Sonic met up with Tails and Sticks. He was walking dejectedly to the winner's ball. Tails and Sticks picked up on this.
"What's wrong?" Tails asked. Sonic sighed.
"Tommy is paralyzed from the waist down. He wants to race and be in the Paralympics" Sonic replied. Sticks was confused.
"Paralyzed?"
"He can't use his legs"
"Oh"
The trio walked into the ballroom. People were dancing and singing, with a swing band playing jiving tunes. By this point it was night out, with the sun replaced by the full moon in a cloudless sky. He didn't want to talk to the press, leaving Tails and Sticks to fend them off. Sonic accepted his trophy and walked out of the ballroom and went to the car. He called for Tails, and the young fox came over.
"I want to go now" he said. Tails pointed over to a panel.
"They want a press conference"
"Tell those assholes I don't want to do a damn press conference"
"Just do it"
"Alright, fine"
Sonic sauntered over to the press conference. Cameras were flashing left and right. Reporters were bombarding him questions. Sonic had several microphones on the table and more being shoved in his face. Normally, he would bask in the attention and glory, but tonight he was overwhelmed and wanted to be alone.
"I'm going to leave and take a break from racing. I refuse to answer any of your silly questions" He got up and walked away. Knuckles came in as Sonic and Tails began driving off. He tried to wave him down, but Sonic blew right past him. He and Sticks chased after him in Big Red. Sonic was racing through the city of Yennan in Opetopian, trying to get to the airport. Knuckles wasn't able to catch up to Sonic, as he saw the Blue Blur being loaded onto a plane. He slammed the brakes and punched the dashboard.