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The future could be a lot worse, Sonic thinks. All his friends are taller, and apparently he has a lot more of them than he’s met yet, but they seem… nice. For the most part. He doesn’t even mind that some of them are kind of weird, and that most of them look like they could beat him in a fight, and almost all of them are huge chatterboxes, especially compared to him.
Even Tails. Taller, stronger, and more confident to boot. Which Sonic is proud of, of course, but it’s a big change. Especially since Sonic thinks they’re almost the same age now, yet Tails is a full head taller than him, and talks like he’s been to college. Which – could he have? Sonic’s a little afraid to ask how old Tails is exactly. Heck, he hasn’t gotten him alone for long enough to have a conversation – but he’s proud of his little brother for growing up so cool.
But a bit more selfishly, he’d appreciate things winding down so he can either go home or take a nap or both. He’s tough, but the adventure’s worn him out, and apparently older Sonic’s friends have parties after adventures too – so it’s been a little overwhelming.
Even just being able to sit down and sign with someone would be nice. He’s expressive and relaxed enough to make it work as is, but he wishes he could talk to someone. Even his bigger self talks instead of signing! Sonic’s glad he – they? – figured it out eventually, but that doesn’t really help him in the moment, now does it?
Which is why Sonic’s taking a detour. He wants a break. So when a big purple cat – who might be actually be named Big, come to think of it – loses his frog, Sonic’s on the case.
He hasn’t had a chance to explore nature in the future much, and he’s had enough of the crowd. This is the perfect opportunity to slip away without disappointing anyone.
Not that he really cares.
Most of these people aren’t really his friends yet anyway – and the few he does know are way better friends with his older self. As it is, Sonic has only met Knuckles a handful of times in his own time, and only saved Amy once, and… well… To be honest, he was a little surprised about Tails. It seems he was never able to find a responsible guardian after all. Go figure – there still aren’t adults willing to step up even in this time.
All that taken into account, Sonic figures he’s good to slip away. He needs a breather, and they won’t notice. And if they do, they won’t worry, since he just helped save all their butts.
So he races off to find Froggy and doesn’t look back.
…Of course, Sonic isn’t totally sure where Froggy’s hopped off to, or what he looks like, but he’s happy to take the scenic route and try his best. If anything, if he gets lost, it’ll just be a new adventure.
He races through swamps and marshes for a while, figuring that Froggy would be somewhere that frogs like to stay. He hadn’t been totally sure at first, if Froggy was a non-human Frog, like Sonic was a Hedgehog, or if Froggy was just a regular frog. But Big had been friendly enough, and had described him without too much prompting or charades on Sonic’s part. Big was a good guesser, which Sonic appreciates. Plus… It was nice that at least one person took the time to let Sonic figure out a way to communicate, even if he didn’t know sign.
So Sonic’s happy to do him this favor. He just hopes he can actually find Froggy.
After it’s been a few hours though, and though it isn’t dark yet, the late afternoon sun saps away what’s left of Sonic’s energy. It was inevitable; after so much cake and ice cream earlier, and so much action, and so many conversations buzzing around him, he’ll admit he’s feeling pretty sleepy. It won’t hurt to take a break. He should recharge before he tries to find Froggy again.
If he can find him at all – it’s a big world, and Froggy’s a pretty small little guy. But hopefully he’ll have better luck when he’s not fighting back sleep. Sonic doesn’t want to disappoint Big. Or get lost out here.
He’ll find his way back eventually. But for now, a burrow-nap.
Older Sonic might have outgrown burrow-naps, but Sonic doesn’t mind them. The marsh doesn’t smell too bad, and there are some shallow streams Sonic wouldn’t mind splashing off in on his way back if the smell does get bad.
It doesn’t take long before he’s burrowed his way into the soft soil near a tree. He’ll put it back once he feels better– for now, he’s just happy to get some rest.
///
Sonic wakes up to soft, low voices. Or– one soft, low voice. The other is tinny, like a sound over the radio.
“You really found him?” the tinny voice says. It sounds a little like Tails, Sonic thinks, sleepily pricking an ear. “Is he okay? Was he hurt?”
“Relax,” the other voice says – and this one sounds clear and present, like he’s actually here, not just over a radio. His bigger self, Sonic thinks. “I think he just needed a break from the party and took a nap. I woulda done the same at his age.” His older self chuckles. “Get it? Because-”
“Yeah, yeah, good one.” Tails laughs despite himself. “Just make sure he’s okay, please?”
“He’s still older than you, partner,” older Sonic teases. “Don’t worry about him too much. I know he’s little, but he’s still your big brother.”
“By age, maybe.”
“Tails, you’re banned from getting taller than me if that’s the attitude you’re gonna have about it.”
Sonic feels awfully sleepy listening to them chat. It feels like the same banter he’d have with his own Tails through sign – though more familiar. This Tails sounds much more confident, which makes Sonic smile. He’s glad his little buddy found his footing somewhere along the way.
Sonic yawns then, and misses Tails’s response through his ears popping. He might also have briefly dozed off again.
When he opens his eyes, he finds older Sonic kneeling in front of his burrow. Sonic blinks up at his older self.
“Ah. I think we woke him up,” his older self says into his watch. “Talk later, kay?”
“Tell him I say hi!”
“I’m pretty sure he can hear you,” older Sonic teases, winking down at him. Then, he presses a button on his watch, and Tails’s tinny voice disappears. “Hey, you.”
Sonic points at himself.
“Yeah, you. Amy just finished another batch of chili dogs if you’re hungry,” the older Sonic says. “Ready to come back? Or did you need more of a break?”
Sonic, indignant, huffs.
“I can’t see anything you sign in there, it’s too dark. But I’d know that sound anywhere.” Older Sonic pulls away from the hidey hole, and rests a hand on his hip. Giving Sonic space. “if you’re trying to tell me you don’t need a break… it’s okay if you did. There’s no one here but us.”
Sonic doesn’t know how to take that, at first.
He’s not really used to people trying to take his feelings into consideration. The mere thought makes him wrinkle his nose for a moment. But… this is his own self talking to him. So maybe it’s not so bad. Maybe it’s not a trap.
Sonic’s awake now anyways. No point staying buried in his burrow.
So finally, he digs himself out, poking his head out of the burrow before the rest of him. To his surprise, older Sonic’s moved even further away, seated comfortably on a fallen tree-stump. He’s got his shoes off, Sonic notices. Stretching his feet, which are covered in strange black fabric. They don’t look like normal socks.
Older Sonic must notice him staring. He grins. “Compression socks – unless you meant the uh, stretches?”
Sonic tilts his head to the side.
“The stretches help, by the way. It gets more important once you hit, uh, thirteen-ish. Life-savers, seriously. You’re fine for now, it wouldn’t really change anything to start stretching now. But hooo boy. It hit me like a truck once I started growing.” Once he’s done, older Sonic peels off his socks and dips his feet in the marshwater, looking completely at ease, despite having disarmed himself, so to speak. “You coming?”
Sonic is still stuck staring at the shoes.
He hesitates. But… The fact that he’d get rid of them must mean it really is safe here – and that he has no intention on leaving before Sonic is ready.
Reluctantly, Sonic pulls himself the rest of the way out of his burrow, and moves to sit next to him. Unlike older Sonic though, Sonic doesn’t go closer to the water. Not yet.
“No worries, you don’t have to join me,” older Sonic says casually. “I just figured I’d cool off for a bit. We’ve been looking for you for a while – now that I know you’re alright, there’s no point in hurrying.”
Sonic furrows his brows. Then, uncertainly signs, ‘You were looking for me?’
“Mm-hm. Most of us. I told them not to worry about it – you’re pretty tough. But they just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
‘Why? I’m you, and they don’t worry over you.’
Older Sonic chuckles. “Ouch, who says they don’t?”
Sonic gives him a dubious look.
“You haven’t hit your growth spurt yet,” older Sonic says. “You’re small, they feel some type of way about it.” When Sonic’s cheeks puff up in indignation, older Sonic just shakes his head, giving a placating smile, all shrugged shoulders and palms-out ‘I’m just the messenger’ body language. “Sorry, buddy. You’re just smaller than they remember, since everyone else grew up with me. It’s not forever. It’ll be a few more years, but it’ll happen, I promise.”
Sonic crosses his arms over his chest. He taps fingers against his arm, impatient even just thinking about it. Though to be honest, he can’t believe he’ll get as tall as his older self – he imagines it must be harder to find hiding places, or burrow into the ground.
Maybe that’s why he seems more comfortable sleeping at friends’ houses. Of course, it does help that he has enough friends to make that kind of arrangement work to begin with…
But it sounds like an awful lot of work, meeting that many people. Staying with them some, or even a lot, of the time. How does he know to trust so many of them? Older Sonic isn’t even that much older than him.
Could it really be possible for things to change so quickly? To get that many allies so soon?
“Huh. I see why everyone always says I’m so expressive,” older Sonic finally says – with a gloved finger tapping against Sonic’s forehead. “You look like you’re thinking up a storm in there. What’s up?”
Sonic bats the hand away – embarrassed, but not so embarrassed that he’s upset about it. Just grumpy. He knows these tactics – he’s used half of them on Tails. This is how to talk to kids and get them to open up to you when they’re mad – and Sonic doesn’t appreciate it being used back on himself.
‘Just thinking,’ Sonic finally signs, slow and deliberate. ‘Things changed a lot.’
“Can’t argue with you there,” older Sonic says. “Anything in particular making you worry?”
‘I’m not worried,’ Sonic signs. But his hand falters on the next sign, stopping before he starts.
“But?” older Sonic asks on his behalf.
‘But,’ Sonic reluctantly signs. ‘You’re different than I thought, too.’
“Sure am.” Older Sonic relaxes, leaning back and resting his weight onto his palms, kicking his feet idly in the stream. “It must be weird for you, knowing I’ve got all your memories – except your perspective in this adventure, I guess. Knowing I'm here, but that you haven’t made it this far yet.”
Sonic nods.
“If you want to ask something, go ahead. I don’t think it’ll affect time, or whatever. So if you’re worried-”
‘I’m not worried,’ Sonic signs again.
Older Sonic smiles. “Yeah, I know. But I was going to say, if you’re worried about something, or even just curious, that’s cool too. You can ask stuff. You don’t have to impress me – I am you. Or, like, I was, not that long ago. Time travel, am I right?”
Finally, Sonic nods. Feeling just a little more comfortable, he sits near the river, too. He still doesn’t take his shoes off like his older self, though. Instead, he sheds his gloves, focusing on splashing in the water that way.
“So?” older Sonic prompts. “What’s on your mind?”
Sonic looks up at him. Then, after a very long hesitation, signs, ‘Is it hard?’
“Might have to be more specific there, bud.”
'Fighting Robotnik.’ Sonic hesitates. Then signs, ‘Or. 'Eggman,' I guess.’
“Right to business, huh?” Older Sonic offers him a reassuring, disarming smile. “Don’t sweat it, it’s not any harder than I can manage. After all, fighting Eggman is what I’m best at.” At the flat look on Sonic’s face, older Sonic grins. “I’m serious! I know you’re still learning, but by now, it’s kind of fun!"
Older Sonic looks out at the setting sun.
Then, as though aware that his younger self doesn't quite believe him, chuckles and adds, "I mean, sometimes, not so much. It depends on the adventure. Usually, I meet new friends and go to awesome new places, or get to save something that’s important to me. But... other times, things can get pretty intense. But you already knew that.”
Older him really is a chatterbox, huh? Sonic tries to get him back on track. ‘And you still haven’t won?’
“Boo.” Older Sonic kicks water at him, or at least in his general direction.
‘I’m serious.’
Older Sonic sighs. He looks troubled, despite himself. “...He’s basically taken ground like, everywhere,” he admits. “You saw it last time, the – how far he spread, how fast. If we didn’t step up when we did, the world would’ve fallen – and fast. As it is, he’s getting further every day. If anything happens to us… or, anything happens to us again…”
Older Sonic’s face goes far away for a moment, and Sonic frowns.
He snaps his fingers, and older Sonic comes back down to earth.
“–but he still hasn’t won, which is the only important part,” older Sonic says with a grin, like he didn’t just zone out. Like his face didn’t look clouded over. Like he wasn't back up in space for six months just for a moment. “Hey, enough of that. You’ve got this, little me. Don’t worry so much. We’re still here, aren’t we?”
Sonic chews on that for a while. He plays in the stream a little, noticing small fish and tadpoles swimming closer to the surface. He smiles at a few of them – these aren’t the frogs he’s looking for yet, but it’s nice to know there are still frogs that live in these woods. He worries sometimes; there’s less forest in the future than he remembers.
‘Is it weird having to rely on so many people?’ Sonic finally asks.
“They’re my friends, so no.” Sonic makes a face, but older Sonic is being perfectly serious. Or, as serious as he ever is. As they ever are. “I mean it. Eventually, you… There are days I forget how often you – we – were alone back then. How it felt.”
There’s an almost wistful look on older Sonic’s face as he looks out at the horizon. He glances back down at Sonic, who feels uncomfortably seen.
‘I’m not lonely,’ Sonic signs. But the fact that he knows exactly what older Sonic was about to say speaks volumes. ‘I’m not! I know people, too.’
Older Sonic smiles lopsidedly. “That you do,” he says. “And someday they’ll be friends and more.”
Sonic doesn’t like the way he says it. But he doesn’t argue, either.
Instead, he takes a real risk. Stares down at the pond, can’t even make eye-contact as he thinks about the party and how loud it was. How many people to keep track of.
‘Does it stop feeling like this?’ he asks, hesitantly. ‘When you’re around them for too long?’
That question finally seems to surprise older Sonic.
In turn, he surprises Sonic right back, startling him out of his mood by kicking water at him, splashing him and laughing at the face his younger self makes. “Heh – aw, relax, it’s fresh water. No, why did you think I came out here, huh? I don’t like crowds either. I love my friends, but I can only do it for so long. They understand. That’s part of why I like them so much.”
Sonic feels the pressure on his heart lighten, finally. He splashes back by flicking water at his bigger self’s green eyes, and he’s unsurprised when his bigger self gasps and kicks more water at him.
Sonic is pretty sure he’s winning, because he’s getting a lot more on his older self than his older self is getting on him. Sonic is pretty sure it’s because he’s smaller – but he’ll take victory of any kind, especially if it means one-upping his older self.
The splashing doesn’t take long to subside, though. Older Sonic finally just shakes his head and smiles down at him, looking relieved. “You were a pretty serious kid, huh?” he asks. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh, bud.”
Sonic furrows his brows. ‘Me?’ he signs. ‘You’re the one who’s too serious!’
Older Sonic tilts his head to the side. “Wh- I joke around plenty. Everyone says it’s too much! You really think I’m too serious? Me?”
They seem at an impasse. Like there’s something they can’t understand about each other. Odd – since Sonic would’ve expected his older self to at least understand that his younger self wasn’t overly serious. But then again, there are a lot of things Sonic doesn’t understand about this future and the version of himself he’s grown into.
He’s not sure what it is – but he isn’t sure he likes it.
Every time he’s gone into the future lately, his older self seems so different to what he’s expecting, even after already meeting him twice before. And it’s more than just insecurity about growing up into this person. Sure, Sonic doesn’t like feeling like he’s been erased, replaced by this bigger, tougher, more experienced self. There are things he can’t do yet – it doesn’t feel fair to be here and be judged for not being as big or as tough or as fast as his older self. Being worried over, instead of being the independent hero he’s already grown used to being. But he knows that that’s just part of the territory. This is who he grows up into – he’d hate to stay this small forever. Especially when the world continues getting more dangerous. Of course he has to grow up and get more powerful.
But…
His older self is protective of him. And that’s something Sonic doesn’t understand. He thinks of the last time he was here – when the world was almost taken over. When he and Tails (this older, shockingly tall Tails) had gone on an adventure while another squad had busted older Sonic out of the Death Egg.
“Relax,” Sonic had said, serious and slow. “We’re messing with time, aren’t we? It might not even happen to you. Even if it does… someone comes for you. Never forget that.”
His older self still seems tired, sometimes. Distant.
Is Sonic really sure that his older self can do this? He has to rely on so many other people. What if it’s not enough?
‘You’re a grown up,’ Sonic finally signs. ‘Right?’
To his surprise, older Sonic makes a face. “Not really. I’ve still got a few more years before I think that’d even sort of fit. But I guess I’m closer to it than you, sure. Why?”
Sonic fidgets.
“C’mon. Don’t be shy – it’s just me. Er- You. Yourself. You know what I mean.”
‘Are you still going to be… good?’
To his surprise, older Sonic looks startled – quills ruffling and everything. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
‘You know.’ Sonic frowns, lips quirking to one side. ‘Good.’
It’s frustrating to know that his older self doesn’t understand him immediately. Has he lost track of what he means by good? Capable, strong, tough, independent – isn’t that obvious?
Finally though, Older Sonic’s eyes dawn with realization.
“Hey.” Older Sonic says, firmer than before. “I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job at keeping the world safe. Do you think I’m not doing it right?”
Sonic shrugs. ‘You’ve needed me, so how good can you be doing?’
“Okay, you jumping through wormholes or getting dragged here because of a rip in space time doesn’t mean I needed you. But I appreciate the help while you’re here.” Sonic pouts, but older Sonic doesn’t walk it back. “Besides… That’s the difference between us. You’re good at what you do, too – you’re always gonna be a tough kid. But I don’t know if you’ve been forced to lean on others yet.”
‘I’ve been doing fine so far.’
“Yeah. So far. I’ve got spoilers, though.”
‘You said it yourself, I might not even go through the same things as you,’ Sonic says, splashing his older self with a lot less good humor than before. He looks up at him sharply. ‘You need so many allies now. But if you aren’t needing them, you’re saving them. Isn’t it harder keeping track of them?’
Older Sonic looks at him for a long time. Then, finally, he leans an elbow on his knee, looking at Sonic with an expression Sonic can’t quite identify – not even on his own face. He looks troublingly relaxed, except for an intensity around his eyes. Sonic can’t figure it out.
“Eggman’s been ramping up – and if I tried to do it all myself, I wouldn’t still be here,” Sonic says, in that same slow, serious tone. “I need my friends. Not even just for helping with Eggman. Without friends… I don’t know if I could’ve kept this up. They’re why I’m the other kind of ‘good’ too.”
Sonic frowns. Thinks back to Sonic’s hesitance before. ‘Is that what you thought I meant?’
Older Sonic doesn’t answer.
‘Are you still good?’
To his surprise, older Sonic just yawns and stands. He seems to brush off the question – and Sonic can’t help but look at him, confused. It’s a pretty simple question, after all.
‘Are you?’ Sonic signs again.
“I try.” Older Sonic finally smiles down at him. Shrugs into another stretch. “I don’t know if I care about being good. I care about doing good. People can draw their own conclusions about what I do or who I am. It doesn’t change what my own heart says.”
Sonic hums to himself.
‘Do you think I’ll really grow up into you?’
“I think that’s up to you, kid.” Despite himself, older Sonic reaches for Sonic’s quills, ruffling them – and even more despite himself, Sonic lets him. “Like I said. I don’t think we’re messing up the timeline. Even if it was…” older Sonic shrugs. “Be your own person. I can’t stop you.”
Sonic feels oddly hollow at such a statement. He looks down at the river, trying to parse it out. He can’t figure out if this is really someone he wants to be yet – but he isn’t sure if that’s fair to older Sonic, either.
“Hey. Cheer up,” older Sonic says. “I’m not offended, buddy. Even if you make different choices, I’m okay with where I’ve been.”
Sonic looks deeper into the water, not really wanting to lock eyes with his older self anymore. Not right now. There are too many unanswered questions, and many more mysteries in those green eyes.
Instead, Sonic scoots closer to the pond, distracted by all the life still swimming around in it. Despite how barren some parts of this future look, it’s nice to know there’s still life on all levels here. Worms, tadpoles, fish, birds, and all.
Sonic swirls his fingertip, cleaning his claws absentmindedly. Appreciating the rare cool water; he doesn’t often get a chance to wash up, or play in water with river and swamp life.
But as he plays, Sonic realizes too late that he’s causing real interference with that life. It’s not just ripples – he scares a few fish away. He doesn’t care at first; the fish don’t seem to care. Sonic can’t help but make a game out of it, at first. Anything to distract him from answering his older self’s ideas about the future.
That is, Sonic doesn’t think his game has consequences, until one of the tadpoles separates from the group it’s been swimming in.
Sonic tilts his head to the side, wondering at it.
Older Sonic seems to notice, too.
“Think you’ll really stay alone for long?” he asks, watching as the tadpole continues to swim alone, defenseless and easy pickings without its group.
Sonic glares up at his older self, because he knows exactly what he’s getting at. ‘We’re not prey,’ he signs, finally taking his hand out of the water, because it’s a stupid metaphor. ‘We fight back.’
Older Sonic put his hands out, half-placating him. “I’m just saying.”
Sonic ignores him. But out of the corner of his eye, he does watch the tadpole swim. Just to see what happens to it.
Sonic crosses his arms over his belly.
Nothing bad has happened to it yet – but Sonic knows in his heart why he’s still watching. There’s something inevitable about it, getting snatched up by something and eaten. The circle of life is rarely forgiving.
There are fish nearby, and birds, and insects, and all kinds of things that eat tadpoles. Sonic doesn’t like disrupting nature – other animals eat tadpoles, that’s just how it is. But he does feel bad, separating this one from its natural group. Wonders, a little, what will happen to it because of him. If it would’ve grown up and added to the frog population – or if it would’ve gotten eaten twenty minutes later by something else anyways. He’ll never know, because this is the timeline they’re in.
A bird lands near the stream, and Sonic tenses despite himself. He knows what comes next. He pulls his knees up to his chest and loops his arms around them, chin to his knees.
Older Sonic rests a hand on his shoulder. “Hey. It’s okay. You didn’t mean to.”
Sonic tries to brush him off.
But before he can, and before either of them could possibly disrupt the circle of life, a frog hops in.
The bird startles – and the tadpole swims further down the stream. Closer, it seems, to its school. To its family.
Sonic looks at the frog. It croaks.
“Wh- Hey! What are the odds?” Older Sonic asks, good humor in his voice. “I think you found Froggy! Big’s going to be so relieved. Little guy keeps getting lost these days.”
Sonic furrows his brows. He doesn’t respond.
Doesn’t want to think too much on what it means, for a frog to save a tadpole. For a frog to help a lost tadpole find its family. Its friends.
Yet his mind flashes to his friends despite himself – and not just his own friends. His future friends. The ones his older self leans on so heavily.
He’s still not entirely sure what he thinks, if he’s being honest. But he watches as older Sonic leans down and offers his palm, and Froggy hops into it readily. And Sonic thinks, just to himself, that any version of himself who can still so readily play with lost frogs can’t be too unlike himself. Froggy gives his opinion of the matter with a pleased ribbit as older Sonic strokes his head.
Sonic glances at their discarded items by the river. His own gloves, and his counterpart’s shoes and socks. He gingerly gathers them up, slipping on his own items, and half-kicking the other’s belongings to him.
“Thanks,” older Sonic says with a small smile. “Want to hold him? I’m trusting you, y’know. Big, too.”
Sonic can’t tell if his older self means more to it than what he says. But he opens his palms for Froggy, and the frog hops into his hands. Gently, Sonic strokes its head, just as he saw his older version do.
His older self slips on a fresh pair of socks – hidden in some compartment of his shoe, he thinks – and slides on his trusty red-and-white pair. He had to have sized up eventually. Sonic wonders where he got it; thought it was the last staple of their home island.
He decides not to ask.
Instead, he simply holds Froggy and hopes for the future, and the hero he’ll transform into one day.