Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shadow was exhausted, and horribly sore.

Falling from space after escaping from a top secret military prison, trying to destroy the world, then being redeemed and then nearly dying saving the world it did that to you. 

Shadow had expected to die up there, he had accepted that fate. Shadow had been almost happy to die. He had planned to die with the professor avenging Maria by destroying the world and himself with it to reunite with her. Despite the fact the world was intact, he could at least reunite with her.

But alas, it seems that the fates loved him too much to let him die so easily. 

Or they just loved his suffering.

It didn’t matter, none of that mattered. Shadow couldn't waste his time cursing a concept just because he was unfortunate enough to have survived. But the issue remained that Shadow was still alive, but now with no shelter or any resources  to nurture himself back to health. He had destroyed his only home back when he had believed the world would soon be gone. The world remained yet his old home had been destroyed. 

Shadow pushed himself up off the sand, causing it to slip off his body. Shadow shook what remaining sand he could out of his quills and brushed the rest off with his hands. He quickly realized he may have just worsened his headache with the way his vision had began to swim and spin. Shadow groaned and buried his head in his hands to try to stabilize himself, his legs swaying and shaking in the effort it took for him to stand.

In the back of his mind, he thought of that blue hedgehog who had given him a second chance back on the moon. Had he survived the fall? Shadow knew they had saved the earth but had the hedgehog lived to know they had won? Shadow really hoped he did. In the few moments he had seen the hedgehog with the rest of his team—the fox and the echidna—he had noticed their closeness. They were like those siblings he had only seen on screens, he envied them for their trust in each-other.

He envied the fact they had each-other.

He hoped they were all together now, wherever they were.

Shadow wasn't all there when he dug his inhibitor rings out the sand and snapped them back onto his wrists. Almost immediately, the mass of energy coursing through his body dulled, his muscles tensing as they adjusted to the familiar restriction. It felt normal, he felt a bit better now that his chaos energy was back to normal. no longer was its sensation overwhelming him.

Not that it was much of an improvement. He still struggled to stand, and his entire body still ached.

Shadow exhaled sharply, pressing a hand against his temple. His head throbbed in pain, and the desert sun was blaring down at him, promising to roast him if he stayed too long. Each breath felt like he was inhaling the sand instead of the air, scraping at his throat and worsening his dehydration. The air itself was heavy with heat, carrying it only to worsen Shadow's condition. It was all starting to feel much to bear. These feelings all foreign and unwelcome, it had been long since he felt such a thirst. It gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.

Shadow's muscles fought against him as he tried to step forward, that aching feeling worsening with every step. He struggled to even take his first steps, almost falling into the sand on the first. The desert sand ahead of him all blurred in his mind into one big blob of color. The heat only worsened his vision by making it all look blurrier. His senses were overwhelmed by the heat, pain, and exhaustion that was weighing down on his entire body, not a single part of him spared.

His mind was still able to wonder despite his condition.

Had Tom survived? Shadow was sure that if he hadn’t then the blue hedgehogs family would forever despise Shadow, they would never accept him! If the hedgehog had survived... would he still be able to handle looking at Shadow knowing he was the one who took his father? If so then should he even bother looking for the hedgehog?

The only thing Shadow could ever offer the blue hedgehog was pain and suffering, it was best to just leave him alone now and forever. The blue hedgehog would be better off that way. 

But where would Shadow go?

Every step blended together, pushing him further and further away from his senses and deeper into his mind. Shadow hardly noticed the aching sensation all over his body, to lost in his thoughts to notice how his legs were buckling and begging for him to take a break.

The ache in his chest hurt more with every passing moment, so much that breathing became a challenge. A pressure in his lungs with every breath that Shadow didn't bother noticing. A pressure somewhere else in his chest, wherever his heart was, that he did notice because it burned. It burned brighter and dulled at every thought of that blue hedgehog. It was a mixture of hot and cold with every warm moment with its equal counterbalance to sear him with longing and regret again.

Then there was Maria.

Maria was gone, yes, but her love remained. She still burned as bright as a star in his mind, the memory of her now as soothing as a lullaby now that he understood that her love for him was still there, and would forever be for the rest of his eternal life. It was thanks to the blue hedgehog who had reminded him that she would not want him to be lost in his grief. Maria wouldn’t want him to destroy the future to lose himself in the past. Maria would want him to move on with his life with her love in his heart and for him to find happiness.

Shadow needed to live with her wish, love and memory in the center of his heart. But how could he live? He had destroyed the mountain base—his former home—and as consequence, he now had no shelter. To make matters worse, he didn’t even know where in the world he was. Exhaustion had long sunk too deep into his bones for him to even think about running. Teleportation was out of the question, it might only worsen his condition by a tenfold.

Shadow saw the world spinning around him and the sky became more distant. It took a second to realize that he was falling face-first into the sand because his body had given out beneath him. Shadow was too late into his fall to put his hands out, getting a mouthful of sand in the process as a result. Shadow only groaned as he laid there, sprawled out on the sand by choice. He was so exhausted he considered just lying there and sleeping another fifty years to generate a way of life in that time.

A mechanical sound brought him back to the present. It was the hum of an engine or something. The hum growing louder each passing second, like it was getting closer.

Shadow listed his head out of the sand to see a familiar figure of blue.

The hedgehog.

That blue hedgehog shined like metal in the sun, that strange mechanical sound following him, and his footsteps sounded off. His eyes looked different than Shadow remembered.

Well what the hell, it's not like Shadow had even seen him many times. The details were probably fuzzy in his brain. It was obviously that blue hedgehog: How many other blue alien hedgehogs were on earth? It's not like there were many aliens in general there! There was zero chance this wasn't him!

Shadow buried his face back in the sand, letting the hedgehog approach without a word. Their presence was enough to make Shadow feel warm and fuzzy again, but he didn’t know what to say to the blue blur or what to do.

All that mattered, was that the hedgehog was still alive.

The relief was enough to let him put his guard down and close his eyes, assured that the hedgehog would be there to help him figure out what to do when he woke up. 

The mechanical hum grew louder, but in Shadow’s dazed state, it barely registered. The sound seemed to blur in with the quiet hum of the desert wind. Shadow felt... safe. Safe in the presence of that hedgehog, oddly enough considering not long ago the hedgehog was on the verge of killing him.

Something cold and metallic touched Shadow’s shoulder, but he was too tried to process it. Already slipping off into sleep, he didn’t acknowledge the cold hands that lifted him up off the sand.

He didn’t even know the hands that held him were too cold to be that blue hedgehogs.

Because the blue hedgehog's hands were warm.

 ────୨ৎ────

Shadow blinked once, then twice, the lighting of the room overwhelming his senses. He was laid on something oddly comfortable with a strange pink blanket decorated with red hearts and a while cat holding a red heart in its paws. 

Shadow wondered if this was the hedgehog's blanket, that’d be strangely out of the character that Shadow had depicted him as already. Shadow almost laughed at the idea before a sizzling sound caught his attention. 

The kitchen was in clear field of his vision from the couch, but sitting up to see was a struggle. His body still ached, but at least his exhaustion has been eased and the majority of his wounds patched. Shadow instinctively reached for his head, rubbing the dull throb at his temple, but then his gaze fell on the source of the sizzling sound.

A figure that Shadow knew stood by the stove, a man in a simple shirt and apron, stirring something in a pan. The sight of Agent Stone hit Shadow like a slap to the face. 

Had the hedgehog not been the one to save him? Was it all a hallucination?

If it wasn’t that hedgehog then who could it be? It wouldn’t make sense if Agent Stone was just wandering the desert unless he somehow knew Shadow would be there. Even then, how could he know and not someone else, like G.U.N?

Stone finally noticed him stirring on the couch and shot him a wide grin. "Ah! You're awake!" he said, turning from the stove to face Shadow, which seemed irresponsible, that salmon he was cooking might burn. "Figured you’d need some time to wake up! How are you feeling?"

Shadow groaned, sitting upright with his head in his hands. “Horrible” he answered simply. Feeling a-bit disappointed that the first person he saw was Stone and not the blue hedgehog.

Agent Stone just smiled, shutting off the stove like a responsible person and moving the pan off its hot surface to cool down.  “I’ll show you to your room now, Shadow. So you can wash off and get comfortable!”

Shadow felt uneasy by Stone’s cheery tone before realizing the man had lost his boss, who he was in-love with. It was probably best that Stone try to keep smiling and being as nice as possible to any aliens who came his way—as strange as his behavior was—to not end up trying to destroy the world like Shadow had.

Robotnik sacrificed himself saving the world, so Stone definitely wouldn’t destroy it anyways.

“Yeah, alright," Shadow mumbled, too tired to protest as he took a shaky step up and off the couch. Stone beckoned for him to follow and led him down the hall, the silence stretching between them. 

Shadow’s head was spinning with too many questions and way too many hypotheticals, more than he had ever been comfortable with. He tried to focus on the steps ahead, but all he could think about was the blue hedgehog—or the lack of him.

The hedgehog had been a constant thought in his mind ever since he met the hedgehog, so had the feelings brought on by said hedgehog. Shadow was starting to miss his presence.

Finally, Stone stopped in front of a door, and Stone pushed it open.

The contents of the room gave Shadow whiplash. It was… certainly colorful?

The walls were painted a pastel pink, and a frilly pink curtain covered the window. Plushies of a white cat in a variety pink dresses were littered across the room and even posters of said cat. There were two beds in the room but one was visibly occupied, telling by the pastel pink blankets and all the colorful plushies.

Sitting on the bed, was a figure that looked like a robotic copy of the hedgehog.

It probably was too.

Said robot was delicately brushing through a doll's blonde hair with utmost gentleness. The sight made Shadow’s heart ache, the reason unknown to him

The robot finally noticed him, beeping curiously at Stone. Stone stepped forward into the room, in between the two hedgehogs. “This is... Metal Sonic,” he said, gesturing to the robot, who was still examining Shadow. Metal Sonic beeped again, as if Shadow could even understand what they were trying to say. If thats Metal Sonic, then the blue hedgehog's name must be Sonic!

Shadow opened his mouth to question the robot but Stone interrupted. “The doctor created him in the blue idiot’s image, yes I know. But I think of Metal as their own person, y’know? He's not as annoying and…” Stone turned to look at Metal, who was back to brushing their dolls hair. “I don’t think Sonic is into the color pink or Hello Kitty and dolls…” That confirmed Shadow's theory.

Shadow just nodded. He glanced back at Stone, who was watching Metal Sonic with an almost fond expression, as if he were observing a child playing, specifically a child that was his. It felt odd to see Stone speak so… affectionately about Metal Sonic despite the fact it was only a robot.

Someone could say it was odd that Maria was affectionate towards an alien, so Shadow couldn’t really be one to judge. How weird was a robot when compared to an alien? Not that weird because at-least a robot was man-made!

Stone sighed before clapping his hands together and turning back to Shadow. “Well! Clean yourself up! I’m gonna go set the table!” He said quickly before walking back down the hall.

Shadow watched him leave before sharing an awkward look with Metal Sonic, who beeped at him.

Shadow glared at them. “Don’t use that tone with me.”

 ────୨ৎ────

“Kids! Time for dinner!”

Shadow hadn’t even been there for a day and he was already being dragged into their game of house. How tragic for him.

Shadow hopped off the bed and glanced at Metal Sonic, who had just set their doll down on their bed with a small, delicate motion before hopping off their bed. The robot beeped cheerfully before it hurried toward the door.

Now why would a robot with no mouth or digestive system be excited for dinner? Also why the hell was a robot excited?

Shadow couldn’t tell if Metal was strangely good at acting out their emotions or if they could actually feel… Shadow shrugged it off as being too strange to be logical before he followed after.

On the table were three plates. But on two plates there was real edible food.

On the third… There were a bunch of plastic toys. Shadow momentarily prayed that it wasn't for him.

Thankfully, but oddly, Metal sat down at the third seat and excitedly —if it could even be called that—picked up their utensils.

Shadow sat down across from Metal, watching with mild horror as the robot mimicked the act of eating with perfect precision. Metal picked up a tiny plastic fork and “stabbed” at a plastic steak, lifting it to where their mouth should be and pressing it against the metal before placing it back down with a content beep.

Stone, completely unfazed—probably because he was the one supplying Metal with fake food—took a bite of his actual food and hummed in satisfaction. “Hope you like it, Shadow. I don’t know what you eat, but I figured salmon and rice was a safe bet.”

Shadow nodded absentmindedly before deciding being weirded out wasn’t worth it when he was so hungry.

After dinner, Shadow trudged back to the room, exhausted but oddly content. He had to admit—despite the weirdness of it all, it was better than being stranded in the desert.

When he stepped inside, he expected Metal Sonic to be back on their bed, fussing over their dolls or reorganizing their collection of cat plushies. Instead, the robot had somehow managed to construct a fairly elaborate pillow fort in the middle of the room. Pink and white blankets were draped over stacked pillows and chairs, forming a surprisingly sturdy fort. Inside, tiny LED lights—that seemingly appeared out of nowhere because Metal Sonic’s room had no LED’s earlier—twinkled like stars.

Inside the fort was Metal, who beeped at Shadow excitedly, patting the space beside them.

Shadow stared at it, unamused and also mortified The last time he got in a blanket fort with someone, she ended up dead minutes later. Shadow wondered if being in a blanket fort with someone meant one of you would die within the next ten minutes. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” Shadow cursed under his breath.

Metal beeped again, this time more insistently.

Shadow sighed, rubbing his temples. He had better things to do… like sleeping… or thinking of Sonic and how much he hoped the hedgehog was alive. But Metal’s angry beeping made it hard to ignore. The expression it's robotic eyes made it look angry. Grumbling under his breath, Shadow trudged himself into the fort and sat down, leaning back against one of the pillows.

“Happy now?” he huffed.

Metal Sonic beeped in triumph, clapping it's hands together excitedly, settling down beside him. Metal shifted around in the fort as if getting comfortable—but how the hell would a robot get comfortable? Shadow watched them for a moment before letting out a sigh and leaning back further against a pillow. At the very least, this wasn’t the worst way to end a bizarre day.

His fingers idly brushed against the fabric of one of the pillows, adjusting it to better support his head when something crinkled underneath. Shadow furrowed his brows and reached into the pillowcase, pulling out a small, slightly crumpled photograph.

Shadow was extremely confused as to why Metal would keep a photo of a hammer wielding pink hedgehog in a pillowcase. Especially with said hedgehog's name being written underneath in marker. Her name was: Amy Rose, apparently.

Shadow stared at the photo, taking in the rushed angle and the way the hedgehog was caught mid-smile with her hammer held over her shoulders, seeming to be smiling at someone else. The photo also featured other Metal Sonic's with parts bashed in and broken, probably by the hammer. Amy was seemingly unaware that the picture had even been taken. Shadow's gaze flickered toward Metal Sonic, who was now very still, looking Shadow dead in the eyes looking more serious than Shadow had seen them than ever.

Metal Sonic let out a single, sharp beep—one that Shadow somehow instinctively recognized as panic. The robot shot forward in an attempt to snatch the photo from his hands, but Shadow pulled it back just in time.

Metal beeped frantically, their eyes flashing with an intensity that almost made Shadow feel bad. Almost.

"You’re a little weird, y’know that?" Shadow mused, tilting the photo in his hand as he examined the photo of Earth’s third alien hedgehog. Metal let out a series of offended beeps, and Shadow scoffed. "You pretend to eat plastic food and have a crush on a girl who beat you up the first time you met, Metal. You can't get weirder than that."

Metal Sonic beeped offendedly before turning away sharply, crossing their arms. It was such a human-like motion that Shadow had to remind himself that Metal was, in fact, a robot. 

After a beat, Shadow finally handed the photo back. Metal snatched it in an instant, before carefully tucking it back into the pillowcase and pressing the pillow down to ensure it was safe.

Shadow leaned back, staring up at the tiny LED lights twinkling above them. “…I get it, though.”

Metal’s head turned slightly, their red 'pupils' flickering in curiosity.

Shadow exhaled slowly. "Liking someone who doesn’t really notice you the way you want them to, you only really see them in those moments where you’re against each other and—” Shadow cut off, realizing he was on the verge of admitting something that Metal was probably already able to guess. Shadow let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. “Fine. Whatever. You wanna hear something embarrassing? I—” he hesitated, exhaling sharply, “—might have a thing for Sonic.”

Metal Sonic was silent for a moment.

Then he beeped.

And beeped.

And beeped again

And then their entire body trembled as he let out a series of rapid, delighted beeps—Oh god Metal Sonic was laughing at him… FOR HAVING A CRUSH ON SONIC…

Shadow groaned, burying his face in his hands. “You have got to be kidding me…” Metal Sonic's beeping continued, a high-pitched sequence that sounded almost gleeful. Metal clutched his sides, his body shaking in that unmistakable way someone does when they're trying to suppress laughter but failing miserably.

Shadow, still hiding his face in his hands, peeked through his fingers and glared at the metal hedgehog. “Oh, shut up!” he hissed before whacking them, shutting Metal up instantly.

Metal quickly went back to beeping—or laughing?

Shadow flopped back against the pillows, glaring at the ceiling of their fort. “Unbelievable. I’m trapped in a room with a robot that thinks my love life is hilarious…”

Metal beeped in agreement.

Shadow rolled onto his side, aggressively yanking a blanket over his head. "Go to sleep, Metal."

A long pause.

Then, a soft beep—quieter this time, almost content.

Then Metal got up, and Shadow was confused as to why he was leaving till it walked up to it's bed, sat down, and plugged itself into a charger before lying down with no blanket covering them despite the ridiculous amounts of pink blankets at their disposal.

Shadow was really starting to regret not running out the door when he had the chance.

Then, a thought hit him—one so disturbing he almost threw himself out the window.

With a sudden, sharp turn of his head, Shadow glanced back at Metal, still plugged into their charger. "Hey," he whispered, but Metals eyes lit up in an instant, "Do you think Sonic and Amy have ever met?"

Metal let out a single, curious beep, then another beep accompanied by a nod.

“What if…” Shadow broke off, hesitant to share the horrifying idea with Metal Sonic, but alas… he had to. “...What if they get together?”

Metal Sonic began to shake violently, so much that Shadow feared Metal might explode. But Metal let out a beep so loud Shadow had to cover his ears. Shadow viewed this as Metal’s way of screaming.

As soon as Metal was done, Shadow was quick to pat them on the back. “I know… we’ve gotta visit them soon… to make sure they don’t end up falling for each-other”

With that, Metal Sonic unplugged themselves and pulled a whiteboard out the closet and created an overly detailed plan on how to prevent Sonamy.

Shadow just nodded along, with no idea of what the hell they were preventing.

Chapter Text

“And it’s like—Metal attacked you and tried to kill you and all, even jumping you with an entire gang of Metal Sonics. But… I’m still in love with them, y’know? But he probably cant like me and he's also evil!” Amy sobbed before taking another spoonful of strawberry ice cream and shoving it into her mouth.

Sonic just nodded along, solemnly eating vanilla ice cream out the container, one of Amy’s Hello Kitty blankets draped over him shoulders. “Yeah…” he muttered, pressing his cheek up against his fist.

Amy turned the TV on, only for goddamn Mitski to start blasting cause she left Spotify open last night. Amy only sobbed harder and buried her face in the blanket and Sonic got traumatic flashbacks thanks to Mitski. “God damn it, Amy!” Sonic screamed, dragging the Hello Kitty blanket further over his head like it could shield him from the emotional damage Mitski was dragging out of the depths of his soul.

“I'm sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Amy wailed, voice muffled by the fabric. “I just wanted to put on something to distract us!” she yelled, reaching for the controller she had dropped.

Sonic groaned, pressing his face into his palm. “This is the opposite of a distraction, Ames! This is emotional terrorism!”

Amy sniffled, wiping her eyes aggressively with the blanket. “I know,” she whimpered. “But it’s—Mitski’s music is just so relatable Sonic!”

“Yeah! So relatable it makes my eyes water!”

Amy hiccuped and shoved another spoonful in her mouth before wiping her eyes again. "And—I know Metals's a robot and all and he probably doesn’t know or care that I care for him!" She hiccuped and curled in on herself, wiping her tear filled eyes. “If they could feel a desire for anything it’d probably be to destroy you!” She wailed before burying her head in her hands to sob harder.

Sonic nodded along, trying to listen intently to what Amy was saying without Mitski murdering him with her awesome vocals and even better emotionally wrecking lyrics. “Yeah, uhm—remember that one Disney movie where the robot and girl fall in-love?”

Amy looked more confused than sad now, so Sonic was technically being helpful. “Wall-E? No that's about two robots falling in-love, Sonic”

Sonic shook his head, “No, no, no. Not Wall-E, the Disney Channel one, How To Build A Better Boy, remember that one?”

Amy looked an inch away from pulling out her hammer to whack him. “Sonic… I’m pretty sure his whole purpose was to be her boyfriend.”

“No! His purpose was to save the world! Duh! He obviously fell in-love with her in the process!”

“How long has it been since you watched that movie? Because the first time they met he instantly recognized her as his girlfriend, so that's a bad example”

Sonic sighed and shook his head, having no other references of Human x Robot relationships to bring up. At-least Wall-E held the idea that a robot could fall in love.

Amy sighed. “Metal hates me! They’re never going to go all 'I am becoming self-aware and sentient, Amy Rose, and I think I might love you!’ on me!” she sobbed into her blanket before lifting her head up and blinking, wondering if that really could happen. 

Sonic pointed at her with his spoon, interrupting her thoughts. “You don’t know that! Maybe one day, Metal’s gonna start questioning things! Maybe they’ll be standing there, about to kill me, and then BAM! A glitch in the system! And then all ‘Why do I feel strange when I look at Amy Rose?’ ” He then stuffed his mouth full of vanilla ice cream and awaited her response.

Amy stared at him, her spoon hovering just above her ice cream. “Sonic,” she started, voice flat. “Do you even hear yourself?”

Sonic waved his spoon in the air, ice cream still stuffed in his mouth. “I’m just saying,” he mumbled through a mouthful. He swallowed before continuing, “It’s totally possible! Robots get glitches all the time! What if Metal’s code just—like, rewrites itself?” 

Amy groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “That’s not how it works, Sonic.”

Sonic raised a brow. “Are you sure? ‘Cause Eggman built Metal to copy me, right? And I have the capacity to fall in love. Maybe Metal picked that up too!”

Amy opened her mouth to argue, then hesitated. “…That would mean Metal has already fallen for someone…”

Sonic blinked. “Oh.” He could guess who Metal might be in-love with but it was a fifty-fifty between Keanu or Shadow.

Amy gasped, gripping his arm. “What if Metal’s been in love with Eggman this whole time ?”

Sonic made a face so disgusted it could have curdled milk. “Amy, what the hell?!”

Amy broke into giggles, burying her face in the blanket again. “I’m kidding! But—what if they really do have the capacity to love?”

Sonic shrugged. “Then congrats, Ames. You’ve got a shot.” He paused, blinking at the TV that was playing Mitski on loop. “A really big one too…”

Amy sighed wistfully, staring up at the ceiling. “You think so?”

Sonic leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. “I mean, probably? If Metal ever does get feelings, you’re the only one who’d be appealing to them, you guys met before he and I did, right?" Amy nodded. "So he already knows how kind you are, you were friends with them for chaos sake! If theres anyone Metal would ever love, it'd be you Ames!" He assured her. Because is Sonic hadn't met Shadow—is gay awakening—then maybe, just maybe, he might have liked Amy. The same might go for Amy if she had met Sonic before she fell for Metal Sonic.

Amy let out a small, hopeful hum. Then, after a beat, she turned to look at Sonic. “So… you think Shadow ever had feelings for you?”

Sonic froze. The carefree look on his face flickered for just a second before he quickly shoved another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. “Dunno,” he said, far too casually.

Amy didn’t let up. “But if Metal can… feel feelings… what if Shadow had feelings for you?”

Sonic swallowed hard, staring at the bottom of the ice cream container blankly. “Doesn’t really matter, does it?” His voice was quieter now.

Amy frowned, reaching out to place a gentle hand on his arm. “Sonic…”

Sonic sighed and tried to stuff his mouth again before realizing he had no more ice-cream left, he groaned and buried his head in the carpet. “There’s no chance he’s even alive, Ames. I think it’s better that I… try not to think about it, I guess” Sonic sat up and rested his head on her shoulder. “I do have hope that he's alive, it just… hurts to have that hope, I guess? I can’t really put it into words…”

Amy nodded and scooped up some of her ice cream, letting it hover before she spoke. “If he’s alive, where would he be? And does he think of you?” She asked before taking the spoonful.

Sonic nodded. “I mean, he probably has Agent Stone if he is… wherever that guy went…” He chuckled softly before his expression dimmed. “But what if he is dead? Tails said it’s impossible he survived that blast….”

Amy hesitated to answer before messing around with the melted ice cream at the end of the container. “Well… he was in his golden super form, right?” Sonic nodded. “So, there might be a chance that he survived thanks to it!”

Sonic let out a short laugh, but it lacked his usual energy. “Yeah… maybe.” He stared down at his empty ice cream container, tapping the spoon against the rim. “I mean, I wanna believe that. I really do.”

Amy watched him carefully, her expression soft. “Then believe it,” she said simply. “I know it hurts, Sonic, but it’s okay to hope.”

Sonic exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “I just—” He paused, looking down. “I don’t wanna set myself up for disappointment, y’know? What if I get my hopes up, and then one day, I get proof that he didn’t make it?” His voice cracked, just barely, but Amy heard it.

She reached out and took his hand, squeezing gently. “And what if you don’t? What if one day, you do find out he’s alive?”

Sonic bit his lip, then chuckled dryly. “Then I’d probably get punched in the face for being dramatic.”

Amy giggled. “Probably.”

A comfortable silence settled between them as the TV continued playing in the background. Eventually, Amy spoke again.

“If he’s out there… I bet he does think of you.”

Sonic glanced at her, his eyes searching hers for a moment before he gave her a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Ames.”

She nudged him lightly with her shoulder. “Anytime, Blue.”

With the silence, they were forced to listen to Mitski, which ended up making Amy cry all over again. 

Sonic groaned, flopping onto his back dramatically and covered his face with his hands. “Amy, turn it off before we both end up in therapy! Tom’s already threatening me with it! I can’t go again! ”

“I can’t!” Amy wailed into her blanket. “It hurts so good!” She screamed before burying herself in it.

Sonic rolled onto his side, covering his ears. “It hurts so bad!”

And that’s when the footsteps descended down the stairs and Maddie walked into the living room. Sonic scrambled up to try to cover up the scene before realizing she had already seen it. She froze in the doorway, taking in the absolute mess before her—two devastated looking hedgehogs, a pile of empty ice cream containers, tear-stained Hello Kitty blankets, and Mitski playing in the background like a funeral dirge.

Maddie opened her mouth then closed it, she inhaled deeply before shaking her head and looking at a defensive looking Sonic who had his hands raised. “Do I even want to know?” she finally asked.

Sonic was about to deny but Amy sniffled and dramatically threw herself onto Sonic. “It’s love, Maddie! Love hurts! ” She cried before sobbing even harder. Well at-least she wasn’t afraid to express herself! 

Maddie blinked. “Right… and this is about—?”

Sonic sighed, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, giving into the defeat of having to admit why they both looked so devastated to their mother. “Shadow and Metal,” he mumbled.

Maddie looked back and forth between the two hedgehogs, obviously trying to process what the hell they were crying so hard about. “So… she’s in-love with a homicidal robot and you’re in love with the hedgehog that tried to destroy the world?” At-least she didn’t bring up how Shadow almost killed Tom!

Amy hiccuped before wiping the tears from her eyes. “Yes.” 

Maddie inhaled deeply before sighing, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Right. I’m making you two some tea. Neither of you are leaving this house until you drink something other than melted ice cream and get some actual sleep, it is six in the morning which is way too early for this.”

Sonic groaned. “Maddieeee—”

“Nope!” Maddie pointed at him. “You look like you haven’t slept in two days, and Amy, you’re going to dehydrate yourself if you keep crying like that!”

Amy hiccupped again. “…Fair.” She hummed before continuing to rub her eyes.

Maddie clapped her hands together. “Good, I’ll start making tea and I swear, if Mitski is still playing when I get back, I will confiscate the remote and ground you two for a week.”

Amy gasped. “You wouldn’t—”

“Try me.” Maddie dared before heading off to the kitchen.

Amy glanced at Sonic, but he just shrugged his shoulders and turned off the TV.

────୨ৎ────

“I think the raccoons are back, I heard some really creepy sounds at night… like someone crying and screaming…” Tails scratched the back of his neck, looking at Tom for support.

Tom’s mouth hung open before he closed it and looked at Sonic and Amy. “So… I’ve been told about you two’s questionable morning activities… anything you wanna say for yourselves?” He asked with a brow raised expectantly.

Amy cleared her throat to speak, and Sonic internally thanked her for being so brave. But she only raised her right hand and said, “I plead the fifth.”

Sonic decided he hated Amy and regretted ever meeting her, she should’ve gone off with Metal Sonic when she had the chance and married him while she was at it, maybe she'd find out then if he had male assets to his robot-biology.

Tom turned to Sonic, expecting an answer from him. Sonic sighed and lowered his head, “We were eating ice cream and talking but then we got all emotional and ended up sobbing to Mitski…”

Tails looked between the three of then, confusion evident on his face. "Wait, so it wasn't raccoons?"

"No, buddy," Sonic sighed. "Just two emotionally unstable hedgehogs having a crisis."

Amy nodded solemnly. "It was very therapeutic."

Tom looked between the two hedgehogs, his expression a mix of concern and exasperation. "And this seemed like a good idea because...?"

Sonic shrugged, finally meeting Tom's eyes. "Sometimes you just gotta let it all out, you know?"

"Yeah!" Amy chimed in. "It's not healthy to bottle up your feelings!”

Knuckles nodded along. “Yes, it is unwise to let ones feelings go unchecked, which is why I frequently outlet my emotions into warrior-ing!”

Tom pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh. "Okay, I get that. But maybe next time, try to let it out at a reasonable hour? And maybe without waking up the whole neighborhood?"

Sonic and Amy exchanged guilty looks. "Sorry, Tom," Sonic mumbled.

"Yeah, we'll try to keep it down next time," Amy added.

Knuckles crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "Perhaps you two could join me in my warrior training. It is an excellent way to release pent-up emotions."

Tails' eyes lit up. "Ooh, or we could build you guys some soundproof pods for your emotional breakdowns!"

"No pods, we don’t have the room for them in this house." Tom said firmly. "And no warrior training at 3 AM either!"

Sonic perked up. "What about at noon?"

Tom just shook his head.

“Can I build the pods if I build another room?” Tom shook his head again, and Tails sighed in defeat.

Chapter Text

Shadow's eyes fluttered open, rays of sunrise filtered through Metal’s frilly pink curtains. He stretched before trying to blink the sleepiness away. The room was quiet save for the soft hum of Metal Sonic charging.

Sitting up, Shadow yawned before rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes with much more success than before. Exhaustion no longer plagued his mind, but there was a dull ache from his previous injuries that Stone seemed to have patched up while Shadow was on the couch. Shadow hopped out of his dull bed and padded over to his robotic roommates’s much more colorful one. Metal Sonic's eyes were dark, their metallic body motionless, their state was akin to a computer being turned off, or in more humane words, put to sleep.

Shadow carefully unplugged the charging cable from Metal’s charging port and watched as the robot’s eyes lit up. "Rise and shine, Metal," Shadow murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.

The robot whirred softly as it stood. Metal beeped at him a few times. Shadow still had no idea what they were trying to say at all, he just nodded along and pretended he did. Shadow looked down at himself. “I’m mostly healed up, I think” Metal nodded at him in confirmation, which Shadow briefly appreciated. If Shadow now had to guess, he'd guess that Metal had tried to ask him how he was feeling.

Metal beeped once more before he decided the day wasn’t worth his time and climbed back into his pink bed. Shadow did not feel the same, the day was young yet full of opportunities for him to finally interrogate Stone. Shadow turned heel and walked out the room, shutting the door behind him carefully out of habit.

Shadow headed straight for the kitchen, a short walk down the hall lead him to his target.

There, in the living room Stone was nursing a cup of coffee in his hands while watching the news, looking particularly uninterested in it. Perhaps only watching for the chance something interesting might actually happen. Stone took a slow sip of his drink before turning to Shadow. “You a morning person?”

Shadow did not answer. Stone glanced towards the kitchen before pointing at the coffee pot, “There's still some in there for you. Don’t worry, Metal won't be mad.” Stone chuckled softly before silencing quickly when Shadow didn’t react. “So… you want answers?” He finally sighed.

Shadow nodded. Stone set his mug down on the coffee table in-front of him before crossing his legs, motioning to the space next to him on the couch for Shadow to sit on. Shadow walked over and stood besides the couch, not bothering to sit down. Shadow’s gaze sharpened as he stared at the man, “How did you find me?”

Stone gave him a tight smile. “No small talk?” he asked, receiving no response so he sighed. “Metal went out for a wander, he found you.” He answered simply. Shadow tilted his head and momentarily glanced at the offered seat on the sofa before back at Stone

Shadow scratched the top of his head before he asked his next question, “Where did Metal find me?”

Stone looked up at the ceiling, his expression one of deep thought and confusion before he looked back at Shadow to answer, “Somewhere in Mexico I think? The one that's name reminds me of those little dogs but I can’t remember their names…”

That was a good enough answer for Shadow, leading him to think of next question. 

Metal had found him, Shadow was somewhat thankful to the robot for that. But that left an issue: Why was Metal in another country?

Wait

What country were they even in?! Where were they?!

“Where are we?” Shadow asked, then his eyes widened with a thought. “What year is it?!” He demanded with more urgency than he had intended.

Stone grabbed his coffee and sipped it, leaving a moment of silence before he answered, “We’re in New York. It’s 2025, you haven’t missed anything huge.” He assured the hedgehog, which actually did help soothe Shadow’s nerves.

Ok back to the issue

If Metal was all the way in Mexico, that implied that he was looking for something their.

"Why did go all the way to Mexico?"

Stone hesitated—just for a second, just long enough for Shadow to notice. It was small, but it was there, and that alone told Shadow he wasn’t going to like the answer. The man exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple as if debating how much to say. "He was looking for someone." he sighed, still holding a cup in his hands.

Shadow took the seat on the couch, looking down at the ground. “Robotnik?” he questioned.

Stone gave a small, tight-lipped smile as he nodded, it was the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Smart guy." He hummed.

Shadow’s fingers curled slightly at his sides. It wasn’t a surprising answer, not really. Metal was robot, he’d probably been programmed to be loyal to The Doctor, if not that then on orders of Agent Stone. Shadow was well-aware of the odd relationship between the two and the feelings that Stone harbored for the Doctor. It made sense that they go looking. It made even more sense that they’d find nothing.

Shadow’s jaw tensed. There was one more question he had to ask. One he almost didn’t want the answer to if it was one he feared.

“Is Sonic alive?”

Stone was quick to answer. “Unfortunately.” He let out a deep sigh and shook his head like it was the most tragic thing in the world. Shadow did not share the sentiment and let out a deep sigh of relief.

Stone stood up and walked over to the kitchen, dumping what little remained of his coffee down the drain before rinsing his cup. He glanced at Shadow before motioning the hedgehog over with a hand. “Help me dry the dishes.” He said before turning to the sink to wash said dishes.

Shadow really didn’t want to, but as a member of the household who lived there rent free, it was necessary.

Shadow exhaled sharply through his nose and shook his head but pushed himself up from the couch, crossing from the living room into the kitchen to join Stone at the sink. The warm water ran steadily as Stone scrubbed his cup clean, the rhythmic sound of splashing filling the silence between them. Stone handed the cup and a towel to Shadow, so he began to dry it. It was a mindless task, but oddly grounding. His mind was still chewing on everything answer he had received, it would quell his thirst for answers for the time being.

Shadow was content to let the tension settle and to dry the dishes that Stone washed, it felt like something normal people would do, and that was nice.

They worked in relative silence, passing dishes back and forth, until Stone finally spoke again.

“That fight wasn’t their first meeting, y’know?”

Shadow paused, the damp plate in his hands momentarily forgotten. He turned his head slightly, looking at Stone with narrowed eyes. “What?”

Stone didn’t glance at him, too focused on rinsing another dish. “Amy Rose,” he clarified. “She used to live here.”

Amy Rose.

That pink hedgehog that beat up Metal… Wait was Metal offended at me for calling that their first meeting? Or for just calling out his odd crush? Probably both… meh

Wait... how does Stone know I know about that?!

“It explains the blankets and decor, it’s not really Metals.” Stone hummed as he scrubbed a plate.

Shadow’s gaze flickered toward the space beyond the kitchen and down the hallway, toward Metal’s room—the frilly pink curtains, the soft blankets, the delicate trinkets perched on the shelves. They had seemed strange to him, out of character for a metal robot, especially one based off Sonic, the contrast between Metal Sonic’s cold, mechanical existence and the warmth of that room was odd. Now, it made sense.

None of it was originally Metals.

Stone took no notice to Shadow’s reaction nor his contemplation. He gestured vaguely toward the dining table with a tilt of his head. “The second chair was hers,” he continued. “She convinced me to get a third for Metal. Then a bed instead of keeping him in the closet. Then food he couldn’t even eat, just so he could pretend.” He hummed before handing a plate to Shadow, which he quickly dried.

“She showed him all her interests, her liking to Hello Kitty, the color pink, soft serve ice cream, strawberry shortcake, tarot cards, and soon after, those interests became Metal’s.” Stone paused for a moment, as if considering his next words carefully. He let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "It was weird, at first. Watching him mimic her. You wouldn’t expect a machine like him to have a preference for strawberry milkshakes despite having no mouth or to spend hours perfectly aligning tarot cards on the coffee table like they meant something to him." Stone shook his head and sighed as he rinsed a plate.

Shadow kept drying the plate in his hands, his movements slow and deliberate, just using it to keep his hands busy while the cogs in his mind turned. He wasn’t sure what to make of this. Metal Sonic had spent time carefully absorbing the quirks and habits of a girl who became his enemy.

"He wasn’t built for feelings," Stone continued, handing over another dish. "But she made him feel anyways, she was… special, I suppose."

Shadow took the dish without a word. The more Stone spoke, the more an uneasy understanding settled in his chest. He knew what it was like to be shaped by another’s kindness. To have someone look at you, not as a weapon, but as something more. He had been given a chance at something beyond what he was designed for.

Metal had been given that, too.

But unlike Shadow, he had been left behind by someone who had a choice. Amy wasn't taken by death like Maria was, she chose to leave.

"Check under her old bed—which is his now…" Stone wrinkled his nose, clearly still uncomfortable with the thought. "He’s got an album of her in there. Pictures, notes, little scraps of things she left behind. I think he was trying to keep pieces of her with him, in any way he could."

That album must be the closest thing Metal had to proof she had been there at all, a collection of memories she had left him with. The image was already painted in Shadows mind, this was the type of tragic love story you only saw in those movies that had always confused Shadow.

"He’s been trying to fill the space she left," Stone said, quieter now. "Trying to make sense of what she made him feel. But all that’s left is anger and yearning." 

Shadow set the dried plate down with a little more force than necessary. "She abandoned him," he muttered, a-bit angrily.

Stone shook his head. "She had to leave," he corrected. “Amy was never going to stay here when the one she was after was out there."

Shadow hoped it wasn’t who he thought it was. “Who?”

“Sonic”

Amy Rose had given Metal Sonic the ability to feel, but was he not the one she wanted? Did she desire the one Shadow wanted? The only four hedgehogs on Earth were all intertwined in a giant love square… odd…

Stone sighed, shaking the water off his hands and reaching for a paper towel to dry his hands,  “She didn’t just change him, y’know.” His voice was softer now, carrying something that almost sounded like regret. “She loved him. And he loved her.”

Shadow’s hands briefly froze in their motion, his grip tightening around the towel. His crimson eyes flickered toward Stone, searching for any sign of deception.

He found none.

Stone hummed, nodding as if reading Shadow’s thoughts. “Yeah. As ridiculous as it sounds, it happened.” He let out a short, breathy chuckle, though there was no amusement in it. “And I think you know exactly how that kind of thing happens.”

Shadow’s expression darkened.

Of course, he knew, even though he made of flesh and bone compared to the mass of Metal’s wires and codes.

It was easy to call it absurd—a machine made for destruction and a girl falling love—but Shadow could understood more than he cared to admit. Shadow had been created for destruction and was given the chance to feel by Maria, who had seen something more than a weapon in him. He hadn’t understood it at first. He had thought himself unworthy of such care, unworthy of anything but the purpose he was given.

And yet, Maria had loved him anyway.

Metal was like that, created to destroy and follow commands. It was Amy Rose who saw something worth loving in him despite how Metal might’ve felt about it.

Shadow swallowed, setting the dried dish down with more care this time. “How do you know?” he asked, though his voice lacked its usual bite.

Stone leaned against the counter, rubbing his temple with a damp hand. “Because I was here,” he said simply. “I watched them. How they moved around each other. The way she’d sit too close, how he never moved away. How she’d talk to him for hours, and he’d listen.” Stone let out a short huff, shaking his head. “He changed for her, Shadow. Not just because of her. He wanted to.”

“She was the only person who treated him like he was more than just a robot,” Stone continued, turning back to the sink. “I guess… I started seeing him as more than one eventually… just stuck to me.”

Shadow wasn’t sure how to respond.

Stone handed him another dish, and Shadow took it without thinking, the act automatic now. But his mind wasn’t in it anymore. “What do you see him as?”

Stone shrugged his shoulders and a smile briefly appeared on his face.. “A little kid, one who mimicking anyone he likes.” Stone’s eyes darkened again and the soft smile that had grown on his face disappeared. “She loved him,” Stone repeated, quieter this time. “But she left. And now… he’s just trying to keep his memories of her alive, he picked up all her old habits as some odd form of comfort..”

Shadow finished drying the plate, setting it down carefully. His movements were controlled, but inside, his thoughts were anything but.

Metal wasn’t just mimicking Amy. He was grieving her.

Despite the fact she was very much alive.

...At-least she wasn't in love with Sonic?

 ────୨ৎ────

Metal was quiet the entire day, save for a few soft beeps.

Shadow was starting to miss those beeps of laugher.

It was later in the day, when the moon was set in the sky and the lights were off. Shadow could hardly shake off the conversation he had with Stone. Questions gnawed in his brain as Stone’s words lingered in the corners of his mind like scattered leaves in the wind. When he returned to the room, Metal Sonic still lay in a bed, eyes open but surrounded by silence.

Shadow couldn’t look at the room the same anymore after learning about the person who had decorated it, the one who used to sleep in the bed Metal now claimed as his own. How could Shadow rest knowing he was in the same room Metal and Amy had built stacks of romance in? Shadow couldn’t help but wonder if those soft, pink keepsakes contained pieces of her that Metal could never truly comprehend, yet desperately wanted to cling to.

Metal was an odd but complex robot full of emotions he could not express properly. Metal was someone Shadow wanted to understand.

The moonlight cast a silver glow through the window, Shadow stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Metal Sonic's silent form. The beeps of laughter, the gentle hum of Metal's systems, and even the occasional whir of his blades were no longer there. Metal was quiet as he was expected to be, but for Shadow it was odd. For all the time he had known Metal, he had been anything but quiet. Metal expressed his thoughts in every way he could, especially through his beeps.

“Metal?” Shadow whispered.

Quickly, the robot sat up and turned to him before tilting his head to the side. It gave Shadow a momentary sense of relief to see him acting like Shadow remembered.

“Want to go out for a wander?”

Chapter Text

It was 10PM when Shadow and Metal sneaked out the New York apartment—through the kitchen window—and ran all the way to Montana, where it was 8PM. 

Their destination? Green Hills, Montana.

Shadow didn’t know where they were going, he had intended to actually go wandering. But it seemed Metal Sonic actually knew where Sonic lived and even knew where Sonic and his colorful friends would be,

Sonic, the two tailed fox, the red echidna, and Amy Rose… and Tom and the female Wachowski

Shadow didn’t know their names yet, oddly enough. He should probably try to learn them soon so it wouldn’t be awkward if they ever encountered each other again.

Metal wrote the names Shadow did not know in the dirt: Tails, Knuckles, and Maddie Wachowski. So Shadow was now in the know.

Metal did not want to be detected by the family, and neither did Shadow, so they hid in a bush just a little away from the baseball field to watch,

Under the watchful gazes of two unseen spectators, Sonic, the blue blur himself, was throwing a few warm-up pitches toward Tails, who was just as enthusiastic as ever. The two-tailed fox eagerly caught each ball, his bright eyes filled with excitement. Knuckles was off to the side, stretching his powerful muscles, while Amy twirled her bat, a confident smile adorning her face.

Shadow turned over to catch Metal’s expression. The damn robot had hearts in his eyes as he watched Amy. Even Shadow wasn’t that bad when it came to his feelings! 

Metal was raised by Agent Stone so… like father, like son or however that went. At-least Metal and Stone could be weird together.

Shadow shook his head and looked back to the field. 

The sound of the bat cracking against the ball echoed through the air, and Shadow couldn’t help but watch as Amy’s confident swing sent the ball flying into the distance. She stood tall, twirling the bat with a smirk as the ball sailed over Tails' head and toward the edge of the field before she broke into a run and ran around the field.

"Nice hit!" Sonic called out as he and Tails ran for the ball.

Amy dashed down the field, her focus sharp as she rounded first base, heading for second. Sonic zipped across the field after the ball, he scooped up the ball just in time to make a desperate throw toward second base.

Knuckles prepared to catch the throw. His muscles tensed, ready to pounce like a coiled spring. Amy’s feet hit the dirt as she rounded second, pushing herself harder, a competitive glint in her eye. The ball was in the air now, and it looked like Sonic was aiming for a close call at second.

Shadow’s eyes followed the ball’s arc. Metal, still by his side, was unusually silent, his mechanical eyes locked on the action.

Shadow was actually invested in this, there was a knot tying up in his stomach at the thought that Amy might not to make it to wherever she was supposed to. Was Sonic gonna throw the ball at her face? Was that how the game worked? Knuckles was aiming to catch that ball so maybe it’d be him who throws the ball at Amy’s face.

Metal wouldn’t like her to get hurt.

Shadow shuddered, glancing at Metal and hoping the robot didn’t decide to go homicidal and reveal their location to the Wachowski’s. Shadow had just been forgiven by Sonic, were they gonna need to fight in super forms again just for Shadow to be forgiven if Metal launched Knuckles to the moon?

Just before Amy reached second, Knuckles leaped, catching the ball mid-air. The crack of the ball meeting Knuckles’ glove was loud, and for a brief second, Shadow thought they might’ve had her. But Amy was too quick—she dove for the base, sliding low just as Knuckles reached out with the ball.

It was a close call, but Amy was safe, her hand brushing against the base just a moment before the tag.

“Safe!” Tails called out, giving a thumbs up to Amy.

Amy pushed herself up from the dirt, brushing off her clothes with a satisfied grin, her chest puffing out with pride. She glanced at Knuckles and gave him a playful wink. “Better luck next time!”

Knuckles chuckled, shaking his head. “I swear, you’re graced with luck,” he grumbled good-naturedly, though there was no denying the respect in his voice. “But that was a good slide, I suppose.”

Tails gave Amy a high five. “You’re killing it out there!”

Amy tossed her hair back, beaming. “I told you guys I’m the undisputed champion of baseball!” she said, her confidence radiating. 

Amy Rose was… not what Shadow had expected. 

He had expected someone softer who spoke only kind words, who’s every word made you rethink your life choices. The type of person whose hair was always flowing in the wind like it was on their side—the wind actually was on her side but that's not the point. Shadow had expected someone who was… quieter? Or less competitive. He couldn’t quite find the words to describe her.

To put it simply, Amy was bold. She radiated an aura of confidence mixed in with radiance. Shadow had expected her to be strong considering she carried around a massive hammer, but she also struck Shadow as the determined type of person, the type of person who doesn’t give up no matter what.

Amy Rose was someone to be admired.

She was kind and soft yet brave and strong at the same time. She spoke the kindest of words to those close to her while she bashed enemies in with her hammer. She was more than what Shadow had expected her to be, he could see why someone like her ended up finding something worth loving in a robot.

Amy Rose was a good person.

Sonic’s voice rang out, breaking the silence. “Alright, alright! Let’s keep it moving! Tails, you’re up!”

As Tails trotted to the plate, Sonic gave him a playful nudge. “Show us what you got, buddy. Maybe you’ll finally get me out!”

Tails laughed, his enthusiasm never faltering. “You’re going down, Sonic! I’m ready!”

Shadow shifted his position, keeping his eyes on the field while also keeping an eye on Metal, who had been oddly quiet since Amy’s play. The robot’s optics flickered, but Metal didn’t seem ready to make any sudden moves. Shadow couldn’t quite read the robot’s expression—if there even was one to read—but he suspected Metal was still processing something, like a machine trying to make sense of the human emotions he couldn’t understand. Shadow didn’t know what it was about Amy that seemed to stir something in Metal, but it was clear something had shifted in the robot’s demeanor.

The game continued, but Shadow’s attention remained divided. His thoughts were constantly drifting back to Metal. Could Metal ever truly understand any emotions? Could Metal ever understand what made Amy, Amy, or what made Sonic the energetic force he was? Was Metal sentient? And could Shadow ever love him like family.

Tails’ turn to bat came and went, and soon enough, the game carried on, each player showing off their skills. Shadow couldn’t help but think back to what Stone had said—about Amy, about her impact on Metal. Did she really leave that kind of mark on him?

“Alright! Time to head home! It’s late!” Tom yelled.

Sonic sighed and fell to his knees on the grass. “Awhh!!” He yelled before pressing a hand against on the grass. “I’ll miss you… you beautiful baseball field…” he fake sobbed, wiping away a fake tear.

Shadow regretted ever admitting having feelings for that guy.

Metal looked like he wished he was never created.

Tails giggled patted Sonic on the back. "You know, Sonic, you can always come back tomorrow if you miss it so much!"

Sonic grinned, jumping to his feet. "Nah, I’m good. Let’s head home, guys. We’ll be back at it soon enough!"

Amy, looking satisfied with the game, tossed her bat onto the bench and started walking toward Tom and Maddie. "I’m gonna take a shower. This was fun! Who knew I’d be so good at baseball?"

Knuckles gave a playful shake of his head. "I’m still not over that slide of yours. I’ll have to catch you next time."

As the group started making their way back toward the car, Shadow kept his eyes trained on Metal, who stood silently beside him, still processing the game. The robot had barely beeped since that moment with Amy. Something about the way Metal watched her, the way his optics lingered, made Shadow realize that maybe, just maybe, Metal was starting to understand something beyond his programming.

“Let’s go,” Shadow muttered under his breath. He knew that the game had stirred something in Metal—whether it was something akin to understanding or confusion, it was clear that Metal was feeling something, even if he couldn’t articulate it.

Metal beeped softly in response, his eyes dimming slightly as he followed Shadow without a word, heading into the shadows where no one could see them. Shadow glanced back at the field one last time before turning away,.

Metal beeped again, this time softer, quieter.

Shadow looked over at the robot, his gaze softening. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Metal than the metal and wires that made him.

“Wanna play a game?”

────୨ৎ────

Shadow eyed the glove hands, still unsure of what exactly he was supposed to do with it. He’d seen enough of the game to get the gist of it—throw the ball at that running person, they hit it then  run to the bases, and get back home. Simple, right?

Metal, on the other hand, stood poised at the plate, ready for action. His movements were confident, it was a little nerve wracking for Shadow. A silent beep escaped his system as he seemed to size up Shadow’s stance, and the slight tilt of his head made it clear that the robot was waiting for him to make the first move.

“Alright,” Shadow muttered under his breath. “Let’s see how this goes.” He wound up and tossed a lazy pitch toward Metal, testing the waters.

Metal’s optics flickered once, then he swung the bat with a smooth, practiced motion. Whack!

The ball soared high into the air, far past Shadow’s reach. It felt like a slap to his ego. Metal was clearly good at this. He turned to Shadow, his mechanical eyes flashing with something resembling amusement as the ball landed far off before he ran around to the bases.

Shadow wondered if he should give up. He decided it’d be better to go fetch the ball for his next try, he disappeared in a flash of red before appearing again.

Metal beeped when he returned with the ball, tilting his head as if inviting Shadow to try again.

Shadow took a deep breath, trying to push aside the awkwardness of holding the bat. With a determined grunt, he tossed the ball again, this time aiming for a little more speed. The ball arced in a lazy, unimpressive loop, falling easily into Metal’s range.

The robot swung again, effortlessly connecting with the ball. This time, Metal didn’t just hit it—he launched it, sending it sailing well beyond Shadow’s expectations. The ball soared into the distance, and for a moment, Shadow was just staring at it in disbelief.

Shadow scowled. “Okay, so you’re really good at this.”

Metal beeped a soft acknowledgment, but there was something in his stance that seemed to say, Your turn. Shadow could see that Metal was getting into it—no longer just playing out of curiosity, but now, actually enjoying the challenge.

“Alright, alright,” Shadow muttered, still feeling a bit off balance. “Let’s see if I can keep up.”

This time, Shadow aimed to be more focused, his competitive edge starting to kick in. He pitched the ball harder, trying to keep it low, hoping to catch Metal off guard.

But Metal reacted faster than Shadow could process. With a quick flick of his wrist, the bat made contact with the ball, sending it into a perfect line drive. It whizzed past Shadow’s ear, barely missing him, and hit the ground with a satisfying thud.

Shadow sighed. This is what he got for trying to be nice and play baseball instead of going back to his comfortable bed that was calling his name.

He pitched the ball again, this time putting more power into it, pushing himself to match Metal’s skill. As the ball sped toward him, Metal seemed to calculate the trajectory in an instant. With a sharp, confident swing, he knocked the ball out of the park once more.

“Nice…” Shadow muttered, stepping back and trying to keep his cool. “You’re good, but I’m gonna catch up, eventually.”

Every swing Metal took seemed to push Shadow to try harder, and every hit Shadow made seemed to bring out a little more precision from the robot.

“Alright, that’s it,” Shadow grinned, his eyes narrowing. “This is the last round. Let’s see who wins.”

With that, Shadow wound up, his body coiled like a spring, and threw the ball with every bit of force he could muster. Metal immediately adjusted his stance, the mechanics of his body whirring as he prepared to strike.

The bat cracked against the ball with an almost violent force, sending it hurtling toward the far end of the field. Shadow was so caught up in the competitive energy that he barely processed it. He was already running toward the ball, determined to get there before it touched the ground.

He dove for the ball, stretching out his hand at the last second to make a diving catch, landing hard on the grass. For a moment, there was silence.

Then Metal beeped, a sound of approval, as he looked at Shadow with what could only be described as an almost impressed glance.

Shadow grinned, rolling onto his back and catching his breath. "Did I win?"

Metal’s optics flickered in that odd, thoughtful way as he beeped softly. Metal tilted his head then glanced at the bases. 

Metal hadn’t ran any bases since the first round. 

They technically hadn’t even played the damn game right.

“That was fun,” Shadow finally said, sitting up. He shot Metal a look, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe next time, I’ll actually beat you.”

Metal beeped once more, a soft, almost smug sound. 

“Explain your purpose here or face my fists.”

Shadow jolted up from the grass to face the echidna warrior looming over him and Metal. Shadow thankfully did not overreact, unlike Metal who whipped out a gun. Shadow froze, his eyes narrowing as Knuckles stepped closer. The echidna’s stance was tense, his arms crossed in a way that made it clear he wasn’t in the mood for any jokes. Not that Shadow made jokes at all

“You’re still alive,” Knuckles growled, his voice low and rumbling. “I thought you were dead after the mess with Robotnik.”

Shadow slowly stood up, dusting off his back. He shot Metal a quick, silent warning, signaling him to stand down. The robot still held his gun, optics flickering with readiness, but Shadow placed a hand on his shoulder, a rare moment of control over the strangely unpredictable machine.

"Yeah," Shadow said coolly, his voice just as steady as it had always been. "It’s a long story. You wouldn’t believe it even if I told you." Shadow didn’t even know the story himself, he hoped Knuckles wouldn’t ask.

Knuckles wasn’t buying it. He looked from Shadow to Metal and back again, suspicion in his eyes. "If you’re really alive, then what’s this about? What’s your connection to... that?" He jerked a thumb toward Metal, who was still standing at the ready, gun still in hand.

Metal beeped, a sharp, challenging sound. The robot’s optics flashed once, but he didn’t move any closer to Knuckles. Shadow took a step forward, positioning himself between the echidna and Metal.

"Metal’s... complicated," Shadow replied, keeping his voice steady. "But he’s not a threat right now. And neither am I."

Knuckles’ eyes narrowed further, clearly unconvinced. "He attacked Sonic. We heard of this fake robot clone” He shot a glare over at Metal Sonic before turning back to Shadow. “We hear about him just as much as we hear about you!" Shadow didn’t dare question that.

Metal Sonic remained silent, his gaze locked onto Knuckles, unmoving. Shadow could tell the robot was processing everything, calculating possible outcomes. Metal’s posture wasn’t aggressive, but Shadow knew that if Knuckles so much as twitched in a threatening way, Metal wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a missle at him. If they fought it would create unnecessary drama and tension between the two’s families. Shadow wanted anything but that.

Shadow let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “Look, Knuckles, I’m not interested in fighting you, and neither is Metal.” He glanced at the robot, silently willing him to keep his weapon lowered. “He’s not aggressive once you get to know him.” Shadow wondered how stupid that sounded.

Knuckles looked at him like he had grown an extra three heads, so it probably sounded pretty stupid.

“It’s a machine, hedgehog. It’s got as much of personality as my fridge—“ Metal began to let out a mass of angry beeps, if Metal could talk then those beeps would not be child friendly. Shadow held out a hand to keep Metal Sonic back, he gave Knuckles a warning look.

“Metal Sonic was just offended, does that not show at-least some form of sentience? That he’s more complex than your fridge?” Shadow asked. Knuckles just shrugged his shoulders.

“The fridge screams at Sonic every time he tries to open it late at night” Knuckles said, earning an unimpressed look from Shadow. Knuckles sighed and shook his head, “Eggman was human, he was obviously sentient. But that doesn’t mean that if you saw him would you not knock his teeth out?”

“I mean he never did anything to me—“ Shadow broke off when he saw the suspicious look Knuckles gave him. Didn’t they literally turn the death ray with him? Did they not blast the moon with him?

“The point is he may be able to feel but that doesn’t mean we just—“ Knuckles broke off, snapping his head over to Metal Sonic. Metal beeped in confusion when Knuckles look at him with the rawest horror in his wide eyes and his mouth hung open so low it might soon break off.

“…are you in love with Amy…” 

What the hell

Metal Sonic beeped in what sounded like confusion. His head tilting slightly, and then he let out a series of beeps that Shadow could only hope translated to something like what the actual hell are you talking about? Metal caught his gaze and tilted his head even further, probably asking for help. Shadow shook his head at him

Knuckles, however, was already stepping back, pointing at Metal like he’d just killed Sonic. “No… No way… Tell me I’m wrong! Tell me my detector is wrong!” He begged as he fell to his knees and buried his head in the grass, screaming into it.

“It is a soap opera… This is a robot with a crush… on Amy… the kind of love Sonic has in  his eyes when he looks at chilli dogs…” Shadow was beginning to rethink his existence. “…or talks about the more impressive hedgehog…” it’s like he was just handing out gossip… like Gossip Girl…”

Should Shadow run away at this point?

Knuckles stood up and patted Metal’s shoulder. “It’s okay, but you must know: When a man and a woman love each other very much—“

Metal screeched. It wasn’t even a beep this time—it was just straight-up static noise, like a computer crashing. He was shaking his head violently now. Shadow feared he might explode. Metal turned and walked away another beep, disappearing into the trees.

Knuckles then turned to Shadow. “You like men, I know, my gaydar is top notch” what “Now, you may not be able to conceive, or you might… I don’t know hedgehog anatomy, but it’s still important to be safe during intimacy—“

“Nope!” Shadow yelled before turning tail and running at Metal Sonic to run back to New York with him.

Chapter Text

“Amy! Stop hogging up the bathroom!” Sonic yelled, pounding his fists against the wooden white door. He rapidly tapped him foot against the ground impatiently, glancing down at the imaginary watch on his wrist before staring expectantly at the door. “You’ve been in there for like…" Sonic broke off awkwardly before continuing, "...weeks!” He yelled, knocking on the door again.

“Hold on!” Amy yelled from inside, brushing over her quills for the hundredth time. “Give me another minute! I’ve still got quills sticking out!” She whined, trying to brush her quills faster. 

Sonic groaned dramatically from the other side of the door, dragging a hand down his face and rubbing at his eyes. "Amy, we don’t have all night! You’re just gonna get messy again in like, ten seconds!" He yelled, going back to pounding on the door.

"Well, excuse me for wanting to look presentable!" Amy shot back, her voice slightly muffled behind the door. Sonic paused to brush back his quills before going back to awkwardly standing at the door. Amy hurriedly brushed down the last of her quills before she opened the door. “No, what is it you were bothering me for?” She purred.

Sonic went silent, looking around the hallway for a good excuse—or a reminder as to why he had ever decided to bang on the bathroom door. “Oh, Maddie’s calling us for dinner.” He pointed a finger down towards the kitchen and walked off. 

Amy rolled her eyes but followed Sonic out into the hallway, making sure to turn the bathroom light off behind her. Amy ran her fingers through her quills one last time before she shot him a playful smile as she walked past him. "You know, you’re lucky I’m feeling generous today, or you would’ve had to wait a lot longer.” 

Sonic chuckled, his usual grin returning. "Yeah, yeah. Just trying to make sure you didn’t lock yourself in there forever, princess!" He mocked before sending a teasing glance back over his shoulder, already heading towards the kitchen. "Maddie’s probably made something amazing, so you might want to hurry before I eat all the good stuff!" he yelled before running past her.

“Sonic!” She yelled before scrambling to chase after him.

“Kids!” Maddie yelled as they ran closer to the kitchen, causing the two to skid to a halt. “You two better not be running through the house again! You know what happened last time!” She warned.

Oh right, Last time Sonic flew through the wall…

Amy giggled, earning her a rare scowl from Sonic, he turned his face away to hide his embarrassment. “It wasn’t funny… it hurt a lot!” He grumbled angrily, walking ahead while Amy began to go from giggles to full on laughter. Amy tried hard to stop but she just couldn’t. “Amy!” Sonic yelled.

Amy put a hand on the wall to steady herself while she tried to catch her breath. “Sorry” she laughed softly, “It’s not funny… no—” She failed to hold in her laughter. Every time she looked at Sonic, she was reminded of what happened, causing her to only laugh more.

Sonic shook his head disappointedly before turning heel and marching off to the dining room. “Ooo! Are those chilli dogs I smell?” Sonic brightened up in an instant, rubbing his hands together and licking at his lips, even brushing back his ears. 

Tom walked into the living room with Tails in tow, giving a quick peck on the lips to Maddie before he sat down at the table. “What's for dinner today? Is it Chilli Dog Tuesday today?” Tom asked, rubbing his hands together before watching as Sonic did the most horrifying emote known to man.

Tails glanced around the room, seeing his entire family except for one echidna. “Where’d Knuckles go?” He asked, directing his question mostly at his parents. Knuckles couldn’t have gone out with their permission! Could he?

Tom looked around the room too before looking at Maddie. “I don’t know, we got home and he said he was going out for a wander, he said he’d be back by now.” Tom shrugged his shoulders before looking at the Chilli Dog Sonic had just handed him, taking it from his sons hands and taking a bite out of it, missing the confused look Maddie gave him.

“Did he say where he was going? It’s late, the last time someone was out at night—” That being Sonic “-they ended up getting attacked by a group of robotic copies and ended up meeting another alien.” Maddie shook her head.

Tails picked up his own chili dog and took a small bite, then swallowed, turning to Sonic. "Yeah, but thankfully Knuckles knows better than to wander off without telling anyone where he's going, he’s probably still in the state at-least. I hope he’s okay, though."

But the worry on Maddie’s face didn’t disappear. She glanced at Tom, who was finishing up his own chili dog, before speaking again, a bit more seriously this time. "Still, it’s unlike him not to check in. It’s getting late, and if something’s wrong, we need to be ready!"

At the mention of that, Amy, who had been quietly listening from the doorway, spoke up,. "Knuckles knows how to take care of himself, but you’re right. We should make sure he’s alright. Should we go look for him?" Her eyes darted toward the clock on the wall. "I can’t imagine he’s out for too long without some reason—"

The sound of the front door opening interrupted her. Knuckles stepped into the house and locked the door behind him, he walked over to the table and took his seat at the table without a word.

Wordlessly, his family joined him,

“So…. Knuckles…” Sonic began hesitantly. “What were you out there so long for?” he asked, waving the hand that held the chilli dog around for dramatic flare. 

Knuckles took a chili dog, taking a slow bite of it, leaving the table in silence. The tension was all set, it was clear Knuckles had seen something outside so horrid it had left him traumatized—

Knuckles cleared his throat, setting his chilli dog down on the plate in-front of him. Knuckles looked Sonic dead in the eye and said “Sonic, whats up with you and Shadow?” 

Sonic choked on his chilli dog.

Maddie and Tom exchanged concerned glances, as did Amy and Tails. But Amy and Tails looked intrigued too.

Sonic’s face turned bright red as he coughed and sputtered, desperately trying to clear his throat, Amy held out a hand to help him which seemed to scare him into stop choking. "W-What?!" he managed to stammer, looking between Knuckles and the concerned faces around the table. "What do you mean 'what’s up with me and Shadow'?"  He laughed awkwardly.

Knuckles leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and giving Sonic an intense stare. "I have grown tired of hearing you speak him praises every day, hedgehog. Stop telling me about how much you love him and pluck up the courage to tell him yourself!”

Sonic looked an inch away from bursting into tears. But he forced a tight smile onto his face and blinked his tears away. “Oh Knuckles… did you hit your head out there?” Sonic tried to joke, laughing softly and looking at the others for help.

Tails nodded in agreement, jumping in to help Sonic from the awkward conversation without hesitation. “Yeah! Knuckles you know there’s no chance he could’ve possibly survived that explosion!” 

Knuckles shook his head, placing his fist on the table. “Your numbers were wrong, fox.” Tails’s ears drooped, he glanced at his parents to silently ask them to jump in and reason with Knuckles. “For if your numbers were true, I would not have been able to pull this from him when he ran from me” Knuckles pulled out a black quill that glowed red, it was unmistakably Shadows.

Sonic stood up from his chair and made his way across the dining room to stand beside Knuckles’s seat, staring at the quill in his brothers gloved fists the entire time. Sonic could hear his rapid heartbeat blasting in his ears, the sound did nothing but amplify what he felt.

“That—” Sonic choked, the crack in his voice betraying him. “That’s—where did you find that?” His eyes widened, as if refusing to believe the evidence staring him in the face. 

Knuckles hummed. “So you truly didn’t know?” he asked, offering the quill to Sonic.

Sonic took it wordlessly, letting out a puff of breath as he took it in his hands, running his fingers up and down the quill, as if ensuring its authenticity. His hands trembled as he held the quill, but Sonic didn’t notice, or he just paid it no mind.

"Where did you find this?" Sonic repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes not leaving the quill as if it might disappear if he looked away for too long.

Knuckles sighed. “He was at the baseball field, I saw him there with a recent foe of ours,” Sonic finally looked up from the quill to meet Knuckles’s eyes. “Metal Sonic.”

Sonic fell to his knees and screamed. “NOOOO, MY ROBOTIC COPY MANAGED TO MAKE SHADOW FALL IN LOVE FIRST!” 

Amy—for reasons no one in the room knew—fell to her knees as well, letting out a scream so high-pitched the glass shook. She then stopped to glare at Sonic, “METAL IS MORE THAN A ROBOTIC COPY!” She yelled before going back to screaming with Sonic. 

Tails, the smartest person in the room and the most willing to put a quick end to the screaming, stepped forward. “Guys, I think we’re missing the point here. The point is Shadow is alive, Metal Sonic and Shadow being possibly involved with each other has nothing to do with this. First thing we gotta do is contact Shadow.”

Sonic nodded, before magically pulling out a black gum wrapper from the quill. “What the hell—Wait… he left his phone number on a gum wrapper tied around a single quill that Knuckles conveniently took from him?”

Amy didn’t hesitate to snatch the number from him as well as Maddie’s phone to dial the number.

The phone rang a few times before a terrifyingly familiar voice came through on the other end, sounding groggy and irritable. “Hello? Who’s calling at this hour?”  

Knuckles gasped, “Its the goat milker!”

Stone groaned on the other side of the line. “It is too late for this…” Amy requested to facetime. Stone, in his state of exhaustion, accepted, giving the Wachowski family a shot of his forehead in the dark. “What do ya want?”

“Wheres Shadow?! He left us YOUR number!” Sonic yelled, dashing over to stand next to Amy.

They could see Stone rubbing his eyes but standing up and flipping the camera around as he walked down the hall. “Shadow’s asleep … don’t know how you got my number but it wasn’t—” Stone opened the door and inside was a flurry of feathers scattered all over the room.

In the center of the room, Metal had Shadow pinned down to the ground, a hand holding him by the neck and another reaching for a pillow to suffocate the hedgehog with.

Metal turned to Stone and beeped innocently, releasing Shadow in an instant.

Shadow took the chance to slam a pillow down on Metal. Metal’s head bounced against the floor hard before he sat back up to beep angrily.

Amy cooed at the sight, the sound catching Metal’s attention and making him beep excitedly. Sonic’s jaw dropped, his hand over his face in exasperation. “I— I can't believe this is happening.” He rubbed his forehead, clearly at a loss for words.

Maddie just wanted her phone back.

“I’m done. You’ve seen it, you’ve got your answer, ” Stone muttered, clearly done with the situation. His eyes were half-lidded, a deep sense of tiredness washing over him.

Shadow, now sitting on the floor, finally stopped and wiped his brow. “ I told you, Metal,” he said in his usual deadpan voice, though there was a hint of exhaustion in his tone. “I was gonna win.” He finally caught sight of the phone in Stone’s hand and proceeded to grab the pillow to cover himself. “ Who are you calling?!” He yelled.

“Sonic and Friends, obviously, who else would I show such a moment with?”

Amy awed, but Sonic could hear the fakeness in his tone… Anyone could, really.

“Stone…” Sonic sighed, shaking his head as he tried to get the situation back on track. “We didn’t call you just for this... pillow fight ,” he emphasized, pointing at the mess in the room. “We wanted to know where Shadow was and if he was okay.”

At that, Shadow, still sitting on the floor with a pillow covering his face, gave an almost defeated sigh. “Fine, fine…” he muttered, dropping the pillow from his face and staring directly at the screen. “Since you wanted to know how I’m doing…” He glanced over at Metal, who was still chirping excitedly. "It’s not like it matters anyway."

Sonic frowned, his confusion growing. “What do you mean, it doesn’t matter? Why would you say that just to say it doesn’t matter” His voice was suddenly more serious.

Shadow stared back. “ You know what I’m talking about, Sonic, ” he said, clearly struggling to keep his voice steady. “ I am not one who likes explaining myself... but if I had to put it into words... Metal’s not a copy to me. He’s... different.”

At this point, Metal beeped curiously, his head cocking to the side, clearly listening to Shadow’s words. Sonic blinked. "Wait, what are you saying, Shadow? You and Metal?" His mouth hung wide open, his eyes wide with horror.

Before he could finish, Amy, who had been absorbing everything, jumped in with a surprised, “Wait, hold on—what?” She leaned forward, her face horrified, an entirely different expression from the one she had just moments before. “Are you two—?”

Sonic couldn’t believe what he was hearing, feeling the tension shift in the air. Shadow, of all people, talking about feelings?

Shadow looked just as horrified, standing up to wave his arms around. Metal even began to beep violently. “No! Hell no! ” Shadow yelled before sighing and rubbing at his temples. “I mean… he’s my friend slash roommate who’s a major annoyance to me?"

Metal Sonic beeped angrily.

“Ahh, so siblings! that certainly explains some of that,” Sonic muttered. "But still, Shadow, you better explain what the heck is really going on when we see you in person, alright?"

“....In person?” Stone hung up the phone in an instant.

Chapter Text

Shadow was more afraid than excited over the entire ordeal. How else was he supposed to feel when his former enemies were on their way to see him for the first time since he ended up presumed dead.

To make matters worse, The Wachowski's somehow managed to get their address and had sent a message to Agent Stone that they would be coming over. How they got the address, Shadow may never know. But he suspected it was probably the doing of the fox.

Shadow stared out the apartment window, waiting for four colorful flashes to appear. The Wachowski children came unsupervised (they held a whole court case to convince their parents, apparently) since it would be faster if they went on foot rather than take their parents. Which confused Shadow since he had seen them use those portal rings. Did they just no want to put Tom and Shadow in the same room again?

Prolly not.

Shadow continued to stare out the window, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently against the floor, he glanced at his wrist to tell the time before realizing he didn’t have a watch. Metal was sat down behind, sitting on the couch with his metallic kicking in a way that Shadow could only describe as excitedly.

It probably was excitement, if Metal was as sentient as Shadow was beginning to believe.

“They’re taking their sweet time,” Shadow muttered, shaking his head disappointedly. Shadow was disappointed, he’d expect that those four should’ve arrived in mere minutes at the most. Sonic and his friends must be stupid to somehow end up late despite their inhumane speeds.. “Maybe they got lost.” he wondered aloud, realizing how stupid that sounded too late.

Metal beeped behind him, his tone mocking and probably trying to call him stupid for deciding that. Shadow was proud to say that he was beginning to understand Metal, to the point he might be able to start interpreting what Metal said to others. Maybe Shadow could help the others trust Metal, show them there was more to Metal than the fact he was created to destroy Sonic.

Shadow would be the one to offer Metal a hand, in the same way Sonic lent him a hand when his hands could deliver nothing but pain.

Shadow let out a sigh, his attention returned to Metal when he let out a series of rapid beeps, tilting his head. Shadow glanced at him over his shoulder. “What?” he asked, having completely missed everything. Another series of beeps, this time slower, Shadow wondered if Metal did this on purpose so he could catch what he was saying. Shadow furrowed his brows, tapping a finger to a chin as he slowly began to decipher Metal’s beeps.

“…No, I’m not nervous?” It sounded more like a question. Shadow hoped he had correctly interpreted Metal’s beeps as concern that Shadow might be afraid to reunite with the Wachowski’s minus their parents. Metal let out a beep of approval, accompanied by a nod of his head.

Metal’s deadpanned, his head cocking further to the side.

“I’m not nervous,” Shadow insisted, arms tightening across his chest. “Why would I be? It’s just Sonic…and the echidna….and the fox…and Amy… and all of them here together in our home… and I’m gonna have to talk to them…” Oh god what was Shadow gonna say?! “Hey, sorry i almost killed your dad! I like your guys’s brother too haha! Yeah and I live with the assistant of the man who tried to kill you, twice! I also live with a robot whose purpose in life is to destroy you, ha! No hard feelings, right though?!”

That imaginary version of him would’ve been ripped to bits, and Shadow would be the one doing majority of the ripping.

Metal beeped mockingly, shaking Shadow out of his thoughts.

A knock at the door jolted them both. Shadow shared a look with Metal Sonic, wondering if he should state the obvious. 

“They’re here.”

Metal only beeped in response before turning to stare at the door.

Okay maybe Shadow could just tell them to go away, right? It’s not like it took them thirteen hours to get there! More like thirteen seconds if anything!

Metal beeped at him again, when Shadow turned to look at him, the robot had his head tilted like he had just asked a question. Metal beeped again before he looked towards the door. Shadow gasped in offense when he realized what Metal Sonic was saying. “You wouldn’t!”

Metal and Shadow had an epic staredown before Metal beelined for the door. Shadow was quick to throw himself at the robot.

Shadow tackled Metal before he could reach the door, arms wrapping around his torso in an effort to restrain him. The force of the impact sent them both crashing onto the floor with a loud thud. Metal let out an indignant series of beeps, his limbs flailing as he tried to shake Shadow off.

Shadow’s grip only tightened. “We are not letting them in! Agent Stone never gave them the right to come here!” He yelled in a whisper. Because even though he really wanted to see Sonic, it would be rude of him to go against the wishes of the man housing him.

Metal beeped rapidly, twisting in an attempt to slip away. Shadow barely caught what he was saying. Something about him being a coward.

“I am not a coward!” Shadow snapped.

Another knock at the door. This time, more impatient.

“Shadow?” Sonic’s voice came muffled through the door. “You in there? If you’re busy, I can just come in and—”

Metal tried to get up but Shadow slammed him down again. (Tails glanced around to see the other three’s reaction. “Do you think Metal Sonic’s attacking him again?”)

Shadow had successfully pinned Metal once more, gritting his teeth as Metal beeped furiously beneath him. "You're not opening that door!" Shadow hissed.

Metal let out a long, droning beep that sounded suspiciously like a sigh. Then, without warning, he activated his jet boosters, propelling himself—and Shadow—straight up into the ceiling.

The impact sent Shadow crashing back onto the floor, dazed. Metal landed gracefully, beeped smugly, and immediately turned to the door. Before Shadow could recover, Metal finally reached for the door handle, making eye contact with Shadow the whole way.

"Don't you dare." Shadow demanded.

Metal made a whole show of it by acting slow, looking amused the whole time. Metal then flung the door open to reveal four colorful figures, all staring at a broken ceiling and a hedgehog on the floor.

Shadow groaned, peeling himself off the floor just in time to meet Sonic’s stunned expression, the blue hedgehog let out a whistle. “Well, that’s one way to greet us,” Sonic quipped, arms crossed. “Should I be flattered or concerned?”

Shadow sighed and pushed himself off the floor, brushing the dust off. Amy was quick to clear the awkwardness in the room by flinging herself at Metal. “Metal!” She yelled as he spun her around, more in an attempt to balance himself than anything. “I missed you so much!” Amy cried, her grip on him tightening.

Metal Sonic let out a series of happy beeps in response, before looking over at Sonic and giving him an angry beep.

Sonic arched a brow at the robot. “Sorry, I can't understand your robotic speech!” 

Metal shook his head before turning to Shadow and repeating every beep. Shadow was a-bit hesitant to repeat that. “Metal asked if you could jump off the empire state building… and die.” 

Sonic blinked at Shadow, then at Metal. Then back at Shadow. “You’re joking… right? There’s no way he said that!’ Sonic took Shadow’s silence as an answer, and Sonic was left dumbfounded.

Amy gasped. “Metal, no!” She held onto him tighter for the possibility he might throw Sonic off of it himself. Metal merely huffed, letting out a few softer beeps.

Shadow quickly realized he might end up having to interpret for Metal the whole time. He prayed Amy could understand what he was saying so he wouldn’t have to repeat anything Metal said to her.

Before Shadow could even throw Metal out the window; Sonic threw himself at Shadow to hug him, inevitably sending Shadow down again.

────୨ৎ────

Amy was left in tears by the end of The Outsiders. Metal beeped softly, attempting to comfort Amy.

Sonic let his head hit the ground to groan muttering about how much he regretted letting Amy chose. Shadow, sitting with his arms crossed, raised a brow at Amy. “Didn’t you say you’ve seen this before?”

Amy nodded furiously. “Yes! And I always cry!” She yelled before burying her head in her hands. 

Sonic sighed dramatically. “I wish we hadn’t let you pick the movie…” He said, shaking his head disappointedly.

Amy gasped in offense before pointing a finger at Sonic. “You let me!” she yelled. Metal was quick to beep in agreement.  

Knuckles threw a handful of grapes—that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere—into his mouth. “Can one of you pick another movie? I find their drama quite interesting!” He asked.

Metal began to beep excitedly, and the others all turned to Shadow to translate. Shadow’s eyes were wide with horror, shaking his head rapidly at Metal. Metal just repeated his beeps again till Shadow gave in with a sigh. “...he suggested Pinocchio because he heard it had a doll that turns into a boy in it.. . ”

Tails scratched his head. “Wasn’t he a puppet?” 

Shadow shrugged his shoulders in return. “Stone told us avoid Pinnocchio at all costs in-case Metal starts trying to go organic.” Shadow shuddered at the warning Stone had given him if Metal turned organic. Gosh… Metal being able to talk was horrifying… The robot was annoying enough, give him a voice and he’d be worse than Sonic!

Sonic snickered, lightly elbowing Shadow. "Oh, now I wanna watch it just to see what happens!"

Amy smacked Sonic’s arm. "Don't encourage him!" She hissed. Metal beeped at Shadow, crossing his arms and awaiting the translation.

Shadow sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No. Absolutely not! We're not watching Pinocchio. Stone does not want you getting any ideas."

Knuckles, still munching on grapes, raised a brow. "Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?" He asked.

Shadow shot him a look. " The worst that could happen? You mean besides Metal deciding he wants to be a real boy and somehow convincing Tails to Frankenstein him some organic parts?"

Tails looked alarmed. "Hey! I wouldn't—!" He yelled before he scratch his head and shrugged his shoulders. " Probably. "

Metal let out a series of excited beeps, which Shadow immediately waved off. "No, we’re not testing it!"

Sonic burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "Oh man, now I really wanna see it. Imagine Metal with, like, real hedgehog quills and—oh, oh! What if he got fur ?!"

Amy gasped in horror, putting a hand over her mouth. "Oh, that’s terrifying! "

Knuckles just shrugged. "I think it’d be quite interesting if. Then he could be like a cyborg or something." He suggested before going back to stuffing his mouth. (Stone would later discover he had been robbed of all his grapes, he cursed the echidna.)

Metal beeped enthusiastically at that, rubbing his metal hands together excitedly

Shadow groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I hate all of you."

Metal beeped angrily at him. So Shadow scoffed at the robots audacity. “You’re loud enough without a voice! If you had one you’d be worse than Sonic!”

“I don’t talk that much!” Sonic gasped, looking around for support but realizing everyone else was avoiding eye contact with him. “....Right guys?!"

Chapter Text

Metal was still, his eyes had not left Amy for several minutes.

Shadow thought it was a little odd. Before Metal would still be able to watch other things—like the movie—while looking back at Amy whenever there was a scene he wanted to see her reaction too. That was more manageable then Metal staying still and quiet just to watch her.

Metal only did this when she interacted with Sonic.

Since Amy was just reuniting with Metal, he held most of her attention. But there were a few times where Sonic and Amy would make light banter. Metal stopped and stared at those times.

Shadow wondered if he should be concerned. 

He didn’t jump to conclusion, But Metal’s silence was starting to concern him, for as long as Shadow knew him, Metal would do as much as he could to keep from being quiet in the comfort of his own home.

Shadow at first wondered if it was because of their new company, but quickly shut that theory down when he compared it to how Metal had been acting earlier. Metal told Sonic to jump off a building and die, he was definitely not afraid of Sonic or anything. Metal wasn’t so shy to the point of silence either.

Shadow couldn’t understand. Metal must know there was nothing between Sonic and Amy at this point. He should know that Sonic was no threat to his relationship with Amy, right?

Except that probably wasn’t true to Metal. To Metal, Amy had left him to go be with Sonic. Amy had shown him to live and to love, then she left him for someone that Metal deemed inferior to himself, Amy left him for his target, the one he was created to destroy.

Metal would never accept Sonic, he would never want to keep the blue hedgehog in his life for long. Metal may be civil but it was only for Amy’s sake, and even during those moments of peace, Metal must still feel the burning hatred for Sonic that he was created with. 

Shadow felt uneasy with the entire situation. He approached Metal slowly, but the robot didn’t notice him, or just paid him no mind. “Metal.” He spoke quietly.

Metal did not acknowledge him. 

Shadow’s frown deepened. Metal was never this unresponsive—not in a way that felt intentional . 

“Metal.” He tried again, firmer this time.

Still, nothing.

Shadow glanced at Amy, but she was too caught up in a conversation with Sonic to notice anything was wrong. Metal, however, noticed everything . He was locked onto her, the red pupils in his eyes dim yet unblinking. His stillness felt out of the character that Shadow had known him to be.

“Metal.” Shadow tried for the last time, louder than the last attempts. Metal finally spared the hedgehog the time of day to look at him momentarily before looking back at Amy.

That wasn’t normal. Metal always had some sort of reaction, whether it be smug beeps, exaggerated gestures, or anything else. Metal would do anything to make his presence known. This was off.

Shadow stepped closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Metal, what’s wrong with you?”

Metal let out a low beep, then another, slower this time. Shadow didn’t need to waste his time trying to translate it to know it was dismissive. 

Shadow glanced over to Knuckles and Tails, raiding Stone’s supply of mint and grapes. They were thankfully distracted. Shadow didn’t bother to stop the, he’d resupply for Stone before he got back from wherever he was.

“You’re staring,” Shadow muttered. “And not in your usual creepy way.” he added.

Metal didn’t respond, not even with his eyes of a small beep.

Amy’s laughter rang through the room as she smacked Sonic’s arm, before she continued to keep smacking him to the point it was on purpose and not because she was laughing. Metal tensed. Shadow saw it—the tightening of his claws, the flicker in his eyes that dimmed for a fraction of a second.

Shadow exhaled a disappointed sigh. 

He didn’t want to deal with this. Not now. Not ever.

Shadow had an idea of the oddity of Metal’s character. Metal would always seek to destroy Sonic, but Shadow had some hope that speaking of the blue hedgehog in a good light and maybe introducing the two might make them civil outside of battle. Shadow thought Amy could help Metal get there, since she seemed the best at doing that.

By being there, Amy was unintentionally undoing everything.

Metal Sonic was jealous.

Shadow had hoped it wouldn’t happen, he had tried to keep the thought away. He didn’t know what Metal’s jealousy might lead the destructive robot to do.

Shadow debated calling Amy over. Maybe she could snap Metal out of whatever trance he was in to remind him that she loved him in a different way from the way she loved Sonic. But something told him that wouldn’t work—not this time. Metal’s love wasn’t just admiration anymore. It wasn’t even love at this point.

It was obsessive.

It was an unhealthy fixation, manifesting in a way that made Metal Sonic seem possessive. 

Shadow kept his hand on Metal’s shoulder, grounding him in place. The last thing he needed was for Metal to act on whatever twisted thought process was running through his corrupted code.

“You need to cut this out,” Shadow warned, voice low. “You know Amy wouldn’t like this.”

Metal twitched, his fingers flexing. His head turned to face Shadow fully this time, and his pupils shrank to thin slits. A sharp beep followed, quick and mechanical.

Shadow wished he couldn’t understand Metal. 

But he did. Metal’s words made Shadow’s fur bristle. Shadow’s grip tightened on Metal’s shoulder. “No,” he said, his tone sharp, trying to conceal the helplessness he was beginning to feel. “She isn’t.”

Metal’s pupils flickered—first with static, then with something close to fury. His claws twitched at his sides. Another beep, drawn out and distorted, rang between them. Shadow didn’t need to translate. Metal was disagreeing.

This was bad.

Amy had always been a key part of Metal’s development—his sense of self, his emotions, his ability to be something more than just a weapon. She had shown him kindness when no one else would. Shadow understood why Metal latched onto her so desperately.

Metal’s love was unraveling into something ugly.

Shadow was beginning to miss the times where Metal would beep nervously when she came up—like a schoolgirl with a crush—despite the fact those times hadn’t been too long agp.

Shadow exhaled slowly, keeping his stance firm. “You need to get a grip, Metal. Right now.”

Metal didn’t move, didn’t react right away. His optics flickered again, his inner processors whirring audibly. The silence stretched between them, tense and suffocating.

Then, finally, another beep.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. Shadow didn’t need a translator to understand that beep either.

Metal’s whole frame was taut with tension, his claws twitching, shoulders squared in defiance. For the first time since they had met, Metal was treating Shadow like an enemy.

Shadow hated it, he had just begun to trust Metal Sonic, even growing to see him as something akin to family.

He opened his mouth to speak—to say something —but a sudden voice cut through the suffocating silence.

“Metal?”

Metal froze and Shadow turned his head, already knowing who he would see.

Amy stood a few feet away, concern written all over her face. She had no weapons, no defenses up, because she trusted Metal.

A sharp, high-pitched beep escaped the robot’s vocal processor, a sound like static and shock colliding. His head snapped toward her, eyes wide, frantic. His fingers curled, claws scraping against his own metallic palms as if trying to ground himself.

Amy took a careful step forward, her eyes filled with nothing but soft affection. "Hey!" she hummed, grabbing his hands and holding them in her own despite the sharpness of his fingers. "I was looking for you!”

Shadow felt that this was wrong.

Amy had always been the one person who could make Metal soften. She had been the light in his world of metal and code, the proof that he could be something more than just a tool of destruction.

And yet, Metal wasn’t softening. His whole frame trembled. His optics flickered, the glow erratic, unstable.

Amy didn’t notice. Or if she did, she didn’t let it stop her.

She stepped closer, reaching out. "Metal, you’re shaking! Let’s go outside for a little bit, okay? Let’s go to the garden!"

A sharp beep tore from Metal’s speakers. He hesitated—just for a second—before taking a stiff, mechanical step toward her.

Shadow didn’t let go, causing Metal to give him a glare. "Amy," Shadow tried warned. "I don’t think—"

"It’s fine, Shadow!" she interrupted gently, offering him a small smile before turning back to Metal. “We’ll be safe out there! And if Stone comes back early, we’ll warn you!”

Metal’s glare did nothing to help, it only made Shadow feel so much worse. If he told Amy, he’d be hurting Metal. If he didn’t, he’d inevitably doom her. 

Shadow let go of Metal, because he hoped Amy would find a way to save him.

Amy gently took Metal’s hand, her fingers warm against the cold metal of his own. "Come with me," she whispered.

And Metal followed.

Sonic—who had been raiding Stone’s fridge ever since Amy went to go speak to Metal Sonic—noticed Shadow standing in the middle of the living room. Sonic was a little weirded out that he was just standing there, so he whistled to catch Shadow’s attention.

When Shadow didn’t respond, Sonic walked up to him and nudged him. Shadow looked at him with a curious gaze. “What?” he grumbled.

Sonic raised a brow, unimpressed by the tough guy act. "Dude, you’ve been standing there like a statue for the past five minutes. What’s up?" Sonic resolved to the fact he might need to come up with something that would inspire Shadow, meaning he’d need to start thinking now for the top ten—

"It’s Metal." Shadow confessed in an instant.

Sonic’s brows furrowed. “Huh? Oh, he’s probably just mad at me for being alive, he’ll get over it! I mean, he has Amy now! What more could he want?” Sonic laughed.

The issue was, Metal didn’t know he ‘had’ her.

Chapter Text

Shadow was afraid. 

Even now that he was standing in the kitchen—watching as Knuckles tried to fit as many grapes as he could in his mouth 78 so far—he still felt scared. Every instinct inside of him was telling him to go down to the garden and make sure Metal Sonic didn’t hurt Amy. That the two shouldn’t be left alone together. That being near Amy would only hurt Metal Sonic in the long run.

But Shadow had a hope, deep in the bottom of his soul, that Amy’s kindness would set Metal on the right path, that she’d prove to him that she did love him.

Shadow never liked to think of Metal as dangerous—even though the robot was created to destroy Sonic. But Shadow couldn’t believe that a robot created for destruction would have his room all pink and frilly and brush a doll’s hair. Shadow wouldn’t believe that a robot who sat at a table and pretended to eat would ever hurt the ones Amy loved.

Amy could handle herself if Metal attacked her anyways! She'd bash his head in if he tried to hurt Sonic!

Right, so Shadow shouldn’t worry about it. Everything would go back to the way it was soon.

Knuckles made a choking noise that snapped Shadow out of thought. Before either of the hedgehogs could react, Tails smacked Knuckles on the back until a half-mushed grape flew out of his mouth. “Dude,” Tails muttered. “That was disgusting.”

Knuckles put a fist over his chest. “A warrior must know his limits!” He announced proudly before going back to test his limits with another handful of grapes to the mouth, which only served to disgust Tails.

Sonic chuckled lightly before he glanced over at Shadow, catching his worried expression. “You still worrying about Metal, huh?” The blue hedgehog asked.

Shadow huffed, crossing his arms. “I’m not worried!” he scoffed, but it didn’t even sound convincing to himself. 

Sonic clearly wasn’t buying it either. “Uh-huh. That’s why you’re standing there looking like you just saw G.U.N. try to make another Ultimate Lifeform out of a toaster.” Shadow had to shoot him a glare, because that was the weirdest comparison ever.. But Sonic just grinned. “Look, man,” Sonic continued, leaning against the counter, “Metal’s weird, sure, but Amy’s got this. She’s good at—y’know—being Amy.” He gestured vaguely, like that was supposed to mean something. “She could probably make Eggman himself turn over a new leaf if she tried hard enough!”

Shadow didn’t respond.

Shadow had seen what happened when someone gave unconditional love to something that was never meant to be loved. Maria had been like that. She had given him that kind of love. And for a while, it had been enough.

Until it wasn’t.

Until she was gone, and it was all because she had loved something not meant to be loved.

Sonic’s phone rang with a call, he picked it up and began to talk to the person on the other side. Shadow didn’t listen in, too busy with his own spiraling thoughts. Sonic put the phone down after a moment and turned to Shadow, “Well, The Donut Lord wants us back!”

Shadow wanted to fall to his knees and thank whoever that was for giving him the chance to talk to Metal Sonic, but he had great self control, so he didn’t.

“But don’t worry Shads!” Sonic put a hand on his shoulder… what the fuck. “We’ll come back to visit another time” Sonic patted his shoulder. What the hell?!

Sonic then walked away, Knuckles and Tails in tow. “Lets hope we don’t walk in on a romantic scene down there! Bye Bye!” Sonic yelled before heading straight out the door, unlocking it for himself and his siblings before walking out to go collect Amy. Shadow stood there, frozen with his mouth agape, staring at the door like it had been the one to shock him.

What the hell just happened?

Sonic had touched him. Sonic had patted him. Like they were friends... Were they? Sonic acted like the whole thing was normal to do! Gosh, Shadow felt like his brain had short-circuited…

Shadow shook his head when the door opened again, and in came Metal Sonic.

Metal was… quiet, causing Shadow to tense immediately.

Metal turned to look at Shadow, letting out a soft beep before he revealed a flower in his hold. Shadow stared at it momentarily before looking back at Metal. Metal didn’t speak. He just stood there, still as a statue, holding out the flower like it was supposed to mean something.

Shadow opened his mouth to speak, but Metal was already heading off to the room. Shadow was quick to follow after, he followed Metal into their shared room and shut the door behind him. Metal reached a hand out for the blonde doll on his bed and sat down on the floor, his back to his bed. Metal set the flower down on the counter besides before he reached for the brush under his bed and began to brush through the doll’s hair. Shadow stood at the door, watching. 

Seeing Metal act like this—like his normal self—warmed Shadow’s heart for some reason. Slowly, he made his way over to Metal and sat down across from him. “So…” he began awkwardly, clearing his throat before going on. “Amy gave you a flower?” He asked.

Metal nodded. Shadow glanced at the flower on the counter. The flower was small and delicate, a poppy, if Shadow had to guess—it was something so easily crushed in the grip of a machine. Yet, Metal had held it carefully, like it was something precious. It must be to him, because Amy had given it to him. Shadow had spent enough time with Metal to understand why it would be such a big deal to him. “And you know why she gave it to you?” Shadow asked, tilting his head to the side.

Metal was quiet, simply brushing the dolls hair in silence before letting out a soft beep and shaking his head. 

Shadow hummed. “She cares about you, and dare I say—she loves you.”

Metal paused, finally looking up at Shadow to beep without meaning. Metal Sonic pushed the doll and brush into Shadow’s hands. Shadow hesitated, but began to brush through the doll's hair, his eyes never leaving Metal’s face. Metal remained still, though there was a subtle shift in his posture, a quiet tension.

Metal’s gaze flickered from the floor to Shadow’s face before he beeped softly in what Shadow understood as, “Would you choose Sonic too?”

Shadow was silent, but thay didn’t stop Metal from staring at him, waiting for an answer.

It was difficult to give one, after all Shadow had met Sonic first, it made sense that he might chose him over Metal. Sonic was the one who had lent out a hand to him and set him on the right path, he had helped Shadow redeem himself despite the damage he had done. Without Sonic, Shadow would’ve died with the rest of the world. Without Sonic, Shadow would have never been able to meet Metal in the first place.

Shadow loved Sonic.

But Shadow had also come to care for Metal, he loved Metal. Thought it was in a differently way from how he loved Sonic. It was still love, just in different form. 

Shadow had come to see Metal as a brother.

Shadow hadn’t expected to ever find a family again after what happened last time, but he had found a small yet strange one in Agent Stone's New York apartment. Now Shadow only hoped it didn’t end up like his last family: Destroyed. 

Shadow’s last caretaker tried to use him to try to destroy the world, and Shadow had at first assumed Agent Stone might try to manipulate him into doing the same or something similar, but the man had made no moves to try and manipulate him. Shadow had been slowly growing attached to both of them, he didn't want to lose either of them.

Metal Sonic was an odd sibling. But Metal didn’t much of anything from Shadow, only for pillow forts and as of recent, to play with dolls. Metal had only ever asked for Shadow’s companionship. 

The best way to say the truth was… Shadow saw a-bit of himself in Metal.

Shadow had grown used to being a tool in someone else’s agenda, whether it be G.U.N, or the Professor. Shadow only recently was given the opportunity to make his own choices, and wanted to give Metal that same opportunity. Shadow wanted to find a way to free Metal Sonic from the code that made him so hateful.

In Metal, Shadow saw a reflection of himself, of his own struggle to exist beyond what he was made to be.

And maybe that was why Shadow had grown to feel so protective of Metal.

Shadow finally answered softly, “If it ever came down to it, I’d choose you” Even though he hoped it would never have to come to that, it was inevitable. Whether Shadow had decided so because he believed that Metal needed him, or because he needed Metal. Shadow would never know, but he chose to believe the former. 

Metal needed Shadow more than Sonic did. Metal needed someone who would chose him over Sonic, to prove to him that he wasn’t just a second choice. That he wasn’t just a machine built in Sonic’s image, always doomed to be compared and ignored. Metal needed to hear those words—needed to know that he wasn’t just a shadow of Sonic, that he was his own being, that he was wanted. He needed to know that someone out in the world would chose him over Sonic. It might be cruel to Sonic—the one who gave Shadow a chance to be good—but Metal needed someone to give him that chance. Shadow needed to be that person so that Amy wouldn’t get hurt trying. Being around Metal wasn’t safe for her anymore, so Shadow needed to step in. 

He wasn’t Maria. He couldn’t save Metal from everything, he couldn’t make the world treat him any differently, not yet.

But he had to try, Metal deserved that.

Metal beeped a soft thanks to Shadow, and Shadow felt himself smile a-bit.

The moment was broken when the front door creaked open. Shadow’s ears twitched at the sound of footsteps making their way through the apartment. Shadow knew who it was before he even heard the voice, because there was only one man with a key to the house.

“Metal!” Stone called from the his room. “Time for maintenance!” His voice was cheery, but Shadow still felt a tinge of fear.

Metal tensed and turned to Shadow, beeping something that was too soft for Shadow to interpret. Then, slowly, he got to his feet.

Shadow stood up to try to hand him the doll, but Metal shook his head and pushed the doll back into Shadow’s hands. 

Metal walked out the room, not even looking back, before he shut the door behind him, leaving Shadow, his doll, and that flower behind.

Shadow knew maintenance was necessary for Metal since he was a robot, but the idea still managed to fill him with fear.

Chapter Text

The apartment was quiet after Stone took Metal for maintenance. Shadow found that odd; he had expected to hear some beeping clanging of Metal, maybe even a chainsaw. Perhaps he had been watching too many movies lately.

Shadow continued to brush the doll's hair, even though Metal wasn’t there to make him do it. He glanced at the closed door, contemplating going to see what Stone was doing, but then he shook his head, deciding that it would be rude of him to intrude. But despite everything, Shadow couldn’t shake the unease in his chest.

His grip tightened on the doll as he brushed her hair repeatedly. The brush snagged on knots created by his aggressive brushing, but he absentmindedly yanked the brush until the hair was forced cooperate.

Shadow knew he should trust Stone; he had no reason to believe that Stone was up to anything. Stone had allowed the Wachowski children into his home despite their past conflicts—which he wouldn’t do if he hated them! 

Unless, of course, he had ulterior motives Shadow’s mind supplied, much to his displeasure. Shadow frowned and pushed that thought away; he was being unreasonable—paranoid. Stone would never do anything bad! Not now that the doctor was gone! What reason was there for Stone to hurt anyone?

If it was to avenge the doctor.

...Stone wouldn't do that!

...Would he?

Shadow's grip on the doll tightened, and her hair becoming more and tangled with each of Shadow's frantic brushes. Shadow gave up and sighed, setting her down to avoid ruining her. If he damaged the doll, it would make Metal sad.

Shadow couldn’t help but wonder when he had began to consider Metal’s feelings.

Shadow looked back at the door and considered going out to check on Metal. Not to interfere with the maintenance, but to soothe his meaningless worries. With this in mind, Shadow decided to stand up and walk to the door.

But he hesitated to turn the knob. He just stared at it for a good minute.

Would Stone be alright with it? Would Stone feel awkward? Would Metal feel offended by it if Shadow were to intrude?

Shadow exhaled a sigh, ears twitching to try to check for any sound. As expected, the apartment had nothing but silence to offer him. Shadow wanted to step away from the door and dismiss the whole thing as just a simple check-in. He had nothing to worry about.

But the worry was gnawing at the back of his mind, he just couldn't shake the idea that something might be wrong.

Metal was already acting unstable, and Shadow didn't want him to get any worse. Maybe he could at least go to tell Stone about how weird Metal had been acting to see if he could fix him.

Yes! That would be normal of him. It would be a normal thing to express his worries over Metal's behavior, there was nothing wrong with being worried about that!

Shadow nodded to himself, gripping the doorknob with renewed confidence. He wasn’t snooping. He wasn’t being paranoid. He was just looking out for Metal—ensuring he was properly repaired and not spiraling deeper into instability.

It was logical! It was normal! There was nothing to fear!

Shadow turned the knob and opened his door. He stepped into the hallway and was met with nothing but darkness. The light from his room barely stretched past the threshold, swallowed quickly by the overwhelming darkness of the hall. Shadow hesitated, his ears twitching. The silence was thick and unwelcome, making his fur bristle with anxiety.

Despite the fact he knew there was nothing to worry about, his first steps into the hallway were cautious.

Shadow's ears twitched as he heard the sound of a door opening. Shadow froze, his breath caught in his throat as he turned his head toward the sound. The door to Stone’s workspace creaked open, spilling a faint sliver of light into the hallway.

Stone was the first to step out, his expression unreadable in the dim lighting. His usual casual demeanor was in place, but there was something… off. Shadow couldn’t quite place his finger on what it was.

Metal soon followed after Stone.

Shadow’s eyes locked onto him instantly, scanning for anything—any sign that something had changed. Metal’s movements were precise, and calculated, but there was a stiffness to them. A strange delay in how he turned his head to look at Shadow, his glowing red eyes unreadable.

Shadow’s fur puffed up even further, making him look like a real hedgehog.

“Maintenance is all done!” Stone announced, clapping his hands together, his tone lighthearted. “Good as new!” He declared, patting Metal's shoulder.

Metal didn’t beep in confirmation. He just stood there, still, staring at Shadow.

Metal's silence was... unusual. Metal would've been beeping 

Metal blinked slowly, his optics flickering for a brief moment. Then, finally, he let out a single, short beep. But it sounded… wrong. It sounded like more of an attempt at normalcy than anything. As if Metal was trying to act like everything was alright.

If Shadow knew that this was how Metal acted after maintenance, he would've done anything and everything to prevent it.

Shadow wanted Metal to go back to acting how he normally did.

“What’s wrong with him?” Shadow demanded, forcing his voice to stay even despite the fear coursing through his body.

Stone raised an eyebrow at Shadow’s tone, staring at the hedgehog blankly before he let out a small chuckle. “Wrong with him?” Stone repeated, shaking his head. “Nothing’s wrong with Metal! I just had to make a few adjustments!” Stone explained.

Shadow was still skeptical, Stone's words had done nothing to comfort him. If anything, it only made him feel worse.

His gaze flicked back to Metal, who remained eerily still. The red glow of his eyes felt devoid of everything Metal had once expressed. His fingers were stiff at his sides. His whole body rigid and stiff.

“Shadow,” Stone began, calling Shadow's attention back. “I know you’ve grown a little protective to him, but trust me—this is necessary. Metal was acting unusual, right? Even you saw that." Shadow nodded, and Stone smiled. "See, that’s exactly why I needed to fix him!”

Shadow tilted his head to the side. “Fix him how?” He asked.

Stone went silent before he let out a heavy sigh. "Shadow, you know exactly what he was created for."

Shadow went silent, staring at Stone and then giving Metal a quick glance. "I know," Shadow sighed. "He was created to destroy Sonic..." He grumbled.

"Created to destroy Sonic, yes! Very good!" Stone patted Shadow on the head—much to the hedgehog's annoyance. "So why are you so surprised that he's acting like a weapon?"

Shadow didn't know why it bothered him so much, maybe because he got used to Metal's odd behavior. "Because he doesn't usually act like one." Shadow answered.

Stone nodded in agreement. "Yes, he doesn't because he was wrong before. I corrected him."

Shadow's gaze flicked back to Metal, who still hadn’t moved an inch. His gaze remained locked onto Shadow, unreadable and empty. It was a stark contrast to the Metal he had come to know—the one who had his own quirks and personality.

Shadow's fists clenched at his sides as he looked back up to glare at Stone. "You had no right to correct him... He was perfect as he was." He growled.

Stone just stared, before he let out a small chuckle. "Shadow, he's not a person!" He laughed. "Metal Sonic is a machine created by the doctor to destroy that blue rat! He was malfunctioning and I couldn't let him go to waste, could I? So I fixed him!" Stone kneeled down to be at eye level with Shadow and continued. "It's no one's fault that you got attached to a bundle of scraps but your own, Shadow. If you ever planned to stay with Metal Sonic then you should've planned to be against Sonic, again."

Shadow’s breath hitched, a flicker of horror flashing across his face. His fists tightened, so much that he felt a sting of his nails against his palm despite having gloves.

Stone’s words rang in his ears, over and over, like a cruel echo. If you ever planned to stay with Metal Sonic then you should've planned to be against Sonic again.

No. That wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true.

Just when Sonic and Shadow had reunited. Just when Metal and Shadow had started to get along. Why couldn't this have happened before Shadow got so attached? Right when Shadow wasn’t just a weapon anymore. Metal wasn’t just a weapon either! Metal had proved time and time again that he was so much more. They both deserved to be more than that.

Shadow's gaze flicked back to Metal, searching—desperate—for anything, any trace of what once was. But Metal just stood there, motionless, silent, his pupils glowing an empty red.

He wasn’t there anymore.

And it was Stone’s fault.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled in Shadow’s throat. He took a step forward, his quills bristling. “You had no right,” he spat, his voice filled with anger and sorrow. Shadow was an inch away from breaking yet he held himself together with his burning anger.

Stone just hummed, tilting his head in amusement. "Metal is under my ownership, I had every right." Stone held up his hand, revealing his control glove. "It takes the press of a button to send Metal Sonic to attack Sonic, what would you do then? Are you gonna choose Sonic too?"

Shadow's eyes widened and he stepped forward, daring Stone to try. "You wouldn't ."

Stone shrugged his shoulders. "I would, and what would you do about it?"

Shadow didn’t hesitate.

In a flash, he lunged at Stone.

Chapter Text

Shadow lunged.

His body moved on instinct, fueled by pure rage and frustration. Yet as soon as Shadow got close to Stone, he was quickly slammed down onto the floor. It felt like being hit by a wrecking ball. His head bounced against the floor so hard when he opened his eyes his vision was blurry, so blurry he could hardly even see Metal Sonic holding him down by the neck.

Shadow gasped, trying to push himself up but he was quickly shoved down by Metal. Shadow reached up to try to pry Metal’s hand off of him, but Metal only tightened his grip on Shadow’s neck. 

Shadow gritted his teeth, his hands clawing at Metal’s wrist, but it was no use. The pressure on his throat increased, cutting off his air, his vision still swimming from the impact. He kicked out, trying to twist his body free, but Metal held him down with a force Shadow had never felt from him before. There was no hesitation, no moment of resistance—just pure, mechanical efficiency.

Shadow was so deep in panic he forgot he could teleport. Shadow kicked Metal in the head to send him rolling off to the side. Shadow gasped for breaths as soon as he got up, keeping his gaze on Metal to make sure he didn’t get tackled again. Shadow rubbed at his aching neck, before flicking his gaze over to Agent Stone then back to Metal Sonic.

He felt so cornered.

Shadow gritted his teeth, his eyes locking onto Metal’s glowing red pupils as Metal Sonic stood back up. “Metal…” He snarled as he continued to rub at his neck.

Metal Sonic didn’t react, he didn’t even let out a mocking beep. No flicker in the red of his sharp pupils. Metal only stood and stared at Shadow, either waiting for him to attack or for Stone to give another order.

Shadow glanced at Stone, watching as the man slowly reached over to touch a button on his glove. Shadow’s fists clenched at his sides in frustration as he witnessed how much Stone seemed to enjoy their fight. Stone’s finger hovered just above the button, toying with Shadow’s emotions before he suddenly pressed a button.

Shadow was quick to chaos controlled away, but Metal was quick to change his trajectory to try to slice his neck open. Shadow took a step back, his mouth hanging open in shock that he would even try to go for a killing blow. 

What the hell…

Shadow stumbled back, his feet skidding across the wooden floor as he avoided another strike from Metal. Metal shot forward and tried to kick Shadow’s knee to knock out his balance. Shadow’s eyes widened as he took steps back to avoid Metal’s blows. When Shadow’s back hit the wall he chaos controlled away to avoid getting his guts spilled.

Shadow’s heart pounded in his chest as he reappeared a few feet away, taking a step back, one foot in the kitchen. Metal Sonic’s eyes were fixed on him, not yet leaping to try to attack again. 

Shadow was terrified.

Every time Metal stood there—watching him—Shadow’s gaze flickered back and forth between Stone and Metal, watching to see when Stone would press another button or if Metal would leap forward again to try to kill him.

Stone pressed a button, causing Metal Sonic to leap forward with his claws out. 

Shadow decided he needed to lock in, which is why he chaos controlled forward to kick Metal Sonic in the head with his 1000 pound air shoes, sending Metal flying through the wall.

Stone’s eyes widened in shock as Metal Sonic was sent flying through the wall, crashing through it and sending dust and debris all over the living room, causing damage with a price that Stone would not pay. Only for a moment, everything went still.

Shadow stood, his chest heaving as his shoes planted firmly on the ground. His heart pounded, and he held onto a wall for assistance. He was just so disorientated with everything spinning around him… his breath was returning to him and any scratches that Metal had managed to land on him were already healing up. Shadow would be in a better state by the time Metal Sonic crawled back in through the hole in the wall—

Oh.

Metal wouldn’t.

Stone pressed a button on his glove, causing Metal Sonic’s jets to activate and for him to float above the ground, clearly charging up to go high speeds. His direction going in one that he and Shadow had gone only few times before.

Northwest… Montana is northwest to New York… He was going after Sonic!

Shadow rushed over to grab Stone’s phone out of his pocket then to jump onto Metal Sonic just before he launched off with one hand, the other struggling to open Agent Stone’s phone to send Sonic a warning message. Shadow struggled as the wind fought against him, his grip on Metal Sonic slipping as the robot attempted to shake him off.

Gosh was this how Sonic had felt when he grabbed onto Shadow’s bike?

Shadow struggled to open the phone and open the Wachowski’s contact, only managing to send off a horribly typed message saying, “Sanic”

A reply was quickly given. “A and O are not at all close on any keyboard! How’d you get my name wrong?!”

The phone almost flew out of Shadow’s hands when Metal slammed him down into the dirt to try to shake him off. Shadow was quick to grab onto Metal Sonic’s arm and hold on while he shot Sonic a message. “Metald svoming ofr you” he sent it before realizing he had horribly mistyped it and it was hardly legible.

Sonic only sent back a “?” before he quickly added, “Gotta go! Knuckles is about to finish all the marshmallows!

Shadow groaned in frustration before throwing Stone’s phone off into the distance and kicking Metal Sonic in the head again, shooting him head first into the dirt. But Metal was quick to recover, already shooting back up as Shadow raced after him, choosing to stick on land this time rather than being forced to hold onto Metal Sonic and being dragged through the dirt.

Shadow chaos controlled above him again, aiming to kick him in the head to shoot him head first into the ground again but Metal anticipated his move this time, trying to grab onto him. Shadow was quick to avoid the attempt and opted to grab Metal Sonic by his arm instead to throw him down.

Metal Sonic was slammed down into the dirt, he was slower to get up this time, turning around to face Shadow as the hedgehog approached. 

Shadow was breathing heavily from all his efforts, yet Metal remained unphased by all of it. Shadow desperately wished that it would all end and that he could give up and try to live in ignorance, letting Metal Sonic do as he pleased so long as they could play their game of happy family.

Shadow wasn’t that type of person, and he couldn’t let Metal Sonic go out and kill Sonic and hurt his family.

Sonic’s safety was on the line, Shadow couldn’t stop until his safety was ensured. Shadow couldn’t hurt Sonic’s family again.

They had trusted him, dammit! They trusted that none of them would make another murder attempt on Sonic, so Shadow had to do everything he could to make sure their faith in him was well placed.

Shadow wanted to keep Sonic safe.

But he also wanted Metal Sonic to stop hating him, and to just… go back to being the person Shadow remembered him to be.

Shadow took slow steps over to Metal, who had not yet gotten off the ground, choosing to sit there and stay at Shadow.  

Metal Sonic was his family first and foremost. Metal would be his brother before he was ever his enemy. Shadow believed that Metal needed him.

Even if that wasn’t true, or if Metal didn’t want to be saved. Shadow wouldn’t stop trying.

He’d chase Metal around the world a hundred times if it meant saving him, or in better words; freeing him from the code that made him so hateful. Even if it made him different from the way he used to be, it’d be a good difference.

No matter how much Metal hated him, Shadow would never walk away. He couldn’t abandon Metal, not after everything they’d been through, even if it seemed impossible.

Metal Sonic’s glowing red eyes locked onto Shadow, examining his every move as the dark hedgehog took slow and hesitant steps towards the machine. Metal stared up at Shadow and beeped something that the hedgehog knew to be. “ You’re a liar.”

Resulting in Metal Sonic pulling out his gun and blasting the ground beneath Shadow and sending him flying back, having not anticipated the attack at all.

Shadow coughed the debris out of his lungs and waved the remaining dust around him away before he caught sight of Metal speeding away. 

Truly, Metal had every right to believe Shadow was a liar.

Shadow had once claimed that if it ever came down to him having to choose between Sonic and Metal Sonic, that he’d choose Metal Sonic. Defending Sonic must’ve made Metal Sonic think of him as a traitor.

So be it, because even then he’d still chase after Metal Sonic and drag him into freedom.

 ────୨ৎ────

Whats a hedgehog supposed to do when their hot-topic-shopping-hedgehog-crush sends them a totally unreadable message while their family yells at them to turn off the phone and enjoy nature?

The answer is obvious: Turn off the phone and enjoy nature! That message was unreadable anyways!

Sonic barely had time to shove his phone back into his pocket before Knuckles made a grab for the bag of marshmallows, successfully yanking it out of Tails’ hands with a victorious laugh.

“Hey!” Tails protested, crossing his arms as Knuckles started stuffing his face like he’d never had sugar before in his life. “You could at least share, you know…” Tails grumbled.

Knuckles grinned through a mouthful of marshmallows. “Survival of the fittest, my friend! You should’ve been stronger!” Knuckles laughed before dumping the rest of the marshmallows into his mouth.

“Don’t worry, Tails.” Tom said as he stepped out of his tent, before presenting a bag of marshmallows. “We’ve got more.”

Tails gasped before clapping his hands together excitedly as he ran up to Tom to hug and thank him. Sonic would’ve laughed at the scene had he not been so concerned. Amy noticed his expression and walked over to him, “What's with that face?”

“Uh… it’s nothing.” He forced a grin, scratching the back of his head. “Just thinking about how fast Knuckles inhaled those marshmallows… Must be a new record!” Sonic forced an awkward laugh, but stopped when he noticed Amy’s silence.

Amy was giving  him a deadpan look. “Sonic.”

Dang it. He should’ve known she wouldn’t let it slide.

He sighed, rubbing his head. “Alright, fine!” He threw his hands up in surrender. “Shadow texted me. It was a mess, though—total nonsense! Like he created a new language! ”

Amy’s brows furrowed. “Shadow? He never texts unless it’s important.”

“That’s what I’m saying!” Sonic threw up his hands again. “It was all jumbled, but I’m pretty sure he mentioned Metal Sonic. Or, like, something close to that…. Might’ve just been autocorrect doing him dirty.”

Amy’s expression quickly turned concerned. “Metal Sonic?” She asked. “Is something wrong with him?”

What ISN’T wrong about him? Sonic almost replied, but decided he wanted his head intact. So Sonic only shrugged his shoulders. “Dunno, He said: Metals svooming ofr yor or something,” Sonic scoffed. “Ultimate life form but he can’t even spell!”

Amy hummed and tapped her fingers against her chin. “ Meals vooming off you? Metals spooning?” Amy muttered. “Metals spooning ice cream…”

Sonic decided he’d never ask her to decipher bad spelling ever again.

“Hey!” Knuckles yelled, causing the two hedgehog’s to turn their heads so fast they almost got whiplash. “Does your conversation have anything to do with that whistling sound I’m hearing?” Knuckles asked, scratching his head while Tails—who was standing next to him—was staring off at the missile in the sky that was rapidly approaching them with his mouth hanging open in shock.

“Who launched a missile at us?!” Maddie yelled before being tackled to the ground by Amy, who also dragged Tom down with her. Since Amy had grabbed then, Sonic chose to save Ozzie because he loved his silly dog.

Tails was still standing there so Knuckles threw him off into the forest. 

Sonic stopped running when he realized Knuckles wasn’t nearby. He looked around at Amy, Tom, Maddie, Tails, and Ozzie, but Knuckles was still back at the campsite. “Knuckles!” He yelled, rushing forward to drag his brother away.

“You all stay back! I will deal with the missile!”

“You can’t fight a missile!” Amy yelled from the trees. 

“Yes I can! I am one million percent musc—”

Sonic tackled Knuckles to the ground with a force that would get him a spot on the NFL just before the missile struck the ground beside him.

The explosion shook the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the campsite. Sonic and Knuckles tumbled across the dirt, narrowly avoiding the worst of the blast. 

Sonic coughed as he sat up, his eyes widening at the sight of their destroyed campsite, set ablaze by the missile. But then he whistled and put his hands on his hips. “Could be worse…” He muttered.

Right before Metal Sonic appeared in a blur of blue, throwing Shadow into the fire.

Chapter Text

Before Sonic could even think about panicking—Shadow chaos controlled his way out of danger and over to Sonic. Y’know, because he can?

“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM?!” Sonic yelled, grabbing Shadow by the shoulders and shaking him. Shadow scowled before pushing Sonic off of him and brushing the dirt off his shoulders.

“Stone did something to him, he’s after you now.” Shadow answered, glaring up at Metal Sonic as the robot stared down at the pair.

“Wasn’t he rehabilitated or something? Y’know… Good and all?” Sonic asked, putting a hands on his hips while his other scratched at his head. He too stared at Metal Sonic, who seemed to be glaring down at him specifically now.

Shadow sighed and rubbed at his temples. “Stone got tired of that, claimed he corrected Metal, now he’s back to trying to kill you.” He growled.

Sonic’s ears flattened and he groaned. “Oh, come on! That’s so last year!” He yelled, pointing a finger up at Metal. “You’ve got serious issues, dude!” Metal only stared down at the blue hedgehog as he stepped forward. “I mean you could’ve been good, you could’ve got the girl and all but nooo you just went back the way you were before, didn’t you?” He scoffed.

Shadow stepped forward to stand beside Sonic. “He didn’t chose for this to happen, Sonic. Stone did this to him.”

Sonic shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t get why he treats that guy like his dad then.” He muttered. “I mean… What’s the point of a redemption arc if you go back to the way you used to be?”

Shadow just side-eyed Sonic before looking back up at Metal Sonic.

Just in time to see Metal throw himself at Sonic to slap him into a tree. Sonic was sent flying by the force and hit a tree hard, knocking down loose leaves and making Sonic crumble to the ground with a groan. “Okayyy…. Give me a second to get back up…” Sonic held up a finger before he flopped down like a rag doll. Probably because getting slapped by a metal hand hurt like a bitch.

Shadow granted Sonic that Sonic when he kicked Metal Sonic in the head and sent the robot flying. Yet Knuckles—coming out of NOWHERE jumped out just to slam a fist into Metal Sonic’s head, sending the robot back to Shadow.

They played ping-pong with Metal Sonic’s head for ten seconds before he realized he didn’t have to be thrown back in forth—resulting in Knuckles getting a random kick to the abdomen.

Sonic, meanwhile, groaned and sat up against the tree. He blinked blearily and shook the stars out of his vision. Then, his ears perked up—he glanced around.

Amy was helping Maddie, Tom, and Ozzie.

Knuckles and Shadow were fighting Metal Sonic.

Their camp was still on fire.

Tails was nowhere to be found—

Wait…

TAILS WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND?!

Sonic’s stomach did a full 360-degree flip.

His head darted left, then right. No fox tails. No little brother. No genius best friend who should’ve been right there to tell them what was wrong with Metal Sonic and how to held him.

Did he get caught in the explosion?

No, he wasn’t close to it… Plus he could fly!

Did he get caught in the fire?

No, the others would’ve been screaming.

Tom and Maddie weren’t panicking or screaming at Tails… Meaning he must be safe and off doing some super genius planning with his super cool gadgets! Tails probably already had some plan to take down Metal Sonic!

Sonic stood up, a hand on the tree to support himself as he stood up.

Alright, they’d just have to bide their time until Tails came back, Easy!

Easier said than done because Metal Sonic just pulled out his energy cannon and tried to shoot Sonic.

Sonic scrambled to rush out of the way, barely escaping in time. The blast from the cannon shot through the air with a high-pitched whir, blasting the tree he’d been standing in-front of. Sonic skidded to a stop, his heart pounding, as he watched the tree collapse in slow motion.

“What the…” Sonic muttered before turning to watch as Metal Sonic kicked Knuckles in the head. Blatantly copying Shadow.

Knuckles crumpled to the ground, shaking his head as he stumbled back to his feet. “What the heck?!” He yelled before almost getting shot by Metal Sonic’s canon. Shadow came to his rescue by tackling Metal Sonic.

Metal Sonic threw Shadow off of him, the robot quickly stood up and set his priorities on Sonic. Sonic readied his stance, but froze when he saw Shadow grab a log of wood and throw it at Metal’s head.

Sonic took the chance to spin dash into Metal as he fell forward, slamming the robot in the chest and sending him flying back into the dirt.

Sonic whistled then froze as Knuckles suddenly ran forward to punch Metal Sonic, sending him flying back into—A CAR?!

Metal Sonic was abruptly hit by The Wachowski Family car and sent flying into a tree, leaving two hedgehogs stunned, one very proud echidna, and one excited little fox. (Also a confused pink hedgehog, two concerned parents and a dog.)

Sonic stood there, eyes wide, staring at the car that had just sent Metal Sonic flying. “What… just happened?” he muttered, blinking rapidly. Sonic turned to Shadow to make sure they were both seeing the same thing, but Shadow was just as confused as he was that a car was in the woods to hit a robot.

Tails gave a thumbs-up from the driver’s seat as he stuck his head out, his face lit up with pride. “I wasn’t sure what to do so I hit him with the car!” He yelled with a big smile on his face that practically radiated light.

Tails jumped out the car, bringing a… PORTABLE JUMP STARTER WITH HIM?! Tails walked up to Metal Sonic with a smile on his face, as if he wasn’t about to fry a robot… probably with thousands of volts of electricity jump starter was very obviously modified. Sonic wondered why Tails had thousands of volts just lying around in the form of a car jump starter…. didn’t cars only need 12???

Sonic decided to be concerned later.

Knuckles grabbed Metal Sonic and dropped him in-front of Tails before stepping back.

Tails grinned, looking like he was about to win some kind of science fair. “Alright, Metal! Time to reboot!” he said, hooking up the modified jump starter to Metal Sonic’s exposed circuitry. The hum of electricity filled the air as the device charged up, buzzing with raw power. Sonic raised an eyebrow, impressed and a little terrified.

“Is this gonna blow up?” Sonic asked, eyeing the contraption nervously and taking a hesitant step back.

“Not if I can help it!” Tails replied, grinning ear to ear. He twisted a few knobs, adjusting the settings for maximum voltage. “This should be just enough to overload his systems and knock him out without completely frying his circuits! I think!”

The jump starter crackled with static as a surge of energy coursed through it. A high-pitched whine built up as the electricity poured into Metal Sonic, his body jerking slightly.

Sonic winced as a bright flash erupted from the robot’s body. “Uh… Should we be running?” he asked, tapping his foot anxiously, taking more steps back.

Shadow didn’t even move, so Sonic decided to let the guy get fried if Metal Sonic did blow up.

But Tails was too busy, watching intently as sparks flew from Metal Sonic’s mechanical joints. “Almost there…”

With a final crackle, Metal Sonic’s eyes flickered and dimmed. His whole body slumped forward, lifeless for the moment.

Tails gave a triumphant cheer, pumping his fist. “Got him! That should hold him for now!”

Sonic, still processing what had just happened, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “You sure that thing’s not gonna turn him into a toaster or something?”

Tails, looking super proud of his work, gave Sonic a quick thumbs up. “It’s all good! I know my tech!” He then turned toward the others. “We might need to keep an eye on him, though. I’m not sure how long the shut-off will last, but… at least it’ll give us some breathing room.”

Amy walked up to stare at Metal Sonic, her expression softening at the sight of his deactivated form. He looked so peaceful when he wasn’t exploding her campsite and trying to blast her friends into pieces.

Tails paused and glanced at her, then back at Sonic to raise a questioning brow. Tails then paused again to look back and forth between Sonic and Shadow, Tails then went on to raise a questioning brow at Knuckles.

“Tails,” Amy’s voice drew the fox’s attention back. “Do you think… You can turn him back to normal?” She asked.

Tails hummed, scratching his chin and tapping his foot against the ground before he answered. “It’ll take awhile, I didn’t make Metal so I don’t have any idea as to how he works—” Tails broke off upon seeing the sadness on Amy’s expression. Tails sighed and shook his head. “But, I’ll do my best!”

Tom walked up and whistled at the sight of the deactivated Metal Sonic while Maddie busied herself by getting Ozzie into the car. “So… we’re not taking him home to… are we?”

Amy turned toward Tom at the sound of his voice, her expression filled with uncertainty but also hope. “I don’t know…” She hesitated, glancing back down at Metal Sonic. “I mean, it’s not like we can just leave him here, right? I… I still believe there’s a chance to help him.” She said, looking back up at Tom.

Tom gave up resisting right then and there and glanced back at Maddie. “…I know you said four was final…” He turned around and the kids all stared Maddie down to magically convince her into taking Metal Sonic and Shadow in. “…Tails said he could build more rooms…” Tails looked a little offended till Sonic lightly nudged him.

Tails sighed then nodded.

Maddie gave Tom a look, then glanced down at Shadow. “Do you want to stay?” She sighed.

Shadow paused, and looked over at Sonic but quickly looked away when he realized Sonic was side-eyeing him. Shadow sighed and hung his head low. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Maddie’s expression softened, and she gave a slight nod. “Alright then, you’re welcome to stay.”

“YESSSS!” Sonic screamed, jumping on the dark hedgehog to hug him, sending both of them down to the ground.

────୨ৎ────

The car ride made Shadow re-thing his life decisions.

First of all, was it legal to ride in the back of the truck?

Second of all, Knuckles had pulled a bunch of grapes out of NOWHERE and was now munching loudly on them, which seemed to bother no one else. Amy was staring out into the sunset, looking like she too was re-thinking all her decisions that led her up to being in that truck. Sonic was yapping in his ear.

But thankfully, Tails was his saving grace… to some degree.

“It’ll take me a while to re-program Metal Sonic and all but I think after that I’m gonna try making him a voice box so he can directly communicate with us instead of using Shadow as his translator—” Tails continued on but Shadow didn’t need to know any more.

Shadow was glad to be liberated from the suffering that was being the only one able to understand Metal Sonic… but knowing him he’d still beep to tell Shadow stuff he doesn’t want the others hearing.

Metal was randomly placed in the center of the truck bed, everyone was just sat around it looking in different directions and doing different things. It was honestly concerning to Shadow how they were just all positioned around Metal Sonic.

Knuckles, still loudly munching on his grapes, suddenly poked Metal Sonic’s head with a finger. “You think he’s dreaming?” He asked, looking around.

Sonic made a face. “He’s a robot, Knucklehead. He doesn’t dream.” He mocked playfully.

Knuckles squinted. “Yeah, but… what if he does?” Knuckles tilted his head to the side. “He’s already a formidable foe who says he’s not a…” Knuckles broke off then continued. “A formidable dreamer!”

Amy, who had been silently watching the sunset, turned to look at Metal Sonic. Her fingers twitched slightly like she wanted to reach out and touch him but decided against it. “…If he did, what do you think he’d be dreaming about?” She asked, mainly directing her question at Shadow, telling by the way she looked over at him.

Sonic snorted. “World domination.”

“Explosions?” Knuckles guessed.

“Cats…” Shadow guessed.

Tails hummed thoughtfully, his tails flicking behind him. “Eating? It’s a normal thing we do and he doesn’t, maybe he dreams of doing it.” He suggested, making Shadow remember of how Metal used to pretend to eat plastic food.

The truck bed went quiet for a moment, save for the rumbling of the road beneath them.

Amy smiled softly. “I’d like to think he dreams about flying.”

Sonic raised an eyebrow. “Flying?”

Amy nodded, finally reaching out and brushing some dirt off Metal Sonic’s arm. “Yeah. Not like, ‘chase Sonic and shoot him out of the sky’ flying, but just… soaring. No orders. No battles. Just flying because he wants to.”

Shadow eyed Amy curiously.

Tails tilted his head, considering her words. “Huh… Maybe when I fix him, I can add something that lets him choose what he wants to do! I’ll try to give him free will! Somehow…” Tails pulled out a notepad and began writing down on it.

“Stone won’t give up on him,” Shadow began, not daring to look up from Metal Sonic’s deactivated form. “Metal Sonic was created by the doctor, he’s not someone Stone will give up so easily. Whether it be now or later, he will try to get him back.”

Sonic hummed in agreement before suddenly wrapping an arm around Shadow and pulling him into a hug. “Yeahhh and then the five of us chase him away! Easy peasy! And if he tries to hack us then we get Tails to fix Metal while we jump him!”

Shadow stiffened slightly in Sonic’s hold, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he sighed, shaking his head. “You make it sound way easier than it’s going to be…”

Sonic grinned, giving Shadow a playful shake. “C’mon, man! We’ve taken down way bigger threats than some guy in a fancy suit! What’s he gonna do? Lecture us to death?”

“You’re insufferable…” Shadow muttered.

“But you loveeee me!” Sonic purred.

Shadow didn’t and couldn’t deny it.

(Tails and Knuckles shared a glance before going back to ignoring the homosexuals in the truck)

────୨ৎ────

Shadow liked The Wachowski’s home.

It felt like a home.

It had no top secret labs where a man made monsters or evil robots. It was lived in, all warm and cozy with pictures of the family decorating the walls. There were no beeping monitors, no sterile white walls or any of the those giant test tubes Shadow hated. It was just a cozy home that clearly belonged to a family.

For a long moment, Shadow just stood in the hallway, taking it all in.

Then, Sonic clapped him on the back, startling him out of his thoughts. “Alright, since Metal’s in the garage for now and Tails is probably gonna pull an all-nighter working on him, that leaves you and me, buddy!” He said happily.

Shadow blinked at him. “And?”

Sonic gave him a lazy grin. “And you can take my bed for the night. I’ll just crash on the couch.”

Shadow frowned. “I don’t need a bed. The couch is fine.”

Sonic rolled his eyes. “Dude, you’ve had, like, the worst couple of days ever! Just take the bed. It’s not a big deal.”

Shadow hesitated, glancing past Sonic toward the bedroom. The thought of sleeping somewhere soft, in a real bed that didn’t feel cold and unfamiliar… It made something in his chest tighten. But at the same time, he didn' But at the same time, he didn’t want to leave Sonic without that.

“Can’t we share?” Shadow asked as if it were the most normal thing in the world—Because to him, it was. Shadow had gotten used to being squeezed like a teddy bear at night by Maria, he honestly missed that feeling.

Sonic froze, cheeks flushing pink and taking a full minute for his brain to reboot. Shadow raised an eyebrow at Sonic’s reaction. “What?” he asked, genuinely confused.

“Uhm… In a totally platonic non-gay way… right?” Sonic asked, face turning redder by the second as he looked anywhere but at Shadow.

“…What does that have to do with sharing a bed?!” Shadow asked, a-bit frustrated by how complicated Sonic was making it.

“Uh— Never mind—Uh, we can share a bed! Totally!” Sonic laughed before racing up the stairs to scream into his pillow.

Shadow was left on the first floor, totally confused by whatever the hell that was. He’d search it up on ‘Google’ later… after he found out what that was too.

“He’s in love with you.”

Shadow blinked, turning his head to find Knuckles casually lounging on the couch, arms crossed, looking completely unfazed by the situation.

“He’s what?” Shadow asked, still standing in the same spot, his mind still struggling to catch up with Sonic’s behavior and now Knuckles springing that up on him.

Knuckles rolled his eyes. “I mean, c’mon, it’s not that hard to figure out. He’s obviously got some feelings for you.” He said it so matter-of-factly, as if it were as obvious as the sky being blue. “Can’t believe you didn’t notice!” he huffed.

Shadow stood there in stunned silence for a moment, processing Knuckles’ words. “Huh…”

Knuckles shrugged. “He likes you. He just doesn’t know how to say it. So he acts all weird about it. Maddie says he’s just ‘awkward’ and after reading this dictionary,” Knuckles pulled a dictionary out of NOWHERE and magically opened it to the page that defined awkward. “I completely agree with her, Sonic is awkward about romance!”

Shadow, still in a bit of a daze, sat down on the couch across from Knuckles. “I— I don’t even know what to think about that. Why would he—” He stopped himself, feeling his chest tighten a little at the thought of Sonic liking him!.

Shadow sighed before slumping down onto the couch and staring off into the distance. “I just… don’t know if I’m ready for all of that.” Shadow paused, turning to stare at Knuckles. “And what would your parents think?”

Knuckles paused, turning to give Shadow a confused look. “Tom and Maddie support everything we do, Sonic could destroy the world and they’d still love him!” Knuckles laughed. “Why do you ask?”

Shadow gave Knuckles the most befuddled look he could muster before continuing. “And what would other people think?” He asked before burying his head in his hands.

Knuckles looked confused. “Shadow, people have parades for it… I don’t think anyone really cares if Sonic wants to kiss boys, specifically you.”

Shadow looked back up, even more confused than he was before. “Huh???”

Knuckles tilted his head to the side. “What? I’m pretty sure it was legalized a while back?”

“…GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL?!” Shadow yelled before slapping a hand over his mouth, realizing he might’ve disturbed the other members of the household.

Knuckles just slowly nodded before looking at the TV, which was turned off.

Shadow laid on the couch with several realizations in mind.

Oh crap, he’s known he liked Sonic.

Maybe even loved Sonic!

And now that he knows Sonic feels the same way… He has no idea what to do!

What do you even do after realizing you’re in-love with someone and they like you back?! Confess?!

Shadow groaned before covering his face with a pillow.

Knuckles laughed at the blank screen before going back to normal. Knuckles casually tossed a grape into his mouth—Where did he get that??? “Y’know, you could just talk to him.”

Shadow peeked out from under the pillow, deadpanning. “And say what? ‘Hey, Sonic, turns out I’m in love with you, wanna make out?’”

Knuckles gave a thumbs-up. “See? You got it.”

Shadow groaned again, sinking further into the couch. He was so doomed.

“Talk to Amy about this, she loves love. She’ll know what to do.” Knuckles suggested before throwing another grape into his mouth before going back to watching the blank TV—laughing again even though nothing was playing.

Shadow couldn’t be any more humiliated than he already was, he decided talking to Amy would be somewhat better.

Shadow hesitated outside the garage door, debating whether this was a good idea. Honestly it was the only idea Shadow had besides going to Tom and asking him for his blessing to date his son.. But Shadow didn’t want to ask that from guy he punched nearly to death so he decided to do that in ten years.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

The garage was dimly lit, mostly illuminated by the soft glow of Tails’ workbench as the fox tinkered away at Metal Sonic. The bot remained deactivated, sprawled out on the table like a patient in surgery. Amy sat nearby on a stool, watching Metal with a longing expression.

…Well! Seems like coming to Amy was the right choice!

Shadow cleared his throat, causing Amy to turn to him, looking surprised. “Oh, hey, Shadow!” She smiled, but it quickly faded into curiosity as she tilted her head to the side. “Everything okay?” She asked.

Shadow crossed his arms, shifting uncomfortably. “…I need to ask you something.”

Amy perked up immediately. “Ooo, really? What about?” She sat up straight, clearly eager to help.

Shadow hesitated as he walked over to her, then finally forced it out. “…It’s about Sonic.” He whispered as quietly as he could.

Amy blinked once. Then twice.

Then, slowly, a knowing smile spread across her face. “Ohhh,” she said, drawing out the syllables.

Shadow scowled. “Don’t do that.”

Amy giggled, waving her hand. “Sorry, sorry! It’s just—okay, go on, I’m listening.” She clasped her hands together, giving him her full attention.

Shadow sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Knuckles said Sonic… has feelings for me…”

Amy nodded. “Uh-huh.”

Shadow narrowed his eyes. “And you’re not surprised?”

Amy tilted her head. “Shadow… We’ve all known for months, he fell in-love with you when you two first met!”

Shadow nearly choked on air. “What?!”

Amy laughed, covering her mouth. “Yeah, it’s been pretty obvious. I mean, the way he talks about you, the way he looks at you—it’s kind of funny, actually!”

Shadow groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “And no one thought to tell me?!”

Amy shrugged. “We figured you’d figure it out eventually. Or Sonic would blurt it out like an idiot. One of the two!” Amy gave him a curious look. “What are you gonna do about it?”

Shadow frowned. “I—” He hesitated. What did he want? To tell Sonic? To keep it to himself? To ignore it and hope it went away?

Amy waited patiently, watching him closely.

“…I don’t want to ruin things,” he admitted finally.

Amy’s expression softened. “Shadow, you won’t. Sonic likes you. He’s been into you forever! And he knows he’s in love with you! He just doesn’t know what to do so he runs from his feelings as best he can instead!”

Shadow sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “…So, what? I just… tell him?”

Amy shrugged. “You could! Or you could take your time until you know you’re ready… Just… don’t overthink it too much, okay? If you like him and he likes you, it’ll work out.” Amy explained before looking down at Metal, that longing expression returning. “Just, don’t take too long…"

Shadow stared at her for a long moment. Then he sighed. “…I hate that you make this sound so simple.”

Amy laughed and turned back to him. “That’s because it is simple! You’re just making it complicated.”

Shadow grumbled under his breath but didn’t argue.

Tails, who had been quiet this entire time, suddenly spoke up from his workbench. “You should confess soon though. Sonic’s been having a crisis over it.”

Shadow’s eye twitched. “…What?”

Tails smirked. “Oh yeah. He’s spiraling.”

Amy nodded in agreement. “It’s actually kind of hilarious!”

Shadow groaned, dragging a hand down his face. Shadow exhaled through his nose, glancing down at Metal Sonic’s still form. It was strange seeing him like this—so vulnerable. Shadow reached out and gently tapped the side of Metal’s head.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” he murmured.

Metal didn’t respond, obviously, but something in Shadow’s chest still twisted at the sight. He gave Amy and Tails a final glance before turning toward the door. “Don’t stay up too late,” he muttered over his shoulder.

Tails waved him off. “No promises.”

Amy waved and yelled, “Go get your man, Shadow!” as he left.

Shadow climbed the stairs with heavy steps, his mind still racing from everything Amy and Tails had said. Shadow scowled at nothing in particular, pausing in front of Sonic’s door.

He could hear movement inside, muffled shuffling and what sounded like a quiet groan. Shadow hesitated, considering if this was a bad idea. But before he could change his mind, he knocked.

Silence.

Then, hurried footsteps. The door flung open, revealing Sonic, looking—disheveled. His quills were a mess, his ears twitching, and his expression? Pure panic.

“Shadow?! What—uh—what’s up? Everything okay?” Sonic asked, voice cracking slightly. 

Shadow narrowed his eyes and looked into the room. “Were you just… screaming into a pillow?” He asked suspiciously. 

Sonic froze. Then, slowly, he reached behind himself, grabbed the pillow that had very clearly been launched across the room, and tossed it back onto his bed. “Nooo…” He laughed awkwardly.

Shadow decided to just forgot about that then he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Okay…. uhh” Shadow sighed, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind him. Sonic watched him closely, fidgeting slightly as he looked around the room with an awkward expression.

“Sooo… what’s up?” Sonic asked, trying to sound casual, but failing miserably.

Shadow didn’t answer right away. He walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge. Sonic’s tail flicked anxiously behind him as he waited.

Finally, Shadow spoke. “…Knuckles and Amy said you have feelings for me.” 

Sonic choked on air. “WHAT—” He yelled.

Shadow gave him a pointed look. “You’re not even gonna deny it?”

Sonic opened his mouth, but no words came out. He made a strangled noise before covering his face with both hands. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” He groaned.

Shadow tilted his head. “Sonic?"

“Oh my GOD.” Sonic groaned, flopping onto the bed next to him. He rolled onto his stomach, burying his face into the mattress. His muffled voice came out as a whine. “Why would they tell you that?!” 

Shadow raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t exactly subtle… apparently.”

Sonic peeked up at him, ears flattening. “…I wasn’t?”

Shadow noddd. “No. And everyone but me noticed.” He added, also wondering how he didn't notice it. Maybe Sonic was really subtle...

Sonic groaned dramatically, flipping onto his back and staring at the ceiling. “This is so embarrassing.” He cried, grabbing a pillow and covering his face with it only to scream into it.

Shadow looked down at him, watching as Sonic’s tail flicked anxiously. Then, before he could stop himself, he spoke.

“…I think I like you too.”

Sonic shot up, sending the pillow covering his face flying into Shadows. Sonic stared looking at with wide eyes. “You think?!” He yelled.

Shadow frowned. “…I know.” He admitted with a sigh.

Sonic’s ears perked up, his whole body going stiff. “Oh.”

Silence stretched between them. Sonic’s hands fidgeted with the blanket. Man it was so awkward…

Then, slowly, Sonic grinned and scooted closer. “So… what now?”

Shadow exhaled sharply, running a hand through his quills. “I don’t know.”

Sonic tilted his head. “Well, do you wanna date me?”

Shadow’s eyes flickered to him. “You’re awfully direct about this.”

Sonic shrugged, smirking. “Hey, I already embarrassed myself big time! No point in playing it cool now!” He announced as he scooted closer, sitting directly next to Shadow now.

Shadow rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to try…”

Sonic’s tail wagged slightly, and his smirk softened into something more genuine. “Then let’s try.”