Sonic's Breakdown

The following is based on real-life events (sort of…) and parts of an actual dream sequence I had after my frustration. Please read the description for further information on the inspirations for this short story.

Also, some Sonaze scenes are peppered around here, for those of you who really get a kick out of that. =3


Sonic was going insane.

The blue hedgehog was sitting catty-corner upon the damp, wooden flooring of the sailboat, the Ocean Tornado, with his arms wrapped around his legs, rocking slightly back and forth and mumbling over and over, "N-no… this can't be… I can't lose... Not to him… not to anyone…I'm the fastest thing alive... I'm the fastest thing alive... I'm the fastest thing alive..."

Blaze the Cat and Marine the Raccoon watched their friend from the other side of the boat silently. They seemed deeply disturbed by Sonic's sudden change in behavior. Wasn't he supposed to be the happy-go-lucky type?  Interestingly, the young fox, Miles Tails Prower didn't seem too concerned at the moment, or rather, he was trying to stay calm so no one else would panic.

"Don't worry, girls," Tails said softly, "This is actually pretty normal for Sonic when he loses at anything."

Deep down, however, Tails was really concerned. Sonic might have been the competitive type, but the blue hedgehog was getting a bit too obsessed with beating Johnny, a mechanical shark-like creature, the right-hand man of the evil Captain Whisker. Johnny had challenged Sonic to a race on their water bikes, but it had been two days of constant racing and Sonic still hadn't beaten him. Aside from the occasional breaks for food and drink, which were becoming more and more delayed as the hours ticked by, the blue hedgehog was continuously racing the robotic shark after every loss. The Chaos Emerald prize at the finish line no longer mattered anymore; this was now about his pride.

Blaze was getting more agitated by the second as she watched Sonic disappear across the ocean on his Wave Cyclone for the eighty-ninth time. This entire ordeal was childish to her, for they needed to continue their mission, but Sonic wouldn't stop. She crossed her arms and watched helplessly as her blue hedgehog friend was dealt another embarrassing defeat.

"That's it… I'm tired of this…" Blaze thought to herself, "I'm going to end this madness myself once and for all..."

She waited until Sonic pulled himself back onto the boat again, just for a second to grab something to put in his stomach. The purple cat girl quickly stepped forward and blocked the metallic ladder leading back to where the Wave Cyclone was docked.

"Sonic, here's an idea, how about I help you out and race him instead?" She reached for his arm, but flinched when he pulled away from her.

"NOOO!!! I CAN beat him!" he screamed, his voice sounding crazed and scratchy, almost like Gollum's from Lord of the Rings, "And I don't need your help. I can beat him ALONE!"

Blaze just stared right through him wide-eyed, alarmed and unsure of how to respond.

"Really! I can do it. I CAN!" he said again as he ran his hand tensely over his messy, sea salt-encrusted head-quills. "I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog!"

"Sonic, if you would just let me help..." she insisted, "I think I know of a..."

"Nooooo!! I can do it MYSELF!" Sonic screamed insanely, cutting her off. This caused Tails and Marine to dive into an empty wooden barrel together in dread. Sonic surely had lost his mind.

Blaze was worried, but more annoyed than ever. "Oh... I see... NOW, you want to do things alone. When did this flip-flop mindset occur and what happened to the "power of friendship" crap you pushed on me about a year or two ago?"

Sonic was not listening. Blaze felt herself being pushed aside as Sonic made his way towards his water bike, getting ready for another go. Blaze then felt all sorts of negative emotions flowing through her all at once; pity, sadness, rejection, but they all melted into one single emotion: Anger. Her tail bristled, her ears flattened and her muscles twitched as she clenched her fists in a rage.

"Sonic! I didn't want to do this, but you've forced my hand! You've obviously forgotten that you're in my world now and I'm the one in charge here, not you! Now, look at me when I'm speaking to you!"

He looked at her angrily, almost in a possessed-like state, but his expression quickly changed when he saw her glare… that one cat glare that Blaze would make at him when he had done something really wrong.  As they stared each other down, one of his quills stuck up, then two, then four, and eventually, he subconsciously bristled all of his quills in fear.

Marine peeked over the edge of the barrel, watching them carefully. "Did... did Blaze snap him out of it?"

"I'm not sure…" Tails replied, peeking over the edge as well.

After what seemed like hours, Sonic softened his expression and relaxed his quills. "Sorry..." he mumbled softly, averting his gaze from her.

"You're… you're sorry?" she asked, her expression softening as well.

"Yeah… Sorry, but... I GOTTA DO THIS ALONE!!" the blue hedgehog screamed suddenly as he prepared to jump onto his water bike.

The purple cat girl's anger returned with a vengeance, "No, you're not! You've raced Johnny ninety times now, give it a rest! We need to get back to the mission before it's too late, or have you forgotten that?"

"Forgotten who-what now!?" he asked, not really paying attention.

Blaze sighed heavily and rubbed the gem on her forehead with her fingertips, attempting to ward off an oncoming migraine. "Sonic... if we don't return to our mission, my world will be in grave danger and you and Tails will never be able to return home."

"I can live with that!" Sonic said, almost in a sing-song tone of voice as he climbed down the ladder.

Blaze finally had her breaking point. Her entire body burst into flames and she clenched her fist, preparing to go postal on him. Tails suddenly leapt out of his hiding place in a panic, knocking the barrel over, sending it, and Marine within, and rolling to the other side of the boat.

"No, Blaze, don't!" Tails screamed, attempting to run in front of her to stop her, "He's not in his right mind! He didn't mean it! Blaze, please listen! You need to understand!"

"Oh, I understand…" she hissed, "This is like some kind of sick addiction to you, isn't it, Sonic?!" she screamed shakily in fury, her voice betraying her usual calm and collected composure, "Well, if that's the way you want it, then, I'm leaving you behind! I'll be going alone from this point on!"

Tails looked at Blaze sadly, "You don't really mean that, do you?"

Blaze sighed deeply to recollect herself. As her flames finally died down and disappeared, she calmly, yet sadly replied, "I'm sorry, Tails, but as the princess and guardian, my world's safety comes first... I cannot jeopardize it any longer." She began to make her way toward the now spinning and dizzy Marine the Raccoon and removed her from the barrel prison. "If you wish to tag along, Tails, feel free... but I think your friend needs help, and I... I can't help him..."

Tails was torn, as was Marine, once she figured out what was going on. Neither of them knew what to do at first. The young fox and raccoon just looked at each other silently; hoping one of them had an idea.

Finally, Marine piped up, "Crickey! You can't just leave em like this, sheila! You two are best mates, right? I mean... I know this mission is very important, but... ya can't abandon the poor bloke, he needs help! Plus, it seems like you guys have a little something-something, ya know? Ya do know what I mean, right, Blaze?" Marine then whispered to Tails, "Help me out here, mate, I'm struggling here…!"

"She's right!" Tails continued for her, "Back in Sonic's world, when you two first met, you guys didn't get along, and because you kept separating and fighting all the time, the bad guys nearly won. But when you two became friends and started working together, you both had this amazing power! I could see it; you both unlocked each others' hidden potential, especially you, Blaze. Because you learned to trust Sonic and trust your friends, you were able to use the Sol Emeralds the way they were meant to be used."

"You should be telling this to Sonic, not me..." Blaze said sadly, looking off towards the ocean waves.

"I'm telling it to BOTH of you." Tails said.

Blaze sighed. "I'm not sure what more I could do except destroy the water bike and tie him down... but… I don't think that would get us anywhere."

"Then, we'll just think of something not as drastic, mate!" Marine chimed in, "Simple as kidney pie, right?"

"And I suppose you have a plan?" Blaze asked.

"Psh... heck no! I'm the captain!" Marine answered, waggling her finger at her, "Why should I have to think for ya?"

"Thanks a lot, kid..." Blaze grumbled, glaring at the raccoon girl.

"Marine, you're not helping!" Tails yelled, flailing his arms in frustration.

"Well, geez, mate… sooooorrrrrry…"

Finally, Blaze determinedly climbed down the ladder, walked over to Sonic, whom was revving up his Water Cyclone for the final time, and grabbed him by the shoulder before he took off. The sudden grab made him bristle and scream bloody murder.

"Sheesh, Sonic… I barely touched you..." Blaze said, wide-eyed.

"Can't talk now… I have a race to win!"

"Sonic, would you just listen to me for one minute?"

"I don't have time for a minute..." he said.

She flattened her ears angrily and said, "Then, let's make time..."

"NOOOOO!!!" he yelled as his water bike took off into the open sea. Blaze quickly jumped onto the back of the bike without a second thought.

"If you won't make time then, I'm coming with you!" she said.

Sonic was getting exasperated. "No way, Blaze! You'll weigh me down and I'll lose for sure!"

"Hey! Are you saying I'm fat?" she snapped at him.

Sonic looked over his shoulder at her nervously and sweat-dropped, "N-no..."

"Good..." she said. "At least that off-the-wall comment snapped you out of it, at least."

"So, I'm not in trouble? Good!" He took the water bike back to the Ocean Tornado and idled there. "Now, please get off. I can't afford to lose."

"Sonic, you've lost ninety times already, what's one more going to hurt!?" she growled.

"Hurts EVERYTHING!" he whimpered and cried, "I'll die if I don't win this!"

"No, you won't die... Quit being over-dramatic." Blaze said, a bit softer tone than before, "If you truly want to win, then you'll need more training and I can teach you, if you'll let me. I happen to know a little about these robots' tricks... and we all know that Johnny has definitely pulled some dirty ones on you." She placed her hand gently on his shoulder. "Please, let's head back to shore and I can show you. Johnny will still be here when we finish, I promise. The guy obviously has nothing better to do with his time."

Sonic shook his head. "I don't need training! I can win this! I'm Sonic! Sonic the..."

He trailed off, not because he forgot what to say, but it was due to Blaze hugging him warmly from behind and burying her face on the back of his head.

"Shut up…" she mumbled, holding him closer to her, "Just… shut up…"

Sonic did indeed, shut up, and he blushed in his confused state.

"We hate seeing you like this... It's... it's not the Sonic we know…" Although Blaze said we to include Tails and Marine, she was really speaking more for herself. "You told me, Sonic; you told me once that one shouldn't carry the entire world on one's shoulders... that it's too much of a responsibility for one person. I'm sure you didn't mean to apply that to just me, right?"

Sonic relaxed a little against her and mumbled, "Yeah..." He looked towards the distance, trying to carefully decide what to say next. "But…" he added, "I can't stand losing to this guy... I can't lose... It'll ruin my reputation if I just give up, especially after all these failed attempts..."

"Who said anything about giving up?" she asked, releasing him so she could stand straight, "You're not giving up, you'll just be taking a break, honing your skills. Besides, if you keep up at the pace you are now, you might really kill yourself."

"But I lost all those times..."

"Yeah, so...? No one's perfect… and I do mean no one…" Blaze mumbled, knowing she had to humble herself a bit to admit that, "Besides, losing is just as important as winning, if not more so. When you lose, you learn valuable lessons and with that knowledge, you can come back to the problem with more strength. When you win, though, you don't seem to learn as much... If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, and that means you're not going anywhere. The key is to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you have more chances to learn and win."

She rubbed the back of her head, feeling a little awkward that she was the one giving Sonic an uplifting speech. It was always the other way around. "Err… besides, we all know that guy cheats, so... you need to learn how to avoid all those attacks he does and still win without stooping to his level." She clenched her fist in determination.

"Yeah, I guess so..." Sonic said.

"Don't worry, though, I won't do this race for you. I'm sorry for saying that I would earlier, I was frustrated. But… I can help you out by teaching you some secret skills you could choose to use against Johnny, that is… if you let me..."

Sonic relaxed fully. "Alright..."

"I do hope you mean that." Blaze said as she hopped off the water bike and climbed back onto the Ocean Tornado. She noticed that Tails and Marine were standing at the ladder's edge, waiting for her.

"Did you do it, Blaze?" Tails asked.

"Did ya kiss em?" Marine asked teasingly.

"MARINE!" Blaze and Tails yelled.

"Well, geez, mates… sooooorrrrrry…"

Blaze looked over the horizon as she spoke softly, "Well, I told Sonic what I felt he needed to know... Now, the rest is up to him." She turned to Tails and Marine. "Let's give him a few minutes to make his choice."

"I don't need a few minutes." Sonic said, already on deck.

Blaze jumped slightly, like a typical frightened cat. She whirled around and seemed surprised to see him standing there. "Sonic?!"

"Of course!" Sonic said, "You know me, I like to do everything fast, even making decisions."

"Does that mean you're coming with us?" Tails asked him hopefully.

"Sure am, little bro!" he gave him a thumbs up, "Sorry about what happened back there... Went to a dark place for a moment, but I got better."

"I'm just glad you're okay, Sonic," Tails said happily as he ran up and hugged Sonic, who gladly returned the hug.

"Awesome oh possum!" Marine shouted with glee as she leapt into the air, "Well, enough of the hugs and all that crud, mates! Let's set sail!"

"Right!" said Tails as he headed towards the helm.

"Tails, let's make a sight detour back to the village first." Blaze said.

"Oh? What for, Blaze?" asked the young fox.

"Well… there's something there that I must take care of…" she glanced towards Sonic, whom was looking out towards the waves. "I guess saving the world can wait... just a little longer..." she thought. She gave a soft smile as her eyes glowed slightly when they caught in the setting sun.

"You got it, Blaze!" Marine said, giving a thumbs up. "Well, Tails, it's time to take this tinny back to my place, mate!"

"I heard her, Marine." Tails replied with a sweatdrop.

Sonic glimpsed up to make sure Tails and Marine were busy, and then headed to where Blaze stood. "Hey, Blaze…?"

She looked back at him. "Yes, Sonic?"

He rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward, "Umm… thanks... you know... for that."

"That?" Blaze tilted her head to the side cutely, in a confused manner.

"Yeah, you know... for slapping some sense into me, I guess."

Blaze shrugged, trying to act all nonchalant. "Hm... it's just what I do... As a princess and guardian, I must ensure that everyone assisting me must be in prime condition both physically and mentally. Not to mention..."

Sonic cut her off by kissing her on the lips softly. Blaze was so surprised by his sudden burst of affection that she couldn't do anything in the form of a real kiss of her own. She just bristled a bit and shyly, but happily accepted it.

"You're always so serious and business-like, Blazey." Sonic said after breaking the kiss. He waggled his finger at her before poking her in the nose playfully, "You need to lighten up!" He grinned and ran off to the opposite side of the boat, almost giddily, it seemed.

She reached up and touched her blushing cheek in a daze as she watched Sonic run off. Suddenly, Sonic's statement finally registered in her brain, which made her confused and rather annoyed.

"Lighten up...!? I'll show you lighten up!" she shouted as she raced after him.

Before she reached Sonic, he returned to her, stopping mere inches in front of her face, their noses touching, and him grinning from ear-to-ear.

"I think you liked it." he said mischievously.

"L… liked it…?" she asked, blushing heavily as she took a step back. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) she found herself becoming lost in his emerald-green eyes before she could say anything more.

"Oh, you forgot," Sonic said with a HUGE grin. There was no doubt about it now, he WAS giddy. "Here, let me refresh your memory."

And with that, Sonic swiftly, but smoothly scooped the blushing Blaze in his arms and gave her a real kiss. This time, Blaze was able to return the kiss formally.

Meanwhile, Marine was tugging at her own pigtails with this huge, retarded smile on her face as she watched Sonic and Blaze kiss. "B-DAWWW!! Tails, come here! You're missing all the b-daww cuteness, mate!"

"I'm kind of busy steering right now, Marine… and shouldn't you be manning the guns or something?" Tails replied.

"But Tails, I told ya those two had a little something-something for each other! Bonza! I'm as thrilled as a koala in a eucalyptus tree for them!"

"Leave them alone, Marine." Tails said with a sweat-drop. "Kids…"

And so, the Ocean Tornado set sail for the village, eventually fading from view within the setting sun. Did Sonic learn the hidden techniques and manage to defeat Johnny in their next race? I believe you, dear reader, know the answer to that question.

                                  ~FIN