Author's Notes:

I wanted to take up a writing challenge, and the A-Z challenge seemed like it would be good for practice. Each story will have its own genre, characters, and plot. I will post those in the notes for each chapter so it gives a quick idea of what the story will be.

Genre: Tragedy and Suspense

Characters: Shadow, Jet, Storm, and Wave

Plot: Shadow wakes up with no memory. Can he find someone that knows who he is?

I awoke from my slumber with a pounding migraine. The head pain made my vision blur and ears ring. I tried to process my surroundings, but the darkness of the room was too great. I would have to identify the room without my sight. The sound of metal clacking was in a rhythm. The sound of chains jingling and heavy machinery was present. I could smell smoke and oil in the air. I figured the smoke was one reason why it was so dark in this room. I felt as if my body was lying on a grated platform above the floor. The wind blew through the holes which sent chills up my spine. For a place with fire and mechanics, it was oddly cold.

I got enough strength to stand. I looked over the railing and saw giant machines rotating in ice covered land. How had I gotten here? I tried to think of my previous location, but nothing came to mind. I knew not my location, nor my name. My identity was a mystery to me. How could I have forgotten who I was? I would not find those answers by standing still here in an ice factory.

I jumped down from my platform to the ice. The ice covered what seemed to be a race track. Was I perhaps in a race? I had no vehicle or bicycle. I began to follow the bright neon arrows that showed how to follow along the track. My speed increased with each step and my shoes started to hover over the icy ground. I swayed my arms like an ice-skater to pick up more speed with my shoes. They seemed to be releasing air in order to propose me forward.

The shoes had a black, white, and red design with golden loops. The design choice must have been custom made because it matched not only my gloves, but my fur. The red streaks in my quills, arms, and legs were complementary to my shoes. Were these markings meaningful in some way? I would need to find someone who knew me if I wanted solutions to my questions.

The track had twists and turns throughout it. I found myself dangerously close to falling off a few times. Luckily, I was able to maintain my balance and avoided what could be my second traumatizing fall. The ending of the race track was within my vision. I thought I broke the sound barrier when I sped up to reach the end. I turned my feet to bring myself to a grinding halt. I waited a moment and heard voices of others in the distance. They could help me, I thought.

I jumped up to the source of the sound. A few machines and platforms made a perfect path for me to follow the sound. I reached the top of the frozen factory and saw a room with shadows beaming from within it on the windows. I jogged to the door of the room and turned the knob. I knew knocking is the appropriate way to enter, but this was a serious emergency. If I was going to find out who I was, I need to be hasty.

There were three birds in the room. One was a purple swallow. She appeared to be fixing a hover board of some sort. Another was a tall, grey albatross. He stood with his chest puffed out and fists clenched. The last was a green hawk. He was leaning back in his chair with a smirk on his face. A fire was in the middle of the room that radiated heat to the team. The all had strange marking on their body. The tattoos almost seemed tribal to me; however, no modern tribe had such markings.

They must not have heard me come into their room for they made no reaction to my entrance.

"Hello? Can you help me?" I called out to them.

The green one let his chair fall into its starting position with a thud.

"Help you? You look like some kind of thief to me! Storm, grab him!"

The large grey one who I now knew as Storm wrapped his thick hands around my shoulders.

"You got it, boss," he said happily.

"What is your matter here, hedgehog?" the purple mechanic interrogated me.

"I don't know my identity. I am looking for someone who might have answers as to who I am," I replied to her. I did not want to anger these people, especially with their body guard holding me tightly.

"Sounds like you are either forgetful, or have a case of amnesia," the mechanic looked back down to her work.

"You can let him go now," the boss told his brawn.

Storm released me and I brushed off my fur from where his hands were. I rolled my shoulders to get more comfortable after that tight squeeze.

"My name is Jet, this is Wave, and you already know Storm," he pointed to each member as he said their name and they gave silent nods to me.

"We aren't any doctors, so we can't really help you with your problem," said Jet.

"Do you know anyone who can help me, or anyone who might know me?" I pleaded to these birds. I needed my identity back. What if I was someone of grave importance? What if I had a goal or mission to do here?

"You won't find anyone here that can," Jet told me. "You should try going to another zone."

"How about he goes Metal City? Someone there might know him," Wave suggested to her boss.

"Yeah, that place is bustling with people! Chances are someone has to know you there," Jet walked over to a chest in the room. He pulled out a rolled paper and placed it on the table.

"This map should help you find your way," he said. "Don't worry about us: we have more than just that one."

"Thank you," I said as I reached for the map. These birds may not have been able to tell me who I am, but they have given me some insight as to where someone might know me. I grabbed the sheet and left through the door thanking them once more. After the door shut, I examined the map. Metal City was not too far away from my current location. I jumped back down to the track and headed off into the East for Metal City.

Hopefully, someone there could help me find my identity.