Chapter Text
The situation he had landed in was simple, and started off like most of their issues did, with Eggman. Sonic, Tails, Shadow had landed up in another scheme and it was supposed to be simple. Stop whatever portal he was trying to start, win the day, easy right? Unfortunately not, with a bit of strained communication on his part, he can admit that. They had accidentally broken the portal and had instead been sent into another world. Dimensional travel needs to stop being an increasingly common issue in his life.
Tails also wasn’t even supposed to be there; he had just stopped by for the week before continuing off on his adventure. Going to seminars, talking to professors, seeking knowledge and whatever else the kit had deemed necessary. Shadow had only joined because he had the day off. Not because they were in a mushy codependent relationship thank you very much Tails. Though despite should be’s and could be’s they were all still here.
Here is where you might be thinking? Well, they had landed up on another Sonic’s Earth, which was surprisingly nice no complaints there. Sure, things were different but they were a good different. This version of himself was younger, as they tended to all be, and he had an honest to god family. Not just Tails or anyone else he would call family on a random day, no human parents who had adopted him.
Human parents who had surprisingly taken the existence of multiple dimensions and versions of their son quite well. Though it was hard not to when you had two of the world's smartest foxes explaining the multiverse to you. For now the Wachowskis had taken them in, and wow the kid version of himself even had a last name. If Shadow hadn’t whispered in his ear about him being the only one without a normal last name he would have found it all almost sickeningly sweet.
Truthfully being in another universe wasn’t entirely bad, even if he felt like he was stuck in a nostalgia loop that made him feel queasy and lightheaded if he thought too much about it. Too much about what could have been. Though, that was unfair to his other self who had clearly gone through hardships of his own. It was also unfair to himself, wishing for another life when he was happy with his own. The experiences of his past had shaped him to be who he is today, and while playing baseball all day and reading comic books was tempting, freedom beyond parental control always sounded just a bit better, only a bit though.
This world even had their own mini Shadow, who was truthfully just adorable. Still getting through all of the repressed vengeance and trauma of everything with the help of this world's Sonic, and an Agent Stone? That was interesting. Though, still so cute beyond the glares and standoffishness and god he would just pinch his cheek if only he wouldn’t get punched in the gut by both Shadow’s. At some point he needs to get Tails to test if Shadow really has hedgehog DNA and not pissed off cat DNA.
The big issue despite all of this though? They had been in the Wachowski’s dimension for a week and a half now. Even with the might of two Tails’ they weren’t getting any closer to leaving, they were getting closer to a full moon. Like, happening within the next 12 hours close.
He tried to ignore the common press and tightening of anxiety in his chest as he thought about it. Tails, his Tails had even spoken to him when they were away from the group one time and mentioned that the transformation might not even be possible when disconnected to their universe’s Dark Gaia. He said it was possible, but unlikely, his DNA had still changed after all. Which wouldn’t that just be great, a whole full moon without the ugly painful resurgence of his less than favorable fluffy side.
Though pretending like it wasn’t going to happen was as stupid as standing on train tracks and expecting the train to stop right before hitting you. It’s also not like he had any other routes to avoid the train either. His nails hadn’t stopped being any less claw like, he’s had to cut them almost daily to make sure he could still wear his normal gloves, and the look Maddie had given him when he asked for the nail clipper two days in a row was enough to make him want to run away and sulk in a corner of embarrassment.
Oh yeah, because did he forget to mention that the Wachowski’s didn’t know yet? Like every single one of them was blissfully unaware. Shadow had told him he probably should let them know just out of courtesy so they wouldn’t be concerned when it happened. Though what does he know it’s only like he’s seen him transform at least a dozen times now. Tails had told him he should, but to give it time because he might figure something out and they could leave before then.
Well they haven’t, and it’s not like he could blame either of the Tails. They were trying, the first few days the both of them had almost pushed themselves too far and with some communicating with the Wachowski’s, the adult human ones that is, they had devised a plan to prevent overworking. It’s not like he needed to get back immediately. Eggman has thankfully already been stopped, thank chaos that the Prower Electric can communicate interdimensionally. An additional mental thank you to Knuckles, Amy, and Rouge for cleaning up after their mess, as per usual.
However when he spoke to the Wachowski’s he had expected even a slow paced Tails duo to figure out something by the end of the week. He also hadn’t expected the time to catch up on him so fast. He doesn’t blame either Tails for not figuring something out yet, he never would, especially when he had helped get them all into this mess in the first place. But he can certainly wish he was gone and dread tonight.
In any other circumstance he probably wouldn’t even be so hard pressed to leave. Tails was having a good time talking with himself. He seemed to finally find someone who fully understood him, and if Sonic was any less of a man he’d be upset, but he knew deep down that he could never fully challenge Tails mentally like he needed. Even Maddie and Tom had shared the same sentiment, and wasn’t that weird, having to play the role of a parent, while also being parented by two humans he had just met.
Even Shadow didn’t seem to mind the change of pace, he had gotten Rouge to help him with time off. Gun might suck sometimes but being in an entirely different universe has to count as sick leave in every job, right? He had mostly avoided his own counterpart, not in a mean way, at least Sonic thought he wasn’t trying to be mean about it. Instead, in his freetime Shadow had dedicated himself to being an, honestly impressive babysitter. He was skeptical at the other hedgehog's insistence of being around the younger version of himself, and also a younger more socially stunted Knuckles, but he took it in strides. Sonic had even caught a few smiles from Shadow within his time bouncing between him, Tails, and the parental Wachowski’s.
Shadow had honestly seemed happier during their stay as well. At first he was a little awkward, they all were, but he probably recovered and gained his snark back faster then the rest of them did. All It took was having a verbal battle with Sonic’s younger self, much to his own dismay. Rivals in every universe it seems, and based off of the way their two younger versions would run off alone, perhaps something more as well.
Sonic took a sip from his mug and grimaced, black coffee after sitting for too long had always left his throat feeling sticky and raw. Though, at the same time it felt like all he could stomach at the current moment. The Wachowski family was wonderful, they ran with the punches and grew stronger because of it. Though, he only wonders about how much it might take for one of them to finally crack. Eggman saw his werehog form as a curse, an ever present physical reminder of each and every one of his failures. What’s stopping Tom and Maddie from looking at the werehog and finally realizing that maybe these aliens they took in are all too different. He didn’t want to ruin something for himself, even if it was a different version of himself.
A hand settled on his shoulder and he jumped up from his spot leaning on the windowsill, almost spilling the other half of his cold coffee. “Sorry-” A familiar voice, that was Maddie, she had the day off today didn’t she? “I wasn’t trying to scare you, you just seemed a little lost in thought there.” She then set down a mug on the windowsill, next to where his hands had resettled and let out a gentle sigh. “You got something bugging you?”
“What? Pfft no-” He waved his hand and scratched his head. “Everything is great, I’m great, this world is great! Nothing’s wrong in Sonic Land Mrs.Wachowski.” He gave her a mock salute and returned back to leaning against the window. He always hated how bad he was at lying when it didn’t include near death situations. Though lying never felt great either, his heart would pick up, the room would feel scorching, and looking at himself always got marginally harder.
Maddie just nodded and hummed, tracing her finger around the rim of the mug she had set down earlier. “You know, it’s funny how different you can be compared to my Sonic. Tails and Shadow are eerily similar, almost copies of each other, just with different experiences.” She then took a moment to take a large sip of coffee. “One thing I never expected you two to share though, was your inability to lie. You always seemed like such a smooth talker compared to him, years of experience crafting your confidence.”
“What? I’m not lying, why would I ever lie to you Maddie. You took me and my motley crew under your wing and have so graciously housed us until we are able to leave.” He looked into Maddie’s eyes for just a moment, before swallowing saliva as thick as honey and evening out his breathing.
“Your voice raises, it gets a little higher pitched, honestly I’m surprised you both don’t squeak. You also deflect the same way, it might be hard to work around if I was anyone else, but I’m not.” She set her hand back on Sonic’s shoulder and turned her head so that he’d have to at least look at her. He avoided staring back into her eyes though, looking back outside the window through her shoulder. “Look, I can tell something is upsetting you, now you may not be my Sonic, but you’re still Sonic, and until you get home I’m still here to take care of you.”
Her chest rose and fell as she turned her head and motioned to the garage that both of the Tails’ were working in. “I know you probably want to go home, and I’m sorry you can’t. Can I at least ask you to trust us in the meantime?”
He closed his eyes and sighed, both hands on his head as he thought. The Wachowski’s really are great people, and great parents too. They’ve been able to cope with their Sonic becoming friends with their Shadow, even though he could tell there was unresolved tension and pain still lingering in the younger Shadow’s eyes. They also were fine with his Shadow and his Tails staying over, quickly getting past their own fears and welcoming them.
Humans were always so hard to work with though, he’d like to think he’s gotten better at reading them throughout the years, but they still react differently than any Mobian you would find. It’s harder to fine tune their emotions, and to trust what they’re telling you. The only human he’s ever gotten a true read on was Eggman, and boy was that depressing. When he opens his eyes and finally, truly looks back at Maddie he sees nothing but genuine care, and it makes his breath hitch.
“I-” He stutters and bites his lip. “I want to tell you, but it’ll probably be more useful with everyone here so I don’t have to explain myself multiple times.” Maddie’s eyes widened and she smiled, gently patting his head. “Tom’s back before it gets dark, right?”
Maddie checked her watch and hummed. “He should be, if that’s a priority I can let him know? Though, it’s still summer here so that might still be a while.”
Sonic nodded and jumped a few steps back. “That’s fine, I still need a bit to collect my thoughts, just know that it’s definitely important that he gets here before dark.” Ugh here goes nothing, hopefully this doesn’t destroy a family and ruin everything, he was born to be an optimist though, and dammit he will think like one. Even if it requires some work. “I’ll be back, I’m taking Shadow, my Shadow, with me. So probably be concerned if you hear any explosions from your kids.”
She just raised an eyebrow at him and chuckled. “Alright, stay safe, and try not to think too hard, ok? Whatever you have to tell us won’t change anything.” Oh if only she knew. He just nodded and ran out the back door.
“I’m taking this one!” Sonic said as he sped over to Shadow and grabbed his arm. “You two-” he pointed at Mini Him and Mini Knuckles. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t and remember your mom is still home so you still have eyes on you, toodles!” He stuck his tongue out and started running with Shadow in tow. The Black hedgehog merely, shaking his head at his antics.
“So, you need to get your energy out before you can’t run? There are nicer ways to ask me for a race.” Shadow adjusted his hold so that they were holding hands as they ran, not entirely putting the effort to move faster, yet. It never failed to make his heart skip a beat when his actions spoke differently from his words. He could frown and banter as much as he wanted, and yet when they were alone- now's not the time to go down romance lane.
He shook his head and put a bit more speed into his step, quickly looking behind his shoulder to make sure the boys didn’t decide to follow. “No, I still haven’t told them, and I need your help to not be my usual mess during talks like this.” He went to go even faster before being skidded to a stop by Shadow.
“You mean to tell me you haven’t told our hosts yet, after I specifically said you should?” He poked an accusatory finger into Sonic’s chest before having his hand grabbed and being twirled. Sonic chuckled and grimaced. “Yeah, yeah I know, you told me and now I’m suffering the consequences of my actions because I didn’t listen to you. Why are you ever surprised when this happens?”
Then with a gentle tug, they were off again, at a slower pace than before. “I’m not here to argue or say I shouldn’t have told them earlier, right now I just need your help. Once we’re back home I give you a free pass to a spar at any moment of your choosing, I’d say we could do it now, but we’re on a time limit and it’d set a bad example.”
Shadow just shook his head and took the lead. “That’s the third free pass you’ve given me since we’ve got here, at some point people are going to think I’m a domestic abuser.” He then skidded to a stop at the edge of a cliff. “What can I do to help?”
Sonic snorted and took a knee towards the very edge. “Anyone who thinks you abuse me has no eyes, it’s not like you don’t walk out without bruises either-” He looked up at Shadow who gave him an unamused glare. That’s right, focus brain, there are things to be done and by the sun's position in the sky, only so much time to do them. “I totally should have told them earlier, but then Tails told me there was a chance I wouldn’t even transform. So, I ran with it, but even you can tell that’s definitely not happening. I’m not, trying to make excuses, I swear, I’m just trying to explain my thought process.”
Shadow just sighed and sat down next to him, small rocks tumbling as his legs dangled over the cliff edge. He turned to look at Sonic and in those red eyes was pure unfiltered empathy, this conversation was probably going to be more challenging than the one with the Wachowski’s. “Sonic, I think you of all people know I understand the sentiment of, being different, more than anyone. I am frustrated that you didn’t tell them earlier, but I can’t blame you, it’d be hypocritical of me to do such. Right now, I would just like to know how to help. Now if you waste our time explaining yourself for no reason I may have to fight you, but I’m sure you wouldn’t do that, right?”
“Of course!” Sonic stiffened and smiled awkwardly. This sure was going to be a doozy, hopefully they’ll still have time for a quick run after this.
Tails looked up from the motherboard he was working on as the alarm on the desk went off. That must mean it was lunch time. He stretched from the chair and poked his slightly younger counterpart , who had willingly taken the name Miles until they found their way home. “It’s break time, we should be quick or Mrs.Wachowski will have our heads.”
Miles just giggled as he lifted his goggles up and rubbed an eye. “No way Mrs.Maddie is way too nice to be doing that!” His stomach then grumbled and he sighed. “We should definitely still get some food though.”
The two foxes walked into the house surprised to already have two sandwiches as their respective places on the table. Miles just sat down and uttered a gentle thank you while Tails looked around. Sonic, his Sonic, didn’t seem to be around, it was currently a little later than noon so he should have time, but the thought was concerning. Sometimes his brother liked to run away from all too much and stand still in the face of danger. Though, under more careful consideration the Shadow from their universe was also surprisingly absent, the two were more than likely connected.
“Mrs.Wachowski, has my Sonic told you anything recently?” Tails sat down at the counter and looked at Maddie who was wrapping up two untouched plates.
She gave a sad smile, something that had been unfortunately frequent the more she learned about their universe and their lives. It was protective in its somberness but it took every ounce of energy in his body not to tell her that her worries were unfounded and that they would only be here so long. “Nope, though he did tell me that we would be having a family talk later today. Is it anything you happen to know about?”
Tails nodded and took a bite of his sandwich chewing quickly before responding. “I've definitely got a really good idea of what he might want to tell you, but it’s not my place to say anything.” He took a sip from his water and patted his mouth. “I wouldn’t worry about it though, if it is what I think it is, it’s not that big of a deal. Sonic just tends to care more about what people think of him when he actually cares about the people.”
Miles shook his head and crossed his arms. “I don’t know how we’re so similar but our Sonic’s are so different? If only we had more time to cross reference and study the multiverse together, then I could maybe figure it out.”
“I wouldn’t worry too hard about it!” Tails took another bite of his sandwich and kicked his feet. “My Sonic is a bit older than yours, and they’ve both gone through some pretty different things so far. However, there was this one time when a younger version of our Sonic showed up in one of our battles against Eggman, and he was super different when he was younger. A younger version of myself was also there, and we were still really similar. So I like to think that all versions of Sonic have their own uniqueness to them, you know?”
“That’s a really good way to think about it, Tails.” Maddie smiled and set a hand on top of his head. “You two might need to leave the lab a little earlier tonight, whatever he wants to say seems important. So try to leave yourselves off on a good note and don’t bite off more than you can chew.” She then set two peppermint patties on both of the foxes' respective plates. “I’ll tell you boys when it’s time to come in.”
It was time, everyone was at the dinner table and while he wasn’t being stared at he could certainly feel the apprehension in the air. It was thick and made breathing seem even more like a chore than it was previously, though that was probably all in his head. Or partially due to the fact that he might have stayed out with Shadow for a bit longer than he intended too and now it was getting really close to sunset. Either way, it was rough.
He gently set his fork down and inhaled, looking at Shadow and seeing the same soft look from earlier before starting. “I’ve got a lot to say and not a lot of time to say it so I would like for you to wait and only ask questions when I’m done, ok?” With all various forms of affirmation from the table he continued, pushing past the sticky lump in his throat and closing his eyes. If he couldn’t see their reactions he could get through this better.
“As you know now, and as you have experienced within your own world, Eggman has been fought a lot, and I’m sure you’ve realized every time he has a new plan, you know, villain of the week style? These plans normally aren’t a huge deal of course, I’m always there to stop them. One time though things were different. We had collected all of the chaos emeralds and it was just supposed to be a routine fight. Go super, destroy the huge Eggman base in the sky, go home. Except, after going super I got trapped, Eggman took the energy out of the chaos emeralds and in doing so infused me with another form of energy, dark gaia energy.”
He opened his eyes only to look down at the table, leaning into his own hand and sighing. “It wasn’t a huge deal at the time compared to the fact that the world had also sort of been split into pieces. Though, after I put the world back together there was this funny thing, most of that dark gaia energy I mentioned early, did leave, but some of it stuck to me like glue, really annoying gorilla glue that now also happens to be encoded into my entire DNA.” He chuckled and looked up with an awkward smile and shoulders hitched. “So yeah for like the past year and a half? I’ve kind of sort of turned into a hedgehog werewolf, or werehog, on full moons, which tonight happens to be.”
The table was silent for a moment, before it erupted into chaos, everyone talking at once, asking different questions all melding into each other. It was loud, he could see Shadow’s ears fold back and he knew his own followed suit, and it felt like there was no hope of it stopping until Tom quickly stood up from the table, taking a knee next to his chair. “That must have been a lot to go through, and I’m sure we can all-” He turned to look at the rest of the table with a hand out. “Agree, that we are thankful you told us?”
The rest of the table gave their own variation of a nod, his counterpart going blurry with how fast he was trying to nod, both Miles’ and Knuckles' hands over his mini me’s mouth. Shadow and Tails seemed entirely unphased, mostly just grateful that he said anything and Maddie seemed worried? “You said your entire DNA was changed? Have we been feeding you right? I just treated you the same way as I did Sonic but if I was wrong or I need to change anything promise to let me know okay?”
“Relax! You’ve been a great host.” He put his hands up in a surrender position and awkwardly laughed. “My diet isn’t that different because of it and if it was a bigger issue it would have been on me to tell you earlier. I probably should have said something earlier in general. I just, didn’t think we’d still be here.”
Miles dropped his hand from the other Sonic’s mouth and wrung “I’m sorry, I’ve really been tryin-”
“Nonsense fox, you are doing a great job, the other hedgehog surely did not say that to undermine your efforts.” Knuckles took his hands off of Sonic’s mouth and gently slammed the table with his fist.
The younger Sonic however, took this opportunity to jump from his chair and do a circle around the table. “You can turn into a werewolf? That’s so cool! When do I get to be that cool, actually that would mean Eggman would still have to be alive ugh. One day I’ll get Tails to figure something out, mark my words, I’ll catch up to you on the coolness factor I swear!”
The older Sonic just sat up from his chair and leaned against the table. “You’re already cool little man, don’t worry.” He winced and took a few deep breaths. “I might have failed to mention one teensy tiny fact. The uh, transformation isn’t exactly pretty, I should probably head to the guest room, you might want to turn the tv volume up.”
“Hey, while you’re here you’re family, and we won’t let you suffer alone.” Tom went to go support Sonic off of the table until Shadow appeared by his side and only slightly made him jump. “I can take him to the couch. You may want to grab a trash can. The younger ones should probably step out, at least for a moment.”
Tom and Maddie looked at each other for a moment, having a silent conversation, before he turned to Shadow and nodded. “Alright, boys, we’re getting ice cream while the shops are still open, should an hour be enough?”
“An hour is-” Sonic grimaced and held his head. “It’s more than fine, but you guys really don’t have to leave your own home for me.”
The younger Sonic zipped to grab the keys to the truck. “We’re getting ice cream dude, not renting out a hotel. This is a good thing, uhhh for us. You just do your thing with the best vet in all of Green Hills and then we can race once we’re back.” He did a circle motion with his finger before pulling Miles and Knuckles behind him out of the house.
Maddie pat Tom on the back and whispered something in his ear as he grabbed his coat. “We’ll bring you guys back something. Tails, are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”
“No thank you Mr.Wachowski, I’ve been here for this before. You should probably get going before Sonic drives the truck for you though.” Tails shook his head and then motioned to the front door. Which caused Tom to look out the window and curse as he ran out the house.
Shadow brought Sonic to the livingroom and gently placed him on the couch, holding his hand and sitting on the floor next to him. “Do you want your gloves off? We won’t have any replacements until we can go back to Mobius.”
Sonic just shook his head and chuckled through the first round of pops and cracks. Despite everything Shadow has been there to see him through the worst of it all. “It’s just normal gloves.. We can always get a new pair.” He always hated how everything would spin and burn throughout the transformation. Tails has tried to figure out how to make it less painful but the lack of direct energy to make things go faster tended to be where he would get stumped. “I’m probably gonna yak though, urgh.”
Maddie ran into the living room with the popcorn bucket and placed it on the floor near Shadow. Grimacing as she heard bones pop. “You go through this every month? Your Eggman is lucky he didn’t come here with you guys I swear.”
“He went through it every night when the world was split into pieces, although it did go a lot faster.” Tails walked into the room with a water bottle, sitting next to Sonic’s feet. “Now they average about 32 minutes, which hopefully shouldn’t change despite being in a different universe.”
And about 32 minutes it did take, by the time Tom had come back with the boys Sonic had transformed and was back on his feet, if only a little sore. Maddie and Tails had both taken a few minutes to get his vitals despite the werehog complaining, and Shadow had just watched with a smirk, evil, evil man.
When there was a knock on the door Sonic stretched his arm to reach the doorknob and pull it. Which caused Maddie to jump up and hold onto the arm when it came back. “You can stretch like this? How is that physically even possible? Tails you’re sure this is all natural.”
“I mean it’s his normal? It’s hard to get an x-ray of it in action though.” Tails was standing next to Sonic typing on the Prower Electric before the younger Sonic came and ran circles around the werehog.
“Sonic hold up! And he’s gone, oh wow you’re big.” Tom was trying to close the front door with his feet without dropping any of the pints of ice cream before he found himself stopping and staring at the werehog.
The younger Sonic just hopped in front of his counterpart waving his arms from side to side. “And super cool I mean look at this?” He grabbed the werehogs hand and placed it over his face. “His hand is as big as my FACE, even Knuckles can’t beat that. Everyday I will strive to reach your level of greatness.”
The older Sonic just chuckled and scratched the back of his head. “I already told you, you’re cool just the way you are.”
“Even your voice is cool!”