Bri ⋆˚₊·

This looks like ship art but it's not

The group met up with Jet after some time had passed. Amy, Tails, Sonic, Knuckles and Sticks knew the hawk was practicing for the next Air Gear race. He wanted to make sure his skills were ready. These races came once a year and always had new challenges added. This year they added a wilderness factor. Meaning most of the tracks would be on islands, jungles and areas that would have the tracks just be part of the natural land itself. The starting point would be in a town, but the rest of the track would be rocky, untamed and would test how well riders could handle uncut territory. A great idea and it had many spectators excited to see who would win this years race and be crowned champion. Jet had lost the title last year to Wave, an old racing partner. He was excited to be racing her again.

“I know it's a small island, but man. The Meh Burger is great.” Jet said.

“You didn't get a burger this time,” Amy noticed how Sonic got the fruit salad this time. “Still sick?”

“Yeah. Just wish I knew from what. I want to enjoy my time here, not be sick,” Sonic sighed and saw Sticks eyeing him. “Can I help you?”

“You are changing. It's happening…” she hissed.

“Huh?”

“I saw them. They are corrupting you. First your quills, now your stomach. I know what you are, Mole~.”

Sonic held his shirt down, “okay. Thanks for noticing I have been puking and and bloated because of the sickness, Sticks. Already freaked out about it. I don't need you added to it.”

She growled but refused to back down. Tails put a hand out and with one look that got her to back down. The same cold stare he would give him when being raised passed down to the fox. Yet another sign of how close they were to one another.

“Easy Tails,” Amy got him to focus on his food. “Sonic, you should reign Tails in more.”

“Tails is nineteen. Legally, he can do whatever he wants and act how he wants,” Sonic ate some of his salad. “I am his brother and guardian when he wishes me to be.”

“That…isn't how it works,” Amy looked at him. “You can't just shru-”

Green energy dashed by them. It had Sonic look at the direction it went. It also caught Jet's attention as well. Sonic was gone for a moment and then back in his seat.

“Had to go again?” Tails asked.

“Hey, if my body is trying to oust this sickness. I'm listening to it,” Sonic said. “It isn't painful either so that's got to be a sign.”

“Let's hope it does. At least you aren't as nauseous now.” Tails relaxed.

“That is the nice part, but I won't touch those cans until it fully passes.”

“Guys, you are missing it.” Amy got their attention first and then a green animal on a skateboard rushed right by their table again.

Knuckles was watching every move of them. Enamored by the smallest movement or pose they did.

“So. Much. Street Style!” He held his burger so tight it looked ready to burst.

Sonic and Tails grabbed their food just as the new guy skated over their trays. Amy was holding her burger, but Sticks lost hers. They also lost their drinks, but they spilled on the table away from them. The new guy skidded to a stop and finger gunned them all.

“Radical Speed.”

The entire crowd gasped. Jet just scoffed. Clearly the bird wasn't impressed. He even complained that his food wasn't edible anymore.

“Those were some sweet moves!” Knuckles said, watching the new green guy.

“Thanks bro!”

“Did you hear that! I'm his bro!” Knuckles looked at his friends.

Jet rolled his eyes, “I heard. Clearly he is a wordsmith.” The hawk scoffed.

“Names Swifty. Swifty the Shrew.”

“I don't see why you are fussing over him, Knuckles. He is a shrew in gaudy clothes.” The grip on her burger was loose and Amy flung it in the air.

“I got it!” Swifty shouted.

He was fast. He was able to catch her food and keep it together. It was impressive. Sonic was happy. It meant there were other people just as fast as he was. It'd come in handy to help the world reach those in need. Especially if they were too far away to be reached in time. The more speedster out there, the better. Plus, it would be fun to race them at times. Jet though, wasn't happy to see yet another speedster.

“You…caught my burger,” Amy put a hand on her chest.

She was practically swooning.

“Radical Speed.” Swifty winked and held the food out to her.

She took a bite, for whatever reason and then reclaimed her food. Saying that same phrase back to him with her mouth full of food. Tails and Sonic stayed quiet, but they could tell. Sticks and Amy were fawning over the Shrew. If that was their taste, so be it.

“Really? That is all it takes to make you ladies swoon? What an easy task.” Jet grabbed Knuckle's burger and shoved it into his mouth.

The echidna gagged and coughed the food back up. Jet had to step back when Knuckles swung at him.

“Hey, lay…off man!” Knuckles kept coughing for a little bit.

“My baby! Help!”

Sonic looked to see the walrus from the Award Ceremony. She was pointing up to a walking baby on a roof. How did it get up there? He didn't care to find out. Kids surprised him, but before anyone could say anything. He was up on the roof and then back on the ground. The walrus took the baby and smiled at him.

“Thank you.” She relaxed.

“I think you should keep the little one on a walking harness. Little guy is quite the climber,” Sonic joked, getting even the baby to laugh.

“I might have to,” She walked away.

“Radical Speed bro,” Swifty said to Sonic as he walked back that way. “You and I could be heroes together. Though I would be the hero with style.”

Sonic stopped at the Shrew's side and looked at him with a cold stare, “the only one I fight with are the ones I trust. I don't know you and I don't like how uneasy you make me feel.” He walked on by and grabbed his meal. “I'll be taking mine home.”

“Remember everyone, if you need the hero with style. Call Swifty. Peace Dudes and Lady dudes.” The shrew rode off.

“Oh…I'd love to be his lady dude,” Amy fainted and was caught by Sticks.

“Same,” Sticks fainted next.

“Fainting party!” Knuckles caught them and then proceeded to faint.

Tails followed Sonic out of town, “why do I feel uneasy about that guy?”

“Because we both know something is off,” Sonic said. “You got that from me, sorry bud.”

“No, I am glad I got your intuition. Means when we have no one on our side. We'll have each other.” Tails smiled. “Right big brother?”

“Always, Little brother.” Sonic nodded.

“By the way, I saw you take that moment to catch your breath. Seems you may need to sleep off the rest of that illness.” Tails suggested.

“Yeah, but at least I can eat without feeling sick. But man…it left me feeling sore. Mostly in my stomach and down.” Sonic complained. “The random backache is a minor annoyance too.”

“Well, it sounds like the worst of it is over.” The fox relaxed. “About time, I was thinking we would have to take you back to the Mainland for a doctor visit.”

“Right?” Sonic stretched. “Oh that felt both good and bad.”

“Hey Sonic, think you can come with me to the workshop? I wanted to modify the plane, but I was worried I would be pushing her too much.” Tails said as they kept walking. “Could you give me your opinion? She was yours first, so I want to make sure I don't…cross a line.”

“Sure, but I trust you with her,” the hero told him. “It isn't like you make me worry.”

They headed to his workshop and Tails showed him the modification he planned out. At some point, Amy and Sticks had decided to hang out in Tails's home. They were inside talking about Swifty. Knuckles was somewhere but they had an idea of where he had gone off to.

“Did you see how he winked when he pulled his sunglasses down?” Amy dramatically fell onto the couch. “Oh, he's perfect.”

“I know, if he ever comes to visit. I'd disable all my booby traps!” Sticks had her hands against her face with a dreamy stare into the sky.

“You never disable those,” Amy gasped.

“I know, but for him…oh, what I wouldn't do~”

The girls fainted onto different couches to fawn more. Tails and Sonic just rolled their eyes.

“If you want to add this in, then…maybe it would be best to add a transformation mode. If we overload it…” Sonic was interrupted by a gasp.

Both he and Tails turned to see Swifty inside the workshop.

“Whoa, what a bodacious, radical flying machine dudarino bros!” Swifty climbed onto the Tornado.

Sonic would have said something, but this time Tails was up and walking over.

“This is some totally radical engineering!” He looked to see Tails standing under him.

“I'm not your brother. This isn't your plane and I don't trust you. Get. Off. The. Tornado. Now.” Tails growled.

Sonic felt his pride swell when the Shrew climbed down and backed away.

“Chillax there man. You and the blue guy are acting as if I'm some crazy villain. I'm just Swifty.”

“And you are swiftly getting on my nerves,” Tails walked over to him. “My brother and I are busy. Find Jet, find Amy, Find another person to pester, Shrew.”

“Whatever Lamoids,” He rolled out.

“Sonic, I don't like him.”

“I know, but it seems he is here to stay. Come on, Let's work on our Lady. She's waited long enough,” Sonic gently tapped the plane. “Ready for an upgrade? We will make sure it won't hurt.”

—----

The next day, Sonic heard movement and looked to see someone sneaking around his place. He pushed himself up enough to look out the windows. He didn't see anyone. The hero checked the cooler and saw he was out of food, but he knew what to expect. He got up and ran to his brother's place. There, Tails had stored some fruit for him to claim. Mango and Strawberries, and they were already cut up. His tail wagged as he ate on them.

“Ah, you found the stash,” Tails's voice got him to look and smile. “I noticed you started to eat a lot lately. I made sure to buy plenty for you. It’s so nice to see you able to eat again.”

Tails's own tails were swaying as he got his own food. He looked really happy to know Sonic was able to eat once more. They had breakfast together and went back to working on the Tornado. Swifty was still causing issues, but seemed to pick another target. Jet. The hawk got in his cross hairs and now was picking fights with the shrew. The green shrew tried with Sonic, but the hedgehog had Tails to be his own guard. Seems both were ready to fight when it came to each other. Tails got it from him though. Amy had gone from fawning over the shrew to actually being annoyed. Apparently he said something about Sonic and now she just couldn't stand him.

“Sonic?” Amy walked in. “Oh, hey. You are eating again. That's great. I was worried.”

“I was too, but it seems it's finally passed. Well, for the most part. It left me with a backache, and I am just sore from the stomach down. Running leaves me breathless too.”

“Geez, well…it seems to be leaving. Slowly, but those will pass too,” Amy laughed. “For a while, I thought you were secretly pregnant with how you were acting.”

“Tails joked about it too,” Sonic laughed. “But come on, we may have gotten mutated and radiated from the human nuclear waste, but not that much.”

“Right? The day a male hedgehog gives birth is the day I believe Shadow is a hero,” She laughed as she walked by Sonic.

Those words stung. He could feel they also hurt Shadow. He reached under and gently scratched the quills. Sonic knew the truth. It would be nice to tell them, but Shadow wanted to stay in the role they perceived him to have. Sonic would respect that.

“Well, what matters is you are finally on the mend,” Amy said, taking a deep breath. “Now if only that Shrew would bug off.”

“What's going on anyways? Sonic and I have been modding the Tornado,” Tails said.

“Oh, there is a race today. Jet vs Swifty. Loser gets banished, Winner gets bragging rights. Apparently, Swifty is going to try and egg Sonic into joining.” Amy waved her hand in the air. “Not that he is succeeding since he admitted that Sonic and you scare him.”

“It wasn't even that hard,” Sonic and Tails commented with no care towards their actions.

“Guys, you scared him enough. I find him annoying too, but at least I am not making him fear for his life,” She said.

“We aren't going to hurt him,” Sonic told her, eating a slice of fruit.

“At the moment,” Tails added, eating a mint.

“Tails! Sonic…”

“He is an adult~” Sonic took his food and left.

“Later Ames~” Tails followed.

“Chaos, I forgot you raised him!” She yelled at the closing door.

Tails and Sonic stopped at the workshop door and sighed. They sensed it and turned. Jet was there with Swifty.

“He won't race me until you agree to join the race,” The hawk sighed. “I know…” He stopped when Tails dead stared right at him. “Easy big guy, I know what the risks are, but Shrew boy here demands it.”

Tails moved the stare to Swifty. The shrew held his hands up.

“Easy Brosky, I just want to see who the fastest thing really is.”

“It's Sonic.” The fox growled. “He can break the sound barrier. Back. Off.”

“So he says, but…” Sonic was in Swifty's face before the shrew even blinked.

The sound barrier broke again. It was audible to all.

“Tails said to back off. Don't make me make you,” the hedgehog’s quills were raised and energy was built up.

“Okay. Okay…no need to be so touchy, blue man.” Swifty backed up. “See you at the race, Jetty boy.”

The shrew left first. The hawk looked at Sonic.

“I'm glad you are on our side. Imagine if you were evil…” The hawk said.

The hero looked at him, “I can make that happen but choose not to.” He turned and ran back to Tails. Those bursts had him winded. “This sucks.”

“Take it easy while I work on our lady,” Tails opened the door. “You battled an illness for three months. No surprise, your body still has to recover.”

The fox eyed Jet as he shut the workshop door. Jet shivered. Between the two of them, the world would be screwed if they ever turned evil. Sonic would be able to carry the bulk of all the speed and be an unstoppable force. Tails would be a threat in general. Not only could the fox build weapons, but gadgets that could enhance his brother. And with how close they were and how tight they were. The amount of lives lost should one be taken down or captured would be astronomical. It was a good thing they were on the good side. Should the day come they weren't. Then it was the day that everyone prayed for their mercy.

He ran to town. They all lived outside the border. For whatever reason they chose to follow Sonic's lead and not live in the borders of the town. He wasn't sure why, but this group seemed to quietly agree on it. The shrew was waiting. Amy grabbed his hand.

“Hey, Banished or not, please don't hesitate to come to us for help or hanging out,” Amy said to him. “We will still be your friends.”

He felt his cheeks heat up, “Thanks.” He nodded. “I'll win. I know I will.”

Amy smiled and let go, “good. You got this.” She joined the other two.

He walked by and soon a blue blur passed him. Sonic joined with Tails at his side. He had the hero give him a thumbs up. Now he had to win. He had the skill with zero gravity. He had the skill with air gear. This Shrew would be lost in the dust!

“Hello everyone, to the race of a lifetime! The winner can brag whenever, wherever and to whomever he wants. The loser,” The Mayor checked the law book in his hand. “...gets banished forever from the village? Seems harsh, but them's the rules.”

The mayor moved to the side. Amy looked at Sonic. He saw her worry and did his best to comfort her.

“Racers, on your marks. Get Set.” He took one final look at the law book. “and go.” He used a party popper to signal the race to begin.

Jet boosted first with Swifty far behind him. He turned and smirked as he left him in the dust. Only to see the shrew in front of him!

“How…” He boosted again to catch up and pass Swifty.

“What if Jet doesn't win?” Sticks asked.

“Jet has more experience. He'll win.” Sonic said.

Jet got passed and smirked, but it didn't last long. He was in the lead again! The bird looked back and then at the front. He passed him! He knew he did! He activated the gear and sped by the Shrew again. Keeping the speed and boosting until he hit the finish line.

“Ha! I won!” Jet looked at them. “What's with the sorrow? I won.”

Amy pointed to the front of him. He looked to see the shrew had won! But, he passed him! He knows he did!

“I passed him! I swear it! You gotta believe me!” Jet looked at them.

“We do,” Amy said. “We'll fix this.”

“Ahem, I think it's time someone got…y'know…banished?” Swifty spoke up.

“Jet the Hawk in accordance with town bylaws 77415, Section B, Paragraph 9: I hereby declare you…banished.” He raised a mallet and made it official.

Two guards escorted Jet out of the town and made sure he crossed the line. They had to stand guard now. With Swifty signing pictures, the five of them looked at one another.

“I can't…believe he lost,” Amy said.

“But he did lose and now with S-” Eggman spotted Sonic was still there. “Sonic?!”

“Uh, hi?” The hero waved.

“You…you didn't lose the race?”

“Never raced. Was I supposed to?”

“Yes! Your friends were supposed to fall victim to the charm of my greatest robot, then you were supposed to get jealous and challenge them to a race, where you'd lose and be banished so I could rebuild my theme park!” Eggman screamed.

“Them?”

“You didn't really think he was actually fast, did you? Come on, there is only one being next to Sonic that is actually as fast as he is. Not that he'll return my calls, but I digress! Point is, The Swifties were meant to make you lose!”

A bunch of Swifty clones rushed into the Town Center.

“Jet didn't lose!” Amy said.

“I call Shenanigans! This was rigged!” Tails yelled.

Sonic charged up and hit the crowd of Shrewbots like a bowling ball. He bristled his quills up more than normal. Shredding some of the bots into pieces. Eggman took notice and hovered higher. Tails and Amy helped by taking a few that chose to run to the exit of town. Knuckles and Sticks took to…well, not so gently demanding their friend be allowed back in. Not to save the day, but just so he could have his name cleared and be claimed the rightful winner. They took the robots out and Sonic eyed Eggman. The doctor took the hint and left.

“Thanks guys,” Jet smiled.

“Anything for a friend,” Amy told him. “Now how about a Meh Burger?”

“Heck yeah! I worked up an appetite!” The Hawk said.

love yourself ! ! ! !