Prior to Dr. Ivo Robotnik's military coup, Tommy was friends with Sally Acorn in the city of Mobotropolis when the two were five years old. Sonic originally picked on Tommy often due to the turtle's slow speed, but when Tommy finally stood up for himself and challenged Sonic to a foot race, everything changed. Tommy won the race after Sonic fell asleep right before the finish line, never expecting Tommy to catch up before he awoke. After that, Sonic had a new appreciation for Tommy. However, Robotnik launched his coup the following day, with everyone believing Tommy to have been captured and roboticized. (StH: #117)