Chapter Text
It was already exactly two weeks ago since he and Shadow had saved the world by working together, (and partially Eggman). How did Sonic know that so specifically? Oh, I don't know. probably because Sonic was keeping track of basically every minute.
Why was he doing that? Sonic asked that himself too, but he knew the answer himself. Or at least he thought so. He still wasn't quite sure how he was feeling about the whole last interaction he had with Shadow... But one thing he did know for absolute certain: He just couldn't get Shadow out of his head.
He was practically going crazy just trying to figure out the reason, even as he was laying on his bed in the attic, hands restlessly over his face. He just couldn't stop thinking about the black and red hedgehog who he had known for not even that long.
he groaned slightly, when his thoughts were interrupted by Maddie calling out to him. “Sonic dinner is ready!” He felt his tummy rumble, it was indeed time for dinner. It’d also be nice to be able to focus on something else than Shadow. Even just thinking his name made him feel something.
Though for now he knew that the best thing to do is just get to the dinner table. And so he did, he hopped off his bed, went down from the attic and quickly sprinted to the dinner table, where the whole Wachowski family was already sat.
It was still getting a bit used to having Tom around again and him not being in the hospital anymore. But it was nice having him around again. It was painfully boring without him. And so Sonic contently sat down with his family.
Though still, the black and red hedgehog continued to linger in the back of his mind like it had been for the past two weeks.
Even though Tom and Maddie usually divided making dinner between them, since Tom’s arm was still in a cast, Maddie has been the one to make dinner, though Maddie did demand that Tom would be the one to make dinner for at least a week after his cast would be taken off. Which Sonic found pretty funny and ironic.
Maddie had made something pretty simple: wraps with chicken and cheese. It wasn’t the most fancy dinner but the Wachowski family had eaten worse in the past. Also you can’t go wrong with wraps! Or at least Sonic thought so.
Knuckles was having trouble eating his wrap without it falling apart onto his plate since he didn’t quite know how to hold it... Tails had somehow turned his entire wrap into multiple mini burritos for some reason. But Sonic thought he did it so he wouldn’t get messy. Sonic (as per usual) just went straight to munching down on his wrap.
After dinner was quite literally devoured. They all helped cleaning up the table, even Tom tried to lend in a single hand. And after all that’s said was done, and Tails and Knuckles went to go do their own thing again.
Sonic, of course had to get stopped in his tracks. “Sonic, me and Tom would appreciate it if you came to meet us in our bedroom.” And with that Tom and Maddie went to their bedroom, their door just barely open.
Tom and Maddie must’ve sensed he was thinking of something, and not just something random. He bet it was Maddie and her weirdly accurate intuition skills. There was something about women and how accurate their intuition was that just scared Sonic.
So with one deep breath, he for once, walked at a normal pace into their bedroom. As he stepped into their bedroom he could just feel their eyes on him as he closed the door behind him.
When the door was a finally closed, he hesitantly looked at both Tom and Maddie, who were both sat on the bed, just looking at him. Maddie scooted a bit away from Tom and patted the place on the bed in between them.
Sonic gave in, and sat down in between them. “so,” Maddie begun… “me and Tom noticed your mind was kind of lingering on something else while at the dinner table...” Sonic already figured that one out, though he was pretty sure it was mostly Maddie that noticed rather than Tom... again with that women intuition thing... it gave Sonic kind of the creeps just thinking about it.
“You know what you’re totally right, I was thinking if we could get chili dogs for dinner tomor-“ Before Sonic could even finish his sentence, Tom already barged in. “Bud, i think we all three know theres something more going around in that little hedgehog brain of yours than chili dogs for dinner.”
He said in that same ol’ laid back, but still kinda serious voice of his that he used when he was trying to talk some sense into him. Like that one time at the lake when he was giving him a talk about how he was still a kid and not ready to be a hero yet back then.
Sonic eventually sighed and gave in after a literal staring contest between the three of them. Sonic somehow could never resist those stares of them. “Okay okay, I admit it. My mind has been lingering on something else...” Even though he finally admitted to it. The weight on his shoulders wasn’t completely lifted yet. They still didn’t know the full story... “Well,” Maddie spoke up again. “you feel like telling us whats swirling around in your mind?”
Even though Sonic knew he was gonna have to tell them eventually, he still felt nervous. What if they didn’t understand? “Well... ah- I don’t know how to really explain.” Sonic started to fidget with his hands in his lap, with he usually did when he was nervous. It was a habit.
Maddie started to speak again, “I see. Well, then how about you just try your best to put your thoughts into words?” Sonic knew he wasn’t gonna be able to go until he’d been able to explain, so he figured he might as well try. “So... you guys remember Shadow, right?” Tom and Maddie gave a quick look too each other and then back at Sonic, they both nodded quickly.
“Well, about him...” He begun again, still fidgeting with his hands. “i’ve just- not been able to get him out of my mind! I don’t know what it is, and why it is. but theres just something that makes me unable to think of him!” After both Tom and Maddie processed what Sonic had said, they both got a look of understanding on their faces.
Out of a rush of panic, Sonic started to speak up and rant on again. “You guys aren’t disappointed in me right? I mean I totally understand if you do. The fact i’m still thinking about the perso- hedgehog that almost destroyed the entire world, is just-“ Maddie’s voice interrupted Sonic’s. She just said one word. “Valid?”
Sonic looked up at Maddie out of surprise what she just said. “Valid? How is that valid?” Sonic said out of pure confusion. “Bud,” Tom began. “You and him spent a good hot minute on the moon together, didn’t you say you felt like you two really bonded in that moment?”
Before Sonic could even have the chance to object, Tom continued to speak. “Not to mention you two literally worked together in space, also didn’t Shadow push you aside from the laser beam when he noticed you were gonna pass out?” Tom chuckled slightly at Sonic’s face of confusion, as he slowly started to understand what Tom was saying. “What I mean, it’s totally okay, and understandable to still be thinking about Shadow, given what you two have been through together.”
As Tom’s words slowly started to sink in, Sonic started to realize that he was right. He and Shadow had been through so much together, even in such a short time period- it was bizarre to say the least. Tom’s words just made sense. “I guess... I guess you’re right.” And that was all Sonic could say. Also because he really didn’t know what else to say.
Luckily, it did feel like a weight was finally lifted from his shoulders. Somehow, always when Sonic talked to Tom and Maddie about something that was bothering him. He always felt better afterwards. No matter how big of a problem he’d have.
After a quick moment of silence, Maddie finally spoke up again. “So, what are you gonna do about it? Sonic?” Sonic thought for a moment, but then groaned out of frustration. “uggh… I don’t know. Probably something stupid and reckless.
But I don’t even know if he’s still out there somewhere! He’s probably dead for all we know…” And just thinking about the thought of Shadow probably being dead just made Sonic upset. And he didn’t know why.
“Yes, that is true.” Maddie said while she was thinking at the same time. “But also,” Sonic looked up at her again when she started with her ‘but’. “wasn’t he also the ‘Ultimate Lifeform’? Or isn’t that at least what he called himself?”
Tom thought for a second, then nodded his head as he spoke up again. “Yes, yes. That’s right. Didn’t he mean that he can take a lot of damage without dying?” Suddenly the realization sunk in deep for Sonic. Dang it, they were right again.
Shadow did indeed mention that he was what he called ‘The Ultimate Lifeform’. “Yes... yes he did say that. Then maybe...” Sonic’s eyes widened and he sprung up from the bed, back to standing on the floor. “Oh my chili dogs he could be alive!” It felt weird for Sonic to be so happy and... relieved, to figure out that Shadow could be still alive.
But. There was always a but... It was a long shot. Even Sonic knew that. And Sonic always had a long shot plan or idea. But still... even if it was just a very small chance of Shadow being alive. It was still a chance. And that was all the reassurance Sonic needed to keep this thing going. Whatever that thing was.
But now... now what? Let’s just say that if Shadow was alive right now. Sonic wouldn’t know where he was? And I mean, there was no way Sonic would find him on accident... right?
“Maybe... maybe Tails can help find Shadow! With his little tech stuff... I’m sure he can find a solution! Let’s just hope he actually wants to, even after all the stuff Shadow did...”
After one more moment of thinking, Sonic turned to Tom and Maddie. “Thanks mom! Thanks dad!” It felt kind of weird calling Tom and Maddie ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ without thinking about it... sure he’s called Tom ‘dad’ a few times. But never has he called Maddie ‘mom’.
Without further a-do, Sonic sprinted off to Tails’ workshop, which was actually just the garage that they had modified for him.
Sonic barged in Tails’ workshop in less than a second, making Tails almost fall off his little stool out of surprise. “Ah!- Sonic? I almost fell!” He could see Tails wasn’t particularly mad- just taken by surprise.
“Sorry bud! It’s just that I’ve got something really important that I’ve got to speak to you about. Uhm- if you wanna help me?” Sonic spoke that last sentence with hesitance and a pleading voice. He still wasn’t sure if Tails would wanna help him after he told him what it was about.Tails looked at Sonic with that all knowing look. He wasn’t a dumb fox, and he always knew when Sonic had come up with something reckless. “Yes.” Tails started “I can help you, probably with every possible thing you’ve came up with this time.”
Tails paused for a second, inspecting Sonic’s face, who was looking rather nervous. “So? What do you need help with?” Sonic sighed finally, a breath the didn’t know he was holding. “So, you remember Shadow right…”
A moment of silence passed between the fox and hedgehog. “Yes...” Tails hesitantly started “yes I do remember him. It’s quite hard not to.” Sonic sighed once more “So-“ he started nervously “about him. Me, Tom and Maddie think theres a chance he might be alive.”
After ANOTHER moment of silence, Tails finally processed what Sonic had just said- “Wait wait wait wait- you’re telling me Shadow could be alive?” Tails thought for a moment, wondering how that could be possible...
After he was finally done thinking, he spoke again. “How did you come to that conclusion?” Sonic smiled awkwardly. “So, you know how Shadow mentioned being ‘The Ultimate Lifeform’? Well, we thought maybe that meant he could take such a laser beam and still be alive?..”
Tails looked at him like he was crazy, and honestly? He might’ve been. “I know it’s a looong shot but just think about it! He could be alive!” Tails noticed how utterly happy Sonic was about the thought of Shadow being alive. And it honestly surprised him. “You seem more happy than usual with idea that someone who almost destroyed the world could still be alive.”
Sonic knew that the little fox was right. Buit he didn’t lose hope that Tails could help him potentially find Shadow back, even if it was very unrealistic.”I know I know, but please Tails. Can you help me find him or not?”
Tails saw how much Sonic was sincere about this, and so he sighed and gave in. “Okay fine. I’ll help you try to find him.” Before Sonic could even cheer for convincing him, Tails interrupted. “But.” Of course there was a but again. “I can’t give you any guarantees that I can find him, and if he is alive.”
Sonic still smiled, he was happy enough that he got his little brother to help him. “I know I know, im just glad you’re wanting to help me.” Tails eventually did smile a bit “Sonic, I don’t completely agree with you on this. But im trusting you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Sonic’s expression softened a bit “Of course I do bud. And I know I know I can get a bit reckless sometimes, but I’ve got it completely under control.” As he said that, he accidentally knocked Tails juice box over, but he quickly caught it, and then stood like nothing happened. “Completely under control.”
Tails giggled slightly at the sight, but also surprised that he didn’t spill any of the juice. “Alright Sonic, if you give a bit of time, I’ll figure out a way to find your hedgehog.” Sonic’s cheeks flushed a bit when he called Shadow his hedgehog, “He’s not my hedgehog!”
Tails giggled a bit again before turning around on his little stool, starting to rummage a bit through his tablet files. “Go blow off a bit of steam outside, it’ll take a bit before I’ve got a way to find your hedgehog.”Before Sonic could protest on Tails calling Shadow ‘his’ hedgehog, Tails was already deep inside his own bubble, with he always had when working in his workshop. So without more thinking, he decided to go do exactly what Tails said, and go run in the forest for a bit.
Before going out the front door, he yelled out that he’d be outside for a bit, and after getting reassurance from both Tom and Maddie, he sprinted out the door.
It was nice to go out for a run again. He felt like he didn’t really get to take a breather that much anymore after everyone almost died and Tom being in the hospital for almost two weeks too. But it felt like most things were back to normal- except the fact that they started trying to find that all familiar black and red hedgehog.
Sonic didn’t think much about where he set his feet as he navigated through the forest. It kind of felt natural at this point. He’d been running through this particular forest for most of his life now. Though every now and then he’d have to avoid a muddy puddle.
He didn’t mind getting dirty. But right now he just didn’t feel like having to wipe his shoes down when he’d get back home. There weren’t a lot of rules in the Wachowski household, but one of them were no muddy shoes walking around the house. Which Sonic thought was a valid rule.
Though that didn’t mean he never broke that rule, especially in his earlier days of moving in with the Wachowski’s. But now hes gotten used to it. As well as the other few rules that are settled in between the family.
But apparently he was paying a but to little attention, cause before her knew it, he fell right down a hole in the ground. He groaned slightly as he looked around- but It wasn’t just any ol’ hole in the ground... “Agh... wait, is this... my cave?” Apparently he hadn’t been paying much attention to where he was running In the forest, because he ran right into his old cave.
He slowly stood up, his expression a bit saddened now. He sighed slightly as he looked at the old wall drawing that he had made on his first night on earth. A reminder of his past, and of Longclaw.
After a minute of just staring, he heard some fast whooshing air and then rustling of some bushes. He quickly, but cautiously jumped up from there cave, and landed back up on the ground.
He cautiously looked around, till he saw something bright red flash in the refection of the moonlight. He quickly ran over to the bush and what he saw left him in shock.
A red quill.
He carefully picked it up and twisted it in between his fingers as he inspected it to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. “Am I seeing this right..?” Then he came to the realization that this quill was right here after he heard that familiar sound... but, how could it have- ...
oh.
OH.
“SHADOW!” Before he could think another thought, he ran as fast as he could in the direction that he heard the whooshing sound go. If this was a chance to find Shadow- with or without Tails help. He was gonna take it, no hesitation.As he ran at almost top speed, he carefully stuck the glowing red quill in a tight spot in his own quills behind his right ear. This time he made sure to navigate through the trees precisely. He didn’t wanna risk falling down another hole again…
After what seemed like forever, he came to a dead end of the rocky bottom layer of one of the mountains in the area. He could’ve sworn it was this way though- he heard some rustling on his right side, and right as he turned to look, he was met with a very loaded up punch to his face.
When he was able to open his eyes again, he was met with one very angry- no, cautious black and red hedgehog who had pinned him to the ground, one of his fists up, ready to take another punch.
Sonic could not believe his eyes for a second. It was actually him. Right in front of him in real time. “Shadow! It’s you… the real you!” Shadow looked a bit confused, not only at Sonic’s reaction, but also the fact that it was Sonic. “Sonic? What are you- what are you doing here.”
Sonic rubbed his face a bit, he had to admit that was a powerful punch. “What do you mean what am I doing here? You’re the one in Green Hills!” Shadow sighed a bit “No. I mean, what are you doing here. How did you find me.”
Sonic thought for a moment, then he grinned slightly “i mean- I could give you the full story, but you’d have to sit down for that one, it’s a bit complicated.” Shadow sighed again. I guess he had a thing for sighing at Sonic’s words.
Shadow finally got off Sonic, letting him free as he stood up. “Go on then.” Shadow spoke as he sat against the bark of a tree. “Explain.”