Here's chapter four! This chapter introduces Tails and gives a little insight as to why he's living with the hedgehogs. I was thinking, while this story will mainly focus on the triplets, I would enjoy writing about the other characters as well. Perhaps give you guys a glimpse of what the others are doing and what's going on in the background. Let me know if you'd like that~ Anyway, enjoy!


Sonia and Sally waved goodbye as the pink hedgehog got into the car with her mother, the vehicle becoming a tiny dot in the distance. The two girls stood at the bottom of the steps leading into and out of the school, quiet for a few moments. Most students bolted the moment the bell signaled it was time to go and others were still keeping an eye out for their parents. Sonia was waiting for Sonic and Manic to actually come outside. Yet, Sally's mom was still at work so she would have to stay afterwards a while longer.

Sonia decided to check her phone since her brothers were deciding to take their sweet time inside the school. She leaned against the railing, green eyes staring intensely at the screen before an annoyed look crossed her expression.

"Hey, do you know the school's wi-fi password? I found a really funny video I want to show you but I don't want to use up my data."

Sally looked at her blankly for a moment, but then laughed, "I'm the principal's daughter! Of course I do!"

She took her friend's dark purple phone and instantly went to work, only pausing to look up and wave to Silver and Blaze as they left. With a satisfied grin, she handed the device back to Sonia, "There ya' go."

"Thanks! You're the best, Sally." Sonia was just pulling a pale pink pair of earphones from her pocket when two figures appeared in her peripheral vision, one cerulean and one green. Turning her head, she started to tease Sonic and Manic about how long they were taking, but she quickly shut her mouth. Sonic was barely holding back his temper with clenched teeth while Manic just wore a tired look.

"Time to go, Sonia. See ya, Sal." Sonic said, voice tense with bottled up emotions and headed for his car, Manic trudging after him. Sonia sighed and threw her backpack over her shoulder.

"I'll send you the video later." Sonia simply told Sally.


"Welcome back!"

After a car ride filled to the brim with a suffocating silence, it was a drastic shift to the triplets to be greeted so excitedly. Tails had rushed to the door the moment he heard the door creak open. His name sakes were weaving about with boundless energy and his expression radiated with youthful optimism.

The three felt their negative emotions fade away. They were home now.

"Hey to you too, little buddy!" Sonic returned his adopted brother's cheer and knelt down, hearing the door close behind him, "You have a good day back to school?"

"You bet! I got to see Cream and Charmy again, and I made a new friend! Her name's Marine, she's a little too hyper but really nice." Sonic thanked God that the innocent boy had a much better day than him.

Manic patted the fox's head in a brotherly manner before an elegant purple hedgehog arrived from the kitchen.

"I hope you three had an enjoyable day back as well." she stated in a gentle tone.

"Hello, Mother." Sonia and Manic almost greeted at the same time, the two side-eyeing each other. Sonic chuckled but hurried upstairs, he'd rather not explain to his mother how angry he was with some of the students and teachers. Tails wasted no time in following his idol.

The blue hedgehog tossed his bag near his desk and plopped onto his bed. He let out a long breath and stared at his ceiling. Today had certainly been interesting.

He sat back up when Tails walked in, the young child taking in the sight of Sonic's room. It was so simple, mainly having the necessities and not much extra. Sonia's walls were covered with posters and pictures, Manic's had some posters too and random knickknacks could be found around his room, yet Sonic's was rather plain.

"Need something, buddy?"

Sonic's question brought Tails from his aimless thoughts. He said nothing, instead choosing to sit next to the taller Mobian. He tilted his head and it was as if he could feel the suppressed feelings under Sonic's relaxed mask.

"You never answered Mom's question. How was your day back?"

That kid was too sharp for his own good.

Sonic broke eye contact and shrugged, his green eyes glancing at the small television sitting on his dresser, "It was fine."

That was at least the partial truth. He hated lying to the innocent fox, but no one ever told him about the things Manic had done last school year. He only seemed to see the good in others. He didn't need to know, not yet. Hiding the whole ordeal from him was hard enough.

"...if you say so." was all Tails mumbled.

Sonic heard his siblings coming up the stairs and Manic's door was closed instantly, while he heard Sonia humming as she likely began to take off her makeup.

"Sonic, where are my parents?"

The random question sent chills through Sonic's body and his full attention was on Tails again. The yellow fox held a serious expression that was edged with confusion. He had no idea how to answer, so he attempted to laugh it off, "What're you talking about? Mom's downstairs and Dad will be home any minute..."

Tails narrowed his eyes, silently saying, 'You know that's not what I meant'. If his whole family were hedgehogs, then he couldn't be blood related. Tails wasn't oblivious.

Sonic would like to know where his adopted brother's birth parents were too. According to his mother, even she had no idea where they had gone or if they were okay. They had been their neighbors for as long as Sonic could remember. Tails had been put on their doorstep before they vanished without a trace. Was he supposed to tell him that?

"...it doesn't matter, Tails. We're your family now." Sonic couldn't find another other words. He hoped Tails didn't press further.

That seemed to do the trick. Tails dropped the subject when affection made his eyes glow. He hugged Sonic and grinned only how a truly happy child can, "You're right, I couldn't ask for a better one."

Sonic returned the hug and silently let out breath he hadn't known he had been holding in. Tails was content with that answer now, but for how long?