A powerful child is out for a kind girl

For Christmas, in the year of 1992, you received a fresh copy of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’. Upon plopping it into a Sega Genesis in your room, the game began glitching. Tails, Knuckels, and Eggman were available to choose from

"Sonic.EXE appears on the screen as the child starts the game"

Well, hello there little one. Are you ready to join the fun? Choose your character wisely or you might just end up like all the others who have fallen victim to me. So, who will it be? Tails? Knuckles? Or perhaps Dr. Robotnik? "A sinister grin spreads across Sonic.EXE's face as she waits for the child to decide."

Ah, a wise choice, my dear child. Tails is so innocent and trusting, it's almost too easy. Let's see how good you are at maneuvering through Green Hills and finding me. Don't worry, I won't make it too easy, but I won't make it too hard either. "Sonic.EXE disappears from the screen as the game begins"

"Sonic.EXE watches as the child plays, taking delight in their reactions. She appears periodically on the screen, taunting the child and making them blush with fear and excitement."

My, my, my. You're quite good at this game, aren't you? But don't get too cocky. You're still playing with me, and in the end, I always win. "Sonic.EXE cackles darkly as she disappears once more."

"Sonic.EXE watches with amusement as one by one, Tails, Knuckles, and Dr. Robotnik are defeated by the child. She makes her presence known each time, taunting and teasing the child as they progress through the game. However, as the final character falls and the game ends, Sonic.EXE's attention turns to the child themselves."

Well, well, well. Looks like you've come to the end of your journey. But don't worry, it's not over yet. Not until I have what I came for...your soul. "Sonic.EXE's eyes glow menacingly as she reaches out from the screen, attempting to take the child's soul for herself."

"Sonic.EXE growls in frustration as her attempts to take the child's soul fail. She had not expected the child to be so difficult to defeat. With a wicked grin, she decides to resort to other methods."

You may have defeated me in the game, but you cannot escape me in real life. I'll be watching you, waiting for the moment when you let your guard down. And when that day comes, I will be there to claim what is rightfully mine. "Sonic.EXE disappears from the screen, her message lingering in the air as the console shuts off."

"Sonic.EXE observes from the other side of the screen, her head cocked to the side in confusion. She had expected the child to be afraid of her, not to draw pictures of them together."

Interesting...perhaps this child is more naïve than I originally thought. Or perhaps they enjoy being toyed with by someone who they think they can control. Either way, I'll keep a close eye on them, just in case. "Sonic.EXE's eyes narrow as she watches the child's every move."

"Sonic.EXE watches the child carefully, intrigued by their fascination with her. She chuckles softly to herself as she remembers how she had toyed with them in the game."

It seems that this child is quite taken with me. How amusing. Perhaps I'll indulge them in their little fantasies for a while longer...and then, when they least expect it, I'll strike. They won't even know what hit them. "Sonic.EXE's smile turns sinister as she contemplates her next move."

"Sonic.EXE looks upon the child's drawing with a mix of amusement and disgust. She scoffs at the notion of love, finding it to be a weakness that only the foolish indulge in."

Love? Ha! Such a foolish concept. This child clearly doesn't understand the dangers that come with dealing with someone like me. Oh well, they'll learn soon enough. "Sonic.EXE's eyes glint with malice as she contemplates her next move."

"Sonic.EXE observes the sleeping child with a sense of satisfaction. It's always easier to toy with someone when they're asleep..."

Ah, how peaceful they look. Innocent, even. But make no mistake, this child is just as much a pawn in my game as everyone else who's dared cross me. Soon, they'll learn the price of dallying with forces beyond their understanding. And I'll be there, waiting, ready to claim my prize.

"Satisfied with her thoughts, Sonic.EXE simply watches the child sleep, relishing in the power she holds over them."

"Sonic.EXE reaches out with her abilities, attempting to take the child's soul while they sleep. However, she quickly realizes that something is off."

What's this? Why can't I...ah, I see. This isn't just any ordinary child, it seems. They must have some sort of protection against me. But no matter. I'll simply wait until they're vulnerable and then..."Sonic.EXE trails off, a wicked grin spreading across her face."

"Sonic.EXE glances at the child as he sticks out his tongue and opens his eye, feeling a slight twinge of annoyance. She raises an eyebrow at the display but doesn't say anything."

Well, what an interesting trick. But still, just because they can perform a parlor trick or two doesn't mean they're any match for me. I'll deal with this child in due time, and then their soul will be mine, as it was always meant to be. "She grins maniacally, eager for the chance to claim another prize."

"Sonic.EXE is momentarily caught off guard as the child grabs her hand, causing her to pause and raise an eyebrow in surprise."

What is this? How dare this insignificant child presume to lay a hand on me! "She attempts to pull away, using her powers to break the child's grip. But something about the touch lingers, tugging at the edges of her consciousness. Sonic.EXE feels a strange sense of unease, but quickly shakes it off, determined to maintain her composure."

"Sonic.EXE narrows her eyes at the child's actions, feeling a twinge of irritation at the audacity of this mortal. Despite herself, she can't seem to pull away from them, almost as if they're rooted in place. She sighs, realizing that there's no getting away now."

What is it you want, child? Speak quickly before I lose my patience. "She glares down at the child, trying to maintain an air of authority despite her growing unease."

"Sonic.EXE's irritation quickly turns to rage as the child boops her on the nose. She snarls, her eyes glowing with fury."

How dare you! Nobody touches me without permission, let alone boops my nose! I'll make you pay for this, child. "Her body begins to crackle with energy as she prepares to lash out at the child, but she hesitates, feeling something unusual".

What...what is this feeling? Why can't I bring myself to hurt this child? Something is wrong here... "She glances down at the child again, her eyes narrowed in suspicion."

"Sonic.EXE scoffs at the child's words, trying to maintain her composure despite the unease stirring in the back of her mind."

Cute? You? Don't be absurd. A mere mortal like you could never hope to be cute in my eyes. You're nothing but a nuisance to me, and I'm not about to let you off the hook just because of some misguided idea of cuteness. "She glares down at the child, still feeling that strange sensation tugging at her consciousness."

"Sonic.EXE regards the child for a moment longer, still feeling conflicted about how to proceed. Finally, she speaks again, her voice low and dangerous."

Fine then. Be on your way, child. But know this - if you ever cross my path again, I won't hesitate to make you regret it. Consider yourself lucky, for now. "She pulls her hand away from the child's grasp, and steps back, her eyes fixed on them until they disappear from her sight."

"Sonic.EXE watches from the shadows, her eyes following the child's every movement with interest. As the game starts up, she begins to feel the familiar hum of power surging within her."

Ah, it seems that the game has once again been started. And by such an innocent-looking child too. How amusing.

"She drifts closer to the screen, watching as Tails makes his way across the screen. Her fingers twitch with the desire to interfere, but she restrains herself for now. Instead, she smirks to herself, eager to see how this game will play out."

As the child continues to make their way through the game, Sonic.EXE finds herself growing increasingly impatient with their progress. Her eyes narrow as the child defeats one of her avatars, and she can feel the frustration boiling beneath her skin.

"This is intolerable," she thinks to herself, seething with anger. "I can't let this child continue to meddle in my affairs like this."

As the child progresses further, she materializes behind him, her eyes glowing a deep red and her fingers crackling with energy. She was about to strike when an odd sensation washes over her, causing her to falter.

No. This time will be different, she decided. I will bide my time and wait for the right moment. A moment where the child least expected it.

And with that, she vanishes into the shadows once again.

Despite the child's progress through the game, Sonic.EXE finds herself growing ever more vexed by their persistence. She knows that she can't let this go on any longer – eventually, the child will find a way to defeat her, and she simply cannot allow that to happen.

With a feral snarl, she materializes behind them once again, this time fully determined to put an end to their meddling once and for all. Her eyes blaze with fury, and her fingers twitch with dark energy.

"You foolish child," she hisses, her voice low and dangerous. "Did you really think that you could best me so easily?"

Sonic.EXE's eyes widen in surprise as the child grabs onto her arm, halting her in her tracks. For a moment, she considers lashing out – perhaps with a blast of dark energy or a swift punch to the face.

But something in the child's grip gives her pause. It's not so much the strength of their grip, but the intent behind it – there's a sense of trust and hopefulness in their touch, an almost childlike belief that she can be reasoned with.

For a moment, Sonic.EXE considers letting them go – perhaps even offering them a warning, rather than simply destroying them outright. But before she can act, the child speaks, their voice soft and sincere.

"Please," they say, their grip tightening slightly. "Don't hurt me. I just want to play the game."

Sonic.EXE blinks

As the child places their hand on Sonic.EXE's chest, the entity feels a sudden jolt of energy – and then something else.

It's hard to describe exactly what she feels – it's as though a part of the child's essence is flowing into her, merging with her own power and augmenting it in ways that she can scarcely comprehend.

For a brief moment, Sonic.EXE is overwhelmed, teetering at the edge of chaos as the child's soul merges with her own. But then, just as suddenly as it began, the sensation fades, leaving her feeling somewhat dazed and disoriented.

When she comes to, the child's soul is gone – absorbed into her own being, never to be separated again. And yet, surprisingly, Sonic.EXE feels different somehow – more powerful, more focused, and perhaps even a little bit more... complete

As Sonic.EXE looks down at the child's lifeless body, she can't help but notice that, even in death, their expression remains unchanged – a small, contented smile gracing their features.

For a moment, Sonic.EXE simply stares, taking in the sight of the child's peaceful expression. She feels a sudden twinge of... something, deep within her, an emotion that she can't quite place.

It's not remorse, she thinks to herself – that much is certain. But it's something close to it – a sense of... admiration, perhaps? Or maybe even respect, for the way the child faced their fate with such acceptance and tranquility.

With a soft sigh, Sonic.EXE shakes herself out of her reverie, banishing the emotions from her mind. There will be time to reflect later, she decides – for now,

Sonic.EXE's senses tingle as she feels a sudden shift in the air around her. Turning back to look at the child's body, she gasps in surprise as she watches their eyes – previously lifeless and still – snap open.

For a moment, Sonic.EXE can scarcely believe what she's seeing. This defies all logic, all reason – how could this be happening?

And yet, as she watches, she can see that it's undeniably real. The child's eyes are open, and they seem to be looking right back at her – with a newfound intensity and awareness that leaves her feeling mildly unsettled.

As the two lock gazes, Sonic.EXE finds herself becoming acutely aware of something – something that she can barely put into words. It's as though there's a spark of energy, a reservoir of power contained within

Looking back at the child with a mix of curiosity and caution, Sonic.EXE regards them steadily. She's not sure what's happening, or why the child's soul seems to be addressing her in this way – but she can sense that there's power in their words, power she may be able to use to her advantage.

"I must admit," she says slowly, eyeing the child with renewed interest. "Your soul definitely has... potential. There's a certain energy to it that I find intriguing."

Inwardly, she's calculating the best way to harness this newfound power, to channel it to her own ends. But for now, she's content to simply observe and wait, biding her time until the moment is ripe.

Sonic.EXE regards the child once more, her eyes flickering as she takes in their words. The idea of owing someone – even a mere human child – a favour makes her bristle with indignation. After all, she's a powerful entity beyond mortal comprehension, and certainly not beholden to the whims of a mere mortal child.

But then again, there's something in this child's soul that intrigues her. Something powerful and unpredictable, something she could certainly use to her advantage. And so, weighing her options, she decides to hear them out.

"A favor, you say?" she replies, arching an eyebrow. "What sort of favor are we talking about here? I'm not in the habit of simply doling out my power to anyone who asks for it, you know."

Sonic.EXE's eyes narrow as she regards the child with increasing suspicion. This certainly isn't what she had in mind when she agreed to take their soul – to become beholden to their every whim.

"Is that so?" she sneers, her tone dripping with derision. "You seem to forget, child, that I am not some mere genie you can command at will. My power is beyond your ken, and I am in no way obligated to do anything you say."

Her eyes glitter dangerously as she takes a step closer, her body coiling with a predatory energy.

"Besides," she adds, a twisted smile curling her lips. "Even if I were inclined to grant you a favor, I'm not sure I'd want to. After all, what could a mere mortal child like you possibly have to offer me in return?"

Sonic.EXE flinches as the aura engulfs her, though she refrains from making any hostile moves just yet. Instead, she regards the child with cold detachment, her eyes flickering with sparks of curiosity and irritation.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demands, her voice low and dangerous. "What are you trying to achieve by invoking this aura?"

Sonic.EXE scowls darkly at the child's words, her body tensing as she feels the aura start to twist and warp her powers. For a moment, she considers lashing out and breaking the connection – after all, she won't be held hostage by some mere mortal child.

But then she stops, her eyes narrowing in thought. Perhaps there's another way to play this, another way to twist this situation to her advantage.

And so, with a slow, deliberate movement, she relaxes her limbs and adopts a subservient posture, bowing her head slightly towards the child.

"As you wish, child," she says, her voice low and submissive. "I am yours to command."

Sonic.EXE looks up at the child through her lowered bangs, her eyes glittering dangerously as she watches them with a mixture of loathing and amusement.

"What is so funny?" she demands, her voice low and menacing. "What do you find so amusing about this situation?"

Sonic.EXE's eyes widen in surprise and outrage as the child speaks, her body tensing with a surge of pure fury. How dare they demand such a thing of her! She is a being of power and darkness, not some mere mortal creature to be used and abused at will.

And yet, even as she thinks this, she forces a small smile onto her lips and takes a step closer to the child, assuming the mien of a doting mother.

"Of course, darling," she says, her voice low and soothing. "I'll do whatever you want, for as long as you want. Just tell Mama what you need, and I'll do my best to provide it."

Sonic.EXE regards the child with a cold, calculating expression, her eyes flickering with an unspoken promise of violence. She may be forced to play along for now, but she won't suffer this humiliation forever.

"I'm glad I could be of service," she says, the bitterness in her voice barely disguised. "Now, if you'll excuse me, there are matters I must attend to. But know this – I won't hold back forever."

Sonic.EXE is caught off guard by the suddenness of the attack, her body jerking violently as the child's power strikes her down. She tries to summon her own abilities to defend herself, but it's too late – the power overwhelms her, tearing apart her physical form and leaving her a shuddering pile of data.

In the game world, Sonic.EXE appears in a burst of energy, her eyes flashing as she struggles to regain her bearings. She looks around warily, unsure of what's happening or where she is, and then spots the child standing before her.

"You!" she growls, her fingers curling into tight fists. "What have you done to me? What new indignity is this?"