Somewhere in the universe, there is a planet. It might be Earth, but it might be some other planet, maybe one we haven't discovered yet. Heck, maybe it's not even a planet. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Anyway, on this planet, there is an island called Christmas Island. It's named for its great amount of pine trees, and as you would expect, is a very popular holiday destination. And at that very moment, someone on Christmas Island was very, very happy.

"Happy birthday to MEEEEEEEE!"

A hedgehog was running around his bedroom, a grin on his face. He didn't care if he bumped into something, as long as he was still alive for this very special occasion—his seventh birthday. And what better way to spend his birthday than doing the thing he loved most: running.

You see, ever since this young hedgehog had learned to run (which had been at an abnormally young age), he found that he just couldn't stop. He was addicted. Sadly, he wasn't very fast yet, but he was going to get better. One day, he told himself, he would be faster than anyone on the planet. He just wished it would happen sooner.

Suddenly, the door opened. The sound startled him, and he tripped, his quills getting stuck in the carpet. He glanced at the person who had opened the door, who happened to be his mom.

"Sonic, it's time for your party," she said. "Come downstairs, your cousins will be here soon."

Sonic sighed. "Right. Party." Why did he have to have a party? It was just going to be relatives, who he could go visit any old time…unlike friends. That is, if he actually had any friends.

"Fine, I'm comin'." He pushed himself out of the carpet, and ran downstairs.

The mother watched his son ranting about the party, and couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. For some reason, Sonic's fur had turned out to be electric blue. The other kids often made fun of him because of it, but just a jog down the sidewalk, and all his problems were forgotten. Still, he did have a bit of trouble every now and then, and when he did, he refused to accept any help.

The doorbell rang. Usually, Sonic would've got the door right away, but obviously, he wasn't in the mood right now. So his mother got it instead.

"Oh, hi Bob! Glad you could make it!" she said to her brother. "Hello, Muriel! Hello, Sara!" She bent down to the infant hedgehog in Muriel's arm. "And hello, little Jacob!"

Sonic's mom tickled Jacob on the chin, which made him giggle.

Muriel smiled. "Thank you, Mari. How's the birthday boy today?" She walked over to the couch Sonic was sitting on. "I bet you're just so excited, aren't you?"

"Whatever," Sonic replied.

Mari, noticing Sonic's lack of enthusiasm, stepped into the conversation. "You know, Sonic…it's your birthday, and that means you're going to get presents…"

His ears perked up. "Presents?"

Just then, he saw it: a green paper bag in Aunt Muriel's hand, his name on the front…his present inside.

"Yes, presents," Mari replied, "But you're not going to get any if you keep acting like that."

Suddenly, Sonic stood up, looking happier than ever. "I'll be good! I promise," he declared.

"Good," Mari replied. "Now, go play with Sara for a little bit. You can open your presents later."

Sonic nodded, and dashed to his room, his cousin not far behind him