FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The stillness of the rainforest was broken by a rush of wind and a clap of thunder, breaking the sound barrier. Startled from her sleep, she snuck over, watching the arrival of an unusual visitor to her home from her hiding place.

He was in a clearing. The surrounding rainforest foliage was dense and colorful. Butterflies floated by in the warm air, and the birds in the canopy were temporarily silenced. A secluded hut was in the distance, its presence barely detected.

She studied him, her tail twitching. He was a blue hedgehog with green eyes, his red and white shoes covered in dust from miles of running. He looked around, and called out, "Hello? Hey, Shadow! Get back here!"

His taunt was met with silence. She crept closer, her rosette covered pelt hiding her in the shadows of the underbrush.

"Huh?" he swiveled an ear, his nose twitching. "Who's there?!" He clenched and unclenched his fists, posturing himself in preparation for an attack.

She scented him in the still air, and decided he was no threat. She showed herself, a jaguar in simple hide tatters. She had bright green eyes, mid length brown hair, and a necklace with an ammonite shell pendant. She huffed, "What brings you here, Hedgehog?"

"Oh!" the blue hedgehog jumped a little, startled by her presence. Then, he smirked, relaxing slightly. "I'm after a black hedgehog. He looks a lot like me. Have you seen him?"

"Afraid not," the jaguar replied.

"You'd better get going," the blue hedgehog advised. "That black hedgehog and his cronies have decided to blow this whole forest up!"

"What?!" the jaguar was stunned. She gazed at her beautiful enclave, its tranquility the reason for her isolation. Tears filled her eyes. "Why? This place...it's my home!"

"I'm sorry, I wish I had more answers." The blue hedgehog shook his head, his smile fading. "I'm on my way outta here, you want to follow me?"

"...my home..." the jaguar fell to her knees, deeply saddened. She sobbed.

"Hey!" the blue hedgehog knelt next to her, lifted her chin. "You know, if it makes you feel any better, I don't really have a place like this to call home. In fact...I don't remember the last time I felt home."

"...really?"

"Yeah...it's...well, it's why I like to run. I love to be free, y'know? No place and nobody to tie me down. Heh. Running...does take its toll. But it's what I know and it's what I can do better than anyone else!"

A distant explosion rumbled, tearing the silence of the canopy apart. Birds and insects fled in droves, their cries filling the air.

"Speaking of running, we'd better go!"

He stretched out his gloved paw to her, waiting.

She looked up at him, his grin defiant despite the pain he had endured. She looked at her home one last time.

She took his paw, and took a deep breath.

"Just hold on, okay? I can run really fast!" he warned. He took several cleansing breaths, then, squeezing the jaguar's hand, bolted away. The jaguar gasped, stunned by the sudden takeoff. "By the way!..." he mentioned in between bursts of speed, leaping over logs and branches, "...the name's Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog!"

"I'm..."

"MOONGAZE!" her father's voice tore the air, interrupting her reverie. She sat dazed in front of the screen, the controller in her paws warm from her touch. She was shaking, wishing she was a million miles away, on an adventure to somewhere new and welcoming, rather than being stuck in the isolation of her room. She sighed, turning off the console.

**Backstory** I've always enjoyed Sonic the Hedgehog. I was introduced to him in the early 90s, when the Sega Genesis came out. I played Sonic 2 constantly. When the Sega Dreamcast debuted, I played Sonic Adventure and then Sonic Adventure 2, which I later owned. I loved Sonic Adventure 2. The story was cheesy but the gameplay and the music drew me in. I drew all kinds of Sonic comics during the early 2000s, influenced heavily by Archie comics, Sonic SatAM (which I also watched constantly as a youngster) and Sonic Adventure 2. I wanted to go to Sonic Boom to celebrate Sonic's 20th anniversary, but my funds and embarrassment of being a Sonic fan in my 20s myself made me shy away from the Sonic fandom. I still enjoy playing Sonic games...I attempted Sonic Generations and Sonic Colors on Steam, and I managed to get through Sonic Forces on the XBox. Sonic is an odd source of comfort for me, and was one of the main reasons I identify as a furry today.

Enjoy the story!

My favorite Sonic Forces track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56INRdm0rQo