Sonic's Dream*

A 19-year-old again, Sonic was wandering through the forest, enjoying the sounds of nature and his alone time. Birds happily sang high above, there was a nice breeze in the air, and the sun shone through the treetops.

Sonic breathed in the fresh air. Speed king he was, that didn't mean he always lived in the fast lane; sometimes, he wanted to slow down for a few moments and enjoy a slower pace. Putting his hands behind his head, he walked on, taking in the scenery. Sometimes he missed wandering around aimlessly, don't get him wrong, he was glad to have a place of his own and friends to come back to. Sometimes, he felt a little tied down and would feel the itch to get out and roam. During those times, he would take a long run past home and far away from the nearby villages. Sometimes he would run overnight without taking a break.

It was during one of these runs that he happened to meet Shadow. That day had been quite interesting. What were the chances of bumping into another hedgehog that could almost run as fast as him? Sonic had never dreamed of such a thing happening. He was thrilled to have found someone to race with that could keep up!

Slowly his surroundings changed. The birds singing stopped, the sunlight disappeared behind dark clouds, and the trees became more sparse and sickly looking. A shiver went up Sonic's spine, "Eugh, this place is starting to give me the creeps." He continued on hoping to find a nice part of the forest again. The sky darkened more, making the branches look like long spindly arms and fingers, reaching out to grab him. Sonic picked up the pace to a light jog. A cold breeze blew by, making the blanched trees creak an moan. He ran faster. Something scratched his arm; startled, he yelped and jumped into a full run. The fingers and arms reached further out, almost touching him; he panted, "Nonononononono!" He yells desperately, trying to escape their touch, but no matter how fast Sonic ran, the eerie appendages stayed right behind him.

Suddenly something grabs hold of his tail, "Aaahhhhhhh! Help somebody! Help!" Yanking his tail free, he reves up to push himself to the max to escape the nightmarish forest, just then something bumps in front of him.

"Ah!" He yells, as that something grabs hold of his arms, eyes shut tight, he kicks and screams to be let go. "Sonic, Sonic, calm down. It's me! Shhhhh sh sh, it's me you're ok now." A low voice speaks. Breath hitching, eyes still closed tight, Sonic feels soft fur against his face and a firm hand rubbing his back in circles. He blinks away the tears from his eyes, looking up to see a familiar-looking black and red hedgehog, "Daddy!" Sonic cries hugging him tightly, hiccuping, "D-d-daddy...I was s-so scared."

"I told you not to run off like that." Sonic whimpers hiding his face in Shadow's chest, "I-I-I'm sorry, I got lost."

"Hey, hey, hey, it's ok now." He continues to shush, pulling the small hoglet into his lap, "You're safe now." Shadow rocks him back and forth, Sonic sniffles rubbing his nose. Wait a minute, Shadow's not my dad, and did I shrink again? Shadow tilts his head up, interrupting his thoughts, wiping away a few stray tears, "There. All better?" Sonic slowly nods with a small smile.

He looks around to see they are in an endless meadow now, wildflowers sporadically spotting the field in color. Wow, this is beautiful! Glancing down at himself, he sees he was now the size of a toddler wearing socks and a diaper. He begins to wonder why he was little again.

"What'cha thinking about squirt?" Sonic shakes his head, forgetting what he was thinking about. "Huh? Oh, nothing, Daddy."

A mischievous smile forms on his face, he leaps into Shadow's chest, "Roar!" Sonic growls pushing the ebony hog down and playfully bites and tugs his ear; Shadow grunts from the impact and laughs when Sonic plays with his ear. "What are you doing?"

"I've got you! Grrrrrrrawr!"

"Oh yeah? Not for long!" Shadow snarls, gently pushing the hedge hoglet off, "Aah! No!" Sonic shrieks rolling out of the way before Shadow grabs him; he quickly toddles away as Shadow chases after him. Panting going as fast as his stubby uncoordinated legs can carry him, Sonic keeps up the chase up to the top of a hill. Hitting the top, he stops for a second to catch his breath. Taking a glance behind, he sees Shadow quickly coming closer. Just as he's about to make a run for it again, Sonic trips over his own feet and rolls down the steep hill.

He instinctively curls into a ball to protect himself rolling down until he stops bumping into something soft. Uncurling, he giggles like mad kicking his legs in the air clutching his tummy, "Well, it sounds like someone is having fun." Sounds a female voice, "Huh?" He asks, opening his eyes to see a colossal sunflower bending down in his face glowing in the afternoon sun.

"Wow!" he gasps, reaching up and touching its soft petals, "You like it?" the female voice asks. Sonic sits up searching for the origin of the voice, "Over here, silly." it giggles, he turns to see a pink hedgehog with short cut quills wearing a yellow summer dress sitting in the field of sunflowers. Amy? He thinks, tilting his head.

"Are you having fun?" she repeats, he shyly nods. She giggles again, turning her attention to something in her lap. Curious, Sonic crawls over and sees her making a crown of sunflowers. "You made that?" He asks wide-eyed, "Yup, would you like to try it on?" she asks in a motherly tone, lifting it for him to see, "Yeah!" she sets the crown atop his head, minding his tiny ears. Though the crown is a bit too big, one side falls, hitting his left eye, "Hehe, thanks, Mommy!"

"Your welcome, my little blueberry." Sonic tries to adjust his crown, but it ends up covering his other eye, "I think this might fit me better." Shadow suddenly appears, taking the flower crown and setting it on his head, "How do I look?"

"Like a king, Daddy!"

"A king, am I? Then you must be my little prince, or..." he fake gasps and pulls out an imaginary sword thrusting it in the air, "Are you a terrible dragon holding this princess hostage?!"

"I'm not a bad dwagon; you're a bad king, and I pwotect Mommy!" Sonic stands up, putting on his most fearsome face roaring, "Oh no! The dragon is gonna get me!" Sonic jumps onto Shadow's legs growling and roaring fiercely. Shadow yells and falls slowly to the ground putting an arm around his head and moans, pretending to take his last breath, thus ending his reign.

Sonic crawls up, sitting on top of Shadow's chest, poking his face checking to see if he was dead. Shadow doesn't move a muscle. Suddenly he leaps up, grabbing Sonic under his arms, lifting him high, "Rarrrr, I got him!" Sonic squeaks in surprise and laughs as Shadow swings him around his heart swelling inside his tan chest. Shadow and Amy laugh along with him. Is this what it feels like to have a family? He wonders as everything fades.