Agent Elijah Reddick viewed the video feed from the Arachnadrone's cameras before the self destruct sequence was initiated on the multitude of computer screens that decorated the small office….He fiddled with the G.U.N badge in his hands, the shining brass flickering in the limited light provided in the dark and cool room…
His eyes were focussed on…The boy's face…It was impossible…The boy shouldn't have survived…Not for even a day after the incident at the river 3 years ago…He was shocked, stunned, mortified, shaken and dumbstruck when he first saw the Arachnadrone's footage and saw the boy...
His brow furrowed in irritation…Yet another mess he hadn't cleaned up properly…He had already let down the Commander once…And he wouldn't do so again, he promised that…He remembered walking into his office and showing the cold, egomaniacal old bastard the boy…
He leapt around in glee, he seemed genuinely happy…He wanted to retrieve him immediately…To bring him to the facility and, "Use him as intended." However…He had…reasoned with him…Convinced the Commander to wait…See how the boy developed…He was still young…And there was still time to see how...Useful he could be as a future asset…He had already destroyed the Arachnadrone at 3 years old after all…There was still so much potential that the boy held…It was now up to him to make sure that the potential was realised.
Reddick took a sip of coffee from the Styrofoam cup that sat on the desk besides the computers, the bitter, hot liquid washing over his taste buds and the caffeine slowly driving away his fatigue…It was going to be a looong mission.
…
Miles yelped as he felt the tetanus shot sink into his veins. The pain was sharp and fierce, however he knew of it's importance, he couldn't risk catching sepsis or tetanus at his age, such an ailment would be lethal.
"There we go Miles, there's the last shot. Now tell me, what the hell happened in there with Amy? "
Miles's ears pricked slightly at the question and he answered slowly.
"Well…I heard a scream from Amy's kitchen, I rushed in to help her and that's when I came face to face with…some sort of weird spider robot. I have no idea what made it or where it came from, but it seemed particularly hostile to us. I destroyed it though however it self-destructed…And…well you know the rest." The young kit said, taking in a deep breath as he prepared for a very stern talking too, or some kind of chastisement.
"Hmmm…Cool story, a shame I couldn't have seen it little guy." An unfamiliar third voice spoke, both Miles and Vanilla turned to the open doorway and saw a figure standing within it.
It was an ocean blue hedgehog, with long sharp quills, emerald green eyes, a tan coloured underbelly, arms and muzzle. He wore fancy silk white gloves and red and white buckled shoes...
"Ah Sonic, I see you've arrived, surely you heard what Miles did right?"
The hedgehog smirked and smoothly walked forward, ruffling the kit's hair.
"Yeah I did, I'm the fastest thing alive, but clearly news is just as swift. Well done about that robot little guy, you've saved a valuable…If not a little clingy member of Knothole."
Miles hazarded a smile, albeit a small one, however it seemed to leave it's mark as the hedgehog grinned back and joked,
"Hey, I think there may be something wrong with you kid, I haven't seen your mouth do that before."
Miles laughed at the remark, he was beginning to like this hedgehog already, he just felt this…Aura of hope and power around him, it felt warm and comforting and he adored it.
"Who are you?" Miles asked with curiosity, he wanted to know the name of this hedgehog…he had too.
"Well, I'm Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, fastest thing alive and your new friend."
Miles couldn't help but wonder…If he truly was the fastest thing alive, then how fast could he go? Could he break the sound barrier? Travel continents in minutes? He had to ask.
"Ummmm…Quick question, if you are the fastest thing alive…then tell me…How fast can you actually run? What's your top speed?"
Sonic smirked, a suave smile crossed his face as he stated.
"2000 miles, give or take kid."
"But surely the air resistance and friction would be impossible to handle? How are you able to survive moving at that speed?"
Sonic's eyes briefly widened as the words left the boy's lips, he was a very smart kid if he knew about physics stuff at an age where most normal kids could barely even form sentences. It was amazing, maybe the kid was gifted like him? Maybe he too had untapped potential, he was always on his own most of the time and it would help greatly to have a partner or friend to be able to have those adventures with.
"Well then…Kid…What's your name again? Miles isn't it?"
"Yep…Miles…Miles…"
The cogs turned in the Fox's small brain, he didn't know what surname he should give himself, he knew there were plenty of options, but he just didn't know what he should have gone with, however there was one that felt oddly familiar flicker up in his mind…Like a remnant from a long past dream…Prower…He didn't know where that name came from, however if he needed a name…It would have to do, for now at least…He still felt to ashamed to become a Robotnik.
"Miles Prower Mr Sonic." The toddler said.
The hedgehog grinned and patted the young boy's hand,
"Well then Miles, I have an opportunity for you…You see…There isn't a lot of folk in Knothole who are hero material, it's only really me, Amy, Cream and Vanilla…Lord knows if there's anyone else out there…However with my help, our help…You can become a hero like us…A great one too…So tell me…What do you think?"
Mile's jaw dropped, become a hero? Him? But he was only a boy! A vulnerable young fox! He had lost everything before…However…Then he began to think, if he became a hero…Then he could stop others from living appalling lives like him! He could stop other people going through the misery, the agony…The utter horror of losing people they cared about…And there was only really going to be one answer anyway.
"Mister Sonic…I accept!"