Chapter Text
Fuzzy images danced around Sonic’s consciousness. Memories flashed like a camera in his vision.
The fiery flames of Knuckles’ fists pinning him to the ground. The pressure tweaking the spines on his back. He could see the desperation in the echidna’s eyes, violet bleeding through his fixed gaze. They flickered like the flames encapsulating his hands, scorching Sonic’s own.
The sound of Shadow’s inhibitor ring cracking under his iron will. His knee digging into the hedgehog’s back, quills poking through his gloves at the power he was gripping with. The surprise in his crimson eyes as he connected the dots to Sonic’s dilemma. He’d almost looked…scared.
The fear in Tails’ icy blue eyes as he couldn’t recognize his best friend. His hand clenching onto Tails’ throat, closing his airways. The wails and cries of the helpless kit echoing through his ears.
That’s what woke Sonic. He shook his head as he sat up on his knees. His eyes stubbornly remained shut, forcing him to plant a hand on the ground to stabilize himself. Groaning softly as lost sleep pulled heavy at his brain, he went to rub his temple, but rough metal tugged annoyingly at his arms. When his eyelids finally complied, he found both his hands incapacitated by two shackles chained to the floor.
“What in the…” Sonic trailed off as he pulled at the restraints, confused as to how unfamiliar his situation seemed. Glancing around, his surroundings didn’t look familiar at all.
The sound of tailored footsteps caught his wandering attention. His ear snapped up at the noise, pointing his nose up to the air.
“W-Who’s there?” Sonic asked carefully. “If this is some kind of prank, please tell me it’s Halloween or something. Otherwise, I want no part in it!”
“It’s no prank,” A voice boomed. “And it’s no trick, either.”
Stepping out from the shadows of what seemed to be an abandoned factory, was a human figure illuminated by the moonlight casting from the windows behind them. To Sonic, the voice was oddly familiar.
“Agent Stone?”
The man, dawning his classic suit and tie, walked forward. He smiled innocently with his hands behind his back as if he was looking at a prized possession.
“Hello, Sonic,” Stone greeted. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Ugh, I could say the opposite. You're as disappointing as a deflated holiday decoration.”
Stone huffed with frustration. “I liked you better when you were sleeping.”
“You know me,” Sonic shrugged. “I need my eight hours so I can kick your butt.”
“Good luck with that!” Stone laughed. “You’re in no condition to fight me. You can barely lift your own head!”
Sonic frowned, blinking rapidly as he was reminded of the pounding headache piercing his skull. His tone lowered in seriousness. “Why am I here?”
The agent chuckled under his breath. He moved his arms to reveal what he was holding behind him. “I believe this will hold all the answers to your questions.”
A glow of jade shone across the facility. It glazed across Sonic’s eyes, recognition shattering his heart. “The Master Emerald! Where did you get that?”
Stone pointed at him. “You did.”
Fear forced Sonic’s stomach into his legs. “What?”
“You see, I’m constructing a new plan. I needed your precious emerald to help me get what I want. However, as always, you and your brightly-colored furry friends got in the way. That’s when the idea hit me. Why eliminate you when I can use you to my advantage?”
Sonic’s ears flattened in confusion and anger. “What are you saying?”
Kneeling down to his level, Stone spat in Sonic’s face, inches away from his muzzle. “I’ve been using your super-emerald powers to assist me in my master plan.”
“My dreams…” Sonic muttered. “They were real! You made me attack my friends!”
“Guilty!” Stone sang in a high-pitched voice.
“I should’ve known you were the one ruining my sleep schedule.”
“That should be the least of your concerns right now.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because you are all alone.”
That made Sonic shut up. His body shriveled in on itself in insecurity. Glancing around the factory again, he did feel a sense of loneliness wash over him. He rubbed his arm as he bit his lip, trying to silence his shaky breathing.
Stone began to circle him, pacing slowly like every villain did when they captured the hero in the movies.
“Think about it. You’ve been acting strange for weeks, attacking them for no reason, pretending you're fine when you're really not. Who would ever want to be your friend after what you’ve done? They think you're a monster!”
Sonic struggled to find an answer in retaliation. “That’s not true!”
“You're a golden god who shows no mercy even to those you care about. Whether you like it or not, you are a monster.”
Stone paused in front of him, leaning into his ear. He whispered into it with a sinister spice.
“Prove them right.”
An overwhelming feeling of rage clouded Sonic’s mind. He could feel that… thing returning. Whatever it was, his mind is not his own anymore. The monster clawed at the edges of his brain, itching his nerves.
Sonic fell so his hands could clutch his head. He could hear himself screaming, but it became white noise when he heard it.
Execute.
—
A ring portal opened up to the dense forests of Montana. Moonlight cast dark shadows against the floor, lighting the way to a warehouse located a few hundred meters beyond the warp ring.
Tails stepped through first, with Shadow and Knuckles trailing him closely, eyeing the woods for threats.
“Um, Tails?” Tom prompted as he lunged over the portal. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
The fox was about to answer when a large yellow bolt of lightning struck through the warehouse from the cloudy sky. It lit up the whole forest with a golden flare. The strike sent a brief gust of wind their way.
“I’m sure.”
With caution, they inched closer to the warehouse. Shadow and Knuckles pushed open the wooden doors, nearly falling off their hinges from age. And maybe some brute force.
What immediately caught their eyes was Agent Stone, standing on the other side. Almost like he was greeting them from afar in the dark.
“Welcome, Wachowski family,” Stone nodded, his hands behind his back.
“Goat Milker!” Knuckles accused. “You are responsible for this?!”
“Guilty as charged, porcupine.”
“So you're the reason Sonic’s been acting weird,” Tom crossed his arms.
Stone bit his cheek in confusion. “I literally just said that I did it.”
“You’ve been using him,” Shadow huffed. “Why?”
“He’s serving me for a good cause,” Stone explained. “His sacrifice is crucial to my plan for humanity. Or…rather the Doctor’s plan. He’s been planning this ever since that blue rodent ruined his life. Now that he’s gone, I must stand in his place and carry out his wishes.” The agent paused, revealing a glowing jewel in his hands. “With this.”
“The Master Emerald!” Tails gasped. Knuckles tensed as he clenched his fists.
Maddie waved her hands in exaggeration. “And what is this ‘so-called plan’ of yours?”
“That,” Stone smirked. “You will have to wait and see.”
“Enough games, Guac Man,” Shadow snarled. “Where’s Sonic?”
“Right here.”
The sharp voice drew their attention to the sky where Sonic’s golden fur nearly blinds them all. His upright quills flared as he lowered himself, softly landing in front of Stone. Ruby eyes glared at the family, Sonic’s gaze unfaltering.
Tom and Maddie had to force themselves to stay put. The desperate urge to hug him was quickly becoming unbearable. It reminded Tom of when he saw Sonic in a similar form, after he’d defeated the Robotnik egghead. However, he could see how his quills were more ragged and the red spirals in his eyes indicated a deranged state of mind.
Tom couldn’t help but speak wearily, his voice shaky. “What have you done to him?”
“ This is his true form,” Stone said. “All of his pain, all of his anger, constructed into one being. The Sonic you knew is gone. Only the Fleetway remains.”
“Let’s let the hedgehog speak for himself,” Shadow argued.
“Sonic?” Tom questioned, holding out a hand. Maddie kept him back by his shoulder.
Heat wove through his quills like waves. His eyes were downcast for a moment, almost like he was in thought, before his deadly stare returned. “You all think I’m a monster. Like I’m some… thing that needs help. But honestly…” The hedgehog stopped, a sinister smile crawling over his muzzle.
“I’ve never felt more pure in my life.”
Raising his hands, a ring of fire swirled around the family. Shadow, Tails, and Knuckles took defensive stances as they knew where this was heading.
The flames towered above their heads, entrapping them in a fiery cage.
Nothing but the fire could be heard. A moment later, Sonic—Fleetway burst through the flames, aiming a punch at Shadow.
With his instincts, the ebony hedgehog was able to catch the golden fist flying at him. It didn’t stop him from being pummeled to the ground. As soon as their knees connected, Shadow kicked his foot in the air to shoot Fleetway over his head.
The golden menace landed on his feet swiftly. His head twisted to face Shadow’s, recovering within seconds to swing another fist. The shadowy hedgehog disappeared with a thwip, reforming behind Fleetway Sonic.
Fleetway growled deeply as he cricked his neck to grin at Shadow. He tried to throw another, but he only felt naked air fall through his knuckles. His ear twitched when he heard empty space being filled above his head.
In one quick motion, he pivoted his foot back and shot into the sky towards Shadow. Their bodies collided and they spun in the air. They tumbled in the sky until Shadow got ahold of Fleetways arms and threw him to the ground. The concrete shattered into chunks of rubble on impact.
Shadow shot to the ground and immediately went for Fleetways arm. Knuckles ran to his side, holding down his other arm. Fleetway struggled, thrashing his shoulders aggressively in retaliation.
After a few angry huffs, his large frown turned into a toothy smile. His movements paused as soon as they’d started.
Rolling onto his head, Fleetway bunched up his knees to throw his momentum backward. The surprise move shocked Shadow and Knuckles, both of their holds on his arms loosening.
With his freedom, Fleetway Sonic jumped in the air and pushed his hands to the sides, shoving back Knuckles and Shadow. He jumped off his head and onto his feet, satisfied by his actions.
A tickling shock on his spines brought his attention back. Turning his head slowly, he saw Tails holding a taser gun in his direction. He could see the electricity running through the wires, but Fleetway grabbed them in disappointment, throwing them to the side. He shook his head as he muttered a laugh.
“Pathetic.”
With a flash, Fleetway was on top of Tails, straddling and keeping him down with his legs while a hand gripped his shoulder. The kit wailed in pain, kicking his feet while trying to escape his grasp.
“You’re weak,” Fleetway said. “Just like the rest of ‘em.”
The kit stared up at him with wide eyes. “Sonic, wait! Think about what you're doing! Is this what you really want?”
“Don’t pretend like you know me!”
“But, you’re my brother! The Sonic I know would never hurt his family!”
Fleetway raised his remaining fist. “If you think that, you never knew me at all.”
Just as he brought down his fist to meet the kit’s face, it paused when a voice screamed at him.
“Sonic!”
Tom held his hands in front of him with caution, inching closer to the hedgehog. Thankfully, his distraction was able to prevent what would’ve been a catastrophic blow, but the fox was still miserably glued to the floor.
“This isn’t you!” Tom yelled. “You’re not a monster!”
“But I am!” Fleetway retorted. “I’ve always been this way! It’s the only way people see me! The echidnas believed it, and so does everyone on this stupid planet!”
“That’s not true,” Tom reminded.
Fleetway scoffed. “Spare me your nonsense! You believed it once, too.”
The human paused, Tom’s careful expression falling into a regretful look. “You’re right. I did,” He licked his lips in determination. “But that’s in the past now. You are the most human alien I’ve ever met.”
“So? Just because you believed it in the past doesn’t mean you don’t believe it now!”
“And I love you for it.”
Fleetway’s fixed gaze faltered. “What?”
“You are the most compassionate, ambitious, and strongest person I know,” Tom was now about a foot away from Fleetway, kneeling down slowly so as to not startle him. “The monsters I know don’t have a heart. But you do,” Tom paused, lifting a gentle finger to Fleetways chest. “In here.”
Fleetway began to struggle with his words. “I…I almost killed Shadow. Longclaw died because of my reckless actions. I nearly got you…” He shuddered. “I am a monster!”
“No, you’re not. You’re Sonic the Hedgehog. And you're my son.”
Then, Tom opened his arms and pulled Fleetway into a hug.
The hedgehog didn’t know how to respond, his body frozen with fear and surprise. Nothing happened for a few moments, as if time had stilled.
A rush of sobs broke the surface and Sonic buried his head into Tom’s shoulder. His arms tightly wound themselves around the man’s back.
Tails scooted back, reaching for an outstretched mit gifted by Knuckles. Shadow stood by the echidna, beside himself at the scene unfolding.
The cries went on for what seemed like an eternity before Sonic’s golden fur began to dim. His natural blue color was returning, seeping through his yellow quills. The fire around them dissipated as well, encapsulating the room with darkness, the exception being the moon sparkling through the windows.
Tom could feel Sonic leaning into him, taking his dying sobs as a sign that he might be okay. “Welcome back, Sonic.”
The now blue hedgehog didn’t make a move. Not even a muscle twitch.
Tom frowned. “Sonic?”
When the man went to move him, Sonic’s head slipped and his body went crashing to the floor. Tom gasped as he caught the hedgehog in time, adjusting to sit down and cushion Sonic in his lap.
Tom shook Sonic, getting more aggressive with each movement. “Sonic! Can you hear me?”
Everyone heard a grunt from afar. “Ugh! No! No no no no!” Stone shouted in the background, pounding his fist into the Master Emerald. “Come on, magic emerald! Work!”
A gust of wind and red flashes appeared in front of him, a grumpy Knuckles and Shadow cornering him.
“You have something we want,” Knuckles growled.
“Give it to us,” Shadow added.
“Never!” Stone snapped. “If I can’t have Sonic, then you can’t have your precious—”
Two punches to the gut was all the convincing Stone needed. The emerald flew from his hands as he was thrown backward into a pile of crates. Shadow caught the jewel midair, glancing at it before turning to the echidna.
“I believe this is yours,” Shadow held out the gem.
Knuckles smirked. “Thank you.”
They returned to the front, Tails now sitting by Tom’s side as his namesakes swayed anxiously. Maddie was overlooking the hedgehog, checking for any major injuries. She had her fingers on Sonic’s wrist, timing his pulse rate—if he had any.
“Sonic?” Tom called out. “Sonic. Wake up.”
He remained still.
Tails grabbed Sonic’s hand, smothering his own cries in his friend’s peach-colored chest.
The room quickly grew quiet. Nobody said a word as they quietly acknowledged the reality of the situation.
Then, something squeezed Tails’ hand. It was the one holding Sonic’s. The kit raised his head to see Sonic blinking awake. Man, had he missed those emerald eyes.
“So, what’d I miss?”
“Sonic!”
Tails basically forced himself onto Sonic in an attempt to hug him. The hedgehog wheezed in pain but returned the gesture. Not wanting to hurt him more, Tails let go and shimmied away from his lap.
Sonic blinked up at the man holding him, his head pillowed by one of Tom’s arms. “Are you crying?”
Tom could only smile back, forcing his tears away. “No, bud. It’s just allergies.”
“Uh huh, and I’m the Golden Menace.”
A cricket chirped in the beat of silence that followed. The hedgehog glanced in confusion. “Too soon?”
Tom huffed a laugh. “It’s good to have you back, buddy.”
Sonic sighed defeatedly but with contentment. “Thank you.”
Embracing another hug, a sense of resolve filled the air as they realized everything was going to be just fine.
—
Stone returned to the new and improved Crabmeat.
He had failed. Mostly.
He wasn’t able to eliminate that blue rat Sonic the Hedgehog or his friends. Worse, he wasn’t able to slew the rodent to join him and keep the Master Emerald.
However, his main objective was complete.
Thanks to Sonic, he was able to collect all the supplies he needed for the Doctor’s plan.
The concept of the Metal Virus seemed flawless. Create a contagious infection that spreads through organic metal and lets the host control every infected pawn.
For the Doctor, it was the perfect wish.
Now that he was gone, Stone had to step in his place and finish the job.
Humanity would fall to the power of Doctor Eggman and Agent Stone. The Metal Virus will be its downfall.
And it’s all thanks to Sonic the Hedgehog.
—
Everyone had settled in for movie night. Even Shadow, who sat in his own chair with Ozzy sitting on his lap, weaving a gentle hand through his golden fur. His eyes danced between him and the television, playing a mindless yet somewhat entertaining movie.
Meanwhile, on the couch, Tails and Knuckles hugged Maddie on each side. The fluffy kit bunched himself up to Maddie’s arm while Knuckles tried his best to fit fully in her lap. Every now and then, the echidna would lean over to Tails to comment about the movie, and the fox would answer with equal curiosity.
Tom leaned back against the couch, adjusting the shoulder Sonic was peacefully dozing on. A heavy hand threaded through Sonic’s quills and fur on his head, which the hedgehog snuggled into.
They’ve only been home for thirty minutes. A desperate Sonic pleaded with Shadow to stay overnight in the house, which he reluctantly agreed to. Only because Sonic deserved to be happy after the last two weeks. Once a quick dinner was snarfed down, they decided to put on a movie. It had just barely started and Sonic’s energy was already crashing out.
However, Tom was hoping to talk to him before he passed out. He tried rubbing his head, but it seemed to pull the hedgehog further into slumber instead.
Tom lowered his head so his chin was grazing against soft tufts of blue fur. “Sonic.”
Thankfully, it appeared he hadn’t quite dropped off yet as a sleepy groan responded to him. “Hmm.”
“Did you mean all those things you said?”
Sonic lifted his head to stare up at Tom, his eyes half-lidded and heavy. “What’d I say?”
Tom could only smile at Sonic’s irresistible innocence. “At the warehouse, you called yourself a monster. Do you really think that?”
Sonic’s lopsided smile formed a thin line, his eyes clearing slightly. His head lowered and hid in Tom’s arm. “I know it’s not my fault for the things I’ve done,” He sighed. “I just can’t help but feel a bit guilty still, you know?”
Tom wrapped an arm around Sonic, pulling him as close as he could and slowly soothing the hedgehog with the movement of his hand on his shoulder.
“Just know that everyone in this room loves you for who you are.”
Sonic’s weight began to grow heavy in his hold. “Thanks…Dad.”
Tom couldn’t help but huff a small laugh to himself. ”Goodnight, Sonic. Sleep well.”
Almost against his own will, Sonic’s eyes fluttered closed and his body went lax as his exhaustion overwhelmed him into a long sleep. Soft snores signified his tranquil state, relieving a weight that had been bothering Tom for days.
Tom refused to let go of Sonic until the movie died out and took the kids to bed. He offered Shadow the couch and he surprisingly accepted. Tom was in charge of bidding the kids goodnight while Maddie got Shadow comfortable.
As he tucked a fuzzy blanket around Tails, the kit asked, “Is Sonic gonna be okay?”
Tom paused, pondering the kid’s question. It was going to take more than just a dozen naps in a week to fix Sonic. He was always going to carry that grief and guilt, no matter how okay he convinced himself. People were always going to look at him weird. It wasn’t every day a speedy, blue anthropomorphic hedgehog could exist amongst humans.
But, if anybody had a problem with Sonic, that was their fault.
Over the years, Sonic’s personality had grown on Tom. He and Maddie had always talked about having kids, but it seemed they were gaining more with every passing adventure. Sonic completely changed the way they lived, and even the community of Green Hills. He couldn’t imagine a life without Sonic, now.
Being weird and different isn’t a bad thing, Sonic knew that. He just needed that reminder that he could still be like everyone else, even if he was the odd one out.
Tom hovered above his bed before answering.
“He will be.”