Sonic the Hedgehog

Epiphany

The only discomfort of Sonic that rivals the freezing cold weather and the immense fatigue of having not slept for two days straight is the thought that for every second he wastes walking, Robotnik is widening the gap between them at light speed. Behind him trails Amy and Tails, who both look nearly as tired as he is.

How did I drag these two into this? Sonic thinks to himself as he facepalms.

Just like when he was on the Tornado, his legs shake and long for some speed. The anxiety-inducing thought that Robotnik has secured the next emerald certainly doesn't help. Sonic looks ahead and is halfway shocked when he sees the sun breaking over the horizon ahead, its light shining through the clouds and giving the group some much-needed daylight.

This is taking too long! Sonic thinks, annoyed.

"Hey," he says, turning around to Amy and Tails. "I don't think my creepy twin is hanging around anymore. I'm gonna go scout ahead and see if I can find someplace with a phone or a snowmobile so I can get you two out of here. Be back in a jiffy!"

"Soni-" Tails tries to get out before his friends disappear, and a faint trail of blur light materializes in his place.

He sighs.

"Huh, he doesn't like staying in one place for too long, does he?" Amy observes, watching the trail disappear. "He's even cooler than I imagined!"

Tails doesn't respond. He stops walking and lowers his head to the ground. Amy notices and stops beside him.

"Tails, was it?" she asks softly. "What's the matter?"

At first, the fox doesn't say anything. Then, he finally responds:

"This... this is all my fault."

"Why?" Amy asks with a stern look. "Because we got ambushed by two bad guys who cornered us in an alley? There was nothing either of us could do, Tails! Besides, I was the one who gave them the emerald. If the blame falls on anyone, it's me."

"You don't understand!" Tails snaps. "He trusted me! He... he counted on me. And I let him down."

Tails sits down on the soft snow and looks up at Amy.

"I've always wanted to be like him," Tails confides. "He's just so... cool y'know? He always knows what to do, he's always sure of himself, and he's... so brave! Even when all of us were scared of Eggman, he taught the world how to stand up to bullies. At least... he taught me how to stand up to mine."

Amy takes a seat on the snow next to Tails.

"It sounds stupid, but, when I'm around him, I don't feel like Miles Tails Prower anymore," Tails continues. "I feel like something more. I feel like I matter- like I can do all the things that Sonic can. But now I've ruined it. He doesn't need me anymore. I think he finally realizes how much of a fraud I am-"

"That's enough!" Amy snaps, making Tails jump back. "Listen, Tails, I haven't known you for very long, but you need to get yourself together. If I got this right- that device of yours is the only reason you've been able to track those emeralds in the first place, right?"

"Yeah," Tails confirms. "But it's just a device-"

"That you built!" Amy says. "And that plane of yours- how many kids your age do you see flying a plane around?"

"...none," Tails admits, smiling slightly.

"Exactly!" Amy continues. "And none of that even comes close to your bravery. Back there in the alley, most people would have broke if they were in your shoes and surrendered immediately. But you held your ground and was willing to protect that emerald with your life! Honestly, it's no wonder Sonic keeps you around. He'd be crazy not to!"

"Do... do you really mean that?" Tails asks, turning to Amy.

"Most definitely," Amy says with a smile. "Look, I don't know why Sonic is deciding to go about this solo, but if I had to guess, he's probably worried about you, Tails. He cares for you, not as he would a stranger, but as a friend. But if you want to let him know you can handle this, you have to stand up for yourself and make him understand! Because while he may be heroic, brave, good-natured, charming... handsome... he'd have to be an idiot to doubt your capabilities."

Tails smiles and gets to his feet, alongside Amy.

"You're right!" he says. "Thanks, Amy!"

Amy returns the joyful boy's smile with one of her own along with a thumbs up.

...