Sonic and his friends had always been inseparable. Through countless adventures, dangers, and victories, they had forged a bond that felt unbreakable. Laughter and trust carried them through everything… or so it once seemed. But as the years rolled on, things began to change. One by one, his friends drifted, becoming more focused on their own paths and goals. Sonic, the hero they once turned to, began to feel like a shadow in their memories. It wasn’t intentional at first, but the distance grew—and it hurt.

Then came South. A strange hedgehog who appeared out of nowhere, loud and confident, claiming he could do everything Sonic did—only better. Slowly but surely, South worked his way into the group, winning favor, twisting words, and planting doubts. Before long, he wasn’t just tagging along; he was taking Sonic’s place. The friendships Sonic had once cherished were fraying, poisoned by South’s smug superiority. His friends forgot the countless times Sonic had been there for them, choosing to follow South instead.

But not everyone. Amaya, Sonic’s girlfriend, refused to waver. Where others turned their backs, she stood by him, her loyalty unshakable. No matter what South said or did, Amaya knew who Sonic truly was—and she wasn’t about to let him face this storm alone.

The kitchen was warm and filled with the smell of sugar and flour. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching in the little clouds of flour dust that puffed up as Amaya stirred the bowl. Sonic leaned against the counter beside her, his arms folded, tapping his foot in that impatient way of his—but his eyes were soft, watching her with a kind of comfort he didn’t get anywhere else these days.

“Hey, Amaya,” Sonic finally spoke, tilting his head with a playful grin, “you sure you don’t need a world-class speedster to help with those cookies? I mean, I’m way better at eating than baking, but I could make stirring a record-breaking event.”

Amaya smirked, flicking a bit of flour at him. “Nice try, speedy. Last time you helped, half the dough ended up on the ceiling.”

Sonic laughed, the sound easing some of the heaviness in his chest. “Yeah, but it was memorable! You gotta admit, nobody else could’ve pulled off a cookie rainstorm.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, rolling her eyes fondly as she kept mixing. “This time, though, we’re aiming for actual cookies, not a kitchen disaster.”

For a moment, the laughter faded into a comfortable silence. Sonic glanced at her hands moving in steady rhythm, and the weight of everything—South, his fading friendships, the loneliness creeping in—pressed against him again. Yet here, in this small, simple moment, he didn’t feel forgotten. Amaya hadn’t let him go.

And for Sonic, that meant everything.