Tails looked up from his book and sighed as he heard the sound of running feet outside his workshop for the hundredth time. A few minutes ago, Sonic had started doing something, and whatever it was, it involved running. A lot of running. Tails put the book down on the table in front of him and went outside to see what the blue blur was up to.

He opened the door in time to see Sonic rush by, running along the plateau just below the workshop. The hedgehog grunted as he jumped off the end, curling himself into a spinning ball in mid-air, and then disappearing below Tails' line of sight.

Soon enough, Sonic reappeared and skidded to a halt in front of the young fox, "Hey, buddy, what's up?" he asked, with his usual grin.

"Sonic, what are you doing?"

"Heh. You see that hill over there?" Sonic pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Tails looked and saw the hill he was referring to not far off.

"Yeah?"

"I just wanna see if I can jump there."

"Oh... um... why?"

"Eh, why not?" said Sonic, shrugging "Nothing to do, anyway. Eggman's not going to be bothering us for a while; not after the wreck we made of that crazy flying thing of his."

"...Okay..." Tails said, raising an eyebrow. Sonic had strange ways of alleviating boredom, "Well, I'm trying to read and I can hear you running around out here. It's kind of annoying."

"Oh. Sorry, little bro. I'll try one more time, then I'll stop, okay?"

"Alright, go ahead."

"Watch this. I'll make it for sure, this time!"

Sonic got into a crouch and then started spinning on the spot. He boosted away, made a small jump – uncurling as he did so – and continued on foot. He launched himself into the air and mentally tried to push his body further, but like before, he didn't make it, although he came close.

He zoomed over to Tails again, "Oh man, so close! One more try!"

"Sonic..."

"Okay, okay... I'm pretty hungry, anyway."

"You know where the chilli dogs are," replied Tails, nodding his head back at his workshop.

"Do I ever!"

Tails saw something moving behind Sonic. The hedgehog turned to see what the young fox was looking at. A grey echidna had just climbed up the last few steps to the plateau, his blue eyes flicking between the hedgehog and the fox.

Sonic turned to fully face the echidna. He raised a hand in greeting, "Hey there! I think I saw you watching me. Came to give me some tips or somethin'?" he asked with a chuckle.

The echidna didn't smile or make any sound; he just looked at the hedgehog expressionlessly, almost like he was studying him. Sonic's smile fell a little and he looked at the echidna with a confused frown, "Need help with something?"

The blue eyes moved to meet Tails', making the fox feel uneasy, "Um... excuse me, is there something you want?"

Sonic walked towards the newcomer, "Hey, no need to be shy. We'd be happy to help ya out."

The echidna's eyes widened slightly and he placed one foot behind him, teeth gritted, as if bracing for, or getting ready to, attack.

The blue hedgehog stopped and raised his hands, "Hey, whoa, whoa, calm down. My name's Sonic the Hedgehog," he gestured to the fox, "This is my buddy Tails."

"Hey," said the fox with a nervous smile.

Tails noticed that the grey echidna wasn't looking at him, but at something behind him. Looking over his shoulder, and seeing nothing, Tails turned back to him with a confused expression, "What?"

Then the fox realised and took hold of one of his bushy appendages, "My tails? Yeah, I've got two."

The echidna grimaced and Sonic frowned at the stranger's expression, "Hey, have you got a problem with my little bro?"

"So..." said the echidna, finally speaking, "You're the ones I've heard so much about."

"Oh, you do speak," said Sonic, watching him warily, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"I'm Shock the Echidna. Doctor Eggman's told me all about you."

Sonic and Tails' eyes widened at the mention of the Doctor and exchanged glances with each other.

"Eggman, huh?" muttered Sonic, balling his hands into fists, "So, he's at it again, already?"

"Where are the others?" asked Shock, looking around.

"What others?"

"The rest of your little gang."

"Gang? What gang?"

"Just tell—"

Shock stopped talking abruptly and started breathing deeply. He felt the familiar horrible tingling inside him.

No! Not now!

Small arcs of electricity ran over his body, crackling.

"What... what's happening?" asked Tails.

"Hey? Buddy?" said Sonic, leaning towards him.

Shock fell to one knee, eyes closed, Oh no...

He knew he wasn't going to be able to control it this time. This time of all times. He yelled and the power within him exploded out. Bolts of electricity sparked in every direction. Sonic jumped back, narrowly avoiding getting shocked. Tails was not so lucky, with a bolt catching him just below the chest. He was lifted off his feet and flew back, landing heavily on his back.

"Tails!" cried Sonic.

A bolt hit the ground in front of the hedgehog, throwing up dirt and leaving a small crater. After several moments of running, jumping and spinning, the bolts stopped shooting from the echidna.

Although the discharge had stopped, electricity crawled over his body for a few more seconds. His breathing heavy, Shock stood up, albeit unsteadily.

Sonic sped over to Tails. The young fox was unconscious, but at least he was alive. The blue hedgehog lifted his gaze to Shock, who was backing off, trying to slip away.

"Hey!" yelled Sonic, blazing over to him. Shock started to raise his hand, but Sonic was too fast and knocked him to the ground with a shoulder barge, "You're not goin' anywhere until I get some answers!" said the hedgehog, looking down at Shock.

The grey echidna flicked his wrist up and fired a small bolt at Sonic, catching him by surprise and hitting him in the right shoulder, buying Shock enough time to stand up and drive his palm into the hedgehog's chest, sending a surge through his hand as it connected. Sonic fell to the ground, coughing.

His breathing still heavy, and aching from where Sonic had bashed into him, Shock staggered away from the scene.

Seeing the echidna escaping, Sonic ignored the pain he felt and shakily stood up, "Stop!" he called out and stumbled after him, only to fall to one knee after a few steps.

He looked back and, deciding Tails was a higher priority, made his way over to the fox, who was now coming around.

Shock, huh? I'll be keeping an eye out for you...

Sonic knelt beside his young friend, "Tails, buddy, you okay?"

"Ugh... I guess so... what... what happened to... what's-his-name...?"

"Shock? He managed to get away. Don't worry, we'll get him."

"Looks like Eggman's got some... new help..."

"Nothin' we can't handle," said Sonic, grinning, then grunted at the slight pain his chest.

.

Well, that went great... thought Shock, sarcastically.

He wearily approached the single-wheeled, bug-shaped robot that had not only escorted him out of Metropolis Zone, but had provided him transport, as well. Climbing onto the back of the motobug, Shock sighed painfully and said, "Take me back to Eggman..."

The motobug clapped its pincers together and began putting along back to Metropolis Zone.