20XX July 1st
Unknown
At the beach, the sea waves are going back and forth on the sand, the seagulls are cawing, the breeze is as fresh as ever, the atmosphere is peaceful at dawn.
But it's not deserted.
A blue furred anthropomorphic hedgehog is lying on the sand as the sea places him on the beach as if he was unconscious.
His short body, round belly and strange quills on his head to his upper back is buried a little.
Approaching the hedgehog is a woman in a leather jacket that is a mixture of black and brown, she gasped as the figure looked like the very person she remembered.
The woman picks up the body, surprised that he feels lighter than a human child.
Finally, she heads home with an unconscious hedgehog while keeping him safe from anyone trying to go near him.
It's warm and quiet, a hedgehog is sleeping on a comfortable sofa while the sound is heard on TV, making the hedgehog grunt while slowly opening his eyes.
He can see a woman humming while hanging the laundry and then enter the house to grab a carton of milk.
"Hm? Oh, you're awake? Sorry, I found you at the beach a few hours ago. An anthropomorphic hedgehog, huh? You look like the one on my leather jacket."
The hedgehog says nothing.
The woman can tell that this hedgehog is quiet as he's looking at her.
"Ahem. Anyway, what kind of meal do you eat? I mean hedgehogs do eat some insects, worms and cat food, so… I'll make cereal for the two of us." The woman sighed.
While the hedgehog stands up, slumps towards the dining room table and takes a seat waiting for what the woman is making.
As both bowls are placed, the woman smiles as the hedgehog still looks like he's down in the dumps, making the woman frown.
"Ahem. Nicky, is it? I mean, I looked at your shoes and the writing on your soles says it. I mean you kind of look like Sonic the Hedgehog from a fairytale." The woman asks while pointing a spoon.
Although the appearance is that of Sonic the Hedgehog from the leather jacket, his name is in fact Nicky the Hedgehog.
Nicky starts his cereal after putting on his glasses, surprising the woman as she's unaware that he needed the specs to see.
"Anyways, I'm a freelance photographer, Meg Gordon. It's nice to be with you, Nicky." Meg introduces herself while giggling.
Nicky can see the woman's kindness through his eyes, only for Meg to look at Nicky with a smile as Nicky quickly moves his head and looks away from the woman that saved him.
"Hm? I'm sorry. I was just…"
"Glasses." Nicky finally opened his mouth.
"Huh?"
"Ngh…" Nicky grunts as he squints his eyes, trying to focus on seeing what's in front of him despite entering the dining room table with his hand contacts.
"I… I didn't know. Wait here." Meg stands up while pulling some things out of the drawer and pulls out an item for Nicky. "Here. I know it's not the right size, but it can help you see."
As the glasses are on, Nicky blinks as he can clearly see a brunette woman in a dark brown leather jacket looking into Nicky's eyes.
To Nicky's surprise, he witnesses a hairless person he heard about that is taller than his species.
"Um… Where am I?" Nicky asks while looking at this house.
"You're in Station Square in the United States. So, where did you come from?" Meg is also asking about Nicky's whereabouts before entering the beach.
"Well… All I remember is…" Nicky is struggling to think as his memories are fuzzy until it shows the burning town, causing Nicky to gasp. "It was at the Resort Island where Hedgehog Town was. I remember… My sister! Tania… What happened to her?"
Meg can see tears dropping from Nicky's eyes, leading her to lean down and listen to Nicky's answer.
"It's okay. Tell me what happened earlier."
"I remember there's a fire and a robot that looked like a hedgehog attacked and it hurt my friends and family. It has no eyes and it shoots weird purple balls out of its body."
"A robot hedgehog… I remember there's common attacks with robots all over the world, but they take place in a single country. The perpetrator was a human like me. He goes by the name Dr. Eggman." Meg says calmly while holding Nicky's hand.
"Dr. Eggman?" Nicky stops after hearing that name which makes him giggle. "Sorry, his name sounds pretty funny."
"To be honest, you're right. Naming yourself an egg? Sounds least threatening." Meg laughs out of agreement.
"Yeah. Oh. S- Sorry." Nicky quickly turns his head away again, nervous that he scared Meg.
"It's okay. Hey, I know we just met, but you do look like Sonic in my leather jacket." Meg shows the character named Sonic on her back which had Nicky curious.
"Who's Sonic?"
"Sonic the Hedgehog is the protagonist of his fairytale world that is written by the famous Mary Garnet. Dr. Eggman also appears in this fairytale as the villain of the story. I also heard that the author's husband broke the sound barrier in his final moments."
"Really? How did he do that?" Nicky asked with surprise.
"He was a pilot… He left this jacket for those he remembered. It's also someone I remembered." Meg hugs herself with the leather jacket that led to Nicky staying silent, realising those who one loved the most are gone and how difficult it is to accept it.
Meg then jolts up after distracting herself from all the memories she had.
"Excuse me, where was I? Oh! Ahem! Sonic always fights Dr. Eggman as he always saves the animals and his girlfriend. The world of this fairy tale has spread rapidly. An adventure at the world of wonder, a mystic jungle, a stormy ocean, an ancient city, the lost continent... Sonic's activity has pushed forward. Wherever Sonic finds the bad guy, he immediately appears with his boastful speed to help people. This is the story of the hedgehog, who has a mind of justice, wisdom and courage; Sonic the Hedgehog who runs faster than the speed of sound." Meg told a story of a blue hedgehog and an evil scientist.
"Wow. He's so cool."
"Yep. And someday, you'll be just as courageous as he was." Meg boops Nicky's nuzzle while standing from the table and picks out a camera.
Nicky finishes his cereal and stands from the chair while thinking about what to do.
"So where are we going?" Nicky asks.
"Introducing you to a bigger world. Let's go together, Nicky." Meg raises her hand, letting Nicky put on his shoes and then hold his hand as they leave the house.
United States, Station Square
To Nicky's surprise, he sees a bunch of hairless people that are taller and march past him and Meg, making him realise he's the odd one out.
"It's okay, Nicky. You're not the only non-human out there. How about we can get some clothes for you." Meg suggested while running.
"Huh? Wait! I don't need to! I'm a hedgehog, I have fur!" Nicky protested while being dragged by Meg.
Later at the mall, Nicky is in a bigger pair of glasses that fits his eyes and is in an oversized red sweater that has N written on it while standing at the changing room, making Meg hug Nicky as if he's cute.
Afterwards his shoes are now red sneakers with white straps as well as having white socks exposed, making him feel embarrassed.
Meg pays for the clothes that Nicky accepted and finally heads towards a different building like the café restaurant.
At the café restaurant both Meg and Nicky are drinking tea together as their order comes with Meg having steak with gravy on and Nicky receiving a hotdog with chilli on it.
This surprises Meg as Nicky shrugs his shoulders and eats the chilli dog.
After the restaurant, the duo are heading to a photo booth, causing Nicky to panic while trying to run off as a hedgehog girl opens the curtains for Meg and Nicky.
After the photo, Nicky and Meg are watching the view as seagulls are flying past while Meg takes some photos.
As Nicky was accidentally having a photo taken, he blinks while feeling dizzy, causing Meg to laugh out of amusement.
Nicky can feel that a single human woman is raising him with care and bond with him around Station Square.
Later, a middle-aged man in a military suit rubs his temples in front of a bald, brown moustached overweight man in a red coat and glasses.
"Listen, Dr. Robotnik, the Guardian Unit of Nations, cannot permit the preservation of any equipment to tourists. You should understand that." The military man sighs while Dr. Robotnik raises his arms.
"You don't understand, General Yeager, the war is over and your military equipment will end up being obsolete. If you could let me handle this, then Dr. Ivo Robotnik, will make sure to keep them under good hands." Ivo raises his finger as a suggestion as General Chuck Yeager raises his arms to grab Ivo's arms and kick him out.
"Just! You…"
"Chuck!" Meg calls from behind while waving next to Nicky and holding his hand.
"Meg? That's a surprise. Hm? Is that Sonic?" Chuck didn't know Meg arrived during his argument with Ivo.
"Sorry. I'd like to introduce you to Nicky. I found him at the beach unconscious." Meg introduces Chuck to Nicky while smiling.
"Nicky, hm? It's nice to meet you." Chuck raises his hand while leaning down near Nicky.
"Ah, um…" Nicky quickly hides behind Meg as he encounters another stranger.
"He's just shy with new people." Meg points out.
"I believe you. Oh, this is Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a scientist who's a doctor that works for G.U.N." Chuck raises his arm to Ivo as an introduction.
"A pleasure to meet you Miss. Gordon, young Nicky." Ivo bows and then shakes hands with Meg.
"It's nice meeting you too, Mr. Robotnik." Meg chuckles while letting Nicky shake Ivo's hand as well.
Nicky seems meek towards a bunch of military people, he stops to see a little human girl hiding in one of the jets, making Nicky take a few steps forward without saying a word.
"Nicky?" Meg calls out of confusion until footsteps are incoming.
A grey haired man with brown and green heterochromia eyes arrives with a stern look at both his members which intimidates the circle.
"Commander Abraham Tower! My apologies for the lack of work." Chuck quickly salutes as The G.U.N. Commander Abraham does the same.
"No need. You're excused. I'm in search of Molly Robotnik, the child has been running off like that again." The Commander sighs as he shakes his head.
"Could you describe her appearance, sir?" Meg asked, unaware that she's rude towards the Commander-in-chief.
While the adults are talking, Nicky approaches a jet as a ginger haired girl looks at him from above.
"Um… Excuse me. Are you Molly Robotnik?" Nicky asks.
"Aww, you're so cute! I wanted to keep you!" Molly squeals while hugging Nicky, making Nicky exclaim while trying to run.
"Molly. Honestly, you shouldn't go off running like that. Don't do it again, okay?" The Commander arrives while scolding Molly without shouting.
"Yes, Abraham. I'm sorry."
"Good. At least you have proper manners, unlike your uncle." The Commander turns towards Ivo as Ivo growls.
"Excuse me! I was doing the best I could. I mean, no offence, but you're just too harsh!" Ivo snapped.
"First of all, Dr. Robotnik, do not talk to your Commander like that in front of your niece, even when she's not here, that includes the guests that arrive here. Second, if I was harsh, then I would've punished all of you by now. The reason I let you off the hook is because you're a part of a family I know about a long time ago. So don't push my buttons, Doctor." The Commander warned.
"Hmph. Fine. I promise to be respectful." Ivo proudly patted his chest while approaching Molly.
"So, you're Nicky, huh? If anything happens, let the Guardian Unit of Nations know. Leave it to the professionals." The Commander leans down while handing a card out to Nicky.
"Y- Yes sir." Nicky nods while taking a card from the Commander.
"Hm… Why does he look like the picture on Henry Gordon's clothing?" The Commander murmurs while thinking and then looks at Chuck. "General, the meeting begins in 5 minutes."
"Yes, Commander." Chuck salutes as the Commander alongside Ivo and Molly are leaving together.
As Molly waves with a cheery smile, Ivo on the other hand grins at Nicky, showing what he could do to him in the future, making Nicky gulp out of fear.
"Anyway, Meg, tomorrow's the air field show. I guess you wanted to watch the jets performing for the crowd, huh?" Chuck points out.
"Yeah. Oh, Nicky's also coming along." Meg says while hugging behind nicky.
"Huh!? Why me!?" Nicky exclaimed.
"Because I thought you can enjoy something lively. You might see the free spirits in the sky." Said Meg.
In Nicky's case, Meg wanted to see him enjoy life, even though he thinks lowly of himself.
Finally, Meg waves as well as Chuck, knowing their chat is short, but nice for the time being.
As both Meg and Nicky walk together, Meg is glad to see Nicky adapting to society without being hostile.
"Hey, Meg." Nicky speaks out.
"Yeah, Nicky?" Meg replies out of curiosity.
"I had a lot of fun. Maybe we can do it again?" Nicky meekly said while smiling.
Meg giggles and pat Nicky's head.
"Of course. We'll do it again. I'm glad you're having fun." Meg puts her forehead on Nicky's while promising a second tour of Station Square.
Not much else to do as a human woman and a hedgehog boy are heading home together which makes them feel like a mother and son relationship.
Tomorrow is the air craft show.