Present (4 days to go)

He remembered this feeling. This wonderful free-fall feeling of shooting down in the pitch black and then suddenly without hesitation you would shoot left, then right, then loop around... even though he remembered the sequence of directions the shoot went off in, it still was exhilarating. For the 10 years he had lived in Knothole he had never seen the full shoot. One of the reasons Knothole remained so secretive was that the primary way into it, used by most Freedom Fighters was the shoot. A log that bent downwards off a small hill edge but suddenly, through some feat of nature, continued underground and came out about 4 hundred metres north of where you entered. A tree which had grown through a hill side with a trunk large enough for most Mobians to fit through was a true marvel of nature.

It didn't take long though for the familiar falling sensation to reach its peak and the light at the end of the tunnel to show itself for Tails to land merrily into the stack of hay ahead.

As his head shot out of the straw pile, spit bits of hay from his mouth, he could see Lupe and Cilen already swiping at their fur to get their coats clean. As Tails did the same and they got ready to move again, Tails looked ahead. He froze.

The clean swaying river, the little wood caved bridge, the many hand/paw built huts and the few paths made throughout the village...Knothole. Just as his memory had preserved it, just as beautiful as he remembered, the hidden village. That familiar fear once again engulfed him but as one side of his mind irrationally held him back, fearing that familiar den of safety he once called home, he still, without thinking, walked forward.

His head was turning to and throw to the huts and the Mobians scattered around, getting on with their day to day lives. He didn't recognise many. The village had been small and easy to get to grips with for Tails before, but when the other Freedom Fighter Teams came, with even more civilians who did not or could not fight, he soon got lost in the maze of unfamiliar faces. He had remembered feeling some anger towards them, some pathological hatred of those who did not want to fight for their own freedom. But noticing that with civilians came civilian jobs, such as gardeners, cooks, mechanics and basic handymen, he found Knothole to be far more civilised. Instead of a cold baths and rather simple food, came tastes he had never experienced before and WARM BATHS. Whatever hatred he had for them had soon disappeared when he had been given his first non-raw-vegetable-dominated dish.

As Tails walked on, now Lupe leading the way, he did notice the odd stare coming his way. He should have guessed but it still made him feel uneasy. His tails. He knew he would have some problems dealing with his name sakes when he started this but hoped everyone would get used to it.

As he returned he walked, trying to ignore the stares, he soon found himself infront of a very familiar hut. He desperately tried to calm down. He knew and respected her enough to know he could very easily be rumbled if he didn't get into his act. Even though, who knew whether or not it would be enough to fool Sally?

Sally sat at her desk, Nichole planted infront of her, desperately trying to figure out a way into her next raid spot, a oil refinery off the edge of Robotropolis. But even being a few miles outside the city the security made it nearly impossible getting in and out without one or two of the squads being capture, atleast nearly impossible all the ways she saw.

Just as she decided to just make it a lone run with just her and Sonic, a knock came at the door.

"Come in" She said in her tired voice as she took Nichole and attached her to her boot strap.



As she did, the door loomed inwards and Lupe walked inside, a welcoming smile adorned her face. Sally looked generally pleased as she got up and gave a light hug to the female pack leader.

"It's good to see you back. I got word of your mission. Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Sally. It is good to be back... though not a total relief." Lupe admitted.

Sally just shook her head as she beckoned Lupe to enter. "I'm not too happy having these fights inside Knothole grounds, Lupe. I know I know little about your culture but is this really necessary? Atleast now? I have a major raid coming up and having our most effective strike force taken up for 4 full days will really..." Sally stopped as her eyes fell on Lupe's companions. Cilen she had already met on her first visit to the Wolf Pack but the other snow wolf seemed new to her. But that was only an afterthought to what waved back and forth behind him.

As Sally realised she was actually being quite rude staring at Tails tails, Lupe decided to introduce him now before Sally started asking awkward questions.

"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Sally, this is my new bodyguard, for the tournament, Cable. He was the one actually who saved me on that mission just yesterday"

Tails bowed, set on keeping his character up as convincingly as possible. "It's an honour Princess."

"Ow, thank you" Sally replied, eyes occasionally twitching back to the two tails "Cable" had, always in motion on either side of him.

"He is a wolf we found just recently. Very skilled, even by our standards" Lupe praised, causing Tails to blush slightly, whilst he scratched the back of his head sheepishly with a friendly smile shining back. "He actually came here for the sake of joining the Freedom Fighters" Lupe finished.

"Well, if you have room of course. And I'm happy to go through any test to prove myself." Tails said rather quickly, adding a light laugh at the end.

For Sally, she was already convinced. Already filed under nervous recruit, her curiosity over his multiple tails had disappeared.

"We'd welcome the help. And if Lupe can vouch for you, I'm sure we could sort something out" Sally replied as friendly as possible, in hopes of putting the wolf at ease. She still found it funny how someone probably 4-5 years her senior was so twittery infront of her. Her title still made it hard to make a good impression on new people with their noses in the dirt.

"That's great" Tails replied, his face lighting up, but then sinking before adding. "Um, sorry to be difficult but it will have to be after this tournament thing... still don't know why though" He replied almost sulkily to Lupe.

"Whether of a pack or not you still are expected to atleast bare witness to these proceedings." Lupe lectured, internally impressed at Tails show. Ignorant, shy, slightly immature but friendly... all qualities completely believable in the character Tails was playing out. She guessed the character would slowly shift towards Tails personality, as he got used to his "new" surroundings. But generally, she found herself almost believing his display. He even pouted slightly at her. Not something she believed Tails to be even capable of.

"It should be OK. I already expect it, though..." She couldn't hold back her curiosity. ".. may I ask about your..."



Though Tails outwardly looked awkward and just slightly ashamed, inwardly he grinned. His second tail did have a plus with his story and character. Have a mutation like his would make his shy character far more believable.

"Ow um, these?" Tails pointed to his waving name-sakes. He pointed towards the one on his left side. "This is just a birth defect. Something about my spine not forming properly..." a look of confusion appeared his face. "...or is it this one?" Tails said pointing to his right. "Anyway... it won't be a problem, will it?"

"No, no!" Not at all. Infact we have a young fox who lives here with the same... condition" Sally spurted out, guessing this was a sore subject for Cable, despite his cute joke of his. She didn't know how far she should press, like whether or not he could fly like Tails, which would be a big help, since her two main flying Freedom Fighters was Tails, who was both too young and probably couldn't carry anyone anyway, and Dulcy who... could be described as still in training.

"Really? Didn't think it was common" Tails replied.

"Yes, his names Tails. You will probably see him about. He's a young orange fox. Usually hangs around Sonic, a blue hedgehog." Sally replied, as she gathering a few items in preparation to move on.

"I'll look out for him then" Tails replied happily.

"Anyway, if that is all, we still have some issues to deal with. Like the meeting of the 3 other leaders who should have just come in. Have they been any trouble?" Lupe asked, as if trying to excuse them of any rough behaviour.

"Well, the Blood Claw have mostly kept to themselves. All I did was other them a small section of Knothole housing and we've barely heard a peep from them" Sally replied, making her way to the door, with the others following. "The Low Moon clan don't strike me as aggressive, socially that is. They've mingled around and there leader is quite friendly. Dark Eyes... they haven't caused trouble as such but have been make the odd comments here and there... things like being True Warriors, and how Knothole had even survived so long... it does agate the other villagers. Especially the other Freedom Fighters they openly insult."

Lupe, as they stepped out and walked across the village, shook her head. "The Dark Eyes have had a history of vanity. A sort of pride and superiority passed from father to son. It's also very sexist a social structure. Guess their open aggression is based, I'm afraid, on you being the leader."

Sally nodded, a thin smile on her face as they continued their trek. "I kind of got the feeling from their leader. Just meeting him makes me want to root for you more, Lupe. He looks at me as if he expects me to see the error of my ways by foolishly trying to lead and just go home and bare a good mans children like a good girl should."

Tails looked and felt relatively shocked. He had been around Sally for years, though all the time he just saw her as she acted infront of him. The caring considerate parent, with a heart of gold. He genuinely never expected to hear something like that coming from her mouth.

Lupe openly laughed as both Cilen and Tails were ignored in their girl talk. "If I have the pleasure of fighting him, I'll make sure to give him a good kick his "leadership" for you. Having a girl take away his ability to bare children does make delicious irony."

Sally and Lupe just laughed as Cilen and Tails just meekly stared at one another.

It had struck Tails then that he had, defiantly fooled Sally. His act, though not floorless, had been convincing enough to hold back any questions that might arise. And to Tails surprise, when getting 

into roll, he barely reacted to Sally. No tears, no widened eyes, not even any pauses, it went great... then why did he feel so empty?

Before, whenever any memory of Sally or Sonic had come up, it was his last images of them, in their grotesque burnt forms, that surfaced in his memory. He remembered sleepless nights when the second his mind fell away and he succumbed to sleep, there they were... mocking him. Always there, never giving him a moments rest. It was this, more than most that was his main fear of coming back. That maybe he would "flip" in his current condition and end up resenting them both for his pain. He didn't trust himself mentally for such a task a first... and still didn't.

But here he was. Keeping his act up, no mental backlash to speak of and barely reacting to Sally's presence... but despite meeting all his own expectations, it still depressed him.

He had barely felt anything, not just hate but... that old warmth as well. That urge that, if things were getting too rough for him, he could run up and get a loveable hug from his kind aunt. And that did depress him... and scare him slightly, that maybe... he really was beginning to care less... become that heartless animal he imagined himself being when his final drops of compassion dripped away.

Whilst in this depressive state of mind, he just realised that they had reached their destination.

The campsite the wolf pack, or atleast the pack Lupe lead, was relatively small. No more than 6 huts circled around a central area, for meetings and meals, Tails guessed. As the wolfs who stood around the centre talked amongst themselves, all conversation stopped as the group entered. As Lupe stepped ahead of the group, as one, all the wolves jumped up to her. Apparently word of Lupe's encounter and Drago, and his crews, betrayal had gone further than just Sally's ear.

Tails just let Lupe get questioned by her pack mates, as he still kept back with Cilen. Sally at this point had said a quite goodbye and gone off, back to her planning, Tails guessed. Just as his musings were ending, he noticed all eyes of the wolf pack were on him.

"I was fortunate that Cable here had been passing. I have no doubt that Drago would have succeeded otherwise." Lupe said, apparently finishing her short version of the story.

"Um, hey" Tails meekly replied. In an instant he was bombarded by greetings, thank you's, and shaking hands. All were happy to meet the one responsible for saving their leader. The whole exchange of greetings and names went on for about 5 minutes before Lupe's voice boomed over the clearing.

"Everyone" She said, just loud enough to get everyone's attention. "Despite what a crucial blow we just suffered, with the loss of Botolf at the hands of Drago, Bardou and Jason..." Lupe paused, giving a few moments silence for Botolf, "We need to keep order now, more than ever over the coming days. So, Cable here will be joining us and acting as my bodyguard throughout the tournament"

This however was not met with cheers or any such congratulatory response. The wolfs instead just looked curiously at Cable and back at Lupe. As silence descended until finally one of the more brave members of the wolf pack stepped forward.

"Lupe, not that I'm ungrateful to young Cable here but...taking him in straight away, as your own bodyguard no less..."

"The idea was brought up by the Elders" Lupe replied.

The silence once again descended on the pack. They knew well enough that once the elders stepped in, their views quickly became unheard.



Lupe, guessing her pack wasn't completely happy with a new guy joining and getting such a high position just because he happened to save her life, a feet which she knew a few infront of her had already done before in the past on previous mission, decided to compromise.

"Despite his position, he's still for all intensive purposes, the new guy. He'll be at the bottom of the pecking order like any other rookie joining us, so try to make him feel welcome." Lupe clarified. The pack seemed content with this, and went back to their usual activities, while the wolf who spoke out pointed out the tents and their owners to Tails.

"Lupe" The wolf, who Tails had just found out was called, Takien, spoke "Should I ask someone to bunk up with Cable or will he..."

"Yes" Lupe answered "He will be sleeping with me"

That most certainly got Tails attention as his ears perked up and he stared wide-eyed at Lupe. "What?"

"You will be sleeping with me... to clarify, in my hut, most certainly not on my bed, if that's what you're thinking" Lupe answered

Tails felt relieved... and once again, like during Tails' grooming, not a little disappointed.

"And speaking on the subject, we will be meeting the leaders later on this evening. It's still mourning and we have been walking all night. I want to be fresh when I meet them so I will try and catch up on some sleep. Cable" Lupe beckoned.

Tails automatically followed. As he moved with Lupe to her hut, he noticed the sly grins on the wolves as he passed and a few playfully jealous looks as well.

As Lupe entered and beckoned Tails inside, his eyes fixed themselves on the king sized bed in the middle of the only room. Apart from that, the room looked the same as his old room. A desk, a small bookshelf, a closet and various pictures littering the walls. The only other difference was a couch placed in one of the corners of the room, obviously for reading purposes.

"I didn't think there were any beds in Knothole bigger then a single" Tails commented.

"Ow there are, but there all owned by the females of Knothole. I'm surprised you didn't know that." Lupe replied, as she openly took off her clothing.

Tails instantly turned round as he tried to reply calmly. "Well I knew Sally had one but, I just thought it was because she was a princess"

"Ow no. Quite a few females own double, queen sized or even king sized beds. It saves time." Lupe answered

Tails almost turned around but caught himself before replying, "Saves time?"

"Yes. Ratio wise, there are far more females then males in Knothole. During the takeover, more women were caught then man, since most of the men were still outside of Mobotropolis at war with the humans. Because of this, instead of supplying all couples with large, sharable beds when they get together, all women are provided for as to minimise any problems in that area"

Tales decided not to bother mentioning any of his views on the subject and just rested down in one of the corners, his back resting against the wall, trying to get a good comfortable position but also one 

where he could jump straight into action. He had gotten used to sleeping like this whilst on the run, sleeping but just uncomfortable enough to promise a light sleep.

Lupe, who had already slid under her sheets just stared happily at Tails. "There is a couch you can sleep on. That is one of the advantages of sleeping here, as my bodyguard"

Tails just smiled back wearily. "I, apparently, am still you bodyguard. This is the idle sleeping position so I can be ready if anything happens."

Just as Tails finished and tried to get comfortable against the hard wood, a pillow struck him in the face. As he turned to Lupe, she just shook her head.

"Don't bother making things more difficult for yourself then they already are, Rambo. You need a good night sleep aswell... Anyway, goodnight" And with that, her head rested on her one remaining pillow as she quickly nodded off.

Tails, still leaning there, pillow in hand just stared at her sleeping form. He could feel that old urge coming up again but quickly shrugged it off... she really was something though, he thought, as he took the pillow and rested his head against it.

Their rest didn't last long. Tails had to admit the sleep had done him some good, as he stood up and stretched. He had been lightly woken up by Lupe's stirring as she, herself was waking. They could both smell dinner being served and Tails had to admit, it did smell delicious. Just as he gathered his things, Lupe stood up from her bed. As Tails turned to greet up, staring for only a moment on her naked body, he spun around on the spot once again. Behind him, Lupe just grinned.

"I have no problems you looking upon me like this." Lupe playfully said, as she took a spare change of clothes and dressed. "Sally is practically naked most of the time. Is there much difference?"

She could see Tails squirm, as he tried to find the right words. "Well yes buts... she's not... as well..."

"Developed?" Lupe replied, her hand lightly touching Tails should. He jumped instantly but noting the playful grin on her face, knew not to back down or appear as some sexually uncomfortable boy.

"Yes." He replied fatly. "Anyway, this is my 1st sitting with the pack... what should I do? Are there any customs I should know?"

Lupe's grin never left her face. She paused for a second before replying. "Just be yourself. That should be enough" and with that, she walked passed and went through the door.

As Tails followed and his eyes met the wolf pack all sitting around the central fire, he could feel the atmosphere change around them. The playful banter he heard seemed more forced, like they were focused on something else.

Tails stepped forward to the centre just as Lupe sat down to one side next to Cilen with a bowl of, what appeared to be, stew. He was handed a bowl of his own, but thanks to the seating, he couldn't sit next to Lupe as he would have preferred, so instead opted to go to one of the less crowed sides of the circle.

Just as he sat down and placed his spoon into the thick and lumpy brown liquid, he could tell all eyes were on him. What was going on? He thought to himself. Was something supposed to happen?



Tails, getting uncomfortable with the subtle attention, took the spoon to his mouth and eat... dead lord, he thought as all of his self control forced him not to spit out the stew. It was degusting. Indescribable sour, practically forcing his mouth to implode in on itself. But he swallowed. He made sure not to let any emotional difference pass his face, despite his wish to contort and puke out what he and just eaten.

So this was it, Tails guessed.

Spiking the food, a way of braking in new members of the pack. Given truly disgusting food, a young and foolish wolf might think this could be how the real wolves eat and took his food without complaint... So, Tails was left with a problem. This could Infact be a test of manners and knowing your place and not complaining after being given food freely or a test of resolve and asking for something else. A typical test. One with a vague, hidden meaning but really there just to humiliate new recruits.

So what did he do? If he asked for something else, it could be a huge insult to the pack and himself, or just keep eating and end up the butt of a practical joke... No wonder Lupe didn't sit next to him. He was alone with this one.

He could tell the focus of the pack was on him again, though not openly. It had been a few seconds since he had swallowed and continued eating.

So... what to do...

Just be yourself. That should be enough

Well Lupe, he thought. If this goes wrong, I can always complain to you afterwards for giving me the bad advice.

"Um, Takien" Tails asked, to the wolf from before who was serving the food.

Though the pack kept eating, all eyes were now openly on Tails.

"Yes" He replied, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Just wondering what was in this stew?" Tails asked politely

"Deer... why? Something wrong with it?" he asked quite venomously, as if practically begging to stay, sit down and shut up and eat your food.

"Well... it's just... how can I put this..." Tails replied.

The pack, though hiding it, were practically grinning amongst themselves. From his replay all guessed he was trying to politely ask for something else. In other words, easy verbal prey for Takien to simply take his bowl away from him like some whiny child. What Tails said instead did get them by surprise.

"... well, it's probably the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten."

The only sound that could be heard was the crackling of the fire. No one dared mutter a word. Most of the wolf pack could barely hold their surprise, including Takien. Lupe however just kept eating, using the bowl to hide her smirk.

Before Takien could reply, Tails continued. "I'm positive if you had just given me any part of the deer raw, even the hooves, I would be more content." He said as he scooped some of the brew up in his spoon and let it dribble back into the bowl. "It is truly revolting"

Takien carefully rose from his seating position and walked towards Tails until he was towering above him. "You are a guest here, BOY. How dare you insult a meal given to you. I don't care if you saved Lupe or not, I-"

"I'm not a guest" Tails cut in as he stood up in one smooth but quick motion. "And even if I was, this food would just be an insult to however you were hosting. But I'm not. I'm a member of your pack. I may be at the bottom of the ranks and the rookie here, but I've had a long and irritating trip getting here and not one made just to be pranked upon because of some stupid induction...

Tails pushed his plate into Takien's hands "I would like a proper meal".

The look of fury on Takien could have melted steel, but the silence that descended again was ended with Cilen laughing.

All stared at the elderly wolf as he rested his bowl down. "Face it Takien. He passed. Give him a proper meal"

In one quick a decisive moment, the fury on Takien's face was instantly gone. "Aw, bugger."

The wolf pack erupted into laughter as Takien sulkily switched his bowl with Tails, confusing him slightly.

To clarify Cilen spoke "A small and entertaining custom of ours. I guess you know what the test was for, to build character in our new recruits..."

Yeah right, Tails thought.

"But, as part of the custom, if anyone on their first day confronts the cook of the night, then the cook must eat the contaminated meal"

Tails just smiled as he was passed Takien's refilled bowl. The look of mild irritation on his face back again as he said, "Dammit, you could have atleast eaten more than one spoon full"

The other just laughed as one wolf spoke out. "Come on Takien, don't whine about it. All in one"

"Yeah, all in one" Another said.

As the chant went up, Takien sighed as he took a deep breath, and in a single motion, downed the bowl in one painful go. The second the last drops went down his throat, he threw the bowl out of the clearing, where it shattered against a tree, and stared coughing.

"Dear god, why do we have taste buds again?" He choked out as he was handed some water.

The others laughed as the tense atmosphere disappeared and the distance the other wolves had made for Tails was quickly gone as he was surrounded on both sides by chatty wolves. Though Tails was by no means a people person, and found physical contact with other people still alien, he soon found himself dragged into the various conversations that were sprouting up around the campsite.

Lupe still smiled as Tails happily conversed with the wolves on his left and right as he slurped down on his, now edible, food. He was a little more up front than what Lupe was expecting but she had gathered he would probably pass. She always felt it was a little cruel on new recruits to do such an embarrassing test. Some had eaten their contaminated portions for over a week before they picked up the courage to ask, and then it was kindly given to them without much hassle.

As time went on and the food was cleared away, Lupe noticed Tails standing to one side of the clearing, stretching his legs in a series of warm up exercises.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Haven't been for a good run in a while. Thought I'd use the few hours spare to give myself a quick work out." Tails explained

Lupe just stared in disbelief. "Ta- Cable" She corrected herself. "We've been trekking through the forest for nearly 2 days with almost no rest. Where do you get your energy?"

Tails just flashed her a smiled as he finished his warm-up. "God knows. Anyway, be back before the meeting." And with that, Tails took off at a run. Not an earth-shattering speed, just a casual run, just to get into his rhythm.

As he set off at his casual pace, make out for the forest instead of the main village, his mind went back, to when Nichole and he still played under their little farce.

It was about 3 years into their journey, when Tails had started striding into his... problem. At the time, along with Tails rapidly changing food supply, one major problem came about. Nichole's power supply. Though they occasionally came across batteries during their ventures, Nichole's usual source of power, the sun, had just dried up. It was at that time Robotnick's madness had kicked in and he had made a strike against his last enemy, the planet. So the skies started to blacken, and though the there was still the low, filtered light that came through the cloud line, Nichole's power was diminishing. So, through her guidance, Tails had been able to design an alternative means of power. A simple chemical charger. Nichole simply had to be sat down and the charger struck in the earth and Nichole could recharge off of the natural chemicals and nutrients in the ground. Though a marvel of engineering, Tails, most certainly, couldn't take the credit. The main device was just found at one of the posts they had visited and Nichole had instructed him how to modify it for their purposes. But still, the crisis was over and Nichole had a sustainable source of power.

The only problem was that Nichole had to remain in standby mode for the charge to work. And since the charge not only took many, many hours to complete and even then didn't give Nichole more then 48 hours of run time, that gave Tails lots of unsupervised time to do what he wanted. Originally, Nichole thought he had carried on with his martial arts training, being the main reason for his success from one stage to another. But to Tails, that was just fun for him. Something for him to look forward to. Instead, he did what in his heart he knew he had to do. What he knew what had called him since he had left Knothole... he ran... Ow god, did he run.

That exhilaration, that thrill... he had known for quite a while even then that the, so called, speed cameras hadn't been functional, so nothing stopped him from his wondrous journeys. And in doing so, he had finally mastered something he had been trying to do, even before the disaster. Run with his tails.

Simple sounding, in fact using his tails to aid him whilst running had proven, at the time for the young fox, very, very difficult. The main problem went like this. If he ran, he ran. Not at Sonic's speeds but still pretty fast, since it was the main activity he had done whilst in Knothole. When he used his tails, they acted like a propeller, holding up his rear and so the rest of his body. But at the angle, they worked like a helicopter. So using his legs to travel whilst flying just along the ground like that had just proven awkward. To attain the speeds he dreamed of, the speeds where he could keep in stride with Sonic, he had to use his tails with his feet in a different way. He had to make them spin behind him, whilst standing upright. Simple sounding but, that did mean he effectively had a properly spinning at incredible speeds right behind him. So, when he first tried it on his own, he ran forward, spun his tails... and almost cut his own foot off. The problem was that his feet had to, in order to make 

a good stride, stay behind him, further then where his own tails were spinning. So as his foot went backwards, his tail slashed across it and, despite only being mostly fur, nearly cut his foot clean off. It had been luckily he was barely moving at the time and the angle of the cut or he could have cut his tendon. So after his recovery, he promised himself, and a frantic Sally and Sonic, not to do it again.

But, like most promises he ended up making, he broke it. And in the dust filled plains of Mobius, he had done it. Perfected his running style. Now instead of either running normally or flying along the ground like a helicopter, he could skim across the ground, much like an air boat worked. The secret he had discovered, was to 1st slow down his own tails so they span at the same rate his feet were moving. And then came the matter of timing his legs to weave between his tail spins and then speed up. After a while and a few close calls, as soon as he got his rhythm going, it came naturally.

He was not, as he knew, as fast as Sonic, but his style did have it's advantages. For one, he could instantly switch to flight mode with the simple raise of his rear. He also, by not only turning the direction of his legs but his tails as well, turn faster than Sonic. And that was all he needed. Going faster than Sonic, he knew was like the impossible dream in search of perfection. Something he would never attain but still keep him determined. So he had his way, and he was truly happy with himself. And not only that, he could attain that breath glimmer of fulfilment that Sonic got when running. He could finally understand Sonic's drive. And at the time, he had truly felt happy... and depressed, at being reminded of his old friend.

So, back to his run, Tails was trying to get into synch with himself. Getting his rhythm just right.

"Come on" he muttered, getting frustrated. "Come on..."

And after a few seconds as he weaved between the trees... "THERE"

And like a bullet he shot off. The trees now a blur mostly as he turned and weaved between the forest's obstacles, reaching nearly full thrust. His feat, along with his tails looked like two fuzzy circles. One grey with a snow white tip and the other grey with red, caused by his shoes, ending the circle.

As the forest zoomed past and he nearly reached that wonderful moment of serenity... the green and brown was, for one moment replaced with blue and orange. Tails nearly skipped a beat.

For Sonic, it was just the usual day in Knothole. He had just woken up from a long night's raiding, had breakfast, met up with Tails and tried to come up with some form of activity to keep his immensely short attention span occupied. After a short discussion, they had decided to just pop over to the ring lake and try to catch the next incoming ring. Maybe boring, but with the village in mild chaos over the wolf pack tournament thing, it was all he could do to keep himself from being dragged into the whole mess. So he had expected a relatively uneventful day... so he was rightfully shocked as, just passing his vision went something... very fast. And Sonic wasn't about calling most speed based hovercrafts fast. Whatever had just passed both him and a startled Tails... had broken the sound barrier.

With the speeds Sonic travelled and his need to make out passing objects, incoming or not, he could make one vitally important thing from the thing that had just passed them... it was a Mobian.

Tails stopped realising what he had just done... dear lord had he just made a mistake. Dare he say it, a MONDO mistake. Ow god...

He generally didn't know if he was ready for this. Not only meeting Sonic but... himself. He knew it was them. It was obvious. As obvious as to what Sonic would do when he saw something fast go by 

him. He could feel that worry again as the seconds went by and he could tell both Sonic and his younger self would come running over the hill towards him.

He had to get back into his character. Though not as difficult to fool as Sally, he had to keep his act up... for his own sake.

Just as Sonic came rushing across the hill, with young Tails dragging behind, they both came to a smoke raising stop infront of a hunched and coughing "wolf".

Just as the smoke cleared and Sonic finally got a good view of his mark, his eyes widened, as hid his small side kick,

Tails however, honestly was coughing as the small dust storm Sonic had caused had collided with him as they had stopped.

"Hey (cough), any need to bring up (cough) half the forest floor?" Tails asked, his form hunched as his curled up hand was infront of his mouth, coughing out the dust he had breathed in.

Sonic had just remained silent, his eyes fixed on this stranger's waving tails. The young Tails however had not bothered with any decorum and jumped forward, staring intently at his tall white doppelganger.

"Sonic, look. He's just like me" Tails chirped out happily.

"So I see buddy" Sonic replied, still a little shocked.

Tails, pretending to shocked looked down at his younger self's tails as well. "Aw, you're Tails, aren't you?" he said.

"You know me?" The younger Tails replied, his attention diverted from the future self's tails.

"Yeah. Princess Sally told me about you." Tails replied happily. He turned to Sonic and looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I'm new here. You must be Sonic, right? Names Cable" he said, offering his hand

Sonic just dumbly nodded as he took and shook the hand. His shock over the tails was slowly disappearing, and being replaced with shock over the speed this wolf had managed.

"That was you that just passed us by, wasn't it?" Sonic asked as young Tails fell in beside him.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Hope I didn't scare you there. Just going for my daily run" Tails replied, hoping Sonic wouldn't question so much how he had managed such a feet.

"But you were going fast. MONDO fast." Young Tails called out, his hands flailing on either side. He then looked a little unsure. "Maybe even... Sonic fast"

Before Sonic could take up such a challenge, possibly even insult, Tails decided to clarify, just so they didn't start off as possible rivals.

"Unfortunately, I'm not quite that fast yet. Can, just scrape over the sound barrier. From what I've heard, you can practically smash it" Tails said, knowing fully well the best way to Sonic's heart, after chilli-dogs was flattery.



"Yep, even faster with a power ring" Sonic said proudly, ego practically glowing behind him. But as his ego deflated, he replied, in a friendly tone, "But still, that was amazing what you did. Breaking the sound barrier is majorly difficult for most rockets. How did you manage it?"

Tails just smiled sheepishly as he pointed back to his tails. "These mostly."

"Really?" Young Tails said, looking back at his own, smaller ones.

"Yeah. Having a propeller spinning behind you whilst running is a major help" Tails replied happily.

As young Tails eyes practically sparkled, Sonic was brought back to Tails' own attempt to do something similar.

"Then how do you run with those things spinning behind you?" Sonic asked

Tails, who noted the seriousness to Sonic's voice quickly answered, explaining how he made his style, though altering it obviously considering his audience.

Once Tails was finished, young Tails quickly asked "Amazing. Could you teach me?"

Before Tails could replay, Sonic quickly, but lightly kicked tails on the left side of his left foot. "Not after what happened last time, Big Guy"

Sonic wasn't usually the strict parenting type around Tails, but memories of watching him asleep whilst having the side of his foot being sown was more than enough to scare him into keeping a watchful eye on him when dealing with his tails. The fact was, when spinning fast enough to lift him off his feet, they were like buzz saws.

Young Tails looked down meekly. "OK"

It was then though, as Sonic wanted to cheer up his now depressed little buddy he remembered what he had wanted to say the second he saw Tails rush past him.

"Anyway, Cable... how long can you keep up that pace of yours?" Sonic asked

Tails looked slightly confused as he answered, "Well, though my tails don't tire, my feet at the pace they go at do, and it's dangerous for me to exert myself or I get out of synch."

"Think you still have one run left?" Sonic asked, a grin that Tails never thought he'd see again, plastered on his face.

In the village of Knothole, just as evening was approaching and the arrival of the 3 wolf pack leaders came, something wonderful happened. It started snowing. It was not uncommon for the time of year to maybe have a few days of snow, if they were luckily, and the children, not missing a beat, were already outside trying to catch snowflakes.

Inside the pack area, Lupe organised her wolves, making sure everything was presentable for the other 3 leaders. Just as she was checking everything over, Tails wondering in, happily greeting the wolves littered about as he made his way to her. Lupe looked curious as she peered at the expression on his face. Before, since she was in on it, could tell when Tails had his act up. That slight transparency in his expression gave it away. But now, a truly happy grin was spread across his face as he reached and greeted her.

"Evening Lupe. Everything ready?" Tails chirped.

Lupe just stared for a moment before replying, "Yes, we should have everything ready...are you ok?"

"Of course, in fact no, better then OK. I feel fantastic." He said, his grin threatening to split his face.

"What's got you in this mood then?" Lupe asked, bemused at Tails actions.

"Just met up with some old friends" Tails replied, still smiley as he entered her hut, with her following closely behind.

"Really, who's that?" And just then did she notice how sweaty Tails was under his fur. "And what have you been doing? Your run couldn't have been that long?"

"Who was running? I was racing" Tails replied as he took his socks and shoes off and rested on the couch just after he grabbed a towel to dab himself with.

Tails felt happier now than he ever had. Atleast in the past 10 years easily had he ever felt so utterly joyful... he had raced Sonic. Really raced him.

As simple as that sounded to bring out such a reaction, for Tails, it was something of a dream for him. And a realisation. Back when he was younger, he had always looked on Sally and Sonic for advice and guidance. Atleast more so then any of the other Freedom Fighters. But as he grew up, something happened that... well... he hadn't really wanted, honestly. Sally had tried to mother him. Despite how much he loved her, he truly hated it when he got the suspicion that she was trying to raise him. And that was mainly because, of what he wanted. He didn't want anyone to raise him. Frankly Rosie had done that whilst he was a baby. At 5+ he had been able to look after himself pretty well. But with Sonic and Sally, he didn't want a set of parents. All he wanted, was to be equal to them.

To Tails, all he had ever wanted was not to be seen as a child by them. He just wanted to be useful, to be trusted, to be...respected by them. To earn their respect. And he knew, if he ever gave the title of mother to her... that would never happen. The fact was that their age difference, though large now, was only 6 years. After a decade or two, that gap would be gone. But making such bonds like mother/child would never go away. All the great things Tails wanted to do when he was older, he didn't want Sally to be "Proud" of him. He wanted her to treat him as an equal. It was this reason, that Sonic, having one of his few moments of intelligence, didn't try and take up the post of father to Tails, or uncle. The role of brother was far more suitable for him. Not so much responsibility but just enough to try and guide him. That was why Tails loved his relationship with Sonic. Because some day, he wouldn't look at him like a child or "Big Guy". He would stand alongside him.

That was why today was so special to Tails. He had done it. Even though, to Sonic's mind he was just a stranger he had befriended, to him it was everything. He had pushed Sonic. Unlike anyone else alive, he had raced Sonic and actually challenged him. That was something Sonic had been looking for most of his life... and it had been Tails who had given it to him. All those days running with Sonic, trying futilely to match his godly speeds, all he had wanted to do with give Sonic what he had always wanted... a challenge.

And Today he had. Sonic, winning the race looked just like Tails, genially happy and practically demanded Tails to another race when he was in top form, tomorrow.

...He had done it. Sonic no longer looked at him like a kid. Though he wasn't Tails in his eyes... he wasn't a child either... he was someone he respected, if only for his speed.

And it was for this reason why realization came. Realization as to why he didn't feel as emotional when he met Sally. It was because she just didn't see him as Tails and frankly... he liked it that way. In his early years he knew the title of Aunt would be tough to shred but now, he could start new.

Start new fresh relationships with them all, show them, even if they didn't know it, just how he turned out, and for the first time in 10 long years... he didn't think he turned out that badly.