Sonic the Hedgehog

Understanding

"Ugh, did he really have to leave us out here?" Amy sighs as she continues tiringly trudging through the snow with Tails following behind. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not MAD- I could never get mad at Mobius's war hero!"

"You seem to think very highly of Sonic," Tails observes. "Do you... have an interest-?"

"WHAT?!" Amy yells, stopping in the snow and looking at Tails with an awkward smile. "Where in the world did you get that idea, Tails?! I mean... he IS cool, heroic, brave, charming... Sonic is great, but-"

"Did someone say my name?" Sonic asks, startling Tails, and Amy even more, making the pink hedgehog nearly jump out of her skin.

Neither of the two even saw Sonic approaching which doesn't surprise either of them.

"Nothing!" Amy says, fluttered. "We weren't talking about you, Sonic!"

"Uh-huh," Tails teases.

He backs up when Amy turns to look at him with a death stare, which Sonic doesn't take any notice of.

"Look, you two, I did some scouting, and-"

"Wait, Sonic," Tails interrupts, walking up to him. "There's something I need to say."

"Sure, but can it wai-?"

"I'm not helpless," Tails says.

The blue hedgehog hears this and immediately stops speaking, knowing that whatever it is his friend is trying to tell him, it's important.

"I know I can't run as fast as you, I'm not strong, and I scare easily... but I'm smart! And I can help! When you asked me to help you stop Eggman... it meant the world to me. I don't want that to change, Sonic. Whatever lies ahead, you shouldn't face it alone. Because we're a team- and I'm your friend! So I'm coming along whether you like it or not!"

That last part came out without Tails meaning it too. Realizing his aggressive tone, and seeing the shocked look on Sonic's face, the young boy instinctively recoils. Even Amy looks somewhat taken aback. As Tails opens his mouth to apologize, Sonic speaks.

"I came here to tell both of you that I've found Eggman."

Both Tails and Amy's eyes widen in disbelief at the unexpected news.

"His mercenaries are tracking the fourth emerald," Sonic continues, turning to face Tails. "So let's go get them, partner."

Tails smiles widely, his lips quivering.

"Right," he says, refusing to break down.

"Um, hello?" Amy says, swinging her Piko Piko Hammer over her shoulder. "You boys didn't think I would sit this one out, did you?"

"I guess not," Sonic nods with a smirk as he grabs both Tails and Amy's right hand. "We're about to go really fast. Are you two ready?"

Before either of them can respond, or at the very least, brace themselves, Sonic speeds off in the direction of the invisible Egg Carrier, with Tails and Amy holding on for dear life.

...