Chapter Text
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
…
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
It couldn’t be.
Mira’s eyes groggily opened as she peered over to the curtains still covering the dark abyss of the early morning.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
It was.
Mira’s navy arm reached and slammed the alarm off with a sigh. She reluctantly pulled herself up in the bed, dangling her legs off the side, ready to try to start the day.
The time: 6:00 AM
Mira pulled herself out of bed. She stretched the sleeping pins that crept still in her sleepy form, yawning and bones cracking from the still rest the alarm broke.
Walking over to the bathroom, she rubbed her face and eyes to get a better look at herself in the mirror. The dark navy blue quills that hit in this light were almost turning a shade of violet with her marks of red striped along her quills, which were messily thrown about from her well-deserved rest. Her emerald eyes darted in the mirror down to the oversized T-shirt she had on. She pulled her quills back into a messy bun where the ends of her long quills stuck out from her head, almost making her head look like some distorted star. Slimming her tuffs of quills that outlined her face to its original shape, she headed back into the bedroom to grab her iconic orange tank, pants, and shoes.
Mira turned to the mirror on her wall and smiled.
“Time for a run.”
ooo
The now-dressed hedgehog slowly made her way down the stairs, barely making a sound in the house, passing by family pictures showcasing her childhood memories, barely visible in the early morning darkness. She slowly opened and closed the door to be as quiet as possible. Success. No one was accidentally startled awake by her early morning.
The time again. 6:20 AM.
Still on time.
She hopped down the porch stairs with a bounce in her step and was surrounded by the neighborhood's houses around her.
“Okay. Time for the warm-up.”
She began to jog slowly down the street and picked up some speed, but slower than she could take herself.
A door from a nearby house clicked closed, which caught her ears. Looking over, an older man waved at her, smiling.
“Mornin’ Mira!”
“Morning Mr. Carson!”
The older man laughed, always enamored by the young girl running the same stretch every morning since she was seven. He shook his head and entered his car. Mira kept on jogging.
Mira’s route consisted of going through the neighborhood, then through the grass to the beachy sands, then to cut into the woodland trail, up the hill, and then to her final point. The birds had begun to chirp, and the cicada and cricket chirps died as she approached the old tree on the rocky cliffs above the shore. The perfect morning view that Mira has been coming to for the past nine years. And today was the perfect alignment for the sunrise hitting the water.
Mobius never looked more at peace than when the morning hit 7:00 AM. Few were awake. The birds and ocean on that shore roared and breathed life into her home. She knew it was dull to most, but looking into the unknown of the sea and listening to the known world come to life day after day around her, well, it made her feel alive, and that’s how she wanted to feel. Alive.
Mira then turned back to where she had come after her admiring was done. Now was the time for the actual workout. Running the island in two minutes and making it home.
Mira got into a runner's stance and took off faster than the speed of sound, trailing the outskirts of the island and making her way back home in less than a minute. She had been getting faster since she began. Then it would have taken her three minutes, but now trimming it down to an even 30 seconds was her next goal. But 45 seconds today was still impressive overall, and she knew it was still an accomplishment. She quietly entered the home and went up the stairs to her room to go and take a well-deserved shower.
ooo
The time. 7:30 AM
Still quiet as a mouse, Mira had returned down the stairs, adorning her letterman jacket, the wrapped orange tank, pants, and orange and white shoes that had been gifted to her this past Christmas. She was ready to tackle the next item on the agenda. Breakfast.
Her dad was the first to be up, so his meal came first. Then her other dad and her brother. Those two were always heavy sleepers, but having two-morning birds in the house meant they had to get up to receive breakfast. Then finally, hers.
Mira popped a mug under the coffee maker and then slammed two pieces of bread into the toaster, reaching over to the fridge to pull the assorted amount of fruit she had cut for the morning meal last night. As the coffee began to pour, Mira sat herself to work at the stovetop. She heard the light touch of feet that descended the stairs. She turned herself to meet the first body to awaken.
7:45. AM
The familiar sight of her ebony father appeared at the bottom of the stairs. His streaks of red in his quills were highlighted by the sun's morning rays dancing through the kitchen window. His flat face broke into a smile as he peered at Mira. He began his way into the kitchen to go and retrieve the currently pouring coffee.
“Good morning, Dad! The coffee should be done in…” Mira stared at the analog clock on the stove as it changed from 7:46 to 7:47. “Now.”
The final drip of coffee spilled its way into the warm mug that Shadow proceeded to pull from its place, bring to his lips, and then back down to the island counter.
“Perfect. As always.” Shadow pulled Mira’s head down to kiss her forehead proudly. Mira smiled but then immediately spun around, grabbing the two pieces of toast that had appeared from the toaster. She slapped them down on a plate and then scooted it over to where Shadow had now sat on one of the island stools to enjoy his coffee. Even he still had to wake up this early. Shadow nodded at the sight of the perfectly crisp toast in front of him, but the perfect sight was interrupted by a plate of sliced bananas being pushed his way slyly by Mira’s hands. He then gave Mira a look that would have suggested to any passerby to leave the hedgehog. Mira was not that type of hedgehog, though. She smiled sheepishly and then gave in to the intense stare she was receiving.
“Dad told me I had to start giving you at least a piece of fruit in the morning! I have no choice!”
“She’s right.” the cobalt figure on the stairs yawned. “You gotta start branching out that bland diet of yours.”
Mira smiled at the groggy cobalt vision of her father on the stairs. It was always so strange to see him so mellow when he was practically bouncing off the walls at all other times of the day, joking and messing around. The ebony hedgehog only grunted at his remark and returned to his coffee. The cobalt hero sitting next to him was now being pushed over a plate of fruit by Mira. But, to his disappointment, a bowl of oatmeal was also being served and pushed his way, which only called him to give a questioning look to his daughter, who had poured it.
“You’re not the only one giving diet changes around her.” Mira giggled, glancing over at her other dad, who had a sly grin.
“Shads!! You’ve got to be kidding me! At least let it have cinnamon or something!” Sonic pleaded.
Shadow only rolled his eyes and gave the cobalt hero his iconic deadpan stare. Sonic huffed and pulled the oatmeal forward to his body as he pouted in defiance.
Mira quietly giggled at the pair. Most nights were the same, one dad at a time suggesting to add a healthier choice to the other’s plate, and every morning the same reaction. What was missing now was the all too familiar gust of-
At that moment, a bolt of wind blasted from the stairs through the kitchen as a small, energetic hedgehog sped his way into the room. Stopping in his tracks after circling the island to stop in front of his sister.
“60 seconds!” the young black hedgehog bravely announced, smirking at his sister. “Like to see you try and beat that one, Mir!”
“You’re right! How on Mobius could I ever beat the incredible Dash’s speed and agility?!?!” she playfully remarked, then began to tickle the little kid standing before her. “Now go sit down, I’m almost done with your waffles.”
The young black hedgehog sat quickly in his seat. His red bandana tied around his neck covered the beginning of the small peach circle of fur on his chest. He smiled widely, showcasing the small gap between his teeth, the sight at which Mira always adored. Dash might be energetic, but he also was the cutest brother she could ever have. She placed the whipped cream on top of the waffles and set the fruit-decorated waffles in front of her brother, who then began to dig in.
With everyone fed, it was finally time for her breakfast. She reached into the pantry and pulled out a bin of croissants she had made earlier in the week with her brother. She leaned up against the other side of the counter, facing her family while slowly nibbling on the golden pastry in her hand. She checked the time.
8:10 AM.
Everyone fed on time. Happy faces all around. Another perfect moment to start the day.
“Mir! We gotta remember to take the soccer ball out when we meet up with everyone at the beach!” Dash peered up from his waffles, wide-eyed. “That way, we can beat Abel and Iris this time with a game more our speed.”
“What? You couldn’t handle the loss at the volleyball tournament last weekend?” Sonic asked.
“No! I mean, I’m half their height anyway, so it was an unfair advantage but still, I know me and Mir will wipe the floor with them if we are playing soccer! Isn’t that right, Mir?” Dash looked proudly at his sister, who had just eaten out of her pastry. Mira swallowed back the bite and nervously began.
“I mean, no guarantee, bud, but….”
“Oh, come on, Mir! You’re the best soccer player in the world, and everyone knows it! Right, Dad?” Dash glanced over to Shadow, who had just finished another sip from his mug.
Shadow shrugged. “He is right. Compared to the games we watch on tv, the world cup is practically yours already.” Shadow smiled. Sonic piped in.
“You could say that again. You remember when she did that jump kick, and not even your chaos control could keep up with the ball before it hit the net! I mean, we practically raised a champion under our noses!” Sonic exclaimed.
“Guys!” Mira interrupted, blushing at the newfound attention. “I’m decent at best. Who knows if I want to try out for one of the world cup teams or if I would even make it” She smiled, pulling the empty plate of Shadows’ and dumping it into the sink.
That was all she wanted when she was a kid. To go and play soccer in the big leagues. To be another representative of South Island. Not as a hero but just as an athlete. But, her whole life, she was surrounded by the extraordinary heroics of her dads and their friends and listening to the stories, watching the footage, and watching them protect and save Mobius. She wouldn’t admit it out loud anymore, but that's what she wanted to do. Follow and help them to protect the beautiful planet she lived on. To protect her friends and her family. Her thoughts were interrupted by Dash’s plate hitting the counter beside the sink where she stood.
“Even so, you’re the best to me, and we will still wipe the floor with Abe and Iris!” He smiled cockily at his remark as he returned to his seat next to Sonic.
“I’m excited just to take a break! I love the Saturday get-togethers with our friends. It’s nice to get to sit back and relax.” Sonic remarked.
“Then we better start getting dressed.” Shadow grabbed and placed Sonic’s plate on top of Dash’s and pulled them into the sink, standing next to Mira. “I got this. You cooked. Just go relax…”
“What?! Nah, Dad, I got this! I don’t mind!” Mira retorted, taking the dishes from Shadow. “Besides, I’m already dressed and ready to go. You worry about getting you and Sonic ready!”
Shadow’s face fell at her retort, but he nodded and turned in reluctant agreement. His daughter was stubborn. He never could understand why she was always the one to pick up and be on top of all the housework and always volunteered to do everything she could. She was always overdoing everything she could as if she had to impress them or prove herself. But she still held a smile on her face, so she must be alright. It’s just how Mira is.
“Let’s get ready for a beach day!” Sonic lifted Dash into the air and onto his hip, walking up the stairs. Shadow followed suit, looking back to Mira at the sink for a second, and a thought occurred in his mind.
When had she ever mentioned or even considered not continuing soccer?
ooo
The sun had risen quite a bit, and the family of hedgehogs trailed their way down onto the sand, pulling a wagon of fun items and beach equipment with them. They pulled their stuff next to a rainbow umbrella and unpacked their equipment from the cart. Immediately Dash was off and running to the water to swim. Shadow began pulling out the beach chairs when his ears caught a familiar voice.
“There you are! The best partner a girl could ask for and his blue hero!” Rouge smirked as she approached the couple, dawning a two-piece swimsuit and her sandals across the golden sand. “ I was wondering when you and the kids would get here.”
“We had a bit of a setback leaving the house.” Sonic replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. The couple turned to where Dash had splashed away into the ocean.
“And by a setback, he means Dash snuck into their room and tried to steal Dad’s chaos emerald.” Mira appeared from behind the couple.
“Ah! Then my job as a bad influence is complete!” Rouge stepped forward and pulled Mira into a tight hug. She then decided to take the opportunity to whisper in her ear, “But then again, my influence has yet to rub off on you.” Mira pulled out of the hug and smirked, “As far as you know.”
Rouge laughed. “But your dad’s sense of humor has.”
“Mira!” “Mir!” Two shouts came from behind Rouge, revealing a light red echidna with giant ears like Rouge and a shorter pink hedgehog with curly quills dancing around her head as the two ran toward her.
“Abel! Iris!” Mira quickly went off to meet her friends. The two came to a halt. Abel was wearing his brown vest that highlighted the two white marks on his chest, similar to his dad's. Iris was wearing her green pantsuit with the light blue moon. It was clear at that point that they were not up to going for a swim, so that only meant…
“We were setting up the volleyball net with Knuckles!” Iris announced.
Of course. A challenge.
“Are you ready for us to wipe the floor with you and Dash again?” Abel asked tauntingly.
“Sure, and I am also ready to see you beat me in a race!” Mira retorted sarcastically.
“By the way, where is Dash?” Iris pondered.
Then the next second, her question was answered as Dash sped behind Abel and jumped on him, sending the two of them flying down to the ground. Mira and Iris just laughed at the sight of the sandy echidna hybrid and hedgehog. Dash immediately got up and placed his hands on his hips in victory at the surprise attack. “Pinned ya!” Dash then shook out his quills, throwing water all over the three of them and earning a retort from someone nearby.
“Hey! Mind watching where you're spraying?! Some of us are working!” A young fox with glasses and a dark red jacket around their waist sat in a chair, feet away from the four of them, clicking away on a tablet.
“Oh! Lighten up, Dana! Your work can wait! Come hang out with us!” Dash pulled the fox from their chair. The unexpected move made them drop the tablet back onto the chair to keep it safe from the chaos they knew would ensue with their cousin around.
Mira laughed at the sight of the 10-year-old hedgehog dragging the 12-year-old fox from their spot. She turned to check on her dads, who were finishing setting up their spot on the beach now, talking to Aunt Rouge, Knuckles, Amy, and Uncle Tails, who had somehow made their way past them. Team Sonic. Heroes of Mobius. The team had saved the world time and time again. And still, the world needed their protection.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud exclamation from her brother behind her. She quickly glanced back to see what had happened for the two seconds she had looked away.
“What! No, come on, me and Mir brought stuff for soccer!” Dash complained.
“I’m sure we have enough time for both.” Iris softly suggested.
“Yeah! Let’s start with a round of volley’ and then…” Mira’s comment was cut off when her ears trailed off to the ringing of her dad’s communicator. She turned to see Shadow and Aunt Rouge taking the call and getting serious. At this, Mira walked toward the group of adults to try and figure out why her dad would be getting a call from GUN on the weekend. The rest of her friends followed suit behind her.
“What’s up with-” Mira began to ask Sonic but was interrupted.
“Attack on green hill zone. Eggman.” Rouge announced to the team.