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On what was to Sonic nothing more than an uneventful afternoon, he’s lying under a tree with his arms behind his head, enjoying the calm breeze and soft rustling of leaves above him, when, out of the blue, he hears from the distance a familiar voice call out his name.
“Sonic~!”
He opens his eyes to look at the one approaching.
“Tails, what’s up?”
His friend, still hovering in the sky, replies with a fairly neutral expression, “Come with me for a sec.”
Sonic gets up swiftly. “Did something happen?”
“No,” Tails denies lightly, “You’ll see when we get there,” he says as he turns around to lead the hedgehog away.
“Hm.” Though he’s slightly confused, he doesn’t question his friend further. It doesn’t seem to be anything serious, so they make their way to the destination at a moderate pace. When Tails slows down and the house in the distance starts to come into view, Sonic wonders aloud:
“Cream’s house?”
But as they get closer, Sonic sees a bunch of his friends gathered there, with what seems like an outdoors lunch party setup.
Amy turns around and notices the duo approaching, and she waves at them excitedly. “He’s here, guys!” she exclaims to the others.
Finally, Sonic and Tails stop in front of everyone, and Sonic notices that some of them are wearing party hats, and that the place is decorated with balloons and a bright banner behind them.
“…This is…” he begins, then the realisation dawns on him.
Tails heads over to the side where everyone stands facing Sonic, delivering the words, “Ready… and-”
“Happy Birthday, Sonic!” they all call out cheerfully in unison as they blast the confetti poppers from their hands.
Sonic is stunned for a split second, then he let’s out a small laugh, and scratches his head sheepishly.
“…Thanks, you guys. To be honest, I kinda forgot it was today.”
Amy goes up to him, “Geez, Sonic, you always forget things like this. But it’s okay, because I’ll forever remember your birthday! And it makes for a better surprise, doesn’t it?” She looks towards Cream, who nods her head and tells him, “We wanted to show how much we appreciate you, Mr. Sonic.”
Vector adds on top of that, “These two were busy all morning preparing the cake and the dishes, along with Ms. Vanilla. Of course, we of the Detective Agency also helped out with setting things up. It’s the hero’s special day, after all.”
Sonic smiles at them, “I see. Really, thank you for this, everyone. It’s the best,” he conveys earnestly. “It would’ve totally passed me by otherwise, but since you guys put in this much thought for me, now we can all have a great time today.”
Everyone's cheers fill the air at this statement.
Going over to the table with the drinks (consisting mainly of juice and soda), Vector takes one and announces, “Let’s all toast to the one and only blue champion, shall we?”
When everyone has a glass, they hold it up and declare, “Hooray for Sonic, cheers!”
After the toast is done, Sonic remarks merrily, “Haha, all this is making me shy.”
From next to him, Amy brings out a wrapped present with a small blush on her cheeks. “Sonic, here, this is my gift to you, I hope you like it.”
Sonic accepts it. “Thanks, Amy, I’ll promise to treasure it,” he tells her. It feels soft in his hands, so it’s most likely something she knitted herself. Her face lights up at his words, and she gives him a big hug in response. “Sonic~ I love you.”
A few moments later, Cream also comes up to him with her gift, a colourful and vibrant flower garland. “Mr. Sonic, I made this for you!” she tells him happily, and puts it on for him like a majestic necklace.
Sonic looks at her softly, “Thank you, Cream. You always do so much for us.”
“It’s only natural, because we’re all the bestest friends. Right, Cheese?” Her Chao friend backs her up with an energetic exclamation. Sonic smiles at the both them appreciatively.
Then, from behind, another one of his friends speaks up: “Quite the popular guy, aren’t we?”
He turns to face Knuckles, and replies lightheartedly, “I guess so.”
“Well, it’s to be expected from the star of the show,” he remarks while throwing his arm over Sonic’s shoulder, then lifts his other hand up to him. “Happy b-day, Sonic.” They bump their fists together with boyish grins, then Knuckles turns to scan the place over again. “But man, they really went all out with this, didn’t they?”
Tails joins in on the conversation. “I was pretty surprised too, when they first showed me.” He and Sonic exchange knowing looks, specifically on how Tails led him here without revealing anything. The young engineer continues, “Maybe I should learn to cook better, so I can help Amy and Cream out once in a while. They always bring food to me at the garage.”
Sonic comments, “Not a bad idea. But Tails, you’ve been pretty busy with the latest projects, right?”
“Yeah, actually. I’m making some new upgrades to our fighter jets. Can’t lose to Eggman, or anyone else, for that matter,” he reminds himself with determination.
“You said it. I’m really counting on you for those, buddy.”
“Of course, it’s the least I can do.”
“Everyone’s got their hands full, huh? I guess us fighter types get to take it easy until a battle starts, ain’t that right?” Knuckles ponders as he looks to Sonic, who hums in agreement.
“It’s true that I like to take a break from time to time, if only just to appreciate, say, the nature that’s around us.”
This brings to Knuckles’ mind a recent event - “I tried to convince Chris about that exact point before he left. You know, with the sky as your roof and being able to feel the seasons change firsthand. But he said he prefers living under a normal roof,” he finishes mildly disappointedly.
The blue hedgehog cracks a grin at that interaction, and shrugs in response, “I suppose these’re two separate issues for most people. Can’t be helped.”
At the same time as all this, in another area of the gathering, drink in hand, Rouge turns her head to look at Shadow, and asks: “Are you gonna go talk to Sonic? I’ve caught him glancing your way a few times. I bet he’s pretty surprised you showed up.”
Shadow replies calmly, “I will shortly.”
“I’m going to get in a word or two with them in the meantime, then,” she tells him, and leaves.
Soon afterwards, he hears another familiar voice address him.
“Yo, Shadow, glad to see you’re doing well.”
“Vector,” he acknowledges.
The head of the Chaotix Detective Agency saunters up to him, with his two subordinates trailing behind. “So how’re you finding life on our planet? It’s your first time here, if I’m not mistaken.”
“That’s right. In terms of living conditions… let’s just say that the places I’d come across up until this point were a far cry from this.”
They both knew full well how all different planets had been ravaged by the intergalactic war from the last expedition; Vector’s question was largely rhetorical.
“Well, if you ever need help with anything, just know you can call us anytime,” he tells him jovially.
“Keeping an eye out for potential customers, I see. But I’ll keep it in mind, considering you lent me your assistance last time.” Technically, they gave him a free ride straight to the enemy HQ on their spaceship last time. It’s not like Shadow’s forgotten that favour.
The young Charmy peers at him, eyes wide. “Wow, even though you look scary, you’re actually pretty nice-”
“Charmy, that’s no way to talk to someone, especially a client that had half the hand in saving the world last time,” Vector interrupts.
Espio asks Shadow seriously, “After that, how did you manage to get back?”
Shadow recalls the events following the tail ends of the finale, after he used Chaos Control: “…Usually, the Chaos Emeralds scatter after they’re gathered in one place. But inexplicably, when I regained consciousness, there was one that remained. So I simply used that one to traverse to different planets, until I ended up on this one.”
That recount stuns the trio into silence for a few seconds.
“…That sounds like an unbelievably toilsome journey,” Espio can only comment in response.
Vector follows up, “Wait, so if you hadn’t switched places with Sonic at the last second, he might’ve been the one in that position?”
“…Well, who’s to say?” Shadow mutters with his eyes lowered.
Charmy speaks up again, “That’s crazy. You guys are really insane-”
“Charmy.”
“I mean it in a good way! Like, imagine if we had to fight Shadow. I’m saying it’s good he’s on our side.”
Vector finally approves of his point. “That’s certainly true. Though, we also did our part. Everyone plays their own role in a war, you see.”
Shadow says with an entertained smirk: “I wouldn’t disagree.”
Meanwhile, Rouge has initiated a conversation with Sonic on the other end.
“Hey, Sonic, how’re you feeling on this special occasion? Congrats on getting one year closer to being able to legally have alcohol. Not that anyone could stop you if you tried, though.”
Sonic replies, “I’m glad to see you here today, Rouge. And on the alcohol point, I guess I just don’t really like the taste of it, so I haven’t really thought about it that way.”
"One day you’ll come around to liking it. Perhaps when saving the world becomes too big a drag for you,” she teases.
He chuckles. “Maybe.”
At a different table a short distance away, Knuckles has overheard their conversation. He muses, half to himself, “The user of the Chaos Emeralds being an alcoholic? That’s pretty funny to imagine.”
“Hmm, yeah, now that I think about it, maybe you shouldn’t go down that path,” Rouge reconsiders whimsically.
“Right?” Sonic grins.
The former agent sighs as her tone becomes more serious: “…But it must be tough to be you sometimes. I’ve witnessed it from start to end too, in spite of everything.” Looking around at all their friends gathered here today, she continues, “I can understand everybody’s feelings of wanting to express just a fragment of appreciation in this way.”
Sonic shakes his head with a small, but confident smile. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. The last thing I want is for you guys to worry about me.”
Rouge concedes, “Yeah, for you boys, it’s better to go around saving the world than to sit around living a boring life, isn’t it?”
“Exactly.”
She adds, “If I had a Chaos Emerald on hand, I might’ve gifted it to you on this occasion, but alas...”
“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t usually celebrate my own birthday anyway, y’know, as a guy and everything- it’d be somewhat embarrassing if I’d brought it up myself,” he explains, “But right now I just want everyone to have a good time.”
Rouge nods once. “You’re totally right.
“And speaking of which, this cake is really delicious. Have you tried it yet?” she points to the birthday cake.
“Yeah, Amy and Cream make great chefs. If you’re ever interested in their recipes, I’m sure they’d be happy to share them.” Sonic suggests.
“I can definitely see that, but I’ll pass on asking the recipe, since I prefer having dessert to making them.”
Knuckles can’t help but chime in again: “Haha, and that’s why you’re-”
“Stop right there, you stupid echidna. I’ll let the eavesdropping slide, but you should watch your mouth before I-”
“Before you what? And how is it eavesdropping if I just happened to be a few feet away minding my own business?”
Turning all her attention to him, she repeats with the edges of her mouth upturned in a way that's clearly supposed to mask her irritation: “Like I said, that’s not the problem. I don’t want to start a fight here, but clearly, I’m gonna need to have a word with you.”
Knuckles throws his hands up facetiously, “Ok, ok, fine, my bad. What was it? ‘The most beautiful phantom thief Rouge, how considerate you’ve been of us all this time...’ Is that what you wanted to hear? I’m not adding the Chaos Emeralds on top of that, though.”
“I don’t like the way you said that. Maybe you need more practice.”
“What, seriously? Oy, wait-” those are his last words before he gets dragged off to the side by a fuming Rouge.
Watching the whole ordeal play out right in front of him, Sonic can only look on with a smidge of pity for his friend, letting out a small laugh.
Though, what he’s not expecting is the next voice to speak out his name from behind him.
“Sonic.”
Upon hearing it, his mind falters for a whole second before he spins around to see the one whose presence here surprised him the most.
“Shadow…!”
After making eye contact with him, Shadow takes a brief moment to look him up and down, then, wearing his signature smirk, he raises the glass in his hand.
“…Happy Birthday.”
It’s only when Shadow says this that Sonic realises that he was in a bit of a daze, and he quickly snaps himself out of it.
“…Thank you,” he replies as he also raises his glass. It makes a small clink as they touch in a toast.
“It’s been a while since I last saw you around,” Sonic starts.
“I’ve been keeping busy.”
“Oh? What have you been up-” the blue hedgehog wants to ask, but he’s cut short by a call from the distance.
“Sonic~, we’ve set up the camera for a group photo, everybody gather around!”
Sonic blinks, and turns to look at where it’s taking place. “Ah, right…” he says before turning back to Shadow again, not exactly making the move to go over just yet.
Sensing his slight reluctance, Shadow slightly smirks to himself, but tells him in a low voice while locking gazes with him, “Go on, the protagonist can’t keep people waiting.”
Sonic first looks a little surprised at that line, then he relaxes and also gives him a small smile. “…Indeed.”
The rest of the day seems to pass in a blur after that, or perhaps that’s not fair to say. After the group photo Sonic reverts to his usual self and makes his short yet inspirational speeches as the de facto host, then later laughs along with everyone at whatever antics come up, still very much living in the moment, and the party lasts until the late evening. Everything is exactly how he’d wished for it to be. Eventually, everyone packs the whole place up and say goodbye to one another, going their separate ways.
At nightfall, Sonic makes his way toward a nearby forest located on a plateau. Near the cliffside is a small clearing where the rest of the landscape lies far below and the moon hangs directly overhead, its illumination cast gently over the whole place.
And standing there right at this moment is none other than his dark counterpart.
Shadow turns around and says to him with a surprised, yet composed expression:
“You went through the trouble of finding me here.”
Walking up to him, Sonic replies, “I didn’t get to speak with you much today, after all.”
Once he’s stopped next to him, Shadow muses, “I recall giving answers to your questions later in the day.”
“Yeah, but that was with everyone,” Sonic pauses, then continues quietly, “I… actually prefer to talk to you like this.”
Shadow’s eyes widen slightly, then he can’t help but look down with a small huff at that admission. Seeing this unspoken concession, Sonic asks him:
“Shadow, do you know your birthday?”
“No, though I’m sure I’d be able to find out if I tried.”
“From Eggman?”
“Most likely. But it’s unimportant, particularly for someone like me, who’s given up his past,” he states evenly.
Sonic looks down contemplatively. “…Is that how it is…?”
Shadow looks unbothered by his own situation, and instead continues, “Anyhow, today is your celebration, no doubt you have some thoughts surrounding it.”
Sonic's eyes soften at what's invoked in his mind by that prompt, “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. I guess… I was just reminded again of how grateful of them I am.” Shadow waits for him to continue.
“There’s really no need for them to put themselves through everything in coming along with me each time, you know?” he refers to their battles on the whole.
Shadow catches the implication of that. “You mean to say that you’re prepared to take on everything alone?”
“…Yeah.”
“Yet, the fact remains that you would do what your friends are doing now, and vice versa, if your positions were switched,” he points out.
“I understand, and it’s why I genuinely respect everyone. They give me most of the credit in the end, but it’s how much courage each person shows in the face of adversity that matters, in my opinion.”
“…You aren’t wrong,” Shadow first concurs, but then his expression turns more somber: “However, to prevent a situation where not even that is left, the first priority is always to eliminate any and all threats that may arise.”
Sonic replies with a nonchalance not matching to his words: “That’s the harsh reality, huh?”
“Nothing that you’re not well acquainted with by now.”
While that statement is true, the blue hero’s mind is elsewhere. He sneaks a glance at his once rival, and utters softly:
“But now that you’re here, it makes it... a lot less harsh, from my perspective.”
Shadow remains still, but his crimson irises reflect a visceral understanding of the weight behind that sentence, so he’s very deliberate with his next words:
“I’m just following the path I believe is correct... but when you’re there in the midst of it with me, that does end up being another thing I have to account for.”
Upon hearing that, Sonic asks him curiously, “Could it be, that you see me as getting in your way?”
The dark hedgehog smirks again, as though he was expecting that question.
“No,” he answers unhurriedly, while turning to look at him: “But you do need to be the one to return to everyone else.”
Sonic’s eyes widen at those words.
“…And it appears that everybody implicitly thinks this except you.”
It’s an observation that basically anyone would agree with, yet when it’s spoken aloud, sounds almost absurd.
Once he’s fully processed what Shadow just said, Sonic rushes to tell him in response:
“Shadow, you don’t actually need to think of it like that... it’s true that you’ve saved me in many ways, but what’s important above all is your own will-”
“This is my will,” Shadow interjects, and it’s an assertion that makes Sonic’s heart skip a beat.
The dark hedgehog makes an attempt to correct him, “What I mean to say is, I didn’t do it merely out of a recognition of your importance in the eyes of others. It’s also... no, actually, never mind.”
Sonic also looks as though he’s refraining from saying something, but it nevertheless spills out softly:
“Shadow… what kind of an existence am I in your eyes?” while his voice remains mostly even, a mixture of interest, anticipation, and a slight indication of guilt shows through his emerald irises.
Shadow glances sideways at him. “…What would knowing that change?”
Sonic gives it some thought as he turns to look into the distance. "Nothing much, probably... my wishes for you have always been the same, no matter how you were to view me,” he smiles bittersweetly, “But I have to admit, I’m still fairly curious about what you really think…”
Shadow closes his eyes calmly, and challenges that stance, “…Even if there may be unfavourable things?”
Sonic nods surely. “Yeah, I would want to know.”
So Shadow takes in a breath, and confesses:
“...From my point of view, you’ve always been the only one to point out the faults in my thinking, yet maintain your position on the intrinsic value of my decisions as such, to an extent that I can’t even manage for myself.”
He turns to meet Sonic’s eyes to say without a hint of hesitation:
“In my previous world with no place of belonging or personal identity, failure to accomplish the goal in front of me would simply render my existence meaningless. But the one to break past all that was you.”
At this, Sonic is rendered speechless. The dark hedgehog continues:
“You have been irreplaceable to the world for longer than I have known the battlefield. I have no need for your protection,” the corners of his lips lift in an ironic, yet tender smile, “…but then why have you become an unparalleled, unique existence to me also?”
In this moment, countless thoughts are rushing through Sonic’s mind, and his heart is thumping in his chest. What he manages as a response is simply: “…That’s how you thought of me? This whole time…”
Shadow remains mostly composed, though the shimmer in his crimson irises betray the depth of emotion he experiences. “Was this somewhat unexpected? Nonetheless, it is the inevitable truth.”
Sonic takes a step forward towards him, and tries to convey his thoughts as best as he can, while Shadow’s eyes are fixed on him:
“It’s just that… I honestly think that you’re exceptional enough to not have to consider any of this. Not my role, nor anything I’m trying to preserve on my end. The only thing that matters is your path, and living out your true meaning, whatever you determine that to be.”
Then he looks down, cheeks flushed in a remorseful red.
“But as I thought… I can’t pretend that you’re not special to me, not after you’ve changed my life in the way that you have. And it’s not just that, everything about you…”
He reaches his hand out subconsciously, but the moment he becomes aware of the action, he instinctively draws it back.
But before he can do that, Shadow immediately grabs his hand, and pulls Sonic towards him.
Their frantic gazes lock, and Shadow says to him:
“I’m… more normal than you think.”
At this distance, they can almost hear each other’s rapid heartbeats. “…Shadow…” Sonic says his name in a whisper.
The dark hedgehog begins to lean in closer.
“That’s why… if you’re okay with this, close your eyes for me.”
…So Sonic slowly lowers his eyelids, before any hint of a tear can well up at the corners of his eyes.
For a second, Shadow remains staring at his nervous, innocent face. Then he leans in completely and presses their lips against each other.
In this instance, it’s as though the rest of the world has faded away into nothingness.
Once it returns, however, they’re to find themselves having crossed a boundary that cannot be taken back.
But maybe, that’s not such a bad thing…
A few seconds later, Shadow pulls back, once again meeting Sonic’s eyes. After they both let the reality sink in, a blush tints both their faces, and Sonic is the first to smile and speak up again: “…If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
Still holding onto his hand, Shadow smiles back at him. “…No matter what this is, I want you to trust my words.”
Sonic grasps his hand tighter while asking: “Is it really okay for me to be this close to you?”
Shadow readily affirms the idea: “It should only be this way… without you, my road would be an endless maze with no exit,” but then he thinks about it more carefully, and begins again, “In reality, I should be the one asking you that question.
“You’ve long seen through the nature of everything, and you are surrounded and loved by those you protect. Do you really need me in this way?”
At this, Sonic hurriedly replies, “I do, Shadow,” he lowers his eyes, “Please don’t assume anything otherwise.”
Shadow lets out a small sigh.
“Alright.”
Sonic looks back up, and hopes he can convey his feelings through his gaze as Shadow stares ardently back into his emerald eyes. They stay like that for a few moments, before Sonic himself finally musters the impulse to hastily lean in and kiss Shadow again.
On this fateful night, in discovering their true feelings for one another, they’ve transformed their relationship into a form that can accomodate for the full extent of their sentiments, which is to lead them into an entirely different future, one where they’re to tentatively navigate this newfound happiness.
But really, for them, to simply have met each other is already the most fortunate thing that’s happened to their lives.