wait! TAILS!" The hero plowed through the brush and shoved the leaves away "Tails! I'm sorry buddy. I thought you were someone else. I'm not use to being snuck up on." He stopped and looked down aggravated "I'm not even going to mention Amy." He started to walk through the forest again "I mean. Come on. She's a sweat lady and all, but she's gotta give me space. Sure I saved her life, but that doesn't grant her the rights to use me as a hug pillow." Sonic stopped and turned to a bush "Hi."
There was a sharp intake of breath before a fox popped up and began to back away in fear. Sonic raised his arms "Let's settle down. I just want to talk."
Tails grabbed a hanging branch behind him and looked at Sonic unsure "Oh…Oak…ay… Talk. Just talk."
Sonic smiled and relaxed "Thank you. All this chasing in wearing me down."
Tails took a major step back "Ch-chasing?!
Sonic lifted his hands in a defensive manner "No-no-no-no-no-no! Not like that. You keep running and I have no idea what's wrong. What's going on? Why are you acting so… bipolar?"
"Bipolar? What?"
"You know. One moment you're staring at me in awe then suddenly I turn into Eggman or something. Guy's looks could scare children any day."
"Y-you… Eggman? No! I just… just."
"Just what?" Sonic took a step forward in concern.
Tails stepped back tears swelling in his eyes "I…I."
"Tails?"
The fox grabbed his head and began to break down "No… you're not… I don't… What?"
Sonic hurriedly walked toward him "What's wrong buddy?"
"No-NO!" The hedgehog paused in shock "YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Tails' tear stained face contorted with rage as the fox shoved a pointed finger at Sonic "You-you… you just want to lower my defenses just so you can pick on me! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The blue blur's eyes widened "Lower your defenses? Tails, what's going on!?"
Tails' angered face left as he took a step back "I-I-I…" Then turned and ran off.
Sonic only stared after him, too stunned to give chase.
XXXXX
The blue hedgehog paced the block, hands behind his back and in deep thought. He was totally ignorant of all the awed looks he was getting from passerbys. The only thing he could think of was the infuriated fox who accused him of being a bully. Was he really giving that signal? He was tempted to call the Doctor, but he did not want to bother her with just one extra detail. He should get more before heading to her again.
Sonic paused and looked over at some snickering teens. The hedgehog was about their age if not younger. It was in his best interest to ask them about the fox "Hey!"
The group turned boringly only to come alive when they noticed who called out to them. Sonic marched over to them with a wave and smile. They all stood in shock and admiration as they spoke his well known name. He dismissed their chatter with a wave and spoke "Can I ask you guys a question?"
The bigger tiger looking one replied "Sure, anything."
"I've noticed this… depressing fox around. You know anything about him?"
All three began to snicker loudly causing the hero to stare in disbelief, what was funny "You mean speed meter?"
"Speed meter? What do you-?"
A female wolf cut him off "His name's Miles Prower." The group began to laugh.
Sonic stared at the group in bewilderment "Miles Per-hour?" The group laughed even harder "What's so funny?" He was begging to get annoyed.
The same wolf replied "Its Prower. Close, but think more of the lines 'power' with a 'purr' at the beginning."
"Prower."
"Yep." The group snickered again.
Sonic crossed his arms and lowered his eyelids "I don't see what's funny."
The big tiger waved it off "Inside joke."
The hero eyes only looked more annoyed now "Okay then. Anything else?"
A monkey now spoke "He has two tails."
"I know he has two- What's so funny?" The whole group burst out laughing.
"What's all the chaos about?" A grown rhinoceros opened the door.
The group was gaining their compositor but Sonic replied "I don't know. They're just laughing at a two tailed fox."
"That freak?"
Sonic stopped "…Freak?" His voice was close to dangerous.
"Yah. Two tailed mutated freak. Likes to fix and make stuff. He's a strange know it all."
Anger seemed to boil inside as the blue blur looked back as nice as he could "Well. Thanks for the notice. I'll keep that in mind." He turned away.
The monkey called after him "If you see him just ask what your speed is. He might tell ya the MPH."
Sonic's fists curled as the whole group began to hoot with laughter. Sonic could hear the voices in his head "Freak!... Walking blueberry!... Spiny marble!… Hedgehog on steroids!" He began to breath deep and hard as his whole body began to shake. The very reason he ran off to live on his own was because of punks like these and unlike him Tails was stuck with them with nowhere to go because of how stupidly small this island was.
The hedgehog brought himself up and continued on walking. He had to keep his composure these jerks are not worth his trouble… for now. The hero began to pick up the pace and was soon in a jog. He wanted to go and clear his mind. He dashed right into the forest (He was now wondering if the entire island was a forest) and began to run around. He grabbed branches to flip and bounced off trees for fun. All his troubles seem to evaporate when he ran, but not Tails. Here is someone he could actually relate to. Bullied because of differences, wanting nothing more than to be left alone, and a need to leave this place.
Sonic felt his chest clench, his heart boil, and his face contort. He nearly roared as he slid to a stop and slammed an angered fist into a tree. The tree collapsed and shattered in slivers from the force of the hit the hero usually saves especially for robots. He has fought multiple forms of mechanisms, even one that moved and acted just like himself, and won. Yet he feels helpless in this situation.
Sonic began to breathe in deeply and harshly; sweat rolling off his quills. He needed that. Not very eco friendly, but still. Sonic stood high and used his hands as if pulling strings down as he took a breath. He felt calmer and he opened his eyes. Was that a cabin?
It was. Not a suitable looking one but its design was not one to criticize. It was thin with a small door. Steps lead up to the porch which was surrounded by white railings. The small window above the door supported the idea that it might be two stories, but Sonic was pretty sure it was not.
The hedgehog walked into the clearing for a better look. The grass was all cut and short, there seemed to be an old wide tree stump with scorch marks in the center, and… is that a swing? Sonic smiled and ran at the wooden swing. He sat and jumped back up high above the railing. He swung back down… and misjudged his strength. He swung right back up and over the railing and fell right onto the dirt ground underneath.
Sonic pushed himself up and spat out the muck "At least it didn't break."
The hero stood back up and fixed his mistake by untwisting the swing. He dusted himself off and strolled over to the cabin. He walked up the steps and planted himself at the door. He knocked politely and waited. There was not even a shuffle behind it.
Sonic grabbed the handle "Hello? Anyone home?" He jiggled it and, to his surprise, opened up.
Sonic walked in and looked around "Hello? It's me… A hedgehog you probably have not met yet. Just call me Sonic."
There were robotic parts all over the place, a strange computer with dishwasher detergent and a toothpick, and a pile of rags on the floor in the corner. Sonic walked over to a robot that looked like a small version of tails but with no tails and four legs. He poked its head only to receive a bobble head effect "I think I just found someone's home, right Tails?" The hero turned to see if he missed anything and even looked up "I guess the fox isn't here at the moment… Yay." Sonic slapped his hands together and rubbed them a smile plastered on his face "Let's see. Yah… yah! Might feel better if I tidy up a bit."
Sonic walked out, closed the door, and dashed off. He skidded right in front of a mattress store and walked in. He looked around and pulled a worker away "Hey." The worker's eyes widened when he saw who he was "Do you have any soft yet small mattresses? I'm trying to find one for a friend of mine."
The man nodded still staring wide-eyed "S-sure. This way." The man walked over to one particular mattress.
The blue blur jumped up, landed on it, placed his hands behind his head, and crossed his legs "Yah." He nodded "This is nice. I'll take one. Now if possible."
The man blinked "Now?"
"Yes. Now. I'm in a bit of a rush."
The man backed away "Alright. Come in the back with me."
Sonic leapt off the bed "Alright."
The hero was soon at Tails' cabin and placing the mattress where the rags were and set those old rags ontop of it. He stepped back and smiled at his work. He felt so proud. Might put the fox on edge at first… unless. Sonic rushed out and came back with a bowl of fruit to place on the sheets. He then pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote: "I'm sorry. Please accept my gifts here. –From" Sonic stopped. He was about to write his name but thought better "-From A Friend."
Sonic took the note and placed it on his fruit. He stepped back and smiled at his good deed. The hedgehog walked out, closed the door behind him, and ran off.
XXXXX
Sonic walked down the beach with the same old phone with the same old ring. "Hello, Doctor Sheev here."
"Hi, it's me, Sonic."
"Got anything new?"
"Well… I found where he lives. A small handmade cabin with no bed."
"No parents?"
"Err… I don't know. No sign of any."
"That's not good if he has PTSD."
"Well… He's also bullied by… everyone by the looks of it."
"Everyone?!" The Doctor suddenly piped up.
"Well everyone I've met has nothing good to say about him and it would explain why he doesn't trust me. Say… that reminds me. I found him watching me in the forest. When I asked to talk he accepted and when I asked what was wrong he just…" Sonic waved his free arm around "Exploded. He began accusing me of trying to lower his guard so I can hurt him."
"…"
"Hello?"
"I just… can't believe this. The entire island picking on one kid that appears to be an orphan."
"I know. I mean. I use to be treated like this and look at me now. Hero of the world. They probably have one of their own though. That fox that stopped the… the…" Sonic froze.
"What?"
"Fox. Fox! FOX! Don't tell me!"
"Fox? Wha?"
Sonic looked at his phone "Sorry gotta go. Call you back." The hero hung up. The hedgehog dashed off into town and slid in front of the city hall.
The hero bounced up the steps and pounded on the door. A female hedgehog came out "What's going-on?" She froze.
Sonic crossed his arms "I wish to talk with the mayor!" She nodded and ran back in.
In a matter of moments a squirrel came out "Sonic the Hedgehog! How can I help-?"
"Two-tailed fox!"
"Err. What about him?"
"Is he the fox who saved this island from those bird brains?"
"Well…"
"IS HE?"
The squirrel jumped back. "Yes."
Sonic grabbed his head "And you all pick on him."
"Well… he is a freak." The squirrel shrugged with a faint smile.
Sonic felt his face drop with shocked rage. The squirrel noticed this making wonder if he had made a mistake and started to back off "A freak. A freak! And I'm not?" Sonic demanded.
"Well… you're a hero and he's a-."
"HE'S ALSO A HERO!"
"He's just a mishap! Even his parents left him."
Sonic's jaw fell open "He IS an orphan!? Who's the parents?"
The squirrel fumbled behind him for the door "I-… no one knows he just like… came up as if he grew from the ground like the dirt he is."
Sonic pointed a threatening finger at him "Continue, I dare you!"
The squirrel pulled open the door and ran in. Sonic shook his head in disgust "What's wrong with these people?!" The hedgehog spun and stormed down the steps to the streets.
He then stomped his foot in frustration. What was wrong with everyone? After the fox saved everyone who picked on him they still treat him like the most contaminated dirt. Sonic stormed down the streets and looked up. A group of kids were huddling together sharing a secret no doubt. That is… in till someone inside the huddle yelped.
Sonic paused. One of the kids shifted and Sonic stood horrorstruck as he watched the small form of Tails cowering behind his hands as the group kicked him everywhere they could. Sonic started to jog forward "Hey." They still attacked him "HEY! HEY!" They all stopped to see the angered hero.
Sonic shoved the first kid away "GET AWAY FROM HIM! WHAT ARE YOU!? EGGMAN'S ROBOT'S!? GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!" Everyone scuttled away in fear as Sonic shoved another kid away. "SCRAM!" The whole group turned and ran.
Sonic glared at the onlookers who stared at him in shock. "What?!" Sonic yelled at them.
One of them replied "They were just having fun!"
Sonic shoved a finger at them "How bout I go break your arm? Just for fun!" The hedgehog spat venomously. He turned around and knelt next to the fox "Tails?"
The fox whimpered in pain "Please don't. Stop. Please." The pleas sent shockwaves into the hedgehog's heart making feel like they were shattering. "I-I-I just want to be left alone, Please."
"Tails, I'm not going to hurt you." Sonic gently grasped the fox's shoulders.
Tails shook violently eyes clamped shut in fear and tears streaming down his face "Please. Who-whoever you are please."
"I'm a friend."
Tails opened one eye and spotted who it was and then opened his other eye in shock. Sonic looked down at the bruised up form of Tails "You okay?"
Tails jerked away "Let go of me!"
"Miles, I'm trying to help you."
The fox stopped with a shocked and petrified face "Wh-wha? You just-? Let GO OF ME!"
Sonic felt a strong leg strike him in the gut. He let go and stumbled back winded for only a few seconds. Tails jumped up and turned to look at the blue blur in fear. Sonic rose an arm "Tails, I just want to help you."
The fox only stepped back then ran off whilst beginning to spin his tails. The twin tails suddenly began to make a whirling sound and the fox shot off into the air.
Sonic watched in awe as the fox flew off "This kid's full of surprises."
Please Review. Tell me how this story is going.
