On an island on another planet, there was a race of echidna warriors. One young echidna, eager to aid his tribe, grabbed a small spear, running out the door of his hut. He couldn't believe he was finally going to have the chance to prove himself. He ran to join the marching soldiers when-

"No, Knuckles."

The young echidna turned to see who was speaking. "Dad." His father crouched down, resting his hand on his son's shoulder. "I don't want you joining us on this mission."

"But-"

"I know how much you care for this tribe, and your moment to honor it will come. But... it is not this moment."

Knuckles stared at his father. One of the other warriors called his father's name, and Knuckles was standing alone, watching the line of echidna warriors leave. Knuckles sighed. The only thing he hated more than enemies to his tribe was feeling useless. Why wouldn't his father want him to come? Didn't he deserve a chance to prove himself?

Being only in his training, he often felt like he couldn't make a difference when it really mattered. These emotions bubbling up inside him, he did something he'd never thought he'd do—ran from the hut, jumped onto the back of a supply cart, covering himself with a cloth.

A few minutes later, the shock caught up to him. I just deliberately disobeyed my father, he thought. If he finds out, he'll kill me! However, his panic was interrupted by two soldiers talking to each other. He couldn't make out the full conversation, but he heard Longclaw and capture her apprentice and isn't he about that Knuckles kid's age?

That gave Knuckles an idea. If this apprentice was about his age, maybe that could be his chance to prove himself against a worthy opponent. His father couldn't be angry at him for winning the battle.

He couldn't help but wonder what his tribe wanted with a child, though. What was so special about them that they were capturing them rather than killing?

He realized the cart had stopped. He peeked out from under the cloth. Seeing nobody, Knuckles cautiously crept out from his hiding place. Nothing. At first, he had no idea where anybody went, until he turned around and saw a staircase wrapped around a tree. "Of course," he said out loud. "Owls. In trees. I get it." He began to run up the staircase.

When he got up there, at first he thought he was too late. Longclaw was flying away, something blue tucked in her claws. Knuckles thought they'd lost the battle, but then, one warrior took careful aim with his bow, and released the arrow.

It worked. Knuckles saw the owl fall from the sky into the forest. The leader of the group yelled out to go back down the stairs. Knuckles realized if he didn't move, he would be caught. After a few seconds of having no idea what to do, he grabbed a tree branch and climbed up a little. He looked out to where Longclaw had fallen.

"If the warriors take the same route down as they took up, Longclaw might have time to use a ring to escape. If she has a ring." He jumped to another tree, dropping onto the platform her house was built on. He took a shortcut through her house, jumping out a window onto another tree, scrambling down onto the ground. He ran off in the direction Longclaw flew off in.

Knuckles found the owl in front of a ring portal—shoot! He got there too late! But... she wasn't going in it. She was talking to a child, probably her apprentice. He was a blue hedgehog, a year or two younger than Knuckles.

"I don't wanna go without you!"

"You must."

Longclaw gasped as she heard the army of echidnas approaching. Knuckles' shortcut had only shaved off a few seconds. She handed a brown bag to the hedgehog.

"These rings will be your most valuable possession. If you are ever discovered, use one. Never. Stop. Running."

"..."

"Now go!"

The young hedgehog ran through the portal. No way was Knuckles letting him get away! He also charged through the portal. His small size came in handy, as the owl didn't even notice him.

The blue hedgehog looked over his shoulder and saw Longclaw spreading her wings to prevent the echidnas from following him. He noticed that one had slipped past her seconds too late.

WHAM!

"I got him!" yelled Knuckles from on top of the blue hedgehog. His opponent yelled and struggled to get out from under him. His efforts were in vain, however. Even as a child, Knuckles had incredible strength. He turned his head back to the portal. "Did you see tha-"

He stopped. He saw his father charging at Longclaw, who leapt at him. "Nononono," whispered the young echidna. "No!" He got off the hedgehog, completely forgetting he was trying to capture him, running back toward the portal.

But just as he got to the portal, it faded away. All Knuckles got was some golden dust on his torso. "No... father..."

"Are you okay?" Knuckles turned. He didn't expect the guy he'd been trying to capture to have so much sympathy for him. Then, Knuckles had an idea.

"Give me a ring."

"Huh?"

"A ring. So I can get back to my planet."

"Uh..."

Knuckles turned around to face the uncertain hedgehog. "What?!"

"...If you use a ring to get back to the planet, then those guys will be able to come here and capture me."

"I was trying to capture you too! I could just tackle you right now and drag you back to my planet as my prisoner."

The hedgehog said nothing. He just stared at Knuckles. Then, he ran away in a blue blur, faster than anything Knuckles had seen.

"...I guess that explains why we want to capture him. Now what? I have to get back somehow." Wait. I can't go back there, he realized. I disobeyed my father and let what would have been a valuable asset get away. I've dishonored my tribe. They won't want me around, will they?

Knuckles sat on the ground. He had no idea what to do. Separated from his family, his tribe. He realized his father may have been struck down by Longclaw. Even if he wasn't, Knuckles was now an outcast.

Knuckles sniffed, then shook his head. At the very least, he wasn't going to let himself cry. For a minute, he simply sat there, trying not to let tears fall.

A dandelion crept into the corner of his vision. He turned his head to see the hedgehog was back. He placed his hand on Knuckles' shoulder.

"I'm sorry I can't help you get back."

Knuckles took the flower. "It's okay. I don't think that my tribe would be too happy if I did come back. I sort of snuck into the battle."

"Don't way that. Everybody makes mistakes, and anybody can find it in them to forgive them, given time."

Knuckles felt a little better after hearing that. The hedgehog continued. "Maybe we can figure this planet out together, and your tribe can come get you."

Knuckles gave a small smile. "Deal." He stood up. "I'm Knuckles."

The blue hedgehog grinned back. "My name's Sonic."