Author's Note: A new one-shot story of Sonic In Between mini-series!
Edit-2022: I had to redo this as I couldn't figure out how to continue the Lost Infant Arc, so that mini-story for this will take a lot longer than I originally planned and I wanted to come up something on how to continue it.
Here we go!
Until thing, I hope you do enjoy the rest of the story.
Summary of Story 7: *Four weeks after the events of Sonic and the Curse of the Sun Stone and two weeks after the Bonus Chapter of Sonic and the Power of the Wisps* Back home from their Isalenna adventure and saving the world from Solaris, Sonic is planning to relax when he reminisces on how he and his little brother Tails officially became a family.
I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog. All rights belong to Sega. I only own the OCs.
Memories of Adoption.
It was a beautiful day today, everybody in the region thought. Sonic the Hedgehog, the hero of Mobius who had just recently saved the world from from the evil sun God Solaris as well as the notorious organization S.N.A.K.E.S, making new friends and aided by old ones, and now once again everything was in peace, was taking his usual runs living his life happily and freely.
"Ah...Beautiful day. What could possibly ruin a day like this?" The fifteen year old smiled as he ran along the beach, after saying hello to the locals who cheered him on, having stopped to sign an autograph or two but made sure that he wasn't chased by crazy fans who wanted to hover around him all day long.
While he knew he shouldn't have jinxed himself, Sonic was glad everything was back to normal now. With no Eggman, Iron Empire, Black Arms, Dark Gaia, Kaiser or S.N.A.K.E.S, or even the Hybrians and Starline around, he felt that Mobius was finally in true and real peace for the first time in several years. Yet the blue hedgehoeg was aware that there may be other evil out there in the world, but he was going to be ready for any kind of challenge.
For the time being, it was nice and peaceful. Especially when last week he and his friends celebrated Tails' birthday party, where Sonic's little brother and cool partner had just turned nine years old. In a year time he would be ten.
'Heh, man time flies. My little bro's really growing up.' The blue hedgehog thought fondly. He remembered like it was only yesterday when he first met the sweet, cute, brave, back-then really shy, but still super smart and brave little two-tailed fox cub.
As Sonic smiled over the memories, he thought back of when shortly after he and Tails saved the world by stopping Eggman when the evil scientist was still known as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the blue hedgehog introduced the young kit to his parents, back when they officially adopted the child into the family.
Five years ago: Shortly after Sonic and Tails' first adventure together...
Flying over the ocean far away from Westside Island after saving it and the world once agian, an eleven year old Sonic the Hedgehog, having just defeated his evil enemy Dr. Robotnik, stood on the wings of his plane the Tornado, which a week before had an upgrade and a fresh coat of paint thanks to his new real friend and soon to be official adopted brother, Miles "Tails" Prower, a four year old two-tailed fox cub who despite his very young age, was smarter than an average child, better intelligence than the mad scientist, skilled with mechanical skills as though he was an adult.
But even with his amazing abilities over machines, intelligence and skills by using his namesakes to fly, Tails's personality is the purest Sonic has ever seen. He was sweet, kind, pretty shy towards strangers, brave, fun and humble. A trait that Sonic had quickly come to love about the little kit. Though despite all of the goodness of the fox, the child's life was far from it.
For all his life since his parents had tragically died just two years ago, Tails had been picked on and bullied by pretty much everyone on Westside Island due to his incredible gifts. Being a local society, the residents were all pretty much rude, superstitious, cruel, hated the outside world and hated anything and anyone that were different to their own simple culture. Because as far as they were concerned, anyone who even looked different and/or even come from different places are considered acts of curses and therefore are all monsters.
'I can't wait to introduce Tails to Mom and Dad. It might be a little rough at first, but we can handle it no problem.' Sonic thought to himself, gazing a warm smile at his very own best friend who, not really surprising, looked very nervous as besides what they both went through a short time ago, the little fox was in for a life-changing experience.
The poor kid went through a life of torture and sadness, with no family or friends to turn to or protect him from the horrors of bullies. Tails had began to believe he would never have a better life growing up because of something that wasn't even his fault.
All of that changed when he laid eyes on Sonic himself, the blue hedgehog having just arrived for another adventure. Their fated meeting changed their lives and brought them together. Neither one would back away from it. For the first time in the kit's life, he finally found something he always wanted: A friend. And now, pretty soon, he would have a brand new family who would love him, care of him, support him, protect him from the horrors of evil and abuse, and help him grow up to become a fine, bravey and caring Mobian adult the hero of Mobius was certain his soon to be little brother would become.
"Hey, Tails! You doing okay?" Sonic called out.
"Yeah, I'm okay, Sonic. It's just, well..." Tails, who had been focusing on his piloting skills which, in a short span of time, found that it was very easy for him, looked and felt a little uneasy. "I've lived the first four years of my whole life on Westside Island, I've never been to another place across the ocean before."
"Don't worry, li'l buddy. I never left South Island before either 'til after I kicked Robotnik's butt." The eleven year old hedgehog reassured with a thumbs up. "You're gonna love it. The people there are way more friendlier than the folks on Westside Island. Of course, you're the friendliest dude on that way too superstitious place. Probably the friendliest guy on the planet, even!"
"You think so?" The little cub blushed shyly. "'Cause I think you're the nicest guy I've ever met and super cool."
Sonic chuckled. "Trust me, Tails. I know so. Your parents will be very proud of you and I'm sure they're just as happy knowing that your life's gonna be a whole lot better now that we came together as friends!"
Tails smiled softly, and sighed. "Thanks, Sonic. It's going to be very strange to have a mommy and a daddy again..." He then frowned in sadness. "Would your parents...like me?"
"Don't worry, li'l bro. Of course they'll love you! Just the way I do." The young hero smiled warmly, earning a nod and a soft thank you from the young cub, before Sonic looked up ahead and smiled brightly when he spotted something up ahead. "Hey, Tails! We're almost there!"
When Tails looked up to see, his eyes widened when he too spotted a beautiful island of fresh green, a big mountain with a checkers board like path and loops, the palm trees, white sand and crystal blue waters, and that was just one part of the big island itself!
"Whoa! Is that...?" The four year old fox breathed in awe.
"That's right, Tails." Sonic smirked at the sight of his home coming closer. "Welcome to South Island."
'So this is South Island. It's more beautiful than I thought!' Tails thought to himself, his heart feeling with excitement upon being in a place that was new to him.
But it still did nothing to ease his fears and anxiety of his past...or the rejection he could be facing.
After landing just near the large garage in the fields of Green Hill Zone, Sonic and Tails, turning off the plane's engine, hopped off and gazed around their surroundings with the blue hedgehog breathing in the air as he stretched out his arms.
"It feels awesome to be back home!" Sonic sighed happily.
"This is so beautiful! I can see why they call this area the Green Hill Zone. It's so alive here." Tails smiled brightly, looking around at his new home. While it was similar to the Emerald Hill Zone on Westside Island, the little fox felt this place had a more peaceful feeling to it. "You really grew up here, Sonic?"
"Well, I was born in a hospital in Mobotropolis where my parents and uncle were born in, but they moved here twice a few times and made it official once they had me." The blue hedgehog shrugged, a little sheepishly.
"Really? How come?" The two-tailed fox asked, curiously.
"Those are quite interesting stories, Tails." Sonic replied, while gesturing at his friend to follow him, which the latter did once they made sure the plane was safely secured in the garage, leading the little fox to his old house where his parents still lived. "In truth, all I know is that they kinda moved back and forth before my grandparents died. This was way before I came along."
"Wait...so you..."
"Yeah, pretty much. Mom and Dad are really the only family I have." The eleven year old replied, then held a sympathetic expression when his friend's gaze was downcast, and placed a comforting hand onto the latter's shoulder which prompted the fox to look back up at him. "But that's nothing compared to what you went through, Tails. I can't even imagine how you had to spend your life all by yourself."
When the four year old didn't respond, Sonic felt his heart ache before gently brought Tails into a comforting embracing, in which his friend returned, shaking a little.
"But don't you worry, li'l bro. You're not alone anymore. I promise." The older child whispered, carefully kissing his friend on the head and rubbed his back to soothe his nerves.
Tails couldn't stop himself from sniffling, as he murmured. "It's still so sad that you...that like me, you never knew your grandmama or grandpapa and...and you lost your uncle five years ago."
"I know, Tails. But like I said, I'm still fairly lucky compared to what you went through. Not only you were all alone with nobody to care for you, but you were bullied for your amazing gifts you were born with. Being an orphan and abused is way worse as far as reality goes." Sonic pointed out, shaking his head. "That is the most horrible thing a kid has to cope with."
"I guess..." The little fox shrugged, and giggled with a blush when he felt the blue hedgehog playfully ruffle him on the head.
"C'mon, let's head over to our house." Sonic gestured, and his friend nodded with a soft 'okay' and the two boys playfully raced towards the former's childhood home.
By the time Sonic and Tails arrived at the small two story cottage like house with a garden around the back, and pretty close to the garage where they parked the Tornado, it was pretty close to sunset. The duo stopped at the doorstep as the eleven year old felt pretty excited to be home and more than ready to introduce his new brother to his-their parents, with the four year old hiding nervously behind him. The blue hedgehog exhaled deeply before he knocked on the door three times.
"I'm coming." A female voice called from the other side.
While waiting somewhat impatiently, more so for Sonic than Tails who shifted uncomfortably only to relax a little when the former gave him a reassuring smile, the door finally opened to reveal an older female hedgehog, Sonic's mother Bernadette who's eyes widened before she beamed at the visitor, not yet seeing the second.
"Surprise!" Sonic announced happily.
"Sonic! You're home!" Bernadette exclaimed in equal happiness, before hugging her son and nuzzled him with motherly love. "How's my growing big boy?"
"Ha ha ha! I've been doing great!" The younger hedgehog chuckled, returning the embrace even though he felt more than a little embarrassed by his mother's overwhelming cuddling.
"I've heard on the News that Dr. Robotnik attacked Westside Island that you had gone to. But you saved the world again. You're not hurt, are you?" The female hedgehog began, her hands cupping her son's cheeks.
"Mom, I'm fine. It was nothing I couldn't handle, but I had help this time from my new friend." Sonic reassured, gently removing Bernadette's hands from his face. "In fact, I brought him home with me."
At his mother's confused expression as she wondered what he was talking about, the young hero of Mobius looked over his shoulder and said softly. "There's no need to be shy, little buddy. Come on over and say hello."
Very nervously but trusting in Sonic's words, Tails slowly stepped around the older child and waved very shyly at the now surprised Bernadette who blinked at him. "Um...H-Hello, Mrs. Hedgehog. My name's...My name's M-Miles Prower. Everybody calls me T-Tails."
Quickly getting over her surprise while wondering why her son had brought home a four year old fox cub, and equally surprised to see that the little boy had two tails which meant that this must be Sonic's new companion who helped him out days earlier, she couldn't help but smile warmly as she bend down the kit's height level.
"Oooh, what an adorable little fox cub! It's so nice to meet you, Miles. My name is Bernadette. You have such beautiful eyes and a cute little face, and those tails are so fluffy and precious! I've never met anybody with such a gift." Bernadette cooed, gently ruffling at Tails' whiskers while making the four year old blush heavily.
It stunned the little kit that his friend's mother actually found him to be cute, and called his tails a gift.
"Uh...T-Thank you, ma'am. You're...really nice, just like Sonic." Tails nervously replied.
"Aren't a sweetheart?" The female hedgehog's smile grew warmer.
"See? I told ya' Mom would like ya'." Sonic smirked proudly, his arms folded.
"Is that you, Sonic?" Another older male voice called out, causing all three Mobians to look up to see the eleven year old's father, Jules Hedgehog, who then smiled widely. "Hey there, kiddo! You're back!"
"Hiya, Dad!" The youngest hedgehog beamed, and happily hugged the older male hedgehog who chuckled.
"It's great to see you!" Jules replied, ruffling his son's head which made Sonic laugh even more. "I had a feeling you'd be back sooner or later, and you saved the world again. You're really shaping up to be a great hero for your age, son."
Sonic smirked with a thumbs up. "Thanks, Dad, but like I told Mom, I had help this time." He then gestured at the now once again nervous Tails who froze upon seeing the older hedgehog, to which Jules blinked in surprise. "Dad, I'd like to meet my buddy, Miles Prower, who is nicknamed Tails. Tails, this is my father, Jules Hedgehog."
"H-Hello, M-Mr. Hedgehog, sir." Tails nervously greeted.
Jules, while finding the little fox cub to be very cute and polite, just very shy and nervous around strangers, felt questions fill up his mind at why Sonic had brought such a very young boy with him home, unless the child's parents allowed him for a visit.
"Well, hello there, Miles. Pleasure to meet you." Jules responded with warm smile in hopes to calm the child down, though he did turn to his son and asked very softly. "Sonic...I know this is going to be hard, but, why did you bring this young boy here, and where are his parents?"
Flinching as he kind of knew that either one of his parents or likely both would ask that, Sonic scratched his head while placing a comforting arm around the now even more scared two-tailed fox who lowered his gaze in despondent.
"You know, Sonic, I was wondering about that myself. I mean, we're both happy you finally have an actual friend to talk to, but isn't he a little...too young to be away from his parents?" Bernadette admitted as she stood up slowly.
"A-Actually, there's something you guys oughta know about. It's...it's about Tails' parents, and his whole life on Westside Island. It's very awful and sad." Sonic confessed, which concerned his parents who shared a glance before gazing back at Tails who, unbeknownst to them, feared that he would be rejected again and held onto the eleven year old hedgehog's arm for comfort and support.
Once they all entered the house with Tails welcomed to join them, having some tea and delicious cookies that Bernadette made, Sonic and his best friend explained to the blue hedgehog's parents of what transpired on Westside Island before Robotnik's attack. With the two-tailed fox's permission and despite feeling scared, knew that he would have to reveal his backstory sooner or later, they revealed how the four year old's parents had died two years earlier, that he had been shunned and bullied by everybody on the island because of not only his twin tails, but also that he is a lot smarter than any kid of his age.
The two friends then retold their story of how they met, their adventures on the island leading to Sonic's ultimate battle against Robotnik on the Death Egg, while also confirming Uncle Chuck's theory that Mobians really can breathe in Space, and the Chaos Emeralds once again scattering across the world once again.
During the whole story, Bernadette and Jules were horrified over of what Miles had to go through.
"So, yeah, Tails has been all alone before we met." Sonic concluded, sitting next to his young friend who for the entire time leaned against him. Though the eleven year old did feel very guilty for putting the four year old into unnecessary danger due to his young age. It was bad enough for the hero of Mobius himself to go through saving the world, but to put someone who was seven years young than him was just as bad.
"Oh, Miles. You poor thing." Bernadette murmured, her heart breaking over Tails' tragic story. "I'm so sorry. Who could have hurt such a sweet and an adorable child?"
"I had always thought Westside Island had very rude people, but to selfishly hurt a child just because he's a little different? That's just wrong." Jules sighed explosively, placing his hand over his face for a moment before gazing at his son. "And Sonic, you put your friend who is much younger than you into grave danger. I hope you realize it's very reckless of you."
Sonic gulped before lowering his gaze. "I-I know, Dad. I really do. It's just...I couldn't leave him all by himself. I'm really sorry. It's just that...Tails is incredible with his gifts and really pure heart. But that's no excuse that I almost lost him."
He turned his sad and guilt-ridden expression to a somber four year old cub and said apologetically. "I'm sorry, li'l buddy."
"It's okay, Sonic. It's my own fault for getting myself into danger. I just wanted to know you since you looked so cool." Tails shook his head with a sad smile. "I never had a friend before, until now."
"Thanks, Tails. I'd do anything to keep you safe and make you happy." The hero of Mobius smiled softly in return. "I love you."
"I love you too, Sonic." The four year old fox replied.
While both of Sonic's parents felt very concerned over the eleven year old's reckless decisions, the fact that their son did look and feel very protective over the young kit. Plus how the two boys looked very close to each other despite having only met melted their hearts, like they were brothers.
'They remind me a lot of myself and Charles when we were kids. Come to think it, Miles is almost exactly like my late brother.' Jules thought to himself, seeing the similarities of skills of technology and intelligence Tails and Charles both have.
Though the big difference between the two is that the little boy is highly intelligent for his age. But even that did not help the child of his lonineness or protect him from acts of bullying or hate from those who hate anything and anyone who were different. It angered the adult hedgehog how the people of Westside Island would torture a four year old for his appearance just to prove themselves that normal people are much more superior and thus anybody who were born different are 'evil', 'cursed', 'freaks' or 'monsters'.
Thank goodness South Island and other parts of Mobius were not that superstitious.
"Anyway, the main reason why I brought Tails here so he can live with us, because, I..." Sonic paused after facing his parents again, taking a deep breath before revealing his intentions. "I want to adopt him into the family. I want Tails to be my little brother."
That greatly surprised his mother and father who blinked in unison, before gazing at the little two-tailed fox who shifted nervously, obviously fearing of rejection all over again and that he had become so close to the eleven year old it was clear that Tails wanted to be Sonic's little brother, he wanted to have a friend and finally got one. He wanted a family, and the more Jules and Bernadette thought about it, the more they knew that he needed one. A family who would support him, keep him safe, make him happy, to watch grow up, and...more importantly, he needed love.
"So, can he stay here with us...please?" Sonic requested pleadingly. "I promise I'll take good care him."
Seeing how much Sonic really did love Tails, and how much the young fox cub loved him and it would be cruel to send him away to another family or to an orphange where he would most likely suffer abuse all over again, Jules and Bernadette both felt their hearts ache and knew that it would be best for the child to remain with the people who he can trust.
"Well...Alright. Of course he can stay, Sonic. It's obvious how closely attached he's gotten to you and personally, I think his two tails are amazing. Your friend really has a lot of talent and he's a well-mannered young man." Jules finally responded.
"I agree. How could anybody turn down such a little sweetheart? And his twin tails are just too cute for words." Bernadette agreed.
"We'll make an appointment at the Adoption Center tomorrow and make it official." The older male hedgehog added.
Feeling pure happiness fill up their hearts, both Sonic and Tails, who couldn't believe his luck, beamed with a shared glance and cheered as they embraced. They were going to be brothers for real!
"Thank you!" Sonic said happily to his parents. "You guys are the best!"
"Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Hedgehog!" Tails added, tears forming in his eyes.
"It's alright, sweetie, and you can call us Mom and Dad, seeing you're part of the family now." Bernadette said kindly, as she and her husband approached before forming a group hug with their soon to be both sons.
"Welcome to the family, kiddo." Jules whispered.
The eleven year old hedgehog chuckled, saying to his new brother. "See, Tails? Nothing to worry about."
"You're right, Sonic. It's all thanks to you." The four year old fox beamed. "Thank you, big bro."
Sonic smiled and nuzzled his head onto his brother's, whispering. "Welcome home, li'l bro."
Later that night after having dinner of delicious beef steak, mash potato and vegetables, the family of three, soon to be four with Tails being adopted into the family tomorrow, Sonic and his new brother headed off to bed, but not before they showed their parents of the newly fixed and repainted Tornado, which Jules had to admit, the blue colour suited the plane far better than the red and he and Bernadette were very impressed by the four year old boy's skills of machinery and his ability to fly.
"So, how's it feel to be in a new place, buddy?" Sonic whispered, as he and Tails, opting to share the former's bed since he wanted to make his friend to feel comfortable in his first night being in a new home, laid together.
"It feels kinda weird, but it's really warm and exciting too. Your Mom and Dad really are very nice, Sonic." The two-tailed fox replied.
The blue hedgehog chuckled, "Well, starting tomorrow, they're your parents too, Tails. I mean, I know that they can't replace your birth folks, but I promise you that we'll take care of you."
"I know. I believe in you, buddy." Tails smiled happily before yawning, snuggling up against Sonic who gently held him in his arms, covering them both to their shoulders with the blanket. "Night night, Sonic."
"Night, Tails. Sleep tight." Sonic whispered back, gently kissing his new brother on the head, holding him in a loving and protective embrace as the two young Mobians closed their eyes with sleep taking over their senses.
The bed was small for both of them, but neither one minded. Plus they did plan on turning the big storage room that once Uncle Chuck's bedroom into Tails' new room, that tomorrow they would go out and buy the two-tailed fox his own essentials, books, possibly toys to play with and at the four year old's request and Sonic's agreement, an airplane shaped bed since Sonic's was shaped like a red race car and within the next couple of years or perhaps next year, Sonic and Tails would move into their own home nearby Jules and Bernadette's and spend visits with the latter two whenever they wanted.
Half an hour after the two children fell asleep, their mother came silently opening the door to check up on them and her heart melted with warmth to see the young hedgehog and the young fox in each other's embrace in a peaceful position. She then carefully approached and tucked her two boys in before gently kissing them on their heads.
"Good night, sweethearts. Sweet dreams." Bernadette whispered, not only loving her biological son, but having already come to love her soon to be adoptive son as well.
She then turned and left the room to let the two boys sleep.
From that point onward, Sonic and his parents officially adopted Tails into the family and while there were a few slight mishaps in getting used to, the two-tailed fox quickly grew to love his new family and was especially close to his new big brother who he shared more adventures with, their bond just as strong and ever lasting as the years rolled by.
Back in the Present:
Sonic smiled as he neared the Mystic Ruins, the happy memories of adopting Tails into his family was one of the best days of their lives. Now, five years onward, their bond was just as strong and their lives were much more peaceful now. With Eggman gone and Mobius saved, it was a bright future up ahead.
"Ah, the good old days." The fifteen year old sighed happily, stretching out as he stopped just near his brother's workshop.
"Hey there, Sonic. What good old days are you talking about?"
Smirking with a chuckle at the sound of his brother's voice, the blue hedgehog looked up to see Tails, the now nine year old fox cub, approach him while taking a break and decided to go outside for some fresh air.
"Oh, ya'know. I was just thinking about the day when Mom, Dad and I adopted you into the family." Sonic greeted casually, sharing a bro-fist with his best friend who, smiling back, returned it.
"Whoa...Yeah, those were the good old days. Man, I can't believe it's been almost five years since we met already. Time flies when you're having fun, huh?" The nine year old kit remarked.
"Yep, but it's still not as fast as me!" The hero of Mobius joked, prompting him and Tails to laugh.
The two brothers smiled happily and decided to hang around to enjoy the rest of the day together, glad to have met and been brought together all those years ago. Because Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower knew, they would always be by each other's side forever.
Forever and beyond time itself.
Sonic's Next Adventure Awaits...
A/N: Not really an adventure for this part, but more of a relaxing reliving the good old days kind of one-shot. I'm not sure when the actual fifteenth chapter will arrive for this mini-series story, but I'll do what I can with it.
See you later!