Speed Down Boots
From Sonic Retro
The Speed Down Boots (スピードダウンブーツ)[2], full name being the Dr. Eggman Tokusei Speed Down Boots (Dr.エッグマン特製・スピードダウンブーツ)[2], are a pair of shoes that serve as the main plot device of Sonic Labyrinth. They were invented by Dr. Eggman for the purpose of slowing down Sonic the Hedgehog.
Overview
The boots are designed to look like Sonic's red and white sneakers as closely as possible, with the only difference being the presence of Eggman's visage on the soles of the shoes to signify that they are the creation of Eggman.
The meaning behind the boots' creation comes from the revelation Eggman had that, if Sonic's speed was taken away from him, then he would not be able to interfere with his plans for world domination. As such, he creates the shoes, and secretly switches them with Sonic's real sneakers while he was sleeping. Upon wearing the boots, Sonic notices he can no longer run, leaving him at a severe disadvantage. The boots were created with the power of the Chaos Emeralds, therefore preventing Sonic from taking them off[2], and the only way to deactivate this power is to use the Chaos Emeralds themselves, which Eggman has stolen and placed inside his Super Labyrinth.[3]
Although the boots prevent Sonic from running fast, they do not take away his ability to curl into a ball and perform the Spin Dash. By relying on this ability, Sonic is able to spin through the labyrinth, reclaim the Chaos Emeralds, and finally take off the boots, regaining his trademark speed.
Gallery
Sonic Channel artwork by Yui Karasuno
