As you both hurtled down the other side of the loop, the world was a whirlwind of color and motion. The crowd's cheers grew quieter, their excitement fading in the distance as you raced towards the imaginary finish line. In that heart-stopping moment, you felt the thrill of the chase, the pure joy of speed. And as your feet hit the ground and you skidded to a halt alongside Sonic, the blue hedgehog turned to you with a grin that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
"Alright, you've got some serious skills," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "But what's your name? I can't just call you 'Dude' forever."
You looked at him, the question catching you off guard. In all the chaos and excitement, you hadn't thought about your new identity. But as you opened your mouth to reply, a sudden realization hit you—you didn't have a name, at least not one that would suit a Mobian and not an Overlander/Human. Panic set in briefly, but then, like a bolt of lightning, it came to you. "Striker," you said with confidence, the name rolling off your tongue like it had always belonged there. "My name is Striker." You hid the suprise in your voice at how you sounded, an octave or two lower of how you'd imagine Scourge the Hedgehog to sound.
After all, according to SEGA all male hedgehogs names had to start with a 'S' And you were . . . half a hedgehog, maybe?
Sonic's grin grew wider, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Striker, huh?" He chuckled. "It's got a nice ring to it. Like you're always ready to hit your target, fast as lightning." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But between you and me, I think you might just have given me a run for my money." He then switches his tone, "But don't count on it happening again, got it." He exclaimed playfully.
The crowd had gathered around the two of you, their eyes wide with amazement. You felt a strange mix of pride and embarrassment—proud of the speed and power that had earned you a name, but embarrassed by your ridiculous edgy 2000s outfit. The grey pants with "Jinco" written across the left leg in bold letters were a constant reminder of your unfortunate transformation. "Thanks, Sonic," you replied, trying to sound as cool as possible. "But, I gotta go. Got some shopping to do."
You turned to leave, eager to escape the stares and find some new gear that didn't make you look like a forgotten fashion disaster from a decade past. Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Alright, I'm gonna see if that water monster appears anywhere else, wanna meet with me here later?"
"You can count on it." With a laugh, you took off, leaving a trail of yellow dust behind you as you headed towards the shopping district of Station Square. The need for a new look was pressing, and you were determined to find something that didn't make you want to crawl into a hole every time you saw your reflection.
You wove through the throngs of Mobians, their diverse forms and cheerful clothing a stark contrast to the edginess of your current outfit. Your grey pants with the "Jinco" logo screamed for a wardrobe upgrade, and you had every intention of giving it to them. The shopping district of Station Square was a kaleidoscope of color, with stores boasting clothing for all possible and impossible sizes from Chao to Dragons.
But as you approached the first store, reality slapped you in the face. You didn't have money. Not a single thing to your name besides the clothes on your back. You patted your non-existent pockets in a futile search for the currency of this world, whatever it was. "How do I even buy anything?" you murmured to yourself, the excitement of the race with Sonic now replaced with a sinking feeling in your stomach.
The shopkeeper, a kind-hearted cat named Bloom, overheard your dilemma and took pity on you. She had seen the battle with Chaos, and how you had stood alongside Sonic. She knew that in this world, affiliation with the blue blur was worth more than any currency. She stepped out from behind her counter, her eyes shimmering with excitement. "You're the one who fought alongside Sonic!" she exclaimed. "I saw the whole thing! You're practically a mini-celebrity!"
With a grand gesture, she offered you her entire store, insisting that you take whatever you needed, within reason of course. "On the house!" she said, her voice bubbly with enthusiasm. "It's the least I can do for someone who's helped keep our city safe." The other customers, having recognized you from the battle, whispered among themselves, casting admiring glances in your direction.
You couldn't believe your luck. "Are you sure?" you asked, still reeling from the offer. Bloom nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Absolutely!" she said. "Just go ahead and pick out whatever you like. We're all in your debt, after all!"
With a grateful smile, you stepped into the store, the smell of fresh fabrics and new shoes filling your nose. Your eyes scanned the racks, looking for something that would suit your new identity.
The moment you laid eyes on it, you knew—a sleek, red and black outfit that reminded you of Jacky Bryant from the Virtua Fighter series. It had a cool, athletic vibe that made you feel like you could take on the world—or at least look good while trying without to much resistance from the clothing. The pants were tailored but not too tight, allowing for the full range of motion your new body required. The shirt had long sleeves that could be rolled up, if it ever got warm, and a high collar that could be adjusted to cover your face when needed. The ensemble was completed with a pair of red sneakers match your eyes. All together added with some normal white colored fingerless-gloves.
You quickly slipped into the outfit, feeling the fabric hug your new form in all the right places. The heavy boots felt surprisingly light, as if they were made for someone with your exact specifications. Looking in the mirror, you couldn't help but admire the way the clothing highlighted your form and made your eyes pop. You had to admit, you looked pretty good despite your cringy origins.
You then looked in the mirror at your Pikachu ears and grey sclera in disgust. in disgust. They stood out like sore thumbs in your new, otherwise sleek outfit. You had to do something about them. You scanned the store, searching for a solution. That's when you spotted it—a hat and sunglasses combo-pair. They were a stylish, black and red cap with a brim that curved around the back, leaving enough room to cover your ears without looking ridiculous. It had the emblem of a lightning bolt on the front, somewhat in the shape of an 'S', which seemed fitting for your newfound electric abilities and name.
You quickly snatched it off the shelf and tried it on, adjusting the size until it fit snugly over your ears. The moment the fabric touched your quills, you felt a sense of relief wash over you. The hat was perfect—it didn't just cover your ears; it completed the look. You could now walk around without feeling like a walking meme.
As you stepped out of the changing room, Bloom's eyes lit up. "Oh, that looks fantastic on you!" she exclaimed. "It's like it was made for you!"
"Thanks," you replied, feeling a boost of confidence. "I think it's just what I needed."
With your new outfit, you felt like a new person—or at least, a slightly less embarrassing version of your hybrid self. You stepped out into the bustling streets of Station Square, ready to face whatever challenges the world had in store for you. The hat not only covered your distinctive Pikachu ears (even if your tail was still sadly for all to see) but also served as a symbol of your new identity, a reminder that you were now a part of this world in a way you never could have imagined.
As you made your way through the city, you couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, despite your hybrid nature. The way the people nodded in respect and whispered about your battle with Chaos made your chest swell with pride. You had found your place in this world, and it was right beside the blue hedgehog you had looked up to for so long.
Sonic was leaning against a lamppost when you found him, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the area. He looked up as you approached, his eyes widening when he saw your new attire. "Whoa, Striker," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Looking sharp! Almost makes up for you being a slowpoke!"
You couldn't help but blush under his gaze, the compliment feeling like a badge of honor. As a man compliments were a rare thing. "Thanks, Sonic," you said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Thought it was time for an upgrade."
Sonic chuckled. "Well, you definitely don't look like a tryhard anymore." His expression grew serious as he looked around the square. "But we've got bigger fish to fry, Striker. Chaos didn't just disappear, and I have a feeling my little brother Tails might know something about it."
You nodded solemnly, the thrill of the race replaced by the sobering reality of the situation. "What's the plan?"
Sonic pushed off the lamppost with a grin. "First things first, let's go see Tails. He's got a knack for this kind of thing. Plus, he's probably gonna wanna meet you."
"Race ya?" You challenge with a smirk, "Oh yeah, and we ain't tieing again!"