Back to Chapter 33

The next morning, Sonic awoke, feeling a little better. A restful night’s sleep had done him the world of good, as had talking to Bernadette the day prior.

“Sonic’s a loser, just like you, Nicky!”

Sonic’s ears pricked up at the sound of the voice coming from outside. It wasn’t a voice he recognised. He decided to peer out of the window to find the culprit.

“You leave Sonic alone! If not for him, you’d be a robot by now!”

The second voice belonged to the young blue hedgehog Sonic had seen when he first moved into the village. Sonic recognised him from the “N” on his jumper and the glasses he kept pushing up his nose. From that monogram and what the lizard had just said, Sonic ascertained the boy must be Nicky. He was evidently having quite the heated argument with the owner of the first voice, a mean looking lizard with a blond mohawk and sunglasses.

“Pah, as if I’d be a robot- Doctor Robotnik wouldn’t need to turn me into a mindless slave, I’d happily work for him!”

“You’re crazy, Anton!”

“Doctor Robotnik is cool, dweeb! Face it- it’s only a matter of time before he takes over the world. When that happens, you have two choices: either become a Badnik and serve him or offer yourself willingly- at least that way you get to hang out with a cool scientist!”

Sonic furrowed his brow. Freedom of speech was marvellous, wasn’t it? Of course, Sonic could hardly interject himself in a verbal argument between two strangers, especially not when he was the subject. That’d just make him look pathetic.

“I’d never serve a creep like Doctor Robotnik! Maybe you just like him ‘cause jerks of a feather stick together!”

“What did you call me?” the lizard snarled and leaned his imposing size down towards the hedgehog.

“A… I… y-you’re a jerk!” the hedgehog responded.

“Nobody calls Anton Verruca a jerk and gets away with it!”

“W-well…” Nicky looked worried but found the courage to stand up for himself, “Well you shouldn’t have been mean about Sonic!”

Anton huffed, unimpressed, “Tell you what, Nicky, if you’re so sure you can defend Sonic’s honour, why don’t we settle this like men? You and me, tomorrow at noon in the village square- a boxing match! Winner gets bragging rights and everyone will know that their guy is the coolest- by which I mean Doctor Robotnik ‘cause there’s no chance a pipsqueak like you could ever hope to defeat me!”

Nicky clenched his fists, “You’re on, Anton!”

“Heh… see you tomorrow, dork,” Anton turned around and smacked Nicky in the face with his tail, knocking him over. “Oops,” Anton said sarcastically, sneering a vile grin as he walked off chuckling to himself.

Sonic had seen enough and rushed outside. Nicky picked himself up.

Sonic came up behind Nicky, “Are you okay, kid?”

“I’m fine. I just—” Nicky turned to see Sonic and instantly beamed with delight, “Y-you’re him! I mean, you’re you! You’re Sonic!!”

“And you’re Nicky- I overheard your conversation with that doofus. Pleased to meet you,” Sonic shook Nicky’s hand and Nicky was awestruck. Sonic shook his head, “Kid, why did you agree to fight that Anton guy?”

“He… he was saying mean things about you!”

“So let him!” Sonic shrugged, “You think I care what a loser like that thinks about me?”

“He says Doctor Robotnik is cool!”

“Well, you know what they say about opinions, right?”

Nicky shook his head.

“Ask your parents,” Sonic responded, “The point is, everyone has an opinion. And some of them are stupid. Some of them are harmful. But they’re entitled to think those stupid, harmful things. The problem is now you’re about to get into a fight and that harm’s coming your way”

“I haven’t got a chance,” Nicky sighed, “Sonic, I really want to be strong- like you! Can you teach me your super speed moves?”

“Sorry, kid,” Sonic gave a sympathetic look, “My speed’s natural, it can’t be taught. As for strength…”

Sonic rubbed his chin in thought. Nicky tilted his head to the side as if awaiting a compliment from his hero. Sonic couldn’t very well disappoint, could he?

“I guess you already are strong in a way- it took courage to stand up to that bully!”

“Thanks, Sonic!” Nicky beamed, “Do you think I have a chance?”

“Kid, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here,” Sonic raised his hands defensively, “I’m going to put this as gently as I can: if you fight that brute, you’re gonna get creamed”

Nicky shrunk into himself a little, “Oh…”

“Sorry, I guess that wasn’t so gentle after all. The problem is, if he beats you, he’ll be crowing about it for ages. He’ll use that as proof that Robotnik is cool after all. That’s how bullies work, their minds make whatever logical leap they want to make the point they think they’re making rather learning and adapting and becoming better people”

“Well, Robotnik or no, I’d rather not get beat up”

“So why’d ya accept the fight?” Sonic couldn’t help but be flabbergasted, “Getting beat up doesn’t prove anything. And if you lose, you’re giving him credibility”

“I guess… I’m sorry, Sonic”

“Hey,” Sonic put an arm around Nicky’s shoulder, “you don’t owe me an apology. But we do need to figure out some kind of strategy. I don’t want people fighting in my name but it looks like I don’t have much choice on this one. We’ll just have to do whatever we can to try and turn the tide in your favour, okay?”

“Yeah!” Nicky sounded hopeful, as if he knew Sonic would be the one to help him all along.

“Sonic!” Bernadette called out from home, “Your breakfast’s getting cold!”

“I’ll take mine to go, mom!” Sonic called back, “I think I’ve got a busy day ahead of me!”

The two blue hedgehogs looked at each other and shared a smile. This would be a different kind of challenge altogether for Sonic.

On to Chapter 35