Heroine In Training
Dawn stood atop the hill that once held her father's hammock. She looked out across the eastern horizon, early morning winds gently blowing through her quills. The sun began to rise, turning the sky the same soft purple as her fur. It was dawn, the time of day for which she was named.
And it was the day she had been looking forward to for ages.
With her mother's speed, she raced down the hill and through the forest that was once her father's home. She came to the moss hut she and her parents stayed at sometimes, zoomed past Sticks' burrow, then slowed to a normal running speed when she made it to Hedgehog Village. As the sun rose higher, so did the residents. They started to open up shops across town, smiling and waving to Dawn as she ran past. Being the daughter of two of the village's heroes made her loved and admired by most of them.
"Good morning, Dawn." the Male Fennec called out to her with a friendly smile.
"Morning!" Dawn returned, waving.
She came to Amy's house and waved to the pink hedgehog at the window, then passed Tails' workshop, where he was presumably working on something. The fox said a little while ago that he had a surprise planned for Dawn, so she was curious to know what it was. Then finally, she arrived at her own home. As she walked in through the opening on the bottom floor, her nose picked up the delicious smells of breakfast being prepared. Knuckles walked downstairs, yawning.
"G'Morning, sweetie." he said, giving Dawn a quick hug.
"Morning, Dad." Dawn said. "What's for breakfast? It smells great."
"I just hope your mom doesn't cause another fuss in the kitchen. Like last time." Dawn stifled a laugh as she followed Knuckles into the kitchen.
"There's my rising star!" Sonic quipped, wrapping his daughter in a bear hug. "You excited for today, sweetie?"
"You know it, Mom!" Dawn agreed excitedly. She noticed their breakfast waiting on the table. "Banana pancakes! My favorite!"
"Of course. It's your big day, right?"
As they ate, the family talked about what today meant for Dawn. Today, she was to begin training to become the newest member of Team Sonic. She had spent years practicing with her abilities-her mother's speed and her father's strength. But now, she would prove herself worthy. She was to set out on a week-long journey across Seaside Island, taking on difficult challenges and facing powerful enemies. But she was confident and willing to face them all.
She very much wanted to become a hero of the village and fight alongside her parents and friends. And she wouldn't let anything get in her way.
Later that afternoon, Dawn prepared to depart. Everyone from the village had gathered on the beach to see her off. When she arrived, she noticed her parents and friends crowded around something under a palm tree. They stepped aside, smiling knowingly, to reveal a large object covered by a sheet.
"Dawn," Tails began, "you know that surprise I said I was making for you? Well-" He pulled the sheet back, revealing what was underneath. "Ta-da! I call it the Purple Lightning!"
Dawn's surprise was a purple motorcycle. The side panels were designed to resemble lightning bolts. After a moment of silent marvel and observation, Dawn hugged Tails gratefully.
"Oh, Tails, thank you!" she said.
"Looks like it'll definitely come in handy." Sonic said.
"And that's not all." Tails pointed to a button on the right handle bar. "If you press this, it'll convert into a gauntlet, so you can efficiently take it with you wherever you go."
"Oh, and don't forget this!" Sonic said. He handed Dawn a purple communicator, just like the ones he and his team wore. "So we can keep in touch. Well, I guess you're ready."
"Next time we see you, you'll be a hero." Knuckles said.
Dawn nodded in agreement and hugged her parents. "I'll see you in a week."
"Be careful, sweetheart." said Knuckles.
"You be strong out there, okay?" Sonic added.
"I will. I love you."
"We love you, too, honey. Good luck."
Dawn then addressed her friends and the villagers. "Bye, Tails, Amy, Sticks. Bye, everyone!"
She boarded the Purple Lightning and started it up. And everyone waved to her as she drove off.
As she drove through the canyon, a lone figure watched her from a cliff.
"So, she's Sonic's daughter." he said. "I'll have to keep my eye on her."
