Chapter Text
Fire.
Destruction lay down below in what was once a quiet neighborhood. The glowing embers a stark contrast to the dark night sky above. Amidst it all floated a figure encased in golden light.
Brightly colored jewels circled around the being, their aura flowing in and out of the body of their host, supplying the near staggering display of power.
Red eyes peered from under yellow eyelids. Their owner looking upon himself as the gold light began to flicker from his form, revealing the true blue hue of his fur amidst the flashes. With this new power fading, the figure began falling from his place in the sky. Before hitting the ground below however…
Sonic woke with a thud against the floor. Green eyes wide and panting from the vivid nature of this dream. Blankets and pillows from the mattress lay haphazardly around their owner, being dragged with him from the fall. The sound of the alarm clock slowly reaching his ears as he grounds himself back into reality.
Sonic fumbled slightly but managed to get the pesky device to turn off.
"That dream again.." He thought, shaking his head. "It just gets more and more realistic, I swear."
Sonic took a deep breath and sat up, the time in big red numbers read out 7:01AM.
"Welp.. time for school." Standing up, he smoothed down his out of place quills.
Slipping on his light blue and white varsity and fresh pairs of socks and gloves, the young hedgehog strapped on his trusty red and white shoes. Picking up the school papers that scattered from his fall, Sonic haphazardly stuffed his homework from the previous night into his backpack. He'd worry about the paper creases later. However, Sonic couldn't help but notice the slip of paper that fell from one of the open pockets in the bag.
"Hm?" He hummed to himself. Leaning down, Sonic picked up and unfolded the sheet of paper, only to roll his eyes in annoyance. The paper had been a reminder for his class field trip which happened to be today. Normally the teen wouldn't dare complain about a get out of school free card but this was anything but a fun trip. What fun could be had at a stuffy old museum anyhow?
Shoving the slip back into his pack and retrieving his only slightly cracked phone made his way just a little down the hallway, knocking on the bedroom door of his younger brother.
"Tails!" He shouted. "Time to get up bud! You better not have been up all night toying with your gizmo thingys again!"
A low tired groan came in response. "I was only up half the night this time!"
Rolling his eyes with a good natured chuckle he patted the door before making his way downstairs. "Uh huh, see you for breakfast, bud."
Sonic entered the kitchen where a slightly taller purple hedgehog with long flowing messy quills stood, wearing a white dress with yellow accents making bacon and scrambled eggs. "Morning, ma." He greeted, grabbing a glass of orange juice from the fridge.
The mother in question, Aleena, turned her head to acknowledge her child. "Oh, good morning, my dear. Usually your brother is up before you."
Sonic sat down at the table as Aleena placed a fresh plate of eggs in front of him. "Another late night, I'm afraid."
"I'm up! I'm up!" Tails announced as he came down the steps. He stopped at the edge of the kitchen, readjusting his crooked goggles to his forehead. "G'morning mom." He yawned, making his way to the counter to make himself toast to go with his breakfast.
"Good morning, Miles dear." Aleena replied, making a second plate for her adopted son. "You really must fix your sleeping habits, Miles. You even forgot to brush your tails this morning!" She said, smoothing out the out of place fur in the most motherly way possible.
"Mooooooom!" Tails whined, embarrassed by his mother's doting.
Sonic let out a giggle watching the display. "I think he's had enough, I'll make sure he gets to bed extra early tonight."
"That's all I ask." Aleena said with a smile, putting together one last plate of food for herself.
Tails sighed then softly smiled, carefully removing the hot toast that freshly popped up from the appliance. The young fox joined his family at the table now with his full meal assembled.
After sometime of the family enjoying their breakfast a loud series of knocks came from the front door before being promptly opened.
A tall red echidna stood in the doorway, his long dreads tied back in a ponytail. He near slammed the door shut behind him, readjusting his backpack on his shoulder. Making sure his dark brown jacket is on comfortable.
"Morning, slackers!!" He teasingly greeted, lightly ruffling Tails's bangs. "Come on, it's getting late."
"Hey!" Tails pouted, immediately going to fix it.
Sonic got up to put his empty plate and cup in the sink, followed quickly by Tails finishing up as well.
"Yeah, yeah, Knucklehead." Sonic yawned, picking his backpack up. "We're coming."
"Good morning to you too, Knuckles. You know you are always welcome in our home, but I do wish you could be a bit quieter next time, please?" Aleena said in the nicest way she could muster, pinching her thumb and index finger together to emphasize.
The echidna's muzzle almost blended into the rest of his fur at the moment. "O-oh right, sorry, Ms. Hedgehog.."
Knuckles had grown up as an honorary third child to Aleena of sorts, always taking on the bigger big brother role to Sonic and Tails. From protecting them from bullies when they were kids, to making sure they get to school on time.
It's more Sonic he's worried about being late than Tails. He was the youngest of the trio but by far the smartest if his several skipped grades are any sign. If only he didn't tire himself out so easy. Not that Sonic wasn't smart, he was just laid back to the point of borderline laziness at times, and someone has to keep him in check!
Tails slinged his bag over his shoulders, fixing it so it wouldn't get caught on the dark hood of his orange flannel. "Ready!"
"See you after school, ma!" Sonic gave a small wave to his mother before setting off with his friends.
"Goodbye, boys! Tell me all about your field trip later!" Aleena waved back until the door closed.
Now outside on this crisp autumn morning, Sonic took a deep breath of the cool air. The neighborhood before him, where he spent his childhood, growing up with his friends and brother, it was eerily similar if not identical to the one he sees in his reoccurring dreams..
Sonic shook his head, of course it'd look similar, his brain was simply picking a random backdrop from his memories to use during these sleep periods. That's the most logical answer anyway.
"So Sonic!" Knuckles said, pulling the hedgehog from his thoughts. "Wanna bet that the boxing team will completely outdo the track team again this year?" He smirked.
"HA!" Sonic laughed. "In your dreams, Knux!" Last season was a fluke and I'll prove it!"
Tails caught up to the older boys, looking at Sonic in concern. "Speaking of dreams.. Did you have the- 'you know what' dream again? I heard you fall out of bed, in fact that's what woke me up heh heh.." The fox awkwardly laughed.
Sonic blinked, being suddenly brought out of the competitive banter. "Huh-oh, uh, yeah, I did.."
"Hm? The fire glowy jewelry dream thing?" Knuckles asked.
Sonic blinked, deadpan at his friend's generalization. "Yes, Knuckles, the "glowy fire gem dream".
Ignoring the youngers sarcasm, the echidna continued. "Dang, you do look kinda tired. Isn't this like the third time this week? Maybe you should talk to Amy about it. She's all about spirituality stuff with her tarot hobby and all."
Sonic sighed. "Nah, I don't wanna worry her.."
"If you say so." Knuckles shrugged.
As the group turned the corner of their street, they stopped in panic at witnessing the bus begin to drive off without them!
"WAIT!!" Tails yelled, hoping for the driver to see them and stop.
"Urrghh! This is why I get you guys so early in the morning!" Knuckles broke into a run, waving his hands in the air.
Sonic quickly handed his pack to Tails before breaking out into a sprint, easily outpacing Knuckles who was already huffing and puffing in an attempt to catch up. "Hey, Knux! Bye, Knux!" Sonic managed to catch up right as the vehicle was about to turn into the busy streets, pounding his fist on the door until the bus came to an abrupt stop.
The doors slowly came open and the sloth bus driver began to apologize in her slow mellow voice. "Ohh.. sorry boys.. I didn't see you.."
Knuckles and Tails soon caught up. "They don't call me the 'Blue Blur' for nothing!" Sonic then bowed over dramatically, gesturing to the open bus. "After you, my comrades."
"Thanks Sonic." Tails said, returning the school bag to his older brother, tucking in his namesake so they don't get caught on the door.
"What was that about the boxing team outdoing track~?" Sonic teased as his friend climbed on board.
"Yeah, yeah." Knuckles replied, rolling his eyes.
Sonic followed suit, taking the window seat next to the young fox.
Tails pulled out the pamphlet for the museum they were going to later that day, at least one of them is excited. "I can't believe our clas is going to the unveiling of the new exhibit! What do you guys think it'll be?!" The kit asked excitedly, nearly bouncing in his seat.
Sonic shrugged. "Probably some dusty fossils."
"Nah, definitely ancient weapons! I wanna see what kind of tactics old civilizations used to use." Knuckles replied.
As his two best friends chattered on about this so-called mystery, Sonic leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery go by. Maybe since his friends are eager to go, this field trip won't be so bad.. right?