Chapter Text
Shadow the hedgehog was brooding as he usually did. Leaning against a cliff face, he peered over at Sonic and the gang. Stupid Sonic. His neon-blue face and his smug smile have been burned into his brain ever since the incident. Shadow watched as they played volleyball on the beach; the palm trees swaying in the breeze as Tails launched the ball over the net. He was never invited to their gatherings. Always an outcast. Knuckle’s laughter echoed across the canyon and tears welled up in Shadow’s eyes. He could never forgive them for what they did to him. Launching himself off the cliff, Shadow curled into a ball and rolled to the bar. He needed a drink. Shadow’s surroundings were too bright for him, all the color was practically blinding. That’s why he always went to Big’s Emo Bar to cool down and forget all his problems. Arriving at the bar, Shadow threw open the doors and clomped towards the counter. Big called out, “Hey Shadow! Another bad day, hmm?”
Shadow growled, “Shut up.”
Big piped down and began to prepare his usual, Black Heart Gin & Tonic . The second he placed the drink on the counter, Shadow grabbed it and guzzled it down. The warm feeling of booze went trickling down his throat and he sighed. “Another.”
Big mixed more and more of the drinks and Shadow downed all of them until he could barely feel anything. A giant bang came from behind him and he sluggishly turned around to see Sonic and his friends come barreling into the bar. Sonic yelled, “Hey, Shadow! Long time no see! We’re just here to get a couple of drinks!”
Shadow turned back and growled. Sonic seemed to always ruin his day no matter what. Sonic flopped down next to Shadow and said, “Big! Can we please get a few waters?”
Shadow scoffed—typical Sonic. Amy guffawed in response at one of Tail's jokes and Knuckles began to roar with laughter. There was too much laughter. Too much noise. He pushed the stool back and tried to turn to leave, but Sonic grabbed his arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Without thinking, Shadow pulled his arm back and punched Sonic in his stupid little face. Sonic groaned, grabbing at his face, “What the fuck, bro?”
The bar was silent. Everyone stared at him with disgust. Shadow hopped off the barstool and stumbled towards the exit, but Tails stopped him before he could open the door. “Wait a moment! You can’t just leave after doing that to our friend! You need to apologize or something!”
Shadow lost it. He grabbed Tails' arm and twisted it at an unnatural angle and he went down screaming. Big yelled, “Call the police!”
Shadow slurred, “You guys could care less about me! Stop pretending to be my friend and say what you really think!”
Sonic stood up clutching at his jaw. He puffed out his chest and faced Shadow dead on. “Do you wanna know what we really think about you, Shadow?”
Shadow didn’t respond because he truly didn’t want to know. Not a single person loved him in Green Hill. He was alone. So alone. Sonic continued anyway. “We think you’re an asshole, Shadow. That’s the truth! You used to be so differen-”
“That’s because of you, Sonic! It’s always been you! Ever since the incident! Do you even remember what happened when we were kids?”
Tears flowed freely out of Shadow’s eyes and he angrily wiped them away. Sonic turned away guiltily, and Shadow punched at the wall before exiting the bar. The sound of Tails’ screams echoed in his head as he stumbled towards isolation. He could barely walk with all the alcohol in his system, and he collapsed on the ground. He heaved onto the grass and collapsed into his vomit. He heard Sonic yelling in the distance, and everything went black.