Sonic hated wolves.
"C'mon, punk. Just give your money and we'll leave you alone."
For whether they were feral or sapient, they always, always came in packs. And they would always prey on the weak.
Not that he was, mind you. He'd been in fights more than any of his friends, and had learned to defend himself pretty well. He had even taken care of the bullies in his martial arts class a few times. That was just how strong he was.
Yet, as he spat out blood residing in his mouth, he knew that, no matter how good he was, he didn't stand a chance. Not against five wolves who were clearly used to working together. It would take more than one person to take them down. And, in the state he was in, there was no way he could call for help.
His foot found unknown liquid, and he slipped to the ground. Sharp pain exploded in his back as it met the wall, nearly forcing a scream out of him and blurring his vision. He couldn't even the outline of his attackers anymore, and by the soft snicker he heard, those muggers had expected this.
To say that his first night out had started so well...
He had just gotten his parents to agree in staying out late. To celebrate, Sonic had taken his friends of age to the local alcohol-free dance club. They had passed the entire time dancing and laughing. They had had fun.
And, when the night came to an end, he had left them to head home. He hadn't listened to his parents warnings, hadn't heeded his friends' wants to take him home. It was out of their way, anyway. And it wasn't like anyone would attack him, right?
Oh, the irony.
He tried to get up, only to slip right back with a yelp. Yes, he was in deep trouble. And there was no way out.
If only his parents would forgive him for this.
"Hoy."
He forced himself to blink, if only to clear the haze, as his assailants turned around, growling.
"Who said that?" asked the one he assumed to be the leader of the pack. He was the only one who had talked so far, so it seemed plausible.
"I did," came the calm answer, "Are you done picking on weaklings?"
His hand clenched. He was no weakling. He could fight his strongest friend one on one and come out without a scratch. Heck, he could even take two of them and come out unscathed. There was a reason the bullies in his class wanted his head.
Then again, with aching ribs, blurry vision and a busted lip, he probably didn't have the best image.
"None of your business, punk! Now show yourself!" shouted the alpha as he took a crouching position. They were getting ready to attack. They'd done the same to him.
"You made it my business when you assaulted him," was replied as the person took a step forward. And Sonic couldn't help but gasp.
A hedgehog. Just like him. And yet so different.
The dark clothes blended with his fur, and only enhanced the vibrant red streaks upon his quills. A white patch of fur burst out of his half-closed shirt, seeming out of place. Tan lips were set in a grim line as he flicked away a cigarette stub. And those eyes – those eyes looked like they contained the pits of Hell.
"Now unhand the boy and I won't have to harm any of you."
At those all too familiar words – he was a fan of action movies – his gaze went for the hedgehog's belt. A holster. The guy was armed. Was he a cop? He didn't look like one.
"You and what army?" scoffed the leader, which only earned him a raised eyebrow.
"You're new here, aren't you?" came the unexpected question that made the wolf laugh.
"Does it matter? We rule here, punk."
"See, that's were you're wrong," answered the black one, a small smile appearing for a mere second. "You are not in charge of this city."
Sonic blinked as he lost track of the hedgehog, only to see him reappear behind the canine while holding his hand. How in the world...
"I am."
He barely heard the words before his world drowned in the sound of a sickening crack followed by a scream. A scream that could only stem from broken bones.
The wolf staggered forward, turning back to the impassive hedgehog with a snarl, eyes bloodshot. Anger. Sonic had already seen it when he managed to wound the leader. And to wound the alpha meant to incur the rage of the pack.
He swallowed as he watched the hedgehog get surrounded by the four left. The latter was going to die. He didn't stand a chance against them. Whoever he was, there was no way he could survive this. He had to flee!
Sonic's open mouth snapped shut when two of the wolves attacked, and the hedgehog jumped. Jumped so high, he seemed to disappear out of thin air.
"Find him!" shouted the leader as the four covered the alleyway, barely noticing the one they had beaten up earlier. At least he was safe. As long as that dark hedgehog was around, he didn't risk much.
"Over here, assholes," came the reply as the guy landed. Right between him and the pack.
And Sonic swallowed. Hard.
"Kill him!"
He clenched his eyes shut as the canine pounced. He was dead. They were dead. There was no way they could survive this.
He flinched at the thud. He was next. He could feel it.
A second thud. With a wolfish groan. What the...
Sonic cautiously opened his eyes. Just in time to see the black hedgehog down the third attacker without a second glance as he grabbed the fourth's savage punch while pressing on the canine's stomach. Blood erupted from the wolf's mouth as he fell to the ground, unconscious.
The gun came out of its holster with a flourish, and Sonic got the impression that it was aimed perfectly at the alpha's head.
"I own this city, "punk", and I suggest you and your pack leave before I have to take drastic measures," said the hedgehog with a calm that made Sonic wonder if the fight had even affected him. Who the heck was this guy?
"You..." came the breathless reply as the alpha staggered back. There was a flash of recognition in the canine's eyes, and his tail momentarily flicked between his legs in fear. "I'll find you again. I swear it. I'll drop you from your pedestal."
"Go ahead and try," hissed the hedgehog at the retreating figure. "The only thing you'll get are either the cops after you, or holes through your skull."
He watched as the hedgehog knelt next to him. Just before a headache slammed itself into his skull. Cripes. Wrong timing.
"They busted you up pretty bad. You got a name?"
Sonic barely managed to open his mouth before his entire world faded to black.
