Work Text
Crismon glazed a patch of the tile amid a careless roundhouse kick. A body lay on the floor, leaking with disturbing tissues and muscles that disclosed a purple bone.
The commentator apologised and aid rushed in the way. They stood inarticulate, blending into the infinite grey of the venue.
It throbbed around. As fierce as lightning striking like a pin on paper. The ant was a mashed dessert, coughing vital core in a regurgitating manner. It streamed onto grass in rivulets but it never paused in its pour. A colossal number of veins slashed scarred viewers in waves of harm, scattering the useless crowd elsewhere. The skin was torn like fabric but soaked until it was no longer what it was. In the end, it was all just a little magic trick.
Two hours ago
So soon people had scattered themselves under the radiant sun, whether it was to sunbathe, play around, eat, or travel. The summer provided a collective break for all and was vacant with a myriad of events and parties. They danced along the calendar like flames in the forest, eventually soaring through the famous blue hedgehog's birthday that took place in Joypolis and the beach with friends and all that was close to him. The time of the year was undoubtedly the one with the most potential - Sonic had even opened up and tried to learn how to swim! Not that it went well, but stepping out of his comfort zone was an achievement in itself.
Tanabata flew by to unveil unexpected bonding, not to mention the rainy season where nobody was afraid of catching a cold. Despite the conditions, Sonic found himself fleeting freely throughout the city and nature, mostly with friends but by himself also had its benefits.
Today was a day that wasn't meant to be any less riveting than the rest. A fundraiser tournament was held in the prestigious Silver Valley, collecting the toughest opponents for an epic show. The opponents were rightfully matched against one another, and hundreds of people gathered around the stadium, chanting for their desired players. The intense symphony of roars wafted seamlessly around the entire remote biome, but the microphone held by an announcer silenced the immensity with a drastic ring.
“Welcome to this summer's Silver Valley tournament! We will now be revealing the lineups of today's matches!”
A colossal display flashed with icons of the fighters with their names and who they were up against.
“First of all, we have the young, genius Miles Tails Prower up against the evil Doctor Eggman!”
A wave of cheers echoed throughout.
“Secondly, will be the agent and spy Rouge the bat, against Knuckles the echidna, the guardian of the master emerald!”
A list of more competitors was pronounced overtime, but the final match captivated even those who were asleep.
“And our final match is…”
~
Sonic awkwardly scratched his head at the mention of his name, frowning at the radical scream of the crowd. Excessive recognition was never his thing. Nonetheless, he looked forward to hearing from his competitor.
“I don't know why they're so excited… it's clear that I'm making it out with a medal.”
The other brushed it off and stammered back.
“Medal for second place, that is.”
Thrilling were the multiple matches; it caused the guests to whir in joy. Tails snatched Eggman off his guard, Rouge manipulated Knuckles to surrender, and Amy's hammer formed a bump on Blaze's poor head. Nothing beat the entrance of the last two competitors.
“Here we have… SONIC AND
SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG- Whoops-
SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG!”
With the accidental emphasis of Shadow, the DJ began playing
I Am All of Me.
“You've gotta be kidding me!”
Sonic kicked the ground in frustration as he joined the ring. He ignored the smirk on his rival's face.
“Looks like the outcome of this match is fixed, hedgehog.”
They manifested their stances, ready for
the
significant match of the entire tournament. A silence raced around the area as a countdown went off.
“And a three, two, one…! GO!”
Shadow squared off of the ground with high speed, the ring trembling at the force. The anticipation grew faster than their heartbeats as Sonic sent a thrusting wind behind him, dodging his sudden charge.
“Heh, I didn't think it would be
that
easy.”
“You haven't seen the best of me yet!”
Once Shadow adjusted his glove, he watched Sonic call the second move, chasing him around the edge of the ring in circles. With the attempt of outrunning one another, the ring formed a cloud of wind, obscuring the view. Before anybody could decipher, they smashed each other with a variety of moves, kicks, punches, and blocks.
A severe punch landed on Sonic's face, but a similar knee kick dived inside of Shadow's guts. They equally landed on the edge of the ring yet again, panting in adrenaline.
“Hmph! This was supposed to be a challenge anyway!”
The pair rushed into the centre, delivering blows with maniacal intensity for the spectators, but it was childsplay for their kind. Shadow flipped in the air to dodge a sweep kick, just as Sonic caught onto Shadow's jab.
The fight commenced in the blink of an eye, too fast for the commentator to respond.
The immaculate choreography played precisely throughout as the time ticked on the clock.
Despite the look on their faces, a hint of disappointment lingered within one of them. If he hadn't known who he was up against, the tournament would've been negligible enough for him to pass.
It had been some time since he fought the other. He could've said he was…
unimpressed.
“I bet you can't do this!”
Not for friendly banter.
“Watch me, I'll prove you wrong!”
~
“Hello, my dear little sorcerer bot!”
A robotic creation of Eggman buzzed in response.
“I have a small task for you today, well…”
The doctor pointed towards the blue hedgehog from backstage.
“You see that blue rodent in the ring? He's always out there ruining my plans of world domination. So I will leave it up to you, my creation, to teach him a lesson. Is that clear?”
Bzzzz bzzzzbzzbzz.
“Great! Otherwise, I'll just throw you into my scrap pile, don't mind me.”
He deftly handled a series of buttons on a small remote, activating the ancient black magic he had incorporated into the vessel. He now almost had full control over the menace.
The frequent bumps and clashes resonated against the walls, only exposing a portion of the magnitude that they were capable of. Eggman’s sinister laugh blended in well; he was grateful for his privacy.
“When he’s off his guard, that’s your chance to attack. You have so many ways to dismantle him… why not try the infection feature?”
Bzz zzz infection incoming.
“Aha! Aim for his leg so he can never run again!”
The robot sat down in the centre of their enshrouded room, hands clasped together gently. It found itself a serene moment to invest in its macabre magic, reciting scriptures from a forbidden language.
“Oh ho-ho!”
BZZZZT!
“Whoops, sorry.”
He returned the necessary silence and stepped out of the room to atone for his mistake.
~
“Looks like Sonic’s in the lead-!”
The brilliant orb in the sky shone relentlessly on the participants, inducing heat and blindness. Sporadically, they shielded their eyes from the beating warmth which masked a smile underneath. The reason for the match was nothing but to enjoy the present and laugh at the smallest moments. Even if Shadow was used to giving a cold shoulder, he eventually found it amusing as well, not that he’d admit it.
He was influenced by how frequently he had ended up crossing paths with Sonic. Nothing had to be said; it was the simple laughter found even from happiness so petty. At first, he took it as a glorified chore, but then on he considered it to not be so pathetic.
There was no real competition, it was nothing more than a game. It didn’t matter that one was playing unfairly rather than the other. It was just like the Olympics, except there was no calamity like the white of Shadow’s air shoe turning into nothing less than Sonic’s - omitting the missing gold buckle. Balance was a wish thrown in the wind and he slipped onto the ground in exertion. The commentator apologised in despair.
A rose slept on the rare silver grass, wilting to the trepidation of the vibrating tumult.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Encased in the walls of the infirmary felt like a joke masked with silent sirens in the distance. First aiders hurdled in the bright room but all they could do was clean the mess they had been chasing. Security guards lined up before the entrance to deter the crowd elsewhere, including a lot of Sonic's friends. It was a room solely for professionals, and soon to be granted access to proper medical services. Shadow had been sanctioned off backstage, gazing intently at his shoe.
They displayed similar measures as if a bomb hit the stadium.
Although understaffed for the situation, they did their best.
Unlike Shadow, who had initiated the ambush.
While the cleaners struggled to tackle the disconcerting puddles, rain dominated overhead as a replenishing factor. It began with a drizzle, gradually increasing in amount until it diluted the blood. It knew the best time to come; otherwise, it would’ve dampened the rest of the fight.
It was a grave, unforgivable mistake. The image of Sonic’s hip exploding into daunting fragments replayed without initiation. If Sonic hadn’t attempted to flip at that point, the impact would’ve been less severe as Shadow’s foot was contorted at the moment. End to end he had been making sure that he held back to prevent the tribulation or anything near it.
There must’ve been some sort of mistake.
He learnt to thrust past security on his way towards the infirmary. A part of him knew that Sonic was okay, that he could hold on for longer, or all of it was just a prank.
He remembered the officials carrying him on a stretcher elsewhere, his screeching body jittering restlessly aboard it. His eyes divulged his internal affliction, proving that being alive wasn’t always a blessing. That blow being unable to knock him out exhibited his resilience and how it was a negative card to play at hand.
Shadow skated to the empty axis of the platform they fought on, ignoring the crime scene in pursuit of an answer. A portion of the stadium was deserted, allowing his presence to be mostly hindered, preventing guards from tailing him again. There was no evident sign of an infirmary, allowing him to scout along the outer edges. The ambulance had just entered Silver Valley, hastily making its way through to the infirmary.
~
Eventually, it was Tails who provided the minimum company inside the treatment room. He quick-started his multipurpose gadget to decipher the magnitude of the injury. In a desperate struggle for his friend, he briefly scanned his body with his camera for analysis. He couldn't understand how such a strong person with incredibly high performance could be taken down by his match. Perhaps Shadow had disposed of an inhibitor ring in the process.
Others like Rouge and Knuckles entered the infirmary in utter horror. The significance was reflected by visceral screams and inordinate bleeding of internals. Cyberspace corruption held no chance against the tier of unknown black magic that Eggman had misused.
It wasn’t long until Sonic’s stretcher was transmitted inside an ambulance. Before anybody had a chance to speak, he was rushed to the hospital in front of Shadow. Tails was chosen to hop on board.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The events of the day had settled for the sun to set, radiating elongated spectacles of light onto the snow mountains, bleeding far to the outskirts. Terror hugged time tightly in an unbearable embrace as Shadow sat lonesome on the pinnacle of a steep mountain in the midst of nowhere. The sky indulged in a tapestry of soft hues, glimmering the snow below him as the breeze howled flecks of ice, landing on his weathered face. His back was turned towards the prominent view.
Underneath the treacherous height of the solemn landscape lay a vast suffocation of pristine paths, darkening in harmony with the atmosphere. Eyes were fixated on the marks of his shoe, an uncomfortable weight pressing down on him. He welcomed the stinging of ice on his underside, hands too stiff to allow him to adjust. The deep crimson of remnants stood out on the surface like a sore thumb, then sunk as if it was just as warm as it was functioning.
A glint of moonlight traced in the plains, interrupted by an unhinged cry, a faint wail of disturbance and desperation. His serene standing was paused with a rough recoil, and the metallic aroma mixed with the fresh, virginal air. It pestered him, though not enough for him to set it free. The mark could remain as a symbol of his blunder.
Amid the moment, Sonic had dropped his defences for such a brief moment, unknown to the extent of the catastrophe. Perhaps this wasn't an abnormal event in his book, a multitude of disasters took place throughout his life; not only to him, but around him as well. The outcome was monotonous no matter the method - he would emerge with a grin and before long, the bumps would smoothen.
His muse could stretch from point to point if he wanted it to, but for the better of all, it was fine to keep it at rest. Shadow formed a rock-hard ball of snow with his hand.
It was true that throughout the past, Sonic had undoubtedly been capable of mass power and speed, to the range where Shadow encouraged him to fight more often. It built him more as a person, and every adventure not only added a page to his memory book, it also allowed him to acquire additional strength and experience.
He wouldn't forget the time when Sonic began to take notice of his position, spending days with his friends and growing softer. It was an unexpected choice but Shadow still had respect for his morals. He needed nothing more than to look out for him a little - until that little began to gradually increase.
Nobody in the world was subject to a continuous, neverending lifestyle, and it was indisputable that as the world ages, they begin to switch interests, or simply take note of their surroundings. The change in Sonic's behaviour wasn't something he wouldn't have noticed.
It never changed his belief that he was not in any way, less. Other aspects outlined him as a whole, and even if the day came where he couldn't run, his achievements could never be in vain.
Shadow rather grounded himself with both feet. He formed a goal for himself, starting with an investigation into the empty stadium. With his emerald, it only required a flash to arrive.
He appeared at the back row around a second-story high, the rim of his air shoes tapping into the moist flooring. Continuous tapping gently echoed from each corner as he looped the audience section, checking around for anything of significance.
Crumbs, wrappers, and small belongings hid in the benches' crevices, drenched from the rain. The humidified air lingered around but again, switched to a pungent metallic and the smell of rot. It wasn't only blood spread along the trimmed silver grass.
It was a deep scarlet, almost black at an angle. It seemed as if nobody had the motivation to clean it.
He visited backstage, the last place he saw Sonic before he entered the ring. He could picture him again, standing with a hand on his hip, watching his friends’ competitive play while making cheerful comments.
Walking around as the embodiment of a criminal, he inspected the dimly lit orange walls. A few steps down were the bathrooms and a changing room, emitting a vague repelling energy which was trivial to scrutinize. Shadow ignored the eerie change of temperature and made his way to a small feasting room for the participants. Sonic had a mere rice cake but had no history of stomach problems.
The stroll served no purpose but to pass the time. He was desperate for a conclusion despite already having one.
He was aware of his own power, and the chance of his limiters being at fault. An alternate pair was left at one of Eggman’s abandoned bases, where he last emerged from his death. Although his ring was placed securely on his ankle, the tragedy provided doubt enough to change it without inspection. Within a heartbeat, the surroundings were draped with vines and moss in a dull laboratory with powerless machines. He was familiar with the lab, hence his brisk transportation.
His vision just sufficiently penetrated the leaden, deciphering his healing pod slant against the wall, a frame adjacent to his previous mishap. The machine itself fostered a circle of a plethora of immense discontinued machines, providing an element of perturbation. He dusted the surface of a table with his palm, knocking minor inconveniences away from the subject. A glass container was shrouded with a leather cage.
He lifted the cover, it being underneath hanging cabinets, their contents strewn across the floor. A dash of oil fermented on a counter, sticky as it was bland with time. A flickering
Exit
sign chimed to life, diffusing a green chroma to the secluded room. In contrast with the gruesome environment was the new set of inhibitor rings radiating its kind of terminating vigour, smooth to the touch, also reserving a stylized touch to his features.
He retrieved one from the set of four then lifted his leg onto the table to depict in a better position. To his luck, a cloth lay vicinal to him, which he used to plop a piece of black tissue out of his way, compromising the dust collected by the adhesive blood. As if he was untying a shoelace, he twisted the ring off, having a scant effect in a calm state. In a method of prolonging, he maintained deep breaths amidst the silence.
The new ring fit perfectly on his ankle, though it didn’t end his ponder.
Sonic was due to be fine the next day, he told himself.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Station Square remained a lively habitat and a prime attraction for others too. The police gracefully dealt with daily mischief, sustaining the melody of residents and enforcing righteous order. Cars honked impatiently under neon signs and billboards and the rhythmic footsteps of pedestrians echoed against the pavement. Shadow’s shoe flared below the sun, immaculate and free of debris.
There was no variance compared to his previous ring as he went for a test run. Acts had gone so perfectly it seemed as if the mystery shielded itself from him. Shadow kicked a tree in a distant park, imagining it as Sonic. Imitating the precise power and speed, he repeatedly slammed his shin on the textured wood. The new limiter kept his power in place, which he was sure of, but to properly test his theory, he needed to use the old one.
There was a prominent hospital in the heart of the city, nine times out of ten it was jammed with cars and people. Nonetheless, it functioned and provided care for possibly thousands, as it stretched on a tremendous portion of land. Countless forms of public transport passed it, including secluded roads for the main buildings. Even around the area were signboards in the direction of the hospital and its respective buildings, it wasn’t something anybody could miss. Shadow happened to pass by with suspicion. He felt an invisible attraction to that area, his eyes subtly darted towards the heights of the labyrinth windows.
A second hospital remained in the suburbs, notably not in the size as the first but it served the same purpose. In his helpless roaming throughout the city, he hoped to find Sonic alive and healthy and tell him that the mess was fake. The situation seemed uncanny after the lack of news he had received. Nobody had attempted to contact him after that day, possibly he had been left out of something.
It was never a pleasant feeling to be left out on this scale. Tails had his contact, which disconcerted him as he had played a notable role in the accident. Tails was one of the only people who had direct contact with everybody with his gadgets, while Shadow had scarcely talked to Sonic and his gang anywhere other than in person.
Even if he had gone weeks without seeing Sonic, it was clear that this absence unsettled him. On a possible occasion, his meeting with Sonic’s friends would’ve provided relief for him, no matter the story they have to tell. He didn’t want to seem like he was trying to flee from his actions.
Would he apologise and express regret directly to Sonic? If a moment as such had to come, he wouldn’t hesitate.
A child on a scooter irked him from his thoughts. It grazed the edge of his shoes, ringing a soft bell. Shadow was standing on the edge of a sequestered apartment garden. He opened his mouth to retort but dropped the opportunity as it rushed away, followed by its parent who murmured an apology.
He wandered to a place with less disturbance, passing the allocated bin area even if it would’ve fulfilled his itch. The alleyway didn’t seem so bad.
A sudden memory appeared in his mind. Some time ago, he was sent to retrieve an item from Tails. He overheard their conversation and noticed how Sonic was delayed as he had a vaccine at the hospital.
It was petty information, though it had a minor connection.
On the other side of the alleyway was a road connected by fewer people. He absentmindedly strolled nearer and a library caught his attention, a place where he could sit silently with a book in hand. Then again, he felt guilt for wanting to rest in that situation. He let the automatic doors open, eventually grabbing non-fiction and settling himself in a distant corner of the floor.
The light hum of the wind was even silenced when he entered the quiet zone. There was a delicate click of typing on a keyboard and footsteps that were heavily muted by the carpet.
What if Sonic no longer respected him?
What if, the day he came back from the hospital,
he
would be the one to give him the cold shoulder, give him unpleasant looks, and distance himself to prevent another accident? His eyes slowly scanned across line after line without comprehension.
Shadow knew he wasn't the type of person, but it was so surreal that anything could've been possible. Replacing their rare moments together into contempt somewhat twisted his guts, enabling a twitching with his fingers. It could even have been the last time he ever saw the blue hedgehog, for this reason or another. He frowned and flicked through a page, knowing he'd be the one to blame if any of that happened.
But blame was only a part of it. Setting aside the consequences was one thing, but it was how his weight would be put on him. Sonic became softer throughout time, and for him to go or be bedridden would likely make the spotlight for his lookalike. Shadow had no desire to take on his role, he alone was insufficient and imperfect. It was nothing less than his business too.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
On the other end of the transparent wall was a stoic, abyssal hill rising to greet flowers in a sterile garden. It was enigmatic and murky to the point where the view was blinding in competition to fluorescent beaming lights complimenting emeralds. Several railings and dense metals bent and cracked in the result of careless clutching. A sufferer lay as a drop of poison in a stubborn ocean. A handful of items had been kicked off of surfaces, compromising a few. Sonic began with minimal relations with the sanitized purgatory, unprepared for the fight as it came. Even as the staff continued to sedate him, he continuously writhed whenever he wasn't. Classified information had to be resorted to construct solutions, it remained a key source until Tails could top off their resources. Nevertheless, they had their ways of functioning. Sonic's injury was as if a train had hit through the side of his abdomen and an infection found its way through the large wound. Only a matter of time was required for healing and surgeries here and there. They contemplated the scale of his reaction as they didn't apprehend it to be so agonizing. With extensive pain management, it made little difference. A rollercoaster of tests, bloodworks, scans, etc. mostly had to take place in sleep. The diagnosis flew by and surgery was immediately booked for the upcoming days. He was admitted to the intensive care unit with his friend by his side, which played as the sole silver lining. The same distorted jitter in his ear prolonged in every second he was conscious, marking it the most dire experience. Hospital staff had the guts to call it a simple infection, but the sensations emitting throughout his entire body felt exceptionally rare, almost supernatural and burning his core. His mind went through no other thought than wanting to be freed. Sonic woke up from his drainage procedure with another exorbitant dose of painkillers in a confined post operative ward with Tails and a doctor.It had subsided but lingered inside of his bones, ready to attack again in any second. It wasn't enough to cater for his restlessness, and his headache roared, settling itself permanently inside of him. The doctor recorded his vitals and found them unpleasant. Tails spoke up.
“That should be manageable… I hope.”
The two towered above him as Sonic's head sunk in a pillow, his vision blurring and generating nonexistent fog.
“Very well then, I'll talk to the specialist to see if you could create this.”
“Sonic…”
His best hand immediately reached for his forehead in distress, obscuring his view of Tails holding a yellow gadget while looking down on him, his eyes full of unspoken concern.
“Hello Sonic, you're in the recovery room. Everything is under control. If you have any questions, please ask.”
In search for answers, his eyes scanned the dim room, unable to connect dots let alone figure out the dots in the first place. He weakly rubbed the ethereal voices out of his head, earnestly searching for the lost peace he felt before.
“You can leave most things to me, by the way.”
“Thanks, I've been told to trust you.”
As they exchanged conversation, their bodies danced like devils in his head, coalescing into figures that were half there, half not. The eerie, swirling mist consumed all remaining light, its form distorted and out of proportion. Skin turned into a sickly red, seemed as if it was drained of all life yet it played with his mind nonstop. The air thickened with malice, especially when the grotesque images of people mages of one lowered nearer to his body.There was the other one, whose smile was a jagged slash, frozen and unnerving in a parody of solace. Every breath that repeated through his lungs strained and tightened as they warped into the world in a total frenzy. It swam back into focus with hazy, disjointed fragments, accumulating the idle agitation that had risen seconds ago.
“̼S̼o̼n̼i̼c̼…̼ ̼t̼e̼l̼l̼ ̼m̼e̼ ̼i̼f̼ ̼y̼o̼u̼ ̼n̼e̼e̼d̼ ̼a̼n̼y̼t̼h̼i̼n̼g̼…̼”̼
His pulse thundered in his ears like a doomsday drum, his heart wanting to break free of his chest to withdraw from the specter. The aura of pain encircled in a smooth motion, but it was a torment in disguise. A pool of warm sweat drowned his flesh and bones in an attempt to shield him from the fiends. It flickered past him towards a stand, hugging it tight like a monkey on a tree. His spine began to frost as it seemed like it was ready to leap onto his vitals to wrestle its teeth against every body part excluding the most painful. It was impossibly tall to the point where its face was lost in the clouds, its visage in a permanent leer. A horrid stench of sulfur and decay traced the limited air he inhaled, shadows shifting and murmuring indecent calumnies that only a functioning ear could construe. A piercing screech shut his eyes tight, followed by something similar to an anvil dropping on his side.
“͎͍͐￫H͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫y͎͍͐￫,͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫g͎͍͐￫i͎͍͐￫v͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫m͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫a͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫s͎͍͐￫i͎͍͐￫g͎͍͐￫n͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫i͎͍͐￫f͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫y͎͍͐￫o͎͍͐￫u͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫c͎͍͐￫a͎͍͐￫n͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫h͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫a͎͍͐￫r͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫m͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫…͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫B͎͍͐￫l͎͍͐￫i͎͍͐￫n͎͍͐￫k͎͍͐￫ ͎͍͐￫o͎͍͐￫n͎͍͐￫c͎͍͐￫e͎͍͐￫.͎͍͐￫”͎͍͐￫
Sonic opened his mouth to scream, though it remained a void of parched air.“Are you okay!?"He couldn’t even whimper. Tails leaned onto the bar connected to his bed. The guise of Tails sparked a thought.
Cool, if you could disable the mech I’ll find a way to hightail it in there.
You can count on me, Sonic!
He spoke after a moment in a collected tone.“Hi…”“Hey… you’re alright…”A hint of fear and discomfort was evident through his voice. Sonic lifted his hand, still in his dazed state with multiple ongoing aches.“It is okay.”He precisely placed his palm in front of him, masking his own anxiety and trying to ignore his ridiculously sharp breathing pattern.“Don’t scare me like that again, Sonic… I’m glad you’re doing well...”Tails spoke with a melancholic expression as he was still a child.“Me too.” The insanity of the previous vision resided but forebode in his memory. A string of silence occurred between the two, mainly as Tails recorded results from monitors surrounding him.“Is it night yet?”“Mhm, it’s night for sure.”“Oh.”He finally acknowledged the meaning of dark blue light emitting from the small window next to him.“Goodnight.”“Wait! Could you hold on for a little? I need to check some stuff.”Sonic furrowed his brows as he heard the irritating voice disrupting his yearn for sleep, eyes closed.“Please…?”His face twisted in a clear buildup of hidden anger, but soon diminished to peace in realization as he sighed and whispered.
“Let me sleep for a bit?"
“You can sleep as soon as I've done the necessary checks on you - just hold on…! For me…?”
“I'm not… really… in the mood.”
“I'll make sure you get as much rest as possible, don't worry.”A small device encased around the tip of his finger, projecting a delicate beeping sound.“Are you being serious…?”Fragments of brittle plastic showered the fresh blanket as the force of his finger alone splintered the pulse oximeter; it wasn't necessarily new, and Tails's hope for the anesthesia to calm him down had gone down the drain.“Sonic… are you still in pain…?” “I'm sorry. I'm going to go to sleep now.”“Bear with me, please.”“I don't want to argue. Goodnight.” “At least take some deep breaths…”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The morning tore through the scene of gargantuan grassy hills of a yellowish hue, drowning in the superfluous rain to create an earthy, wet aroma. Silver mists settled in the valley like restless spirits below the slate like clouds stretching like a blanket. Shadow, yet again, stood alone in the moist wind surging through the uncut blades, blending them into frantic waves. An unsettling breeze vibrated his spine in deep thought, beckoning him to return to the city as if he walked out of his orbital path. Not a single event had commenced ever since the incident, remarkably the invitation to a group rowing session he had hesitantly been given. He had passed the empty river gushing the jagged riverbank into dollops of mud. The reason sent an ominous chill for he knew it wasn't just the weather that rid people from the activities. What he never knew was that he'd find relief in watching his ‘friends’ enjoy the time with each other rather than bothersome; he only came to these outings whenever it became a part of his business. Out of everybody, Sonic would've been interacting with him the most, provoking a thrilling, competitive race throughout the vast mountains and ending with fresh, icy elixirs and smoothies in the distant finish line that nobody could catch up to.
I'll make sure you don't use your Chaos Control!
Shadow squeezed his separate quills, deluged in rainwater. ~
06:30
Tails commonly received messages but blinked twice as Shadow's name appeared in his inbox. As he had completed the crucial tests and found a minute break from terror, he tapped on it, sat on a chair directly next to Sonic's hospital bed while he lay flat, fatigued and daydreaming.The intense heat of the summer combined with the hospital's insulation caused unbelievable discomfort and occasionally helped his skin redden. He couldn't fathom how Sonic felt underneath covers and casts, though temperature wasn't near the scale of his other areas of distress. Puddles of water formed on the outer windowsill, which he watched as it shifted in arbitrary patterns. A set of birds also followed in an orderly fashion.
Shadow: Miles, are you there?
He was aware of Shadow's concern, but something felt off. He continued staring out the window beside him, leaving the message still on his screen.The both of them resided in a confined ward with nothing more than a chair, a bed, and compulsory machinery. Sonic zoned out, pupils resting on the top corner of the blue curtains. He now despised the sun rising earlier during the summer; it woke him up even before the doctors.
: Yes.
Tails eventually replied in a simple manner, containing his unease discreetly. Another message appeared not so long later.
Amy: Hmm… I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but do you know what Sonic's favourite flower really is?
: Uhh, Amy…! I'm not sure, I don't think he even has a favourite. He values each of them in the same way, as they're all a natural artifact.
Amy: Ooh, that's so sweet! Thanks, I'm going to get him all the flowers in the world! <3
: Heh, good luck with that. :)
Sonic suddenly let out a light moan to cease the dull silence, taking a glimpse at the messages. Tails pouted.
Amy: Can he have liquid foods?
: Still no, he can't be orally fed with even liquids. It might take a while for him to start eating, let alone get used to it.
Shadow: Fill me in…?
His fingers suddenly paused.
Amy: Awh, tell me when. I have so many ideas of what to cook…
A small swipe revealed the chat box with Knuckles. He hesitated before replying to his recent message from last night.“I don't want visitors.”Sonic spoke with a voice lower than a whisper escaping from his dry mouth.“No, no, it's alright. You don't need to have visitors when you don't want to.”“Okay… I'm sorry to them.”“That's fine, they should understand.”He hummed and gently closed his eyes.
Shadow: …excuse me.
“Stop tapping! Please, I want to sleep!”The abrupt raise of his voice caught Tails off guard.“Sorry-”~Back at the city, lanes were carpeted into quiet pats of the reduced downpour. The time paired with the dark weather cleared the streets free of crowds, allowing Shadow to roam freely with a heavy mind. He tried his best to mask his shyness to ask, which luckily went overlooked, but the absence of the next reply didn't seem so unintentional; he was still online. He was encircled around the scant humans on the pavement, his height significantly lower than the others. A child wore a backpack with the face of Sonic imprinted on the surface, the deep blue shining throughout the dismay of the weather.The white striped crossing smoothened into the concrete road he walked on, aimlessly exploring the public paths in a rare, serene moment. Although he wasn't fond of such weather, it wasn't going to get in his way of anything. It proved his undesirable similarities with the blue, even if it was something so insignificant. A soon to be opened restaurant was shuttered beside him, radiating a memory. They once ended up eating together after defeating a death egg side by side. He couldn't believe himself to agree to such a thing, yet a part of him longed for his playfulness with no obstacles. He found himself loitering within the zone between the two hospitals, unable to take action.
“The train bound for JXC77 will arrive in 5 minutes.”
The subway next to him echoed the surface too.
Tails: It's a bit busy here. Overall, things aren't exactly the best.
Shadow began to reply with a direct question, but had a change of mind. The situation affected him well but not enough, which lay until the foreboding voids of the special day. That was all he needed to hear; his absence.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The lightning-like trail of orange drew intricate lines within the city streets, beaming in colour to contrast the ebony nightly landscape. Although all the roads were dotted with lighting, this one was the most prominent. The missing strip of darkness surrounding the town shrouded its beauty, remaining a closed-off expressway under construction. It lacked the foundation to support hefty cars, while two hedgehogs had never been tested in its current state. Sonic wandered in a leisurely run, scouting for the source of the orange trail.
“Heya, Shadow! I wonder what you’re doing here?”
The subject paused in his tracks, turning to face the maverick. He didn’t seem too pleased.
“I have an important survey to take note of. I’ll be going the other direction, I don’t need someone like you getting in my way.”
“Hmm, perhaps you’re heading to the capital? Actually, I’d like to go there too. I’m feeling energized today.”
“...”
He took a glance at his watch underneath his cuff.
“Very well, I can kill two birds with one stone - I have a score to settle with you.”
“Let’s do this!”
With an enlivened jump, Sonic set on full speed, hopping over the barricades of the untouched expressway, expecting his partner to locate the foreign path directly behind him. He soon noticed the red-striped hedgehog before him, bringing a smile to his face. Shadow skated along the curves and elevation of the road, ensuring that he was properly keeping up.
“Aha, you’re not getting ahead of me on my watch!”
He was charged with a rolling blue ball, settling him on the tarmac for a soft second until he rose again with a frown.
“You’ll regret messing with the ultimate lifeform!”
“Gah!”
A sharpened spear electrocuted the blue off of the bars, plummeting him down into the city. His attack was well coordinated, as he reappeared in the junction in front of him. The glory of the fresh air consumed their faces, adrenaline rushing like a waterfall. The mere thought of being ahead fueled their minds collectively, aware of there being a sole victor of their game. The radiating expressway shone with life in two well-recognized colours, shattering the monotonous dim nature of it when it was desolate like a fish without water.
They passed the lengths of the city from district to district, arriving at the countryside, looping around forests on the way to the capital. Words were spoken through playful attacks and casual bumps with banter, then ceased with the racket of a pillar.
“Look down below!”
The ground cracked in half as if they were walking on paper, dropping the two onto a puffy bush, one stacked on top of the other. They were greatly aware of each other's resilience and didn't bother to check if they were harmed.
It was just Shadow who paused to catch a small glimpse of him before zooming off into the depths of the forest. It didn't take long for him to catch up either way.
“Woohoo!”
“Chaos lance!”
“AWH!”
The hedgehogs were known for their tremendous speed; without a doubt, they began to step foot to their destination within such a short time. As soon as they crossed the sign welcoming them to the capital, they grounded themselves to a halt.
“Hah, looks like I'm the faster one.”
Shadow folded his arms and turned away.
“That was pure luck. Next time, I won't go so easy on you…”
The expressway remained empty on this end as well but towered over the great pinnacles of the new city. In front of them were ember-kissed whispers of golden rivers, shimmering in momentum with brilliant, vibrant flowers soon vanishing in the hush of the night. Beneath the celestial garden, a distant crowd held their breath at the fleeting moment, savouring the astonishing beauty before a small silence reclaimed the sky.
The stars fluttered into luminous mosaics, painting the blank canvas with crimson, sapphire and rich chromas that the eye could never miss. Laces roared in torrents in dazzling exultation, like a herd of fireflies performing a mystical dance, speaking languages that were too luxurious to interpret.
It was just the two of them that could find this extravagant play reflecting rainbows directly on their faces.
The river underneath hosted an extreme audience, letting the sealed road deliver the most exclusive scene.
One of the two took another glimpse of his wrist, breaking the silence between them.
“I've wasted enough time with you. I need to take care of what I came here for.”
The other smiled.
“Is the view so nice you forgot about your report?”
“Hmph…”
He paused.
“Don't act like you know that much about me. This is useless.”
Then he dismissively closed his eyes, beginning to deter himself away.
“Seems like someone's upset because they lost.”
Shadow pried his emerald onto his grasp, ready to teleport away.
“Good luck, Shadow.”
“...”
~
The moment happened a year ago. This year, Shadow took a corner in the alleyway jammed in between towers, in a place where nobody could locate him. The distance was just enough for him to hear the bursts and crackling, enough for him to see the glowing shapes caressing the Earth's atmosphere. He tilted his head on the coarse brick wall, contemplating his vision. He was sure that his hiding spot was untold.
The sudden jolting noises couldn't disturb him as he was already so disturbed by his internal turmoil, let alone the screams and cheers of the crowd. Everything felt unnecessarily heavy on his shoulders, creating an unpleasant barrier in contrast to the pleasant barrier of the unused expressway, which was currently functional with multiple cars obscuring the road. Along with the unspoken yearning nostalgia, he wasn't feeling up to anything.
The blue hedgehog raced on his mind, unwilling to leave especially after Tails's response. An unnoticeable drizzle of rain fell on his warm head as he remembered how Sonic always persevered in ways he couldn't reach. To see him lose in this way seemed unjust and unfair to the point where Shadow thought he was lost. The weights wouldn't happen to be so difficult if he wasn't the cause.
Yeah, Shadow. I'd like to see you give this a try, help me defeat this monster!
It was unreal how someone with unreadable strength could plummet in a heartbeat.
He had tried to maintain Sonic's endeavour by encouraging him to reach heights.
I'll leave it to you, Sonic. You can do this!
But it all went in vain.
He wiped the water away from his damp forehead, raising his head to face the sky. Frequent raindrops landed in his pupils, which reflected the torn side of the moon.
Shadow, are you okay?
He asked. Before taking a glimpse of the other obstruction, he dropped low.
It was rare for him to think about the event. He usually distanced himself away from the memory; it hit too close to heart. The chaos emeralds were truly a fascinating mystique, then and now.
Sonic was fond of him in many ways, sometimes evident and sometimes subtle. Even if Shadow thought of it as nonexistent, he knew his presence hosted a feeling he would feel from no other. He could describe it in many words, but he wouldn't.
The fuses malfunctioned with the abundance of rain, allowing the audience to return to their respective shelters. The strong ones still went on, leaving a view for the brave people who withstood the flood. Rain was no opponent to Shadow,
…and neither was it for Sonic.
Standing in synergy, with his presence though so
bothersome,
couldn't bring the fact that it wasn't though like an angel.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Late evening the next day, the thoughts glued onto his head, inseparable like welded steel, forming a variety of theories, opinions, and worries. It was when he had a bit over enough, he decided to take action as the instigator by briefly asking Tails for Sonic's location. He wouldn't be able to settle without an apology and a clear sign that he was simply holding on, even to the bare minimum, securing his recovery. If there were any permanent defects, he'd have time to mourn them in the future if it really were the case.
It was the same rain from yesterday that overwhelmed the pavements and gutters, glistening against the dark nature of the tarmac. Droplets snapped and rivulets from roofs poured as Shadow paced around the city with a heavy face, pondering near the premises of the grand hospital. It seemed like a regular routine for him, or something that he’d do throughout winter as it had shorter days and deserted roads. Some Januaries he lost complete contact with his team, even on the days he wasn’t snowed in, which was relatively alright as he preferred his business outside of others’ attention. Throughout the day, he hung loose on a rooftop edge with restricted access but no warning of a CCTV camera. Lunch was just a snack from a secluded convenience store, thoughtful of those who had scarce food in their lives.
Dinner was out of the question for many people couldn’t afford it. Especially those who lost their function to eat or had their mouths sewn; they had to endure hunger paired with extra sufferings. There was only one person to blame for it, and the more he questioned it, the more he believed that that singular kick was totally avoidable and unnecessary at that specific moment. He had vowed to himself to lean closer to the careful side while dealing with the world rather than the abundance of aggression, particularly after he happened to spend more time with the heroes and the good-willed to learn more. He had even grown softer towards Sonic’s team, frequently showing respect to their actions and determination.
Even the slightest vulnerability could’ve been the reason for him not to extract the whirlpool of thoughts in his head every day. He wished that Eggman was the cause of the injury, lifting the unallocated consequences so he could have a source of peace after a justifiable attack. He fiddled endlessly with cling film, tearing some parts into pieces and stretching the others until his fingertips began to sweat. The label and the barcode were ripped in parallel shapes and decorated on some film to his own accord when he could’ve been investigating the anomaly far South in the harbour, presumably humans trying to create something of no good.
With the tower so high, not many could reach the top to greet the hedgehog. Rouge, his teammate, emerged from below with a radiant necklace lacing from her finger with a curious look. She stood beside him.
“Shadow, I wonder what you’re doing here. Are you still thinking about the tournament?”
He got up, clearly disturbed by her presence.
“No, I was thinking about that harbour I heard about.”
“Hmm, your face tells another story.”
A moment of silence withered between them apart from the jingles of Rouge adjusting her stolen jewellery.
“By the way, I actually bought these from the store with the prize money. It’s not much, but I would’ve come empty handed if it wasn’t for you. Don’t mind me.”
“What?”
Shadow sharply turned at her sudden statement, despite preparing to leave.
“Oops, I really shouldn’t have said that.”
Her smile faltered at his startled reaction.
“When did you get prize money…?”
“They pretty much called everyone in on the day after to split it all… and I may or may not have taken the whole pot. Did you not get notified?”
The yellow restrictive tape ripped before him as he made his way across the exit, hand on his forehead.
“It was a charity event…”
“What? No it wasn't…?
I was never told that…”
He leapt away before she could continue, yearning for isolation in every step. After her words, something new stirred inside of him that he couldn't take lightly. Past the next rooftop and the one after, his descent came with further noise and disruption, irritating his visage.
There was a striking yelp emitting from the side, nearly inducing an uninvited tremble, attempting to crumble his consciousness. Shadow stopped himself from inspecting his surroundings as he noticed just how familiar the voice was, then concluded that it was nothing more than a trick played by his brain. A frigid sentiment began to consume him, plucking on his strings in a threatening ride of begrudging tension. He was aware of so much but devoid of much more, and every second he spent loitering round and round the monotonous city, feeling a blight-like longing growing within him, he questioned how assessing his biology, it was unusual for him to be sensitive to temperature. The entire time, it seemed as if a barrier over his skin had decayed and invited an unnerving cold he desperately wanted to discard.
He was too stubborn to seek shelter, even if there was an obviously empty university foyer lit by fluorescent lights not so far from him. Shadow folded his arms without his usual confidence, occasionally brushing his quills free from the breeze. He leaned onto the stone wall before him, sinking his chin onto the harsh concrete thinking he killed the hero.
: Would it be convenient for you if you send me the location?
He noticed how swiftly his message was read, though the reply took quite some time in comparison.
Tails: Sure, Sonic doesn't seem to mind. Come to the Metropolitan Central Hospital, 120IV-E. Visiting time lasts for only around 15 more minutes.
Then he was bewildered at how easily he'd find the shelter that he needed.
: Okay.
With the hope that those fifteen minutes were going to be worthwhile, he got up and tread backwards towards the large hospital.
~
The artificial air filled the surroundings with a bickering welcome, bathed in white clinical lights against the linoleum floor. A deep, red emergency sign lit above the crowd in the bureaucratic hospital, almost like an airport but lacked all forms of excitement. A very minute handful of children chuckled here and there, though otherwise, it summoned a melancholy ambiance. Short shuffles of shoes and a symphonic murmur resounded against the sterile place, a gurney of wheels also rolling to remind the necessity of space.
Guests fanned themselves from the surreal heat even with the central AC, while Shadow still found the bitter cold lingering inside of him.
Stepping past queues and hurdles of people, he climbed up the large staircase on the way to the 12th floor with trust in his speed. He activated the intercom to enter the corridor, waiting a few seconds because a voice appeared from reception.
“Hello, this is reception.”
Holding onto the door handle, he formed a cool expression.
“I've come to visit Sonic the hedgehog.”
“State your relation.”
His face dropped momentarily before murmuring.
“...Friend.”
“Are you Shadow the hedgehog, by chance?”
“I am.”
“Sorry, you're not on the visitor list. You can go down to the main reception to get enlisted, though.”
“I'm still allowed to be here.”
He deftly pushed the guarded door open, ignoring the protocol. The staff member immediately caught onto the crack, soon beginning to take action.
“LET GO OF THE DOOR. I can't let you go without checking the system.”
“Check it while I'm gone. I have a tight schedule.”
The intercom gradually muted as he took a turn in search of Sonic's ward, roaming across the thick corridor lined with attached seating. The floor was relatively desolate though had a few staff pacing back and forth with their respective duties. Shadow entered the shared recovery room which he expected, surrounded by a maze of beige curtains and little navigation with the lights off.
The murmur of other patients and visitors filled the compact room as he paced towards the bed he thought Sonic was in. He hoped not to intrude on his privacy, trying to eavesdrop to understand where he was. A nurse suddenly appeared, gesturing to him to move aside so she could walk past.
“We'll go to all sorts of places later, right dad? Road trips with mom are never fun.”
♪ “Wǒ men jīn shēng zhù dìng shì cāng sāng~”
“Hey, I can't hear this…”
“She sent you a GIF!”
“Knuckles, no. I think it's best if you don't touch that.”
Shadow paused at Amy's voice.
“What's the problem? It's just some plastic.”
“He's flying down the flank, the defender’s closing in, but he's not stopping! He takes on the full-back, OOOOOH! The open shot…”
“Maybe, but I don't want poor Sonic to get hurt…”
He pinpointed the bed which was the furthest, directly next to the window. The hesitation dawned on him, as he didn't expect the setting at all.
“Wait, we might need the nurse.”
“I'm going to check the time; it's so convenient having the clock on the other side of the room, isn't it?”
Amy pulled the curtain, stunning the other.
“Oh, hi Shadow…”
She greeted him with a slight frown on her face as Knuckles reacted behind her.
“Shadow's here?!”
Shadow stood awkwardly at the entrance as Amy continued holding the curtain, finding himself feeling a little uninvited within Sonic's teammates.
“Yeah, Shadow wanted to come.”
Through the corner, he spotted Sonic lying on the hospital bed. Dismissing the pang of sympathy, he collected himself to speak.
“I'm here to… apologise.”
“Apologise…?”
Amy tilted her head.
“I'm obliged to. I take accountability for it.”
“For…
that?
Why in the world would
you…”
He began to peek through, slightly softening as he saw Sonic lay distressed with a hand on his head.
“We can take care of this better outside.”
Knuckles aggressively punched his other glove, giving him an unpleasant look.
“I never knew you could try such a thing, Shadow. I thought you…-”
“
That
wasn't deliberate…! I'm only apologising because…”
“...”
He clenched his fists, averting his gaze below to form a reply.
“It's just decent.”
Enduring the eyes who saw through his defenses, he approached the tight-knit corner, signalling for others to give as much space as they could to fit in the area. Sonic pressed on his own temples, his face worn out to the brim as he helplessly lay under the blankets in the already heated room. His muzzle was hidden but distinctly red, a testament to what he had to tolerate. Shadow assumed that he had been through surgery and stuffed himself in the far corner, which was the ideal cubby hole in the presence of Sonic’s team and Amy. His quills flared against the wall while he hovered slightly over the patient, observing his stance with compassion.
“Why is Shadow here…?”
Sonic moaned in a hoarse voice without even taking notice of him, especially since Shadow was stuffed in the corner to the point where he was behind him.
“He said he was coming.”
Machines were buzzing on Sonic’s left, monitoring him while an IV was attached to his arm, buried underneath the covers. Shadow stared in awe, unable to fathom how much pain such an attack could’ve caused when he could explicitly see his organs. To be awake and speaking was a relief for him. Sonic’s efforts and strength were palpable, and he was genuinely the only person who could measure his abilities.
“Oh, Shadow?”
“Sonic…”
He held onto the edge of the headboard, looming over his anguishing figure. Sonic’s hand restlessly roamed over his face.
“How many more people are coming…?”
Amy nervously fidgeted with her fingers, hearing the pain in Sonic’s voice.
“Oh no, nobody else. Visitings are over soon anyway.”
Tails answered.
Sonic failed to respond, dropping his hand to reveal his plenary drained appearance with red, half-lidded eyes that struggled to be kept open or even closed. His head limped forwards on the acutely slanted bed, while his other hand violently traced the crisp sheet with pressure. With such vulnerability, he was evidently desperate for fewer people, even if nobody expected him to have that speck of an ego.
Shadow couldn’t miss the twist inside of him as he knew that he had caused it. A person so near to him could barely lift his head, and the thought of it brought immense discomfort.
“Aww…”
Amy brought a meager chunk of toast up to his lips as if it were the only thing he could eat.
“You know, this couldn’t have been so bad if I was up against Sonic instead.”
Knuckles gawked out the window. The toast chunk was knocked on Sonic’s lap with his nose, signalling rejection.
“I know when to stop, that’s all.”
Shadow watched as Amy tried to get it eaten, at a loss for words.
“Well, we can’t change the past. We’ve got to deal with what we have now, and that means no more fighting for a
long
while.”
“That rule doesn’t apply to me.”
“It applies to everyone. Alright, guys, no more fighting unless there’s an emergency. I don’t want Sonic to feel left out.”
She gave up on how unresponsive he was, setting the piece aside and clasping her hands.
“Yeah, I think it's better to stay on the safe side. Nobody deserves to get hurt like that again.”
Tails opened a book, sitting on the low windowsill.
“Mhm!”
“I guess that makes sense.”
Sonic stuffed his muzzle into the blanket, slowly planting a hand over his abdomen. He unwillingly squirmed, squinting at the low, rising pain. Amy swiftly turned back to him, along with Knuckles, words full of concern.
“Sonic… you can get through this…”
“Yes, we believe in you!”
The motivation did not affect him. There was a lake near the very East of the countryside, extending beyond view and connected with low rivers and waterfalls. It was as if they'd discovered a hidden gem with the unrealistic color of the grass and the glimmering water body, and even the neon flowers that shed natural glitter. After a race, more so a road trip, they paced around the garden, finding the warmth within their company against the night's breezes. Sonic's attempts to stay beside Shadow were fulfilling, and now he had returned them to square one.
Unless the roles were swapped.
The conversation between the three continued, and the only ones in silence were the two.
You've gotta be kidding me!
His playful nature had plummeted completely. Shadow loosely folded his arms and frowned on the thoughts. Sonic seemed as if he woke up from the dead.
Then he heard a faint whisper, too inaudible to understand. He listened for it, soon realising how it was ignored so easily.
Shadow stepped forward to inspect.
“Tails…”
He gave Tails a stern look, who took a moment to respond.
“Sonic, what's wrong?”
“Tell everyone…”
The fox bent down to match his height.
“Yes?”
“Tell everyone to fuck off.”
His command caused him to freeze on the spot, and even Shadow brought a fist to cover his frown while looking away.
“...”
“What happened?”
Amy innocently bent beside him, but Sonic only focused on Tails.
“Just tell…”
“My time is up.”
Shadow announced his leave, gradually squeezing within the confined row to properly exit the room.
“Oh, bye Shadow!”
He felt a strong wave of shame to turn back, but expected for at least Knuckles to leave with him as well.
“What is it, kid?”
With a hand on his forehead, he stepped through the rest of the curtains back to where he came from.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Under the bridge of Mission Street was a seldom underground passage, a newer more subtle darkness to stand around in. It blocked the afternoon sunshine, providing only the occasional breeze rocking from entrance to exit that cooled Shadow's head. Apparently the seaside had been going through quite some turmoil which he was aware of, and the waves of energy he had detected seemed familiar. Rouge had informed him that she was sent to investigate what was likely Eggman's, inviting him to aid her with Omega also prepared for battle. He turned his back on his team, concluding the greet as he had no motivation for such a thing. Even Eggman had taken his time to relax this summer as he had known, either to plan a colossal ambush in autumn, or take a break with his robotic family. There was no reason for him to interfere when he could also wind down in the weather. Because of what felt like his other half, he was anchored to dismay in the city, with no hopes of leaving unless an emergency happened to take place. For such an incident to strip him off his rapture held its significance. There was no way to reverse it, like Tails said, which was seemingly a key to drop the burdens. Shadow didn't even get the chance to apologise in a moment he thought would be blissful and endearing on the inside, while it truly felt cold and empty, increasing as he perceived the terrors of Sonic's injury. It was as if Sonic was running yesterday, and with the snap of a finger he was bedridden. It was odd to think about, but there was no other way to see it as.
Tails: Sonic's undergone another surgery, I think you'd want to know.
Shadow grunted, ignoring the message. At the same time, it brought some relief knowing that he was getting the treatment that he needed. Nobody ever mentioned it to be fatal, otherwise it would've been the talk of the week. It was all temporary.A metallic rummage resounded through the walls of the shielded tunnel, announcing movement, more specifically the arrival of somebody. Shadow's fierce highlights stood out against the dimmed atmosphere, becoming a point of recognition for Omega who stepped towards the centre of the desolate passage, lifting its arm in a welcoming wave. It learnt the manner from socialisation overtime. Rouge recommended for him to wave as well; planting the grumpy visage never satisfied anyone.“Shadow.”Its monotonous voice filled as echoes.“What is it?”“There is a disruption in the South. Mission: Help Rouge. Find Shadow the hedgehog.”Shadow idly bent his leg, his foot against the wall he lay his back on.“It doesn't sound like a pressing matter to me.”“Reinforcements might be needed.”The robot's red eyes beamed endlessly, focused down on the subject in a way that was unnerving, but common for it. “How so?”“I am told to just inform you.”Suddenly, Shadow began to withdraw, abandoning the request.“You're more than enough to handle this. I'll pass.”While he paced out of the window, he left his companion in a standstill, carrying confusion for his odd behaviour. Sunrays leaped on his path as he approached grass from a small garden in the centre of a road. It didn’t matter to him even if it was truly serious; he only fought whenever he felt the desire to. That didn’t mean anything went out of hand.His enemies were dancing on pavements like lunatics, unable to take notice of the world. They were in peace, in whole, and in company of one another. Franchises leveled the side with blinding signs and windows, becoming a zone for many to explore under the mercy of the air conditioner. Shadow, thrown out of his nest, adjusted a quill and began to blend in like spinach in a fruit smoothie. Gloves and shoes weren’t ideal compared to what the others wore, so the three storied department store entailed the attention of his legs.The change of temperature helped him unwind a tad bit as he paced around low isles with no apparent reason. He had little intention of buying anything, it just felt right to wonder throughout. Maybe it was a bad idea in disguise when he happened to spot Amy Rose browsing in the housing section. It was no longer a disguise when she noticed him and smiled.“Shadow, hey!”She had a dollop of clothing items dangling from her forearm with a grocery shopping bag on the other side. “How come I see you here?”He could no longer pretend to be inspecting the displayed stiletto heels beside him.“No reason…”“Anyways, you’ve heard about Sonic, haven’t you?”Shadow nodded in response.“I just hope everything's going to be over soon. I'm thinking about getting him this lightweight blanket.”There was a line of threadbare blankets spread across in various colors and designs as she laced her fingers underneath the gentle yellow. Shadow tested its delicacy, discovering that it was a very thoughtful item to give.“I like yellow, it's like the bright sun.”He thought for a moment, a little driven away by the slightly irrelevant association. “It's not so bad.”It felt a little odd.“I wonder what you're going to get.”Shadow folded his arms and looked away.“Nothing much, really. I know he's going to get better anytime now.”“Nothing much?”Her voice peaked with curiosity. “Maybe energy gels or something like that.”“Oh, okay. Let's go… at six o'clock, is that fine?”“...?”There was a clock on the far wall which he read, unable to understand what she was referring to.“To see Sonic?”The mention of his name alone made him fiddle with his fingers for no reason.“Fine.”“Okay, let's meet there then. I'd like to see the fragrances now. Bye!”She waved him off with her free hand, grinning. Shadow also went off in his own direction. He was bluffing when he said he wouldn't get anything much. Now the meaning of gifting seemed apparent to him, and he needed to get something that wouldn't disappoint. A prime advantage of his was just how much he was familiar with the hedgehog, as he was already the shadow of him. Judging by his state yesterday, his instincts knew how he wouldn't accept anything, from food, to ornaments, to entertainment. With such vulnerability, objects would be meaningless.Perhaps visits also had no meaning. Nobody had direct engagement with him, and if it happened to be otherwise, it wouldn't benefit. If he decided to wake up the next day and tell a joke, the idea felt so distant it was almost like a miracle. Shadow wouldn't mind a joke or a tease, he'd sincerely prefer it.But if he put himself in the other's shoes, he'd never want to talk through it, let alone tolerate being surrounded by others. Sonic's attitude to company had him hesitate. Shadow left the store in pursuit of something that would even have the littlest use. Unrooted flowers could wilt away and easy to digest foods may spoil if not eaten. Jewellery didn't seem to fit him, and gadgets of aid might come out to be offensive. He'd wear new shoes for nothing more than a day, while new clothing would rot in his wardrobe. Sunglasses would look good on him after recovery, but the summer would likely be long gone by then. His eyes skimmed through the names of stores, attempting to form suitable ideas. Until he saw the generic supermarket, he remembered the communal kitchen used by Sonic and his friends. As long as he wasn't caught there, he'd be able to make something small. With a brisk trip at the store, he collected an assortment of flavoured teas, eager to make jelly that would go easy on his throat. If it happened to go to waste, he'd never give anything to anyone ever again.Then he warped near the kitchen, subtly obscured by the bush to observe the surroundings. It was a simple kitchen with necessities out in the open, prone to rain and natural disasters yet still functional. There was an oven, a couple counters, a fridge, stove, sink, and some chairs on the small island. Nobody had an official home, resorting to them freely using the kitchen to enjoy the feeling of home cooked meals. Sometimes they had a rota, and he could never admit that he was the most fond of Sonic's meals. He's even read his cookbook during his own time, amused by the recipes. Sonic's hobby of cooking was one of the last hobbies he could expect from him.For the coast was clear, he set his items, unwrapping them for his tea jelly.
~
Informed by Tails, he set off with his likely useless jelly to a different hospital. He didn't expect less of the setting yesterday, maybe he could just stay for a few minutes again, but knew that he had a private ward. It wasn't so far, so he took his time and leisurely paced towards it, a bit off the heart of the city. He looked forward to interacting with his rival in whatever positive way possible.There was a split path into forestry which had the walking entrance to the shorter hospital. Compared to before, only a couple people hung around the foyer and there was one receptionist on the counter. It seemed like a private hospital he unheard of. Today, he decided to play it fairer. He approached the man on the counter, but stopped as he heard a voice.“Shadow? You again?”Knuckles pointed at him, discerning his presence. He didn't seem pleased by his sudden call.“Hmm, why should you care so much about Sonic, of all people?”“I don't actually care about him that much.”“That makes no sense.”The echidna peeked into his bag, tilting his head while provoking him to turn away.“It's just some food.”He protectively heaved the shoulder strap further towards his grasp.“Anyways, I'm going to be the first to see him. He's on the third floor.”After Knuckles pointed with his thumb towards the staircase, he climbed them empty handed. Shadow called the lift with a tinge of competitiveness. Though they both arrived before the same room, just on a different route. On the 11th door, they knocked, waiting for entrance. He knew he couldn't expect sunshine and rainbows on the other side, allowing him to prepare for whatever was to come. Shadow took a breath. “Hey, guys.”Tails invited them inside the spacious room as Shadow trailed behind Knuckles on his way in. For some reason, the lost echo of Sonic's greeting played in his mind. “How's Sonic doing?”The three surrounded the bed. It was a little larger, with no shrouding curtains or obstacles. Instead of sterile, eye-sore machinery there was warm and welcoming furniture which decorated the room to more like a serene hotel. Without the striking scent of antiseptic was a gentle floral aroma, wafting in perfect harmony with the graceful air of the air conditioner. The window hosted a scenic source of light, and within the centre of the hospital was a well-kept garden with a great tree towering over the rooftop. Sonic lay flat with his arms out and eyes closed.“He's doing very well, he's even tried to walk a little.”Maybe Tails's grin told a bigger story than he thought. When Shadow noticed how the patient's chest rose and fell, he began to share the serenity with the room.“Sonic?”Tails gently nudged him, bringing his consciousness. He wasn't actually asleep.“Sonic!”Amy abruptly entered through the unlocked door, carrying a myriad of bags with a jovial smile. She set them on the sparkling floor beside him, where Shadow also eventually put his tea jelly. “You're okay?!”Leaning on the metal bar on the side, she hovered over him, a bit overbearing than usual.“Careful, he's still not in the best shape…”“Aww!”She then sat on the far edge of the bed, posture perfect.Sonic's eyes fluttered open as he shifted on the bed.“...”They were all eager for a response, looming attentively over him. He felt a dull ring succumbing his body, enveloping him in an unpleasant blanket that weighed him down. The tight stare suffocated him, including the metallic taste of the golden sun rays that danced around the room. His mind was still fogged from anesthesia as he also felt detached from the world in a sense, floating back and forth with no perception. A rhythmic screech seemed to pierce through the blurred silence.Four figures of different colors spun in his view, their expressions intense with undeniable ambiguity. He couldn't tell whether they were distorted, or they each had a separate color to resemble them, almost as if it was telling him a message. Tails was lost within the merry-go-round, deeming the entire image a trick which he immediately procrastinated to figure it out later. To figure it out later, the new feeling needed to mean no harm to him. He couldn't rest once he perceived the oppressive force of four walls, tossing him across the room. The pain zooming throughout his bloodstreams came to a pause and digested his brain, engulfing every cell that kept his sentient alive. One of them dove through the hem of his body, but reappeared where he first found it. There was no way he could know what to do. Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, all nearing to the side of the window, gently grabbed the back of his ankle. A slight confusion attempted to penetrate into him, but mixed in with the several blends of objects in his head. He waited until Knuckles lifted his other side, and his group lifted his entire figure from the bed. Sonic helplessly endured the said procedure, reconciling with buried memories of the same act. As he was elevated from his rest, a fierce pull on his chest induced him to writhe, even if his senses seemed absent. His ears could only decipher muffles and his skin could only feel what was lingering inside. Disfigured beings jolted him further up, causing a resounding ache that coruscated all over his soul. The words formed on the tip of his tongue didn't seem to be words that were worthy to be said. Something he couldn't describe demanded him to keep it bottled. Like Amy's gloved hand cupping over his lips with a slight pressure.His back shrunk and he could feel it contract, somehow restricting his breathing. He was unable to picture his surroundings, but had a small instinct, or a memory that told him what he was doing. There was no room for resistance as he was coaxed into the windowsill, his quills immediately drowning in sweat. Blood rushed down onto his head which hung low from the window and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't open his mouth to breathe.Knuckle's glove felt so vague it let go, while Tails's could hold on for a little while longer. Underneath his hospital gown and the rough cast on his waist was fire. The section within the windowsill was a blast furnace. He'd been inside of a blast furnace before, the moment's vividness appeared to be as vivid as a memory. To cut it off, it was always Tails who pushed his feet to free fall.Sonic rigidly shook his head. It was too familiar. From the corner of his eye, the unidentified figures walked away. His heart leaped out his chest with the yearning of his bystander coming to help. But he'd deal with that later. A cold compress was lightly placed on his forehead and eyes.“He heats up now and then, but I can't seem to figure out why…”Sonic bit his lower lip in aggression.“Is it not a fever?”“A fever can't be this hot, give me a second…”Tails opened a cabinet to retrieve an infrared thermometer and measured it underneath the wet towel. It beeped rapidly.“Forty-six degrees…?!”Amy gasped at the growing number.“Doesn't that mean..?!”Even the thermometer continued shrieking. Tails couldn't get it to turn off.“I get hypothermia at fifty, so it only makes sense for Sonic to have it somewhere around that.”Shadow answered, looking down on the floor. He could rightfully sympathise with this measurement. “That's what my tests said… I'm not the best at biology.”There was a visible pool of sweat on the bed. Knuckles waved his hand in front of him.“Hello? Sonic?”Tails frowned as he clicked the nurse's call button on the side.Shadow watched as Sonic's face was beaming red, his teeth grit as he struggled with internal pain. Guilt happened to roar around him again. It was an unusual, preventable scene. All he wanted to have was an accepted apology, and even renewal. Maybe Sonic wasn't able to walk after all. Maybe the only thing he could do now was walk. He would no longer be his rival, and he would no longer catch up to him. Shadow couldn't handle the sight.One of the nurses came through.“Oh, how can I help?”“Sonic's extremely heated…”Then they handled it deftly, gesturing for Tails to nudge him aside while they changed the sheets.“Ooh, I bought a new blanket.”Amy unveiled the thin, yellow fabric from one of her bags, carefully displaying it to everyone. Knuckles felt it for himself.“Looks nice.”“I'm sorry, you can't use that right now. Until it's thoroughly sanitized, it can only be used after discharge.”The nurse sincerely objected.“Oh…”Sonic was gently turned, his towel accidentally falling off his face. A trail of tears landed down the side of his muzzle. Needless to say, it startled everyone apart from the nurse who had finished her job and respectfully stood aside with her hands clasped.“Sonic..!”It was a moment they had never seen before. Through every single hardship Sonic had been through, not one made him shed tears. He could only look straight towards the ceiling. Shadow felt heavily disturbed. Disturbed by a separate factor.He muffled incomprehensible words through his covered hand, his voice cracks imminent. With the scant guidance, Shadow took the initiative for his favor. “We're leaving.”He walked towards the door.“What?”“We're all leaving. All of us.”Amy blocked him from opening it, arms spread.“We're not leaving. We are absolutely not leaving. Are you out of your mind?”“I'm not going to argue with anyone.”Avoiding her hand, he gripped onto the handle, turning to address everyone in the room.“We are all going to leave. Even you, Tails, and the nurse.”“Shadow-”The door opened wide.“Get out of this room. Give it at the very least ten minutes and only the nurse can enter then.” Out of everybody who had their jaw dropped, Tails was the first to listen. Although it took him a moment, he understood what he was trying to mean.“What, is he going to explode?!”Knuckles obnoxiously retorted.Shadow sighed.“He already knows you're here for him, he doesn't need constant reminders.”“But how am I even here when I'm not here?!”“Talk about this outside.”He begrudgingly stomped out of the room. Amy only left because of everybody else, seeing how the nurse was following Shadow's plea.When the door was closed off, they stood in a circle. The nurse excused herself, letting them have a private moment.“Sonic would benefit most from being alone right now. Let him have time to think.”“He's alone ninety-nine percent of the time, what's the problem with right now, when he needs us the most?!”Amy snapped. “No… listen…”Everyone turned towards Tails.“He doesn't want many people around… that's why I only ask if he wants visitors when he seems calm.”“That doesn't mean we should leave him when he's at his lowest!” “Just think straight.”“I think you're the one who's not thinking straight at all!” She suddenly reached to twist the door handle, but was held back by Shadow's more powerful grasp.“Nobody wants to be at their lowest in front of a crowd.”“Well, we are not just any crowd - we're his closest friends! Maybe you should be the one to step out!”“Everybody should step out. We will come when he wants us to come.”“...”Amy paused, her eyebrows still furrowed.“And how will we know that?”“Tails, would he be happy to see you?”“Err…”Although Shadow knew Tails was the closest, he couldn't forget about the interaction between the two yesterday.“Not the happiest…”The fox held his head low, remembering how Sonic always tried to cover his irritation with false kindness. It was easy to see through, and all he wanted for him at the moment was peace.“What about me?”Amy pointed her thumb towards herself.“I'm sorry, Amy…”“This is all nonsense..!”“And me…?”“Knuckles…”“What?”Shadow leaned on the wall, contemplating the mess. He was the only person in the entire building, if not, the world to witness Sonic to a level beyond comprehension. He dared not to work alongside him to share the dual vulnerability again. Touching the chaos emeralds beside him was something he almost feared to do, hence him avoiding the other in certain situations. If something as serious as the biolizard happened to reappear, he would definitely revisit that connection in urgency. But never on his free will.“W-what…? Does Sonic not like me anymore…?”“No, don't say that. With all this medication, he's still trying his best to…”How could he handle such a thing and still survive? Shadow knew he wouldn't be able to endure the same.He wished he could just change something about it. Someone so close was wilting away in front of his eyes, it began to anger him. He already knew he was just a mortal, but the world without him would be unimaginable. And for him to be the reason for the other to resort to tears, the only person who raced him under the cherry blossoms last spring, delivered an unsettling emotional pain. Something told him it was going to end this way, and there was no room for atonement. “What condition does he even have?”“It's a little unexplainable, but I think we have it under control for now.” When Sonic would regain his smile, only then he wouldn't feel the need to scurry everyone out like sheep. He huffed in defeat.