It was a sad day for everyone. Today was their beloved heros funeral. They had mourned his death for weeks now, and while they had days of celebrating his life, it was time to say goodbye.

The crowd gathered at Green Hill Zone, a place where the wind always seemed to carry a melody of adventure, and the grass shimmered with the memories of countless races. But today, the air felt different. The usually vibrant and lively place was quiet. The loop-de-loops and bright landscapes seemed to droop with sorrow. A blue flag, marked with a single golden ring, hung low next to the stage where a few close friends stood to speak.

Tails was the first to approach the podium. His twin tails drooped behind him, usually spinning with energy, but today, they barely moved. He took a deep breath, adjusting his goggles nervously.

"I’ve known Sonic almost my entire life," Tails began, his voice shaky. "To me, he was more than just a hero. He was my best friend, my brother. No matter how fast he ran, he always made time for the people who needed him. Whether it was saving the world from Dr. Eggman or helping me build my first plane… Sonic was always there."

Tails paused, wiping a tear from his cheek. "He taught me that being a hero wasn’t just about speed or strength. It was about heart. He believed in doing the right thing, no matter how tough the odds were. And somehow, he always made the impossible seem easy. But... maybe the hardest thing he ever did was slow down long enough for us to catch up to him, to remind us what it meant to live with courage and kindness."

Next, Knuckles stepped forward, his fists clenched tightly, more out of the effort to hold back emotion than anger. His deep voice echoed across the field. "Sonic was… reckless. Fast, sure, but reckless." There was a small, bittersweet chuckle from the audience. "But his recklessness was his strength. He never ran from danger, even when it seemed like the smart thing to do. He believed in pushing forward, never stopping, never quitting."

Knuckles bowed his head slightly, the weight of the moment finally hitting him. "We used to fight, bicker, but I knew... deep down, Sonic had the heart of a warrior. He fought for everyone, not just because he could, but because he believed in a better world for all of us. And for that, he’ll always be my greatest rival and my greatest friend."

Finally, Amy stepped up, her usual enthusiasm muted by sorrow. She placed a single rose on the podium before speaking. "Sonic was always on the move, never staying in one place for long. But no matter where he went, he left something behind, hope. I always admired him for that. He gave me hope and gave all of us hope that no matter how dark things seemed, there was always a way forward, always something to fight for."

Amy’s voice softened, and her eyes misted over. "I’ll miss him. We all will. But I know Sonic wouldn’t want us standing around, mourning him for too long. He’d want us to keep running, keep fighting, keep believing."

As Amy stepped back, the crowd grew silent once more. The wind picked up again, rustling through the trees, almost as if it carried with it the sound of Sonic’s signature speed. Somewhere, faintly, the soft chiming of golden rings echoed in the distance, a reminder that though Sonic the Hedgehog was gone, his legacy would live on, racing through the hearts of those he touched.

Somewhere in the distance, the hero sat atop a rooftop, gazing down at the gathering below. Beside him sat his rival, Shadow the Hedgehog, his arms crossed as they listened to the speeches of their friends.

"You're dead?" Shadow asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.

Sonic shrugged, leaning back with a faint grin. "Yeah, it’s a shame, really."