Shorty the Squirrel, also known as Shortfuse the Cybernik, is a major character in Sonic the Comic comic book series. He is a short-tempered squirrel who was turned into a cyborg by Robotnik, who planned for him to become the first in the line of advanced Cybernik models, but managed to retain his free will and turn the doctor's weapon against him.
Biography[]
Originally, Shortfuse was a normal squirrel living in Emerald Hill Zone. When his friends and neighbors were captured to be turned into Badniks, he attempted to save them, but was captured as well. Robotnik decided to use Shorty as a test subject for his Cybernik program. After being transformed into a cyborg, Shorty was confined to his armor forever, but contrary to Robotnik's expectations, he didn't lose his free will thanks to both having damaged the necessary equipment and being especially stubborn by nature. As such, he escaped the villain and used his new abilities to fight his forces, dubbing himself "Shortfuse".
Although Shortfuse did cooperate with Freedom Fighters at times, he wasn't an official member of them, and preferred to work alone. He eventually found himself a rival and evil doppelganger in the form of the second Cybernik, Vermin. His closest friend of the Freedom Fighters was Tekno the Canary, whom he saved from getting turned into a Badnik.
When Sonic got lost in the Special Zone, Shortfuse joined the Freedom Fighters to compensate his absense. After Sonic returned, using the Black Asteroid's explosion to wipe out Robotnik's forces with an EMP, said pulse affected Shortfuse as well. He fell into the Lava Loch and was stuck in a lava cocoon for several months until being found and freed. He found no purpose in life on a peaceful Mobius, and thus left in search of more adventures. This allowed the alien Insectra Empire to manipulate Shortfuse into joining their side. He was forced to fight the Blurrgh on their behalf until Amy and Tekno came across his during their adventures in space and freed him. Another alien, Amber, altered his Cybernik armor so that he would be able to take it off voluntarily, although Shortfuse had to sacrifice this ability to defeat Vermin.
When Dr. Robotnik attempted to drain the life energy of Mobius and Earth, Shortfuse and the Freedom Fighters attempted to stop him. Shortfuse connected himself to Robotnik's draining machine and used it to reverse the damage he's done. The machine's energy ended up destroying his Cybernik armor, finally freeing Shorty from it for good, though Tekno promised to make a new one if he wanted.
Personality[]
Shorty is incredibly stubborn and short-tempered, a trait that both saved and harmed him repeatedly. His stubborness proved to be so high that he was able to resist Robotnik's brainwashing. He tends to hold grudges against villains, seeking revenge on Robotnik for turning him into a Cybernik in the first place. Shortfuse enjoys fighting more than anything and always seeks a challenge, but is nevertheless a decent person who will make the right choice most of the time.
Trivia[]
- Shortfuse is a somewhat disliked character among the fanbase. His detractors tend to point out that he has little characterization and was excessively favored by Lew Stringer on top of having a habit of explaining his backstory in most of his appearances.
- Shorty and Tekno are the only recurring heroic characters who didn't appear in the Sonic Adventure adaptation.
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 Heroes
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