Chapter 1:

Shaggy, chin-length blue hair in desperate need of combing?

Check.

Green contacts to hide unusually black eyes?

Uh-huh.

Baggy clothes to hide feminine appendages?

. . . Unfortunately.

Dark blue ears flattened and bright eyes narrowed at the boy in the mirror. His name was Sonic, the speedy blue blur that could take down ten robots, trash talk his opponents, save towns and do it all with a smirk on his face.

However, Sonic wasn't real.

Elena, more affectionately known as 'Lene, was a meek, rather insecure girl. She hid all the time. She hid behind Sonic, her flaming, grinning, strong outside persona. Nobody knew who 'Lene was, because 'Lene never made herself known.

'Lene was born in Maroon City, Christmas Island, to a happy human-hedgehog hybrid family. The human-animal hybrids were common on that island—in fact, it was a haven for them. Many of them had been discriminated on strictly Mobian or strictly human Islands, and had sought out refuge. The Mobians and the humans were at war with each other, a war with no guns, but with sharp tongues and hidden spite, prejudice and whispered words of hate. Some had dared with come together—to even make relationships, create families, but were only shunned, their children too.

Christmas Island was 'Lene's home for the better part of her life. She grew up among family, friends, made a name of her own. She was known for her incredible speed and yet graceful agility. She liked to help people, and was looked up to by the young and admired by the older. At the time, there was 'Lene, and only 'Lene.

At least, until Christmas Island was attacked by the human forces.

'Lene had huddled in a nearly totaled building, tears rolling and nose running, comforting a few small, surviving children. She didn't have to look outside to know that they were all gone—all the people she'd known, all her friends, her parents.

She didn't know what to feel. It felt as if her heart was slowly being stretched, stretch so much that holes were forming, getting bigger, beginning to tear. She felt a dull ache in her chest area, and an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach. She felt horribly contained, and wanted nothing more than to scream out her pain, to screech and cry and curl into a protective ball forever.

But these children needed her. And 'Lene needed to be strong.

Another quick look outside told her that there were still some humans going around, looking for survivors to kill. She and the children hadn't been found yet. However, she noticed a particularly rotund man—he seemed to be in a hovercraft of some sort—the stood out from the rest. Long, meaty fingers stroked a bright red mustache, and goggled eyes looked on with glee. Presumably the leader.

'Lene's eyes narrowed.

He kinda looks like an egg, was her rather dim attempt at humor. She swallowed, then, looked around at all the children huddled around her. "I won't let them get to you," she whispered harshly. "Stay here and keep quiet!"

One small voice rang out. "You're not gonna leave us here, are you?"

"Shh!" another child hissed. "You'll get us killed, Teff!"

'Lene was already rising. "Don't say anything. You guys will be safe, I swear." It was a rather big promise for a rather small ten-year-old to make, but she was willing to give herself the benefit of the doubt.

Ivo Robotnik gave a pestiferous grin. There went one city of those pesky little hybrids. Scum of the world, they were.

He was about to dispatch the remaining robots to destroy what was left—those pesky survivors—when he saw a tiny flash of blue. He was about to dismiss it as nothing, yet years of experience (and unexpected attacks) told him to turn and get a better look..

He snorted at what he saw.

There was a tiny, skinny, toothpick of a blue-shaggy-haired boy, dressed in clothes that looked as if they were going to swallow him. He pointed a finger.

"Y-you're a big jerk!" Not much confidence in the statement, hm?

He didn't even bother speaking to the child, but with a flippant wave of his hand sent two large robots barreling in the child's direction.

'Lene let out a shriek as she instinctively dodged the robots. It was like a game of dodge ball…except deadlier. They spun around none-too-gracefully, and once again charged in her direction.

Learning and finally understanding that dodging them forever would not help, 'Lene, who had nothing else to lose, shot out her small foot in an experimental kick.

The damage was incredible. 'Lene watched, dark eyes glimmering as sparks reflected in them, as the robot exploded in front of her. She coughed as smoke began to fill her lungs, but she could not bring herself to look away.

With a roar of rage, Robotnik sent even more robots the child's way, 'Lene's instinct kicking into overdrive. With aimed kicks and punches, she totaled the robots, a big smile growing upon her face, almost crazed.

This was what they deserved.

She brought two fists down upon the top of one last robot, grinning as it short circuited and exploded. Her face was covered in soot, and her lungs felt as if they were about to explode, but she still sent a triumphant grin towards the fat man—the egg man.

Robotnik shuddered with anger, but he knew when he was defeated. He'd have the get more information on this hybrid boy. He seemed to have incredible strength—and a heck load of gall. Reluctantly, he turned his flying device around, his human army following him upon boats, and left the island.

'Lene swallowed, watching them go. She felt her burst of adrenaline and her huge amount of strength leave her. Shaking, she fell to her knees, tears falling out of her eyes.

Even as the small children surrounded her, cheered for her, called her their hero, she was still all alone. All traces of her past life were gone.

And that was when Sonic the Hybrid was born.