Chapter 1 - Claiming of Speed
One morning in a village, the people in it were going about their normal routine. Hunters and gathers began their day seeking out supplies and food. Traders set up their shops while the residents began getting ready for the daily duties. Inside one of the renaissance style buildings was the orphanage. Kids that could walk and talk were placed inside while the infants were cared for more actively by the members of the place. While there was at least a dozen or more children that weren't infants, their age range was from 5-11.
A couple of them were siblings while the others were alone. How they ended up at this village was due from their parents gone missing or they got lost amongst being transported away from their previous home. Ever since the beginning of the Robotnik war, separation of families was a constant high factor. The village chief spoke to them about making sure they never leave the establishment unless they get a chaperone. Instilling the fear of being captured by the robots that will turn them into mindless machines, it kept them quite and obedient.
In the orphanage building, one of the caretakers woke up the children. Getting them up and instructing them to go clean themselves, a majority of them did so without complaint. The remaining were still sleepy or grumbled to themselves of being bossed around. One of the kids that did things that were asked without too much question was a male humanoid blue hedgehog. Aging around 7 years old and standing a little over two feet tall, he had to get on a step stool to reach the sink. Washing his hands and splashing his face with water, the child felt more awake.
"Hurry up children. Supper is almost ready," the caretaker called from other room.
'Today is the big race,' the hedgehog thought to himself. Turning off the water and getting down from the stool, the kid waiting in line behind him went up the stool. Heading towards the hanging towels, he quickly dried off his hands and face. Walking quickly to where his bunk, he went to his small storage chest. Opening it, he began putting on his attire.
Given the amount of fur that everyone had, the need for clothing was not necessary. It only became an issue for those that did not have body hair when the weather gets below 50 degrees. However in freezing temperatures, everyone was issued a heavy cloak. Moving the thick outwear to the side, the boy got out two items he would wear everyday. One was a pair of brown hiking boots that nearly all orphans got when they become strays. The other was black biker gloves.
Getting both on and kicking his footwear a little, he was ready. Seeing the adult standing by the door, a few kids had already left to go get breakfast. The tall bipedal walrus looked at him and smiled.
"Morning Sonic. I'm surprised you weren't the first one to get to the supper line," she stated.
"Morning ma'am. I wanna save my energy for the race today," he replied causing the caretaker to smile more.
"I see. I see...that sounds like a smart strategy. Make sure you eat enough so you have energy to run as fast as you can."
"Yeah!" Sonic said lifting his arms a little and closing his hands into fists. "I feel like I can beat the adults today."
"Ha ha ha...I bet you could give them a run for their money," she stated and patted his head a couple of times. "Hurry up so you don't get a cold supper."
Nodding his head, he gave a slow jog to where food was being served to the villagers. Catch up to where the other orphans were, he got in line. There were a few of the village adults standing around eating while others were sitting at makeshift benches. Getting his portion and going to an area under a tree, the hedgehog sat down. While eating, his mind was thinking about the race. Mentally going over his mind on what to focus on, he didn't realize he finished his meal.
"You must be hungry son," one of the hunters mentioned nearby.
"...?" Sonic reacted blinking. Getting out of his head, he looked toward the panther person. Processing what he said and looking down at his bowl, the food was already gone. Looking up and giving a nervous smile, the man gave a hearty laugh.
"That race later is getting to you. Isn't it kid?"
"Y-Yes sir."
"I heard you are pretty quick rascal amongst the others. If ya beat the other squirts, I'll see to it that you get a spot to race with us grown ups," he stated with a smirk. The man smirked more seeing the boy's face light up a little.
"You mean that sir!?" the child asked with eagerness and a smile.
"Sure I am. I'll put in a word to the chief," the hunter said with a small chuckle. "Go clean your face sport. No one will take ya seriously with grub on ya face."
"R-Right. Thank you," the boy replied with a confident nod. Getting up, he headed toward the area to return his spoon and plate. Moving to the small washing station, the youngster began cleaning his face.
"You sure boasting that kid up was wise?" another hunter whispered to the one that spoke to the blue hedgehog.
"The kid's got a dream...I'm just offerin' something to make him motivated."
"Yeah...but he isn't as fast as the others. He's just a child."
"That's where getting him to think he can...will put him in his place," the first hunter remarked and gave a smirk. "I'm the fastest in the village...gonna show him that there is a whole other league for speed."
"..." the other man reacted with a sigh and shook his head. "Guess getting bullied when you were younger has morphed you."
"Put a sock in it...you don't know anything about me."
"Mmm-hmm," the falcon man remarked then turned around. "Sure as sure I don't...whatever."
After cleaning himself up, Sonic heads over where other kids were. Talking with a couple of them that he played games with, all of them were pretty sure that he would win the race. They told the hedgehog that a couple of the orphans bet candy to others that he would win. Feeling a little boost in confidence, one of the food workers called for the blue boy over. Heading over, the fox lady informed him that the village chief wanted to talk to him. Nodding, he headed over to the leader's hut.
'Wonder what the chief wants of me? Hopefully it is not another earful of me exploring again,' he wondered stopping in front of the chief's door. Lifting his hand, he knocked on the door a couple of times. Hearing footsteps, the door opened to show the secretary.
"Hello Sonic," the dog woman greeted with a smile.
"Morning ma'am...um...I heard the chief wanted to see me?" the child asked a little nervous.
"Yes. Come in," she stated and opened the door more. Nodding, he walked in and stopped at the middle of the room.
"I will let him know you are here. You can sit down if you'd like."
"Okay...I'll...stand for now if that's okay."
"No worries," the lady said.
Stopping at a room door and knocking, she opened it and stuck her head in. A few seconds later, she came back into the room and went to her desk. Coming out of the neighboring chamber, a big-bone anthropomorphic black wolf appeared. Garbed in mild aristocrat green attire, the posture and mannerisms he did was that of someone from a higher social class. Sonic forced himself to not give a mocking smirk from the chief looked.
"Ah...there you are young lad. Come forth," he stated in a deep voice and adjusted his glasses. "Let me look at you closer."
"Yes sir," the hedgehog responded. Walking and stopping to be outside of the man's personal space, the chief bent forward and leaned toward his face. Narrowing his eyes, he stood back up straight. Doing a lap around the boy, he made grunts and hums as if assessing him. Standing back in the location he was before, he crossed his hands over his chest.
"Well young lad...you seem capable despite your small stature. How is your spirit for the race today against the neighboring villages?"
"I feel ready and confident sir," Sonic stated with a small smile.
"This race isn't so much as to determine who is the fastest," the chief began then looked down at him. "But it is to establish which village is the best."
"..." the secretary reacted with a small eye roll.
"I need more confidence from you lad that you will win for your village...what do you say?"
"..." Sonic responded with pressing his lips together. Mimicking the leader's body language and language, he looked up and pointed at him.
"Those other racers will eat my dust," the boy stated firmly and gave his best intimidating expression. "...sir..."
"..." the wolf man reacted with giving a grin. "That's better young lad. Keep that in mind when you race. I expect some results from you."
"Yes sir."
"Better yet," the leader continued with his grin that felt mocking. "Since you have been known to wonder in the forest which is against our rules...if you win, I will forgo all strikes of detention against you...and...I will let you explore passed our village's perimeter for a day. Sounds like a fair deal?"
"..." the hedgehog reacted with a small frown. Putting his hands back to his side, he kept his hands into loose fists.
"It does sir."
"Glad that we understand. Now, go to our head warrior to prepare for the battle. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir," Sonic said with a small nod.
Turning around, the boy left the chief's chamber. Walking outside a little bit after closing the door, he turned around. Pulling the skin under his right eye down, he stuck out his tongue to blow a raspberry. Continuing to head to the area where the warrior group was in the village, he met with the captain. In talking with him and the other soldiers, they all gave encouragement and told him to have fun. Stating that it would be an hour or so before the other villages show up, they started explaining the layout of the racetrack that was made.
"Greetings everyone to this get together event," the village chief stated on a podium in front of a crowd. "I, Chief Oberi, as well as my citizens welcome those coming from neighboring villages such as Baal, Zorn, and Clamis."
"Today will be a combination of competition, comradery, celebrating, and socializing. Up first will be our introduction statements from all village chiefs. Then, we will transition to the two competitions: the junior and adult races. After that, a feast to commemorate our continuous efforts for survival in these Post Robotnik War times. Lastly, to enjoy ourselves of what this festival event has to offer. I will hand this off to Chief Baal," the wolf man stated with a hand gesture to his left. The humanoid pig in similar aristocratic attire as the other chief approached the podium.
"Thank you Chief Oberi," he said then cleared his throat. "As you all are aware, we are still in the midst of the post war. We, amongst all the villages in connections with the coastal town to the East, are on constant surveillance and patrol of Robotnik's robot army. Everyone and every action should be treated with caution and careful planning to prevent more abductions."
"So far of this current year, we have only lost a minimal amount of our people to the machines. This is due from our constant efforts to keep our villages safe and know how to counterattack when the war mechas patrol and assault our villages. Not only that, but it is you we thank. Your efforts in keeping a watchful eye out for everyone has made our living and the safety in our villages easier and less stressful. I just want to let everyone know that we as chiefs are in your debt from helping keep track of everyone and keeping them safe. Thank you," Baal spoke. It generated a good amount of applause that stayed for a few seconds.
"Now then, Chief Zorn will talk about the festivities," he remarked and gestured to the person on his right. Seeing an ape walk to the microphone, he was probably the closest thing to resembling a human with all the fur and body hair covering him.
"Thank you Chief Baal. Today's events are of sport, fun, and a chance for everyone to be involved. We have laid out a track course for our race participates to compete in. It is one of endurance, quickness, and strength. For both junior and adult divisions, we have warriors stationed at certain points to be a guide for our racers and a scout in case any attack were to occur. Hopefully, that does not have to happen during our event."
"As a way to ensure the safety of our brave participants, they will be given beacons as a safety precaution in case one gets lost or lead astray. To the right of the starting line, we have put a board that will monitor the beacons on our racers. It will show where they are within the outline of the course. Now then let us meet our racers," Zorn commented and pointed his open hand toward the 8 individuals that were standing to the side nearby.
"Of our junior group, we have Rosar the Cheetah from Clamis Village...Naam the Road Runner from Baal Village...O'Brian the Antelope from Zorn Village...and Sonic the Hedgehog from Oberi Village. Give a warm applause to these fine youngsters."
"..." the children reacted to seeing everyone clapping to them. They moved around a little bit and held small smiles.
"Of our adult group, we have Staag the Lion from Clamis Village...Jorge the Greyhound from Baal Village...Stein the Jackrabbit from Zorn Village...and Zim the Panther from Oberi Village. Give a warm applause to these warriors and hunters participating."
"..." the adult racers gave confident smiles with a couple raising their hands to acknowledge the second round of clapping.
"After the two races are finished, we will have the participants come to the stage for the results and award the winners. Afterwards, it will be the get together feast. I will turn over to Chief Clamis to fill you in with the details," he spoke and turned to the individual behind him. Stepping forth, a female squirrel anthropoid approached the microphone.
"Thank you Chief Zorn. From each of our villages, we brought something that will add to the festiviness and feast for today. It is to show that though we are different a little bit, we all strive together for the same common goal...freedom without fear of being preyed upon. From each village, we also brought our secretaries to share information in case anyone was missing or has information for one of the children that was misplaced or missing. They can also take any messages you want to send to their respectful villages."
"Now then, let us stop yammering on and start off with the first two events!" she stated and gestured to the racers.
The crowd gave another round of clapping and started walking over to the two groups. The village secretaries went toward their participants and handed them a wrist band. Stating that it had a rare crystal in them, it allowed a signal to be sent back to the monitoring board. Seeing them nod and put them on their wrists, all of them were ready. The adults prepped the juniors a little before everyone was good to go.
"Alright. Juniors approach the line," Clamis stated and watched the four children get to the line in the ground.
"On your mark...get set..."
'I can do this...' Sonic thought in his head. Getting into a static mild lunge position with his right foot forward, he closed his hands into fists. Moving his right hand forward, his left was pointed backward a little.
'I have the speed to win,' he continued then narrowed his eyes to focus.
"Go!"
Watching the four kids immediately burst forward, many were surprised that all four were running faster than an average adult person would do. Within just the short distance of travel, all four were running as fast as a hover rover. Unable to see them from the distance they traveled, almost all villagers shifted their attention to the assembled map board. It showed the racecourse and where the guides were stationed. Blinking lights appeared and would move showing where the children were on the map. Murmurs spread around everyone mentioning how quick the kids were running.
Around the first checkpoint, the two guards saw four quick moving objects. Turning their heads and watching, both saw it was the junior racers. Pointing in the direction where the next station was, the juniors ran past them. Calling in that the runners past the first area, the two whispered who they betted on winning. Within a minute or so, the next checkpoint was seen for the tots.
So far, the four were keeping up with each other. To Sonic, this was a moderate pace to maintain still feeling good and having energy. On the other hand, he was getting excited from the aspect that he never had traveled this far out into the forest. Everything was new and unseen giving him a sense that this was a both a race and adventure. Seeing the two adults point toward something up ahead, he could see a village in the distance. There were citizens standing on the outer perimeter and made a curve path.
Rushing past them, the people cheered for them but more so to Naam. Noting that this with Baal's village, it was slowly getting further behind them. All four noticed something up ahead which looked to be a small obstacle course. Without missing a beat, they breezed through it without slowing down. Seeing the next checkpoint, there were three adults posted and had heavier armament than the previous.
Two of them were on the left side of the track while one was on the right. Running through, the men did not break their gaze or say anything to them. Curious, the hedgehog glanced at the other kids. Either he was the only one that seemed to wonder or they already knew why. Focusing back, he continued to keep up with them.
After a couple of minutes and passing another patrol post, another village was seen. Same setup as with the previous with people out and a curved pathway, the one they cheered more for was Staag. It seemed to motive him as he increased the pace a little bit. At the same time, the others matched the speed and continued following the racecourse.
'So this is Clamis village,' Sonic thought just glancing around a little bit. There was nothing recognizable and still unknown land to him. Putting a pondering thought of how big the forest really was in the back of his mind, he continued breathing normally while moving his legs.
'Seems the others aren't at their full speed either...this is exciting,' he stated to himself smiling a little.
Spotting another obstacle course, this one was rather larger than the previous one. With two warriors standing by, they watched the kids go through it. The only one that had more of advantage was O'Brian given that he had more jumping power than the others. Once through, the children were roughly together while running. The blue hedgehog did not rush to be ahead of the pack but continued to pace himself with the others.
Seeing a checkpoint ahead, there were only two people this time. Looking more relaxed and showing where to travel next, the runners passed them. Spotting something on his left, Sonic glanced and saw an opening of the forest a little. Down a ways and dropping in elevation a little, there were massive rock formations and masses. To the left a little, there was what appeared to be the entrance to a cave.
'There is so much to explore around here,' he pondered turning back to the race and focusing.
Thinking about going into overdrive, there was something in his peripheral. Glancing to his left again, there wasn't anything seen directly. Quickly looking forward then back to the left, he saw something. It was a silhouette of some kind in the background. Suddenly, it moved from a standstill to zipping through the forest further down. At a certain point up ahead, it suddenly banked right. The thing went from left to right like a jet.
"...whoa..." Sonic whispered in surprise.
Wanting to know who that was, he pressed his lips together and made his legs pump faster. He instantly increased speed and pulled away from the two kids around him. Passing and catching the leader off, the hedgehog heard all three pick up their pace as well. Quickly approaching another village, it would have to be the one known as Zorn. Seeing the curved path be another turn to the right, it would probably lead back to his village.
Ignoring the stares at him from running as fast as a couple of adult warriors, there was a determined face seen on the blue boy. Sonic did not look back as his sole focus was the direction of where that fast individual went to. Seeing the last obstacle come up, its appearance and setup was more difficult than the last one. Gritting his teeth from seeing more jumping, he looked for something to get to the top of the platform. Seeing a small ridge ahead that curved downward, there was a large hollowed out log the curved upward to the top of a platform.
"Let's go!" he shouted and sprinted harder.
"...dude..." one of the two patroller hunters said getting the others attention. "Look at how fast the small kid is running."
"Yeah...but going at that speed, he'll have to slow down a lot to no over jump the platforms."
"Strange...he is going to the edge of the lip right there and..." he continued.
Both noticed that the other three kids came into view, but focused back on the blue hedgehog. Once the boy went near the edge, he threw himself downward. Quickly moving his hands above his head and his legs outward, he somersaulted forward. However instead of coming out of it, he continued turning to form himself into a rotating curved bladed spike ball. Making contact with the downslope and curving out to the flat ground, he rushed quickly forward like a cannonball.
"You don't think he will..."
"Just shut up and watch man," the other remarked intrigued.
Seeing the other runners enter the obstacle course ground, the blue kid entered the hollowed log. Hearing no impact, they could faintly hear a sound of something whooshing through the wood. The sound faded away as the boy never came out. Instead, they gloved hands reach out and grab the wood opening. Pulling and pushing, the two saw the hedgehog climb out. The other runners were at the bottom and began their jumping.
"That was gusty."
"Yeah...but if he keeps up his pace, he's got this race in the bag," he mentioned. Watching the children go through the course, the hedgehog was out first followed by the other three.
'Where did that guy go?' Sonic wondered trying to run faster.
Unable to go quicker than his max speed, he scanned around with his eyes while focusing forward. Not finding anything, he took a glance behind him. The other kids were trying to keep up with him, but were a couple of seconds behind him. Looking back forward, he could see his village up ahead. Despite feeling he could just cruise into the finishing line, he focused solely on the direction of where the silhouette blasted off to.
The villagers in Oberi had formed two walls on either side of the finish line. Extending to lead into the center of the establishment, it faded getting closer to the podium where the chiefs stood. Staring at the last stretch of the course, they saw something come into view. Blinking from how fast the kid was running, the ones closest could see that it was the blue hedgehog. Hearing Oberi people start cheering him on, Clamis went to the microphone.
"And coming through the finish line 1st is Sonic the Hedgehog from Oberi Village!," she stated as everyone watched. Passing through without slowing down, the child began to slow down. A couple of seconds later, the other children passed through.
"Coming in 2nd is Namm the Roadrunner from Baal Village. 3rd, Rosar the Cheetah from Clamis Village. And 4th O'Brian the Antelope from Zorn Village. Let's give a rounding applause to these young titans!"
While the children were breathing for air while bent over, the villagers were clapping for them impressed. The first to recover was Sonic though he was still breathing deeply and quickly. He walked over to each of the other runners and offered his hand to help them stand. Giving each a smile and a handshake, it seemed to diffuse any tension that could have rose. The act gave a favorable impression to the blue boy amongst visiting citizens from other areas.
Once the crowd calmed down and the children recovered enough, they were summoned to stand beside the podium. Clamis gave a small speech of the race and the time frame the kids ran the course. Another round of applause came as the four youngsters took a small bow. Directing their attention to the adult racers, they moved to the starting line. Going through the same countdown, the adults sped off. Going faster than the children's pace, the group could not see them after several seconds.
"Hey hedgehog," the antelope runner spoke drawing the attention of the shortest of the four.
"Hmm?"
"How are you so quick when you are so small? How old are you?" he asked with hands on his hips. His questioning made both the female cheetah and male roadrunner turn away from the light blinking map.
"I just like running a lot I guess," Sonic answered then put his hands together behind his head. "I think I'm 7 years old."
"...!?" the three other children reacted with surprise. Rosar blinked then shook her head.
"You are pretty quick especially on the last stretch of the race."
"Hee hee hee," the young boy reacted with a smile. He brought one hand to his face and moved his pointer finger under his nose. Rubbing it a little, he returned his hand behind his head.
"Thanks!"
"Don't let this race get to your head squirt," Naam mentioned with a small frown. "I'll win next time."
"I'll be ready for ya," Sonic commented with a confident smile.
"You two boys cool your jets," Rosar stated. "In comparison to our pace, the adults are beating our times hands down."
"Yeah," O'Brian agreed crossing his arms over his chest. "Hopefully we'll get that fast when we become adults."
"..." the blue hedgehog nodded his head. Looking to the north of the village, there was nothing but forestry. Looking for any movement of a silhouette, there was only faint signs of wildlife moving around.
"Say...did you guys see something move really fast in the forest during the race?" he asked looking up at them. It drew the three to look at him.
"It was between the 2nd and 3rd village...past the obstacle course."
"I was too focused on the race and looking forward," the antelope mentioned.
"So that was why you were looking around...you telling me you weren't taking this race seriously?" the roadrunner asked frowning a little more.
"..." Sonic answered with remaining quiet.
"Lay off of him buddy. Don't get sore from losing the race," the female cheetah remarked frowning at him.
"Tch," Naam reacted with an eyeroll and gazed back at the map board.
"To tell you the truth Sonic...I only saw something briefly. But it wasn't to the left that you were looking, it was more up ahead...something stupidly fast flew from the left side of my view to the right side through the forest," she mentioned.
"That's what I saw too!" he stated getting a little perked up. "You guys know anyone that moves that fast?"
"More than likely it was fancy hover jet mobiles," O'Brian stated sounding a little calmer. "Those things are so cool...but there is no way I can afford one."
"That was my first thought too," she agreed looking at him then back at the hedgehog. "I don't know anyone that moves that fast. The warriors and hunters in our village are the fastest people I know."
"Could have been a ghost or something," Naam suggested sounding more neutral.
"A ghost?" the antelope questioned with an eyebrow raise. "In broad daylight?"
"..." the roadrunner countered with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Possibly it was a bot patroller," Rosar pondered quieter. "But we would have seen the red lights and the jet fumes."
"Kids," someone called nearby. The four turned toward the person that spoke, it was Chief Baal.
"Why not go have something to drink at where the cooks are? I am sure you all are thirsty."
"Yes Chief Baal," Naam answered first standing a little straighter. It caused the man to give a smirk.
"Relax son. You did well and honored your village."
"...thank you sir," the boy said being less rigid.
Watching the leader walk away, he looked at the others. Seeing all of them nod at him, he just sighed and tugged one side of his mouth a little. Turning around, he walked to where the drinks were with the others following. Grabbing non-alcoholic drinks, they found a table with benches and sat down. Waiting for the remainder of the adult race, a handful of minutes passed by.
Seeing the crowd converge toward where the finish line was, the racers came through. Stein the Jackrabbit was first then Jorge the Greyhound. Zim the Panther and Staag the Lion came through at the same time to split 3rd place. The four kids looked at the map board and saw that their lap times was a minute and a half quicker than them. Turning back to the villagers applauding, it soon went to the chief's announcing the winning lineup followed the proceeding announcements after the race.
"Let us have our young runners and the adult runners come to the stage for one final congratulations," Chief Clamis stated. The villagers watched the eight racers proceed toward the podium area then stood beside it.
"Again to announce the winners of both the junior and adult races...Sonic the Hedgehog from Oberi Village and Stein the Jackrabbit from Zorn Village. Let's give these winners another round of applause for their feats."
"..." both runners reacted with a small bow to the crowd clapping. After that died away, the leader cleared her throat to continue.
"Each will be given an award from their village chief for winning their race. Now that we have concluded the spectacle event, let us now commence with the rest of the festivities and events!" she said with enthusiasm.
It caused a warm response amongst the people. Watching the villagers disperse a little to different stations, a majority of them headed for the four eating booths. Each village cook brought a specialty with them to share with the others. It brought another level of connecting with the other establishments. A sense of being a community was felt amongst each individual. The four junior racers went toward their own group in which a few kids and adults surrounded them.
"Congratulations Sonic," one of the Oberi caretakers stated with a smile.
"Thanks!" the hedgehog replied with a smile.
"You were super-fast Sonic," one of the children stated standing near the blue boy.
"Well...I am the fastest kid in our village," he began then gave a smirk. "Now, I'm the fastest amongst the villages."
"Yeah yeah," one of the other children commented with crossing their arms. "You earned your bragging rights...for today."
"Heh," Sonic reacted with putting his hands on his hips. "Thanks. I know you can compete. Challenge me if you want to take the title away."
"Hmph," the older youngling responded with a smirk. "You are on."
"Alright kids. Enough tough talk," the female caretaker stated and kneeled to their height. "Go grab something to eat before it gets cold or there is none left."
"Yes ma'am," all of the children replied. Immediate, two squirts grabbed the hedgehog's hands and started pulling him.
"Come on Sonic. Sit next to me."
"Yeah. Tell us how the race went and what you saw!"
"Okay okay," he replied and let him be towed by the younger boy and girl. While walking to the nearest booth, Sonic turned his head toward the north end of the village. Staring at the direction of where the fast-moving object was last seen, there was still no sign of it. The forest was still and sounds of wildlife around them went on normally.
'That thing is still on my mind...how can something move that fast?' he thought. Turning his head back to the villagers standing in line, he waited to get his portions.
'Not only that...what was beyond in the forest where the 3 heavy armed patrollers were on that stretch of the track?'
'Then there is that cave on the back end of the race,' the hedgehog pondered and shuffled forward seeing the line move. 'Wonder if that is where that fast moving thing lives.'