Sonic’s muscles tensed, and his teeth gritted. “Oh boy…” He looked back once more to check on the figure, but he was gone. “Wh-what? Where did-” His sentence was cut off by the smashing noise coming from behind him. He twisted himself back around. The figure behind him was fighting off the robots!

The hedgehog shoved one robot back against the wall, wrapping his fingers around its neck, and ripped the cords of the jugular out, oil and sparks spurting from the opening. The robot immediately shut down and crumbled to the ground. The rest of the group became enraged and tackled the hedgehog.

Sonic took a step forth, hoping to maybe help the guy, but a darkened energy beam spread from the center, where the black hedgehog stood. The strong force made him fall back on his bottom, cringing in pain from his burnt tail. The robots went soaring across the alley in all directions, crashing into walls and trashcans. Their armor crushed easily from such significant strength. They all appeared as piles of scrap metal.

Sonic’s green eyes were huge. He blinked them, not sure whether this, whatever he was seeing, was all real or fantasy. He stared over at the hedgehog, who got up on his feet. He was panting softly. Red gems shined unsteadily on his wrists. The hedgehog’s head was bowed close to the ground, gasping for air. His eyes squeezed shut, and all the robots sunk below the ground, just like the other one before. Once the area was cleared of the machines, he collapsed to his knees, digging his fingers into the stoned ground.

Sonic rubbed his eyes, then glanced around at the alley. “What the heck did he do with all of Eggman’s robots?” He looked back at the hedgehog, and made a whistle, feeling impressed. “Whooaa…”

The hedgehog lifted his head to gaze at him. His expression was dark, but exhausted. Sonic hopped to his feet and wiped the gravel off his knees. “Man… that was quite a show.” He smirked welcomingly, clapping his hands.

The hedgehog’s eyes narrowed, and his head bowed again. He attempted to get up. Sonic hurried over and took him by the arm to help him, but the hedgehog yanked his arm away from his grasp.

“Don’t touch me… mortal…” He spoke in pants as he managed to stand up. The gems on his wrists were still flickering.

Sonic blinked his eyes, confused. “Mortal?” His eyes narrowed. “You know, that’s an insult…”

“Were you the one who summoned those metal contraptions here?” The hedgehog seemed to ignore what Sonic just said a second ago.

Sonic quickly shook his head. “No, of course not! Those were Eggman’s robots.” He itched his head. “But I’m sorry if I lead the robots in your direction. I had no idea you were there. It was like you just appeared out of nowhere!” He smirked. “But that, still, was great help, and I appreciate it.”

The hedgehog didn’t smile. That made Sonic’s fade… Sonic cleared his throat, then nudged the guy in the ribs playfully. “Soooo what’d you do with the robots?”

The hedgehog scooted away from Sonic, as if he hated being touched at all, even if it was in a nice way. His head turned to avoid Sonic. “They’ve all fallen into the Pandemonium, where they will burn and suffer… forever…”

Sonic’s head tilted. “The whiggity-waggity-what?”

The hedgehog paused, then spoke, “In other terms… Hell…”

Sonic’s eyes widened. He had the aching feeling that this guy was not the kind to be messed with. “Wow…”

The hedgehog somewhat looked at Sonic, his eyes narrowed. “… What happened to the stump?”

Sonic stared at him blankly. “The what?”

“… Your tail…” He turned away.

Sonic glanced at his tail and lifted it a bit. “Oh this? Heheh, funny you should mention… It got hit during the first part of the battle. It’s nothing too serious.” He let go of the tail. “Cream will get it fixed up in no time.”

“… Cream?”

Sonic looked up. “A member of my crew.”

He looked at Sonic for a second, then looked away. “Oh… I see…”

Sonic rubbed his chin, then pranced over to the hedgehog to take a look at his face. “You sure do act like Shadow. Are you in any relation?” Once the question was asked, the quickness of the hedgehog’s reflexes shocked Sonic. The hand of the hedgehog clasped around Sonic’s neck, pulling him up a few inches off ground.

“Why are you following me…?” He snarled, his straight white teeth gritted.

Sonic clung to the hedgehog’s muscular arm, gasping heavily for air. “I-I… I-I-I’m only tr-trying to be friendl-ly…”

The hedgehog began to tighten his grip, when he suddenly released him, letting him drop to the ground before his feet. He stared at his hand, and took a step backward, his orange eyes gleaming in terror. Sonic coughed harshly, massaging his neck, and he gazed at the hedgehog.

The hedgehog constantly looked from Sonic to his own hand, then turned away, crackling his knuckles as he flexed his fingers. “… I’m sorry… I can’t control myself anymore…”

“Aye, it’s alright…” Sonic groaned as he got up. He coughed a bit more, then exhaled slowly, and straightened his back. “We all can lose control of our anger at some point.” He shrugged.

The hedgehog looked back. “You don’t understand… I’m not supposed to be around your kind. I’m dangerous…”

“Kind? What? I’m missing something…” Sonic stumbled over to him. “Sure, I can see that you’re dangerous, based on what I’ve seen earlier. It was quite brutal, but fascinating. The problem is that you’re overdoing it, and your anger is overpowering you, making you out of control. Maybe I can do something to help you.”

“What are you…?” The hedgehog growled, his eyes squinting.

Sonic smirked. “Don’t you recognize me?”

Both of the hedgehog’s eyebrows lifted. Sonic sighed. “Why, everyone in the world knows me.” The hedgehog said nothing. Sonic blinked his eyes, then slouched. “Want me to give you a hint that may jog your memory?” The hedgehog still didn’t respond, so Sonic just did his moves anyway. He zoomed around the apartment building, and stopped in front of the hedgehog, smirking. “Who’s the fastest and coolest blue blur in the world? Huh? Huh? Huuuuh?” He nudged the hedgehog in the ribs again, hoping for an answer.

The hedgehog’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a joke.”

Sonic’s blue skin paled to white. “No I’m not…” He outstretched his arms. “Come oooooon, I’m Sonic the hedgehog!”

The hedgehog turned away. “Never heard of you…”

Sonic’s jaw dropped. He ran up to him. “Seriously, where have you’ve been???”

The hedgehog growled, feeling annoyed, and he glared at Sonic. Sonic twitched from the sudden evil stare. The hedgehog closed his eyes, and he looked down. “Sometimes I question that myself…”

Sonic’s ears folded back. “Hey, come on. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it in a rude way. I’m just trying to be a fun guy.” His voice lowered. “Looks like I’m having no success.”

“Hmm…”

Sonic picked at his ear, then snapped his fingers. “You know, I just noticed… You have that little accent in your voice. Are you not from around here?”

“Why do you want to know…?”

Sonic shrugged. “I don’t know; I don’t remember seeing you before.”

“So why should I know you if you don’t know me, mm?”

Sonic’s eyes went flat. “Okay, you’re just talking smart. I am the hero of this world.”

“Hero, huh?” He didn’t sound enthusiastic.

“You got that right, buddy. I’ve been saving people’s butts for years. I’m on the newsletter practically every day.”

“So I’m guessing you like the attention.”

Sonic chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not exactly… Too much attention gets me unsettled. Fan girls…” He shuddered at the word. “One in particular is working with me.”

“Oh?”

Sonic nodded shakily. “Y-yeah… She’s obsessed with me…”

The hedgehog didn’t know what to say. Sonic rocked back and forth on his heels, then paused. “So, back to the question… Where are you from? I figured you came from some faraway land because of your accent. You new here?”

The hedgehog’s eyes closed gently, and he made a solemn sigh. “Are you ever going to drop the subject?”

Sonic shook his head, smirking. “Nope. I’m quite curious.”

The hedgehog’s eyes opened to look at Sonic. He didn’t say anything for a long moment, until he finally decided to speak. “I once lived in a village far off across the vast stretch of the river over there…” He pointed in a random direction, which was supposedly where the river was located. “It was a long time ago since I’ve been away, and I tend to want to forget everything from that side.”

“Why?” Sonic just had to ask…

The hedgehog’s teeth gritted angrily. “Do you have to know everything?”

“Just to understand.” He shrugged.

The hedgehog rested his hand on his head and groaned. His head must have been hurting. He looked really pale in the moonlight. Sonic waited patiently for the story. The hedgehog grumbled curses to himself, then said, “It was because of something I regretted when I was young, something which will effect me… forever….”

Sonic blinked his eyes. He wanted to hear more, and the hedgehog could tell by his expression. He rolled his eyes, growling publicly. “I’m being a fool. I shouldn’t be talking to you. Go on home and fix your tail.” He turned to go away.

Sonic jumped and got in front of him. “Why are you in a rush?”

“Has anyone ever mentioned that you’re annoying?”

Sonic smirked, as if he was proud of it. “Plenty from Shadow.” The hedgehog wasn’t pleased. His teeth gritted, and he made a low menacing growl in his throat.

Sonic blinked his eyes and took a step back. “Feisty, aren’t we?”

“What do you want with me?!” He snapped, his teeth now lengthened and sharp. Seeing them glitter in the dark made Sonic’s fur quiver, and he gulped.

“Wh-whoa… Do my eyes deceive me?”

The hedgehog jerked, and he quickly looked away. Sonic cautiously went around the guy. “Something seems really… unusual about you… First off, you got some weird color-changing contacts or something, and second you got unbelievable strength. Now third… My, what sharp teeth you have.”

The hedgehog retreated, his arm over his head. “Stay away from me. It’s safer if you don’t come any closer.”

Sonic’s right ear slid back and forth uneasily as he watched the hedgehog. He soon followed. “I only want to be friends… I’m Soni-“

“I know that. I’m not deaf.” He came to a stop and just stared at the ground. He inhaled, then exhaled more calmly.

“… What’s your name?” Sonic asked. “You got a name right?”

“You sure do like to talk…” He murmured.

Sonic smirked. “Sorry, it’s just that the battle got me all hyped up. So I’m reckless.” He laughed lightheartedly.

The hedgehog rubbed between his eyebrows in agitation, groaning lowly. Sonic’s smile only widened more. “Soooo, what’s your name?”

All was quiet. The hedgehog was deep in thought, staring at the ground. His eyes closed. “I’ve had a few names… But I best go by Jericho…”

“Jericho, eh?” Sonic rubbed his chin. “Isn’t that the name of a…” He stopped as he watched the hedgehog start walking again. “Wait, hold on!” He ran up to him and walked beside him.

The hedgehog known as Jericho didn’t look at Sonic. His head was still bowed. Sonic stared at him, a puzzled expression on his face. He cleared his throat, then crossed his arms behind his head as he strolled with Jericho. “Who gave you the name, if it’s alright to ask?”

“…… My mother…”

“Oooooo, that’s nice. Unique name, by the way. I like it.”

“……… Thank you…”

“What’s with the dramatic pauses?”

Jericho froze and forced himself to gaze at Sonic. He looked troubled for some reason. Sonic stared back at him, and his head tilted. “Something wrong, man?”

Jericho looked back down, and he slowly shook his head. “Nothing.” He answered quite quickly.

Sonic itched his head. “Oh.”

Jericho lifted his head to gaze up at the stars. He was in that position for a while. Sonic watched him, then looked up as well. He sighed softly. “Sooooo… I’ve been thinking…” He itched his cheek. “With that ability of yours, I figured maybe you could join the crew.”

Jericho looked back at Sonic, his face paler than before. “Join?”

“Yeah, you know… become part of the team. We were once known as the Freedom Fighters, but now it’s just Sonic Headquarters, or H.Q. for short.”

“… Freedom?” The word seemed to take his interest.

Sonic nodded. “Yup; we don’t believe in any of this slavery mumbo-jumbo type of stuff.”

“… Freedom…”

Sonic wrapped one arm around Jericho’s neck. “So what do you say, bud? You wanna join?”

Jericho was silent for a long time. It felt like 5 minutes to Sonic. “… I shouldn’t be friends with you…” That made Sonic’s happy face slide to a frown. “But…”

Sonic’s ears perked. “Buuuuuut?” He leaned in, eager to hear what more he’d say.

“…… I’d like to join……” Jericho smirked. “You told me a while ago that you could help me control my rage and power. I want you to prove that you can.”

Sonic smiled worriedly. “Uh, yeah. Sure…” He extended his hand to shakes Jericho’s. “So it’s a balanced deal, then. Welcome to Sonic H.Q.”

Jericho gripped Sonic’s hand powerfully, nearly crushing it. It was freezing cold. Sonic winced in pain, when Jericho eventually released his hand, and turned around to walk off. Sonic petted his hand for a moment, whimpering from the ache, then looked forth at Jericho. He began to follow him quietly.

Jericho came to a sudden halt, and he looked back at Sonic. “Just so you know… I’m a vampire. I thought I could warn you.” He flashed a pearly white smile, his fangs showing beneath his lips.

Sonic froze, his blood running cold. His bones were suddenly stiff. “Va… Vampire…?”

Jericho’s mouth twitched. “You can tell the others at the base if you’d like, so that they too know… But if you abuse my secret…” He appeared right in front of Sonic in a blink of an eye, and leaned over him. A dark twisted expression grew on his face, shadows falling under his eyes. “You’ll be left a bloodless corpse…” He smirked, then twirled around and went on.

Sonic was stuck in the position he was in, cowering. His eyes were wide, and his fur was bristling. He swallowed, then stood up straight. He heard a joking chuckle coming from the dark one…

… He wasn’t serious about the last sentence after all…