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“Something’s wrong with Sonic.”
The conversation played back in his head as he raced through the forest.
Shadow waited for an extended answer, but there wasn’t one. “Is that all?” He didn’t hide the note of exasperation in his voice. He should’ve known that this wasn’t going to be important.
The sound of speed filled the space between the trees, flora pulled in his direction, loose leaves torn from their branches as he passed by.
Tails’s grip tightened around the device he tended to carry. The Miles Electric, Shadow recalled. “Something’s wrong,” he repeated. “He won’t respond to his comm, won’t stick around, hasn’t spoken to any of us in—” Tails took a deep breath. “I know this doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary. I know you think that I’m wasting your time. It’s just...” He looked down, brow knitting together. His shoulders slouched, namesake drooping behind him. When the fox finally spoke again, his voice was quiet. Hollow. “I didn’t know who else to ask.”
Shadow came to a sudden stop.
“... What are you asking, exactly.”
The ground gave way to a steep, rocky slope, eyeballed to be approximately 10 meters down.
The fox’s ears perked up. He fiddled with his screen pad, pulling something up. “The tracker in his comm isn’t working, so I’ve been having to rely on social media. Forums, mostly. One specifically, actually. ‘Sonic Sightings’. It’s filled with posts about... y’know, sightings. I’ve been following him that way, but it can be pretty hit or miss.”
“Get to the point.”
“I think Sonic’s looking for the emeralds. In at least 4 locales, my Emerald Detector has gone off. I know it’s not a lot to go off of, but...” Tails tapped his fingers against the shoulder bumpers “... can you talk to him?” Shadow scoffed. “Please?”
“You said that hasn’t worked. What makes you think it’ll be any different with me?”
“Please, Shadow. I’m running out of options.”
He leapt, the wind pitching in his ears as he shot down the slope.
“... Where do you think he’s going to be.”
Shadow pivoted alongside a path of old rail tracks. He hadn't needed to guess which way; the steady thrum of chaos energy grew louder as he approached. He gradually came to a slow, the deafening roar of the wind dying with his momentum. The first thing he would typically do would be to scan the area. A strategic approach, ideal for the old train station that stood before him. However, to his misfortune, Sonic had beat him here.
Reflex decided his next move. Shadow launched forward, spindashing into his rival's back and knocking him to the ground. Whatever Sonic had exclaimed was muffled by the sudden faceplant into dirt, his quills raising in surprise. He stood over him, bracing himself for retaliation.
”What was that for?!“
”What are you doing here.“
”Excuse me, I asked first.“
”I don't care.“
Sonic huffed, pushing himself to his feet and dusting himself off. ”Well, you should.“ Shadow looked him up and down, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. Nothing weird or unusual stood out to him. It... was Sonic. ”Why'd you hit me?“
”You're still hung up on that?“
”What do you mean 'still hung up on that'—it was a few seconds ago! Why I oughta—“
Shadow raised his hands in a passive gesture. “I'm not looking for a fight. I just want to talk.“ Sonic blinked once, twice, snorting loudly before dissolving into a fit of giggles. This was the funniest thing he's ever heard. Shadow narrowed his eyes, fingers digging into his palms with enough force that it stung. Why did he agree to this? Nothing was wrong. This was all an elaborate prank. There were better things he could be doing right now, important things. He should just turn around right now, forget about all this. “I’m serious, Sonic.”
”You? Talk? Puh-lease!” Sonic breathed out between laughs. “Since when do you just talk about anything? That's so uncool, Shadow.” Shadow let his fingers go slack, his momentary burst of anger fading away. “What, you finally going soft?”
That… wasn’t right.
He bit back a response, opting to cross his arms instead. Now that he was looking... something was off about Sonic. Not just in the way he addressed him just now, but in the way he carried himself. He was an easy-going guy, always too relaxed, never took anything seriously. Shadow couldn't recall a time where the blue hedgehog had ever looked so tense. Like a wire pulled too tight, ready to snap at any moment. Guess they really do need my help.
“Dude, seriously? No response? Is that a yes?”
“You're the one always telling me I need to get better at talking things out.” Sonic paused mid-laugh, eyeing him carefully. “Do I have your attention, now?”
“You've always had my attention. Can't a hedgehog have a good laugh once in a while?” Shadow steered them back on topic.
“Two months.”
“Hah?”
“Tails told me you've been gone for two months.”
”Two months, two schmonths, what's the big deal? What, I can't go on adventures, either?—“
”With no wrist-comm?” he interrupted. ”That isn't like you, Sonic.“
Sonic rolled his eyes. “Gee, didn't realize I'd be getting interrogated.“
“I'm not interrogating you, I'm just asking some questions.”
”Uh, that's interrogation, stupid. I thought you were supposed to be smart.“ Shadow sucked in a breath. He really wanted to wipe that stupid grin off of his face. ”What're you trying to accomplish, anyways?“
”Why are you being so defensive?'
“Defensive, me?” he pretended to act shocked. “I'm not being defensive. Maybe if you get that stick out of your—woah!” Sonic ducked under Shadow's fist, that stupid grin of his growing impossibly wider. “Aha! There's the Shadow I know!”
Shadow pulled his fist back. “Can you be serious for once? What's going on with you?!”
“Nothin's going on, Shadow. As a matter of fact, I've never been better!” The striped hedgehog hardly had any time to react as Sonic barreled into him with a spindash, knocking him into a signboard. The aged wood splintered on impact, a loud crack tearing through the woods as he tumbled back. Shoot! Shadow angled himself in the air, catching himself with a hand as he flipped backwards, curling into a ball and launching himself back towards the blue hedgehog. It was his turn to strike, knocking him in the direction of the train carts. Unlike Shadow, Sonic failed to stick the landing, dirt clouding the air when he slid against the ground.
“Better? Without your friends? That doesn't sound like you.” Sonic scoffed, hopping up to his feet. It was jarring, this response. Shadow couldn't help but be taken aback. ”Talk to me, Sonic. What happened?“
Sonic wagged his finger. ”Stuff it already, will ya? I'm getting bored.“ Shadow was ready this time, having seen the way his weight shifted from one foot to the other. He met him head-on in a tackle, meeting his fists with open palms. Shadow pushed forward, Sonic skidded back.
”Answer me, damn you! What. Happened.“
“Broken record, much?“ he sneered, pushing back. ”So serious all the time! Don't you ever get tired of it?” Shadow furrowed his brow, thinning his lips. This isn't working.
”What about your friends, then? Don't you miss them?“ His smile didn't falter, but Shadow didn't miss the way Sonic's eyes hardened at their mention, like two emeralds absent of light. The force Sonic met him with now was unexpected. Shadow skidded back.
”No.“ Sonic's voice was low, lower than he's ever heard it before. In that moment, he broke free of the grapple, slinging his arm back before bashing his fist against Shadow's skull. Shadow staggered back, reaching to his temple as his other hand shot out to steady himself. He had barely regained his balance when Sonic struck again with a windmill kick. He reacted faster this time, catching the breeze against his muzzle as he leaned back.
“You don't mean that.”
Sonic gave a short, derisive laugh. “Shows how much you know.“ He sprung forward in another dash, only to be knocked into the broken sign with a heavy blow sideways. The sign couldn't take the second impact, exploding into wood fragments that scattered throughout the clearing.
“I know how you fight,” Shadow retorted. He adjusted his glove cuff, approaching him slowly. ”I know that you never shut up. You can't resist making pointless efforts at humor. You're impatient. Stubborn to a fault. Always looking for your next adventure.“ He pinched the bridge of his nose, heaving out a sigh. “The point is: I know more about you than I care to know. It's not like you to suddenly change.”
Sonic stood up, dusting himself off. ”Does any of that really matter? I mean—oh, look over there!“ He pointed behind Shadow before dashing to the other end of the clearing. Shadow wasn't fooled, chasing him around and around before they stopped, only a few feet away from where they first started. Sonic clicked his tongue, rolling his shoulder with an all too cheery expression. ”You're no fun. Did you know that?“
“Are you even listening?!” Shadow ducked under his right hook, grabbing ahold of Sonic's arm as it sailed above him. He slammed his rival against the ground, pinning him there with an elbow. ”This isn't you.“
“This isn't me, huh?” he echoed. Sonic looked manic, eyes wide open, his breaths huffing through his teeth in heavy beats. His quills stuck up against the ground in every direction. His lips twitched, but his grin didn't falter. ”Guess you don't know me after all.“
Shadow could hardly believe what he was hearing, could hardly process it before Sonic kicked his stomach, sending him falling backwards through the air. He landed with a heavy thud, gasping, coughing. A breeze sailed right by him. Shadow barely had time to roll out of the way as Sonic's heel came slamming down down next to his head. His hands shot out, fingers loosely wrapping around his leg before Sonic shook him off and kicked him in the face, knocking him to the side. He tasted blood. Sonic gave him no time to recover before striking again. However, Shadow was ready this time, catching his foot and yanking him back to the ground.
Sonic wasn't going to stay down for long. He had to think fast.
Shadow's eyes darted around, lingering in the direction of the tracks. The abandoned carts. There had to be something there he could use. If not... it gave him all the more he could work with the same. He pushed himself up, his shoes roaring to life as he launched himself towards the tracks. He had just reached the first cart when his ear twitched, the familiar sound of wind rushing towards him. His fingers grasped around an old railing, slingshotting him sideways, giving him the momentum he needed to gain the high ground. Old metal creaked beneath his feet.
Sonic flung himself towards him, skidding to a halt across the roof of the train. Seizing the opportunity, Shadow dashed forward. He was a second too late, however, unable to catch the blue hedgehog off guard as he met him head-on in another grapple. “Come on, Sonic,” he hissed, “what's gotten into you?”
His lip curled into a sneer. “Caring's an odd look for you, Shadow.” The darker hedgehog scowled, rearing his head back and slamming it against Sonic's skull. He staggered backwards, wide open for Shadow's next strike. He wasn't going to hold back. That's what he told himself. But when his arm swung forward... he stopped, fist hanging in the air.
“That's not you talking. I know that's not you.” Something flashed across Sonic's face. The corners of his lips fell, his ears drooping. He hung there, off balance, staring at him with wide-eyes. Familiar eyes. A type of awareness that hadn’t been there before. He’s still in there. “Are you listening, finally? The real you?” Shadow pulled back his fist but kept his guard up. “I can't pretend to know what's going on, but you need to fight it, Sonic. The Sonic I know doesn't obey so easily.”
Sonic blinked, taking a step back. Shadow decided to take a risk. He stepped forward, cautiously holding up his hands.
“I don't want to keep fighting you, not like this. Not when it isn't you.“ His rival didn't move. Didn't take his eyes off him. Shadow took another step forward. ”Is this what you've become? Someone's lapdog? Some tool to be used? And you're okay with that?“ Sonic's eyes narrowed, the beginnings of a snarl tugging at his face. Anger. Good. It made the sudden hook to his jaw taste a lot sweeter.
Shadow stumbled back, throwing up his arms as Sonic slammed into him with a spindash, knocking him off of the train cart. His air shoes kept him steady as they sailed backwards in the air, steady as he caught himself against the wall of the abandoned station. Bracing himself, he countered Sonic's strike, knocking him back towards the train carts. Sonic bounced once against the roof and tumbled out of his ball, catching himself on his palms and cartwheeling back. Even from this distance, Shadow could see him panting.
Wait, panting? Already?
He narrowed his eyes, gently floating down. Of course. How could he have not realized sooner? Sonic wasn’t pacing himself. If he kept up at this rate...
Shadow blinked. Sonic was gone. His ear swiveled, the sound of the wind whistling growing louder as a strong kick made contact with his jaw. The darker hedgehog staggered to the side, throwing out an arm to balance himself. He barely had time to react to his next strike, deflecting his fist with a hasty swipe of his arm. Sonic's balance had shifted. Without hesitation, Shadow balled his hand into a fist and landed a strong blow against his head, sending Sonic reeling back. The gravel scraped loudly against his shoes as he lost his footing, landing flat on his back.
“I know you can fight better than this,“ Shadow said, readjusting his glove. ”We should've been around this whole clearing twice by now. And yet, here we are. Stalemate.“ Sonic pushed himself up to his elbows, staring at him with a creased brow. His breath hissed through his teeth as he tried to get up, only to have his legs fail him. Shadow’s ears bent. He extended a hand.
Sonic pressed his lips together, but didn't accept the gesture. Difficult, as always.
Shadow's fingers twitched. Sweat gleamed off the ridge of the other hedgehog's brow, furrowed in thought. He was right to be wary. Wariness wasn't what Shadow needed right now. The one time for him to... “I don't have all day, hedgehog. It's one thing to waste your own time. Don't waste mine, too.”
Eventually, Sonic laughed, flat and empty. ”This isn't like you, Shadow,“ he said, clasping his hand in a firm grip. ”Finally going off the deep end?“
”No.“ Shadow pulled him up to his feet, supporting him with his other arm. His fingers dug into his arm. “Consider it a necessary act of kindness.“
”What are you talking abou—“ Shadow rammed his fist into his stomach, Sonic's words diluting into a strangled cry. The blue hedgehog folded in half, gasping as his knees gave way beneath him. Shadow quickly adjusted to the sudden weight, catching him. His claws found purchase in Shadow's skin, pinpricks of pain shooting up his arm. But Shadow didn't wince. Hadn't even the slightest response at Sonic's feeble attempt at breaking free. He scowled at him. “...Cheap shot.”
Sonic slumped against his chest, fingers falling slack as the remaining fight left his body. Shadow sighed, gently setting him down. The chaos emerald pulsated nearby, he could feel the thrum of its power. Shadow’s eyes lingered on Sonic, looking over him twice, thrice, before he finally tore himself away. It wasn’t far, the familiar, iridescent glow shining through the rotted floorboards of the station. He punched his fist through, nose wrinkling from the stench of must and mold as he pried it out.
Shadow sat down on the platform, studying the emerald with mild interest. It was a sufficient reward, but… he looked back over at Sonic’s unconscious form. His grip tightened around the emerald as he reached for his rival. He won. But there was no victory.
Shadow thought of Tails’s workshop. Chaotic energy crackled beneath his fingertips as he pulled the unconscious hedgehog close. What the hell happened to you, Sonic?