I do not own any of this. Paranorman belongs to Laika and Sonic The Hedgehog belongs to Sega.
Waking up this morning, Norman Babcock already knew that it would be just like any other day. The same old disapproving stares from people, the whispers and snickers behind his back, the constant teasing, wiping away graffiti off his locker, not to mention the occasional shove he received.
He hated it because it only served as a reminder of how people didn't understand him and the sad, lonely life he endured all because he could speak with the dead. If only people could see what he saw on a daily basis, then maybe things would be better for him. Better yet, if only he didn't have to go to school, then he could just spend the whole day watching horror movies with his grandma commentating every now and again.
Too bad that's not the case though, he had to go to school no matter how much he didn't like to. Besides his home life wasn't that great either for his sister and dad doesn't understand him either, the only one around here who does support him was his mother. She didn't believe on his ability either, but it is at a bit nice that at least one living family member is tolerant of him.
He might as well get this day over with. Grabbing his backpack from the floor, Norman left his zombie-themed room and headed downstairs where he leaned into the living room to wave goodbye to his grandmother, who at the moment stopped her knitting to smile up at her grandson as he left for school.
Having said his goodbyes, Norman exited the house, unaware of his older sister, Courtney, coming down the stairs with her own school books. Mildly curious about who her weird brother was waving to, she looked into the living room and let out an annoyed grunt for as expected there is no one in here. Why did she have to be cursed with a weirdo brother who talked to nothing but thin air?
Taking his usual route to school, Norman greeted many of the local ghosts he always came across. If anything, their presence was a small ray of sunshine in his day; they were happy to see him walk by and would greet him with compliments or a simple 'good morning.' Conversations were even better as at least he had someone to talk to, even if it earned him the reputation of being the town's weirdo. This was why he always tried to find a more secluded area to have these conversations.
Most of these conversations were casual, but on several occasions spirits, whether animal or human, would ask him to help them finish their business so they could move on; Norman would do his best to help out, though it was usually easier for the animals who would either want a proper burial or the occasional retrieval of a squeaky toy.
The human ghosts are more complicated; as they either want to give a family member one last message, finish a task they died before finishing, or managing a certain item that they may want to be placed at a better place.
The other ghosts whom he had grown to know over the years. Just like to live out their everyday afterlives as if they were still living. The afterlife may be paradise for most, but these ones are simply happy enough to stay in the world of the living, just like the greaser ghost leaning against the light post, who turned to Norman with a cool smile. "What's up, Norman?"
He kindly replied, "Nothing much. Just heading over to school."
"What a bummer," said the greaser as he pulled a comb from his pocket and proceeded to comb his hair. Meanwhile, Norman walked past him and kindly greeted the other ghosts he encountered on his way to school.
As expected, anyone who saw him gave him a wide berth, accompanied by disapproving glances that caused Norman to put his head down after he passed by a ghost. This was just the beginning and it was about to get a lot worse when he finally reached the school.
Upon stepping onto the schoolyard, all the chattering kids immediately stopped what they were doing and stared at him, their eyes glare in distain while they all gave him a wide space. As he had expected, Norman could already hear the whispers aimed at him: "Freak," "Loser," "Broom Head," and most recently, "Weirdo."
"Just keep your head down and this day will be over before you know it." He thought to himself while walking towards the school's entrance.
In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of movement approaching him. Turning slightly toward the incoming object, Norman made out a speeding baseball that would hit him in the cheek within a matter of seconds.
Shutting his eyes in anticipation of the coming impact, Norman waited...but it never came.
Confused, he opened his eyes and looked around for it, but the ball was simply gone. Very strange, but at least it saved him from the stinging pain on his cheek. This was a bright spot in his otherwise sad life, but he knew that this small moment of happiness wouldn't last for very long for the school bullies were just getting warmed up.
High up on the school roof; a blue figure happily watched Norman head into the building.
Holding the baseball in his hand, Sonic tosses and caught it repeatedly as that had been a great save to his most favorite person in Blithe Hallow. "Score one for Sonic! And a big fat zero for the school chumps!"
Tossing the ball off the roof like a professional baseball player. Sonic watched it fly out all the way to the other side of the street, where it landed in a hedge. "Dang it. I was aiming for that dumpster lid."
A bit disappointing, but oh well it's minor compared to the overall great day ahead at one of the greatest places to live: Blithe Hallow. A town that may have a bit of an obsession with witches as everything about it has some sort of witch-related theme or the fact that the citizens are judgmental towards others they deem "weird." It is still his home that he's been living in ever since he first arrived on Earth. Besides, it's not like every citizen here is like that, as there are some who are very nice; like this one orange-haired boy who always has a smile on his face, whom he likes to call Curly Hair because of his overall hairstyle.
As mentioned before, his favorite person is Ghost Boy. There's just something about him that drew Sonic to him. It could be because he talks to ghosts, sure he never saw one himself, but hey when you're an alien blue hedgehog with super speed, who was he to judge? Another thing that drew Sonic to him is that he was just like him; an outsider who's alone.
Sonic very well sympathizes with him, especially how he's treated by others. So for years Sonic has become his unknown guardian, who protects him from incoming projectiles or any other danger that comes into Ghost Boy's way, like that shopping cart last week. If it wasn't for Sonic, it would have crashed right into him without Ghost Boy even realizing it. This also gives Sonic the opportunity to test out his speed, as Ghost Boy hasn't seen him yet; all he knows are that things mysteriously disappear or a sudden wind brushing past him.
But if there was one hobby Sonic liked more than using his speed, it was secretly watching movies with him from the window. His favorites were the horror movies with lots of action. The many explosions, the better.
But now back to current affairs. Sonic continued to observe the students below until the bell signaled them to come into the school. Once the last one had gone out of sight, Sonic jumped off the side of the school, landed on a tree branch, and did a couple of flips before landing on the ground, where he immediately sped off into town.
Thanks to his speed, Sonic passed through many streets, dodging passing cars, running up and down buildings, jumping across rooftops, and rolling down hills without anyone in town even noticing him. During his run through town, Sonic took immediate notice of the banners, signs, and flags advertising the upcoming 300th anniversary of the witch's death. While Sonic didn't know much about the history of this town's supposed witch, it sounded like a huge party Sonic would like to attend, if he could step out into the open.
But he can't do it though because the moment he reveals himself, everyone will start freaking out, and power-hungry bad guys will be coming after him. If that ever happens, Sonic will have no choice but to pack up and move to the Mushroom Planet. Something he definitely doesn't want to do, due to his hatred of mushrooms and the fact that there are no other people or any other sentient creatures living on the planet; he'd be even more alone than he already is.
That's why no one can find out about him; he remains a secret to everyone in town, well almost everyone, as there is at least one person who is aware of his existence.
Entering the forest, Sonic's brushes pass the trees and rocks like the wind. Until suddenly stopping right at a clearing, where on a stump lay a bowl filled with blueberries. Smiling at the very obvious trap, Sonic readied himself in a running position, knowing only one person could have set this up.
"Ah ha!" Bursting out from behind a bush, Mr. Prenderghast held a net high above his head. He had the Blue Blur this time; his trap was absolutely flawless. Once he finally caught him, he would bring this creature to town, proving once and for all that it was a hundred percent real and he wasn't crazy.
Dropping the net, his smile quickly turns into bewilderment as all the net caught was nothing but air. "Where are you? Show yourself, ya little speed devil!"
A finger pokes him from behind, looking back he sees it looking up at him with its fingers forming into some fake gun gestures. "Oh! So close this time, BeaverHat."
Quickly turning around with the net swinging. Sonic casually sidesteps out of the way with crossed arms and a smug smile. He proceeds to do this several times as Prenderghast kept swinging his net to catch the speedy hedgehog, who just loves playing this game.
"Hold still will ya!"
"Speed up? You got it!" Sonic kicked it up into high gear and circled around Prenderghast, who tried in vain to keep track of him. However, he only managed to get dizzy from spinning his body around constantly. This caused him to become so disoriented that his feet got tangled up, causing him to fall onto his back.
Groaning from his dizziness, Prenderghast slowly sat himself up with his eyes still spinning as they focused on the blue hedgehog standing on the stump, holding the bowl of berries proudly in his hands. "It's been fun, BeaverHat," he said, "but I really need to split."
Without another word, Sonic left Mr. Prenderghast in the dust, avoiding several traps Prenderghast had set up around the area along the way.
"I'll get you one day! Mark my words!" Sonic heard him cry out.
"Only in your dreams, BeaverHat!" Sonic playfully replied.
After a few good hours out in town. Sonic returns to the underground cave near the twisted dead tree located in the middle of Knob Hill.
His cave was the pit of awesome! As it was hidden underneath another tree, so it can't be easily found by someone who just happens to stumble across this area of the woods. Such as BeaverHat, who comes up here once a year with this book, where for some reason, he always reads it at that nearby twisted tree just before sunset.
He doesn't know why he does it, and he'll never ask for the last thing he needs is for that guy to find out where he lives. Sonic doesn't know about anyone else, but he's very sure no one would want to wake up every morning and avoid various traps placed around their home. So Sonic just settles with simply watching him do this strange ritual, which speaking of which it should be coming up sometime soon as he always does this around this time of year.
But enough about that strange occurrence, let's get back on topic. His home has everything a cool guy like him needs: a great comic book library to read, a beanbag chair to sleep on, great exercise equipment, a ping pong table, nunchucks for home security, and of course, his most prized possession - the bag of rings with a map of all the safe worlds LongClaw has picked out for him.
Entering his cave, Sonic sat himself down on his beanbag and happily began to eat the bowl of berries. "Hmm. Got to hand it to you, BeaverHat. You definitely know how to pick out good berries. Let's see, so far today I saved Ghost Boy from getting nailed with a baseball, did a good run around town, then had a little fun with BeaverHat. I say that's a very productive day, wouldn't you agree, Sonic?"
"I definitely agree with you, Sonic."
"Oh my gosh! You and I have such linked minds."
"Totally," Sonic says, suddenly stopping himself. "Even though you are just talking to yourself because you have no one to talk to about your day." Slowly, Sonic pauses in mid-raise of bringing another berry to his mouth. It's true; this life is very lonely, and it may have driven him a bit crazy, causing him to have multiple conversations with himself.
Releasing a sigh, Sonic suddenly lost his appetite for berries as he placed the one he was holding back into the bowl. Getting up from his beanbag, he walked up to the cave's entrance, where he looked solemnly up at the passing clouds. Remembering LongClaw, he thought of her smile; if only she had come with him to this planet, he would at least have someone he could talk to besides himself. "Oh LongClaw. How I wish you were here."
