Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog.

"Well, pal, I guess it's time to say goodbye to you," Sonic murmured, "for the last time…"

The hedgehog's voice was filled with sorrow as he brushed a tear from his eye. In contrast to how carefree and cocky he usually was, he was feeling extremely heartbroken. He fixed his broken gaze on the fallen friend of his that he had tragically lost. It was difficult for him to say goodbye to them. They had been a constant companion of his throughout his entire life.

Now their own life was over. The time had come for Sonic to let go of them.

"We had some great times together…" Sonic said, managing a small smile. "I have countless fun memories of running with you. There's not a step I didn't take at my supersonic speed without you with me…"

The hedgehog pressed a hand to his heart. He could feel it aching from all the agony he was in. Yet it managed to fill with a little bit of warmth at the memories of his fallen friend which he would cherish forever.

"Running is not the only thing we did…" Sonic continued wistfully. "We did just about everything together - including kicking Eggman's butt!"

A laugh managed to escape Sonic as he thought of all the times he'd managed to kick Eggman's pod sky high with the evil scientist inside it. He couldn't have done it without his parted partner. How he was going to continue to do so without them, he had no idea.

"It won't be easy to face life without you, doing what I do best without you…" he whispered sorrowfully. "But I've gotta do it… I know that's what you'd want me to do… After all, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog! I gotta keep moving forward - fast!"

Sonic gave a chuckle, then his gaze softened as he cast it onto his fallen friend. This would definitely be the last time he would look upon them.

"I'll never forget you…" he promised. "I'll always think of you as I'm running. I know you'll be with me every step of the way … in my heart…"

With that, Sonic gently laid his dearly beloved companion in the hole he'd dug. He patted them tenderly before picking up his shovel to filling the grave hole with earth.

It didn't take long for Sonic to bury his friend. He took one last look towards the tombstone, preparing to take the first step of his great speed without this constant companion in his life.

"Well, gotta run!" Sonic smiled and waved. "Later, buddy!"

With that, Sonic darted off and raced out of the cemetery. He quickly left behind the tombstone where he had laid to rest…

…his beloved pair of shoes.

Yes, it had been a sad day for Sonic when the soles of his red and white sneakers had worn away. It was after all these years of running in them that they had finally fallen apart. No amount of support from Tails, Knuckles, Amy or any of his friends could comfort Sonic. It had been very difficult for him to say goodbye to those shoes he'd been racing around in for so long, but burning them in the graveyard and leaving them to rest in peace had given him the closure he needed.

Off the blue hedgehog went, heading for home at top speed to scurry through his closet - which held countless pairs of sneakers.

It was going be very tricky for Sonic to decide which were going to be his replacement shoes to run in from now on…

…despite the fact they all looked exactly the same!

THE END