THE NEED FOR SPEED
The Return of the Hedgehog
A/N: Yay! People still like my stuff! To answer one question, I (unfortunately) do not read the comic, however, I DID read a fanfiction version of the Super Sonic adventutre in question. I think it was called "Running Wild". It's a great idea, and a REALLY good fanfic. I did seem to be starting off in that general direction, but I assure you I never intended any plagiarism at all. Heck, this is supposed to be based on the video games (as that's all I REALLY know). To prove it, I plan to take this story in a different direction, but I cannot deny there will be similarities. If I do "cross the line" and inadvertently rip something straight out of the comic, please do tell me, and I will try to correct the error. On with the story!
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"Twenty-eight days." I muttered, my breath making a fog in front of my nose in the cold fall air. "Plus another three to find out where I was and get back home." I raised my eyes to look at our regular diner across the street. "One whole month." I focused on our usual table and saw Knuckles, Amy, Rouge and Tails. I started to cross the street, I asked myself silently, 'How will they react?' 'How will I answer their questions?' The same worries that had haunted me since I had finally deemed myself ready to return.
I took a deep breath and entered, the warm air covering me like a warm embrace.
My friends were unusually silent as they drearily ate their hamburgers and shakes. As I drew close, Amy was the first one to see me. A look of utter shock and disbelief on her face.
"What's wrong Amy?" asked Knuckles, seated opposite her with his back to me.
Too stunned to speak, she merely pointed at me. As three other pairs of eyes turned towards me, I made my overly-rehearsed ice-breaker.
"Why so glum, chums?"
Hearing my voice, Amy's silence was abolished with a high-pitched squeal of glee as she rushed up to me.
"Sonic!" Tails spoke up as Amy tackled me in a ferocious hug.
After a moment of thought, I returned her embrace.
"Sonic." A somber voice began. I looked up at Rouge, standing bashfully in front of Kunx. "About what I said on the A.R.K. ."
I shook my head as I tried to pry Amy's arms off me for fear of making a scene. "Don't even worry about it," I replied, "Really." I was quiet for a second and Amy let go of me and looked at me with moist, wondering eyes. "Losing Shadow," I began again softly, "Was about the biggest loss I've suffered in a long time." I mentally kicked myself for labeling this as about the only true statement I'd make. "And I overreacted, you really have nothing to apologize for." I made a small grin to Knuckles, "I, however do owe YOU an apology." and I made a mock punch.
He chuckled, "Don't worry, it was just a lucky punch anyway."
With a laugh, we all sat down. After ordering a chili dog and chocolate shake, my face grew serious. "I take it that none of you were able to find Shadow either, huh?"
"We went out every day," Tails said, his head hanging down as if he were talking to his hamburger. "Looking for, for BOTH of you, but." he didn't finish his sentence, not that he needed to.
After a moment of silence Rouge spoke up. "How about you, how are you taking it? Because we're here to talk if you need it."
I thought through my practiced reply one last time. "I'm really okay now. It kinda helps that we didn't really know each other that much. He will be fondly remembered."
The others silently nodded their heads as a waitress put down the most beautiful chili dog I had ever seen.
"Now if you'll excuse me," I said, deciding to lighten the mood. "I've been waiting a whole month for this!" and in a flash it was gone.
My friends laughed, and for a moment everything was fine. I forgot about everything, I was just relaxing with my friends. Forget saving the world, my troubles, even Shadow's death. I was at peace.
"Oh man," Knuckles spoke up, "I'll admit I was a bit worried, but seeing you demolish that 'dog' put all my fears to rest. I'll bet Robotnik'll be glad you're back too."
I almost saw my meal move just as fast in reverse. "What?"
"Knuckles," Rouge scolded with a not-so-subtle kick under the table, "he doesn't know, he's been GONE for a month!"
Tails giggled at their actions and turned to me. "I didn't believe it till I saw it with my own eyes," he explained. "But 'Eggman' has gone straight!"
My mind struggled desperately to absorb this new knowledge. "Wha." I stuttered, obviously at a loss for words. "What do you mean, exactly?"
"Just what he said, Sonic!" Amy chimed in. "Once we all landed from the A.R.K., he went straight to the GUN corporation's Military Base and turned himself in! He's paying his debt to society by developing technology for their R&D department."
'This. can't. be. happening.' I thought to myself. "But, but." I replied, still in shock. "It's Robotnik! The single most evil genius we know! It's gotta be some kind of trick! He's just trying to get into the base to steal something, I know it!"
"So, once a crook, always a crook?" Rouge spat icily.
Despite the fact that everyone else at the table glared at her, I sighed and took my comment back. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant at all."
Apparently, she regretted her words too. "I know. I know you and Robotnik have had some bad blood before any of us met. But I checked the place out. He's under 24-7 guard. An army couldn't break him out."
I rubbed my temples to visibly show how unbelievable this was to me. "He's REALLY gone straight? Man, who would've thought?"
Amy decided it was time to change the subject. "Sonic," he began bashfully, "um. what, what happened to you?" She paused to hold back her tears. "We were all so worried about you."
'ARGH!' I screamed at myself in my head. 'YOU IDIOT! How could you forget about this scenario?! Of course they were going to ask what happened!'
"Uh." Mind raced to think of something, ANYTHING to tell them. "Amnesia," I blurted out.
'MORON!' my inner voice hollered. 'What kind of excuse is that!? Who would every believe THAT?!'
(A/N: My sincerest apologies to anyone writing any amnesia fanfic ever. Remember, its not the plot, its the way its delivered!)
"Amnesia?" Amy asked in surprise and horror. "Are you okay now? Do you remember me?"
I was stunned for a moment. That was concern and sympathy on their faces, not disbelief! They had bought it!
I chuckled, "Amy, I couldn't forget you if I tried!"
The pink hedgehog blushed a little and suddenly found great interest in her fingertips.
"Something must've gone wrong with my escape pod." I continued. "I landed somewhere in the Brazilian Rain Forest. I must've hit my head when I landed, cause I couldn't remember anything. For twenty-eight days I wandered around, lost, and fighting to survive. Then, one day I reached a small town. I found myself mobbed with people that recognized me. They showed me a newspaper of theirs showing the A.R.K., and it all came back."
"But you've okay now," Tails asked. "Right?"
"You bet little bud," I flashed him a grin. "Soon as I remembered everything, I came straight here."
We spent the rest of the day chatting and catching up. At about eight P.M. we decided to "let me get home and rest." I came up to my old apartment and walked inside.
The lights didn't come on when I flicked the switch. "Nuts, must be a bad fuse."
I turned to go out to the fuse box when a deep voice laughed coldly. "Who's there?!" I called out into the dark. "You're in big trouble! Forget the cops, do you even know who I am?!"
The voice laughed again, and I saw a pair of red eyes watching me. "Of couse I know who you are. You're what I said from the beginning." My eyes adjusted to the darkness and there stood a black hedgehog with red streaks and a white chest.
".A faker!" Shadow said.
The Return of the Hedgehog
A/N: Yay! People still like my stuff! To answer one question, I (unfortunately) do not read the comic, however, I DID read a fanfiction version of the Super Sonic adventutre in question. I think it was called "Running Wild". It's a great idea, and a REALLY good fanfic. I did seem to be starting off in that general direction, but I assure you I never intended any plagiarism at all. Heck, this is supposed to be based on the video games (as that's all I REALLY know). To prove it, I plan to take this story in a different direction, but I cannot deny there will be similarities. If I do "cross the line" and inadvertently rip something straight out of the comic, please do tell me, and I will try to correct the error. On with the story!
--------------------
"Twenty-eight days." I muttered, my breath making a fog in front of my nose in the cold fall air. "Plus another three to find out where I was and get back home." I raised my eyes to look at our regular diner across the street. "One whole month." I focused on our usual table and saw Knuckles, Amy, Rouge and Tails. I started to cross the street, I asked myself silently, 'How will they react?' 'How will I answer their questions?' The same worries that had haunted me since I had finally deemed myself ready to return.
I took a deep breath and entered, the warm air covering me like a warm embrace.
My friends were unusually silent as they drearily ate their hamburgers and shakes. As I drew close, Amy was the first one to see me. A look of utter shock and disbelief on her face.
"What's wrong Amy?" asked Knuckles, seated opposite her with his back to me.
Too stunned to speak, she merely pointed at me. As three other pairs of eyes turned towards me, I made my overly-rehearsed ice-breaker.
"Why so glum, chums?"
Hearing my voice, Amy's silence was abolished with a high-pitched squeal of glee as she rushed up to me.
"Sonic!" Tails spoke up as Amy tackled me in a ferocious hug.
After a moment of thought, I returned her embrace.
"Sonic." A somber voice began. I looked up at Rouge, standing bashfully in front of Kunx. "About what I said on the A.R.K. ."
I shook my head as I tried to pry Amy's arms off me for fear of making a scene. "Don't even worry about it," I replied, "Really." I was quiet for a second and Amy let go of me and looked at me with moist, wondering eyes. "Losing Shadow," I began again softly, "Was about the biggest loss I've suffered in a long time." I mentally kicked myself for labeling this as about the only true statement I'd make. "And I overreacted, you really have nothing to apologize for." I made a small grin to Knuckles, "I, however do owe YOU an apology." and I made a mock punch.
He chuckled, "Don't worry, it was just a lucky punch anyway."
With a laugh, we all sat down. After ordering a chili dog and chocolate shake, my face grew serious. "I take it that none of you were able to find Shadow either, huh?"
"We went out every day," Tails said, his head hanging down as if he were talking to his hamburger. "Looking for, for BOTH of you, but." he didn't finish his sentence, not that he needed to.
After a moment of silence Rouge spoke up. "How about you, how are you taking it? Because we're here to talk if you need it."
I thought through my practiced reply one last time. "I'm really okay now. It kinda helps that we didn't really know each other that much. He will be fondly remembered."
The others silently nodded their heads as a waitress put down the most beautiful chili dog I had ever seen.
"Now if you'll excuse me," I said, deciding to lighten the mood. "I've been waiting a whole month for this!" and in a flash it was gone.
My friends laughed, and for a moment everything was fine. I forgot about everything, I was just relaxing with my friends. Forget saving the world, my troubles, even Shadow's death. I was at peace.
"Oh man," Knuckles spoke up, "I'll admit I was a bit worried, but seeing you demolish that 'dog' put all my fears to rest. I'll bet Robotnik'll be glad you're back too."
I almost saw my meal move just as fast in reverse. "What?"
"Knuckles," Rouge scolded with a not-so-subtle kick under the table, "he doesn't know, he's been GONE for a month!"
Tails giggled at their actions and turned to me. "I didn't believe it till I saw it with my own eyes," he explained. "But 'Eggman' has gone straight!"
My mind struggled desperately to absorb this new knowledge. "Wha." I stuttered, obviously at a loss for words. "What do you mean, exactly?"
"Just what he said, Sonic!" Amy chimed in. "Once we all landed from the A.R.K., he went straight to the GUN corporation's Military Base and turned himself in! He's paying his debt to society by developing technology for their R&D department."
'This. can't. be. happening.' I thought to myself. "But, but." I replied, still in shock. "It's Robotnik! The single most evil genius we know! It's gotta be some kind of trick! He's just trying to get into the base to steal something, I know it!"
"So, once a crook, always a crook?" Rouge spat icily.
Despite the fact that everyone else at the table glared at her, I sighed and took my comment back. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant at all."
Apparently, she regretted her words too. "I know. I know you and Robotnik have had some bad blood before any of us met. But I checked the place out. He's under 24-7 guard. An army couldn't break him out."
I rubbed my temples to visibly show how unbelievable this was to me. "He's REALLY gone straight? Man, who would've thought?"
Amy decided it was time to change the subject. "Sonic," he began bashfully, "um. what, what happened to you?" She paused to hold back her tears. "We were all so worried about you."
'ARGH!' I screamed at myself in my head. 'YOU IDIOT! How could you forget about this scenario?! Of course they were going to ask what happened!'
"Uh." Mind raced to think of something, ANYTHING to tell them. "Amnesia," I blurted out.
'MORON!' my inner voice hollered. 'What kind of excuse is that!? Who would every believe THAT?!'
(A/N: My sincerest apologies to anyone writing any amnesia fanfic ever. Remember, its not the plot, its the way its delivered!)
"Amnesia?" Amy asked in surprise and horror. "Are you okay now? Do you remember me?"
I was stunned for a moment. That was concern and sympathy on their faces, not disbelief! They had bought it!
I chuckled, "Amy, I couldn't forget you if I tried!"
The pink hedgehog blushed a little and suddenly found great interest in her fingertips.
"Something must've gone wrong with my escape pod." I continued. "I landed somewhere in the Brazilian Rain Forest. I must've hit my head when I landed, cause I couldn't remember anything. For twenty-eight days I wandered around, lost, and fighting to survive. Then, one day I reached a small town. I found myself mobbed with people that recognized me. They showed me a newspaper of theirs showing the A.R.K., and it all came back."
"But you've okay now," Tails asked. "Right?"
"You bet little bud," I flashed him a grin. "Soon as I remembered everything, I came straight here."
We spent the rest of the day chatting and catching up. At about eight P.M. we decided to "let me get home and rest." I came up to my old apartment and walked inside.
The lights didn't come on when I flicked the switch. "Nuts, must be a bad fuse."
I turned to go out to the fuse box when a deep voice laughed coldly. "Who's there?!" I called out into the dark. "You're in big trouble! Forget the cops, do you even know who I am?!"
The voice laughed again, and I saw a pair of red eyes watching me. "Of couse I know who you are. You're what I said from the beginning." My eyes adjusted to the darkness and there stood a black hedgehog with red streaks and a white chest.
".A faker!" Shadow said.