Sonic sped through Green Hill zone, collecting rings and leaping spikes without pause and sending baddies spinning off into the distance (though they didn't disappear with a 'ping!', that's Nintendo). As he shot past Doctor Ivo Robotnik, the egg-shaped man called for him to stop.

"Whoa there, Sonic," said Robotnik as the hedgehog shuddered to a halt, jogging on the spot.

"Hey, Doc," said Sonic, "can't stop, man. Rings to collect, you know how it is." The pair had recently reconciled their differences, and had soon developed a friendship – Robotnik's evil tirade hadn't allowed him time for companions, and Sonic had subconsciously accepted him as something of a father figure.

"Ever think you should slow it down, boy?" asked Robotnik. "You miss so much of life, racing through this beautiful world at the speed of sound."

"Nah," said Sonic as he vanished in a blue blur.

Doctor Robotnik shook his head sadly as the young hedgehog disappeared over the horizon. "That kid's growing up too fast."