Yo, Storm Hawk 21 here with a new story. When I was writing the other day, the idea for this just sort of got stuck in my head and refused to get out. I ended up writing it, and it eventually developed into this. I plan on continuing it, but if you could review and help me improve my writing, that'd be great.

Oh, and let me apologize in advance if I make any of the characters OOC.

Without further ado, let me present the first chapter of Knight of the Wind, Princess of Fire.

Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat, DO NOT own Sonic the Hedgehog. This is a fanfiction, fiction written by a fan. Meaning I don't get paid for writing this.

Chapter 1 – Wind and Fire Meet

Metal City, 11:50 P.M.

Speed. Nothing but speed. That's all that mattered right now. And I am speed personified. Forget my opponent. I am fast. I am quick. I'm supersonic.

I am… way past cool.

I smirked as I emerged from the shadows into the gathering of riders, both my wild mane of cobalt hair and signature, two-tone blue windbreaker flying wildly in the gusts of wind generated by the Extreme Gears. As always, I was sporting my green and white sunglasses atop my head and carrying my own custom Gear, Blue Star, tucked firmly underneath my arm. As soon as people saw me, they erupted into cheers.

Yeah, it's pretty awesome to be me right about now.

From the makeshift stage, a blonde-haired kid in an aviator jacket and black slacks was shouting into the mike. "Quiet down! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the speed demon, the master of faster, the sovereign of swift, the blue blur, the fastest thing alive–"

"Tails!" I yelled in irritation. Sometimes my friend could really get carried away. Besides, there was only one title I need. Up on the stage, a teen sporting an old brown cowboy hat over his red locks took the mike from his excitable companion.

"What he means is, give it up for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG!"

The crowd erupted into even louder cheers. I grinned and gave my friends a thumbs up. Waiting at the start was my latest challenger for the title of number one, some green-haired guy who was probably my age. He didn't seem to be affected at all by the atmosphere. In fact, he looked almost as cool as I was.

Almost. There wasn't a single soul alive who was as cool as me.

Somewhere in the background, I could hear my rival being introduced as "Jet the… some bird or something" by a violet-haired chick wearing a bandana. I wasn't really paying attention right now. All that existed was me, my Gear, and the track.

Jet looked at me once before scoffing and returning his gaze to the road ahead of them. "YOU are supposed to be the fastest? Ha! This'll be easier than I thought." He glanced at my Extreme Gear and seemed to be holding back laughter. "There's no way you can beat me with that floating scrap board."

"I'll make you eat those words and my dust," I retorted. It was one thing to insult me, but no one gets away with insulting my gear. Or my friends.

I could faintly hear Tails and that bandanna girl arguing about something. Apparently they know each other or something. My red-haired friend, Knuckles, was chilling with a large dude who was wearing the same emblem as the other two.

"Today, the Babylon Rogues shall be restored to their former glory," Jet muttered under his breath.

"Keep dreaming, Bird Boy," I cheekily replied. The crowd quickly parted to give us room for a running start. We backed up and anxiously waited for the countdown.

On stage, Tails had finally managed to swipe back the mike. "Quit it Wave! Oh yeah? Well, you–huh? The mike's still on?" The two had the decency to look sheepish over the fact that their whole 'disagreement' was broadcasted straight to their audience. Tails cleared his throat.

"Err, I mean, the race is going to be three laps around Metal City. We'll be tracking your progress from here via monitor. Feel free to follow any path you want and the only rule is that you have to pass through all five check points before returning back here. First one who does this three times is the champion." Wave swiped the mike from Tails, much to his annoyance.

"Oh, and before Mr. Goody-Goody Inventor here forgets to mention, this is an underground event. Meaning, if you get caught by the cops, you're on your own. So good luck, and try not to crash." She tossed the mike back to Tails, who barely managed to catch it, before hopping off the stage. Tails sighed.

"As my gracious (coughnotevenclosecough) co-host has just mentioned, don't get caught. Now, ARE YOU READY TO RACE?"

"YEAH!" was the unanimous reply.

"Jet of the Babylon Rogues, are you ready?"

"Of course."

"Sonic of the Sonic Heroes, are you ready?"

"Definitely!"

"Then let's start the countdown!" Above them, the monitor displayed a flashing countdown starting from five. Jet and I glared at each other before tensing up. Four. Three. Jet started running, but I didn't budge. Two. One. Jet was almost at the start when I sprang forward, zooming past Jet to the start.

GO!

We were evenly matched. Neither side managed to gain an advantage long enough for it to have any significant difference. We dashed past all of the checkpoints in record time, and were dead-even as we completed the first lap. With the second lap, both of us began busting out tricks and riding the turbulence to try to get ahead. While we were now alternating between who passed which checkpoint first, we were still too even when we crossed the starting line.

The final lap. We started going big with our tricks and dashing like there was no tomorrow. After all, there was no need to keep conserving air. It was all or nothing. I love this feeling. The adrenaline-pumping rush, the heart-stopping thrill, and, more importantly, the wind as it rushes past me. I've never felt more alive than I was right now.

I had to give credit to my opponent. Jet was good. It's been a while since someone could keep up with me like this. But I was still going to be the first one to cross that finish line.

Speaking of which, the finish line was in sight now. Both of us had just passed the last checkpoint neck-to-neck, and were steadily approaching the finish. I could hear the crowd and my friends cheering, but I couldn't hear them. Right now, nothing else mattered. It was just me, my Gear, and the finish. Victory was within my grasp…

Station Central High, Emerald City, 8:10 A.M.

"Riccio Vento-Cavaliere! WAKE UP!"

"Whoa!" I very narrowly avoided falling out of my chair and sat back down with a relieved sigh. I had to take a quick look around. Wasn't I just…

Oh. That's right. The race was yesterday. My board ran out of air, and I had to sprint to the finish. Me and Jet tied. Neither of us was satisfied, so we arranged a rematch in a couple of weeks. I wish we could do it sooner, but if we hold these races too often, it increases the risks of getting caught.

Around me, my classmates were snickering. Except for Tails and Knuckles, who, as far as I could tell, were asleep as well. Well, Knuckles was. Tails was valiantly trying – and failing – to stay awake. The teacher caught me looking and followed my glance to his slumbering friends. I winced and silently apologized to them as the teach stalked her way over to their desks.

"Miles Prower! Stark Anderson!" The two instantly shot to attention, leaping to their feet and saluting.

"Yes ma'am, Ms. Esmeralda, ma'am!" This time our classmates were laughing without restraint. I managed a smirk. The teacher was far from amused.

"At ease, soldiers," she resignedly sighed. The two dropped back to their seats. She was tired of us, that was clearly displayed on her expression. My guess is that she would've called the disciplinary committee if she (and the rest of the teachers as well as the student body) wasn't so afraid of them.

"Normally, this is the point when I'd be assigning you three detention," Ms. Esmeralda sighed again. She was only in her late-twenties and she was already too old for this. "But apparently that isn't really doing anything, so I need to think of new punishments for you. In the meantime, get back in your seats, stay in your seats, and be quiet in your seats!"

We quickly complied. For now. I glanced longingly out the window. It was a perfect day for riding. What I wouldn't give to be out of class and tearing it up on my Extreme Gear right now.

"Now as I was saying," Ms. Esmeralda continued from where she seemingly left off before. I silently groaned before tearing himself away from the window and actually started paying attention, for once. "We have a new transfer student today." That got the class talking. "Quiet! I said QUIET!" Silence. "Good. Come on in Natsumi."

A girl walked into the classroom, which again got the class talking. I instantly sat up. No, it isn't what you think. I'm not that shallow. Plus, I'm certain I've never seen this girl before in my life.

"I am Natsumi Hineko. I will be attending Station Central High starting today. Please take care of me." She bowed.

I guess she could be considered pretty, if the stares she was receiving from the male portion of the class was anything to go by. She had medium-length, lilac-colored hair (natural, it couldn't be dyed) with violet tips worn in a half-ponytail. She was wearing a short purple jacket with long coattails and a red trim, a blouse and skirt that matched her hair, white leggings, and magenta (was that the right name for that color? I don't really care) heels with white soles. When she stood back up, I noticed her eyes were a golden color, and somehow reminded me of a cat.

But that wasn't what got my attention. No, it was something I couldn't see. Something in the air around her. I could feel my good-luck charm growing warm in the hidden pocket inside my windbreaker.

The class politely applauded. I just continued to stare at her. Ms. Esmeralda noticed. I didn't need to be psychic to know when she was scheming something.

"Riccio, why don't you show her around for the next couple of days." So that's what it was. I can still get out of this, though. "And don't worry about your detention." Darn. "Oh, and if you misbehave or cause trouble in any way, I will personally make sure that you are suspended and/or possibly expelled!" Yikes. And she was still using that 'sweet' tone when she was threatening me. Dropping the maliciousness, she turned back to Natsumi. "There's an empty seat next to Riccio. Why don't you sit there?"

Natsumi nodded and made her way to her new seat. Along the way, I could see some of our classmates giving her looks of pity. Hmph. Tails tried to give her a smile while Knuckles just grunted. When she sat down, I decided to introduce myself. Hey, there's no reason for me to be a bad neighbor, now is there?

"Hey," I held out my hand. "The name's Riccio, but everybody just calls me Sonic."

She looked at my hand for a second before shaking it. "And I am Natsumi Hineko. Call me 'Blaze'. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sonic the Hedgehog. I get the feeling that this year will be most… interesting." She said cryptically before turning back to the front of the classroom, where Ms. Esmeralda was beginning her lecture on something I could not bring myself to care about.

I just continued to stare at her. "Interesting" is one way of putting it.

Something I noticed about our new "friend" while she was in class (apparently she and I had the same schedule. It wasn't like I was stalking her or staring at her the whole time. It's just an observation), was that, despite her nickname, she was cold.

She refused to speak up aside from when I introduced myself and whenever she was called on, but when she did talk it was usually in an emotionless tone. She blatantly ignored any and all attempts for others to talk to her, rejected all notes passed her way, and one time shoving her eraser into the mouth of some poor fellow who didn't know when to shut up. He ended up choking and Knuckles had to give him the Heimlich. He was later sent to the infirmary with bruised ribs.

On a side note, I'm fairly certain that eraser boy preferred choking. Knuckles sometimes really doesn't know his own strength.

After the eraser incident, nobody seemed particularly eager to talk to her. By the time the lunch bell rang, Blaze had already built up a reputation as an "Ice Queen".

Everyone fled out the door as soon as the bell echoed it's glorious song throughout every hallway. Well, everyone except me and Blaze. She was taking her time while I was impatiently waiting near the door. I crossed my arms and continued to repeatedly tap my foot against the ground. At this point, I was tempted to say, "I'm waaaaiiiiitttiiiiinnnggg!" for some reason. I would've too, but it's uncool to whine like that.

At least it wasn't chili dog day. That fact comforted me a bit.

"I am sorry for delaying you," Blaze said from beside me. I jumped. I didn't even notice her approaching. I did notice that my good-luck charm was getting warm again. But this time it also felt heavier, for some reason.

"Whatever," I replied.

She was about to say something, but she was interrupted by shrieks of terror coming from outside. I ran to the window, but all I could see was people fleeing from something in the courtyard.

"Stay here," I told her before jumping out the window. Unfortunately I forgot that we were on the third floor. I narrowly managed grabbed the ledge and dropped down onto the vents on the second floor. From there, I jumped and caught the rain drain pipe before sliding down. Once I was close enough, I kicked off the wall and backflipped onto the rail for the ramp.

I hopped down and started running to the courtyard. Normally, people run away from something that induces terror-filled screams in other people. What can I say? I've never exactly been normal.

By the time, I arrived, the courtyard was devoid of people. And for a perfectly good reason. Some kind of giant robot was wreaking havoc upon the school. For those who don't quite understand, I repeat, a GIANT ROBOT was WREAKING HAVOC!

The robot turned in my direction, and it's eyes flashed.

"Emerald signature detected. Initiating retrieval." It menacingly began stomping its way towards me.

I stumbled backwards, before landing on my backside. My good-luck charm was practically searing at this point, and it felt heavy enough to tear through my jacket. I took it out: a green gem, no bigger than my thumb. It was glowing. Literally. Was this what it meant by emerald?

It had almost reached me when a blast of fire came flying and exploded right in its face, forcing the machine to stagger. I turned around and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.

Standing there, with her hands engulfed in flames and golden eyes glowing brighter than ever, was Blaze. There was some kind of scepter along with a sheathed sword strapped to her back. She looked at me and her eyes widened slightly when she saw what I was holding. With the robot momentarily stunned, she extinguished her hands and approached me.

She knelt so we were eye-to-eye. "You have two options. One, you run away and pray that this is all some twisted dream while I take care of that mechanical monstrosity." She grabbed the front of his jacket and dragged him closer. "After which I will hunt you down and fry your memories so you'll forget everything."

Something tells me that she was serious about the 'frying' part. I gulped. "And what's the second option?"

She released me, unbuckled the sword and threw it at me. I caught it with an grunt. "You take that sword and become a knight, my vassal. Be warned, this battle is merely one of many that we will undoubtedly encounter in the future. If you choose this path, it is likely you shall never return to your normal life ever again."

I stared at the sword, then at Blaze. Hmm, become her knight or run away and have her track him down and roast his head. Wow, talk about a dilemma.

I smirked. "Knight me."

"Very well," she said. She stood up. "Kneel." I shifted into a kneeling position. She unsheathed the blade and placed it on my shoulders. "Under the authority of the Imperial Princess of Sol, I name thee Sir Sonic, and appoint thou as my vassal. Now rise, Knight of Blaze."

I stood up, not really feeling any difference. She reversed her grip on the sword and handed it back to me. It was a simple steel blade, with a cross-shaped hilt over a metal disk of some sort. Along the hilt were seven indentations, evenly spaced from one another. I would examine that later, once we took care of that robot. But first…

"You know, I think 'Knight of the Wind' fits me better." Blaze sighed.

"We shall discuss this another time. Now, let's go!" She surged forward, relighting her palms. I smirked as I watched her dance across the courtyard, shooting fireballs at the robot, which had finally managed to recover.

I ran after her, sword flashing in the sunlight and feeling far more confident than I actually was. I was probably going to be smashed by a hulking heap of scrap or roasted by my princess if I get in the way. I was probably going to end up fighting even more of these things and I was definitely going to get hurt.

But you know something? I think I could get used to this.

Character Corner

Name: Riccio "Sonic the Hedgehog" Vento-Cavaliere

Age: 15

Class: KNIGHT

Equipment: Caliburn

Nationality: Half-Italian

Appearance: Emerald green eyes. Wild, untamed mane of cobalt blue hair. Wears an opened, two-tone blue windbreaker (the upper half and sleeves are a dark blue while the rest is a regular blue); an orange t-shirt; white riding gloves; dark blue jeans; white socks; and red sneakers with white soles fastened by a white strap with a golden buckle. Often wears blue goggles or his white sunglasses with green lenses.

Bio: Impatient, somewhat of a slacker, and largely conisdered immature (though he is quite intelligent when he stops to think, but that's rather rare), Sonic earned his nickname simply by being the fastest. From track to skateboarding and especially Extreme Gear. He loves the rush that comes with going fast. The hedgehog part came from his first name, which means "hedgehog" in Italian. His last name loosely translates to "Wind Knight". He can also be sharp and observant, but terribly dense at the same time. Most of the time, he is cool and unruffled, but Amy Rose never fails to terrify him with her aggressive approach. Can be ADHD, and obsessed with chili dogs. He's also currently banned from playing soccer due to his tendency to jump on people or hitting them with the ball. Attends Station Central High with his two best buds, Tails and Knuckles.

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember to leave your thoughts in the form of a review.