Chapter Text
It has been a few days since the eclipse cannon incident. Everything got (kinda) back to normal, the only thing that was left to heal was the trauma that this incident had caused. Sonic was casually laying down on his racecar bed, reading some comic books, but something was bothering him. He couldn’t focus entirely on the images and big onomatopoeia that he was stuffing his face in. Most importantly, it wasn’t exactly something that was bothering the back of his mind but someone, to be exact this someone was Shadow. Sonic didn’t know why he was suddenly thinking about him but his dark edgy rival wouldn’t leave his mind. Letting out a displeasing sigh, he put his comic book away, laying down and staring at the ceiling. The few last moments he had spent with shadow replaying in his head in an endless loop. Sonic couldn’t lie that in some way he had missed the brooding hedgehog a little, the frown on his face, his crimson deep red eyes and his deep voice, oh god that voice, the one that truly reminded him of one of his favorite actors Keanu Reeves. Sonic paused, he took a moment to realize who he was thinking about in that way.
“Get a grip!”
He muttered to himself as he lightly slapped his cheeks to snap back to reality. Shadow wasn’t there anymore, or so he thought. There was no way that dark hedgehog could’ve survived that explosion but at the same time, it’s Shadow the damn hedgehog we’re talking about, he’s probably too stubborn to die, he thought to himself. He was abruptly shaken out of his mind as he heard Tom yell from downstairs.
“Hey kids! dinner’s ready!”
In a flash, Sonic came downstairs, taking his place at the dining table. Tails and knuckles were already sitting at the table, waiting for the food to be served. Tails had helped Maddie set the table and Tom placed the freshly made food on everyone’s plate. As soon as Sonic got his hands on the food he devoured it in a matter of seconds.
“Sonic, what did we tell you about eating fast?”
Maddie firmly said with an ounce of gentleness in it. Sonic sighs once again, he rolls his eyes.
“Yes, yes I know, eating fast can make me sick, I am aware thank you very much Maddie”
Tom side eyed Sonic, he knew there was no way in making him eat slower, his whole point is going fast. After dinner sonic decided to go for a run. As he ran he stopped at the top of a mountain, watching as the sunset casted its light on the small village of Green Hills. A few moments after the sun had settled down, the sound of a stick breaking could be heard behind him, when
Sonic turned around, a pair of red eyes could be seen in the darkness of the new night.
The moment Sonic blinked the eyes were gone. He stood there, confused out of his mind.
“What was that?”
Sonic asks himself, those deep red eyes were so familiar, they looked so much like Shadow’s eyes, but that couldn’t be possible, the dark hedgehog perished in the explosion, or did he? Sonic quickly ran back home, disturbed by what he just encountered on the mountain. As he walked back in the house, everyone was in the living room, watching a tv show. It's probably a show that Maddie forced everyone to watch, luckily sonic wasn't at home when she forced his friends to watch that show. Sonic walked upstairs to his room, the scene that unfolded in front of him a few moments ago was replaying in his head over and over again, those eyes, the crimson Ruby red in those irises, it was Shadow, it couldn't be anyone else other than him. A few minutes later a knock was heard on the attic door, Tom peek his head in the room.
“Hey Sonic, is everything alright?”
he asked with a slight hint of concern in his voice. Sonic was about to make some lame excuses like he usually does but decided that he should be honest with his adoptive father.
“Uhm. Actually, could I have a word with you please?”
Sonic's voice was small and quiet and he hated everything about it. Tom agreed, he sat down next to Sonic on his race car bed.
“I have a small question, Tom. I know you probably won't like it but I really need to open up to someone about it.”
His voice was uncertain and definitely held some confusion.
“What's wrong Sonic? Tell me what's bothering you?”
Sonic took a deep breath, he slowly turned to Tom and spoke up.
“Do… Do you think Shadow survived?”
The question took him off guard, Tom was quiet for a few seconds because letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
“Son, if I'm honest with you, I don't think he could've survived that explosion or the fall that came after. At the same time, he still had the chaos emeralds so there's a chance those saved him.”
Tom places a hand on Sonic's shoulder to reassure him to not worry. Sonic nods in agreement.
“It's hard for me to admit it but… In my heart I wish he's alright and safe. Heh I know this really isn't like me but that's how I've been feeling.”
Sonic opened up, throwing out the weight on his shoulder. Tom was very much surprised by the sentimental talk, he couldn't help but try to lighten up the mood, which was usually Sonic's job.
“Attaboy, I never knew you could talk like that, Sonic. Maybe I should slack off the serious talk, you're starting to sound like me way too much for my liking.”
Tom laughed, Sonic's laughter came soon after.
“Heh! You know I could never be exactly like you! I'm not old and slow, Tom!”
Sonic exclaimed with his usual teasing, but behind all his teasing was a very confused and concerned hedgehog who supposedly saw someone he thought had died in a giant explosion.
“It’s getting quite late buddy, you should head to bed and don’t you dare try to sneak out to do whatever heroic thing you plan to do.”
Sonic chuckles at the reminder of the last time he snuck out and tried to prove the world how “heroic” he is, but now as he matured from his insecure self, he learned that he shouldn’t force his moment and simply wait until the moment comes to him.
“Heh you don’t even have to worry, you know I’m done with that heroic stuff!”
Sonic gives Tom a wink before leaving to his room in the attic.
As the blue hedgehog lay down on his racecar bed, his mind went back to the black and red hedgehog that helped him save the world. The hours passed and Sonic was unable to find sleep, he would toss and turn every now and then. He couldn’t take it anymore, Sonic quietly stood up and made his way to his window, he opened it and sneaked out of his room, since they were in the middle of summer, the night was pretty warm. Sonic sighs in relief as he was happy that it wasn’t too cold outside. He quietly makes his way to the woods, going for a small run. That’s when he stumbled across his old cave.
“My old cave! I can't believe it’s still standing.”
The blue blur walks in the cave, carefully looking around. The old painting of him and Longclaw was still as clear as it was when he drew it a few years ago. Sonic places his hand on the painting, he sighs, sliding his hand off the wall. The speedster was taken off guard when the sound of footsteps was heard behind him, he quickly turned around just to be met with a pair of two red glowing eyes in the darkness. The blue hedgehog freezes, he stared into the red eyes. After a few seconds Sonic spoke up.
“Shadow?”
He quietly whispered, unsure of what he was seeing. The figure in the darkness stayed silent, then it suddenly spoke up.
“Why are you here?”
Shadow’s voice was quiet and clearly held some anger. Sonic was still in shock that he was seeing the Shadow the hedgehog, not only alive but in his cave, he stared at the black and red hedgehog with surprise.
“I… uhmmm… I should be asking you the same question, you’re the one who’s in my cave.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow, he was still confused on why shadow was in his cave. As expected, The dark hedgehog completely ignored Sonic’s question and simply changed the subject.
“Aren’t you supposed to be home, sleeping?”
The blue hedgehog gulped, he moved away from the painting on the wall, knowing that if Shadow decides that he doesn’t like sonic here, he wouldn’t hold back from attacking him, he really didn’t want his painting to be destroyed by the black hedgehog.
“Yes, but I couldn't sleep. Why do you even care? I thought you hated me.”
The dark one crossed his arms, obviously annoyed.
“I still hate you, don’t assume things, hedgehog.”
Sonic scoff, he rolled his eyes.
“I wasn’t assuming any-”
A big gust of wind hit Sonic’s face, when he reopened his eyes to see what had happened, Shadow’s fist was buried in the wall next to his face. Their muzzles were so close they could feel each other’s breath. The ebony hedgehog broke the silence.
“You’re getting on my nerves, blue! Leave. Me. Alone!”
Sonic gulped, he didn’t want to anger the dark hedgehog any more, but he was still very worried about him.
“Awh come on Shads, have a little fun, lighten up a little, no?”
It wasn’t long before the blue hedgehog was out of the cave, standing outside like a lost puppy. He sighs
“Well, that didn’t go the way I wanted.”
Sonic started walking away, he felt a small flame burning inside of him as he discovered that Shadow was still alive and safe. The blue blur made his way back to his house, he quietly snuck back in his room, collapsing in his bed and passing out the moment he hit the bed. God, all of those feelings are making me exhausted. Sonic fell into a long and restful slumber. His sleep was quiet and peaceful, until it wasn't. He woke up the next morning to the sound of cooking and the smell of bacon and eggs. Sonic leaves his bed, he makes his way downstairs, rubbing his still closed eyes to wake himself up. The blue hedgehog walked in the kitchen, he poured himself a cup of orange juice, he sat down at the counter, sipping his orange juice quietly.
“Well, look who’s awake? The blue blur himself, good morning!”
Tom spoke up when he noticed Sonic. The hedgehog glanced back at his father.
“Morning, Tom.”
He yawned, sipping on his orange juice, Tom noticed the tired look on Sonic’s face and he obviously pointed it out.
“Woah you look really tired, buddy. Went to sleep late yesterday?”
Before Sonic could answer, the sound of loud footstep was heard coming from the basement that was first used to store some stuff they didn’t need but had newly been cleaned so Knuckles could have his own place (it was making everyone feel safer as they didn’t have to worry about getting hit by a sleepwalking Knuckles). The blue hedgehog turned his face to look towards the stairs, only to see a very tired looking Knuckles with his red quills sticking out from everywhere. The echidna looked exhausted. He didn’t say a word, he simply walked over to the kitchen and grabbed the carafe, drinking the coffee straight from it. Knuckles soon joined Sonic at the counter, sitting next to him. The blue blur glanced at his friend, he chuckled.
“Not so happy this morning, are you?”
The red echidna glared at the hedgehog.
“As the last of my species I shall never let my guard down, even in my weakest moment.”
He answered with a hint of seriousness in his eyes. Sonic rolled his eyes.
“Jeez Knucks, loose up a little, you don’t always have to have your guards up, we’re not getting attacked.”
Knuckles scoff, ignoring Sonic’s comment. Soon enough everyone was at the table, Tails had come out of the garage where he spent most of his time making gadgets and sleeping on a mattress that Tom and Maddie had placed for Tails. Everyone started to eat breakfast which consisted of eggs, bacon and some toast. It was pretty quiet. After breakfast, Tom took Sonic aside.
“Hey bud, you got a minute to talk?”
Sonic got slightly nervous, he knew he was in trouble when he heard that tone, the one that sent chills down his sines and made his quills stand up. He gulped, getting himself ready to face the worse.
“Uhm sure!”
Sonic tried to make it sound like he wasn’t nervous but he obviously was. He followed his adoptive father to his office. Tom sat down on his chair and motioned Sonic to do the same. Tom sighs.
“Sonic, I know you’re a teenager and that you’ve got dreams but we already talked about this…”
He paused
“We already talked about this whole sneaking out stuff, I thought we were past that, Sonic.”
Sonic looks down, he knew this was coming but he didn’t know what to say, should he tell the truth about Shadow’s survival or should he deny it?