31 Days of Sonic Prompt 9: Pride.

set in an au where the super genesis wave doesn't wipe out the original continuity.

A Burden Waiting for His Father

Speedy wanted to blame the incompetence of the other Egg Bosses. Conquering Storm and her clan should have been aiding the ground forces. Mordred should have used his abilities to disorient the Freedom Fighters on his tail. Regina should have used her magic to enhance the Battle Bird Armada's drones, but in the end, the fault remained his.

The unified assault on New Mobotropolis had been at Eggman's orders. He wanted a full-frontal assault after the loss of Mecha Sally to the Freedom Fighters. In a frenzy, he had selected the team he deemed perfect to attack while he made necessary repairs to the Death Egg.

Speedy had dived into the fray with his soldiers. He had followed his father's command to the letter, securing the air space for the Armada while the Dark Egg Legion took to the ground. Speedy had done everything in his power to claim victory, all for the glory of the Armada.

But here he was rotting in a holding cell. The Freedom Fighters were ready, despite the battle waging from four sides. Conquering Storm, Mordred, and Regina were overwhelmed, their armies faltering in the face of civilians who no longer feared them. The last thing Speedy remembered as he surveyed the chaos from the sky was a flash of metallic yellow and an even brighter white bursting across his vision.

It was a flashbang, he thought. That little robotic mutt flashbanged me, and I must've hit the ground so hard that I blacked out.

Speedy groaned and rubbed the back of his head. A dull ache pulsed, but he had endured far worse hits. He raised his heavy head, glaring at the three steel walls and bars. They pulsed with cerulean energy, implying painful results if he grazed the sizzling electricity. Speedy slumped on the bench, pressing his back against the cool metal that soothed his bruised body, letting his legs hang limply toward the ground.

Blaming others wouldn't undo his mistake. His father would say as much. Left alone to glare at his reflection, Speedy huffed and narrowed his eyes on the bars. It was preferable to stare at nothing of interest than gaze at his weary expression.

Something clicked. The soldier in him immediately stood, but the blood rushed to his skull, dizzying him. Biting back a groan, he massaged his temples, listening to approaching footsteps. Lowering his arms, he quickly crossed them over his chest when, of all Mobians, he stopped in front of his cell.

"Come to gloat?" Speedy asked Tails, who wrung his hands in front of him.

"No, of course not." Tails furrowed his brows. "I'm not petty, Speedy."

He snorted, uneven teeth grinding together. "Oh, don't be so kind. When I wasn't ready, you defeated me. The Armada can appreciate that level of deception."

Tails snaked his fingers through his tufts of fur. Irritation crossed his expression, which Speedy enjoyed. Tails might have been a competent flyer, but he was still a fox, a being who should have tethered to the ground. The sky belonged to the birds, and soon, so would the entire world.

Tails sighed and met Speedy's gaze. "Well, since you seem to be okay-"

"As okay as I can be wasting away in this dingy cell. Don't you guys have a better brig? There isn't even any artillery in here."

"-we received a message from your father," Tails said, continuing after Speedy sharply interjected.

Speedy tensed. He hesitantly stepped forward, repeating Tails' statement. He came inches away from the bars, their crackling hindering his hearing. Tails seemed to notice it, and he reached over to the wall. His fingers tapped against what Speedy believed was a control panel, and the electricity stopped.

Speedy already had an inkling of what his father wanted. The immediate release of his son was imperative. His father, although strict, protected him. His parenting methods might have been different, but they were the Battle Kukkus, birds leagues above the flock. Speedy had a legacy to follow, built up by his forefathers and strengthened by his father. In time, he'd be a leader as great as them. (There had been a fleeting moment when Speedy hoped to leave, but he had buried those feelings six feet under in a grave.)

He considered what Tails said. It implied the Battle Bird Armada would lose something in what Speedy believed was a trade. "What did my father promise in exchange for my release?" he questioned, knowing it would be severe.

Tails sucked in a breath through his teeth. He took a moment to collect himself, meeting Speedy's gaze. "Your father…said it was fine to keep you here."

Like a mirror shattering, Speedy lost his composure. He seized the bars and shot forward, his beak nearly getting stuck between them. "What? You're lying! My father - the Battle Lord would never!"

His father expected greatness. Prestige and glory followed in his footsteps. He inspired obedience from his followers and struck fear in the hearts of his enemies. Even Jet faltered before him.

But Speedy was a fledgling. He was still learning, despite his privileges over other avians. He had made too many mistakes to count on both hands. Allowing Bunnie to mislead his father, failing to defeat Tails, and especially losing Babylon Garden were painful reminders of how far he had fallen from his father's good graces.

His father loved him. He was sure of it. But as a Battle Lord, Speedy's leadership and cunning earned stinging reprimands.

The fox's tails fidgeted. He lowered his voice. "Speedy, I'm sorry, but that's what he said. With the Armada dealing with heavy losses, he said he'll come back for you when he can."

Speedy blinked. A smirk split across his beak, and a rush of laughter erupted out of him. He threw his head back, relief sweeping through him as Tails grimaced. "You should've said that first, Tails," he sneered, adjusting his bandana. "I don't mind waiting for too long. I'm sure his threat was poignant."

But Tails rubbed his neck. His gesture caught Speedy off guard, and he demanded to know what he was thinking. Tails sighed, heaving out his irritation. "Your dad seemed pretty nonchalant about everything."

"He's the Battle Lord. He has more important matters at hand."

"And those matters are more important than his son?"

Tails' question cut through him. Speedy drew back, dumbfounded at the strength in his tone. Tails stared at him, refusing to give an inch. He had verbalized what Speedy's subconscious whispered. Speedy's heartbeat quickened, his body warming with beads of sweat dampening his brow.

At his silence, Tails' expression softened. "Are you…having problems with your dad?" he gently asked. "Because - listen, I know we're on opposite sides, and you did try to destroy my home twice now, but I'm having issues with my mom, too."

"No," Speedy spat, clenching his fists, "and don't try to empathize with me. I don't need it."

"But don't you think it's odd-"

Speedy pivoted toward the bench. At Tails' indignant cry, he sat down and crossed his arms. He demanded that Tails inform the guards it was time for his next meal, an excuse to rid himself of his troubling thoughts.

Tails frowned. "You shouldn't run from this."

"I don't have any reason to run when there isn't one in the first place." He flicked his wrist. "My relationship with my father is nothing like whatever is happening with your mother." He paused and looked back to Tails. "What does your mother do?"

A bitter smile crossed Tails' muzzle. "My mom thinks she's helping me with her decisions on the council, but she ended up hurting me. I don't think she even realizes it."

For a split second, Speedy understood. His father detailed Speedy's entire life for him. He never had a say in the matter, and it only worsened Jet's rejection when he showed the hawk his tears. His father had Speedy in the palm of his hand, and Speedy, forever his son, danced for him.

But he was still Battle Lord XVI. His father loved him. He was assured of it when his father saved him from the Babylon Rogues and praised his tactical abilities. Speedy was determined to live up to his expectations, throwing away his dreams for his father's dignity.

"Are you done?" Speedy demanded, and Tails scowled.

"What? Don't you see? You-"

"My father and your mother are nothing alike. Don't try and lump us together, my friend," he interjected, and with that, he looked away.

Tails left eventually. In lonesome, Speedy listened to the electricity crackling from the bars. It was better than stewing his thoughts reminding him of the truth, and Speedy curled in on himself, slowly shaking his head, denying the reality they both acknowledged.