Back to Chapter 9

The next day, Sonic decided to take his exploration of the Green Hill Zone a little easier. Rather than go mountain climbing, Sonic opted to search out the comfiest resting spot he could find and enjoy the warm sun and cool breeze by grabbing a quick snooze. This was a plan that was all going swimmingly up to a point. Sonic had found a single palm tree, standing in a relatively open space not too far from the coast and within comfortable walking distance of home. The exact angle of the leaves meant just the right amount of sun peered through them to keep anyone sat beneath warm, but not so much they’d be blinded by the brightness of the sun’s light. The nearby waves carried with them a calming breeze and an even more calming sound that was pleasant enough to allow anyone to drift off to sleep. As Sonic shut his eyes, his head rested against the trunk of his now-favourite tree, he breathed deeply the fresh air and let out a contented sigh. Yes, everything was going swimmingly.

Up to a point.

That point came when Sonic was awakened by a happy cry of “There he is!”, heralded in turn by the sound of footsteps rushing ever closer towards him. It had been a nice rest while it lasted.

Sonic opened his eyes to see Johnny, Porker, Flicky, Chirps, Tux and Joe standing over him. They were joined by a tall, brown hare, older than the rest, wearing a running outfit.

“Morning, guys,” Sonic said with a resigned sense that his plans were cancelled.

“This is the guy?” the hare asked.

“Yeah, this is him,” Johnny replied, “Sonic, you remember I mentioned Hodgepodge?”

Sonic’s interest was suddenly piqued, “Oh, yeah. Nice to meet you, Hodgepodge”

Hodgepodge raised an eyebrow, “Lightfoot, you told me this kid was fast. He’s a hedgehog, hedgehogs aren’t exactly known for their speed. No offence, kid”

“Oh, so none taken,” Sonic gave a big smile that probably came off as more sarcastic than anything. In truth, he was genuinely amused that Hodgepodge had absolutely no idea how fast this particular hedgehog was.

“It’s true, Hodgepodge,” Porker nodded, “Sonic’s really fast. He beat Johnny in a race”

“Indeed,” Tux added, “Though Joe and I only saw the outcome from the finish line, Sonic was the clear winner”

“T’weren’t even close,” Joe remarked.

“I’ll say!” Chirps squawked happily.

“So,” Flicky looked up at Hodgepodge, “we were kind of wondering if, since Sonic is faster than Johnny, he might be faster than you. I mean, I know you don’t compete officially any more, but, you know…”

“I know, huh?” Hodgepodge retorted, “Look, I may be retired as a racer, but you kids all know I’m the fastest guy on Mobius. Don’t take this the wrong way, Sonic, but beating Johnny doesn’t prove anything in real terms. He may be the sprint champ, but he’s a distant second best behind me- he’ll tell you the same”

“It’s true, Sonic,” Johnny shrugged, “I may be faster than almost everyone else for miles around but I’m still only in training. I’ve got a long way to go before I can catch up to Hodgepodge”

Sonic sat up, a little irked, “Hang on a minute. ‘Beating Johnny doesn’t prove anything’? What kind of way is that to talk about your star pupil?”

“Sonic, it’s fine, really—” Johnny began.

“No, it’s not. I get it, Johnny, you’re a good guy, you don’t like to make a fuss. Well, me, I’m happy to make a fuss. Let’s see how you like second best when that’s the spot you’re occupying, Hodgepodge”

“Alright, kid, but don’t think just because you beat Johnny on an off-day you’re going to beat me quite as easily”

Sonic looked at his friends, “I’m going to enjoy this. I really, really am”

***

Before long, Sonic and Hodgepodge were ready on the makeshift starting line Sonic’s friends had constructed.

“Alright, just so we’re clear on the rules,” Flicky announced, “The race commences when I tell you to go. You’re racing from here, into the village, to Uncle Chuck’s and back. And to ensure there are no cut corners, we have arranged for a pair of chilli dogs to be placed on the counter of the diner- you will be expected to bring this back with you as proof you ran the full race”

“Alright, but don’t expect the onions to still be in place with the speed I’ll be moving at,” Sonic quipped.

“Onions notwithstanding, gentlemen- take your positions,” Flicky announced.

The mood was somewhat tense but Sonic wasn’t concerned. Neither, he noticed, was Hodgepodge, who still didn’t seem to realise the situation he was in.

“On your marks,” Flicky called and the two racers got into position.

Sonic glanced over at Hodgepodge then looked back forwards.

“Get set,” Flicky continued as the two competitors arched their feet.

Hodgepodge briefly looked at Sonic out of the corner of his eye. There was no way this kid was faster than him. No way.

“Go!” Flicky yelled.

In an instant, both racers were off like a shot, thundering towards the village.

Sonic loved the feel of the wind in his spines as he rushed towards the midway point of the race. Deftly dodging and weaving in and out, avoiding obstacles and doing his best not to bump into anyone- mercifully succeeding, lest they be sent flying like Dulcy into Porker’s laundry pile- Sonic saw Uncle Chuck’s diner as it loomed closer on the horizon. This was going to be a well-earned snack.

“Not bad, kid”

Sonic’s heart almost exploded out of his chest in surprise. He turned his head to the side to see, to his horror, Hodgepodge was almost keeping up with him! The hare was only a few feet behind. One slip-up and this race could be lost for Sonic. Sonic could barely comprehend it- nobody was as fast as him! That’s what he thought, anyway. Yet here was Hodgepodge, every bit as fast as his friends had told him, keeping up the pace.

As the diner drew right up to the racers, the two of them knew a quick turn was impossible and both hit on the same solution. The two of them leapt towards the counter-top of the diner, grabbed their respective chilli dogs and kicked back off the counter top like a professional swimmer kicking off the pool wall, meaning both of them barely lost any speed on the return.

Sonic realised he couldn’t afford to lose a single step to Hodgepodge. He remembered Johnny offering to help him with his form, knowing there were ways he could become faster. If Johnny knew those tips and tricks, it was obvious Hodgepodge must have taught them to him.

Hodgepodge, meanwhile, was sweating. Though he wouldn’t let it on, he was worried. Nobody had ever been faster than him. Even Johnny Lightfoot, the Green Hill Zone’s sprint champion, was a very distant second and it was only Hodgepodge’s retirement from active competition that stopped him from reclaiming the crown. His powerful legs pounded at the ground, his feet slamming with such ferocious force they threatened to dent the soil. As Sonic suspected, Hodgepodge knew every trick available to him to reach his top speed. What Sonic didn’t know, however, was that Hodgepodge was using every single one of them- and Sonic was still two feet ahead.

No, three.

No- six.

Hodgepodge saw the finish line as the boys rapidly came into view- and, with it, saw the finish of his days as a racer.

Sonic sped past the line and skidded to a halt awkwardly. A few seconds later, Hodgepodge was right behind him.

“It almost doesn’t feel real,” Flicky announced, “but the winner is Sonic!”

Sonic flipped the chilli dog into the air and caught it in his mouth, the end poking out as he waved his arms in triumph. The boys clapped and laughed and cheered. Sonic took a bow and swallowed the chilli dog.

Hodgepodge slowly trudged his way up to Sonic. Humbled, he didn’t quite know what to say.

“Hey, man, close race,” Sonic extended his hand, “You almost had me!”

“No, kid,” Hodgepodge shook his head, “I never had you. You beat me fair and square. Though I don’t have to like it”

Hodgepodge accepted Sonic’s handshake, “But I believe in grace in defeat”

Johnny looked up at his mentor, “End of an era, eh, Hodgepodge?”

“Watch your tongue, Lightfoot,” Hodgepodge jokingly chided Johnny, “You’ve still got a lot to learn! Maybe I should take Sonic on as my protégé instead, huh?”

“I don’t think there’s anything you could teach him!” Chirps let out, not thinking how insensitive he sounded.

“Oh no,” Hodgepodge corrected, “Sonic’s running form is very sloppy. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like his full speed”

Hodgepodge looked over at Johnny and smiled, “But I don’t think I’m the one to teach him. Kid, it’s time for me to pass the torch. You’re the new coach around here”

“Me?!” Johnny asked.

“Sure, why not? How’s that for a way to talk about my star pupil, Sonic?”

Sonic smiled, “That’s more like it, buddy!”

Sonic stretched his arms, “Well! I’ve got an adrenaline rush going now. Anyone else fancy a race?”

The boys all did their best to look away.

“I’ll give it a go!” a voice came out.

Everyone turned to see the source of the voice. A young turtle walked up to the group and waved at them.

“My name’s Tommy, pleased to meet you. I saw the whole thing- that was amazing!”

Tommy shook Sonic’s hand and the confused hedgehog offered a response, “Well, thanks… do you really want a race?”

“Sure, why not? Looks like fun, right?”

“Look, I, uh…” Sonic awkwardly searched for the words, “I don’t want to assume anything here but are you fast?”

“Oh, not really! But I’ll give anything a go once!”

Sonic looked at the others. Flicky shrugged, “It’s fine by me. I can fly ahead and tell Uncle Chuck to set up two more chilli dogs”

Sonic was uncertain but decided there was no harm in racing Tommy, “Sure, why not?”

“Great!” Tommy was thrilled, “Thank you so much!”

***

In short order, the starting line was reset once more.

“Alright, guys, you know the rules, so I won’t repeat myself,” Flicky stated.

“How unlike you,” Porker smirked.

“Very funny. Alright- on your marks”

Sonic and Tommy took their positions.

“Get set!”

Sonic shot a concerned glance over at Tommy, who beamed back a huge smile.

“Go!”

Sonic shot off at tremendous speed.

Tommy did not.

Compared to Sonic, Tommy was like someone putting in a brisk jog against a peak athlete.

“I reckon this is gonna take a while,” Joe noted.

“Indubitably…” Tux lamented.

Sonic, meanwhile, had already reached Uncle Chuck’s diner. He glanced over his shoulder and noticed Tommy was nowhere to be seen. He skidded to a halt and then walked over to the diner counter-top.

“Ah, good afternoon, Sonic!” Chuck warmly greeted the younger hedgehog, “I didn’t have much of a chance to speak to you earlier”

“Hi, Uncle Chuck,” Sonic said, taking a seat, “This race, uh… it’s not quite as close as the last one”

“Ah, yes,” Chuck chuckled warmly to himself, “Young Tommy’s a lovely lad. Not a patch on your speed, you’ve probably noticed. But I’ll bet you that doesn’t bother him one bit”

“He definitely didn’t seem bothered,” Sonic replied.

“Yes, he’s like that,” Chuck noted, “He’s a very positive young chap. Though if I were you I’d be prepared for a bit of a wait if you’re sitting here while he catches up with you”

***

Sonic sat at Uncle Chuck’s diner for twenty minutes, discussing things with Chuck. Chuck was happy to tell Sonic he’d been working on an amazing new invention that was going to revolutionise Mobius, but Sonic didn’t really understand a lot of the scientific words Chuck was using.

Sure enough, in time, Tommy appeared on the horizon. He seemed delighted to see Sonic waiting for him. After another minute or so, he arrived at the diner.

“You know,” Tommy smiled, “waiting here for me makes it seem like this isn’t a very fair race”

“I think you and I both know this was never a fair race!” Sonic raised his eyebrows and grinned, “Come on, take a seat, I want to talk to you. The guys will wait. Probably”

Tommy sat down next to Sonic.

“Look, Tommy,” Sonic searched for the right words, “I don’t know how to say this without sounding rude… what made you want to challenge me to a race? I know nobody’s as fast as me but… you’re really not as fast as me!”

“Oh, of course not! I never thought for a second I could be faster than you! For me, Sonic, a race isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about having a good time. Oh, I knew I couldn’t have a chance of outrunning you! But I’ve had fun! That’s how I like to live my life. Life isn’t about winning everything or coming first all the time. Life’s about experiences, meeting people, doing things together. Can you imagine the looks on my family’s faces when I tell them I had a race also featuring the fastest person on Mobius and came second place?”

Sonic smiled, “You’re a pretty cool guy, Tommy. That’s a good way to live your life. Even if you can’t win, you’re gonna try anyway”

“Right!” Tommy beamed, “’cause what’s the point if you’re not going to try?”

Sonic picked up his chilli dog, “Hey, how about we head back to the finish line?”

“Sounds good to me,” Tommy replied, picking up his chilli dog.

***

Thirty-five minutes later, the boys were ready to go out of their minds with boredom.

“Why did we allow this to happen?” Flicky asked nobody in particular.

“I’m surprised Sonic isn’t back by now,” Johnny replied, “Do you think he’s got lost or hurt?”

“Or kidnapped by sky pirates!” Chirps blurted out.

“Or he went to find a brain for you but couldn’t find one small enough to fit in your head,” Flicky retorted.

“Charming!” Chirps folded his arms sulkily.

“Look, here they come!” Porker pointed down the path.

Sonic and Tommy were walking, side-by-side towards the finish line at a leisurely pace, laughing and joking all the way.

“And where have you two been?!” Johnny asked, baffled.

“Having a chat,” Sonic smiled.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t there a requirement for a chilli dog to be brought to the finish line?” Tux enquired.

“Listen, buddy,” Sonic looked at the penguin, “I don’t mind him being slower than me on foot but I’m not hanging onto a chilli dog for half an hour while it goes cold!”

The two newfound friends walked up to the finish line, the world’s slowest photo finish. Right at the moment they were due to cross, Sonic stumbled backwards and fell on his behind.

Tommy, over the line, turned back to look at Sonic, “What happened?”

Sonic looked up and shrugged, “Tripped over my untied shoelaces! Looks like you won after all!”

Johnny helped Sonic to his feet and whispered in his ear, “Sonic, you did that on purpose”

“You’ll never know for sure, Lightfoot,” Sonic grinned, “Hey, Tommy- imagine what your family’s faces will look like now you beat me!”

On to Chapter 11