Prelude by The oh hellos.
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A graceful leap there and a narrow swerve here. Pieces of metal scrap decorated the forests luscious green carpet, thinning out as blue blurred legs left them behind. His pointed ears flickered on occasion, catching what he thought were footsteps chasing after him. At first, he tried to convince himself it was the trees rustling together in the now evening daylight, but the noise (through stumbles and differing pace) showed him it was clearly otherwise.

Sonic was being followed.

He grinned at the thought, fists tightening as he gradually slowed just enough so it wasn't obvious. If someone chose to be a coward and silently tail him, he didn't mind messing with them in return. Especially if it meant he could lead them away from Sal-.

He cleared his throat. Lead them away from their hideout- keeping Sally safe just happened to be a bonus. He focused on the matter at hand, slowing as he skidded swiftly around a cluster of towering oak trees. Diverting expertly around another collection, he strained his ears to hear the starts of pants and stumbling treading. He kept himself from chuckling and flicked his nose upward instead.

He lowered his pace again and took a peak above him through the gaps of large arching branches. Between leaves were bright rays of the setting sun, casting oranges and purples over The Great Forest. Sonic would've smiled if the painful reminder of his location didn't cruelly run into his mind at that awfully chosen moment. A frown settled on his muzzle and so he brought his attention back onto the nearing steps catching up to him.

Up ahead a grand oak tree larger than any of it's brethren stood proudly, reaching gloriously towards the reddening sky. Sonic could hear a small gasp behind him and he raised his pace to appear as nothing but a blur. Faster than his follower could blink, the blur speedster crushed his feet against the trunk of the tree before blasting off it. He could feel the slight quiver of his legs upon the impact, but merely grinned as the adrenaline began pouring through his veins. He twirled in the air to gain sight of who'd been following him and outstretched his arms as he landed on top of the walrus, thus sending the pair rolling.

"Who are you?!" Sonic demanded almost instantly, pinning the wide eyed mobian under him.

"I-I-."

The blue hedgehog shook his head to move his forehead quills away from view and scanned for any shining, metallic parts clinging onto the walrus. Upon coming up short, he loosened his hold and reduced the extent of his glare. No, instead the walrus was nothing but that. An entirely organic mobian. With wild light purple fur and slightly shaky green eyes, he wore brown fingerless gloves and a dark red belt slung over his shoulder.

"You ain't hiding some robot parts beneath that belt or somethin' are ya?"

"N-no, sir."

Sir? Well, now that was weird. Sally wouldn't believe that in a million years.

Sonic bounced back and dusted himself off before offering his hand with a gracious smile (albeit slightly apologetic). When slowly accepted, he helped the walrus stand and flick specks of nature off him before meeting the blue hedgehog's bright gaze. Slightly unnerved by the seemingly 'flick of a switch' attitude, the purple mobian rubbed his arm and only occasionally made eye contact.

"Names Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog." The blue speedster offered a thumbs up, other hand resting on his hip. "Don't have to call me sir."

"I-I know who you are. That's why I-."

"How?" He hoped his voice didn't give away any anxious edge. Had the walrus heard of a long forgotten city and it's fall? Or perhaps the hedgehog's that showed up on the royal family's door? Does that mean this mobian could know his-

"Robotnik's made you pretty popular. Where I lived, there were posters of you and Princess Sally almost everywhere. Guess those rumours of secret freedom fighters were true huh?" The walrus smiled, seemingly becoming more comfortable.

Sonic ignored the shiver slither down his back at that long ago forgotten name and instead snickered, rubbing his nose. "You betcha. You know about Princess Sally then?" He slung an arm around the other, choosing to stroll.

"It's all a lot of speculation. But if I found you, I bet she's just as real too!"

"And just as cool.... Maybe. Don't tell her I said that though."

"Gotcha." The walrus chuckled.

"So, what else do these rumours say?"

"Not much. W-we weren't allowed to speak much about things that weren't...Robotnik related."

Sonic frowned and watched the other's head turn as he rubbed his arm with more force. "Yeah, sounds about right." He came to a stop and stood opposite the purple mobian.

"Look buddy, I wanna make it clear that we ain't exactly wanting loads of promotion about where we are alright?"

"Absolutely."

"And I don't know how much you've heard exactly, but we don't exactly have the numbers either. So, well, it's not like we've faced him off directly or somethin'. Bashed his goons now and again though. Guess that's enough for Robuttnik to want us gone though huh?"

The walrus snickered before nodding. "That's more than what I've heard about you. I've pretty much only had those posters for a sign of hope."

Sign of hope? Sonic stepped closer and lightly set his hand on top of the other's that tightly squeezed his arm. His gaze softened and he smiled when the mobian hesitantly met him.

"You travelled far?"

"You could say that. I came from Iceborough."

"Sal' mentioned that place to me once. Mind if I ask why you chose the journey?"

"Wouldn't say it was much of a choice." The walrus frowned. "Robotnik came and...." His head lowered.

The blue hedgehog could feel the strange, chilling sensation of his lungs constrict and he was only narrowly aware he held the other's hand tighter. His ears strained and he exhaled to relax his pounding heart.

"Think I get what you're sayin'." He began walking again, allowing the other to follow after a moment of confusion printing on his face.

Putting the vast oak tree behind them, Sonic's arms slipped between his quills where his hands could interlock and rest on the back of his head. He watched the darkening sky blanket over them as the early nighttime chill made his fur rise.

"I came here to ask for help." The walrus spoke, feeling unsure as he watched the other's back of the head. "That's too much of an ask, I know. But I met someone on my way here and she really needs you help."

Sonic's ears flickered as the puffer vest he wore danced in the light breeze. "What's her name?"

"Bunnie. Bunnie Rabbot. She was going to come with me but-."

"Big, rotten and ugly came and ruined the party?"

"You know it. I understand this is a big ask, from a stranger no less, and I don't expect you to-."

Sonic let out a small laugh. "Relax, buddy. Of course we'll help!"

The walrus blinked as if to try and let the other's response sink in. "Really? I thought I'd have to give a big ol' speech or something then."

In a flash the hedgehog was at his side, arm slung around his shoulders. "What kind of 'sign of hope' would I be if I let your friend go? I only ask for one thing in return."

"What's that?"

Sonic gave a cheeky grin, waving his pointy finger. "What in Chaos is you name, pal?"

—————

Sally paced and absentmindedly chewed her lip, staring at the small rectangular device N-I-C-O-L-E used to communicate with. Currently, the holo-lynx was re-vamping the generator used to power the hideout. Thus, the chipmunk was left to worry about her...reckless companion that was most likely still out there finding some other Badnik to unnecessarily tear apart.

She frowned and massaged between her eyes, only briefly stopping her fast rhythmic movements. She knew she couldn't be too mad at him, for (again) it was her fault. He was a hedgehog who needed stimulation and action. However, this wasn't the time for such lively goals. So was it so much to ask that he-?

A gasp left her lips as the hideout trembled. Fearing Robotnik's goons chose to make a return, she whirled to N-I-C-O-L-E only to see the holo-lynx had vanished. The chipmunk swallowed her panic and ignored the radio that fell off it's log table again, instead focusing on quickly climbing up the ladder (missing a few when she opted to hop). Sally glanced at the two vine filled archways prior to whirling around from hearing a very familiar laughter barrel down the tunnel.

Thanks to her quick reflexes, she bounced back and out of the way as Sonic came sliding out and landing on his behind- with a wide eyed walrus being carried bridal style. The stranger clung onto the grinning blue hedgehog as he craned his head to gather his vastly different surroundings. N-I-C-O-L-E appeared beside the much larger tunnel fit for any mobian, assuming to be the cause for the hideouts tremors and remodelled passage.

Sally lowered her hand from her chest and frowned, letting Sonic and the walrus stand prior to snagging the former's ear with just enough force he couldn't afford to try and escape, thus he followed the muttering chipmunk into her room. N-I-C-O-L-E noticed the walrus' slightly concerned expression and flickered to his side, giving an assuring smile.

"Do not worry, visitor. This is a daily occurrence. Almost."

That didn't seem to do much in easing the other's mind. "Is that...good?"

"Yes. If Sally didn't say anything, then it's something to really worry about. Again, do not worry yourself."

Only slightly more reassured, the walrus nodded. "Right."

With a bed similar to the blue hedgehog's (only with more bedding that the chipmunk begrudgingly accepted after much whining from the blue speedster), she had a dresser with some screws and loose parts scattered on the top. Sonic found a delicate, but cracked, tiara carelessly tossed into the furthest left corner of the space before flinching from a pair of fingers being clicked in front of his eyes. He met Sally's firm stare and sheepishly smiled, giving a half-shrug gesture as she crossed her arms.

"Who is that?"

"I was thinkin' we'd all have a nice little get together. Ya know, talk in a more...friendly manner?"

"Sonic."

"Okay okay. I know I should've said somethin' Sal, but the dude really needs our help."

The chipmunk tried to smooth her aggravating large tuft of red hair back, failing miserably. She frowned. "Why?"

"His friends in trouble. Robotnik came and took her. Destroyed his home too, by the sounds of it."

They both watched each other for a moment, the air somehow becoming much more cold and stiffer. Sally was the first to look away, arms crossed.

"We don't have the means to help him."

"We can't just leave him. Besides, he knows where we are. May as well."

"He only knows because you took him here."

Sonic swallowed and took a step closer, holding out his hand. "Okay. Fair point. But you know me, I couldn't just send him back. He travelled all the way from Iceborough, Sal. Iceborough."

Holding onto her elbows, he angled his head to see her eyes- offering a soothing smile as her red poof of hair rested atop his head. "We'll get his friend back first, yeah? Let's see how well we do. I'm sure he'll be happy with that. Fair?"

Sally watched glimmering green eyes and a stupidly crooked and soft smile. She cleared her throat and tightened her grip to fight down the sudden heat that wanted to desperately blossom on her cheeks. Taking a small step back (and definitely not missing the other's warmth) she lightly moved the hedgehog's front quills up with her hand.

"Fine. But I'm still not happy."

"I getcha."

"What's his name?" She asked after a moment, watching the other fiddle with his ear.

"Rotor Walrus. Same age as us."

"Alright. Well, you better let him know we're gonna help him then."

Sonic sweat dropped and slyly sidestepped closer to the arch. "I kinda already did?"

"You-?"

And in a burst of sudden wind, he was zooming down the ladder. Sally was quick to storm after him (and no, she found no amusement in this whatsoever. None at all. Nope).

"I hate you, Sonic!"

Rotor Walrus watched the Princess slide down the ladder as Sonic chose to run backwards.

"Aw c'mon, I know you don't really mean that."

"Oh I do. In fact, I'm going to call you the blue devil from now on!"

As if to wind her up more (which was definitely the aim), he gave a rather devilish grin as he graciously slipped past her and towards the ladder. "Only your's, Sal'!"

"Oh, you're absolutely wild, Sonic!"

N-I-C-O-L-E heard themself make some sort of whine as if in pain, feeling a chilling rush as they briefly fizzled from view. They reappeared holding their head, noting the walrus they now knew named 'Rotor' watching them. They tried to murmur out something to let him know they were alright, but grimaced as a blinding haze of neon green flashed across their eyes.

'Someone's using my nanites.' They concluded before flickering out to be nothing more than shrinking green cubes.