A Chance Meeting: Chapter Two: Helping Hand

A Chance Meeting: Chapter Two: Helping Hand

Basically, Tails helps out with the plane since the damn hedgehog doesn't know anything about mechanics. Unfortunately, it leads to something he REALLY didn't want to happen.

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Ok.

This was NOT good. The hedgehog should have left DAYS ago. He would've had it fixed and then he'd be off into the sky with the fantastic plane.

And away from Miles.

Unfortunately, this was not the case as the young borrower would watch the blue idiot try to fix the plane on his own. He watched as it only resulted in the plane letting out puffs of smoke in the hedgehog's face as his attempts to fix it failed. Miles huffed in annoyance as he watched the hedgehog try to fix it over and over from the safety of his hiding spot in the tree. He couldn't see exactly what the hedgehog was doing but whatever it was it wasn't the right tools or placement on certain parts. This wasn't good. Over time he had nearly been squashed with the blue rodent blasting off everywhere. Not to mention when the urchin would explore the island he nearly got seen multiple times.

So he had observed the bean for a while, so what? He was just watching the enemy, finding its weakness. So far from what he had observed the bean was fast, had a certain diet of hot dog-like food, and was very curious and adventurous. The worst traits a bean could have. Quick ones snuffed you out easily, and curiosity lead to them most likely keeping you as pets or experiments.

It was clear the bean had no idea how plane mechanics work, and was also too stubborn with pride to ask for help from someone who does. The fox sighed, at this rate, it would take weeks, maybe months until the hedgehog got out of his territory. However, if he did something about this it might take a shorter time...

No.

That was a stupid idea. He couldn't interact with beans, never. Besides, it's not like the hedgehog would stay against a helping hand, right?

Unfortunately, Miles found himself cursing his hopeful thoughts as being wrong.

The damn urchin was still there after four days. This was starting to get riskier and riskier as the blue mobian stayed longer. However, Miles knew he had to make up his mind during one of his borrowing trips. 

He had finally managed to catch another lizard. It took a while. This one was a fighter. However, one stab to the skull and it was out like a light. After wrapping a cloth around the head to keep the blood of the lizard from getting in his fur and leaving a trail for predators to follow, he moved the lizard to drape over his shoulder as he prepared to haul it home, the sun beginning to lower, exploding into colors of pink, purple and red in the blue sky.

Unfortunately, this was when the bean decided to crash through. Miles was first alerted to the predator when his fur and ears perked in alarm at the light tremors of larger footsteps. He panicked as they came closer and closer to where he was, and they were alarmingly fast. His eyes quickly darted around for any hiding spot, landing on the bush that was behind him.

He just barely got in the covers of the shrubs when the all too familiar blue of the hedgehog came into view, bright red and white sneakers mere inches from where he was. The thought of how easily they could snuff him out made the borrower shudder. Miles held his hand up to his mouth to muffle his hyperventilated breaths, sky-blue eyes carefully watching the being above, pupils dilated in fear.

The hedgehog looked around the forest for a moment, sniffing slightly, before lifting his tan arm to his face, gloved hand closed in a fist. He moved the hand under his nose, and a finger rubbed under the snout. 

Then there was a burst of wind and a flash of blue that sent the little fox grasping onto both the lizard with one hand, not wanting to lose his food, and the bush for dear life with the other, letting out a cry of surprise. After it died down again, the fox huffed in annoyance and stuck out his tongue in the direction where the urchin ran off.

He hated when the bean did that. Almost lost 2 lizards because of it. He didn't want to go back to eating tree sap, mysterious mushrooms, and grass again.

As he headed back to his burrow, thoughts began to run through his head.

This was another close call. If he was a second too late he would have been trampled. 

He shivered, not from anything cold, but from heart-pounding fear. This had happened too many times, where he would be getting food or water before the hedgehog would suddenly come out of nowhere. Luckily he hadn't been seen or squashed, however, the gust of wind that would follow the blue blur would carelessly toss the food or the water from the self-made canteen away. Luckily it would only land on the ground, however, it was very inconvenient for the tiny fox, who would sometimes get blown away alongside the supplies, landing hard on the ground. Bruises had begun to form on his fragile body as a result.

He was lucky he never landed or hit anything with his head, his skull would have easily been damaged.

He could die if this continued.

Miles shivered once more, before feeling the lizard starting to slip, he paused, readjusted a firm grip on the lizard, and continued once more, his eyes dimming with relief at the sight of his home up ahead. It wasn't messed up or showed any signs of a predator deciding to nap there, he didn't have to worry about any more danger.

He always hated it when an animal, mostly bunnies, would come and claim his home as their own. When luring them out with food didn't work, he'd have to go in and fight to reclaim his territory once more. He didn't kill them, he never killed them, didn't even think he could, he simply gave them wounds of warnings to stay away. Oftentimes they'd run away and leave him alone.

But Miles didn't think he'd be able to fight any more animals for today. The lizard really was a stubborn fighter. Took all of his energy to take it down, now he needed a nap. 

He entered his little cavern, making sure to close the entrance behind him, which was just two big rocks covered in some kind of moss. It had once been leaves, however, he learned quickly that leaves weren't good at keeping things out, nearly drowning under sloshy mud made by the occasional rain, or having to chase more bunnies out of his home.

He fumbled around, trying to find the light bulb, when he did, he turned it until it gave a soft click.

Soft yellow light erupted from the bulb, illuminating the small room. Miles placed the lizard on a long wood slab, which acted as a table, and moved over to his bed, landing face-first in it with a deep sigh. His bed was a carefully assorted pile of leaves and moss, soft enough to be comfortable, and warm enough in winter. He closed his eyes, wanting to let sleep take him away into his dreams, but opened them again when his stomach started begging for food.

He hadn't eaten anything all day and had been scavenging for food until he found this lizard. He groaned and moved off the bed, preparing to skin the lizard. It was a long and tedious task, one that took almost an hour to complete. His stomach moaned once more at the reminder. However, it needed to be done, the lizard's skin being too hard to chew.

He went over and grabbed the things he needed, a sharp shard of glass for the cutting and a flat rock for the scrapping of the excess fat, then he moved over to the lizard, held it in a certain position, and began the process. He knew how it was done, he'd watched his father do it plenty of times, and he memorized his father's instructions when the old man taught him. He knew where to cut, how to place the animal, what to remove, and the careful way of removing the skin without taking away any of the meat.

As he worked he found his thoughts trailing back to his father. How his father would praise him when he did something correctly during his teachings, how his father comforted him when he first cried over the dead lizard, his father's rough but warm hands holding onto his own, showing him the right pace on scrapping the fat faster. He missed that. He wished he hadn't done what he did that made him lose any chance of having those again.

He shook his head, not wanting to recount his past stupidity, his past carelessness.

He had to focus. The last time he didn't he had to bandage his hand, having nearly cut his finger off.

He worked on removing the lizard's genitals, making sure his cuts were careful and precise. After he did that he worked on removing the scent glands, finding himself lost in his thoughts once more.

This time it was about the bean, notably about his past and recent encounters.

He couldn't continue like this. Not with the hedgehog speeding around. He nearly got killed several times with the urchin around. More times than usual. With the bean so close to his territory it was now becoming clear that ignoring it was a death wish. Either that or it was a desire to be discovered. 

But what could he do? He couldn't be discovered, but he needed to push the bean along to leave. Another thing came to mind. The plane. It was busted for now. There was obviously something misplaced or something that needed to be fixed. He had researched a lot about planes and their functionality of them. 

He paused in the pelting process he nearly forgot he was doing.

That idea was insane. He could easily get killed by the plane or the bean, not to mention he'd easily get discovered. However, it might just be the only one that could work. The village he used to be in was miles away and could take days to get to at his size. Even if he got there, there'd be even more beans to evade and hide from. If he somehow managed to find someone who could help, what would he even do?

If he wanted the bean to leave as soon as possible, he'd have to go out there and fix the engine himself.

It was clear the bean had absolutely no idea how to fix it, but maybe he could.

It was a stupid idea, one that absolutely terrified him, but maybe it was the only way he could make sure he doesn't get killed.

He wished and prayed that there was another way, but he couldn't think of anything that wouldn't end in immediate death. His hands began shaking as he figured this was the only thing he could do, his legs began to wobble as they began to feel like jelly.

His breaths were now shaky, and he felt a cold pang in his gut. He stayed far away from beans after the incident, but now he didn't seem to have any choice. The kit felt tears begin to form, ones of horror and slight anger at no other choice. He swallowed.

It was the only option, and he hated it. He looked down at the lizard, its opened stomach and bloody limbs becoming nauseating to him despite having been used to it. Only one thought rang through his mind.

Crap.

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Miles stared at the plane, blue eyes now filled with fear and uncertainty. The hedgehog wasn't around, having most likely gone on one of his runs, so Miles had about an hour to do whatever he could to fix the machine. Despite that knowledge, the fox still hesitated to move from the bushes he hid behind. His heart hammered in his chest, and his palms began to sweat and shake.

He knew he had to do this, if he waited, he'd keep putting it off. If he did that the hedgehog would never leave. His legs still refused to move, his body frozen in fear. He wanted to go back, to hide away in his burrow and never leave the safety of the cavern. He took a shaky step back, beginning to humor the idea, before clenching his fists and narrowing his eyes. He took a deep breath and returned his gaze to the airplane.

No, he could do this. Even if he didn't want to, he should at least try to push the hedgehog into leaving.

He should try.

Eyes narrowed in found determination, he began to approach the aircraft, ignoring the jelly-like feeling in his shaky legs. His tails swished quickly with unease behind him. He held out a hand to the flying machine, his palm brushing cold metal.

He let out an exhale, not even knowing when he held his breath. The fear was slightly forgotten as a small excitement began to take its place for a moment. He had never gotten this close to the plane before, and it was exhilarating. It was even more beautiful and amazing up close. He walked along the side of the metal tin, his hand trailing behind him, having never been taken off the hard warm metal.

He approached one of the big red wings and began to feel those as well, despite them not feeling any different from the other parts of the plane. His fear began to diminish as he continued to explore the plane, his tails now wagging happily behind him.

"Incredible! You can fly for miles, huh? Travel to all sorts of different places, to so many different adventures.", he murmured to the inanimate object. His eyes dimmed as he remembered the objective at hand. He moved his hands to grasp the wing, pulling himself up, grunting with effort as he began to climb the transport. He made his way to the engine, uneasiness beginning to form when he finally made it to the desired location. A new problem rose.

How was he supposed to open the engine?

He huffed in frustration at the new problem. All that preparation for this to happen, what a waste. He sat down on the part that needed to be open as he began to think. He had to get it open, but how? He obviously couldn't open it by himself, but maybe he could use something to help him. If he had something long and sturdy maybe he could pry it open, or he could have something hit the cover to open it. Miles found himself leaning towards the former, not wanting to damage the plane and leave traces that he was there.

His eyes darted around the scenery, eventually landing on a long stick having been broken off by the tree above it near the forest he emerged from. He carefully navigated off of the plane and retrieved the stick, dragging the heavy, for him, object back over the plane. He moved to the engine and placed the stick in the crevasse of the cover, after sticking it there so it would lift off the ground, he jumped on the other end several times until both the wooden object broke and the engine popped open.

He fell to the ground with a hard grunt as his body collided with the earth. He got up, brushed himself off, and once again navigated to the engine, being careful not to fall in. He took his time to examine the mechanics, eyes glimmering with pure awe, and the hedgehog was momentarily forgotten. It was absolutely beautiful, with all sorts of gears, and gadgets used to function the lovely machine.

He found himself getting giddy once more before he shook his head and regained his composure. He needed to concentrate. However, he needed something to help him with this, maybe the plane had something lying around somewhere to help him with this. He moved off of the engine once more and made his way to the cockpit.

Glancing in, he couldn't find anything. He moved over to the rim of the plane and hopped down onto the soft seat, landing with a gentle thump. He eventually caught sight of it at the bottom of the pit, he landed on the hard, but somehow still soft, ground and moved behind the box. He groaned and grunted as he pushed the box over to the seat. He then moved it so the side of the box leaned against the seat, and moved under it. He didn't have a muscular build, in fact, he was quite skinny compared to borrowers his age, but he somehow managed to slowly, but surely began to push it onto the seat. Making it fully on there but having his feet push against the dashboard, paying mind to avoid pushing any of the buttons.

After several muscle-straining moments, he finally managed to lift it all the way onto the seat. He collapsed to the ground in utter exhaustion, moaning with relief. He stayed that way for about five minutes before begrudgingly hauling himself back up. He didn't have time for a nap, he had to get this done before the urchin came back. Orange fur-covered aching arms lifted him back onto the seat, the owner panting heavily, his face slightly red as he collapsed once more onto the seat.

Okay. All he had to do was push it over the cock pit and out of the plane and he wouldn't have to lift it anymore. That's all he had to do, and the horrible box wouldn't make him hurt anymore. That's the only thing and then no more. After resting for a bit he began to once more push and lift the cursed object out of the plane. His muscles threatened to buckle under the pressure of the large box, half sobbing, half laughing with relief as it landed outside with a loud clang, the toolbox's contents spilled across the ground below. He panted and sat down on the cushion, leaning against the wall of the aircraft.

Then the fear started to kick in. What if the bean was nearby? He might investigate whatever that was. That thought made the kit freeze in terror. He stayed still and held in his breath for what seemed like forever, ears perked up and listening for footsteps, voices, anything that might signal that the bean was nearby.

But nothing. He slowly peered over the rim of the cock pit, and all he saw was the peaceful forest, and only heard the chirping of birds. He sighed with grateful relief and went back to rest for a bit. He couldn't stay that way for too long, he knew that, but he couldn't tire himself either. He could at least wait until the strain in his muscles died down before he did any more strenuous activities.

As he rested the kit still had his ears perked up for any sounds that could alert him to the arrival of the bean. Luckily he didn't hear anything that showed signs of that. As the borrower's muscles strain died out to the point where he could manage enough, he pulled his tired body out of the resting spot and fell hard on the ground he forgot was there. He groaned, slightly muffled due to his face planting of frustration. He sighed and moved himself up, looking over the tools he spilled with slightly dimmed determination and resentment.

As much as he wanted to give up and wobble back to his hut, he already got this far. If he did that he'd just have to start all over again, and he did NOT want that. He moved over eyeing the instruments of the invention with careful eyes before landing on a wrench. He hoisted the stupid thing up and made his way back over to the engine. It was hard to climb a 200-ton machine with a device that was over 5 times his size, but again, he managed.

He began working on the engine after seeing what was wrong with it. He first started with a slow careful attitude, cautious with the soon-to-be returning bean on his mind, however, that soon became forgotten as he became lost in his own gear-ticking brain and excitement. This was exactly as all of the books he'd found about planes described it. It was even better now that he was doing it himself. His tails swished happily behind him as he tinkered away to his heart's delight, not only almost managing to fix the engine but also coming up with ideas to rearrange some things to make it go even faster.

Unfortunately, he was so lost in his own excitement that he neglected to keep alert, missing the footsteps of the bean returning, nor the gasp that followed. He was alerted when there was a loud thump and rustle of something hitting the ground, most likely a paper bag.

Miles froze, and he moved over to look at the source of the sound, praying to Chaos it wasn't what he hoped it wasn't.

Unfortunately, the gods of luck didn't seem to be on his side because his sky-blue eyes landed on emerald green ones. The hedgehog's face was caught in an open-mouthed stare. For a second time seemed to stop for both of them, one in absolute pants-wetting terror and the other in shocked disbelief...

...before Miles became an orange blur, quickly moving off the engine and away from the mobian. The action only drove the urchin into motion, as he registered the bigger beings' footsteps giving chase behind him, the beans voice reaching his ears.

"H-hey wait little fella! I'm not gonna hurt you!"

Yeah right! , was the fox's only thought as he avoided the large white hand, barely slipping its grasp. He ran under the plane, eyes widened in terror as he glanced behind him, catching the confused, shocked, and somewhat awed eyes of his pursuer looked under after where he ran. He had to get out of here, had to get away. Unfortunately, if he even had a chance of escaping, it was foiled by the kit suddenly slamming hard into the carelessly discarded red toolbox. He fell back on his back as he fell dizzy.

Everything began to blur, colors condensing into a blurry soup as he began to lose consciousness. He barely registered a shadow looming over him, barely registered the beans voice speaking to him, all he saw was a darkened blob of blue above...

...before everything went black.

Yes, we need more of this angry fluffy boi!!! <3

But I think they will explain it in a future episode (HOPEFULLY a Nine centered episode) Or at least I hope so because they must have some psychic link to each other because even from these two, that save was a LITTLE TOO convenient, at least for me.

When Nine goes through the portal he's all geared up, so he knew Sonic was in trouble but...how? It's a little TOO good for a sense of intuition in my opinion...

GAAAAH! This show leaves so many questions (the good kind!) that I CANNOT wait to be answered in future episodes!

The only complaint I have is not only about the show but other ones I like as well (ie The Cuphead Show) where Netflix splits up the season into batches for more bank for some reason, which is STUPID but that's pretty much it.

How?

Alright, there's been many theories and ideas for Prime. There have been many questions thrown about, but one I haven't seen is one very important question. A question that leaves me thinking for days, a question that I rack my goddamn brain for answers:

How the HELL did Nine know that Sonic was in New Yolk and in trouble?!

Like the rebels and Sonic were about to have their hides skinned until this mofo pulls up in his OWN GODDAMN SHIP? What?!

Bro really said "get in loser, we're starting a new life" and then just fucking dips when Sonic jumps in XD

Prime writers, we better get a WHOLE Nine episode explaining wtf this was about.

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...Also...

...

Also, we need more Nine...

Why Nine Is Loved So Much Already

Just watched Sonic Prime and it is AMAZING! It has stellar animation, unforgettable characters, and an engaging and exciting plot.

Among all of that, however, one character stood out to me more than all of the others: Nine. The "edgy, emo" Tails from the first Shatterverse. He's already a prevalent character, praised for his design, nature, and fantastic acting by Ashleigh Bell. He's just an excellent character in general, being complex and complicated.

He has a snarky, distant, and almost broken personality, from what I've seen, he IS almost broken. He's nearly broken because of what drives him in the first batch of episodes: Hope.

Hope can be an excellent thing. It can help you overcome obstacles, it can help you move forward, and it can help you win. However, what that hope exactly is and how you achieve it determines your character and morals.

What Nine HOPES for is a better future for himself. That is a good thing, however, the way he tries to achieve it is morally grey. It is a selfish hope that can potentially hurt others. Nine KNOWS it's selfish, he just doesn't care, the world treated him like dirt, and EVERYONE on it treated him like dirt, why should he care about how it affects it?

One more thing to note is how he acts around the others, Sonic specifically. He is curt, snarky, aloof, and strictly business with them, seeing no personal value in them other than using them due to how the world around him is.

Sonic, however, he's softer and opens slightly up. Sonic is open, kind, and patient toward the kit, something Nine never got to experience. He likes Sonic but doesn't know how to feel about it. He doesn't show trust in the blue blur. He likes him, but he isn't sure if he can truly trust him. But despite that, through out the series, the only time he genuinely smiles is with Sonic, no one else.

That's why he wanted Sonic to join him to live in The Grim with him.

Sonic makes him feel good, he makes him genuinely happy. He never thought about getting Sonic home, he only thought about getting the hedgehog to HIS idea of a true home.

One where it's just the two, where nobody can ever hurt them again. To him, it'd be the perfect world, a place where it's just him and the person he's close to.

But then Sonic tells him it's not going to work out. The worst part?

He's right.

Not just because of the problems with the Shatterverse, but also because it really isn't going to work out for them. While it's never outright stated if looked closer you can see that Sonic likes TAILS, not NINE. He cares for Nine BECAUSE he is a version of his brother, not because he cares for the separate person he is.

Nine is NOT Tails. Not just because he is different from Tails, but because he just isn't. Compared to Sonic, Nine isn't much better either. He DOES like Sonic and WHO he IS, but it's because of what Sonic can GIVE him that he does.

To Nine, Sonic can bring him EVERYTHING he ever wanted: A home, love, care, companionship, and family. To Nine, Sonic is his HOPE. If he loses that, he's back to square one, and that is what he desperately DOESN'T want.

It's heartbreakingly tragic and horribly unfair to both of them.

Another thing is his backstory. It wasn't over the top, it was what everyone EXPECTED to happen. Because Sonic wasn't there he was bullied relentlessly and became cold and resentful of the world. It's simple and not over-exaggerated and I appreciate that. It's not annoyingly complicated or trying hard to make you cry, it's just a simple statement of what happened. And that's the part that hurts, that we were RIGHT.

Because we were already close and emotionally invested in Tails, it was easy for us to sympathize with Nine. This was a character we loved, and looked up to, only to become cold and emotionally exhausted towards everything around him.

But the part that is great about him is that we don't know what his arc is going to be. Is he the character that opens up more and makes friends, is he the character that remains neutral, or is he going to be the true villain? We can't figure it out.

He's complicated and confusing but it's BECAUSE of that that we love him so much.

The final reason is the fact that he's just THAT character you WANT to win. He's so heart-wrenchingly tragic you just want him to achieve his goal of being happy, no matter HOW he achieves it. Even if he becomes the true antagonist I KNOW that all of us would root for him anyway because he DESERVES to win because he LOST so MUCH.

And that's why he's quite possibly going to be the greatest character ever written (not that he wasn't already in my opinion) in the Sonic universe.

How?

Alright, there's been many theories and ideas for Prime. There have been many questions thrown about, but one I haven't seen is one very important question. A question that leaves me thinking for days, a question that I rack my goddamn brain for answers:

How the HELL did Nine know that Sonic was in New Yolk and in trouble?!

Like the rebels and Sonic were about to have their hides skinned until this mofo pulls up in his OWN GODDAMN SHIP? What?!

Bro really said "get in loser, we're starting a new life" and then just fucking dips when Sonic jumps in XD

Prime writers, we better get a WHOLE Nine episode explaining wtf this was about.

...

...Also...

...

Also, we need more Nine...

No Matter How Sweet and Nice

A fight with Eggman leaves Sonic and the others thinking Tails is dead. However, that's not exactly the case as they find out 6 months later when Tails is still alive...but working for Eggman. And worse, he didn't know who they were, believing them to be intruders, leading to a fight between robots and animals, which leads to Tails being knocked out and kidnapped, taken to what was once his home. It started with just constant eyes on him and constant coddling by strangers telling him they're his "friends". When he tried to leave and became much more violent in hurting them to free himself, he found himself in even more watchful eyes and needles that force him to sleep when he becomes too harmful, becoming a prisoner to them in his eyes no matter how much they try to deny it.

(basically an angsty Tails fanfiction because I can't get enough of these)

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He hated it here.

There was nothing more horrible than a place like this, Tails was sure. They keep constantly following him, watching him, making sure he wasn't trying to leave. They said it was to make sure they knew where everyone was in case of emergencies, or because he "looked lonely and needed a pal", or because of another lie they thought of on the spot; he knew better though. It was annoying, and frustrating because he was aching to leave. But every time he was caught and the escapes he recently did was now blocked off. Trying to leave through the vents, doors, and windows, they make sure someone was with them at all times, a constant guard to make sure that he stays within the walls or to notify them if their prisoner escaped. Tricking them into leaving him alone caused everyone to now not let him be alone no matter what he did or said. 

Yes, He was referring to himself as a prisoner. Because that's exactly what he was here. Being constantly monitored, never allowed to move out of the area, and not being allowed to go back home. His true home. Not this fake one they insisted was. If it was he wouldn't have had to be brought here, he wouldn't feel like this in the first place, and they certainly wouldn't mind if he was left alone for five goddamn minutes! No this was a prison, not a home. It might be their home, but not his, never his.

He wanted to go back home. Sure, it wasn't stable, at all, but at least there he wasn't constantly coddled and watched over like a baby. At least there he was respected and left alone to do his own thing. Here he found none of that. Here, he was constantly monitored and made sure not to go out of line, his accusations were ignored and denied; being told the complete opposite of what he knew. They showed him pictures, that could be photoshopped (it was easy to do), told him stories (lies), and tried to get him to remember the things he "used" to do. It never worked, mainly because to him it never happened. He never understood the emotions that formed on their faces, ones of sorrow and anger, or the utter heartbreak in their eyes.

He knew about some of them, and those were the ones who monitored him the most. There was a pink hedgehog named Amy, very kind and understanding, however, she coddled him the most, and acted as if he didn't know some things. It didn't come off that way at first, but over time he began to realize she thought that way when she constantly assured him simple things; snow, food, and other things he KNEW were harmless weren't going to hurt him. It came off as a tiny bit reassuring, but now it was just annoying. He didn't like that, while he wasn't rude or cruel to her, they weren't friends as she insisted.

There was another one, Knuckles, a red echidna, the "last one of his kind". He could see it being true, he hadn't ever seen any other echidna anywhere. With the lies he's been told, he doesn't know what to believe about them. He felt intimidated by the echidna, the rough and aloof behavior towards him not exactly helping measures. Knuckles always seemed angry around him. It was never at him, but something must've happened for Tails to change his attitude when the fox would enter the room. Going from being in a conversation to suddenly go quiet, the fox could always feel his intent stare on his back until he left. It was odd and creepy in the fox's opinion, so he tried to keep his eyes on the echidna at all times in case he tried something.

Then there was the one who visited and monitored him the most. A blue hedgehog; Sonic. Tails never understood him. The hedgehog was very friendly and always wanted to spend time with him. Tails didn't understand why. However, the hedgehog's ability to break the sound barrier was something the fox found fascinating. It was impossible, but the speedster managed to do it somehow. His fascination with the blue mammal's power did not deter him from eyeing the hedgehog with caution, no matter how friendly and caring he was towards him. He never understood why the urchin was so caring towards him. Why he cared when Tails stayed up later than the others, or when Tails didn't eat or drink water, or when the fox didn't bathe himself, and so much more than the fox, who didn't think those things were important. The kitsune found it weird, and as a result, he maintained an aloof and distant attitude toward what was stated to be his "former big brother".

It was Sonic who brought him here, in this godawful place that it is, as stated by the others to refuse to leave without him. The hedgehog was also the most against letting the fox go back to Robotnick. Tails never truly understood why, but he gave up trying to understand, now all he was, was frustrated at the rodent.

The fox was currently walking alongside the hedgehog around the village, amongst the scenery he found himself fond of. The only good thing in this awful place. It was a beautiful forest, trees scattered with emerald green leaves, birds singing their songs within, below critters scampered across the dirt ground, hiding or running through the many bushes. It was peaceful and calm. A perfect place to relax and listen to your thoughts. Unfortunately, he couldn't exactly relax with a prattling hedgehog beside him, constantly asking him things he didn't care about. The two-tailed canine only responded with short answers and nods. He didn't bother to try and leave, nothing the hedgehog would catch him in a heartbeat. Literally.

The only way he spoke to them, was not to share any information with them that they could use against him or the doctor but to respond with a simple yes and no what whatever stupid question they have.

He soon found himself trailing into thoughts of the doctor. What was he doing now? He probably already found out the fox was missing, but probably never figured out that he was kidnapped. Maybe he thought the fox ran away, or worse maybe thought the fox was betraying him. The fox found a multitude of thoughts that begins to fill his brain.

What would he do if he thought of the latter?    Would he hunt him down?                       

What if he found him?                  What would he do?

 Would he listen if the fox tried to explain that these crazy people kidnapped him?                                 

What if he didn't believe him?

What if the doctor disowned him?                         

Where would he go?                           

If he was kicked out what if these psychos find him again?

And if he escaped again what would he do next without anywhere to go?       

What if he never got out of here?     Why won't they let him leave?

  What about his inventions?       Would he be able to keep them?             

Would the Doctor destroy them?     

 What would he do if he does?

    Or what if the doctor kept them?     

 Would he take the credit for them?       

 What would Tails do if Robotnick used them on him?     

What if he died, then all of this would-

"Tails? Are you alright?"

The young canine was snapped out of his anxious trance by a soft call of his name and a gloved hand on his shoulder. The fox snapped out of his thoughts and met the worrying green eyes of his monitor. He noticed he was breathing rapidly, frozen on the path. He placed his hand on his chest as he began to inhale and exhale deeply, calming himself. The blue hedgehog eyed him with concern, asking once more.

"You ok buddy?"

The fox was about to snap at the hedgehog to not call him his 'buddy', but refrained. Instead, he simply nodded.

"Y-yeah."

The hedgehog frowned.

"You sure? You just suddenly stopped walking and started breathing like that. Have something on your mind?"

The fox's lips drew into a straight line. An unreadable expression formed on his face as he shook his head. Didn't want to deal with having to talk out his feelings and "trauma" with Amy again. He turned to keep walking, only to stop when the hedgehog responded.

"Was it about him again?"

The kitsune clenched his teeth in a mixture of emotions, mostly frustration at how the hedgehog could somehow read him like an open book. He turned back to the waiting azure mammal, shaking his head once more. It was now the hedgehog with an unreadable expression on his face, and once again Tails couldn't see what he was thinking. He previously found out pretty soon that the urchin had a rivalry with the doctor for a while. When the fox couldn't "recognize" him or anyone who mentioned Robotnick he saw a mixture of emotions form on the hedgehog's face. Sorrow, sadness, anger. Tails couldn't understand what all that meant.

That mixture of emotions was still present on the speedster's face. Sad and heartbroken, with a deep undertone of anger and self-blame. He never understood why he made that expression every time the doctor was mentioned by him and anyone else. But he did know two things: It made him hella uncomfortable and he was tired of it.

"Stop it."

The hedgehog's eyes widened at his usage of words other than 'yes' and 'no' but soon melted into one of confusion as he tilted his head.

"Stop what?"

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like...that! I don't know! Being all sad or angry or...whatever when ANYONE mentions him or I don't remember something you guys think I ever did. It's freaking me out!", The fox's gloved hands waved in the air as he spoke, lead on by a rush of adrenaline. The blue blurs face changed as he spoke, becoming one even more sad and regretful, scratching behind his quills as he spoke.

"Sorry, bud. It's just...what he did to you...it's not right. He shouldn't have messed with you in the first place. I should have been there to-"

"No no no... I'm not listening to you go 'I should have done this' Or 'this wouldn't have happened if I had...' because none of it happened in the first place. Me and you aren't best friends, we never were. Because if we were wouldn't have I remembered you?!"

"Yeah, you would have. He changed your memories buddy. He made them all wrong and-" The young kit grabbed at his head as he said those stupid words again. Gloved hands began to grasp at the orange fur, covering his ears.

"Not this again! My memories are fine! There's nothing wrong with them. You're the ones who need to get your brain checked because I'm not who you think I am!"

"No Tails, I KNOW what I remember. You're the smartest kid on the planet. You've stopped Ol' Egghead a million times with machines he couldn't dream of building. You're a friend to everyone here. You're my best friend, my little brother."

The grip on his fur became harsher.

"No No! Stop it! My memories are fine! You're the ones trying to change them, you all are. I was fine where I was before you had to drag me here where I don't belong! I was home with my family-"

"No. Eggman is NOT family, and that was NOT home. This is your real home, me and the others are your family Tails.", gloved hands moved to gently pry the fox's hands from ripping his fur out. Pulling the distressed child into a hug he continued to speak.

"Me and the others are your family. You're home. We'll make sure you get your memories back to normal, and we'll never let him get his hands on you again. You're ok here little buddy. You're safe. I promise." The blue hero gently stroked the fox's head, trying to get him to calm down. The kit continued to sob into the hero's fur, denying those things, murmuring about how he's a liar. There was a moment of calmness, before the fox's eyes widened and he suddenly ripped himself away from Sonic, beginning to scream and hyperventilate.

"No!-You-Y-your lying-You're a l-liar! My memories are f-fine, y-you're the one trying to ch-cha-ange them! I-I don't w-wanna be here anymore. I n-never wanted to be-e here! I want to go home...I want to go home! I wa-ant to...", the rest became nothing more than broken sobs, shrieks, and incoherent blubbering. The hedgehog tried to move closer to the kit, trying to calm him down, only for the child to bite into his arm and began to scratch him, his yelps and pleas for the fox to calm down went unheard by the manic person addressed. The others began to crowd around them, hands grabbing onto Tails as they attempted to pull him off, the fox's claws digging even further into the rodent he had trapped underneath him. Blood stained his gloves, and more of the ruby-red liquid was around his muzzle and in his mouth, leaving a strong metallic taste on his tongue.

He continued to shriek and cry in his state of hysteria until a needle was dug into his arm and he began to lose consciousness, his struggles getting weaker...

and weaker...

...and weaker...

Until everything went black...

The fox thumped his mitts together in boredom. Now they restrained his hands again. Great. Having his hands restrained meant that he now couldn't manage to pick up anything, not even utensils, having to ask someone to help him eat or to ask someone to take them off, meaning the person would stay in the room with him. They said it was temporary, and that they would come off when they were sure Tails wouldn't attack anyone else. This wasn't his first time doing this. He had bitten and scratched others in this place before, he can even still see the leftover bite marks or scratches that haven't healed yet on their arms and, for Knuckles, left ear.

It had happened when Knuckled was monitoring him, Tails didn't exactly remember what he said, but it cost the echidna a part of the left ear, not enough to make him go deaf, but enough that it was noticeable. It caused the echidna to be warier about what to say to the fox from then on. Amy had two bite marks on her right arm, and scratches coating the back of her hands, hidden by fresh gloves. Only she, Tails, and the people who were there when he attacked her knew they existed. She had tried to calm him down from his usual hysteria using one of those horrible syringes, saying something about a seizure. Saying she was sorry. She also became more cautious toward him. They both didn't monitor him that much after that.

Sonic had the worst of them. Bite marks and scratches coated his arms, one bite mark on his left shoulder and his legs were slightly bruised when the fox kicked against him one time.

But even though Tails did that he continued to spend time with him, acting like none of that happened. He didn't understand why the hedgehog ignored his attempts to shove him away. He found it a little insulting, but over time his anger and hatred towards this prison and everyone in it gave way to defeat and an overarching depression formed that made everything slower, it made him care less and less about what was happening around him. He couldn't bring himself even try to escape. They were just going to catch him over and over. What was the point?

There was hardly anything of his interest to do here. He couldn't tinker and build anything because someone had to be with him all the time, he didn't like it when people watched him work, made him anxious. The things he wanted to build would've gotten him out of here, so they'd probably stop him anyway. The thing he hated the most was how...nice they were.

Honey-coated words assuring him, comforting him, telling him everything was ok, and the one they repeated the most; we'll get your real memories back. What were they trying to do to say that? His memories were perfectly fine! He lived with Robotnick, not Sonic, like everyone else, including the rodent, wants him to believe. He's not going to let them win. 

No matter how sweet and nice, a cage is still a cage to the one trapped.

However, he's not sure what to truly believe anymore. He thinks he doesn't belong here but...he doesn't think he lived with Robotnik anymore either. The memories he had of the doctor didn't feel real. The picture's the people here showed him can't be real either. It...just doesn't feel right.

He sighed as he gazed outside, currently laying in his bed. Sonic was in the other room, bandaged and snoring away. He doesn't know the hedgehog keeps lying to him, telling him he's his brother. He was the one who took care of him. He was the one who took him under his wing. But...Tails just didn't know anymore.

Didn't know which past was real or fake, didn't know what to believe, and didn't even know if he was right at all. 

He hated this.

He hated Robotnick, always stealing the credit for the machines HE made. For destroying "failed" inventions.

He hated his old home, always so cold and empty. Wanting someone to talk to.

He hated this stupid place, everyone's eyes on him. Making sure he never stepped out of line.

He hated everyone in it, never letting him leave. Making him stay in this prison.

He hated Sonic, for bringing him here. Never leaving him alone.

He hated himself for being so easily fooled by everyone. Letting them confuse him.

He hated his mind, for never being clear on what was real. Which memories were fake.

He hated everything, for not making sense. Nothing ever did anymore.

The kit moved away from the window and curled up into his bed. There was no point trying to get out the window, the hedgehog was a light sleeper, and would wake up to the slightest creak of the floorboards. Even if he did get out, someone outside the village would tell them where he was and keep him there until they came and got him, reassuring him, telling him they weren't mad. These maniacs probably told everyone in this zone. He brought the covers over his body and tried to relax.

Tomorrow was another day.

He didn't know what to think of this place anymore.

It probably wasn't true anyway.

Why Nine is The Secondary Protagonist in Sonic Prime

I recently made an appreciation post about this edgy little fella, however, when I rewatch the show (yes I rewatch it several times daily, so what?) I feel the cogs in my brain turn and create several theories. Looking back at Nine, I realized he will be one of the BIG characters, not the big (relevant to the plot and development), but the BIG (really fucking important).

As in MIGHT BE THE DEUTERAGONIST type of BIG.

Sonic is the protagonist, as he usually is in his games, however, Nine is another huge character who is not only crucial to the plot but might also twist the plot as well.

A deuteragonist is an essential secondary character in a narrative, second only to the protagonist, and may act like a constant companion or someone who aids the protagonist. However, the deuteragonist can change from helping the protag to actively opposing them, depending on their own conflict or plot.

Nine already proves to be a huge character in Sonic Prime, however, in the first batch of episodes, Shadow does somewhat take up some of this role. However, he might change to become a tritagonist in future episodes. Someone who helps the protagonist, is the third most important character, and often the third member of the group.

So Nine might be the TRUE deuteragonist and I DO have a list of reasons why I think so.

So, with that said, let's begin.

1. He is already established to be an important character

From the first moment we meet him, we already know he's going to be a very important character in the plot. He fixes up Sonic's shoes and gloves figures out how to use a shard to open a portal, and is a very formidable ally. He is an important character to keep the plot going and to help explain the plot. However, it's not like those Sonic games, where he's just there to explain the plot. He HAS a character and personality, he's not just a cardboard cutout.

He HAS depth and complexity to him. Something I can appreciate considering the past media of any version of Tails the past years (not including Frontiers, that game was amazing). He's also obviously going to continue to be an important character in season two as well.

2. He's a very engaging character

Let's all admit it: Nine is the most interesting character in Sonic Prime. Not just because of his mindset of "get this however you can no matter what" and "do whatever it takes and needs to survive". Not just that but his snarky and cold personality combined with his nine-tailed badassery just makes him an engaging and enjoyable character.

The things he does can leave people scrambling for answers. Why exactly did he change his mind about helping the rebels? What is he planning? What is going on in that fluffy head of his?

So many questions that leave us waiting with anticipation for the next batch of episodes for answers.

3. People can relate to his trauma

Nine's backstory is what we expected, but that doesn't mean it holds back punches. Without Sonic to defend him from bullies, without Sonic to care for him and take him in, he learned to trust and look out only for himself. It's a sad backstory and it explains why he's so guarded and aloof all the time.

I've read posts that state they relate deeply to Nine and can immerse themselves in his character with empathy. I can confirm as being a victim of abuse. He's aggressive and snarky because he has walls, walls that he put up to never get hurt again. He doesn't try to justify himself in his backstory, stating he "wasn't minding his surroundings" instead of "I didn't know" or "it wasn't my fault" he shows signs of a sort of self-resentment. Again, I can relate SO MUCH to, thinking that I could've prevented it and holding myself responsible for not doing anything, that I could've stopped it from happening.

Those who suffer or have suffered can see themselves in Nine, and as a result, the sorrow we feel for him can hit harder if we know what it was like.

4. We don't know where his character is going to end up

Another bunch of posts I've seen about Nine is that we legitimately don't know where his character is going to end up. He's muddled deep in his mystery and inner turmoil that we can't see the deep end of what he's going to be. A hero? A villain? An Anti-hero?

Just what's going to happen to him?!

He has a plan but what is it?

5. He's the most controversial character

Nine's intentions and character have been put in many perspectives on what people think he's planning, what he's going to be, why he does certain things, whether he cares for Sonic or not, whether he trusts Sonic or not, and MORE.

He's been theorized and twisted into what people think about him and what he's going to do. In my opinion, if a character does this to a community, you KNOW you're doing something right. Controversial characters are very mysterious and morally ambiguous, you don't truly know why they do the things they do or what they plan, but you have your own ideas on what might happen and other people do too, despite them possibly being different from yours.

Controversy (WHEN NOT LEADING TO VIOLENCE AND DEATH THREATS) is very fun and interesting. Reading people's thoughts even if they differ from your own, with the possibility that they might change your own theories is a very enlightening and interesting thing!

6. He has a completely opposite goal to Sonic

It's very clear that Sonic and Nine have different goals that clash with each other. Sonic, being the all-loving hero he is, wants to return home and see his true friends again, not to mention help and protect the other shatter spaces. Nine on the other hand wants to make a new home, a world with just him and Sonic and nobody else, not caring for the other shatter spaces or anybody else.

Their goals clash with each other and can't be fulfilled at the same time. Nine's goal includes only him and Sonic and no one else. Sonic's goal includes others, not to mention these two are from two completely different universes.

It's clear these two, no matter how close they are, won't give up their goal for the other, so unless their willing to compromise, it might lead to something bigger.

7. His goal separates him from other variations of himself and others

While he is just another variation of one of the main characters, his goal of achieving something beyond his own universe along with keeping Sonic differentiated from the other main variations who want something within their own shatter space. Thorn wanted to keep the jungle from being destroyed, and Dread wanted the shard out of greed, the rebels want to put the council out of power and take back their land, the jungle variants wanted to eat and live among the jungle again, and the pirates are just typical pirates.

Unlike the others, whose goals can be achieved in their universes, Nine wants nothing to do with his own. Like Sonic, Nine's goal is related to the shatter space.

8. Nine truly has no one EXCEPT Sonic

Another thing to differentiate him from the other versions of himself and the main cast is how Nine has nothing to lose. Other versions of him have a group of the main cast, hell even Rusty Rose finds herself valued (not sentimentally but still) and useful to the council. Nine, however, has nobody until this bright blue hedgehog told him about a life he could've had, a life Sonic gave to his other self.

So it's no wonder he took the very person who can give him the same life to a new shatter space. He wants that desperately. It's no wonder he doesn't show an interest in getting Sonic home anymore, if he does that, the chance of having the life he always wanted, that hope, would be gone forever. I don't think Nine's going to let that happen easily.

9. Everyone roots for him and wants him to be happy

There are zero people that don't want him to achieve his goal of love and happiness. Not just for the fact that he's a version of a character we're already emotionally invested in, but also because Nine is his own person. He's still a person who was horribly abused to the point of being jaded and cold.

Seeing him smile or show comfort really melts my heart cause this kid deserves SO MUCH! I know you all agree. But it is depressing to remember that Sonic NEEDS to go back and restore his world, he'll have to leave Nine behind. I don't think they're going to go with Sonic taking Nine with him because of what might happen with the whole "they can't see each other" stuff.

And with how stubborn and desperate Nine is...

I'm curious about how they figure this out and resolve this.

10. He might affect the plot

A protagonist is not just the lead character who pushes the plot along, they also affect and can possibly change the plot as well. Sonic already kicked off the plot, it's possible for Nine to affect it in a BIG way. This can lead to a LOT of possibilities when you consider that. We KNOW he has a plan and it has something to do with the Chaos Council capturing him. This fact can lead to a LOT of interpretations.

Well, that was my list of how Nine might be the deuteragonist of Sonic Prime in the future. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely day <3