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Part 6 of Shadow Swap
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2025-02-22
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2,604
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1/1
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Calm(?) Before the Storm

Summary:

Everyone takes the time before the Black Arms invasion differently. Both Shadows are predictably the most on edge, and game Sonic just wants his rival to not run himself into the ground before the Black Arms even get there.

Notes:

We back! Black Arms officially coming next fic. Just wanted to do a little something in between first.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Shadow crossed his arms as he looked around the Montana, at least that's what he'd been told the place was called, wilderness. There was a slight chill in the air, but overall things were peaceful. Well if he ignored the mild strain he was feeling from using the emeralds to keep himself stable in his counterpart's universe at the moment. Thankfully he'd been right when assuming more emeralds would make it easier, but it was still clear that he was going against something strong. It didn't matter though. He could handle it, even if he didn't really understand what was causing it.

At this point he and Sonic had gathered most of their emeralds. Only one was left and Sonic was on route to it right now. As much as Shadow wanted to secure the last one personally he would... trust his rival to do this. Right now he was just popping in to make sure his counterpart wasn't mentally overwhelmed by his own Black Arms. He'd done it a couple times now. Use the emeralds to keep himself stable in his counterpart's universe and act as a sort of scarecrow to make sure his counterpart's mind stayed clear enough to function. There was no sign of the Black Arms physically being on earth yet, but his counterpart had said he could sort of feel their presence. Far, but certainly there and overwhelming since he wasn’t used to it. 

Honestly there was no way to tell how long they had, and the uncertainty had Shadow on edge. What he presumed to be this world's Black Doom had seemed... particularly interested in not only his counterpart but him. There had been an attempt to establish some sort of connection. An attempt Shadow had ruthlessly shut down, but also had kept to himself for the time being. He'd already had a suspicion that this world's Black Doom was aware of him, the attempt had only confirmed it. If he were to guess the Black Doom of this world found him through his counterpart, the two seemed to be able to tap into the same hivemind after all if his counterpart unintentionally reaching out to him before was anything to go by. If anything good came of the incident it was that this world's Shadow was left alone for a decent length of time after.

Now though he just... stood. Taking deep breaths of the fresh air. He should head back, having done what he needed to do yet he stayed there. It was a moment of calm he intended to enjoy. With the threat of the Black Arms once more looming over him, he'd felt... stressed to say the least. Even if they weren't his own Black Arms. He would make sure his counterpart wouldn't have to go through it alone. He would help preserve whatever innocence his counterpart had left.

His ear swiveled towards the sound of the crunching of leaves coming towards him. He almost bolted when a dog came bounding out of the foliage. This was a dog he recognized though, the Wachowski family dog. Ozzie he believed. The golden retriever stopped in front of him, head tilting in silent question. Shadow's eyes darted from left to right before he patted the dog on the head a couple times.

"Was wondering why he ran off." A male voice came out of nowhere, sounding amused. Shadow's head whipped around towards the voice, he relaxed slightly as he recognized it as Wachowski's father Tom. "Sorry bud." Tom grinned apologetically. "Didn't mean to startle you."

"You... didn't." Shadow huffed, crossing his arms. Ozzie headbutted his leg but he ignored it.

"Alright." Tom nodded, although his expression said he wasn't convinced.  "Anyway... what are you doing out here?" He walked over and patted Ozzie on the head. The dog barked happily.

"Was just popping in to make sure your Shadow was ok." Shadow's ear twitched.

"I'm sure he appreciates it." Tom nodded. "You can always actually come over to the house to do that though. At this point you have an open invitation."

"I'm aware." Shadow sighed. "Though I don't intend to stay very long so there wouldn't be much of a point."

"I'm sure the boys would be happy to see you even if it's only for a little bit. They've taken quite a shine to you." Tom shrugged. Shadow simply huffed. "Just something to think about." He whistled at Ozzie and the dog started to follow him. "We all really appreciate the help. Just remember you don't have to put everything on your shoulders." He gave Shadow a knowing look. "Take care of yourself kid." Tom nodded at him before he walked off.

Shadow turned his head slightly to watch Tom and Ozzie leave. He stayed standing there long after the two left his sight. Kid? Him? Hardly. There was no real reason for him to swing by the Wachowski home when he came here. Not unless he had any relevant information to pass along. His focus was on making sure they were ready for the Black Arms. He fished the ring from his quills and tossed it. Time to go check in on Sonic.





"Too slow!" Sonic dodged out of the way of Wachowski's spin dash. The younger hedgehog uncurled and simply collapsed on the floor.

"I yield." Wachowski groaned, before sitting up. "I'll get you eventually." He pointed a finger at Sonic.

"You will." Sonic agreed immediately as he nodded. "You can only get better." He grinned.

"You fought bravely brother." Knuckles walked over and plucked the hedgehog off the ground. Sonic barely held back a snort at the look on his face. After a moment the echidna put Wachowski down, setting him up on his feet. Somewhere nearby Tails chuckled at the sight.

"Alright you all!" Maddie poked her head out of the house. "Come in for some lunch ok?"

Sonic gave her a grin and a salute. "Yes ma'am." Wachowski was quick to speed inside, but Sonic took his time and walked in with Tails and Knuckles. It had been interesting spending time around the family. Shadow had insisted that one of them stick around to keep an eye on things now that they'd got all their emeralds. Since it was harder for Shadow to stay here with his counterpart still in the same universe, the black hedgehog had begrudgingly asked Sonic to stay in his stead. It had been easy to agree. Not only because he also wanted to make sure the kids were ok, but also Shadow had actually asked for his help. How could he turn that down?

Before going over to grab anything to eat himself he poked his head into the living room where the Shadow of this universe was sitting on the floor. Meditating. At least that's what Sonic was pretty sure he was doing. Apparently Knuckles had been teaching him some meditation techniques that the echidna warriors used. "Hey, you doing ok?" Sonic kept his voice low to hopefully not startle the other hedgehog.

Shadow slowly opened his eyes, blinking to clear the mildly dazed look in them. "I'm... fine all things considered." He looked over at Sonic.

"How's your head feeling?" Sonic took a couple steps into the room.

"Fairly clear." Shadow hummed. "I think Terios was here recently." There was a sort of sad look on his face. One that felt so out of place on someone who looked so close to his rival.

"Yeah sounds about right." Sonic shook his head. "Slipping in and not saying anything. Don't take it personally kid." He held out a hand. Shadow took it after a moment and Sonic pulled him up. "He's just real focused on being ready." He shrugged.

"Right..." Shadow looked down.

Sonic ruffled some of the fur on Shadow's head and the other hedgehog sent a glare his way. That felt more like the Shadow he was used to. "Don't need you going all broody on me too. Let my Shadow take care of all the worrying for both of you. Chaos knows he's doing enough of it."

"Why don't you tell him to relax then?" Shadow rose a brow.

"Cause he'd sooner punt me into the ocean than take my advice." Sonic chuckled. "Besides, that's what Rouge is for. She's better at actually getting him to slow down and take care of himself than I ever was."

"I see." Shadow's ear twitched.

"Anyway if you're hungry Maddie has food ready." Sonic gestured over his shoulder to the kitchen. "Plus I'm sure the others would be happy with your company."

Shadow's eyes darted towards the kitchen. "Alright." He started to walk past Sonic and barely ducked under his hand as Sonic tried to ruffle the fur on his head again. Sonic simply chuckled and followed him to the kitchen.

"There he is." Wachowski grinned as the two of them entered the kitchen. "You missed me totally schooling other me."

"You were handily defeated brother." Knuckles gave him an odd look. Wachowski sent him a look that clearly read 'shut up'. Sonic barely held back a snort at that while Shadow frowned in confusion. "How goes your meditation hedgehog?"

"Well." Shadow nodded as he sat down. "I appreciate you teaching me."

"Of course." Knuckles puffed out his chest slightly. "I am happy to share the echidna ways. Especially when they can be of use to others."

"A lot different than my Knux on that front." Sonic hummed. 

"Does he not wish to share the culture of his people?" Knuckles' look turned serious.

"Well... more like he doesn't know much of it." Sonic shrugged. "Spends a lot of time alone up on Angel Island by himself." He drummed his fingers on the table. "Maybe I should actually ask him about it some time..."

"If he is anything like me I am sure he would be happy to have someone to share it with." Knuckles nodded sagely. "Even if my old tribe is gone I honor their memory by keeping their traditions and history alive."

Sonic made sure to actually file the advice away for later. Even if his Knuckles was out actually enjoying some time off Angel Island right now Sonic could always ask him about stuff once he was back. He wasn't entirely convinced the echidna would be as pleased as this world's Knuckles was to share, but he might appreciate the effort on Sonic's part at least. "I'll ask him about it the next time I see him for sure." Sonic nodded.

"Alright, here you go boys." Maddie passed out sandwiches and there was a chorus of thank yous. As everyone ate Sonic leaned back and took things in. Just how happy they all seemed. Heck even Shadow had a slight upturn of his mouth. He really hoped everything worked out for these kids. They deserved to be happy.





"Caught ya this time." Sonic spoke up before Shadow could finish reaching for the ring in his quills. There was a mild amount of satisfaction that Sonic felt when his rival flinched before sending a glare his way. "Put down the ring. Let's chat." Sonic gave him an unimpressed look.

"What do you want?" Shadow reluctantly put down his hand.

"Look I know you're worried about the whole Black Arms thing but would it kill you to actually swing by and say hi to the kids you're trying to protect?" Sonic rose a brow. "Also Rouge tells me you're not getting enough rest. What are you gonna do if you run yourself ragged before they even get here?"

"I don't need as much sleep as the rest of you." Shadow huffed.

"Oh save it Mr. Ultimate Lifeform." Sonic crossed his arms. "Rouge wouldn't be telling me she was worried if you weren't actually not taking proper care of yourself. Even your absence is getting the others worried. I agreed to stick around and watch them cause it was harder for you, but that doesn't mean you should avoid them until it's go time. I'm sure other you could really use some guidance right now from someone who's been through something similar before."

"I don't see what me being there would change." Shadow looked away.

Sonic let out a frustrated noise. "Shadow." He let his voice drop into something serious. "They're kids and even if they're like us and don't act like it they're scared." He walked around to be in Shadow's line of sight again. Shadow said nothing and Sonic could feel his frustration at the situation rising but he pushed it down for now. Getting frustrated at Shadow would only get the other hedgehog to lock up and probably just run off. "If we want to help them we have to do it every step of the way. Not just when the big threat actually shows up." Sonic blew out air through his nose to help shake off some of his built up frustration.

Shadow silently held his gaze for several tense moments. "I-" Sonic held up a hand and cut off what he felt was another excuse. Shadow's expression said it all. Honestly he was surprised Shadow actually stopped though.

He gave Shadow what he'd dubbed his "disappointed big brother look". Something he'd perfected because of Tails. Sure the fox was generally good but Sonic needed some way to get the kit to bed on time when he was being stubborn. "Look I know I'm far from someone you listen to on a regular basis and I sure as hell can't force you to do anything..." His expression softened. "Just think about it ok? We should be using this time to make sure everyone is ready. Physically and mentally." He sighed as he ran a hand through his quills. "I'm gonna get back." He gestured back in the general direction of the house. "I hope I'll see you around before things get interesting." He sped off before Shadow could give him an answer.

This usually wasn't like him but Sonic could feel his frustration reaching a peak with his rival. Shadow wanted to help clearly but Sonic couldn't help but feel like he was pushing himself way more than he should. It wasn't just that though. Those kids were really starting to wonder about Shadow's absence and Sonic could only come up with so many excuses and at some point he'd just stopped wanting to. At this point Shadow could either show up a little more before things or be at the mercy of those kids hounding him during an alien invasion. The ball was in Shadow's court now; Sonic had done as much as he could.





"Arrived safely..." He looked around the forest around him, his tail flicking behind him. "Of all the places for you to accidentally end up brother...some underdeveloped planet..." He sighed. "Whatever we'll make due. Have to find you first though." He tapped his chin. It maybe wasn't the best idea to reach out through the hivemind, not with that strange force that Black Doom was still trying to figure out lingering around. Some force that seemed to hold similar authority to Black Doom. That would only spell trouble if he was noticed. If he could slip under the radar until he'd secured Shadow that would be ideal.

He rubbed his hands together. "A stealth mission it is then." He grinned in excitement. It had been a long time coming, him finally going planet side. Sure it wasn't the planet they had intended but it would do. "Don't worry brother." He stretched as his eyes scanned the plant life around him. "Eclipse is coming."

Notes:

Eclipse jumpscare. I have plans for him... Those plans will hopefully prove interesting.

Anyway I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week and stay safe!

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