Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, there was a princess and a knight on a planet of flowers.

That’s how Sonic always started the story for Tails, the story of how he and Sally met. Sally had only heard it three times but she assumed Sonic had told it far more, considering Tails’ familiarity with it.

Sonic certainly didn’t seem to want her to know he told the story at all, considering his panic and embarrassment the one time Sally revealed herself while he was telling it. He knocked her over with a pillow, it was actually rather impressive.

It was a lovely story, a summary of their initial meeting and their early friendship, all compressed and dressed up to better entertain and soothe a young child to sleep.

It cut out some key details and honestly made both Sonic and Sally look better than they were but… it wasn’t bad.

But if Sally had to tell the story herself, she’d rather start it like this; once upon a time, there was a princess and a hedgehog in a garden…

Sally laughed as she chased her father around the fountain in the garden, her brother, Elias, her noble chariot in this mad chase.

“Faster, faster!” she urged her brother on, kicking out her blue shoes with a single star on the heel. “We’ve almost got him!”
“No, you don’t, Bean!” her father laughed, sticking his tongue out at his children. Sally and Elias gasped as one, sticking out their own tongues. 

The laughter and fun suddenly came to a halt as someone called out for the king and his teenaged heir.
“Your Highnesses! The scientists from the lab have arrived to announce their findings!”
“Ah, finally,” King Max said, stopping mid run. “I’m so sorry, my dear, but I need to take care of this. Elias.”
“Ah, sorry, Fre- I mean, Sally,” Elias said, stumbling for a moment. People were still getting used to her new name. He lowered her off his back, setting her down. “Me and Father will be back in just a moment!”
“Can’t I come with you?” Sally asked, pleading.
“No, Sally, my bean,” King Max said. “This is an important business for us grown-ups. We’ll take care of it.”
“But I’m six now! Surely I’m old enough to help, like Elias?” Sally tried but it fell on deaf ears.
“It’s really important, Sally,” Elias shrugged. “But we’ll be right back and we can keep playing, promise.”
With that, Prince Elias hurried to join King Max as they left the garden to meet the scientists.

Sally huffed, crossing her arms. She didn’t get it. Sure, she’d never be queen since Elias was gonna be king but Mother and Rosie both said it was important she has these kinds of skills for the future! How is she supposed to know how they look in action if they never let her watch?
Ugh, Sally wishes she was an adult now. 

But there was nothing she could do about that, like wish on a magic ring to age her up or anything, so she figured she’d settle for reorganizing the vegetable garden, again.

With a world weary sigh, Sally turned and left the garden’s entrance, entering the hedge maze. 

The maze connected all of the parts of the garden, including the vegetable garden.

And Sally knew it like the back of her hand-

A sound passed behind her, like that of something running through the hedges. Sally jolted, turning towards the sound.

Nothing, it was the same old maze as always. 

Swallowing around a lump in her throat, Sally turned back around, hurrying down the path. 

It was not the only time she heard something behind her in the maze but it was the only time she looked back.

One part of her was afraid that something actually was behind her and one part was afraid Sally was just hearing things and if she reacted, she'd look foolish.

Stone faced, Sally marched through the maze, praying to not be going crazy.
Like that scary movie Elias wasn’t supposed to let Sally see, where a guy went crazy in a corn maze! The only difference between a corn maze and a hedge maze was the amount of corn in it! What if it wasn’t enough to save Sally’s mind?!
Sally speed walked through the maze, gritting her teeth until she cleared the hedges, stepping into the wide area dedicated to the vegetable garden.
Sally dared to look behind her, releasing a sigh of relief at the absolute lack of presence.

She walked, now with comfortability, into the garden, heading toward her pots.

Truth be told, Sally wasn’t really allowed near the actual gardens but she was given charge of a few beanstalks. 

She liked to move her pots around, that way she could ensure they got proper sunlight. 

Sally struggled to pick one of her pots, straining as she moved it out of the shade and back into the sun. 

With a huff, she set it down and turned around to grab another.

She shrieked as she saw a blue hedgehog standing in the shade, holding one of green bean stalks.
They flinched back at her screech, nearly dropping the pot.
“Don’t yell,” they grumbled, readjusting their hold on the pot. “Too loud.”
“What are you doing in my garden?” Sally shouted.
“Uncle told me to wait here,” the hedgehog shrugged. “I saw you. Figured I’d see what you’re doing.”
“...I’m organizing my garden,” Sally said. “Do you wanna help?”
The blue hedgehog’s ears perked up and they nodded.
“Great,” Sally pointed next to the pot she’d already moved. “You can put it there. I’m Sally.”
“I’m Sonic,” Sonic said, waddling more or less over there, setting down the pot. “Nice to meet you.”
“Okay, if we lift one pot together, it should be easier to carry,” Sally said, walking over to the third pot. It was the last one, she had only three. Best things come in three.

She said this to Sonic who frowned and shook his head.
“Seven’s better!” Sonic protested.
“Why seven?” Sally asked.
“Um,” Sonic paused, blinked his big brown eyes, and thought hard for a good second before responding. “There’s seven days in a week.”
“Hm, that’s a good argument,” Sally agreed. “But I still think you’re wrong.”
“Okay,” Sonic shrugged. “But you’re wrong about me being wrong.”
“Well, you’re wrong about me being wrong about you being wrong!” Sally countered.
“No, you’re-” Sonic suddenly stopped, head turning in some direction. “I gotta go.”
“Will you come back tomorrow?” Sally asked. Having extra hands on her garden had actually been beneficial.
“Can I?!” Sonic’s head whipped back to her. His dark eyes were wide and full of hope.
“Of course! Just don’t sneak up on me again,” Sally said, packing all the authority in her voice.
“Okay! Bye, Sal!” Sonic said, smiling.
“It’s Sally, not Sal-” Sally huffed but blinked, surprised. He was already gone. Huh? Could he turn invisible? That would explain how he snuck up on her.
“Sally!” her father called and the young chipmunk was distracted from her new playmate.
“Coming, Father!” Sally called, running through the maze back to her father.
The man was waiting for her by the fountain, holding something in his hands.
“Sally, this is Nicole,” her father said. “It’s a very intelligent computer. It’s going to be your new friend.”
“But I already made a new friend today,” Sally said with a frown, even as she took the little handheld computer.
“Oh?” her father said, quirking an eyebrow.
“Mhm,” Sally nodded. “His name is Sonic and he can turn invisible.”
“Hello, Sally,” Nicole suddenly spoke up. “I am Nicole.”
“Oh, cool!” Sally said, momentarily forgetting about Sonic. “You can talk!”
“Where did you meet this Sonic, my bean?” her father asked.
“In the garden,” Sally said, looking back up. “He was really sneaky.”

That’s how Sally remembered their first meeting. It certainly wasn’t their last.

As agreed upon, Sonic appeared the next day and suggested instead of constantly moving the pots around, why not find one spot in the garden that was always sunny?
There were some complications with that, the surrounding hedges for one, the fields of actual growing vegetables for another. +

"This spot is pretty sunny!" Sonic said, gesturing to the area.

"For now!" Sally said before pointing up. "See that hedge? Its shadow stops there now but it goes up to here later."

"What? Why?" Sonic exclaimed.

"Because, um," Sally pulled out Nicole. "Hey, Nicole?"

Then Sonic suggested stacking things up so the pots would be above the garden and get more sunlight. 

"Sonic, this doesn't seem safe," Sally said hesitantly, taking a step back.

"No, it's fine, Sal! I've seen my uncle do this!" Sonic said, stacking another chair on top of the other chair, clamoring on top of it all. "Just need to- whoa, whoa, WHOA-"

"SONIC!"

Which. Hadn't ended well, to say the least.

It was on his fourth visit that Sally led them out of the vegetable garden to some of the other parts, including a playground.

Sonic really liked the playground. Sally usually didn't, mostly because there wasn't anyone to play with but the worker's kids and most of them never actually wanted to play with her.

Sally liked the slides the best but Sonic thought the shaky stairs were infinitely better.

Both agreed the swings were the best. 

"Why do you call me Sal?" Sally asked, kicking her legs up. 

"I don't know," Sonic shrugs, spinning his swing around. "It fits you. Do you not like it?"

"No, it's fine," Sally shook her head. "It's just… people have difficulty calling me Sally already, I didn't know if nicknames would be more confusing or not."

"My uncle has trouble calling me Sonic too," Sonic said.

"Oh? What did he used to call you?" Sally asked, swinging up a little.

"What did people used to call you?" Sonic asked back, stopping mid spin.

Sally didn't respond. Sonic didn't say anything else.

That was the last they spoke on that topic until they had to explain why these new specific scars on Sonic's chest were actually a good thing to Tails.

"Why do you come here so often?" Sally asked Sonic after about two months of visits.

"My uncle can't afford a babysitter," Sonic replied, balancing a stick on his nose. It'd be more impressive if Sally hadn't watched him work up to that point in stick-nose balancing. "So he brings me to his meetings and lets me loose."

"Oh," Sally hummed.

"I like you more than any babysitter anyway," Sonic said, dropping the stick into his hand. "You may be bossy but you're also funny."

"I'm not bossy, I'm a natural leader," Sally huffed.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Sonic asked. He sat down next to her, watching her draw into the dirt. “Whatcha drawing?”
“I’m drawing space,” Sally said, poking dirt stars into her dirt sky.
“Isn’t space blue?”
“No, it’s purple, silly.”
“Oh, right.”
“What does your uncle even do here?” Sally asked after a moment. “I’ve never seen anyone like you working here.”
“He, um, he fixes things,” Sonic said. “Robot things. He’s trying to use robots to fix people. Him and Mr. Eggman.”
“Mr. Eggman?” Sally questioned, Sonic nodding.
“He’s a giant egg that’s a man,” Sonic supplied. “No fur or anything!”
Sally visualized a giant walking egg with a face and grimaced.
“Sounds gross,” Sally said.
“He looks worse!” Sonic agreed. His eyes flicked up and Sally knew it was time for him to go. “See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow!” Sally called as he ran, yes, ran out of sight. Sonic didn’t turn invisible, he was just really, really fast. Which was less cool than invisibility but still pretty cool, Sally supposed.

Sally remembered the rest of that night so clearly. She stood up and left the garden. Her mom picked her up and suggested they have dinner with just the two of them tonight. That’s how Sally knew her father was really busy that night.

Elias had been working on his homework in his room so Sally just brought his plate up to him before running back to her mother and having dinner. It was walnut soup, Sally’s absolute favorite but it was a bit too salty.

Sally didn’t complain, though, because she knew her mom liked it extra salty. Father came down and grabbed a bowl, making an audible complaint about the saltiness. 

Sally, full of soup and becoming sleepy, had scolded her father over it before conking out in his arms.

He must've carried her to bed because she faintly remembers waking up in bed, the door shutting while Father’s smiling face was visible through the crack.

Sally had just closed her eyes again and rolled over, burrowing into her bed under her glow in the dark stars. 

That was the last time Sally saw her father alive. 

Hours later, Sally was abruptly awoken by Rosie, her nanny and tutor, scooping her out of bed. There was something happening, Sally knew that, considering the sudden late night hustle and bustle of the castle, people shouting orders and running to and through.

Sally saw something swoop down and grab up one of the guards, carrying him up and away. Rosie turned her away from the sight and pushed her along.
“Come along, princess!” Rosie said, Sally remembered. “We need to get you to safety! Your mother and brother are waiting for you!”
“What about Father?” Sally asked, hurrying alongside Rosie. The woodchuck hesitated.
“He’ll be right with you, dear, he just needs to take care of something,” Rosie reassured. 

They exited onto the roof, Rosie leaning forward to shield Sally from the strong winds coming from the already spinning helicopter propellers. 

Sally could see Elias and her mother inside, both in their pajamas, looking just as confused and afraid as Sally felt. 

Sally moved to join them before Rosie gasped, pulling her back.

Something slammed into the helicopter and Sally screamed as the aircraft exploded. She screamed again as a second thing hit the helicopter and the whole aircraft went falling over the edge, off the palace wall.
“Mommy! Elias!” Sally sobbed, Rosie grabbing her up and running as Sally struggled, reaching out for where her family just were.
Rosie ran, ran through the castle and out through the front gate.
“Where, where are we going?!” Sally hiccuped.
“Knothole, princess, do you remember Knothole?” Rosie said, rushed. Sally sniffled and nodded. “Good, we’re going to have to run there now, you’ll be safe there.”
Rosie set Sally down and they ran, their conjoined hands keeping them from being separated as they ran amongst the everyday citizens of Mobotropolis.

She can see now, what is swooping down and carrying people away, strange robots that look almost like aliens, gray metal and red eyes, flying down from somewhere and grabbing someone and carrying them off.

There’s so much crying and screaming and Sally’s own absent minded noises of panic are lost in the hullabaloo. 

Rosie suddenly shrieks out and Sally’s arm nearly gets pulled out of its socket before Rosie lets go, the older woman being carried off like so many others. 

Sally freezes, despite how terrible of an idea that is, helpless to stop herself.

The mob moves around her like waves around a stone and she lets out some pitiful whine as she finds herself completely and utterly alone.
“Sal!” Sonic’s voice cuts through Sally’s thoughts and the crowd’s distress like a hot knife through butter. His hand reaches out and finds hers. His eyes are teary and there’s a hand shaped mark on his cheek but he looks otherwise unaffected by his surroundings.
We… we have to go to the Great Forest!” Sally said, weakly, tightening her hold on Sonic’s. “I know a safe place there.”
With a nod,  Sonic turns towards the forest, jutting his elbow out as he pulls Sally through the crowd. 

It thins out significantly as they go, until it’s just their small shoes hitting the ground as stone pavement turns to dirt.

Sonic runs along the well walked path, his quills on edge, even when they leave that path and enter the Great Forest.

Sonic’s run turns to a jog turns to a walk turns to a stop, turns to Sonic turning to Sally.
“Where to, Princess?” Sonic asked her. She wished she could sound as unshaken as he did, though a much older and wiser Sally would recognize the slight jumpiness of Sonic, the way his usually rhythmic tap of his foot was out of time.
“There’s this old village, Knothole,” Sally explained, taking the lead. “It, um, is a hidden bunker as well as a village and my family and anyone from Mobotropolis knows to go there for sanctuary.”

“Why’s it called-” Sonic starts, stopping when Sally stops in front of a hollow log, a knothole on the side. “Oh.”
“There’s another entrance but, um, this one’s my favorite,” Sally explains. Sonic just hums and nods in response.
“After you, Sal,” Sonic says, setting aside so she can easily get in. with a sharp inhale, Sally climbs into the log, pushing herself down the sanded down wooden slide.
Sally was used to the slide so she landed on the bottom on her two legs, barely stumbling, while Sonic landed face first in the dirt as he came down behind her.

It was the first and only time she laughed that day.

Other people had made it to Knothole, thank Gaia, Sir Armand D’ Coolotte and both Tundra and Sherman Walus being the chief faces she recognized. 

The people were chaotic and afraid but the adults had hope to reclaim the kingdom. 

People asked Sonic if his family was taken or not and he just shrugged, looking away.

He didn’t talk much to adults. Sally got funny looks when she said that.

Sally hadn't understood much of the stuff happening around her at the moment, didn't understand why no one would tell her where her father was, why everyone kept talking in low whispers when the kids were around, why, why, why.

She didn't understand.

She would, though. 

One night, the adults gathered what resources they could, stored a lot away, and had a big party.

The meal was delicious and Sally remembers Sonic whispering her joke after joke in a faux French accent as Antoine, Sir Armand's son, tried and failed to impress her. 

The adults had said this would be the last night they spent in Knothole and they were leaving in the morning to reclaim the kingdom.

Sally, foolishly, had believed them. She'd gone to bed, certain she'd be at home with her family again tomorrow.

(She was ignoring the fact she'd seen her mother and brother die.)

And then it was just Sally, Rotor, Tundra and Sherman's son, Antoine, Sonic, and Nicole. Not that Antoine counted Nicole but Sally made sure she was included.

Antoine was a coyote, skittish and full of false pride, talking constantly of rushing out and fighting by his father's side, even though he struggled to hold a sword with a steady hand.

Rotor was a walrus and Sally didn't learn much about him those first few weeks, he was quiet, almost more quiet than Sonic was.

Sonic was, well, Sonic and no one but Sally trusted him so that left leadership to Sally.

She took Nicole and the few leadership skills she'd picked up from her father and got to work, setting up a chore list, organizing the rations, and ensuring everything was in order for when the adults came back.

Sonic joined her while going through the rations.

"It was my birthday yesterday," Sonic told her, handing a box of instant potatoes to her. 

"Oh. Happy birthday, Sonic!" Sally said. 

"I don't think they're coming back," Sonic said next. 

Sally paused, her hands tightening on Nicole.

"I-" she started.

"Zey are coming back!" Antoine shouted, causing both to jump. The coyote, only a year older than Sonic, backed Sonic into a wall, Sonic's quills scraping against the concrete wall of the storage room. "Zey are going to come back and kick you back to the streets zere you belong and we are going to go home!" 

"Antoine!" Sally snapped and Antoine jumped back, almost as if he didn't notice she was there.

"Ah, Princess, I, uh, zidn't see you there," Antoine hastily backpedaled. "I was just-"

"Sonic's right," Sally said, even as her own stomach dropped at the words. "We need to prepare for the possibility of the grown ups not coming back. We'll have a group discussion later."

"Of… of course, Princess," Antoine said, looking close to arguing. He, however, nodded and bowed to Sally clumsily before scurrying off, his tail in-between his legs. 

Sonic stuck out his tongue and made a face at Antoine's back.

The discussion went as well as expected, considering Sonic didn't want to sit still and be sitting ducks, Antoine was jumping between kissing up to Sally and wanting to crawl under a rock forever, and Rotor looking near tears.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"Zo you zuggest we go out zere and get ourzelves killed inztead?"

"You put you in charge anyway?"

"Ze Princess did!"

"She did not, Sal-!"

Sally was torn. 

She knew what her father would do but… she's not her father. She's just six years old, seven tomorrow.

Oh Gaia, her birthday is tomorrow. 

She looked up at the table, at the discord happening.

"We're staying here and waiting for help to come," Sally said, her quiet voice somehow heard over Antoine and Sonic's shouts. 

"Oh, thank Gaia, ze Princess zees reason!" Antoine sighed.

"But, Sal…!" Sonic tried to say.

"My decision is final," Sally said, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest. She felt more like she was playing pretend than actually making an important decision.

Sonic huffed but nodded, flopping back in his chair. 

Sally let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure if she could've argued with Sonic, he was very convincing.
Antoine puffed out his chest and grinned, like he’d won a victory and not just happened to be arguing on the side Sally was gonna pick. Rotor sighed in relief as well, uncovering his ears.

“Happy Birthday, my Princess!” Antoine greeted as Sally came into what had been deemed the food hall for breakfast. He gestured with all the flourish a knight like his father would have to a tall tower of pancakes, no doubt made from the instant pancake bag they’d found in the storage. Just add water and you get pancakes. 

“Oh, thank you, Antoine!” Sally said, taking one of the pancakes. Rotor waved from the kitchen, his stomach covered in flour. “Thank you, Rotor.”
She sat down with her pancake. They couldn’t find silverware, so she just ate it with her hands. Nicole read off the amounts of food left, adding in her own happy birthday, with digital fireworks on her small screen. 

“Where’s Sonic?” Sally asked, realizing the blue hedgehog was missing. Rotor turned his eyes to the ground while Antoine turned physically around. “Antoine. Where’s Sonic.”
“Oh, alright, alright, I’ll tell you, Princess!” Antoine folded instantly, throwing himself at Sally’s feet. “He forced me! Strong armed me! I had no choice, that brute, he waz so cruel-!”
“Sonic left Knothole Village this morning,” Rotor cut off Antoine. “Said he had to know what was going on.”
Sally swallowed around a lump in her throat.
“Yes, yes, I waz just about to say that,” Antoine huffed. “Wait, you can talk?”
Rotor just sighed.
“Nicole, what’s the chances of Sonic returning?” Sally asked, holding up the handheld device.
“80%,” Nicole intoned and Sally sighed in relief. “Chance of him not coming back.”
“Nicole!” Sally shouted.
“Apologies, Sally,” Nicole said and she did sound weirdly apologetic.

“When did he leave?” Sally asked, standing up. “Maybe I can still catch him-”
“He left an hour ago,” Rotor said. “I’m sorry, Princess. I think he’s gone.”
Sally’s hands tightened on Nicole.
“No,” she choked out. “No.”

Sonic did come back because one of his hobbies, it would turn out, was doing what people believed to be impossible.

However, he also was developing a hobby of giving Sally a heart attack several years before someone her age should have so the first thing they all saw when he came back was robot legs coming down the slide to Knothole. 

Rotor had screamed and Antoine had run over, struggling to hold his father’s sword.
Sally followed right behind, terrified but unwilling to leave Rotor and Antoine alone against some threat.

The robot legs were not attached to a robot body but to a rabbit girl, one arm also robotic while the rest of her was flesh and blood, like anyone.

A backpack followed after, landing solidly with an audible thunk behind it. 

Sally heard Sonic sliding down and hurriedly yanked both girl and backpack out of the way.

Sonic landed face first into the dirt, swiftly sitting up and spitting earth out of his mouth.

"Sonic!" Sally cried, running over to Sonic. She squeezed him in a hug before socking him in the arm. "What were you doing?!"

"Got bored," Sonic shrugged, like wandering out of the only known safe spot to go for, what, a walk? was his idea of a good time. "I brought some stuff back."

"Yeah, I saw that," Sally glanced back, Antoine opening the backpack to find it full of food. "How did you- ?"

"Most of the shops were still full of food," Sonic said. "But then I saw those robots and-"

Sonic glanced past her at the rabbit girl. 

"They're not just taking people, Sal," Sonic said. "They're turning them into robots."

Sally paled at the implications.

"You don't happen to know who is doing this, do you?" Sally asked. 

"...I have some guesses," Sonic admitted. "I'm hoping I'm wrong." 

Sally frowned but decided to leave it at that. 

"Oh, uh, I got you something!" Sonic said quickly, reaching behind him. He pulled out a small star backpack charm. "It's a star like the ones on your shoes. I figured you could put it on Nicole's handheld device. I… remembered you saying it was your birthday?"

Sally cupped it in her two hands. It seemed so bizarre to her at the moment, the idea he sunk out against her orders to get her a birthday present . 

Later, it was a profoundly Sonic act to do. Of course the world had practically ended for them and he’d snuck out to get her a gift. Of course. What else would Sonic do?
Sally laughed and then she cried. It was a pretty wacky reaction but as she grew accustomed to Sonic’s odd bouts of kindness, she’d no longer cry. Much. 

She thinks Sonic has a thing for making her feel explosive amounts of feelings. 

She remembers thinking how she hoped this wouldn’t be some kind of awakening. 

Dumbass.

Chapter Text

Sonic was a fighter for as long as he could remember.

It’s the one thing he remembers about his mother, her laughing as she picked him up, calling him her little fighter, how much like his father he was. His father then took Sonic from her, the two marching about while Sonic giggled on his shoulders.

Sonic didn’t remember much about them besides that. 

Sonic tried to keep up that energy, standing his ground and carrying his weight.

He didn’t want to trouble his uncle so he’d make his own dinner, he didn’t want to interrupt his uncle so he entertained himself.

Sonic didn’t like being a fighter. His uncle hadn’t wanted him to be one either, really, as the fading bruise on his cheek showed. 

But someone had to be. Sucks it had to be a then seven year old kid but, hey, it all worked out.
“I can fight, Sal, c’mon!” Sonic argued, standing up. “I told you, I tore through those things like they were nothing! If we work together-”
“If we work together, we might all get killed,” Sally snapped back. She stamped her foot as she said that, like it added emphasis to her words. “We stay here and we stay together until someone comes to get us.”
“You mean until those robots come and get us, like your parents?” Sonic snapped right back. Sally’s face went red at that and Sonic felt kind of bad, kind of. "Sally, if we stay here, we're… we're… we're sitting geese!"

"Sitting ducks?” Sally says, crossing her arms.
“Yes!” Sonic exclaimed, gesturing out to her. “We’ll be sitting ducks! Antoine can barely lift a weapon and Rotor didn’t even talk until today. I can fight! Just let me-”
“Then stay here and fight if they do show up, if,” Sally said. “You don’t have to leave.”
“I can’t just stay here and do nothing,” Sonic hissed out. “Just because you all wanna die here, hiding in a pit, doesn’t mean I can. There’s people out there I can help and I’m gonna.”
“Then do it,” Sally glared.
“Fine!” Sonic said.
“Fine!” Sally said back. At that, Sonic wheeled and stormed out, nearly knocking over the two eavesdroppers at the door. 

He snatched up his backpack, hastily dumping it onto the grass before climbing back up the log.
Sally later told him that she almost called him back. He told her he was glad she didn’t and she agreed.

So Sally wasn’t always right.

Sonic may have been a fighter but, when given the choice, he’d rather explore any day of the week.

And so it was that Sonic suddenly found himself alone in a world that pretty much was trying to kill him.

He’d find a flower and nearly get jumped by what he’d come to call a SWATbot, since they were a lot like the SWAT teams in his uncle’s crime shows. He’d break his current speed record and run face first into a weird bouncepad that sent him running the opposite way, nearly into a lake. He helped a group of people escape SWATbots, pointing them in the direction of Knothole, only to find them robotized the next day.

Robotized. Sally could have probably thought of a better way to say it. Not that Sonic needed a better way to say it. He could say it just fine. 

Sonic didn't know how it worked but what happened was that someone got thrown or dragged into some weird metal tube and got spat out as a machine.

When Sonic had found the bunny girl, she'd just been shoved into the tube and Sonic had moved before he could think; curling into a ball and ramming into the metal tube.

His quills had cut through the tube like a hot knife through butter and Sonic had dragged the half robotized girl back to Knothole. 

Sonic didn't find or save a lot of people in the same halfway state as the bunny girl. 

Sonic hoped she was okay. He couldn't imagine part of his body getting turned into robot bits.

He hoped she was alright with his…

Could he call them his friends? Sally was his friend, even if he was kind of annoyed with her right now. Maybe Rotor? Rotor's alright, he doesn't even talk a lot! Sonic liked being quiet sometimes too. 

Not Antoine though. Antoine's annoying.

Sonic didn't go back to Knothole, even as he pointed people towards Knothole, mostly other kids like him.

It seemed kids were harder to grab or something because there were a lot of kids who had managed to escape.

But it seemed little critters were pretty easy to nab.

Sonic kept finding SWATbots and other robots with little animals in them. Sonic couldn’t help but wonder if it was the same with the robotizer, if he tried to cut through the robot bits, he’d find the flesh person inside.

He was too scared of being wrong to find out. 

Honestly, a lot of this stuff scared him. People turning into robots, animals used as batteries for robots, wildlife and the places Sonic knew and was coming to know turning to cold metal beneath Sonic’s feet. 

What kind of person   would be willing to do this, to take all of this nature, all these lives, and make them so… bleak?

Well, Sonic had his guesses. See, his uncle had been, well, working on something a concerning amount like the robotizer but the way Uncle Chuck described it didn't make it sound as scary as this. 

Sonic didn't think it was Uncle Chuck behind this, he dared not think it , but his uncle has been working with someone. Sonic never saw him, not up close or anything, but he heard him and he sounded big and scary.

That was who Sonic thought was doing this, had torn so many lives apart for seemingly no reason. It fit, in his little seven years old brain, and he must've been a pretty damn smart seven years old because he was right.

He met the man again after following a trail of motobugs, ladybug like robots that usually had critters in them, cracking them open like eggs to free the animals inside.
He’d just clawed one of them open, the metal snagging on his worn gloves as the flicky wiggled its way out before flying away, when a voice boomed, followed by the roar of engines.
“So! You’re the one causing the setback, hm?” the man Sonic had and would call Eggman sneered, startling Sonic away from the motobug. The egg-shaped man leaned forward on his pod like carrier, assessing Sonic like one would an infestation of ants. “Huh. I expected you to be… bigger.”
Sonic huffed and puffed out his chest, a little insulted. He didn’t bother talking. He didn’t trust the vibes of this guy to bother speaking. 

“Not a talker, huh?” Eggman chortled. “That works! I’d rather you scream.”

A giant wrecking ball dropped from the bottom of the tyrant’s pod.
“You should be honored, you little rat!” Eggman boasted, leaning forward. “It’s not often I take the time to squish my pests myself!”
Sonic snorted and bent down, tightening the layers of duct tape on his shoes, stretching his legs. He swallowed around a lump in his throat.

This was the guy who ruined the entire kingdom. He probably wasn’t gonna be any kind of pushover. But if Sonic can beat him… maybe…?
A naive thought but Sonic didn’t know that yet. 

He stood back up, Eggman seeming amused enough to allow Sonic to stretch.
“All ready to go to heaven, little rat?” Eggman asked in a mockingly sweet tone. His grin was much, much crueler. “Then let’s get started!”
Don’t get Sonic wrong. Eggman is a formidable opponent. As intelligent as he is cruel, the plans the tyrant can make are diabolical and nearly unstoppable at times. 

But this was Eggman’s first time meeting Sonic and he was not prepared for the little blue pintsized pinball. 

Sonic outsmarted and outspeeded the egg-shaped tyrant, sending both him and his carrier back sputtering back to the transformed Acorn Castle. Sonic would have chased after him if not for the sudden surge of SWATbots and Motobugs forcing Sonic to retreat. 

Sonic was fast and smart but he was also a single seven year old. There was no way he could take that many, especially after just fighting the leader. 

He didn’t seem to recognize Sonic, not that they talked much. That’s good. Right? Sonic’s not sure. It’s not like Eggman recognizing Sonic would do anything, would it?  

Sonic tried to catch his breath from his hidden perch at the top of a tree and looked towards Mobotropolis and the Acorn Castle.

There was something being constructed at the top of the castle, something Sonic now noticed had a strange resemblance to the egg shaped man's face.

That was not the last time Sonic faced Eggman face to face. It didn't happen often, the man preferred to have machines do his dirty work, but Sonic figured the guy didn't really have anything better to do. 

Giant saws, giant hammers, giant lasers. He kept picking weapons Sonic could break! Shame.

But that day was also Sonic's first trip into the Special Zone and his encounter with a series of gemstones.

He had climbed down from the tree after the SWATbots had retired from their search and brushed the tree bark off his knees when he saw it, just a glint, in the corner of his vision.

Sonic turned towards the pinprick of light, a swirling kaleidoscope of colors.

It was mesmerizing. Sonic's feet moved without thought, he reached out, not thinking.

The tips of his fingers touched the light and the whole world seeme shifted, changed.

He was in a different place altogether, a place without order and reason, nothing except the feeling of power flowing through and over him. 

It was a part of Sonic and, yet, so different, you couldn’t possibly mistake it for him. 

He felt like he was both floating and running. Running towards… what?
The fog only cleared when the cold chill of a polished gemstone shocked him into awareness.

When Sonic opened his eyes, he was not in the same place he’d touched that light and he was holding a… Chaos Emerald.

Sonic had heard of Chaos Emeralds only in fairy tale bedtime stories but he somehow knew, in his gut, this was a Chaos Emerald.
Sonic stared at it, mesmerized by it. The sound of gears churning nearby startled the young ‘hog out of his revelry, leading Sonic to tuck the miracle gem into his backpack before dashing off.

There were places Eggman hadn’t reached yet. Note the yet. 

Sonic found himself becoming something of an errand boy for the towns yet untouched, watching as they tried to fight and sent their children to Knothole. 

He hoped Sally wasn’t mad; he was telling people about Knothole. It’s supposed to be a safe place, right? Why not tell people to go there to be safe?
Sonic was admittedly a little too scared to ask her. And maybe a little angry too. 

She was still hiding in Knothole. She’s the princess, isn’t she? Shouldn’t she be doing… Sonic’s not sure, princess things?

It wasn’t entirely fair of Sonic to think that, to be fair, something he’d recognize when he was a fair bit older and honestly not much wiser.

But it was what kept Sonic away from Knothole for so long, even though he missed those he saw as his friends. 

There was so much to do, people to fight for, robots to fight against, Chaos Emeralds to find, Eggmans to chase. 

Sonic had figured if he could keep the man distracted, something Sonic was developing quite a talent for, he could give other people time to… well, either run or fight, really. Something. Not die?

Sonic wasn't sure who was chasing who, Eggman trailing Sonic along with trapped Flickies in Motobugs, Sonic destroying his robots and chasing after the tyrant.

It felt like trying to clean his room, in a weird way.

Everytime Sonic smacked back some of Eggman’s forces, more popped up! 

Sonic kicked aside a Motobug head, rubbing his face. It didn’t make the sting of his cut hurt less, it just smeared the blood over his face.
Sonic frowned but decided to leave it be.

He hurried over the hill to the nearby town, people standing in the streets. It made sense, Sonic wasn’t exactly quiet when he fought these guys. 

“I need to speak to whoever’s in charge,” Sonic said, wasting no time for anything else. “You are all in grave danger.”
“I’ll say…” one citizen muttered, not that Sonic really heard.
“I’m Mayor Dimms,” a cat man said, stepping up. “What is the situation?”
“Eggman, the man who took over Mobotropolis and several other cities, is coming,” Sonic said. “You need to evacuate or everyone here could be robotized or worse!”
The people gasped.
“That was only the first wave,” Sonic went on. “More will come and, if you’re here, they’ll take you.”
“Where do you recommend we go?” Mayor Dimms said.
“Either to a town nearby that you think can protect you or to Knothole,” Sonic said. Most people had at least heard of Knothole by now. “If you wanna go to Knothole, I can give you directions.”
“You can’t possibly be listening to him!” a fox woman suddenly spoke up. “He’s, he’s one of them freaks! For all we know, he could be lying!”
“Now, Amanda, you just stop right there. You’re in no position to talk,” the mayor said sternly and the woman flushed, cowing under the social stare of disappointment. The mayor turned back to Sonic. “Thank you for the offer but we’ll be heading to one of our neighbors.”
Sonic nodded and turned to head out.

He frowned as he noted the way people seemed to lean away from him. Was the blood smeared on his face so bad?

Sonic winced at the sound tape made when stretched, pausing. After the annoyance had faded, he carefully resumed wrapping the tape around his shoes. 

They weren’t holding together so well anymore. Uncle Chuck had made them for his intense speed but Sonic’s speed had increased since then and he did it a hell lot more, the shoes just couldn’t take it. 

But the alternative was normal shoes, which just burnt, so tape it was. He wondered what kind of solution Sal and Nicole would have to something like this?
Sal was smart, she probably would-
Sonic forcibly shook his head. Focus, Sonic! We got things to do! 

With an untrimmed claw, Sonic cut the tape. He shoved the shoe onto his foot, making a face at how his peets were squished. 

Well, it’d have to do.

Sonic grabbed the tape and put it back into his backpack. He paused as his hand brushed against a gemstone, pulling it out.

Six. Sonic had found six emeralds. Now, Sonic remembers hearing stories about seven of these, so where is it?
Did it not want to be found? Maybe it was a loner. Sonic got that. He was a loner too.

He put the emerald back into his backpack and slung it over his shoulders.

Speaking of loners, he had work to do. 

He’d seen some people get dragged into one of Eggman’s factories, a rare occurrence. Oftentimes, it was someone who had personal history with the Doc, old ex-friends and co-workers who the man thought had slighted him in some way. 

Sonic was currently on the southern side of the Acorn Kingdom, on an island known only as the South Island. It was where Eggman did most of his building.

And most of his kidnapping.

Sonic stretched his legs, no point in pulling a muscle while saving someone’s sorry ass, and then he was off, running towards and into the factory.

Sonic’s still not sure how the average person or robot is supposed to navigate this but maybe Eggman has some elevator he can use to just magically get through it.

Yeah, he probably does.

Sonic dashed through the hordes of robots, ponds of stuff Sonic’s not sure is water, occasionally halting to look for the people he saw get taken. 

No luck. 

Sonic finally came to a stop in a large empty room. There was one way in or out, with no signs of continuation in the base.

Sonic turned this way and that. 

Where were the hostages?
“Well, well, welcome, rodent!” Eggman’s voice suddenly came as the door slammed shut, warning symbols lighting up on the wall and floor. “Welcome to your doom!”
It’s a trap. 

It’s a trap!

Strange laser balls appeared over Sonic’s head, the hedgehog having to duck and dodge to avoid them. The ground beneath him trembled as parts of it rose up and sunk down, nearly crushing Sonic.

Sometimes Sonic saw Eggman’s laughing face in the pillars but that could have just been the panic.

Sonic yanked his arm out of the way of a raising pillar, biting his lip to keep from yelping. 

Just keep moving, Sonic, or you’ll be crushed, keep moving, don’t stop moving, don’t stop, run, run, run!
Eggman’s face appeared on a pillar and Sonic moved before he could think, slamming razor sharp quills into the pillar. 

Eggman yelped in shock and surprise, his face vanishing from the pillar.
“Don’t do that!” Eggman yelled. “Why won’t you just die?!”
With bravery Sonic didn’t really feel, he stuck his tongue out at the roof.

“You insolent little brat…” Eggman growled. “I’ll crush you!”
Sonic jolted to avoid more rising pillars, jumping up to avoid them.

He suppressed a scream when his back hit one of those electric balls that were being fired as well, claws digging into the steel floor. 

Teary eyed, he beelined for another pillar with Eggman’s face, ramming himself into it. 

Eggman yelled out in surprise as the pillar fell in half, crashing to the floor and holding down one of the pillars.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” Eggman screamed as the ground beneath Sonic’s feet rose up. Sonic fell on his back, using his legs to keep the steel pillar from crushing Sonic. “Die! Just die already, you insolent pest, just die, die, die!”
An electric ball hit Sonic’s leg and Sonic did scream this time, the contact leaving a burn that Sonic just knew was gonna hurt like a son of a bitch later. 

Sonic closed his eyes as the pressure increased, his legs wobbling. This was it?! This is how he’d die?!

Sonic can’t die here! He’s got places to go, things to see! What about all the people he has to help, please, someone, this can’t be how it ends!

In response, Sonic’s backpack glowed and vibrated, floating up and out from under Sonic’s back. 

They floated out of the backpack and spun in the air before rocketing off, cutting a hole through Eggman’s base right above Sonic.

Sonic stared up the hole, the sun warming his face. He blinked, feeling something heavy fall on his eyes but seeing nothing on them.
Around him, Eggman was going on and on, shouting about failing systems and engine overdrives.
Sonic, however, ignored him, shaking the daze and panic off of him before hopping and climbing up the hole. 

As he made it out, he heard what sounded like explosions. Whatever the Chaos Emeralds did, it was their business.

Eggman’s base went up in fire and smoke, Sonic watching the polluted smoke fly into the air.
He felt… exhausted.

Sonic stumbled into an evacuated house, not caring who or what was where. He just needed to sit down, his leg hurt so much.

He flopped onto the strangers’ abandoned couch, letting out a sigh.

Sonic looked at his leg and made a face, poking the burn. Pain shot through his entire leg and Sonic let out a full body hiss and shuddered in response.

It wasn’t bleeding, at least, Sonic tried to console himself. Man, this was really gonna slow him down for a hot minute, huh?
Sonic chewed on his lip before brightening up. 

He yanked his backpack off his back, a lot lighter without the emeralds now, and pulled out some napkins and tape. 

Sonic bit down on the tape as he pressed a couple layers of napkins to the oozing burn, eyes momentarily shutting from the pain.

After it had subsided, he removed the tape from his mouth, wrapping the tape around the napkins. 

He winced as he did so, it hurt, it hurt so bad, but he had to keep his legs at the very least in working condition! 

With shaking hands, he finished wrapping the tape, tears budding in his eyes. Sonic rubbed the droplets out of his eyes, dropping the tape within his bag. 

…He missed Uncle Chuck. He missed Sal.

Sonic startled up, eyes flying open as something slammed on a door within the house, breaking the strange silence that had settled over Sonic.

With a wince, Sonic stood to his feet, hobbling towards the sound.
“Lemme out!” a voice wailed from the locked closet door Sonic found, the door shaking with the force of the slams. “Please, please, lemme out!”
Sonic hesitates before yanking out a quill, undoing the lock.
The door swings open and Sonic gasps, taking a step back. 

Chapter Text

Sonic had told a lot of people about Knothole but not a lot made it.

Sally found mostly children escaped any robotic forces that ambushed and hunted down groups of survivors and so she found herself queen of children.

Sally is not sure how she’d been the one in charge but people later told her it was because she demanded respect. 

They brought stories of Sally’s friend back to her and Sally was amazed by every single one. They couldn’t all be true, Sonic’s speed and strength seemed to increase with every story. 

Bunnie laughed when Sally confessed that.
“Sally girl, I don’t think Sonic’s someone you need to exaggerate for,” the half robot, half rabbit girl said. Of course, she was also biased, as her only meeting with the blue hedgehog was him saving her from a terrible fate.

Bunnie had never seen Sonic eat dirt on a dare. But Sally actually did hope Bunnie was right, if only for Sonic’s safety. 

Sally remembered the day Sonic came back to Knothole, the excitement that bubbled around the hidden village as the blue hedgehog slid down the slide. 

Sally didn’t remember what she was doing but she did remember putting it down and stepping out to see him.

Sonic was smiling and waving to the other kids as he walked but his smile seemed to lose some of its plastic quality when his eyes landed on Sal.
“You’re back,” Sally said, looking him over. “You look…”
He looked battered and bruised, duct tape haphazardly used as bandages around various injuries. The weirdest part was his eyes; no longer were they dark and brown, but an emerald green.
“You look terrible,” Sally leaned in and whispered. Sonic blinked and then laughed.
“You don’t look any better!” Sonic whispered back. “You cut your hair!”

Sally reached up and touched her hair. True, she had cut it. Well, more accurately, Antoine cut it.

Once it had been floor length when braided and, one sword related incident later, it was at that moment down to her chest. 

"It doesn't look so bad," Sally huffed, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here?"

Sonic made a face, shifting nervously.

"Um," Sonic said. "Can I talk to you about it in private?"

Sally frowned and looked Sonic over again.

"After we fix this," Sally said, pointing to the concerning amount of tape covering his body before grabbing his hand and dragging him into her hut.

"Wha-?!" Sonic groaned, slumping as Sally dragged him inside. "Sal, I'm fine!"

"Ow!" Sonic cried as Sally yanked the tape of his arm, rubbing the spot. "Do you gotta do it so hard?"

"Well, don't use tape as bandages then!" Sally scolded. "Should've used proper stuff."

"From where? Tape was all I got," Sonic huffed. 

"Ask to borrow it, I'm sure someone would be willing to help you," Sally suggested.

"But then they would have babied me," Sonic crossed his arms. "I'm eight! I'm not a baby."

"Could have fooled me," Sally muttered beneath her breath.

"What'd you say?" 

"Nothing!" 

It was silent after that, just the sound of anti peroxide soaking into a cotton swab and Sonic letting out a slight hiss at the contact.

Both were thinking, two eight year old brains working overtime to get their point across.

"I'm sorry-" they both said at the same time, coming to an abrupt stop when they heard the other's voice.

"You go first," Sally offered.

"Nah, nah, I cut you off, go on," Sonic said, gesturing to her. 

"...I wanted to apologize," Sally said, looking away. "Ever since I took over Knothole, it feels as if we're losing more and more people. People show up and I just- this Robotnik, Eggman, whatever we call him, he takes more and more lives."

Sonic looked away, no doubt thinking the same thing.

"Maybe if we had all gone out together to fight…" Sally trailed off. It still sounded stupid, even now.

"Nah, you would have been captured in like two minutes flat," Sonic shook his head. "And then who would've kept an eye on Knothole?"

Sally looked up, confused.

"I wanted to say I was sorry because of that," Sonic admitted. "I was just… I wasn't thinking."

"But if you hadn't gone, who would've told people to come here?" Sally asked, sitting next to Sonic. "Maybe we both made the right call for ourselves."

Sonic looked over at her, surprised, before smiling.

"Sounds right to me," Sonic agreed.

His smile really looked pretty with his newly green eyes.

"So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Sally said hurriedly.

"Oh! Yeah, uh, just stay quiet, okay? He's easily startled," Sonic said, standing up. He walked over to his backpack and picked it up, almost cradling it. He carried it back to the bed, setting it down. 

'he'? 

"Okay, little buddy, it's time to wake up," Sonic said softly, opening the bag. "It's safe, we're in my friend's house."

Two little orange ears perked up and out of the backpack, an unbearably small fox kit poking his head out. 

The fox rubbed the sleepy from his eyes, climbing out of the raggedy backpack. 

Sally stared at the literal baby now on her bed.

"That's a baby!" Sally screeched, pointing at the fox kit.

"Shush!" Sonic shushed her. "You're scaring him."

"I'm sorry, I didni mean to scare you," the fox kit sniffled.

"No, no, it's my fault, I'm sorry," Sally hastily whispered. "I'm just… surprised!"

She shot a look at Sonic.

"This is, uh, Miles," Sonic introduced. "He's my current traveling buddy. I found him alone."

"Can I ask where alone?" Sally asked. 

Sonic glanced down at little Miles. Miles shook his head.

"Don't wanna say," Sonic shrugged, trying to look casual, not that he fooled Sally. She accepted it anyway for Miles' sake.

"What do you need help with?" Sally asked. 

"Pretty much… everything," Sonic made a face. "Sal, I don't know how to take care of a kid!"

"Neither do I!" Sally threw her hands up.

"Yeah, but you got food here! I know that's important for kids!" Sonic said.

"I don't wanna stay here," Miles said, panicked. "Please don't leave me."

"I'm not leaving you, I'm just talking with my friend," Sonic hurriedly reassured him. "Besides, Sal's not like that! She's real nice, promise."

"What do you mean, not like that?" Sally questioned. 

Miles hesitated before raising up his tail. Wait. Nope, there's two of them. Two tails.

"I'm sorry," Miles said after Sally didn't say anything for a minute, pulling his duo tails into a hug. "I upset you."

"No! No, no, I'm sorry, I was just surprised!" Sally quickly said. "Is… is that why you were alone?"

Miles nodded, burying his face in his tails. 

"They're not here, don't worry," Sonic said, glaring. "They chose to head to another village but I haven't seen any surviving villages since then. I think Eggman got them."

They left a baby. People are getting turned into robots and they left a baby!

"How old are you?" Sally asked.

Miles counted for a second before holding up three fingers.

A three year old. 

"You… haven't seen any villages since then?" Sally asked. 

"Well…" Sonic gnawed at his lip. "Yeah. I think we're it. We're all that's left."

He's a baby. 

"Sonic, can I talk to you later tonight?" Sally asked. "Until then, why don't you and your little buddy head to the Mess Hall? I think Rotor said he was working on perfecting his hush puppies."

Sonic's face brightened and he stood up, placing Miles on his head.

"C'mon, let's get some grub!" Sonic said with a laugh, making plane noises as he ran out with Miles on his head.

"Nicole?" Sally said. “Can you calculate how many people in Knothole are fit for combat?”

Sally watched, hours later, as Miles crawled back into the backpack, a choir of goodnights coming from various kids outside settling into whatever kind of bed was valuable. 

She’d offered the kit her bed but he said he liked Sonic’s backpack better.

Sonic joined her as she stepped outside, sitting on the porch.
“You can see the stars really well here,” Sonic said. “They’re really pretty.”
“I wanna fight,” Sally said.
“What?” Sonic turned to her.
“I want to fight!” Sally turned to him, determined. 

“I thought you said you made the right call! What changed your mind?” Sonic blinked, confused.
“We’re all that’s left,” Sally crossed her arms. “I was counting on someone stronger, faster, braver than me, then all of us, to save us and all I got was you and you can’t fight forever. You’re just a kid, like me.”
“I’m not just a kid,” Sonic grumbled. “I can handle it.”
Sally grimaced before grabbing Sonic’s hand between her own, pulling his attention towards her.
“But you shouldn’t have to!” Sally cried. Sonic stared at her, eyes wide, as if she had just suggested an all you can eat buffet forever. “You can handle yourself, yes, but you’re my friend! I want to help you. Our world is in danger and I can’t look away anymore, not when it’s affecting kids as young as Miles.”
“...It’s dangerous, Sal,” Sonic said, not exactly refusing her. “You could get seriously hurt.”
“I know,” Sally nodded. “But I can’t stay here and hide forever. It’s not what my father would do at this point.”
“...Eggman is planning something,” Sonic said. He finally pulled his hand away. “It’s on Acorn Castle, it almost looks like his face. I don’t know what it is but it’s big and it looks bad.”
“We have at least five available fighters,” Sally said. “We won’t let it stay standing.”

Okay, so it actually takes a lot of time and effort to get to the heart of enemy territory.
Sally told Sonic she wanted to help in December. 

By the time they got through to what was once Sally’s home, it was July.

In that time, the group of five fighters became ten become twenty became all of Knothole having some kind of weapon experience.

Sonic was still doing the most, what with his powers, but Sally liked to think the Knothole team’s specialty was in stealth.
Sonic was putting all the lights on him so Sally and her people could go in and do some more permanent damage. 

Sometimes, Sally wished she had powers too, if only so Sonic wouldn’t have to be the first wave alone. Something like… like fire powers or electricity or something useful and helpful!
Everytime he came back with another scratch or bruise, Sally felt as if she failed. She told him she’d help. She didn’t mean to lie .
Sally remembered watching him assure a worried Rotor that the oozing cut on his leg was nothing serious with nothing more than a pretty smile and a cut off laugh.

She missed his old laugh, yes, it made him sound evil, but it was so nice.

“Your people skills are getting better,” Sally said as Sonic walked towards her, his limp becoming slightly more obvious as he got closer. Sonic shrugged.
“Gotta be a good example for Tails,” Sonic waved away her worries.
“Tails?” Sally questioned. Tails poked his head ever so slightly out of Sonic’s bag.
“Miles is yucky,” Tails explained. “It’s not cool, like Sonic.”
“Ah, of course,” Sally nodded, agreeing with Tails’ sage wisdom. “Does Tails want to help me wrangle Sonic into taking care of his leg?”
“He also has a cut on his arm,” Tails relayed, pointing to where Sonic was slightly covering his arm. Sonic gasped in mock offense.
“You little snitch!” Sonic said, pointing at Tails’ face. The little fox only snickered, ducking deeper into the backpack.
Sally laughed and then sighed.
“You really should let Rotor or Bunnie take care of that stuff,” Sally said. “I don’t want you to get an infection.”
“They always make a big deal of it and baby me. They’re only like two years older than me,” Sonic huffed. “I can just do it myself.”
“Nope,” Sally frowned, grabbing Sonic’s hand. “Let’s clean you up.”
“Ugh, Sal!” Sonic whined but followed anyway. He always followed Sally.

Sonic carefully set his backpack down as they stepped inside Sally’s hut, Tails crawling out and running to the desk, immediately climbing up onto the chair. He was working on… something, Sally still wasn’t sure what. 

“I still don’t like you taking him with you,” Sally said as she pulled out the first aid, setting it down on the bed as Sonic sat on the edge of it.
“Half of the time, I don’t even plan to,” Sonic sighed. “He’s sneaker than you’d think.”
“Probably learned it from you,” Sally said. “Stick your leg up.”
Sonic complied.
“I think we’re almost through, Sal,” Sonic said, grinning, pointing at a diagram she had on her wall. “I got through like six zones today! The end is in sight!”
“I hope so,” Sally said, frowning. “We’ve lost four people to this campaign. I’m just praying we don’t lose anymore.”
“You’re a great leader, Sal,” Sonic said, wincing when Sal wrapped a bandage around his leg. “I’m sure everything will work out just fine.”
“You have a lot of faith in me,” Sally said, pausing for a moment. “Sometimes, I worry I’m just gonna let you down.”
“You’d never let me down,” Sonic says with a shrug. “I don’t have that high of expectations from someone who can't even do a backflip.”
“I can do a backflip!” Sally snapped back. The two stared at each other. “Man… it feels so… silly to talk about that kind of thing.”
“I’m fine with being a little silly!” Sonic grinned. “I’ve always been the sillier of the two of us.”
“That’s because you’re stupid,” Sally said matter-of-factly. “And I’m smarter than you.”
“Now who sounds silly?” Sonic teased. Sally shook her head, moving from his leg to his arm.
It was quiet for a second, the only sound of Tails’ various pencils scratching against paper and quills against wrappings.
“What will you do?” Sally asked as she finished up, sitting next to Sonic. “After we win, I mean.”
“Hm, ya know, I haven’t thought a lot about it. But all this running around Acorn Kingdom has got me thinking,” he turned to Sally, giving her a look of utter glee. “I think I wanna explore the world!”
“Really?” Sally asked, if only so he’d keep talking. He used to only talk like this for King Arthur. She didn’t realize she’d missed it.
“Yeah! There’s so much there I don’t know! There’s, there’s jungles and cities and forests and rivers,” Sonic said. “And I wouldn’t need a ticket or anything! I would just need my legs to get there! I could have the whole world at my fingertips, as long as I can run there. I mean, I guess in that case, I’d have to worry about water but I’ll figure something out!”
“Where do you want to go first?” Sally smiled.
“I think… hm, I’m not entirely sure,” Sonic hummed. “Somewhere with a lot of nature or somewhere with a lot of people? I’ll guess I’ll go where I end up first!”
“Can I come?” Tails asked, turning back to look at them.
“Of course, little buddy,” Sonic sat up. “Where else would I go if you weren’t there?”
Tails beamed.
“And Sally? Sally can come?” Tails asked next.
At that, Sally paused. Sonic glanced at her, as if just as uncertain.
“I might be busy,” Sally explained gently. “After all, there’s things that will need to be fixed.”
“Oh,” Tails said, looking down sadly.
“But we’ll still visit her tons!” Sonic quickly said, reassuring him. “Don’t worry.”
That worked to assure Tails, the fox kit brightening up.
“You’re my best friend, you better visit and help,” Sally said with false sternness.

"Let's save the playdate planning until after we kick Eggman's metal butt, yeah?" Sonic laughed. 

Sally felt nothing but failure and terror, the ground trembling beneath her feet.

The Death Egg, great and terrible, grinning down on her, rose into the air. Behind her, her forces backed up, some even running for their lives.

"Sal!" Sonic called, Sonic dragging Tails out of his backpack by the scruff of his neck and handing him to Sally. "Keep him safe."

"Where are you going?!" Sally asked. 

"I- I'm not sure but it's not far," Sonic said, looking towards something Sally couldn't see. "But I need you to trust me!"

"Just stay alive," Sally said, taking Sonic, the fox kit struggling to try and reach Sonic. "Be careful."

"Careful?" Sonic laughed with a bravado Sally could see was fake. "Where's… where's the fun in that?"

And then he was off like a shot, Sally's eyes unable to keep up with him.

The rising Death Egg, that, that Sally could stare at. 

It was impossible not to look at. Was this truly it? How it all ended, how Sally's brief struggle against what seemed then to be the inevitable came to a close?

No.

No, it wasn't, or her memories, her stories would have ended there. 

No, what happened was 100% more damning and more saving than any kind of death or subjection Eggman could force her under.

Sonic came back. 

Radiant and beautiful beyond measure, like staring into a sun, like holding a star in her two hands.

It was the first time Sonic ever went super.

He looks alien, he looks strange, and Sally is completely unaware of what could cause such a transformation.

Tails curled in closer on Sally and Sally understood, she was a little scared herself.
Sonic turned to them, his eyes now red against his golden fur.

Sally took a cautious step back and Sonic blinked, the feeling of pressure fading away slightly.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare ya!" Sonic said, his voice echoing. "Don't worry, I'm gonna take care of everything!"

It was still Sonic. Golden fur, red eyes, but same stupid and bright grin.

"Just come home when you're done," Sally said, voice trembling. She laughed. "I think Rotor's making chili dogs. I've never tried them before, I hope they're good."

"Same!" Sonic laughed as well. "I'll see you at home, Sal."

And then Sonic rocketed into the sky, a star flying up and after the Death Egg, and Sally barely sees Sonic break through the metal crust of the Death Egg.

Things are going to be okay. Sonic had said so.

And they were. From Knothole, Sally watched a golden star burst free of the Death Egg, the overgrown face of Eggman exploding moments afterwards. 

The star rockets towards Knothole and all of Knothole runs to the center of the hidden village.

Sonic lands amongst the cheering fighters, gold fading from his fur and seven gleaming Chaos Emeralds appearing around Sonic before vanishing. 

Sally barrels into Sonic, taking in his scent of citrus and freshly cut grass. Tails is right after her, clinging to Sonic's leg.

"Three cheers for Sonic!" Bunnie called out.

"Oh, c'mon, Bunnie, I wouldn't have had the chance to do anything if it weren't for all of you!" Sonic laughs, clinging to Sally. She can feel him slipping, he must be exhausted.

"Tonight is for rest and celebration!" Sally called out. "Tomorrow, we go home!"

Cheers rose up again, the groups moving to the mess hall.

"...I might skip out on dinner," Sonic said. "I feel drained."

"Right, right," Sally nodded. "C'mon, let's get you to bed."

To bed was, of course, Sally's bed. Tails refused to be anywhere else and Sonic refused to leave Tails so Sonic and Tails roomed with Sally.

Sonic pushed off her when they got to the door, walking in and curling up on Sally's bed, little more than a blue stress ball. 

Sally flopped down beside him. 

"You should get some food," Sonic said. "I'll catch up in a second."

"Hm, I'm not that hungry either. I'm sure Rotor will save us a chili dog or two," Sally shrugged. Tails climbed up and onto the Sonic ball. "...I can't believe it's over."

"Was there any doubt?" Sonic asked, unrolling, grunting as Tails jumped into Sonic's chest.
“A little,” Sally admitted. She reached out, taking Sonic’s hand. “I was kinda scared.”
“Well, it’s over now,” Sonic said, closing his eyes with a smile. “Eggman’s lost. We can go home.”

She couldn’t have known.

Sonic tells her this everytime it comes up, every single time it comes up, tells it to whatever person came up to challenge her authority, Sally did her best, she couldn’t have known.

But Eggman did. The territory they’d taken from them was barely more than a straight line, easily reclaimed by Eggman’s various machines and technologies. 

While they celebrated, Eggman took back every inch they stole from him and prepared to do the same to them.

In the morning, Sally departed with a group, Sonic by her side. 

Eggman’s machines had pounced upon them in an instant, faceless automations and the transformed corpses of their lost friends and family. 

Half of their group were taken, screaming while being carried away, Sonic shoving Tails back in his backpack and tossing it to Sally before attempting to fend off the grabby handed child snatchers.

They returned to Knothole, afraid and defeated, with nothing but bad news.

Sally holed herself in her hut while people started arguing in the mess hall.

There were two suggested courses of actions; make a mad dash for the border or stay and continue fighting.

The feelings on either option were 50/50 but all were looking towards Sally to make the final decision. No one wanted to be the one to blame if they made the wrong choice.

Including Sally.

The door opened and Sonic squeezed in, frowning as Sally’s hiccuped sobs filled the room.
“Sal?” Sonic called out.
“I’m a failure,” Sally sobbed, curled up in front of the door. “I can’t believe I…!”
“You’re not a failure,” Sonic said sternly, sitting down next to her. “Don’t say that.”
“It’s true!” Sally wailed. “And, and people are still looking to me to lead! I don’t know what to do!”
“Sal, calm down, you’re panicking,” Sonic said, reaching out and pulling her hands away from where they covered her face. “You need to breathe, okay? Deep breath in, deep breath out.”
Sally swallowed air like she was drinking it and it all came out as a shuddering sigh.

“How are you so calm?” she asked Sonic.
“Oh, I think my body’s on a delay about the whole freaking out thing, which is not going to be fun later,” Sonic admitted with a shrug. “But this isn’t about me. This is about you. How are you feeling?”
“I really thought this would be the end,” Sally said, closing her eyes. “I’m an idiot, huh?”
“Sal, we all thought that,” Sonic frowned. “It’s not like you could’ve known.”
“I’m Princess Sally Acorn, I’m supposed to know these things!” Sally gasped out. “I’m supposed to! I have Nicole, I have everyone, I have you, I should know!”
“But you didn’t. It’s too late to try and change that now,” Sonic said and it hurt a tad more than she expected. “What matters is what you do next.”
“But I don’t know what to do next, that is the thing!” Sally tossed her hands up. “If we leave, we could get captured or worse. If we stay, same thing! I, I don’t know what to do! I just don’t wanna lose anyone else.”
Sonic stared at her.
“Look, whatever you choose to do, I know you’ll do your best to make the right choice. That’s all that matters to me,” Sonic said, leaning back. “I’ll follow your lead.”
And then he smirked, as if the very idea of him listening to her was bizarre.
“Just this once, anyway,” Sonic chuckled. “You’ve always been better at plans than me.”

He stood up, walking to the door.
“Well, I’ll leave you and Nicole to talk it out,” Sonic said. “Should I tell them to wait until tomorrow for your decision?”
Sally looked over to Nicole, to her walls of plans. She thought, briefly, about what her father would do. She thought about what she would do.
“No,” Sally said, wiping her face and picking up Nicole. “I’m ready now.”
Sonic blinked, surprised, but nodded, opening the door for her.
Sally walked out, head high. She could do this.

She had to do this.

“Ah! Princess! Ze have been eagerly awaiting your plan of action-” Antoine said as he opened the door for her into the mess hall. Sonic walked in after her.
“Thank you, Antoine,” Sally cut him off as Sonic sat down and she stepped into the center of the hall, all eyes turning to her.
She looked around and took a deep breath.
“I know you’re all scared,” Sally said, loudly. “I’m scared too.”
Her eyes landed on Antoine, the coyote looking surprised at her glance.
“But we can’t let our fear control us,” Sally went on. “That’s what Dr. Eggman is waiting for. But we are more than he thinks we are.”
This time, she looked to Rotor, Tails resting on his head.
“We’re all that’s left, like it or not,” Sally said. “We’ve lost so much. Family, homes, friends, parts of ourselves we didn’t even know we could lose.”
She didn’t mean to look at Bunnie. 

“But that’s why we can’t run. That’s why I refuse to let us run,” Sally continued. “It’s not right. It’s not fair! We can’t accept that!”
A hesitant chorus of agreement rose up.
“We must continue to fight. For what we’ve lost, for what we stand to lose,” Sally looked at Sonic. He was smiling, leaning forward, fully enraptured in what she had to say. She felt her cheeks grow warm. “For our freedom. We have to fight for our freedom!”
With that the hall erupted in cheers, calls for Eggman’s blood, the like. Sally hurriedly calmed it down.
“This won’t be easy,” Sally warned. “So let’s get to work.”

Chapter Text

This was Sally’s first time leaving the Acorn Kingdom in… her entire life, maybe. Not so for Sonic.
Don’t get it twisted, this was Sonic’s first time in Station Square but Sonic was thirteen, almost fourteen! He had seen Little Planet and met a sweet young girl named Amy Rose, she had quite a swing, went to Angel Island, Sally had gone to that one but it was over Acorn Kingdom so she’s not sure it counts, chased Eggman to wherever the madman went, trying to keep him contained in Acorn Kingdom.

Which was why they were here now.

Truth be told, this was a double mission. 

They’d been alerted to Eggman’s appearance here by an independent detective group, the Chaotix, who sympathized with the Freedom Fighters.

The goal was while Sally attempted to gain allies outside of Knothole, Sonic dealt with Eggman before the man could do… something. 

“Isn’t this place awesome, Sal?” Sonic asked, whistling appreciatively.
“Sonic, please focus,” Nicole scolded, the now more human sounding AI organizing a list of people for Sally to talk to.
“It is a beautiful city,” Sally defended, looking out towards the ocean. “I’ve never been so close to the ocean before.”
“Please don’t mention the ocean,” the hydrophobic and non floatable hedgehog shuddered, rubbing his arms. “I was talking about that arcade over there.”
Sally turned and looked at the arcade Sonic was talking about.
“Sonic, I don’t think that’s an arcade,” Sally says, staring at the casino.
“Really?” Sonic blinked. “It reminds me of that area Eggman likes to build, with all the bright lights and levers and rings. That has to be my favorite thing he’s ever built.”
“Sonic, that is also a casino,” Nicole said, sounding exasperated. “Eggman built a casino and gave you a minor gambling addiction.”
Sonic stared at the two, his single brain cell clearly out of the house at the moment.
Sally sighed, pulling Sonic along with her. He whined, making grabby hands at the house of addiction, but allowed Sally to drag him along.
“So, the Chaotix said we can stay with them but Amy also lives in the area with her adopted family and has offered us a room…” Sally said, looking at the map Nicole presented her. “Where should we go for the night?”
“Hm,” Sonic wiggled out of her grip, turning and looking at the map. “Well, I actually wanna explore a bit and look for ol’ Egghead as soon as possible, so you can go wherever without me.”
“Are you sure?” Sally asked. “It won’t hurt to sleep for one night.”
“It’s fine,” Sonic waved away her concerns. “I took a pretty good nap on the ride here.”
The sounds of a plane came from overhead and the two looked, just in time to see Tails wave from the plane as he flew overhead.
Sonic and Sally waved, watching him fly to land the plane somewhere safe.
“I still don’t like him flying that,” Sally said, with a frown.
“Listen, if you wanna argue with him about it, you can try,” Sonic sighed and shrugged. He liked it even less. “Tails is too stubborn to listen.”
“And whose fault is that?” Sally scoffed, looking back at her. “You and Tails can meet me later tonight at the Chaotix’s. I’m going there. Don’t get into too much trouble and try to get Tails in bed at a reasonable time.”
“Of course, Sal,” Sonic reassured, slinging an arm over her shoulders, pulling her in with a squeeze. “Have I ever let you down?”
Sally softened from the contact, rolling her eyes.
“Just… be careful,” Sally said as Sonic released her.
“Careful?” Sonic laughed. “Where’s the fun in that?”
And then he was off like a shot, Sally’s short hair flying up as he ran off.
“Do you want the percentage of him getting in trouble between now and when you see him again?” Nicole asked. Sally chuckled.
“No thank you, Nicole,” Sally said, beginning her walk towards the Chaotix base.
“It’s high,” Nicole deadpanned.
“Nicole, c’mon!”
“It’s very, very high.”

Okay, unfortunately, Eggman was, yet again, up to some utter bullshit.
Sonic will summarize it for ya, because honestly, he can’t be bothered to talk about his fun little romp around the city while apparently a fucking… god was preparing to drown everyone because Knuckles’ ancestors happened to be war mongering assholes?
Whodathunk, huh?
Amy made friends with a robot, Knuckles collected the missing shards of the Master Emerald, which can break , frighteningly enough, Tails flew Sonic around because Sonic refused to let Tails fight so young, he was even younger than Sonic was when he started, and Sonic helped this nice fellow named Big find his frog, which was fun, Sonic wanted to talk to this guy again, who knew adults could be both sensible and alive, and then Sonic saw a ghost.

To be honest, that’s exactly how Sonic summarized it for Sally, you know, when Chaos was fucking drowning everything. 

Sonic does not like thinking about that adventure. Sonic never had so much blood on his hands, just because he couldn’t keep Eggman from collecting the goddamn Chaos Emeralds, and he never wanted to again.

But it’s fine, it’s fine! He went super, he calmed the beast and gave both the god and the ghost, sweet girl, named Tikal, one of Knuckles’ ancestors too, some peace. 

It’s… it’s fine.

“It’s not your fault, Sonic,” Sally said, watching him pace around the Chaotix guest room. Their house hadn’t been too destroyed by Chaos’ rampage.
“But it is!” Sonic cried. “Sal, I’m supposed to, you know, stop Eggman? Stop the giant thing he made to kill people?”
“You were fighting against a god, Sonic, I doubt people are going to blame you for not instantly winning,” Sally said, frowning. She didn’t like this role reversal. “And if they do, they’re crazy.”
Sonic sighed and walked over, flopping down on the bed beside her.
Sally reached over, running a hand through his quills.
“I feel like I should’ve done more,” Sonic admitted. “I’ve always been able to do more but…”
He turned over, burying his face into Sally. The princess sighed, patting Sonic on the back.
“Sal, be honest,” Sonic’s muffled voice came. “Do you think I’m a bad hero? Did I miff everything?”
“Of course not, Sonic,” Sally reassured. "You did your best, you always do your best."

"I'm the only one who can," Sonic said quietly, curling up.

Sally made a face, unable to disagree. Even with such allies as Amy and Knuckles and old allies stepping up as their skills grew, Sonic was still the first one on the front line, usually the first to join the fight and the last to lead. 

It couldn't be helped, he just could fight where others couldn't, would fight when others wouldn't.

"I'm sorry," Sally said softly. She's a terrible friend and an even worse leader, it should be her on the front line, not Sonic. "I wish I could fight beside you. I wish I could do more."

"That's-! That's not what I meant!" Sonic cried, hastily pushing himself up from his reclined position. "Sal, you already do so much! I wouldn't have been able to go super if you guys weren't there and where would we be then, huh?" 

Sally smiled weakly.
“Sal, I wouldn’t be able to fight at all if you weren’t for you,” Sonic said, reaching out and taking her hand.
What. 

“Don’t sell yourself short, okay?” Sonic pleaded. His eyes were brilliant green in the fading light from the single window in the room, his windblown quills looking strangely soft. Oh no, it’s happening again! “You’re my best friend, okay?”
“Right,” Sally said, her mouth feeling oddly dry. This happened sometimes, she was overcome with these strange feelings of… she didn’t know what, Sonic suddenly became a thousand times more charming while he was doing the most inane things. 

One time it happened while he forgot how to pronounce ginormous. That was embarrassing for both of them.
Sonic released her hand, flopping back down on the bed.
“How much longer are we staying?” Sonic asked.
“Only for a week longer,” Nicole answered for Sally. “Hopefully seeing Eggman’s danger in action will spur people to our cause!”
“You really think so, Nicole?” Sonic asked, rolling over. “That’s great! At least something good is coming out of this.”
The door opened and Tails walked in, small and sleepy.
“Hey, little buddy,” Sonic said, walking over to scoop up Tails. “You did some great flying today.”
“Mm,” Tails more or less grumbled, leaning forward to rest his cheek on Sonic’s shoulder. 

“I think the brilliant pilot is ready for sleep,” Sally said, scooting over on the bed.
“I fully agree,” Sonic said. He walked over to the other side of the bed, tucking Tails under the blanket, before sitting besides Tails. Sally took her usual position on Tails’ other side. It was the only way Tails could sleep outside of the now broken backpack, he had nightmares otherwise.
“It’s gonna get easier now,” Sally whispered over the quickly falling asleep Tails. “We’ll get help and Eggman won’t ever hurt anyone ever again.”
“That’d be a pretty sweet eleventh birthday gift from the universe, huh?” Sonic chuckled. “We could use a break like that.”

The universe was not so kind.
“I don’t understand!” Sally cried, feeling small and weak before the group of adult human men. “You saw for yourself, just the other day, the monster Eggman unleashed upon Station Square-”
“A monster your forces dealt with ease,” one man spoke up. “I don’t know why you need our help when you have a soldier capable of harnessing that kind of power.”
Sally grit her teeth. They didn’t understand. The hunt it took to find the Chaos Emeralds, the drain it put on Sonic’s body, the number of Eggman’s forces.
Sonic’s super form was certainly helpful but it didn’t solve all their problems. They wouldn’t be here if it did. 

Regardless, no matter how Sally argued, they turned her away, telling her to come back with more evidence of Eggman being an actual threat.
Sally exited the courthouse, empty handed and bitter.

Cameras flashed as she walked out, Sally raising an arm to protect herself from the flash.

Questions were shouted at her, words barely distinguishable from each other. Her heartbeat quickened in panic.
“I-I’m sorry, excuse me,” Sally said, backing up, trying to run along the stairs past the group of reporters but they followed, chasing her. “N-No comment! Sorry!”
She squeaked as she was suddenly swept off her feet, reaching over and clinging to who had grabbed her. 

They came to a stop on a distant roof, her rescuer lowering her to the ground.
“What creeps,” Sonic spat as he looked down at the confused mob of reporters, a look of disgust on his face usually reserved for Eggman. “Wouldn’t know manners if it bit them on the ass.”
Sally blinked, feeling her heart quicken as she stared at Sonic, but not from fear. She’d never be scared of Sonic. 

He sensed her gaze on him and turned, his look of disgust changing to a big stupid grin.
“Don’t worry, Sal!” Sonic said cheerfully. “I’ll protect you, okay?”

“I think you’re in love with him, Sally girl,” Bunnie said, arm out as Rotor worked on it.
“No,” Sally gasped in horror.
“That is what I told her but she told me to,” Nicole said, disgruntled. “Shut the hell up, Nicole, you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Sally made a face at her own strong language.
“To be fair, I can not be in love with Sonic,” Sally said. They were back in Knothole. Sonic was currently on a supply run, making it the perfect time to figure out what the hell is wrong with her around him. “It’s just- it’s not possible.”
“Why not?” Bunnie asked.
“Okay, 1. We’re fighting for our literal lives, I don’t have time for romance right now, 2. Sonic can’t even spell romance,” Sally numbered off reasons. “3…. I don’t have a number three but you get my point!”
“Well, I’m afraid to say, the heart wants what it wants,” Bunnie shrugged.
“I’m done,” Rotor said, pulling away. “And Sally, you’re in love.”
“Great! I’ll go test out this bad boy on the old Eggtruck,” Bunnie said, flexing her metallic arm.
Sally frowned but said nothing. She had tried to keep the older from modifying her arm into a cannon but the bunny had insisted on it.
It was a fight she’d lost long ago and Bunnie had shown how useful said cannon was in combat. 

“Wanna come help me practice, T’wan?” Bunnie called out, the coyote practically jumping to attention at her voice.
“Of course, my fiery armed comrade!” Antoine cried, scrambling after her.
“Ugh, they’re almost as bad as you and Sonic,” Rotor grumbled, watching the other two run off. He closed up his toolkit.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” the young princess huffed.
The barely older walrus looked at her, utterly exhausted, before sighing and shaking his head.

Sally lay in her bed, watching Sonic sleep, Tails curled up at his chest. She stared at Sonic, as if he had all the answers in his mesmerizing blue fur.
She couldn’t be in love with Sonic, could she? It simply… no.

He was her best friend. That was it. She couldn’t imagine, couldn’t allow any more than that. She doesn’t think she could handle that.

“Sal?” Sonic called out in the darkness, his voice groggy from sleep. “Everything alright?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, I’m fine, Sonic,” Sally replied. Sonic reached out his hand across the bed, careful not to disturb Tails. Sally couldn’t help but take it.

“Just know I’m here if you need anything,” Sonic mumbled, slipping back into sleep.
Oh no.

Sally was in love.

It’s a few days before Sonic’s sixteenth birthday and Sonic’s been arrested. Oh joy.

Sure, fighting Eggman’s too much but let’s send a military force to arrest the teenager! Brilliant!
Sonic’s not sure what he’s done wrong, the only reason he hasn’t broken out yet is that he wants to give Sal a chance to solve this with words.

He’s starting to think she might not even know he’s been arrested, considering how these guys are talking. 

What, do they think Sonic can’t hear them?
“So… no inflight food or movie?” Sonic said out loud, hands busy at picking his handcuffs and getting out. The GUN, the agency that was taking him into custody, agents turned and glared at him. “I mean, c’mon, ain’t that the bare minimum for flights?”
“Stop talking,” one agent snapped, waving his gun at Sonic.
“Whoa, careful where you’re waving that thing!” Sonic warned, grabbing the cuffs as they fell off his wrists, trying to keep the element of surprise. “You might shoot out your eye! Now there’s a good movie. You got that on here?”
“I said shut it!” the agent shouted again.
“Well, if there’s no movie,” Sonic sighed, revealing his freed hands. “I might as well go.”
The rest of the escape was comically easy, well, besides the giant truck chasing him down the street as he flied for his fucking life, but he escaped! He made it out.
But Sonic still had no idea why he’d been arrested. He had to figure that out before he headed home, just so he didn’t get arrested again.
Oh, and Sonic found out.

Apparently, Chaos Emeralds are more handy than Sonic thought and this new guy knew it.

He was a hedgehog, like Sonic, but that’s pretty much where their similarities ended when it came to appearance.
He was dark black, with upturned quills, dark red stripes around his eyes and across his face. He had gloves but rings instead of glove cuffs. They didn’t seem to be decoration either, not like Amy’s or Sally’s, considering how they glowed when the strange hedgehog made time freeze with the Chaos Emerald.

He was fast, he was strong, he was… so cool! Sonic had never met someone as fast or strong as him, besides his literal metal double!
Sonic had to meet this guy, if only so he could talk to him again.
So, yeah, Sonic let himself get arrested with a smile.

Shadow was in agony. His mind pounded, unable to pass the haze over his own memories, unable to remember much beyond pain and loss and hatred. 

It burned in his chest.
He led his creator’s- wasn’t Gerald like a father to him? Or was he strictly his creator? - descendent to the Ark, his birthplace- his home, it’s home, right? -, showing him the Eclipse Canon.

She wanted the planet below destroyed. 

Right? It was her final wish. This was… what he was supposed to do. What he had to do. Yes. 

Strange blue hedgehogs who people mistook him for and bats that asked too many questions could just both mind their own businesses. 

Had Sally skipped negotiations to go straight for a jailbreak? Fuck yeah she did! Those bastards had locked Sonic up on a hidden island, in a secret prison, with a trial! 

What the fuck!
Rotor landed the plane on the island after artfully dodging the various defenses. Sally adjusted the rings around her wrists.

Once they had been for decoration but Tails had made her a little gift for her many months away birthday. Time to put these to work!
She hopped out, her eyes landing on a vaguely familiar silhouette.
Amy saw it too and gasped, jumping out.
“Sonic, you’re okay!” Amy cried, charging forward before Sally pulled her back.
“That’s not Sonic,” Sally said sharply.

The stranger turned, the dust clearing to reveal it really wasn’t Sonic. His piercing red eyes… staring into them made something inside of Sally ache.
He turned back away from them, vanishing.
“Let’s not worry about him,” Sally decided. “Let’s get Sonic out of here and figure out what’s going on!”

Sonic stared at the wall in front of him, trying to understand the scribbles. 

He had no idea what they meant, if anything, but it was nice to see proof this water based prison wasn’t built with Sonic in mind! Sonic’s not sure how he’d feel if it was.

The door swung open and Sonic turned, beaming as Sally stood in the doorway.

“Great, you’re here!” Sonic walked up to her. “Let’s get out of here, I think Eggman’s up to his usual bullshit.”
“How so?” Sally asked, following him as he ran out.
“Not sure but I think he’s at the very least of the Chaos Emeralds here,” Sonic admitted. “I’m gonna try and nab them first!”
“Oh, Tails disarmed a bomb, by the way,” Sally informed him. Sonic cheered.
“That’s my baby brother!”

Okay, so a cool mysterious guy was working for Eggman. Great. Sonic had never met anyone willing to work with the man and now he’d met two! That’s just his luck, isn’t it?
This… faker was almost, ALMOST, as fast as Sonic, Sonic barely able to outspeed him and win their fight before Eggman decided to blow up the island.

Sonic isn’t sure if he made it off but he hopes that guy made it off the island before then. Sonic had a feeling he did.

Sonic didn’t understand why anyone would work with Eggman of their own free will, the man literally had to turn people into robots in order to get anyone to listen to him, so he assumed Eggman had something on this guy.

It didn’t matter what. Sonic saw… something in him. Sonic wasn’t gonna leave him hanging.

Okay, uh, Eggman blew up the moon and was now threatening the whole planet if they didn’t fall under his control, so now they’re heading into space.

Sonic guesses he can cross that off the bucket list or whatever.

Tails had made a fake Chaos Emerald, wasn’t he a little genius? Sally was hoping they could use it to destroy the cannon before Eggman used it again on Moubis. Sonic was hoping that too considering a lot of people he really cared about were currently living on that planet.

Sonic would like them to keep living, please.

Being at fault for a city drowning is one thing, being at fault for the world itself being blown up? Just eject him into space now.
Space Colony Ark was kinda cool but also kind of… weird.

Oh! And Sonic almost died! Again! Sonic thinks he needs to stop becoming numb to the multiple failed attempts on his life but this one wasn’t even the fourth.

Sonic was not gonna think about it, about the terror as he was ejected into the cruel, cold void of space, his only hope for survival being copying someone he barely knew with an emerald that wasn’t even real or he’d die, leaving all his friends to fend for himself…

But it worked out! Sonic lived! He lived, bottom line, he’s not thinking about that any further.

Oh! And he learned the guy’s name! Shadow! Isn’t that a cool name?
Shadow wants to kill him, which sucks, but Sonic thinks he could totally get this guy to chill out. 

Sally had watched her best friend since she was six get flung into space and explode and had had the very reasonable reaction of trying to cut Eggman’s throat open. 

Sonic was, thankfully for all present, not dead.
But things weren’t going very well, regardless.
Your best friend isn’t dead but Eggman’s gonna fire the cannon. You stop the cannon and now there’s some giant ass lizard trying to send the entire space station down onto Moubis. 

Sally glared down at her home below as it got closer together. She couldn’t stand by. She just couldn’t, especially not now.
She paused, seeing- what did Sonic say his name was? Shadow? Standing by a window as well. Sally hesitated. Sonic thought he was redeemable for some reason…
“We could really use some help,” Sally said, standing behind him.
“What’s the point?” Shadow said, gesturing vaguely away. “It’s too late. For all of us.”
“It’s never too late,” Sally replied. “The people down there, we can all be a little selfish at times but they don’t deserve to die for it. They deserve a chance to try and be happy. Can’t you give them a chance?”
Shadow went quiet, glancing back at her.
The ship shook, Sally looking towards where she thought Sonic and her friends would be.
“Please! I’m begging you,” Sally cried out. “We need all the help we can get.”
Shadow’s arms uncrossed, shaking by his sides.
“Fine,” he choked out. “Lead the way, Princess.”

He’d forgotten. How could he forget?
Maria- she never would have wanted, Shadow, he didn’t really want this either, but that wasn’t as important.
He followed the Princess Sally Acorn, her activating the see through blue blades from her rings as they ran. He’d already seen them in action, after Sonic had been sent into space.
The seemingly calm and word heavy princess had become crazed, attempting to kill Dr. Eggman. It’d actually been rather entertaining, if not impressive.
They entered the chamber, a fake Master Emerald shrine resting within. Over top of it was the Biolizard.

Shadow shuddered as he stared up at it.
“We’ll handle this beast,” Shadow said to Sonic, who’d been fighting alongside the echidna Rouge had been bugging. “You focus on taking the Chaos Emeralds from it!”
Sonic’s eyes darted past him to the princess before he nodded, dashing off.

The ship shook as the Biolizard warped, vanishing from view.
“Is… is it over?” Sally asked, whipping green blood from her vest. Sonic landed beside her, holding the recovered Chaos Emeralds.
“Oh, you know it isn’t, Princess!” Eggman said. “We’re still on a collision course, the beast has fused with the station itself! You better stop it before I lose my empire!”
Shadow watched as the princess took a deep breath, her eye twitching in annoyance.
“Sal,” Sonic suddenly spoke up. “I know what to do.”
“Time for the lightshow, huh?” Knuckles said, stepping back.
“You know it!” Sonic laughed, the Chaos Emeralds seeming to glisten along with the sound.
Sally also stepped back as well, her blade vanishing.
Shadow went to follow their lead but his feet were frozen, something inside him as deep as his bones telling him to stay.

The Emeralds flew out of Sonic’s hands into the air, circling the two hedgehogs.
Shadow gasped as they seemed to go inside of him, filling him with more power than he thought possible.
“Whoa,” Sonic said and Shadow turned to look at him. His blue quills had turned into a brilliant gold, eyes a burning red. Sonic grinned, visibly brimming with power. “You can go super too?!”
Shadow looked down at himself, realizing his black fur had been turned into an almost white silver.
He looked back up at Sonic, something passing between them. For the briefest of moments, Shadow felt a second heartbeat in his chest, a much faster heartbeat.
“I… I suppose I can,” Shadow said in wonderment, placing a hand on his chest. He jolted back slightly as Sonic offered a hand to him.
“C’mon,” Sonic said with a sharp grin. “We have work to do!”

Their superforms made battling the Final Hazard pretty easy but the problem was the Ark was still plummeting. 

“If we Chaos Control it, we can stabilize it,” Shadow suggested.
“Great idea!” Sonic cheered before startling at Shadow. “What are you doing?”
“Removing my limiters,” Shadow said shortly. “I am not failing here.”
“...Right,” Sonic said, a little perturbed by how Shadow let those rings float away. He reached up and nabbed one of the rings, just so Shadow wouldn’t lose them both. “Ready when you are!”
“Chaos…” both said in time, power pooling at their fingertips. “Control!”
A golden blast flew out and the Ark froze, stopped in its fall and positioned back into a new orbit.
Sonic panted, feeling really, really drained.
“Okay, we should probably get back on Ark now, Shadow-” Sonic said. “Shadow!”
The hedgehog’s silver color was completely fading, the once more black hedgehog falling from the heavens.
“Hold on, buddy, I got you,” Sonic said, nabbing Shadow’s arm. “Just hold on-”
“Your super form’s fading,” Shadow said exhaustedly.
Sonic glanced up at his quills, which were darkening back to their natural color and drifting back down to their usual positions.
“It’s fine, I got’ve-” Sonic struggled.
“You don’t,” Shadow sighed. “It’s okay, Sonic. You can let me go. I fulfilled my purpose.”
“No! No, I’m not going to do that,” Sonic snapped. “Don’t talk like that.”
“If you don’t let go, we’ll both fall,” Shadow warned.
“No, I’ve got you, please-” Sonic pleaded. You’re the only one who could do this like me, you’re the only one who’s ever caught up with me. I feel your heartbeat under my skin and I hate the fact I can feel it slowing.
“Sayonara, Sonic the Hedgehog,” Shadow said.

And then he let go.

All heads turned as Sonic stepped into the room, Sally and Amy letting out a sigh of relief.
“Where’s Shadow?” Rouge asked, visibly trying to hide her concern. Sonic kept a poker face as he reached into his hammerspace, walking up to the bat.

He placed a ring into Rouge’s hand and stepped back. She stared down at it, her face now as blank as Sonic’s.
“He really stuck his neck out for us, huh?” Rouge said, tightening her grip on the ring.
“Yeah,” Sonic laughed weakly. “The good ones always do.”
He turned to Sally, smiling.
“Did Rotor say what he was gonna cook for dinner?” Sonic said, his voice showing zero cracks in it. “I’m famished.”

“I could feel his heartbeat, Sal,” Sonic’s voice shook as he spoke, tears budding in his eyes, tears he refused to let fall. “It- it was so loud and I felt like it was going so much slower than mine already but then he-”
Sally watched as Sonic physically covered his mouth, digging claws into his cheeks.
“He was like me,” Sonic sniffled. “I-I don’t know what that means but he was the first person I ever met who was just like me and now he’s gone and I couldn’t save him. He didn’t want me to save him!”
“You did your best,” Sally said, pulling Sonic close. The hedgehog was shaking, pressing one hand to his chest. “You’re okay.”
“I didn’t even realize how quiet my heartbeat was,” Sonic shuddered. “But now it’s all I can think of.”
Sally glanced away, pressing her hand to the small of his back. 

There was Sonic’s heartbeat, fast and strong, just like usual. What would it feel like, to feel that under her ribs, beating just ever so slightly out of time with her own?
Sally shook her head. Why was she even thinking about that?
Someone was dead. The moon was in half. 

Eggman was still on the loose. There was an agency with the abilities and skills to take their greatest warrior off guard and capture him, even if for a moment.
But the most selfish part of Sally’s brain yearned to feel that connection Sonic had so briefly gained and then lost.

Chapter Text

Shadow was supposed to be dead. People kept telling Shadow that and it was kind of confusing because Shadow didn’t feel dead.

First, Rouge said it, relieved as she pressed a limiter onto his wrist. Then a bright blue hedgehog said it, just as relieved and surprised. Not many people said it with the same relief, more with surprise or annoyance. 

Shadow was fine with that.
He just wanted to know who the hell he was and what the hell all these people knew him from.
The bat, Rouge, was familiar in her protection and comfort, saying one thing while doing another, tying himself, her, and a giant killer robot named Omega under one banner.
Sonic, the hedgehog, was familiar in the same way he knew his reflection was his own, even as he didn’t know who exactly that was in the mirror.
Everytime Sonic smiled or said something frustrating or did something mildly annoying, Shadow wanted to grip him by the shoulders and shake the answers out of him.

“Who was that hedgehog?” Shadow asked, perched up on one side of Omega. Omega followed Rouge, the bat seeking a Chaos Emerald. An old, childish part of Shadow was excited that the legendary gems truly existed.
“That’s Sonic,” Rouge responded, kicking aside a robot head that looked oddly similar to Shadow’s. He suppressed a shudder, digging claws into his sides to confirm he was most definitely flesh and blood. “You fought beside him, remember?”
“No,” Shadow huffed, looking away.
“Ah, right,” Rouge said, straightening up and turning to Shadow. “I’ll be honest, I only know as much as GUN and the public know about him; his name is Sonic, he’s sixteen years old, he’s the co-leader of the Freedom Fighters, and he’s the frontline against Dr. Ivo ‘Eggman’ Robotnik.”
Shadow hummed.
“How did I know him?” Shadow asked.
“YOU FOUGHT HIM ON DOCTOR EGGMAN’S BEHALF,” Omega replied. “UNTIL YOU ABRUPTLY JOINED FORCES TO ASSIST HIM IN STOPPING THE DESCENT OF SPACE COLONY ARK.”

“The Ark…” Shadow mused.
“We all assumed you’d lost your life in the attempt,” Rouge said, not facing Shadow as she spoke. “A fall from literal orbit? It seemed impossible.”
“Maybe it was,” Shadow admitted. After all, the certainty of his being the real Shadow was kind of… Shadow shook his head. “Maybe it wasn’t.”
“Maybe,” Rouge agreed.
“Do we know why they’re here?” Shadow asked.
“We’re in Mobotropolis, the heart of the Eggman Empire,” Rouge replied. “Considering Eggman’s attempt to hold the whole planet hostage, he made himself a few enemies that were more willing to help finally bring him down.”
“MOST LIKELY, THE HEROES ARE LEADING THE CHARGE TO DESTROY DOCTOR EGGMAN,” Omega said. “WE MUST HURRY AND REACH HIM FIRST. HIS BLOOD IS MINE.”
“Let’s slow our roll on that, big guy,” Rouge said, patting the side of the robot. “We don’t want one of them taking you out due to a case of mistaken identity.”
“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM TRY,” Omega replied and Shadow stifled a laugh. “SHADOW. DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE REASON TO BE THREATENED BY THEM?”
“I’m not threatened by anything,” Shadow huffed, crossing his arms. To be honest…
Shadow was a little afraid. For one, it sounded like initial introductions didn’t go so well last time he was near these people, so there might be some lingering hostility there. Secondly, he wasn’t even sure he was who they thought he was, a few too many metal copycats to let him rest easy about it. 

He wouldn’t let that show, however. What kind of Ultimate Lifeform would let his fear be so obvious?
“I don’t think they’d attack you anyway,” Rouge mused, drawing both weapons’ attention to her.
“MOST LIKELY DUE TO HIS FORMER COOPERATION, AFFIRMATIVE?” Omega asked.
“Well, yes,” Rouge nodded. “But I was thinking more about Sonic. He seemed happy to see you, even when you were trying to kick his face in.”
“A bizarre reaction,” Shadow snorted. “But he seemed to be more… pleased with my survival than his two companions.”
Well, the fox and echidna had been surprised, Sonic had been beaming. It was… really bizarre.
“It’s not important,” Shadow decided. “Let’s focus on what we came here to do.”
“KILL DOCTOR EGGMAN,” Omega said in his best approximation of excitement, charging forward into battle. Shadow fell off of Omega as he did, hurriedly standing up and skating after him.

Okay, so they killed Eggman, right? Good day for Omega. Then they found a clone lab full of Shadows. Not so great.
And then it wasn’t the real Eggman. Oh shit, oh no.

Then it was… Sonic’s evil robot copy? Yeah, Shadow wasn’t sure about that one. The point was Metal Sonic or whatever the fuck his name is was here, Eggman was not, and people were pissed off about it.
And by people, Shadow means GUN. 

GUN was here.
“Relax, hun,” Rouge said as Shadow stared at the panicking army, as they fled from the giant robot dragon version of evil robot Sonic. “They’re not gonna touch you.”
“Why are they here?” Shadow asked, voice blank.
“Sorry,” Sonic spoke up and he did sound sorry. “They were the lesser of two evils, for the good they’re doing.”
Shadow’s hands tightened into fists but he decided to deal with the underlying rage later. Or, more accurately, turn it towards a more convenient target.
“You guys wouldn’t happen to have a Chaos Emerald, would ya?” Sonic raised his voice, loud enough for each group to hear him.
Shadow frowned but nodded, Omega tossing Sonic the Chaos Emerald they had. What was he going to use it for?
Sonic juggled them once, grinning.
“Yup, that’s all of them,” Sonic said with pride. “You, uh, guys might want to take a step back.”
The teams all did so and Shadow noticed Rouge taking a sudden and tight grip to his arm, as if trying to prevent him from moving.
The Chaos Emeralds floated around Sonic, lifting the hedgehog off the ground, before a bright flash of light blinded everyone.
When Shadow opened his eyes, he found himself staring at what his first instinct was to call an angel.
Sonic’s blue fur had become an almost burning gold color, his eyes a piercing red, his quills floating and waving in some unknown wind.

It was more familiar than Sonic himself was.
“You guys keep him distracted! I’ll make sure he goes down,” Sonic said, taking charge before flying off. Shadow’s mouth felt dry and something strange pounded in his chest.

“You heard him!” Knuckles, the echidna, cried out. “Let’s cut this thing down to size.”

GUN offered him a job. Well, they also threatened him but that wasn’t nearly as surprising as the job offer.
From Shadow’s guess, Rouge had quit working for them after whatever the hell happened on the Ark happened, Shadow still couldn’t remember 100%, and they wanted both their Ultimate Weapon and Spy back.
Shadow wanted to tell them hell no but what if this was all he was good for? If he said no, what would he do? Where would he go? Would GUN even let him say no?
Luckily, they’d given time to think on it. 

It’s nearing his… well, Maria called it his birthday. Was Shadow even born, in the traditional sense? He knew he was created but how far exactly did that go? Who was Maria and why did her name bring back such… horrible images?
Shadow wished he could remember. Eggman could perhaps give him answers, not just on his own origins, but if they were truly his origins and not the faint memories of someone he’s a copy of.
There was so much he didn’t remember, that he just didn’t know… it was infuriating!
Shadow forced a supposedly calming breath in through his teeth, closing his eyes as he leaned against a tree.
He’d followed the numerous groups to Westopolis before going his own way. He just… he needed to think.

His head was whirling and his body itched, annoying and distracting. Shadow didn’t know who he was, what his purpose was, nothing. 

And he certainly didn’t know where to spend the night. Rouge had offered her place but-
The sky darkened and dark masses dropped from the sky. 

Shadow watched one flip a car and another run into a building.
Weren’t the human residents going to fight back? Shadow watched as instead people turned and ran away. How weak.
Shadow scoffed, turning away from the city.
Shadow, a voice that sounded out in Shadow’s head almost more than in his ears came and Shadow turned to where he thought the source was. An almost translucent figure stood before him, tall and robed, with horns and three eyes. As you can see, the day of reckoning will soon be here. Find the SEVEN Chaos Emeralds and bring them to me as promised.
“Huh? Who are you and how do you know I'm Shadow? And what are you talking about?” Shadow asked, confused. The figure didn’t respond, instead vanishing before Shadow’s very eyes. “What the fuck.”

Believe it or not, Shadow did not trust nor believe this weird guy who showed at the same time as these almost… demonic creatures did.
So, yeah, he did ignore both Sonic and the guy, Black Doom, apparently, and just take the Chaos Emeralds.
He’d seen what someone could do with them, Sonic took down a giant robot dragon that was pretending to be a literal god! No way he’s letting this guy have them! He didn’t expect Black Doom to then fucking teleport him to a goddamned canyon!
Shadow didn’t like the canyon, he didn’t like the GUN soldiers, he didn’t, he didn’t, he didn’t-
It was a new place, he was stressed, so what if he broke a few legs?! Legs grow back! They’ll be fine, it’s not like they were using them for much anyway, Shadow should have broken their arms. 

Then Shadow ran into Eggman, the REAL Eggman, this time.
Shadow was learning something about himself, alright. Everyone seemed to be out for his ass!
All he wanted was to know who the hell he was and why the hell he existed and all sorts of things people wouldn’t tell him!
Still… okay, maybe Shadow felt bad for breaking those guys’ legs. He… he tried to be better. People wanted him to be better and Shadow wanted to be better, honestly, some part of him told him all this pain, this violence, it… it wasn’t right.

A voice, small and patient, told him he was better than that. So he listened.

He listened while fighting Eggman in that castle, while fighting an alien spaceship island, and while riding up with Sonic to outer space.

“Hey, Shadow?” Sonic asked cautiously.
“Hm?” Shadow responded, barely opening his eyes.
“Are those horns… real?” Sonic asked.
Shadow’s eyes flew up open and he sat up, feeling his head. Sure enough, two firm buds were starting to emerge from his head.
“...I guess that pain wasn’t just headaches after all,” Shadow said dumbly. He pulled his hands away. “...I must disgust you.”
“What, no!” Sonic said. “Shads, why would you say that?”
“I have some obvious connection with the Black Arms, that’s why,” Shadow sighed, closing his eyes.
“Well, at least you don’t look like the Biolizard, huh?” Sonic joked.
“Biolizard?” Shadow questioned.
“Oh, uh, one of your creator’s other creations,” Sonic clarified. “We fought it. You don’t remember?”
“...I’m not sure,” Shadow admitted. The name brought a strange sense of dread but he just couldn’t remember why. “Where did we fight it?”
“On the Ark,” Sonic said. “Oh, well, outside of it too.”
“Hm,” Shadow nodded. “Perhaps I’ll remember more once we arrive there. And maybe I can find a way to remove these horns.”
“Aw, but they look kinda cute on you!” Sonic teased.
Shadow flushed, shooting a glare at Sonic. The fool just giggled.

The Ark did bring back memories. Like how Shadow died. And how Maria died. 

Shadow was starting to think his whole life was just one fucked up noodle of death.

He was made, the Ark got shot up. Maria saved him, she died. Gerald fucking tampered with his memories, how could he, Grandfather, why? , he got executed barely weeks later. Shadow saved the world, he died.
Who was gonna die this time? The President? Eggman? Sonic? Shadow, again, apparently?
“Shadow!” Sonic’s voice cut through the dark spiral, a bright light at the end of the tunnel. “You with me, bud?”
Shadow glanced over at him and nodded briefly, crossing his arms to hide his shaking hands.
“Looks like the party's getting started, time to rock and roll!” Sonic said, voice somehow more cheerful than usual. Shadow wondered how or why he did that. “You up for this, Shadow?”
He paused, as if actually asking. Shadow nodded and Sonic grinned again, sliding backwards towards the oncoming Black Arms.

The Black Comet… it was definitely the source of those aliens. Shadow could feel it.

It was like that strange chest feeling he got when Sonic went super but in his blood, in his bones, a persuasive force that rested on his very soul like a heavy fog.
Shadow didn’t like the feeling and he didn’t like what the Black Arms were doing so, obviously, Shadow was gonna stop them. At any cost.
So, yes, he collected the Chaos Emeralds, yes, he was willing to face down Black Doom, even, no, especially when Black Doom seemed to freeze everyone who had followed him onto the Black Comet.
The horror to realize all the physical transformations Shadow was experiencing were indeed because Shadow was part Black Arms… it was only overwhelmed by the horror of what Black Doom wanted to do to the people of this world.
He was going to fucking eat them. The Black Arms wanted to eat everyone. The whole pompous attitude pretending they were saving humans and mobians from their own greed when they were just planning on satisfying their own greed.
How dare they call themselves perfect beings?! Shadow would enjoy beating Black Doom to a pulp.

“Shadow…” Rouge called out, sounding openly worried for him.
“You’re our only hope now!” Sonic called out and it almost sounded like an apology.

Shadow was done being controlled. Maybe that video of Gerald was all acting, maybe Gerald never cared for him the way he claimed to in front of Maria, but Shadow had made a promise, to him and Maria, and Shadow was going to keep it.

Going super felt like being born again, opening his eyes and seeing a concerningly pale and thin face staring up at him, blue eyes wide with wonder as she blew some blonde hair out of them. 

It’s easy to trigger the Eclipse cannon for its proper purpose this time, easy to blow up the Black Comet with it.
He tried not to think about the sudden emptiness as the Black Arm Hivemind was silenced with Black Doom’s death and the comet’s destruction. They were monsters. Blood or not, Shadow wanted nothing to do with them.

Easy to finally let go of his search for self. He found it. With a few scales, horns, and tail more than expected, he found it. He said goodbye to his past and walked off the Ark to his future.

“You should come to our party!” Sonic offered as they helped clean up the streets a little. Shadow had intended on following Rouge home to get some well deserved sleep but Sonic had just started talking to him. “It’s to celebrate the freedom of the Acorn Kingdom but I’m sure Sal would agree this would be worth celebrating.”
“Are you sure you’d want me there?” Shadow taunted. “I think I’d scare off our guests.”
“Considering Bunnie is part robot, I think you’d have some stiff competition,” Sonic laughed with a grin. Shadow felt the tips of his lips itch upwards and looked away. “But I get it, you’re probably tired. Just thought I’d offer.”
“...When is this party?” Shadow dared to ask, despite every part of his brain screaming otherwise.
“In two days, well, almost one day now!” Sonic relied. “I can give you directions to Knothole Village if you want to come with us.”
“...I’ll consider it,” Shadow finally said. “I doubt I’ll have anything better to do.”
Shadow struggled to flip a car back on its proper side.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.
“Oh, here, let me help,” Sonic said, somehow hearing him. “I’ll pull, you push.”
“I don’t-” Shadow starts before sighing, going to push. It’s much easier to set the car right with Sonic’s help, not that Shadow will admit it. “Hmph.”
“You’re welcome,” Sonic laughs, crossing his arms behind his head. “Geez, you’re almost worse than Sal!”
“Sal?” Shadow questions, quickly running the names of the numerous people he’d met in the past few days to see who could have been shortened to Sal.
“Sally, sorry, Princess Sally Acorn,” Sonic explained. “You met her before but you might not remember, it was…”
Sonic motioned vaguely upwards.
“I see,” Shadow nodded. While he had regained a fair bit of memories, there were still gaps in it. Rouge had said he should probably see a doctor if that stayed the same but fuck doctors. Shadow had had his fill of doctors for the moment. “How am I worse than this… Sal?”
“Well, for one, Sal lets me help her,” Sonic said, squinting as he peered into the car. “Geez, this guy’s car is just full of rocks!”
Shadow frowned and leaned in, looking through the glass.
“How bizarre,” Shadow remarked.
“You’re telling me,” Sonic chuckled, leaning back.

Shadow went to the party. As Sonic said, people were more afraid of the older girl with robot legs and arms than they were afraid of Shadow and his almost demonic appearance.
“Shads!” Sonic seemed to come out of nowhere, Shadow barely able to sidestep the hand Sonic was gonna put on his shoulder. “You made it!”
Sonic had cleaned up, and not just in the literal sense of removing junk and grim. He was wearing a hot pink jacket, equally hot pink eyeshadow accenting his brilliant blue fur and shimmering green eyes.
Shadow couldn’t help but stare. He’d never seen anyone wear something like that before, besides Rouge, and he’d thought that was just a part of her face until yesterday.
“C’mon,” Sonic said, herding Shadow over to the snack table without touching him. “Rotor went all out!”
Shadow didn’t know who Rotor was but he complied, reaching down and picking a small, almost soft pastry.
He popped it into his mouth and Shadow saw the face of god. It was soft and sweet and creamy, with the just slightest chill to it that made the flavors somehow stronger.
“Good, right?” Sonic piped, stepping back to avoid Shadow’s tail as it shot up straight into the air. “Rotor’s been working on his eclairs for years. It was hard, ya know, with having to collect the materials for it but half of us here would go to literal war for these things.”
“They’re alright,” Shadow responded evenly, reaching behind him to force his tail back into what he assumed was its normal position. “I might have a few more.”
Shadow reached over and took a plate, barely stopping himself from just pouring the whole platter onto his plate. 

He made sure to try one of everything he didn’t recognize on the table, eager to see if anything else was as good.

“Drinks are over there,” Sonic explained. “I’m gonna go check on some of the others. See you in a minute!”
The blue hedgehog vanished, leaving Shadow alone. He walked over to the drink table. He wasn’t sure what to pick so he went with this drink called Mountain Dew. It sounded calming.

His drink and food in hand, Shadow found a corner and leaned against it.

He took a sip of his drink and hastily pulled it away from his face. It tasted like acid!
…Shadow took another drink. 

“Shadow,” a barely familiar voice came and Shadow turned his head, facing the chipmunk/squirrel speaker. “I’m glad Sonic could convince you to come.”
“...Princess Sally Acorn,” Shadow guessed more than greeted.
“Please, just Sally works,” the princess laughed. Her piercing blue eyes felt like they were taking Shadow apart. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “I wanted to thank and congratulate you on your battle against the Black Arms. You saved a lot of lives. We had a lot of good people there finalizing things with GUN and I would have had hated to lose them.”
“Do you plan to continue working with GUN?” Shadow couldn’t help but ask. She tried to suppress it but it was a little too clear she had made a face at that question.
“Not if we can help it,” Sally answered evenly. “I’ll admit it, they’re a bit too questionable for my tastes but they were the only ones who had the resources to help us detain Eggman once and for all.”
“...I’m not sure if Sonic’s gotten to tell you this but Doctor Eggman is still at large,” Shadow said hesitantly. “GUN has not yet captured him.”
Sally’s face went blank but Shadow could feel her anger coming off her like fire. Shadow hastily avoided her gaze, sipping his Mountain Dew.
“...Sonic’s been so busy, I suppose he hasn’t had the time to tell me himself,” Sally finally said. “But GUN…? Perhaps my sliver of trust in at least their military skills was misplaced.”
“Perhaps, Princess,” Shadow agreed. “I certainly wouldn’t trust their Commander as far as I could throw him and I’m certain I could throw him very far.”
That caught her off guard, the Princess snorting and guffawing before reeling in her laughter to a more ‘polite’ chuckle. Shadow hadn’t meant to make her laugh but it gave him a bit of pride that he broke through the porcelain mask of politeness, if only for a second.
“You’re certainly right,” Sally said, hiding her smile behind a gloved hand. “Enjoy the party, Shadow.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Shadow nodded respectfully, downing the last of his Mountain Dew as she walked away.

Chapter Text

Walking through Mobotropolis was strange.
There was metal where her memories told her there should be stone, there were factories where homes once stood.

For Sally, it was like walking through a nightmare but also a dream.

Everything had been replaced over the years, homes, stores, community buildings, replaced with statues of Eggman and factories to make robots to make statues. 
At first glance, it seemed to be almost clinically clean; nothing had lived here in almost, what, ten, nine years? Nothing to really make a mess.

However, when Sally looked closer, it became clear this wasn’t entirely true. Oil was seeping from the factories like blood, the metal rusting and creaking as the small team sent to investigate the area walked through it. 

Sally supposed it made sense. Eggman was so focused on expanding his empire, he probably didn’t think much on maintaining it. 

They entered what was once Acorn Castle, now… well, Eggman wasn't there to tell them what wild name he had given it.

It was so different, it made her head spin. The rooms were changed and when Sally managed to find her childhood room, it was full of randomly sorted nuts and bolts.

It was a perfect metaphor for Eggman’s evil. 

Cold steel covered the floor and walls but if Sally managed to peel a strip off, the original wooden structure lay beneath. Eggman really couldn’t build anything original.

The throne room was the most fundamentally changed, the throne itself changed so it was just a tall pillar with a weird hole in the ground.
“He probably parks his eggmobile here,” Sonic remarked. “You know, his floaty chair?”
“A good place to show his power and a good place for an escape route,” Nicole remarked.
“But show his power to who?” Bunnie asked, her cannon humming as she kept an eye out for any attackers. Antoine stood shivering beside her, his grip on his sword looking painfully tight.

“Probably to us,” Sonic said darkly, turning away from the throne and pointing to just in front of the throne.
The others also turned and Sally gasped.
“The Robotizer,” Sally whispered.
The others avoided getting close to it, as if afraid it’d come alive and snatch them up, while Sonic stridded up to it. Sally supposed Sonic was aware more than anyone else of the machine's capabilities.

"We must've really caught him off guard if he left it here," Sonic said, running his hands along the glass cylinder. He seemed to be searching for something, hands and eyes trailing along the side. 

He got to the backside and crouched down, face going strangely blank. Sally walked over to where he was hunched, looking over his shoulder. 

There was a logo engraved into the lower panel of the Robotizer, a C and H in an almost curvy script. 

Sally glanced over at the others and crouched down beside Sonic, almost pressing her head to his.

"He really did build it," Sonic muttered, sounding almost resigned. "I was kind of hoping I was wrong."

"Your uncle?" Sally questioned, unsure if he was gonna respond. He didn't like talking about his uncle.

"Yeah," Sonic nodded after a moment, pulling his hand away. "He said he was working on something that would revolutionize medicine. He never said it was this." 

"How long have you known?" Sally asked.

"I wasn't sure until now," Sonic said. "But I had my… suspicions. Little things that looked more like my uncle than old Egghead."

Sonic went quiet, his head going down ever so slightly.

"You couldn't have known," Sally said. 

"Know what? My uncle was building the thing to destroy the entire kingdom?" Sonic chuckled bitterly.

"Exactly," Sally sighed. "We were just kids. You said yourself you didn't know what he was working on."

Sonic went quiet and Sally feared Sonic wasn't going to take what she said to heart.

"I know, Sal," Sonic said, turning his face towards her. She could feel his smile on her cheek. "I honestly wasn't even thinking about it like that. C'mon, we've wasted enough time."

Sonic stood up, pulling Sally to her feet besides him. He grinned brilliantly and Sally was hit by her complete trust and utter affection for him. 

"Right," she finally said, tearing away her eyes from his face. "He has to be keeping everyone somewhere around here."

She turned to the group still walking around the throne room.

"Tails, Rotor, Nicole," Sally said, tossing the AI to Tails. "Tear this thing apart. Figure out how it works and how to reverse it."

"On it, Princess," Rotor nodded, stepping forward.

"With pleasure, Sally," Nicole chuckled as Tails started to plug her into it.

"I doubt it'll be hard, Sal," Tails said, one of two people who could call her that.

Sally nodded and resumed the search.

The search turned messy quickly, tearing through floors and wallboards. 

Finally, Bunnie burnt a hole through a hidden door, revealing a set of stairs over a bar.

Sonic and Bunnie entered first, Bunnie visibly paling.

"He really just stuck 'em all down here," Bunnie commented, as they looked over the enormous room, every robotized victim standing in rows like toy soldiers. Sally followed in after them, sharply inhaling at the sight.

"C'mon, let's see if everyone really is here," Sonic urged them on, hurrying down the stairs. 

Old friends and loved ones were discovered, all forgiven in the state they were taken. They seemed to be offline, thankfully. If they were online, the group would have been mauled. 

Sally walked through the rows, searching for four figures in particular.

He found [nanny lady] near the front, her metallic buck teeth looking worrying sharp.

Her other and brother were still absent, Sally had been barely hoping she misremembered their deaths.

Finally, she found her father.

He was amongst the other robots, the only difference between him and a thousand other robots were the gleaming golden crown embedded within his crown.

Sally reached up, tracing it.

"For some reason, I expected him up on a pedestal, like some kind of trophy," Sally admitted shakily. She backed up, Sonic catching her and holding her in place. "But he was just another pawn to him."

"Seems so," Sonic sighed. "C'mon, let's get them all out of here." 

"Right," Sally sharply inhaled. "Bunnie?"

"Placing charges now," Bunnie called from the giant hanger door at the end of the room, placing the bombs on the wall. A tiny fox face smiled and winked as it counted down. Tails had gotten the hang of explosives concerningly quicker than Rotor. "Fire in the hole!"

The door went flying, revealing a slanted walkway that led out to the rest of Mobotropolis.

"Alright, good," Sally nodded. "Sonic, can you go and mark where this exits out to? We'll leave them here for now. With proper guards, this is the safest place for them."

Sonic nodded and dashed out of the ramp.

"Good work today, everyone," Sally called out. "Let's head back to Knothole-"

"Uh, Sal?" Sonic called out. "You might wanna see this."

Sally followed Sonic up the ramp, frowning.

Sonic pointed wordlessly in front of him.

There was a small camp forming on the outskirts of Mobotropolis, a banner flying above it.

"No fucking way," Sally snarled, staring at it. It was the emblem of the Acorn family. Who the hell…? "Go get the others, in case this gets messy."

Twenty minutes later, the group approached the camp, Sally at the very front, Bunnie, Antoine, and Sonic right behind her, the few volunteers that came long behind them, Rotor and Tails in the very back.

There were guards at the camp, armed and armored. Sally felt unprepared but reminded herself she wasn't here powerless or alone.

"Hello," she said to the guards as politely as she could. "I am Princess Sally Acorn. I'd like to speak to whoever is in charge here."

"Princess Sally Acorn?" One guard said, looking at the other. "We weren't expecting you so soon."

Sally hid her surprise. They were expecting her? Well, of course, she supposed. It was her family's banner they were using. 

"This way, Your Highness," one said, ushering her forward. The others moved to follow her but were stopped. "I'm sorry, we were explicitly told to bring only the princess."

"Where she goes, we go," Sonic said, crossing his arms.
“We can take care of her, Hero,” the first guard teased, getting an elbow from his companion.
Sonic’s eyes narrowed slightly, the smallest hint of distrust.
“It’s alright, Sonic,” Sally said quickly. She tapped on her rings, the blue star attached to it wiggling at the motion. She’s still armed, even if the guards don’t know it. “I’ll be back soon.”

Sonic didn’t exactly relax but he did nod, stepping back.
Sally followed the guards as they led her into the camp.

Sally was led to a tent near the center, where she was told to wait. 

She sat down on the bench inside, getting comfortable. Sally feels her cheeks warm involuntary as she reflects on Sonic’s protective glare at the guards as they walked away and yet the utter trust to step back when asked.

She knows she’s reading into nothing, she’s Sonic’s leader and best friend, nothing more. That’s all they’ve been since they were thirteen and Sally’s turning sixteen in the coming months. Sally’s accepted that, why does she have to keep reminding herself of that?
Sally sighs, crossing her arms. At least, she’s more than just a burden to him now.

Sally reaches for her wrists, adjusting the rings on it. They were her sixteenth birthday present. See, when Tails was younger, he’d mix up Sonic and Sally’s birthdays. Eventually, giving one the present on the other’s birthday was an inside joke that was too far gone to stop.

Tails had taken on the worst parts of Sonic and Sally. While he had Sally’s habit for eavesdropping, he also had Sonic’s uncanny skill of deception. Sally often didn’t even realize Tails had heard something until it became convenient for the little fox kit to reveal it. Troublemaker. 

She’s not sure what exactly Tails heard, she’s complained to Nicole and to herself in private about how she hates having no powers and being barely any help more times than she can count. 

She knows it’s a stress and insecurity many members of the Freedom Fighters had, what with the lack of powers and useful weapons, but Sally was the Princess Acorn, the leader , she should be right up there beside Sonic. 

Tails had shown her how to charge the rings, they were solar powered, the blades were concentrated sunlight, more or less, and Sally could finally put her minimal sword knowledge to good use.

Sure, the first time she did so was an attempt to slit Eggman’s throat after she saw him more or less kill her best friend by launching him out into fucking space but, still, she thinks she did pretty good.

Eggman certainly seemed nervous when she came swinging.

Sally smiled. They were growing up, no longer the helpless children they once were. Rotor and Tails were brilliant beyond compare, Bunnie was healer and hurter, Antoine was gaining his courage, Nicole grew more human by the day, they weren’t a bunch of children playing pretend anymore. 

They really were Freedom Fighters now and their fight probably wasn’t finished yet.

“Sally?” a voice came as someone entered the tent, pulling Sally’s attention from her thoughts.

It was a familiar voice, a voice she never thought she’d hear again.
“Elias?” Sally questioned, standing and turning to the speaker.

Sure enough, there stood her brother, almost eight years older, the spitting image of their parents in their youth.
“Elias!” Sally cried as her hopes were confirmed, running into her older brother’s arms.
“Hello, Sally,” Elias laughed as she squeezed him tight. “It’s so unbelievably good to see you.”
“I-I thought you were dead! I thought I saw you die!” Sally sobbed into her brother’s chest. “I thought I’d never see you again!”
“Well, you thought wrong,” Elias smiled softly. “I’m here. It’s okay, I’m going to take care of everything.”
“I… wait, what?” Sally blinked, confused, leaning back slightly to look at her brother. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m the eldest,” Elias explained. “Obviously, I’ll be taking the Acorn throne. I’m going to make sure we put everything back to the way it was.”
“I… that’s great?” Sally said. It didn’t sound right but her brother was alive , she could worry about phrasing later. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here too,” Elias said. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”
“What happened to you?” Sally asked, the two now sitting down. “The last I saw of you was… eight years ago. I thought if the helicopter exploding didn’t kill you, Eggman would have roboticized you.”
“Well, after the helicopter failed, I was knocked unconscious but thankfully wasn’t killed. When I came to, I was the only survivor,” Elias explained. “It was dark and Eggman’s initial assault was paused. I crawled out of the wreckledge and ran until I reached the river. Once there, I stole a boat and used it to sail out of Acorn Kingdom to the Dragon Kingdom nearby. I’ve been hiding out with it ever since.”
“Dragon Kingdom… that’s so far,” Sally exclaimed.
“When I was finally found, my boat was out of fuel and I was starving,” Elias nodded. “But I was welcomed in and treated like royalty as I shared my tale.”
Well, Sally mused, that explained why Dragon Kingdom was on her side so much during all the meetings- wait.
“Elias, how long have you known I was alive?” Sally asks suddenly, dreading the answer. Elias looked away, as if he also knew the answer wasn’t going to be what Sally hoped.
“Since… your first meeting in Station Square,” Elias confessed before hurriedly speaking to cut off whatever she was about to say. “It was the Dragon Kingdom’s suggestion! They thought if Eggman knew I was alive, he’d come for me!”
“So, instead, you let him come for me,” Sally said, her voice blank. “I thought you were dead. You knew I was alive for almost three years.”
“Sally, it was for the good of the kingdom,” Elias argued. “You have to understand.”
“Elias, you left me leading an army of children against an egomaniac,” Sally said.
“And look how well you did!” Elias praised. “And now, you don’t have to do that anymore, because the Dragon Kingdom sent me enough aid to protect everyone!”
Sally couldn’t help the thought that all he’d been sent is canon fodder for Eggman’s Robotizer. But they had that here and the blueprints! Surely he wouldn’t be able to build another! Right?
“Just leave it to me, little sister,” Elias said, now confident he’d quelled Sally’s rage. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Sonic flinched as the blade cleanly cut through the trunk of the tree, the slightest smell of smoke in the air as it fell.
“Three… years!” Sally howled, turning to the log as if it had personally offended her. “He knew, for three years! And did nothing!”
“That’s a pretty long time,” Sonic agreed from his perch, watching Sally go to town on the log. It was a good thing they needed firewood.
“Not to mention, he sat on his ass in the Dragon Kingdom five years before then!” Sally added. “Eggman took over the Acorn Kingdom eight years ago and he only shows up now to defend his birthright to the throne?”
Sonic hummed and nodded, more of a listening ear than anything else.
“I know that’s probably not what he meant to do but that leaves a very interesting picture,” Sally hissed, kicking a chopped chunk of wood away. “Did he only come back for us because we won? Because we’re winning?”
Sally turned to Sonic when he didn’t reply.
“Did he?” Sally asked, heated.
“Aw, c’mon, Sal,” Sonic said, throwing his hands up. “Don’t ask me!”
“Sonic,” Sally growled.
“My opinion is biased anyway because you’re my best friend and I distrust most forms of authority,” Sonic sighed. “But yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. But he’s your brother, what do you think?”
Sally hesitated, turning off her rings and picking up the small logs.
“I…I don’t know,” Sally sighed. “I haven’t seen him in so long. He could be completely different from how I remember him. I wish…”
Sonic hopped off the rock he was perched on, picking up some logs as well.
“Maybe everything will be okay, maybe it won’t,” Sonic said, bumping his shoulder against Sally’s. “We’ll face it together.”
Sally’s face turned red as she smiled, watching Sonic walk ahead of her. Sally hurried to catch up with him as he walked.

Chapter Text

“Do you have to go?” Sonic whined.
The past month has brought… a lot of changes. There was the reconstruction of Mobotropolis started, there was the work on reversing the Robotizer, there was Elias being instated as King of the Acorn Kingdom, there was Sally being moved into a different house from Tails and Sonic, there were a lot of changes. 

Sonic admittedly was behind most of them but the distance he found growing between him and Sally was not something he ever expected.
Elias had so much planned for the recovering kingdom and he very much wanted, maybe even needed, Sally’s help for it. Not that Sonic was calling him incompetent- oh, who is Sonic kidding, he is.
Elias is, what, 23 years old? Hadn’t he been hiding away all these years? The least he could do was know how to run a kingdom without his teenaged younger sister’s help.

Not that Sonic would ever say any of that to Sal’s face. She’d take it the wrong way, see it as Sonic thinking she couldn’t handle the responsibility, and that was the last thing Sonic wanted.

Sonic knew she could handle it, hell, she’d make a damn good queen, she’d been doing it for years now, but he doesn’t think she should have to.

She should be free, able to finally relax. Sonic just wished he could make things easier on her but…
“Yes, Sonic, I do,” Sally replied to his question, sighing as she packed a dress into her suitcase. It didn’t suit her at all, wrong shape, wrong color, wrong length. Not only would Sal hate it, it would look terrible on her, even if simply by the virtue of her hating it. “It’s important for Acorn to make good relations since we’re trying to reinstate ourselves.”
Sonic huffed, flopping onto her bed. It was definitely too big for Sally, even if the rest of her treehouse style abode was pretty sweet. He wished she’d just come home. Tails hadn’t been sleeping well since she moved out.
“But it’s almost my birthday, you’re going to miss your gift!” Sonic pleaded. “You’re really gonna abandon me, two days before my birthday?!”
“Sonic, you know I don’t have a choice…” Sally’s face softened. She pat Sonic on the head, slamming her suitcase closed. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir, alright?”
Sonic huffed, crossing his arms. She knew that wasn’t what he wanted, if he wanted a souvenir, he could honestly just run and get it himself at this point!
“Could I at least know where you’re going?” Sonic tried one last time. “Maybe we can hang when you’re not in boring meetings and shit!”
“I can’t afford to be distracted,” Sally denied yet again. “I promise you, I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
Sonic grumbled, crossing his arms.
He didn’t want Sally to make it up when she got back, he wanted her to do it now. Sonic sighed, sitting up. But that was selfish of him. Sally was a princess of the Acorn Kingdom long before she was Sonic’s friend and she’d still be one long after they stopped being friends. 

He should be grateful for the close friendship they already had.
“...Be safe, alright?” Sonic warned. “Ol’ Egghead is still at large.”
“I’ll be fine,” Sally reassured. “He won’t catch me unarmed.”
She flashed her rings again, her birthday gift from last year. Sonic swallowed around the bitter taste in his mouth at the reminder of birthdays.
“Alright, but don’t expect me to be quick about saving you if I’m too busy celebrating being seventeen!” Sonic teased.
“Oh, of course, I won’t hold my breath, you slowpoke,” Sally teased back, reaching over and pinching Sonic’s cheek. He stuck his tongue out, pulling out of her pinching grasp. 

“...Call me the minute you get back, alright?” Sonic said, trying not to sound sad. “Tails’ll want to see you right away.”
“Tails,” Sally said, as if she didn’t believe him. She smiled, her sapphire blue eyes glittering. “Right.”

Sonic decided to treat himself for his birthday; a nice pitstop to a nearby kingdom by the name of Soleanna. It was annoyingly water themed, being a series of islands and half of the roads weren’t even roads but waterways!
Despite that, it was lovely. See, it was the celebration of the country’s sun god, Solaris. Perfect timing, seeing how his birthday is literally the same day as the start of their big festival.

Sonic wasn’t sure how he felt about religions and gods, really, considering he’d met one and they turned out to be a stretched out Chao but who is Sonic to deny a good party?
Sonic slipped on a jacket he had stolen from Sal and slipped into the crowd, just another tourist viewing the city’s interesting customs. 

He’d found this food truck serving something called a Chiacchiere , which were these strips of dough that were fried and then covered in a snowy white sugary powder.

It was delicious and Sonic had eaten way too much. 

Despite all the waterways, Sonic thought it was a really pretty city as well. The constant light colors contrasted well with the fiery red symbols and banners of Soleanna’s god, decorating the space in speckles of burning red. 

As the sun set and the festival truly began, Sonic found himself climbing up a building to get a better view. 

It was a parade of boats, women in beautiful and flowing dresses dancing and twirling, looking almost like flowers blowing in the wind.

Across the waterways and the city, lanterns were lit and placed on every surface, the sun emblem on them casting shadows across various walls.

With the flickering and moving light of the lanterns’ candles, it almost looked like the city was on fire. Sonic snorted at that. What a silly thought.

The crowds cheering at the festival quieted as the Duchess of Soleanna stepped before a giant golden statue. 

She prayed, a prayer of thanks to her god’s golden light and a request for it to continue to shine on them. She then paused, a few seconds too long, really, before kneeling, lighting the statue ablaze.

The crowds cheered as the Duchess smiled, waving at them.

But the fun and joy was short-lived. Even Sonic was surprised as things seemed to randomly start exploding. The Duchess’ guards bunched closer to her, blades drawn.

Sonic jolted up, kicking himself into gear, as familiar looking robots fell view.from an oncoming airship onto the boat with the duchess on it.

Sally reached the boat first, her see through blades gleaming in the light as she leapt from whatever boat important visitors get to ride onto the bigger ceremonial boat. 

Wait, Sally?
Sonic rubbed his eyes and leaned forward, watching. Sure enough, there was Sal, blue eyes burning a passionate fire as she carved her way through the horde of robots.

It was mesmerizing to watch, the way that even in a dress that long and boring, Sally still was an agile and effective fighter.

Sonic found himself frozen with a smile, shaking himself back into reaction. But now wasn't the time to admire his best friend, he needed to give her a helping hand!

Eggman landed down in front of the Duchess, saying something Sonic just couldn't hear as he darted through the crowd and leapt over from boat to boat.

He and Sally reached the Duchess at the same time.

"Sorry, Egghead!" Sonic called out as he spindashed through a few machines. The megalomaniac turned towards Sonic, missing Sally running over and taking the Duchess by the hand. The nineteen year old Duchess startled as she was pulled away, thankfully keeping quiet. "Her majesty's a tad busy. Have you considered getting an appointment?"

"You insolent little rat, I just can't get rid of you, can I?!" Eggman snapped, pointing at Sonic. "Get him!"

"You're free to try!" Sonic taunted, running off.

After losing Eggman's eggbots, Sonic found and caught up with Sal and the Duchess.

"You two alright?" Sonic asked, walking up to them hiding in an alley.

"We're fine," Sally panted before reaching over and smacking Sonic's shoulder. "What are you doing here?!"

"Ow!" Sonic said, even if it didn't really hurt. "I wanted to check out the Festival of the Sun, is that such a crime? I didn't know this was your event!"

"Who was that?" Duchess Elise interrupted. "He… he said he wanted my Chaos Emerald."

"Your Chaos Emerald?" Sally questioned. Elise nodded, opening the hand she had close to her chest to reveal a light blue Chaos Emerald. 

Sonic blinked, surprised. He supposed he now knew where at least one emerald had gone when Sonic wasn't using 'em.

"That was Doctor Eggman," Sonic finally answered. "Weird of him to ask you for it. He's more used to just taking."

Elise looked away at that, gnawing at her lip. Sonic frowned at that but decided not to comment on her odd reaction.

"Don't worry, we're used to fighting him, we can protect you!" Sally reassured, placing a hand on Sonic's shoulder. "Sonic's one of the best fighters I know."

Sally then paused, looking him over.

"What?" Sonic asked, shifting uncomfortably in his jacket.

"Nothing," Sally sighed, looking away. "We have to get the Duchess back to her palace. Will you be safe there?"

"I… yes, I will," Elise nodded, almost hesitantly. 

"Good, let's get you there," Sonic said, stepping forward and offering a hand to Elise. She took it after a moment, standing up. "C'mon, let's get you home." 

They hurried down the street when a spotlight hit the trio, nearly blinding them. 

"Found you!" Eggman crowed and Elise screamed as a giant hand shot out, snatching her away.

"Elise!" Sally and Sonic both cried. 

Sonic moved to rescue her but the light vanished, revealing the street chock full of botniks. 

"Hoo boy," Sonic inhaled sharply through his teeth. 

"Princess Sally! Sonic!" Elise screamed, freeing her arm. She threw her Chaos Emerald at Sally, the princess catching it. 

"Just hang tight!" Sally said, tucking away the emerald. "We're going to save you!"

"Get me that emerald!" Eggman commanded, the botniks charging at the two. He flew up and away, taking Elise with him.

"Let's get to it!" Sonic said, getting into position besides Sally.

So, yeah, Shadow ended up taking that job from GUN. don’t worry, he’ll probably be out before his birthday. Rouge said it’d be his little gift from her.

See, GUN was using their past crimes against them as blackmail working for GUN but they’d been pardoned and celebrated as heroes by the literal president. Rouge was working with another GUN agent, some lady named Topaz, to get it down on paper.

Also to get Shadow officially recognized as a living person and not just, you know, some medical aid/weapon/lab rat. 

They thankfully didn’t have to deal with so many legal trappings for Omega. Omega technically didn’t work for GUN and anytime someone tried to change that, Omega put plenty of holes in the attempt. Literally. What Shadow’s trying to say is Omega attempts to kill anyone who tries to control him. 

However, for the moment, Shadow is GUN’s lapdog. It’s not an admirable position considering… everything but it’s necessary if he doesn’t want to end up unconscious in some pod. Again. 

Shadow slammed his air shoe’s heel into a Egg Gunner’s head, feeling some anger siphon into the now crushed metal. 

It was a minor eggbase, probably just for manufacturing. Good for letting off some steam. Sure hope nothing ruins that for him-
“Agent Shadow, come in!” his earpiece suddenly rings. God fucking damn it.
“What is it?” Shadow asks, frowning.
“Transmission from HQ. There's an SOS coming from Dr. Eggman's current base within White Acropolis. Our last communication with our agent was 26 hours ago. We expect an immediate rescue, Shadow The Hedgehog,” the speaker says.

Shadow frowns, racking his brain. Didn’t… Rouge have a mission there? Shadow inhaled sharply through his teeth. Oh shit.
“Understood,” Shadow finally responded. He cast an uncaring glance at the burning down minor base and nodded to himself, tail flicking wildly. Eggman would have a hard time rebuilding this, if he even bothered. “Initiating mission now.”

Never let Rouge say Shadow doesn’t do anything for her. He idly adjusted his quills as he walked, the bat walking behind him. 

“Chilly, huh?” Rouge asked. “Aren’t you cold?”
Shadow exhaled, watching his breath become mist. He adjusted his heavy jacket, more to adjust the comfortable pressure than anything else.
“No,” Shadow said, not pausing in his walking. 

“And you aren’t curious to what this is?” Rouge asked further, holding up her target. It was a strange item, like a fairy’s wand but twisted and dark. Shadow felt like it was staring at him somehow. He didn’t like it.
“No,” Shadow answered again, looking away from it. He felt Rouge risk a glance at his tail. It operated on an emotional scale all of its own, blasted thing.
The ground trembled and three of Eggman’s bigger boys landed in front of them, aiming their guns down at the duo.
“Hm, seems he doesn’t want us to leave,” Rouge remarked casually, tucking away the item.
“We often tend to disagree with the good doctor,” Shadow huffed, running a hand through his quills one last time. “Let’s get this over with.”


Well, it'd been a rough night and half a day. And Sally wasn't even the one getting captured! 

Sally glanced over at the Duchess as they walked through the grassy field, staining her golden tights with dewy green. 

"Not to victim blame ya, but I'm pretty sure Eggman is targeting you specifically," Sonic finally said aloud. "You have something else he wants."

"I… yes. I can't give it to him, even if I wanted to but," Elise took a sharp breath. "Twelve years ago, my father was running the Solaris Project. I was very young so I'm not sure what happened but something went wrong, horribly wrong. I was the sole survivor."

Sonic and Sally cast a look at each other, sympathy ruling their senses.

"Now that man wants to repeat it!" Elise said, turning to the two. "Why?"

"Who's to say?" Sally sighed. "Eggman's not the easiest to predict but I don't doubt he thinks this… Solaris Project will give him an edge for his Eggman Empire."

"Which I won't let happen!" Sonic reassured. He stuck out a thumbs out, beaming.

Elise smiled before her eyes darted over to Sonic's shoulder.

"You're hurt!" Elise pointed out, pointing to his shoulder. Sally looked at Sonic, a tear in Sonic's jacket sleeve revealing a cut on his arm.

"Oh, this?" Sonic said, twisting to look at it. "It's nothing."

"Don't say that! Hold on," Elise said, reaching down and tearing off the edge of her dress. She approached Sonic, a wordless question in her eyes.

Sonic hesitated before shrugging off his jacket, looking away as Elise tightly wrapped it around the cut.

Sally understood Elise's guilt and concern. As they got older and Sonic started scarring in gold, Sally found the more bright reminders of Sonic's close shaves also reminders of her own weakness and failure. 

"Is that my jacket?" Sally asked after a moment, pointing to it folded in Sonic's arms.

"Oh, is it?" Sonic asked coyly, shrugging it back on. "I didn't notice."

Sally huffed and Elise giggled, the guilty expression fading from her face.

"Much better, Elise!" Sonic said, cheering on the Duchess. "Keep your spirits up!"

He grinned, so suddenly bright and brilliant, that Sally felt like the air was punched out of her lungs.

"Smile!" Sonic said and Sally watched as Elise was caught in Sonic’s flow, just like almost everyone they’d ever met. “You know what I like to do when I’m stressed?”
“What?” Elise asked, yelping as Sonic grabbed a hold of her hand, reaching down and also grabbing Sally’s.
“Running!” Sonic cried joyfully and Sally laughed, caught up in his energy. It was odd, seeing him use the same tricks he’d used to cheer her up at times on someone else but Elise wasn’t having a good go of it, she’d pay it no mind. “As my uncle told me, if I’ve got time to worry, run!”
She was too busy taking advantage of the warmth of Sonic’s hand to complain anyway.

Let Shadow say this; he was not a fan of how his birthday week was going. Rouge had said it would be the 'best birthday week ever!' and Shadow's feeling severely underwhelmed.

For one, he's been fighting Eggman and transporting Rouge for hours. That is awful, already, if it wasn't added he was doing this for GUN.

There's something going on here, something Shadow doesn't understand, and he doesn't like it.

The feelings all come to a head when Rouge is falling, unable to catch herself in time, and the… Specter of Darkness is also falling and Shadow catches Rouge.

The Specter shatters on the ground, tendrils of black smoke shooting out of it.

Eggman cries out in anger at that, quickly pulling his forces back into a retreat. 

Shadow tries to stand in-between the threat and Rouge but it's literal smoke, swirling around them before it slams down, vanishing inside of Shadow's shadow.

It feels weirdly anticlimactic, or at least, it does until his shadow starts moving.

It stretches out, no longer following Shadow's movements.

Something claws its way out of Shadow's shadow, the shadow itself vanishing, as if getting sucked up.

“Your shadow!” Rouge exclaims, frowning.
The creature that climbs out is an eerie double of Shadow, just de-saturated, with its own third eye a flaming red instead of a sickly yellow. Its horns were also different, looking more like antlers.
It moved as if it had never walked before, half bent over. It stared down at its hands, as if surprised.
“Oh, how ironic fate can be! I would never have believed I would be resurrected through your shade!” the strange creature laughed, bowing mockingly. “I thank you, Shadow The Hedgehog!”

“Who are you?” Shadow demanded. People he didn’t know knowing his name was never a good sign, in his experience. “How do you know my name?”

“I'm Mephiles. Mephiles the Dark,” Mephiles introduced himself, moving towards Shadow. His tone turned mocking, as if Shadow was the butt of a joke he didn’t know. “What, did you forget me? I owe much to you, Shadow.”
“Owe me?” Shadow questioned, glancing at Rouge in question. She shook her head. Great. How did Shadow know this guy then?
“Oh, yes,” Mephiles chuckled, holding out his hand. A sparking purple orb appeared in his palm. “What you gave to me, I now return to you! A one-way ticket to oblivion!”
He extends his hand upwards, purple energy flowing down and surrounding the three of them, whisking Rouge and Shadow to parts unknown.

Two hundred years into the future and Shadow still can't lose Sonic. 

Mephiles had transported Shadow and Rouge two hundred years into the future, where everything was shit, but Eggman also transported Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles.

“And then this white hedgehog showed up and actually pretty much handed my ass to me but Amy saved my bacon!” Sonic had been talking for the last couple minutes, basically catching Shadow up on what he was up to, for some reason. Probably because he was anxious about Princess Sally. She hadn’t been sucked into this future with the trio. He always babbled when he was anxious. “But what’s up with you?”
“Nothing,” Shadow said. He just wanted to find the Chaos Emeralds and return to their proper time.
“Oh, so you just found a time machine and thought you’d take it for a whirl?” Sonic teased with a snort. “C’mon!”
“It’s none of your concern,” Shadow huffed. This Mephiles was Shadow’s problem, not Sonic’s. He wouldn’t involve an… acquaintance in his own problems. “Just focus on finding a Chaos Emerald!”
“I’m trying!” Sonic lamented. “But this place feels weird.”
Shadow hummed in response. It was true, the latent Chaos energy of the city they were in was incredibly bizarre. But Shadow had to focus, he had things to do.

Shadow stared up at himself, actually himself. There were signs of the passage of time on his face, his horns grown out as well. Shadow could barely see them through the translucent barrier on his future self’s prison.
So this was it? This was all there was for Shadow? It didn’t matter what he did or who he saved, Shadow would get locked up. Get locked away.
Mephiles taunted him, trying to side Shadow over to him, but Shadow refused. He would never betray Maria’s promise, even as the evidence of Shadow’s own betrayal hung above him.

Omega, new and old, appeared, saving Shadow and the two escaped to the proper time.

Shadow had to fix this, seal away Mephiles, regardless of people’s belief in Shadow himself. 

He would set this right.

Silver was so conflicted. He was in the past and it was beautiful! But he had to kill someone, that way this past could be his present. He’d been so close but Amy, this nice hedgehog he’d met, stopped him.

Amy had stood between Silver and the Iblis Trigger, allowing him to escape with the princess he’d been curled around in the vision Mephiles had shown him.

“Sonic would never do that!” Amy cried as Silver tried to explain it to her. “He’s my friend and he’d never do that!”
The thing is, Silver was starting to think she was right. The whole time he’s been here, he’s been hearing about this Sonic, someone so tough and brave and loyal. He was like the big brother Amy never had, protective and cheerful. She’d come to the Festival of the Sun to give him her birthday present for him. Silver had kind of been looking forward to meeting him.

How was someone like that supposed to cause the end of the world as they know it?
“Blaze?” Silver spoke up, his best friend since he was a child turning to look at him. “Killing someone to save the world… is that the right thing to do?”
Silver couldn’t find Sonic but he knew what he would do when he did. Blaze was right, it didn’t matter whether it was good or not. If Silver did nothing, nothing would change.
Mephiles wouldn’t say what Sonic does exactly to doom everything but he did say where Sonic was.
Silver watched for a few minutes as Sonic ran with Duchess Elise in his arms, Princess Sally Acorn running right behind him.
Silver gritted his teeth as he prepared to attack. He had to do this. He had to. The Iblis Trigger had to die!

Shadow doesn’t know who this white hedgehog is but he saw him with Mephiles for a brief moment in that ruined future. Either this hedgehog was a pawn or an accomplice. Add in the fact he’s been gunning for Sonic for the past two or so days,  and Shadow is all too eager to kick his face in.
“You two go save the Duchess,” Shadow said, as Sally helped Sonic back to his feet. Shadow adjusted his rings. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Thanks for the save, Shads,” Sonic beamed. Sally nodded to him respectfully, the two dashing off.

The white hedgehog moved forward to chase them, getting a fist in the face.
“Who are you?” the white hedgehog demanded, glaring. “And why do you look like Mephiles?”
He? Look like Mephiles? Shadow suppressed a snort.
“I’m Shadow, Shadow the hedgehog,” Shadow introduced himself. “Your hunt ends here.”

It’s funny, really, one second, you’re kicking a guy’s ass, the next second, you’re traveling twelve years into the past with him. 

Peachy. Regardless, Shadow gained a lot from the little history dip. He knew how to capture Mephiles again and stop him from whatever the hell he was planning on doing to… well, Shadow wasn’t sure what Mephiles’ goals were. 

The Solaris Project hadn’t been a failed attempt to make some new kind of engine, it was an attempt to control Soleanna’s literal god.  

There was a lot right there but Shadow didn’t want to think about the religious implications of that.
Mephiles was half of Solaris, an inky darkness that the Duke had given him a non yet broken Specter of Darkness to wrap it with. 

Mephiles had vowed revenge and Shadow felt very unsettled by the concept of time travel and fate. Not going to think about that, thank you very much.

But he knew how to beat Mephiles now and Sonic wouldn’t have to deal with Silver on top of everything else. 

Sally couldn’t help but sympathize with the Duchess. Didn’t mean she wasn’t annoyed with how much they had to rescue her but… Sally understood her pain. 

The pressure of ruling a kingdom, of being in a position of power you never asked for… she understood it.
“I feel bad for her,” Sonic said suddenly, Sally about to leave to resume her own responsibilities here. Sally paused, turning to her friend. He adjusted his jacket.
“What do you mean?” Sally asked.
“I mean, it’s kind of like you or a lot of our friends, really,” Sonic said. “Responsibility she was never supposed to have, placed on her by unfortunate circumstances but she doesn’t have all of us.”
“Well…” Sally said. “She does now, right?”
Sonic brightened at that, smiling.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Sonic agreed. He stood up, stretching. “Well, I’ll see you back home. I’m going to go find Tails.”
“Stay safe!” Sally called out as he started to run away.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Sonic called back.

Okay, for the record, Sally does like Elise and does hope after all of this that they can foster an equally beneficial relationship between Soleanna and the Acorn Kingdom, but if Elise keeps getting kidnapped, Sally is killing Elise herself.
They chase after the airship Eggman was carrying on, only stopping when the white hedgehog who kept jumping Sonic and some weird purple cat showed up.

“You look like you’re in a hurry,” Silver said, waving away the crumpled robots he’d nabbed.
“...We cool?” Sonic asked, arm extended out in front of Sally. Silver made a face, confused, glancing at the purple cat.
“...We cool,” Silver said, sounding unsure of what he was saying. Sonic nodded and the four went to save Elise.

And they’re too late. The airship, something went wrong, and it crashed down in flames. 

Oh Gaia, Elise…

Sally can’t stop herself from dropping to her knees in horror, Sonic barely able to stay standing himself. 

“We can still save her,” Silver says and Sonic and Sally look at him. He pulls out a Chaos Emerald and Sonic stares at it. “If we go to an earlier time…”
“I see,” Sonic says. He reaches into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out his own Chaos Emerald.

Sally hastily stands and her and the cat girl make eyes. The cat nods to her and Sally can’t help but nod back.

A ripple of energy crosses the air as the two hedgehogs use the emeralds to more or less pierce a hole into time itself. Sally moves to enter it, Sonic tossing his emerald to Silver.
“We can take care of this,” Sonic says, determined. “Besides, you’ve got somewhere else to be, right?”
“We…” Silver said, looking down at the Chaos Emeralds dumbstruck. 

“We’re going to change Elise’s fate,” Sally says, reassuring the snowy white hedgehog. “That should change yours, right?”
Silver nodded, clutching the emeralds tightly.
“Thank you,” Sally added on. “For Elise’s sake.”
“Yeah, just…” Silver looked away. “Save her.”
With that, the two jumped through the portal. 

They save her this time. They do. The ship fails and crashes but they save her.
Elise laughs as Sonic carries through the exploding ship, Sally burying her face into the crook of his neck as she clung to his back.
“You certainly don’t look worried!” Sally shouted out to the other royal.
“If you’ve got time to worry, run, right?” Elise replies, beaming. Sonic laughs at that, ducking to avoid a low pipe. 

Sonic leaps from the crashing ship and there’s this horrid moment where it looks like they’re not going to make it, that they failed and this time, all of them will die.

And then Eggman’s airship explodes, the force of the blast sending them up and over the ledge.

Sally lets go and tumbles, landing on her feet. Sonic curls into a ball, minimizing the impact. Elise just hits the ground and rolls. 

Sally and Sonic both startle and turn to her, worried she’s hurt. Elise sits up, her red hair in a disarray and laughs, beaming. 

Sonic joins in her laughter, Sally pausing to relish in the sound as her own laughter joins the chorus. 

Most called Sonic’s laugh an almost evil cackle. Sally thought it was charming. 

“Excellent smile, Elise,” Sally says to the older, helping the Duchess to her feet. Elise giggles and beams some more.

They’re walking back when it happens. 

A bright light, blinding the trio as they walked, appeared. 

“The hell- ?” Sonic questioned, squinting. 

“I don’t know,” Sally replied. Elise said nothing, also squinting however. 

There’s a sound almost like one of Eggman’s lasers and Sonic makes a strangled gasp of a noise. 

Sally turns to look at him, just in time for their eyes to meet. Brilliant green fades to a dull shade as Sonic collapses, the hole in his chest gaping. 

“Sonic!” Sally screams, the light vanishing as she runs to his side. She doesn’t know what she’s planning to do but there has to be something she can do. This… this can’t be how it ends…! “Sonic, say something!”

Her white gloves are turning red and the jacket Sonic had stolen was now ruined. For some reason, that’s as far as her comprehension was allowing her to go. 

“No, no, no,” Sally begged, pressing her hands onto the now soaked fabric on Sonic’s body. “Wake up, please!”



Elise has been having what is turning out to be the best days of her life. She got to see her kingdom like never before, she had made at least three new friends, and learned a new matra over the whole ‘never cry’ thing.

Sally is who she aspires to become, even if the princess is younger than her, and Sonic is the one who inspired her to do so.

He wants to see the world, has wanted to since he was very young, and is going to, no matter what Eggman does. An admirable goal. An enviable goal. 

Sally and Sonic, they’re the best friends Elise could have ever asked for. After years of isolation and solitariness, burying her own emotions to keep her father’s wish, she finally had people who… listened. Who understood. 

And now one was dead. 

She doesn’t know what’s happened. All Elise saw was a bright light before Sally ran over, screaming, to Sonic’s still collapsing body.
Sonic’s dead. Oh Solaris.
Don’t cry, Elise, don’t cry.

Sally begs and sobs, her hands shaking as she fruitlessly attempts to awaken Sonic. 

Don’t cry, don’t, don’t cry.

There’s a cruel laugh rising up behind her and Elise is too afraid to look behind her.

Don’t cry, don’t cry.

Sally pulls Sonic into her lap, wailing as she is stained in his blood, uncaring of the red smearing on the grass or her body.
Don’t, don’t, don’t, be a strong Duchess, be a good Duchess, be strong-
“I can’t do this without you,” Sally sniffles. “Don’t leave me alone, you’re all I have! You’re all I have!”
A tear streams down Elise’s cheek and she freezes, raising a torn glove up to touch it. It’s hot to the touch, burning a mark down Elise’s cheek. 

The tear is followed by a second and another and another, burning Elise’s skin, making Elise cry more. Her heart, her body, they both burn so much!
“Sally,” she cries and the princess’ head shoots up, turning to Elise. “Something horrible is happening to me!”
It’s true. Now that the tears have started, they’re not stopping, her skin cracking to reveal what looks like molten rock underneath. 

The pain, the sadness, the rage, it chokes her.

“Finally the seal is broken!” the voice that had laughed says gleefully and Elise screams as it feels as if she’s being burnt up from the inside. “At long last, I’ll be able to join with you, Iblis!”
The world goes white and Elise’s screams of pain mix with cruel laughter and the roarings of something monstrous coming out of her. 

Even if the world becomes Shadow’s enemy, Shadow will fight like he always has. Mephiles tried to break him with what ifs, what if the world turns against Shadow, despite his efforts, what if Omega, one of his bestest friends, was the one to hunt him down, what if Shadow is alone, fighting a battle he couldn’t hope to win.

But Mephiles couldn’t. Shadow had made a promise, to himself as much as to Maria. This life was his to live and he would live it, with or without interference. 

Rouge vowed to stand by his side, no matter what, and though Shadow gave no reply, he already knew he would die for Rouge if need be. 

The various copies of Mephiles pooled at Shadow’s feet, a representation of Shadow’s mental and physical victory over the oily copy. Shadow hoped this would be the end of that, considering the Specter of Darkness trick didn’t exactly work anymore.
He clicked his rings back into place, feeling a comforting wall of power form, keeping the excess from draining from him. 

Rings in place, Shadow now reached for the emeralds. They flared once and Shadow flinched back, a second flare turning the world a violent white.

Shadow opened his eyes in a very different place, even if the heat of the desert was still felt. There’s ground beneath his feet but Shadow can’t tell what it is or if it’s floating or not.

He looks around, seeing people he knows. 

Rouge rubs her eyes, Amy loosens her hold on a blue wrapped box, Eggman coughs up some fumes while setting the fiery tip of his mustache out, and Silver rubs his eyes absently.

“What is this?” Tails asks, tails whipping anxiously. 

“It must be because of Solaris,” Rouge said aloud as Silver and Amy hastily caught up. 

“It seems we were all caught by the spatial distortion,” Eggman hummed, sounding majorly unbothered. “Looks like Iblis' seal has been broken, due to Mephiles' manipulation.”
“What do you-” Shadow starts before Tails screams, pointing to the side. Shadow follows his point.

Sally, eyes wide and absent, cradles Sonic in her arms, a visible hole in the hedgehog’s body. 

Shadow felt something inside him crack, Tails and Knuckles both running over to the ruined princess and her dead best friend.
Sonic was… dead? No. That wasn’t- no!
“Not a very thought out plan,” Eggman snorted. “Considering if your fair furred friend over there had killed Sonic any sooner, the Duchess most likely wouldn’t have fallen into despair and cried, but it worked in the end.”
Silver looked up, horrified. Shadow crossed his arms and looked away, if only so he didn’t kill Eggman here and now.
A siren’s wail echoes off the walls and Eggman finally looks like he has the correct amount of fear.
“Solaris!” Silver calls out, meeting Shadow’s gaze. They had both seen the dormant once peaceful god that Iblis and Mephiles were halves of. Would the two recombining make a more vengeful creature?
“It’s going to consume every timeline!” Eggman panicked. “And time will collapse into nothingness, us along with it!”
“The instability… it must’ve caused this pocket,” Tails says, clinging to Sally’s side as he motions above and around them. “It probably won’t last long…”
“Then we gotta kick this thing’s ass!” Knuckles snarls, burying his sadness with rage. “While we still can.”
“It’s a god of time, Echidna,” Eggman scoffs, sitting down on a rock and pouting. “A transcendent life form that exists in the past, present and future. Defeating it here, now, would do nothing.”
“There… there has to be a way!” Silver says, his voice desperate with loss. Shadow subconsciously notes the lack of his purple feline companion. “It exists in the past, present, and future? Why not destroy them all at once?!”
“It might have been possible,” Shadow says, eyes drifting over to the mourning friends. “...if he was still alive.”
Sonic had had (oh God, he’s already shifting to past tense, no,) a way of making the impossible possible. It had been one of his best qualities.
Amy hiccups, dropping her wrapped present to the ground. This is how it ends. Sonic dead and then they’re all consumed in the timeline by Solaris.

Shadow crosses his arms and turns away, closing his eyes. It doesn’t seem real but… it is…

A heartbeat pounds in Shadow’s chest and Shadow’s eyes fly open.

Shadow reaches his hand to his chest, an uneven secondary heartbeat alongside his own even pattern. 

Could it be?
“Wait,” Shadow says, the others turning to look at him. “Sonic’s not gone.”
“What?” Silver asks, leaning forward. Shadow turns around, one hand still pressed to his chest. The princess’ eyes finally move, landing on Shadow’s hand.

“...You can still feel him,” Sally says, blinking owlishly. Shadow nods. “We’re going to need the Chaos Emeralds, if we’re going to bring him back.”
“Leave it to me!” Tails jumps up, pulling out a bunch of small familiar radars. “They’re on the far reaches of this pocket!”
“Hmph,” Eggman grumbles, standing up. “I suppose I can’t finally find your quaint little village and raze it to the ground if none of us even exist.”
“Tails, stay with Knuckles and Amy,” Sally orders. “I’ll go with Shadow.”
Those under her command nodded. Sally carefully lowered Sonic’s body on the de-saturated cobblestones of Soleanna. She pressed her forehead to his, slowly standing up. 

Tails hurried over Knuckles and Amy, the trio running off. 

Sally hurries over to Shadow.
“I’ll go with Eggman,” Silver says, eyeing the megalomaniac warily.
Rouge hopped onto Omega’s shoulders, relaxing. Shadow knew it was all an act.
“You two stay safe,” Rouge said casually. “Tata!”
“Let’s go,” Sally said, moving towards the pinging on her radar.
They traveled in silence, Shadow avoiding gazing at her blood stained attire.

“I wish I could feel him like you can,” Sally said as Shadow raised a hand to his chest to reassure himself of the struggling heartbeat. “You two have something really… special.”
Shadow blinked. There was something about the way she said that…
“You two share something infinitely more special,” Shadow said out loud. “We’re merely acquaintances.”
“That’s not how Sonic sees you,” Sally shakes her head. “And I don’t think you see him that way either.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Princess,” Shadow frowns. He hates how people dance around just saying things. 

“...Sonic doesn’t realize it yet but he’s falling in love with you,” Sally finally straight up says. Her tone is… Shadow wants to say bitter. “Everytime he talks about you, he’s beaming. He stares at you like you single handedly painted every sunset that ever existed. His races with you are the highlights of his days and he memorizes every little detail about you, no matter how inane.”
Shadow goes quiet, face red. Sonic does all of that?
“That could mean nothing,” Shadow tries to say. Sally stares at him as if he’s sprouting yet another eye.
“...Maybe,” Sally finally says after a minute. “C’mon, we’re close.”

Sally folds Sonic’s hands over his chest, emeralds neatly placed around his now cool corpse. Sally squeezes the hands as she puts them in place. She wishes for them to squeeze back.

This has to work, or even if they do survive being time vored, Sally is going to lose so much of herself, she won’t be able to recover.
The emeralds gleam as she steps back. The group (minus Eggman and Omega) fold their hands, Shadow and Silver leading the plea.
Oh Chaos Emeralds, gems of miracles,” Silver starts, folded hands brought up to his nose. “Please heed my call.”
The Chaos Emeralds start glowing brighter, as if heeding Silver’s pleas.
“We wish to save this world, we wish to undo the wrongs done to Solaris,” Shadow goes on and hesitates before adding on his own selfish desire. “And, I wish to race against Sonic one last time.”
The emeralds lift into the air, Sonic rising with them. They swirl around Sonic’s lifeless body, the coat on his body fluttering in the breeze around him. Shadow can feel the second heartbeat in his chest quicken and steady.
There’s a sense of power rising in Shadow and he wonders if Silver can feel it too.

Sonic turns blinding, the emeralds vanishing inside of him. Shadow and Silver are struck with what Shadow wants to call lightning.

And then Sonic’s staring at him, golden and resplendent, a stupid grin on his face as if he’d never died, never left.
“Sonic,” Sally breathes, relieved, and Sonic’s eyes turn to her, softening.
“Hey, Sal,” Sonic says, smiling softly. “It’s okay. I’ve got it.”
“ We ’ve got it, hedgehog,” Shadow speaks up. He realizes he’s super as well, as he approaches Sonic. He turns, watching Silver wordlessly examining his almost bronze like appearance. “You wanted to defeat Solaris all at once, didn’t you?”
Silver startles and flies forward.
“Then let’s get to work!”

This is the second god Sonic’s beaten, Sally realizes, as Sonic lays the final blow, the angelic god wailing as the place turned a blinding white once more. Sure hope that doesn’t cause many problems.
“Elise!” Sally says as things clear up, becoming herself, Sonic, and Elise in a dark room.
Elise startles, turning to them.
“You’re here,” Elise says, looking at them. “Both of you.”
“Can’t keep a good ‘hog down,” is Sonic’s only explanation of his miraculous revival.
“Did we win?” Sally asks.
“Not yet,” Elise sighs, turning around. The two walk up beside her. She’s staring at a small flame, flickering in a glass case, fueled by a well shined oil lamp.
“That’s… Solaris,” Sonic says, astonished as Elise opens the case and holds the flame out. “The Flame of Hope.”
“I always thought it was beautiful,” Elise said sadly. “But now all I can think about is how it burned me.”
Sally sympathetically placed her hand on the older girl’s shoulder.
“If we put it out,” Sally asked. “All of this, it’ll never happen. You’ll have to think about how you were burned ever again.”
“But I won’t remember you,” Elise responded. She turned to them, tears flowing down her cheeks unbidden. “I… I don’t want to lose you. You’re my first friends.”
“Sometimes… things end,” Sonic said softly. “Whether we want to or not.”
“I’m sure we’ll meet again, even if it’s for the first time again,” Sally said. “I’m sorry it had to happen to you.”
“Just don’t forget, Elise,” Sonic smiled weakly at her. “Keep your spirits up. Smile.”
Elise smiled weakly back and raised the oil lamp to eye level. She took a deep breath and blew, gently, the flame weakly flickering before vanishing.

The oil lamp dropped to the floor in the Duke’s castle, the smoke left floating in the empty hall. 

As the sun set and the festival truly began, Sonic found himself climbing up a building to get a better view. 

It was a parade of boats, women in beautiful and flowing dresses dancing and twirling, looking almost like flowers blowing in the wind.

Across the waterways and the city, lanterns were lit and placed on every surface, the sun emblem on them casting shadows across various walls.

With the flickering and moving light of the lanterns’ candles, it almost looked like the city was on fire. Sonic paused at that. This was all… familiar. 

Too familiar.
Sonic’s eyes scanned the boats more closely, finally landing on Sally. Oh.

Sonic sharply inhaled and pressed a hand to his chest. It… it worked. 

Sonic shuddered and decided to think about the implications of that on a day not his birthday. 

“Sonic!” Amy cried out and Sonic startled, looking down. Amy waved up to him, holding her gift to Sonic.

With a grunt, Sonic jumped down, standing up.
“I got you a present!” Amy said cheerfully, offering it to him. “Happy birthday.”
Sonic took it curiously, opening it.
It was a collection of King Arthur Mythos, with beautiful art to accompany it.
“I love it!” Sonic said cheerfully, hugging it close. He paused, looking at Amy properly. “Say, Amy… do you know where Silver is?”
“Silver?” Amy asked, tilting her head. “Is that a friend of yours?”
“Ah, kind of,” Sonic laughs anxiously. She doesn’t remember. There’s not a hint of recognition in her eyes. Sonic glances back at the boat parade. He watches Duchess Elise stand just behind her father as he offers a prayer to Solaris. “Just forget it, it’s nothing.”

Chapter Text

Sonic was missing. It’s never a good thing when Sonic goes missing and this is no exception.
Eggman had been building up some weird plan in space, so Sonic had quickly gathered the Chaos Emeralds and flown up there.

From there, Sally had no clue where Sonic was. It didn’t help that Tails’ tracker on Sonic seemed to deactivate barely a minute before a giant laser from space crashed into the planet, some kind of fucking demon rising from the ocean before vanishing. 

Thankfully, Elias wanted her to investigate the split open planet and assist, in the name of Acorn Kingdom. That gave her plenty of time to hunt down her best friend. 

She started her search in Spangonia, hearing that Eggman had attacked and kidnapped a professor not too long ago. 

Considering this professor’s field of study was myths and legends of possibly world rending horrors, Sally didn’t like the idea of that.

Something deep inside her told her that Eggman wouldn’t be afraid to literally fuck with gods in  order to get his empire.
“I wouldn’t worry, Sally,” Bunnie reassured, adjusting the sleeves of her shirt. “This is Sonic we’re talking about! I can’t think of a single time he hasn’t been able to face a threat.”
Sally smiles weakly and nods, before facing forward. Her smile drops.
Sally had. She’d seen Sonic when he was weak and scared, backed into a corner. It had never been pretty and Sally very much would like not to think about it.
Sonic had never lost a fight with the Chaos Emeralds before, however. If Eggman did manage to defeat a souped up Sonic and had released some kind of ancient evil, was there anything any of them could do?
“Ah, blast this shirt,” Bunnie complained, crossing her arms. Sally glanced at her, pausing to let her catch up.
“You didn’t have to come with me, Bunnie, I know how you feel about being out,” Sally said. People were unsettled by Bunnie’s robotic limbs in areas that knew of Eggman’s evil and she was often just stared at in areas that didn’t. Bunnie covered them up when outside of Knothole, as people returned to Acorn Kingdom from where they had run.
“Eh, it’s fine, Sally Girl,” Bunnie reassured, ruffling the younger’s fur. “Ain’t no biggie. Rather you not spiral on your own.”
Sally huffed, pushing Bunnie’s metal hand off her head.
“We could probably ask around,” Bunnie suggested. “If Eggman’s been somewhere, Sonic probably ain’t far behind. Maybe someone’s seen him?”

They asked around all day and while some people had seen Sonic, with Tails, no less, he hadn’t stayed long. He simply visited Professor Pickle, the professor that got kidnapped,’s workplace and left. 

As the day faded and the night fell upon Spagonia, Sally felt her hope fade too as her fear rose. “It’s hopeless,” Sally said, feeling as if her boots had turned into concrete. “Sonic’s gone and Eggman’s up to something again. Does it ever end?”
“Oh, don’t talk like that, Sally Girl!” Bunnie tried to say to cheer her up, the two stopping under a street light. “We’ll find him, we just need a little more time.”
“How much time do we even have?” Sally sighed. “It seems as if Eggman’s plans get more and more drastic, what if this is the one where we don’t have time?”
“Sally…” Bunnie sighed before startling, looking around. Sally looked up as well, more so out of a numb curiosity of what Bunnie was looking at.

She noted they were surrounded, various reptile-like dark purple monsters with magenta glowing marks. 

“C’mon, Sally, we can take ‘em!” Bunnie encouraged, pulling Sally to her feet.
“Why even bother?” Sally sighed, feeling submerged in a feeling of despair.
“Sally!” Bunnie cried. “What’s gotten into you?!”
A monster steps forward and Bunnie attacks, her arm transforming into a canon and firing. The sleeve of her shirt burnt up, the edges singed.
It’s effectively evaporated, not even ash left in its place. Bunnie turns to another, Sally slumping onto the older girl.
Bunnie took down a good amount but there seemed to be more the longer they went, no matter how many Bunnie took out. Sally sighed. 

“There’s no point, Bunnie,” Sally whined. “Why even fight?”
“Sally girl, what’s gotten into you?!” Bunnie exclaimed. “You need to get up and fight-”
Bunnie was cut off by something coming out of nowhere, claws easily shredding through the neon purple beasts. 

Sally watched as some giant furry mass came in, easily dispatching the monsters Bunnie was having such trouble with.

As the last one evaporated, Sally felt her despair lift, pushing herself off of Bunnie with embarrassment. Tails and some weird flying dog thing came in, running up and talking to the huge wolf like beast that had fended off the monsters.

Bunnie hadn’t lowered her weapon, keeping it trained on the monster. It noticed them and approached, Sally noting it possessed the same glowing eyes and marks of those more reptilian monsters. 

It opened its mouth of razor sharp teeth, a strangely familiar grin on its face. Sally’s eyes narrowed before widening. 

“Sonic-” she started but Bunnie was faster than her.

“Get back! Back, you- you monster!” Bunnie snapped, pushing Sally back. Sonic’s now toxic green eyes dimmed, his ears drooping. Bunnie didn’t seem to notice, shoving her gun closer. “I said back!”
“Bunnie, stop!” Tails cried, scrambling over. “That’s Sonic!”
“...That’s Sonic?!” Bunnie said incredulously. “You’re joking.”
“Um,” Sonic said, his voice a little gruffer than usual. “I, uh, gonna go ahead and make sure the Professor made it back safe. You can, uh, explain to them.”
He turned, one of his arms stretching a comical amount before he swung away, the little dog thing clinging to his fur like quills. Bunnie’s eyes were now wide, having now recognized Sonic.
“What happened to him?” Sally asked, pushing past the ashamed Bunnie. “And what were those… monsters?”
“It’s… hard to explain,” Tails said with a sigh. “We’re actually working on figuring it out right now!”
“Why didn’t you message anyone you two were okay?” Sally crossed her arms. “I’ve been worried sick.”
“Sorry, I was so busy looking for Sonic myself after he fell and his communicator broke when he fell too,” Tails said, sheepish.
“Wait, when Sonic fell ?” Sally exclaimed.

The three mobians caught up to Sonic at Professor Pickle’s, Sonic and his new companion having asked the professor to wait for the others.
“Ah, good of you to join us, Princess, Mr. Prower, company,” the human man said, sipping some tea.
“Hi, I’m Chip!” the little creature said cheerfully, holding out a chocolate bar almost the size of his body. “Chocolate?”
“Oh, thank you,” Sally blinked, breaking off a piece. She popped it into her mouth before smirking at Sonic. “Adopting another so soon?”
“Just helping him get his memory back,” Sonic scoffed, crossing his arms. He had a habit for taking in strays and Sally would be damned if she didn’t poke fun at him for it.
“Now, Professor?” Tails questioned, rolling his eyes at their banter. 

“These ancient documents are known as the Gaia Manuscripts,” the professor tapped a finger on the paper scroll. “They tell the legend of a disaster that befell our planet some tens of thousands of years ago.”
“A disaster...?” Bunnie said, tilting her head. Chip poured himself a cup of tea behind her, nearly dunking his head in it as he took a drink.
“Quite. And according to the Gaia Manuscripts…” Professor Pickle paused, almost as if for dramatic effect. “this isn't the first time the planet has been broken apart into pieces.”
“What?” Sally exclaimed as the professor took a sip of his own tea. 

“The cause lies at the very core of the planet,” Professor Pickle went on. “All of the phenomena we've witnessed are the direct result of one creature-- the hyper-energy organism spawned at the planet's core, Dark Gaia.”
So how do we stop this Dark Gaia and put the world back together?” Tails asked, straight to the point. Sally would like to take credit for that attitude, thank you very much. 

“Luckily, Dark Gaia has yet to be fully reborn. We most likely have Dr. Eggman's premature wake-up call to thank for that,” the professor scoffed and Sally imagined him complaining about doing it right. “If we act now, we may be able to restore the planet by returning power to the Chaos Emeralds.”
“The Chaos Emeralds?” Sonic questioned, pulling out and holding out the colorless Chaos Emeralds. Sally suppressed a gasp at the sight. Bunnie wasn’t so lucky.
"Sonic, you must travel to each of the temples listed in the Gaia Manuscripts,” Professor Pickle instructed. Chip finally finished his cup, flying over to the kettle for another. “The planet's power will restore the Chaos Emeralds, and in turn the Chaos Emeralds will restore the planet and help it heal naturally.”
“My brother’s going to want to hear about this,” Sally sighed. “Professor, is it alright if Nicole takes some photos?”
“Of course! But no flash please,” Professor Pickle said. Sally nodded and pulled Nicole up, stepping forward.

“I wish I could go with you,” Sally said as they stepped out, Chip settling on Sonic’s head while Tails talked more with Professor Pickle and Bunnie was running to bring their motorbike over. “But my brother’s going to want to hear about this and who knows what his plan will be from there?”
“Hey, it’s fine,” Sonic assured, waving away her worries. Sally watched his hands moving, her face reddening as she realized his gloves were missing. “Ah… you’re worried because of the new look, yeah? I know, I look… monstrous.”
Sally’s eyes darted from Sonic’s hands to his face, the werehog looking almost ashamed of his appearance.
“I could never think of you as monstrous. You honestly don’t look that different. I’m only worried for your health, if that’s what you mean,” Sally said, reaching up and putting her hands on either side of Sonic’s face. “Last I checked, hedgehogs don’t transform into werehogs by night normally. It can’t be… good… for your… body…”
“Sal?” Sonic questioned. Sally's brow furrowed and she burrowed her hands deeper into Sonic's fur. "Sally?!"

"Your fur is softer than usual," Sally said in wonderment. She ran her fingers through the fur, her fingers scratching and scritching. 

"Sal, stop petting me, it's embarrassing-" Sonic said, face flushing before a canine whine came out of his mouth. He clamped his hands over his mouth.

Sally froze, her hands stopping moving. Chip sat up and leaned forward, looking down between Sonic's eyes.

"Sonic! Was that you?!" Chip questioned. 

"N-No!" Sonic cried, embarrassed.

"I think it was," Sally smirked, resuming her motions.

Sonic whined again, tapping his foot aggressively, his tail wagging back and forth like a flag.

"Sal, stop!" Sonic whined.

"Do you really want me to stop?" Sally asked, starting to pull her hands back. Sonic surged forward, Chip nearly falling off of Sonic as he chased her touch.

"N-no…” Sonic admitted quietly, eyes closing in contentedness as Sally resumed her petting, his tail only wagging harder as she continued.
“Sally girl!” Bunnie called out and Sally untangled her hands from Sonic’s fur, despite his pitiful whine once she did so. She didn’t want to embarrass him after all. Bunnie rolled up, using her metal feet as a brake. “Ready to go?”
“Just about!” Sally called back to her. She turned to face Sonic, handing him her communicator. “Here. I’ll get myself a new one. Contact me as often as possible. Don’t worry me like that again.”
“I’ll try!” Sonic said, taking it and smiling nervously.
“Hm,” Sally frowned. She pointed up at Chip, the little beast chowing down on a chocolate bar. “Chip.”
“Huh, wha, yes, Princess?” Chip jumped up to a salute, nearly dropping his chocolate bar.
“Your official job from me, an actual Princess, is to make sure Sonic messages either before or after each Gaia Temple,” Sally said with mock sternness. “Don’t fail me.”
“Aye-aye, Princess!” Chip said, nodding with absolute seriousness. It was hard for Sally not to laugh.
“Really, Sal?” Sonic grumbled.
“Don’t worry me so much and I won’t have such drastic measures!” Sally scolded. She sighed. “I have to go now. Be careful, okay?”
“Careful?” Sonic laughed. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Sally huffed and shook her head.

When Rouge had said Team Dark should take a vacation to celebrate their newfound freedom from GUN, Shadow had been thinking maybe buying a house and relaxing, maybe, going to the beach, something nice and fun like that.

Nope, Rouge’s idea of a good time is apparently fucking Holoska. And it didn’t help that the planet decided to fall to literal pieces the day they arrived. 

Monsters and strange creatures filled the snowy streets, terrorizing people into their homes of well packed snow and heat.
Initially, Shadow had stayed inside; his appearance wasn’t exactly orthodox, he didn’t want another case of mistaken identity, but Rouge wouldn’t stop bitching about her ruined vacation. Okay, and also, Shadow didn’t like just sitting on his ass and doing nothing to help, okay, shut up.

Truth be told, it hadn’t felt so well when the planet broke apart, almost drained if he’s honest, and while he’s still not 100%, he’s not a lump of incredibly fucked up flesh on the floor of the igloo Rouge had rented. 

Shadow had to admit, despite the drained feeling, the constant darkness, despite all of it, it didn’t mind the fighting monsters bit. It was actually entertaining.

Shadow ground his fist into the disintegrating reptile like beast, his tail waving idly as he did so. 

A howl suddenly filled the air, Shadow’s ears pricking up. 

It frowned. Another wave? Usually it was three. Or was it perhaps just a wild animal? No, this part of the world was too cold for anyone who wasn’t a penguin or extremely stubborn, or even both. 

Shadow stalked toward the sound, his tail waving like a banner to his excitement and curiosity.

However, as he got closer to what sounded like a battle, he felt something else; a second heartbeat. He paused, placing a hand to its chest. That never happened, unless Sonic was close by.

Was he the one fighting? Shadow’s steps sped up unbidden. It’d be nice to speak to Sonic, it hadn’t seen him since… if your last meeting gets erased from existence, does it still count? 

Regardless, it’s been a while. Perhaps he's up to a race.

Shadow turned the corner to see a massacre, some vicious wolf-like beast tearing into the various monsters, all claws and teeth.

Shadow steps forward automatically, drawing the creature’s attention to him. Its toxic green eyes bore into him, darting down to his hands as Shadow summons Chaos Spears into existence.

There’s a moment where they just stare at each other, the beast panting. Shadow can feel Sonic’s heartbeat in his blood, feel it go slower and slower towards an even pace.

Shadow lowers its fists, tilting his head.
“Sonic?” Shadow questions, drawing connections between this creature and his… rival.

“Uh, yup!” Sonic, his voice strangely gruff and deep, responds. “I didn’t know you were in the area, Shads!”
Yup, it was.

“Rouge’s insistence,” Shadow huffed, crossing his arms as it relaxed. “And don’t call me that.”
“Whatever you say, Shads!” Sonic grinned. His already sharp fangs seemed to be doubly so in this form, Shadow imagined Sonic could easily tear flesh from bone with teeth like that.

...Shadow’s not gonna think about that. 

“What happened?” Shadow asked, gesturing to Sonic’s form. “Or is this …normal for you?”
“Ah, no, this is, um, new, sorry,” Sonic chuckled nervously, his long furry tail drooping. Shadow frowned. “Yeah, it’s, uh, hopefully not permanent. I’d rather not scare literally every person I meet when I’m doing my late night runs.”
“Scare?” Shadow repeated. He looked over Sonic. True, Shadow had been initially startled by Sonic’s appearance but that was due to finding him in the middle of a fight. Shadow couldn’t imagine people being scared of Sonic if he was… standing there. “You look like an oversized plushie. What’s there to be scared of?”
“You… don’t think I look weird?” Sonic questioned. Shadow arched a brow, gesturing to himself. His third eye looked just as done as his two normal ones, placed between his two growing horns. The scales on his body were flat at the moment but Shadow knew the second he felt threatened, they’d rise up as a shield. Let’s not forget its tail either.
“Not any weirder than myself,” Shadow scoffed. 

“Ha, yeah, then I guess I don’t look that weird either, huh?” Sonic laughed, his tail wagging. Shadow felt his lips twitch upwards and forced them back down. His tail didn’t get the memo, however, standing straight on end. Shadow ignored it, figuring that’d avoid attention being called to it.

“Hey, we were on our way back to Spangonia, you wanna come with?” Sonic asked.
“We?” Shadow questioned, looking around. Was the kit or perhaps the princess with him?
“We!” some fucking rodent popped out of the thick fur of Sonic’s head, beaming.
“He was cold so I let him chill in there,” Sonic said, like that explained anything. “This is Chip!”
“Uh… hello,” Shadow said, his tail curling.
“Chocolate?” Chip offered, Shadow poking the extended bar.
“It’s frozen,” he said, the little beastie’s face dropping into despair.
“It is?!” Chip said in horror, yanking back the bar and examining it. Sonic snickered.
“He’s got amnesia, so I’m helping him get his memories back,” Sonic explained. “No luck on that so far but we’ve had a lot of luck in terms of repairing the planet.”
Shadow stared blankly. …He’d missed a lot, hadn’t it?
“You can explain everything to me on the way to Spangonia,” Shadow sighed, quickly sending a message to Rouge to explain where he was going. 

“...So yeah, that’s what happened!” Sonic explained, once more just a simple hedgehog. He’d changed once they crossed over into infinitely more sunny Spagonia, in a process that had honestly looked rather painful. Shadow supposed it had to be painful, considering the considerable differences physically between Sonic’s new form and his usual one.
He had messaged the princess shortly after once they entered Spangonia, at Chip’s insistence.
“Hm,” Shadow hummed, nodding.
“Crazy, right?” Sonic hummed, Chip having landed on his head and fallen asleep. “It’s been a crazy couple of days.”
“Hm, have you been getting any sleep during this?” Shadow questioned, frowning as Sonic went uncomfortably quiet and looked away. “Hmph. I doubt you’re at your best with no sleep.”
“It’s fine,” Sonic waved away Shadow’s worries. “The world can’t wait, I can.”
“Your strength is admirable,” Shadow scoffed. “But you’re still mortal. You still require rest.”
Perhaps Sonic would have taken his words more seriously, if Shadow hadn’t tripped just then, its air shoes caught on some pebble left on the roads.
Shadow did not let out some strangled noise as he tripped forward, the action so mundane and unexpected, he wasn’t really prepared to catch himself.

Fortunately, Sonic was also there, arms wrapping around Shadow’s waist and yanking Shadow away from the rapidly approaching ground. Chip nearly fell off his head as he did so, not that Sonic seemed to currently notice.
“Whoa, be careful, Shadow!” Sonic said. His nose brushed against Shadow’s, Shadow’s heartbeat pounding from their sudden close proximity. He wondered briefly if Sonic could feel it. “You alright?”
“Yes,” Shadow said, looking away from Sonic’s concerned face and vibrant eyes. “I simply tripped.”
Shadow’s health assured, Shadow watched from the corner of his eye as Sonic’s face grew mischievous.
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for me, Shads?” Sonic teased. Shadow’s heartbeat increased or was that Sonic’s? He couldn’t tell right now.
“The idea of anyone ‘falling’ for you is ridiculous in of itself,” Shadow scoffed, pushing himself out of Sonic’s embrace. It looked away, his face burning red. Sonic just snickered, seeming amused by Shadow’s reaction.
“Huh? What’s going on?” Chip asked, groggily rubbing his tiny little eyes. Sonic visibly softened, reaching up and picking up Chip in his hands.
“Aw, nothing, bud! Just poking some fun at Shadow,” Sonic explained. “Did we ruin your nap?”
“I wasn’t sleeping,” Chip said with a yawn, hovering up and out of Sonic’s hands. “I was just… resting my eyes.”
“Hey, it’s fine if you were!” Sonic hurriedly reassured. “Sleep is important.”
“Hmph,” Shadow shook his head, drawing Sonic’s and Chip’s attention. “Hypocrite much?”
“Hey, it’s different for him! He’s, probably, just a growing kid!” Sonic said, pointing a finger at Shadow. “Besides, isn’t sleep supposed to be good for your memory or something?”
“I wasn’t sleeping!” Chip protested.
“Chip, it’s fine,” Sonic argued. “You can sleep, it’s not illegal or anything.”
“But I wasn’t!”
Shadow watched the two argue, something soft and protective rearing its head inside of Sonic. This side of Sonic, it was different than the concerned friend or the confident warrior, this side is the one Shadow can see raising a certain genius two tailed fox.
He felt his face smile and he allowed it, if only because Sonic’s attention was currently elsewhere.

There was so much to Sonic Shadow didn’t know, so much Shadow felt this strange desire to learn. Who was this strange hedgehog who raised a child on one hand and possessed the power of gods on the other? Who was able to tell incredibly stupid jokes and yet was a single man army? Shadow had to know.

Sonic suddenly laughed, a few seconds of an uncontrolled cackle at something Chip said before Sonic reeled it into a few short chuckles. Shadow’s heartbeat sped up, Sonic shooting a curious look at him with his luminous eyes as it happened, no doubt feeling the change. 

Shadow looked away and willed his heart into a more calm pace, waiting until Sonic had resumed his conversation with Chip before looking at Sonic again.
Oh.

Shadow’s… interested in him.

In that alternate reality, Princess Sally had suggested the two shared something special, due to their strange connection via their heartbeats. She’d suggested Sonic potentially being in love with him.

While Shadow sincerely doubted that… Shadow found he might be the one in love.



“Are we close, Nicole?” Sally asked, hurriedly walking through the streets. After her meeting with Sonic and Professor Pickle, she’d gone home and reported to her brother, King Elias. He’d sent a force, including her, to remain in Spangonia and work alongside the professor and Tails in helping Sonic restore the planet. 

Not too long ago, Sally had received a message from Sonic, stating he was in the area. This was good for two reasons; she got to see her best friend and she got to deliver some news to him.

“We are!” Nicole said, showing the location of the tracker Tails had put on Sonic. Sally’s not sure if Tails asked Sonic first but she isn’t complaining either way, she’s just happy to know where Sonic is. “He’s just on the next street.”
Sally nodded and hurried up, practically running.

Sally turned the corner, just in time to see Sonic catch Shadow as he tripped. She froze, watching their close proximity. 

It’s… it’s fine. Sonic’s just friendly, he’s always just friendly. Still, Sally was relieved when Shadow pushed himself away and Sonic started arguing with Chip. 

She’d accepted she was in love with Sonic a long, long time ago. She’d also accepted Sonic would no doubt never see her as anything more than a friend. The only solace she’d had was that Sonic had never shown interest in anyone, nor anyone in him.

That is until Shadow.
And so Sally watched with growing horror and heartbreak as Shadow watched Sonic, his face softening and a rare gentle smile crossing his face. 

He’d finally realized then, huh?
“Sally?” Nicole questioned as Sally stood there a moment too long, fists tight on Nicole’s handheld. “Is everything alright?”
Sonic laughed and Shadow’s face only grew more adoring somehow. Sally couldn’t help the ugly feeling of jealousy rise up at the sight before she stepped forward, loudly calling out.
“Sonic!” she called out, Shadow’s face of affection dissipating in her presence, Sonic’s eyes and smile turning to her. “It’s good to see you!”
“Didn’t we see each other just a day or two ago?” Sonic teased, crossing his arms.
“What, I can’t miss my best friend?” Sally shot back and, if she stressed the tension on her claim to Sonic’s attention, she wasn’t saying. “Oh, hello, Shadow.”
“Princess,” Shadow nodded respectfully, his face once more blank.
“Anyway, Sonic, I need to talk to you privately, it’s important,” Sally said.
“Oh, sure!” Sonic nodded, momentarily turning to Shadow and tossing the biohog some rings. “Mind getting Chip something to eat?”
“Can I get a burger?” Chip asked, fluttering around Shadow’s head. “I want a burger!”

“One burger,” Shadow sighed, pointing sternly at Chip. “you don’t need any more.”
Sonic snickered as the two walked off, his face one of adoration as Shadow easily overtook care for Chip. Sally watched his face, pained. 

“So, Sonic,” Sally said, heart aching as the affection vanished as his eyes turned towards her. “It’s a message from my brother.”
“Ugh, not your brother,” Sonic groaned, crossing his arms. “What does he want?”
“That’s the thing; he won’t tell me,” Sally grumbled as well. “All he says is that he needs to talk to you whenever you have the time.”
“You didn’t tell him about the, uh…” Sonic motioned to his body before baring his teeth and claws.
“No, I figured you wouldn’t want me to,” Sally shook her head.
Sonic sighed, crossing his arms.
“Well, I guess I’ll see what he wants,” Sonic said. “Just so he doesn’t bug you or me.”
“Thanks, Sonic,” Sally said.
“Of course, Sal,” Sonic said, turning his warm gaze to her. Ah, and here’s the part where she falls in love with him all over again. “I’d do practically anything for you. Short of learning how to swim.”
“I know better than to ask you to learn how to swim,” Sally said, face red as she looked away. “You’d just drown. You can’t even float!”
“And yet you’re an ace swimmer!” Sonic grinned, looping an arm around her. “See, that’s why we’re such a great team, Sal.”
Sally sharply inhaled, taking in his smell of freshly cut grass and ocean breeze. She’d kill for a candle that smelled like him. 

Gaia, why’d he have to talk like that when he didn’t even love her the way she wanted? Why couldn’t she be satisfied with what she had already? Why did Sonic make her want to be selfish and yet drive her to be so selfless in the same motion? 

“Hey, wanna catch up to Shadow and Chip?” Sonic said. “I’m actually craving a good burger, though I think we’ll be hard pressed to find one here. Maybe a hot dog?”
“You just want a chili dog,” Sally scoffed as Sonic released her and walked ahead.
“And?” Sonic replied, smirking.

Sonic knows he’s supposed to wait for King Elias’ secretary, or whatever position the woman letting him in had, to announce his presence and allow him in, but if his royal highness thinks Sonic has that kind of patience, he clearly doesn’t know Sonic.

Listen, Sonic may have played cool and calm in front of Sal about the whole long lost king’s return but, in reality, he was just as pissed. 

Sonic and Sal had been leading the front line of this whole operation for a fucking long time and he sashied up and took the throne and now he was in charge of everything? Hid away in the Dragon Kingdom and he knows how to fend off Eggman, how to protect their people? Yeah, Sonic is not Elias Acorn’s fan by any stretch of the imagination.

Sonic actively dislikes this guy and distrusts him. The guy had hidden his survival from his own Gaiaforsaken sister , that’s not the best basis of character. 

The fact said sister was Sonic’s best friend and leader probably had something to do with that, if Sonic’s honest.

So, yeah, Sonic’s already low respect for those of so-called authority is extremely low for King Elias Acorn.

Sonic steps into the throne room with the same amount of respect and reverence one would give a gas station bathroom. 

Elias looked up from his pile of documents with surprise.
“Ah, Sonic!” Elias said, frantically shoving the papers aside. “I, uh, didn’t hear them announce your arrival…?”
“I’m in a hurry so I thought I’d just pop in to see what the issue is,” Sonic said curtly, arms crossed, eyes lidded. “Sal said you wanted to see me or something?”
“Of course, I know how you value your time,” Elias said with an anxious laugh. “Well, you see, for the most part, I’ve been having Sally lead the march on diplomatic issues regarding finally cornering Dr. Eggman.”
“Yeah?” Sonic cleaned out one of his ears, flicking some wax away.
“Um, well, I was wondering if you’d like to become the official face of Acorn Kingdom,” King Elias said.
“Come again?” Sonic said, now actually paying attention.
“Well, you’d be more of a mascot than anything else,” King Elias laughed. “But you’re well known, well liked, well trusted. Far more than myself or my sister.”
“I guess that’s true,” Sonic hummed with a frown.
“You wouldn’t have to do much, really,” Elias went on. “Deal with press and things the like but my sister would still be doing the more paper heavy work. You’d just be allowing her time to do that while eyes were turned towards you.”
Sonic will admit, it wasn’t a terrible idea. But, still, becoming the poster boy for Acorn Kingdom didn’t really sound that great. 

“Hm,” Sonic hummed with a grumble, turning slightly away.
“It’s mostly for Sally’s sake,” King Elias said, Sonic’s ear flicking towards the royal. “I don’t want her to burn out from her responsibilities and the pressure of the world’s eyes on her.”
Sonic made a face, not that Elias could see it.

Sonic didn’t want Sally to burn out either. It’d been something he’d been trying to avoid for years, avoiding those eyes as blue as the sky from going dim, from that brilliant smile she politely covered up disappeared for good. 

If this would help with that…

“Eh, sure,” Sonic said, glancing out the window. The sun was starting to sink, Sonic probably should get out of Acorn Kingdom soon. “Just send the necessary details to get it official to Sal, I’ll sign whatever.”
“Thank you,” King Elias said, sounding relieved. “It’s good to know my sister has someone so trustworthy in her corner-”
“Yeah, yeah,” Sonic interrupted. Just because he agreed doesn’t mean he respects this guy now. He’s doing it for Sal. “See ya.”
Sonic dashed off, leaving burn marks on the throne room floor. 

King Elias sighed, shaking his head.
“What does my sister see in him?” he wondered aloud.

Chapter Text

Sonic’s week has been odd. Catch a cold, get transported into the book Arabian Nights, meet a new friend, make other new friends who look like your old friends, almost die (Sonic’s getting a little too used to that sensation), have your friend die, get nearly consumed by your rage and sadness, banish the guy who nearly killed the two of you into a lamp forever (he’s a genie by the way), get sent home, get transported into another book after you get back from meeting Amy for a luncheon hang up (the book is King Arthur’s mythos this time, your favorite!), meet a sentient sword and a witch, fight King Arthur, who is evil now, fight knights who look like your friends, become a knight, kill King Arthur, get tricked into giving the immortality scabbard to the witch, who’s been lying to everyone for a very long time, nearly die again, and discover you’re actually the one true King Arthur.

And that’s just the shortened version!
It’s been weeks since Sonic’s been appointed as the one true King Arthur and all Sonic wanted was to go home. 

Don’t get him wrong, he loves Camelot, it’s lovely, but he’s got responsibilities as is that he’s got to get back to. 

Besides, royalty isn’t really for him.
“If you did think it was for you,” Caliburn said. “Then you wouldn’t be right for it. The best quality for those in positions of power to have is to think themselves unworthy of it.”
“Worthiness has got nothing to do with it,” Sonic huffed, downing another glass of juice. “I’m seriously not fit for it. That’s why we have to find whatever version of me lives here.”
Caliburn sighed and Sonic imagined the sentient sword crossing his arms, if he had arms.
“There may not be another you present, Sir Sonic,” Caliburn reminded him. “Merlina’s spell called forth you, not anyone else.”
“Yeah, because I’m the wind guy,” Sonic corrected. “The real King Arthur, who is not me, isn’t going to be the Knight of the Wind. He’s gonna be Arthur.”
Truth be told, Sonic felt a little bad. This possible alternate him was probably vibing on a farm somewhere and Sonic was going to drag him into a position of office, leaving him to a basically doomed fate. 

Regardless, Sonic couldn’t stay. His friends were probably worrying sick over how long he’d been gone. 

Especially Sally and Tails. Sonic frowned, setting his cup down. And Eggman, what if he was taking advantage of Sonic’s absence? Sure, his friends could hold their own but it’d always been up to Sonic to fight.

He couldn’t imagine a scenario where he wasn’t leading in the charge.

Ugh, and he had a photoshoot scheduled for that one magazine two weeks ago, didn’t he? Didn’t want to reschedule that again but it’s a little late for that.

Sonic groans. Man, he hopes Sally isn’t dealing with too much while picking up his slack…!
“May I ask what’s on your mind, Sir Sonic?” Caliburn asked, pulling Sonic back to reality. “You sound pained.”
“Aw, well…” Sonic hesitated, scratching a scar left on his check from his battle with Merlina. He normally didn’t talk about what was on his mind but it wasn’t like anyone he really knew was here so… “I’m worried about my friends back home. Sal, she-”
“Aw, so it’s lady trouble!” Caliburn said cheerfully. “That explains your eagerness to return. I suppose this King Arthur has already found his Guinevere, huh?”
Sonic felt his face burn, so hot he could feel the heat under his hand.
“Wha- no!” Sonic squeaked. Sally, his Guinevere , the queen of legend that married King Arthur? “Sal’s just my best friend!”
“Truly?” Caliburn said, sounding almost disappointed. “Your best friend?”
“Yeah! I haven’t told you about her?” Sonic questioned, surprised with himself. It was hard for him not to talk about Sally or Tails, the two were his world, his reason to fight.

He fought so Tails and Sally didn’t have to, not that he’d ever phrase it like that. 

“No, I’m afraid not, Sir Sonic,” Caliburn said, intrigued. “Go on.”
“Aw, well, Sal’s been my best friend since I was like six! She’s the princess of the kingdom I’m from,” Sonic said, pausing to raise his hand to request more juice.

“A princess? Considering your distaste for royalty, that sounds like a bad combination,” Caliburn remarked while his mug was refilled.
“Aw, well, I didn’t always have a thing against authority,” Sonic shrugged, taking a sip of his refilled glass. “I used to be stupid. Besides, Sally never really got to fulfill the whole royals misusing their power thing. That’s when Eggman, the guy I told you about, took over.”
“When you were how young?” Caliburn asked, frowning with his tiny little metal face.
“Uh, seven or eight?” Sonic shrugged. “It’s fuzzy.”
Caliburn went quiet, worryingly quiet. Sonic gulped down some juice. People always reacted weird whenever Sonic brought up his age. Whatever, that’s not what this conversation is about. 

“Sonic-” Caliburn started but Sonic cut him off.
“Anyway, Sal really took charge when that happened,” Sonic went on, his tail wagging as he spoke. Stupid werehog tail. “Made sure people had someplace safe to go, plans on fighting the ol’ eggster, made sure I didn’t run myself into an early grave, helped me raise Tails.”
“I see,” Caliburn hummed, thankfully not trying to go back to the whole age thing.
“I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her,” Sonic mused. “She keeps me grounded, you know?”
“Oh?” Caliburn said, a teasing hint in his voice. Sonic ignored it.
“Yeah.” Sonic nodded. “She’s like really smart and collected, even though she doesn’t see herself that way. Sometimes, I wish she could see herself through my eyes, how stunning she is, how talented and amazing and just generally fantastic!”
Sonic sighed, leaning forward. He wasn’t gonna bare her insecurities to someone she didn’t know but Sonic really worried about Sally sometimes. It felt like she was so desperate to prove herself a capable leader, she’d run headfirst into a pit of spikes to do so.

Her brother showing up after not telling her he was alive and taking the reins from her certainly hadn’t helped.
“It sounds like you care for this Sally a great deal,” Caliburn said sympathetically.
“She’s probably worried sick,” Sonic mumbled, rubbing his head. “Bad things tend to happen when I’m not around.”
“We’ll return you home in time, Sonic, you know Merlina has already promised to,” Caliburn reassured.
“I know, I know, I just…” Sonic sighed. “You’re right, it’s stupid.”
“Now, that’s not what I said,” Caliburn corrected.
“It’s what you meant,” Sonic grumbled. “It’s fine though, you’re right. I know you guys will get me home but I don’t wanna leave you high and dry either.”

“And that is appreciated, Sonic,” Caliburn says weakly. “Are you about ready to go?”
“Yeah, just about,” Sonic stands, taking Caliburn and putting him in his sheath. It gleams around Sonic’s waist, its spells of immortality and protection feeling actually reminiscent of going Super. 

With his money pouch, Sonic counts out the proper amount, plus tip, backing up.

His back hit someone and he startles, turning around.

“Ah, sorry-” Sonic starts before choking.
A girl with Sally’s face blinks at him, surprised. 

“It’s fine,” she says and she gives the exact smile Sally gave strangers before she glided past.

Sonic can’t help but watch her go, dumbfounded.
“Ah, that’s Princess Jennifier!” Caliburn said, unaware of how Sonic was momentarily caught off guard. “How odd to see her in a pub such as this.”
“Yeah… weird,” Sonic agrees, forcing himself to finally move. His footsteps pause suddenly as an idea hits him.
He’s best friends with Sal, who’s to say this Jennifier doesn’t know the one and true king of England?
“Excuse me, Miss?” Sonic turns around, facing the princess.
The squirrel princess turned back to him, still politely smiling.
“You wouldn’t happen to know someone who looks similar to me, would you?” Sonic asked, framing his face.
The princess frowned, looking him over.
“No,” she said. “I’m afraid your countenance is wholly unfamiliar to me.”
What?
“O-oh,” Sonic tried to recover quickly. “Sorry!”
He hurried outside, face red with embarrassment.
“What was that, Sir Sonic?” Caliburn questioned. “You were behaving quite strangely.”
“Sorry, I just…” Sonic glanced back, where Princess Jennifier was eating inside. “It’s nothing. Let’s go.”


He rejoins the knights, the group settling in for the knight.
“How did your scouting go, Sir Sonic?” Sir Percival asked. Sonic was just glad she wasn’t calling him ‘your highness’.
“No luck, sorry, guys,” Sonic sighed before smiling. “But I’m sure you’ll find him soon!”
“I don’t know why we even need to find this other you,” Sir Gawain grumbled. “You are here! You are our king!”
Sir Lancelot spoke up before Sonic could.
“He does not wish to be our king,” Lancelot reminded. “He is needed in his own world. To take him from it would only cause him to resent us.”
Sonic glanced over at the dark knight. He looked similar to Shadow but he was missing all of the coolest bits. No horns, no scales, no tail, even his fangs were too small! 

He was Shadow but the less cool Shadow, not that Sonic would ever say that to Lancelot.
“Thanks, Lance,” Sonic says instead. “Let’s get some rest. We can keep moving in the morning.”

The knights curl up around the fire while Sonic climbs up a tree. Technically, Lancelot takes the first watch but Sonic doesn’t need much sleep.
His mind keeps going back to Princess Jennifier, or more accurately, to Sal.
She hadn’t known him, hadn’t known even a version of him.

What kind of person was she? Had not knowing Sonic made her a better person? Did she notice Sonic not being in her life or did she not notice the lack because she had no idea there was a lack?
Was it self important to assume Sonic had affected Sally’s life at all?

Sonic missed Sally. He missed how warm she was when she was sleeping next to him, missed that snort laugh she did when she was truly happy, missed the way her face scrunched up when she ate spicy food. 

He missed how inspiring she was, how she could convince a rock to move given enough time. She would have been a much better King Arthur than Sonic ever could be.
Sonic shifts on his branch, glad Caliburn isn’t conscious. 

Not that Sonic would ever place her in King Arthur’s place. The role was doomed. Sonic would rather tear out his own heart than ever hurt Sal. 

She was his best friend, his leader, his everything, he’d follow her to the gates of hell themselves-

“Your thoughts are so loud, I can hear them from here,” Lancelot says out loud, nearly startling Sonic. “What troubles you?”
“Oh, just… missing home,” Sonic half admits. “So much stuff is similar to home that it’s hard not to think about but it’s so different that I can’t get comfortable about the similarities.”
Like you, Sonic considers saying. Lancelot is probably one of the most different people he’s run into here. 

No horns, no tail, no scales. No heartbeat. 

Sonic has barely felt Shadow’s heartbeat since he got here and he’ll be honest; he doesn’t like it.

It should be a pounding in his chest, right next to his own, not a weak, barely detectable pitter patter. 

It reminded him of when Shadow fell-
“No offense to you guys but I can’t wait to go home,” Sonic cuts the thought off.
“And you will soon,” Lancelot said. “We would be cruel to rob you of those you love.”
“Huh?” Sonic said, sitting up.
“The way you speak, particularly to me, it is not just reminiscent of homesickness,” Lancelot said. “Your lover will not be missing you for much longer.”
“I-I don’t have a lover!” Sonic squeaks, trying to be quiet.
“Really?” Lancelot blinked. “Apologies. I made an assumption.”
“It’s… it’s fine,” Sonic huffs, leaning back.
“So… you are untaken?” Lancelot further questioned.
“Ha, why you interested?” Sonic joked.
“Yes,” Lancelot nodded. “I am.”
Sonic nearly falls out of his tree. Wait, wait, Lancelot has a thing for him?!
“I recognize I would not be able to properly pursue you,” Lancelot went on. “Due to many factors, but I admit, I was feeling guilty yearning for what I believed to be a taken man.”
“Ah, well, yeah, not taken,” Sonic coughed. “Um, sorry.”
He’d gotten confessions before, don’t get it twisted. How many times had people he saved fallen for him? Add in the popularity his new limelight had created and, damn, he’d heard a lot of unwanted confessions.

But he’d never felt affected by one.

Did he… like Lancelot? Sonic glanced down at the knight.

No. he didn’t like Lancelot, not like that. But then why did he feel affected by this? Why did he feel almost disappointed that Lancelot wasn’t going to confess properly?
“I apologize,” Lancelot suddenly spoke up. “I’ve made things awkward.”

“What? No! No, you’re fine,” Sonic quickly reassured. “You can’t help how you feel. Thanks for being honest with me.”
“I find it hard to lie to you,” Lancelot said, looking up at Sonic with his vivid red eyes. 

Sonic couldn’t help but wish a third bumblebee yellow eye was also looking at him. 

“Well,” Sonic sighed, leaning back. “Still. Good night, Lance.”
“Good night, Sir Sonic,” Lancelot responded.

Sonic felt sorry for his alternate self, a nice guy named Asa. Well, not too sorry, Sonic guessed, considering he was still leaving him in charge.

Sonic means, the guy’s going from being the page for his own adopted brother to becoming king! That’s one hell of an upgrade if Sonic ever saw one. 

And it meant Sonic got to go home! How long had he been gone now? Two months? That’s a pretty long time to be missing…

“Well,” Sonic said, resting Caliburn in Asa’s hands. “It’s been fun!”
“Indeed it has been, Sir Sonic,” Caliburn said, smiling sadly. “I wish you the most luck with your own exploits.”
“Heh, yeah,” Sonic stepped back, stepping in the spot Merlina indicated. He pointed sternly at the knights and Asa. “you all take care of each other now! I don’t want to get called here because one of you decided to go all evil on me, alright!”
Asa jolted and nodded quickly, he was kind of skittish. Sonic sighed, amused. Yeah, the knights would have fun toughening this guy up. 

“Farewell, Sir Sonic,” Merlina said, her own sad smile in place. “May we meet again someday.”
His warnings to the knights and Asa were pointless. Sonic knew how this would end. Merlina did too. 

Gawain and Lancelot’s rift, whatever that rift may be, will tear apart the kingdom and King Arthur, Asa’s, son, Morderd, will strike down the king in the ensuing chaos. 

Poor Asa. 

Well, who knows? Sonic doesn’t believe in fate, maybe all these things happening would make it so that didn’t happen. The future’s uncertain, after all.

Sonic nodded to Merlina. To Sonic, it looked like the world around chipped to pieces, leaving him in a white void before the familiar sight of his hut came together.

He stumbled, feeling suddenly queasy.
Sonic was home. He was home!
The door opened and he turned, a smile growing on his face.
“Sonic, you do remember your photo shoot you promised to do for Honey, right-” Sally started, the most beautiful creature Sonic had ever seen. She stumbled as Sonic barreled into her. “Um, Sonic?”
“Ah, sorry!” Sonic said, pulling away. He felt near tears. He hadn’t realized how much he missed Sally. Well, he did but it was way more than he expected and that version of Sally that didn’t know had really been a punch in the gut.
She really was his everything.
“What were you saying?” Sonic asked, grinning. 

“I was talking about your meeting with Honey?” Sally said, raising an eyebrow.

“Huh?” Sonic tilted his head. Wait, hadn’t he missed that by at least a month? He raised up his wrist, finding the communicator Tails had created him finally working. The time on it was barely a minute after the time when Sonic was taken. “Oh. Uh, yeah, I… almost forgot about it! Sorry, Sal!”
“It’s fine, that’s why I’m reminding you,” Sally sighed and then paused, frowning. She raised a hand to his face, tracing a scar on Sonic’s face, a scar he’d gotten in his fight against Merlina. “How did this get here?”
“What do you mean?” Sonic played dumb. “Is something on my face?” 

Sally frowned, looking him up and down. Sonic forced himself to remain calm.

“...I really should see if I need glasses,” Sally sighed, stepping back. Sonic missed her touch as she did but was also relieved that she wasn’t going to question further. “I have to go. Stay out of trouble, okay?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Sonic joked as she stepped out, his smile dropping the second she was out the door.

Okay. so no time had passed. Okay. Alright. Jeez. 

Sonic ran a hand through his quills. Should he… tell someone? Would they even believe him?
Nah. It’s not important. 

Sonic stepped out of his hut, watching as Sally bustled around Knothole. That’s right, she’d been helping people move out of Knothole to Mobotropolis today, huh? 

He sat down on his porch, watching as Sally put down her clipboard to grab a box from someone and help lower it to the ground.

She smiled brightly as the person thanked her, stepping back. Sonic couldn’t help but smile too. 

He’d missed Knothole. He’d missed Sally.

The princess turned, spying Sonic watching her. She smiled, one of those lopsided smiles that she gave when Sonic caught her off guard. Sonic smiled back, waving at her.

Gaia, I love her, Sonic thought.
And then Sonic mentally snatched the thought, the way you would a baseball being thrown at you. 

What the hell was that?! Sonic wasn’t, he didn’t love Sal! 

Sure, he’d literally die for her, considered her one of the most important people in his life besides Tails, adored her and everything she did-

Oh, Gaia, he’s in love with her and has been since he was eight or nine years old. 

WELL, enough sitting around, Sonic had things to do, time to go dress up and stand pretty for Honey’s photographers!


Sonic’s face grew pinched as the makeup was dusted over his face, covering the visible scars. 

“Keep your eyes open,” Honey said, the yellow cat’s wings fluttering with annoyance. “You’re making this harder than it has to be.”
“It feels weird,” Sonic grumbled.
“You’ll get used to it,” Honey snorted. “There, done. And for your eyeshadow.”
Sonic fidgeted in his seat. He wasn’t particularly a fan of makeup, took forever to get on, but Honey always made it look nice.

Honey had to be his favorite of his… sponsors? He wasn’t sure what the word was. 

Most others made him wear pants and pose weirdly. Honey was actually willing to listen to Sonic so Sonic was actually willing to listen to her. 

It probably helped that she was one of the few mobian sponsors he had. 

“What colors?” Sonic asked.
“It’s for my midnight dress collection,” Honey said. “So purple and blue.”
Sonic brightened up. A dress collection? Now that could be fun! 

He wondered if Sally would like one of Honey’s dresses- 

NOPE, NOPE, NOPE, we are on a no Sal related thought lock down, remember? Until his brain stops being weird!
“Other eye please,” Honey said and Sonic complied. “You’re quiet today.”
“Sorry, just, uh, had a weird dream,” Sonic fibbed. “Still not really awake.”
“Fair enough,” Honey said. “Just eyeliner and then we’re done with your makeup.”
Sonic hummed and nodded.

Sonic stepped into the dressing stall, looking at the first dress he was going to be wearing. 

It was a long dress, black with bejeweled streaks of red and gold twirling around the base. Sonic hummed appreciatively before slipping it on.
“So what was the inspiration for this one?” Sonic asked.
“Well, my official answer is comets,” Honey said from outside the stall. “But it’s actually inspired by what you told me about the battle at Space Colony Ark.”
“Wait,” Sonic did a double take. “When did I talk to you about that?”
“Oh, I was braiding your quills for that summer shirt line and asked you about your experience in space,” Honey replied. “You described your fight with the Biolizard or whatever so vividly, I had to try and make something based off of it. I think the way you said it was how its blood almost looked like red stars?”
Huh, Sonic had said that. Geez, guess that whole thing about hairdressers is true. 

Sonic looked down at the absolutely gorgeous dress he was wearing. Yeah, he could see it now.

It also reminded him of Shadow’s eyes-

Sonic’s head shot up as the second realization in two hours hit him.

Oh Gaia, the reason he liked Lancelot’s confession even if he didn’t like Lancelot was because he likes Shadow. 

Sonic’s heart sped up and Sonic prayed Shadow couldn’t sense it. 

Fuck. he likes Shadow. And Sally.

Gaia fucking damn it, he’s fucking bisexual.

Chapter Text

“How far is it, Nicole?” Sally asked, rushing along.
“Not far at all,” Nicole replied. “The likelihood of this being a trap is actually increased by his proximity.”
“It’s only a trap if we get caught,” Sally replied. “Did Sonic respond yet?”
“Yes, he sent a ‘OMW’ in reply,” Nicole huffed. “He can go up to unrecorded speeds without effort but can’t take the time to type out ‘on my way’ in full?”
Sally rolled her eyes. This hedgehog…
“Well, he’s on his way, that’s good,” Sally sighed. “We need-”
“What do ya need, Sal?” Sonic asked, a cloud of dust rising up behind him. Sally barely jumped but Nicole let out a surprised squeak.
“Sonic, great,” Sally grinned. “I need your help with-”
“Oop, uh, sorry, Sal, hold that thought,” Sonic said before turning and calling out. “Yo, Shads!”
Sally watched as Sonic ran over to Shadow, the biohog in the middle of speaking with Rotor, probably about motorcycles.
Sonic’s newly canine like tail wagged as the two briefly exchanged words, Sonic handing over a strange bottle. Shadow let out a rare smile as it thanked Sonic, the blue ‘hog’s tail nearly creating a tornado. 

Shadow tucked the bottle under his arm and gave a farewell to both Rotor and Sonic before walking off.

Sally bit her lip. Sonic doesn’t see Shadow that way, Sonic doesn’t see Shadow that way-

Sonic’s eyes lingered on Shadow before the hedgehog turned, slowly, away, rushing over to Sally.
“Sorry, almost forgot to give that to him,” Sonic explained. “It’s a lotion for Rouge but I think he uses it too.”
“How can you tell?” Sally asked, not that she actually cared or anything.
“Oh, because he smells like lavender,” Sonic explained. “Same scent as the lotion Rouge keeps begging me for free samples of.”
Shadow… smelled like lavender? Ugh, Sally wished Shadow was unlikable instead of strangely dreamy. 

“But, uh, that’s not important,” Sonic said, face turning slightly red. “What’d ya need help with?”
“Eggman has been spotted with several hostages,” Nicole popped in. “We have reason to believe he may be recreating both the Death Egg and the Robotizer.”
“Not again,” Sonic groaned. “Do we still got a visual on them?”
“Yes, we do!” Tails said, popping up behind Sonic. Sally did jump this time. “A few amateur photographers took pictures and posted them on twitter, marking the location!”

“...Nicole, you didn’t tell Tails about this, did you?” Sally asked the AI.
“No,” the AI sounded annoyed. “He hacked me. Again.”
“Oh, c’mon, you didn’t even notice until I said anything!” Tails cried, pulling his tablet to his chest, making big ol’ puppy eyes. “You can’t be mad about something you didn’t notice, Nicole.”
“Oh, give him a break, Nicole,” Sonic laughed. “He’s just a kid.”
“Stupid organics and their instincts to fall prey to anything cute…” Nicole grumbled.
“Can I come with you guys? I’ll fly the Tornado! I’ll be a great help!” Tails pleaded. Sonic and Sally shared a look. “Please, you haven’t let me go on a mission with you in ages!”
“You and Sonic just literally stitched the planet together just a few weeks ago,” Sally added, not noticing how Sonic startled at that information before calming down again.
“That wasn’t a mission, that was a coincidence!” Tails said, folding his hands together. “Please?”
“...fine,” Sally sighed. “But stay on the plane or close to us, understood?”
“Yes, Princess!” Tails did a mock salute.
“Great!” Sonic said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s go before your brother emails you a truckload of paper work!”


Things went to shit. They went to shit so bad. 

Ugh, what was wrong with Sonic? Was he just rusty? Stupid? Pull it together! The Chaos Emeralds may try and say he did his best but he knows he didn't.
The world almost ended and it was Sonic’s fault but that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part…

Sonic watched as Tails was rolled away, Rotor talking soothingly as Tails came down from the adrenaline and realized just what had happened to him.

The darkness of the night made the shine of Tails’ new metallic features that much more obvious. 

Sonic’s claws cut into the palm of his hand as he clenched his fist.
“I’m good, Bunnie, thanks,” Sonic said with a grin, brushing the older away. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“Are you sure? You look pretty battered to me,” Bunnie said with a frown, backing off.
“Nothing a good eight hours won’t fix,” Sonic reassured. “I think you should get some rest too. Getting the life sucked out of you couldn’t have been fun.”
Bunnie groaned and nodded.
“It really brought some things to life,” Bunnie admitted. “I’ve never felt so helpless before, not since…”
Bunnie’s eyes trailed down to her own robotic arm. She shook her head.
“I’ll let you head to bed,” Bunnie relented. “But get some sleep, alright?”
“Sure thing!” Sonic agreed, heading to his hut.

Sonic closed the door behind him, sliding down to the floor. He let out a shuddering sigh, pulling his knees up to his face. He wished he had a Emerald on hand, not just the hum he'd started to hear more clearly in his head.

Sally cleared her throat and Sonic looked up.

She was sitting on the bed, jacket tossed haphazardly to the side. Sonic blinked in surprise.

Sally didn’t sleep in one of the Knothole huts anymore, she lived in a treehouse that was very close to the slowly rebuilding capital. She certainly didn’t sleep in the same hut as Sonic.

“...Is this the part where you lecture me?” Sonic asked, looking away.

“No, Sonic,” Sally sighed. 

“I wouldn’t blame you if I did,” Sonic stood up. “I mean, who else has fucked up that bad, huh?”
“You made a mistake,” Sally crossed her arms.
“Yeah! A mistake that nearly got the entire world sucked dried like a caprisun!” Sonic threw his hands up. “If I’d just thought my actions out more-” 

“Sonic, you couldn’t have known,” Sally stressed.
“Exactly, I didn’t know,” Sonic hissed, running a hand through his quills. “If I’d just slowed down, then maybe…”
“Even if that’s the case, Eggman still had those machines, the Zeti at his disposal,” Sally pointed out. “There’s no way he wouldn’t have used those later down the line. For all we know, this scenario was either always going to happen or this is the best possible result. I can have Nicole run the numbers if you want.”
“But we don’t know and we’ll never know because I didn’t think,” Sonic grumbled. He walked over to the bed, flopping face down. “I nearly got literally everyone killed.”
“You’re not thinking straight, Sonic,” Sally sighed, reaching over and running a hand through his quills. Despite himself, Sonic felt his tail start to wag. “You’re giving yourself too much credit. Eggman enslaved the Zeti, he built that energy drainer, he…”
Sally hesitated.

“He made that knock-off Robotizer?” Sonic suggested, looking up at her. Sally hissed, looking away.
“Yeah,” Sally said after a moment. “That.”
“Tails got robotized,” Sonic said.
“Partly,” Sally said.
“Still,” Sonic countered. “I made a stupid move, sure, but to do it again, practically immediately afterwards? How stupid do you get?”
“I was there too, remember?” Sally scoffed. “Are you gonna blame me?”
“Of course not!” Sonic exclaimed, sitting up. “Why would you say that?!”
“I was right behind you,” Sally said, a smidge of guilt coming up through her voice. “Tails saw that we were both running head first into danger.”
Sonic made a face. It was true. The idea of freeing the hostages, the very reason they even went out, was so tantalizing, that both their brains blanked.

But it wasn’t Sally’s fault, she couldn’t have known-

Oh.

Sonic grumbled, flopping down on the bed.

“See?” Sally chuckled.

“I hate it when you’re right,” Sonic said. “But I can’t help but feel bad. I told him we’d protect him.”
“I know,” Sally said. “Sonic, look at me.”
“Huh?”
“Just do it.”
Sonic sat up, putting all his attention on Sally.

She leaned forward, gripping Sonic’s forearms.

“We’ll do better next time,” Sally said, with conviction in her voice. “We failed today, so we can succeed tomorrow. And, honestly, it could have been worse! But it wasn’t! Because of us! Because of you!”
Sonic blinked. It was hard not to get caught up in the flow of her passion, it was always hard. Did the realization of what this adoration really was make it harder or easier to resist?

“We have information now, what kind of threat Eggman is, proof of it,” Sally went on. “With every failure he has, he gains more and more enemies and we gain more and more allies. With every attempt he does to undermine our efforts, we learn how to strength our foundations. He didn’t win, not Eggman, not the Zeti. do you know who won?”
“We did?” Sonic said.
“Say it like you mean it,” Sally commanded. Damn it, Sonic would do literally whatever she wanted if she said it like that.
“We did,” Sonic repeated.
“Yes,” Sally smiles, nodding. “Weren’t you the one who told me that the past didn’t matter, that it’s what we do now that does?”
“Ha,” Sonic chuckled. “I did say that.”
“You’re our hero, Sonic,” Sally said, her vibrant blue eyes piercing straight through Sonic. “I know that with you, we’ll never lose.”
Did she really think that? Sonic swallowed around a lump in his throat. 

“I won’t let you down, Sal,” Sonic said. She smiled, soft and sincere. 

“You never have,” she reassured. She removed her hands from Sonic’s arms, the heat and pressure of her grasp remaining on his arms like a tattoo. She yawned, stretching. “Is it okay if I stay here for the night?”

“Of course,” Sonic said, scotting over and flopping back on the bed. “Stay as long as you like.”
Sally nodded and laid down beside him.

“Been awhile since we’ve done this,” Sally remarked. “If I wasn’t so tired, I might enjoy it more.”
“Mhm,” Sonic nodded. He reached over, finding Sally’s hand.

She turned her hand over, gripping his.

Tomorrow, Sally would have to go and update her brother. Tomorrow, Sonic would have to see how he can help his baby brother. Tomorrow, Eggman would start some new plot they’d have to stop. 

Tomorrow, they’d have to deal with the consequences of today.

But that was tomorrow.

Sonic closed his eyes and squeezed Sally’s hand.

Tonight, Sonic’s going to just sleep, content with his best friend by his side.

Sally glanced over at Sonic, noticing the hedgehog already fast asleep. She stared up at the roof.

She was scared of what would happen if she closed her eyes. Would she see the rows and rows of robotized victims, this time with Tails in the row?

How could she have been so foolish?
No, this whole situation was not Sonic’s fault. It was hers. She was the leader. She was in charge.

She should have been the one to stop Sonic, to think where he acted. 

That was their roles, that always was their roles. 

She’d failed the Acorn Kingdom. She’d failed Tails, the fox who was like a little brother to her. She’d helped raise him and she’d almost just helped destroy him.

Sally bit her lip and squeezed her eyes. She can’t cry. Not right now.

Sonic would wake up and he’d ask what was wrong and she wouldn’t be able to lie to him, he’s her best friend, and then he’d try to comfort her, like she just did him.

But Sally doesn’t think she could handle that. Sally thinks Sonic smiling and saying her words back to her would destroy her. 

Because he would be right.

It wasn’t her fault but it should have been or it shouldn’t have happened. Instead, it was a mixture of naivety and foolishness. 

She had to do better, as a leader and as a friend. She would be better.

It was weird feeling things just return to ‘normal’ but it always felt weird after some big event like this, the settling of the dust, even the Chaos Emeralds' murmur slowed down.

Sonic smiled sharply as flashes of cameras nearly blinded him, Sonic lowering Sally to the ground.

The princess straightened up, brushing the dirt off of her and adjusting her fur.
“Thank you for the ride, Sonic,” Sally said, smiling her polite smile. Sonic hated that smile so much, has he mentioned that? It doesn’t even show off her dimples! “I shall speak with you at a later date.”
“Sure thing, Princess,” Sonic said, arms crossed. “Give your brother my regards.”
Sally nodded and walked away, heading up the steps into the mostly reconstructed castle. Sonic watched her go until she was inside, turning to the mob of photographers and reporters. They shouted questions over each other, microphones shoved as far out as they could manage.
“Don’t you people have day jobs?” Sonic snarked, raising an eyebrow at them. “You know they ain’t letting you in without a pass.”
Sonic stretched real quick before dashing off, leaving the mob in his dust.

He didn’t want to bother with that mob right now, heaven knows he’s going to be called to some press release in less than a week.

Ugh. Press. He understood information was important but half of the time when they wanted information, it was about noxious piles of questions about their personal life and not, oh, you know, the megalomaniac that they were fighting?
Nooooo, Sonic, tell us about your geeeeender, why do you wear dreeeeeesses, who are you daaaating, what do you think of ‘enter controversy hereeeeee’, please, Sonic just wants to go home and nap.

Not all of them asked such stupid questions and even their dumb questions gave Sonic room to eliminate the dumbness but why did Sonic have to do it?! It’s so unfair. Use your brain, microphone head.

Sonic came to a stop in Knothole.

“Hey, Sonic,” Nicole piped up, her lynx avatar popping up on Sonic’s communicator. “I have bad news and good news.”
“Oh, joy,” Sonic grumbled. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense, Nic.”
“I thought I told you not to call me that!” Nicole huffed. “Okay, the good news is we managed to keep Tails’ …condition on the down low.”
“Okay, we need to work on your bedside manner, you say it like that in front of him, he’s gonna get pissed,” Sonic cut in.

“Right, sorry,” Nicole flushed. “The bad news is that people are asking anyway.”
“Any big people?” Sonic asked.
“Breeze Central Live,” Nicole winced. Sonic’s face went blank.

Breeze Central Live. Now those guys were certainly big and, for damn good reason too. They somehow always got a whiff of some big news first, it was scary how quick they could arrive on the scene.

Honey used to work for them before she got tired of being underpaid, overworked, and straight up robbed and left to start her own business.

Breeze Central Live was run by a woman named, well, Breeze, an older hedgehog woman. She’d come out of nowhere after the flooding of Station Square and Sally had to seriously deal with her shoving her nose into Knothole’s business.

Knothole was kept a secret for good fucking reason from anyone outside of Acorn Kingdom, even with Eggman being driven out of the Acorn Kingdom now, if he knew where the base of his primary enemies were…

Breeze asked dangerous questions and Sonic hated her long before he had to butt heads with her.

“Tell me she’s not here,” Sonic groaned.
“Thankfully no, I think she learned her lesson after her employees kept running into Rotor’s electric fence,” Nicole reassured. “But she’s sending some very probing emails.”
“Throw her a bone, will ya, Nic? Some rumor she can rant about until we figure out what to do about all of this,” Sonic asked, sighing as he resumed his walk. “Um, someone is being aged up by some magic old ring that belongs to the Acorn family. Be vague about who it is, would that all work?”
“Your talltales are still as insane as ever,” Nicole sighed before smiling. “But it might work. I’ll get on that. Give Tails my regards.”
“Will do,” Sonic said as Nicole vanished. 

Tails couldn’t feel his hand anymore. In fact, he didn’t really have a hand anymore. 

Rotor had said that was strange but Tails had had to work fast to ensure he didn’t lose his entire body and will to the Zeti. 

He hadn’t gotten the chance to really see what he was changing or how he was going to be changed. 

Just enough to keep himself intact.

“Well, you’ve got the walking part easier than I did,” Bunnie complemented as Tails walked in small circles around his hospital room.
“The flying is where I might struggle,” Tails said. “I’m a lot heavier now.”
“Well, that might change,” Bunnie said, walking over and flicking a tube going through his head. “Rotor thinks some of this stuff can be removed safely, that it didn’t go all the way through.”
“That’s good,” Tails said. “Some of this stuff was making me nervous.”
There were tubes on his head, there was some metal thing around his middle, his foot was metallic and clawed, his ears were metal, and his arm was a fucking gun. His vision and hearing were a mess right now and he’d like to fix that as soon as possible.
Plus, he’d have a hard time in polite society if he always looked like this, Gaia knows Bunnie already did and hers looked a lot less… invasive. 

A knock on the door sounded and both looked towards the door.

Sonic leaned on the door frame, pushing himself up.
“How you feeling, bud?” Sonic asked, something fragile in his voice.

“I’m okay,” Tails said, keeping his gun arm by his side. “Bunnie says I’m adjusting better than she did.”
“That’s my brother for ya!” Sonic cheered, rustling the fur on his head. “You really gave me and Sal a scare back there.”
Oh, yeah, that. Tails hadn’t been sure how else to get close to his family again without playing ‘dead’. 

“Sorry,” Tails said. “I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“You did fine,” Sonic reassured before pausing. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Sonic,” Tails insisted. “I jumped in your way.”
“Well,” Sonic said, and where his voice earlier had been fragile, it was now harder than steel. “I won’t let something like that happen again.”
Tails suppressed a shudder at that. 

There was another knock on the door and Rotor motioned eagerly to the two brothers. Bunnie went to follow as well before the walrus stopped her.
“Uh, I just need these too,” Rotor said awkwardly. “We’ll be back.”
Tails hobbled after Sonic, still struggling with his new foot.

“What’s the dealio, Rotor?” Sonic asked, draping an arm around Tails.
“Oh, uh, sorry, I just needed to pull you out of the room,” Rotor said. “Look.”
Rotor motioned at the window into the room.

Tails watched as Bunnie sat down on the edge of the bed, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently.

Antoine, on the other side of the wall, glanced into the doorway. Tails blinked, surprised. What was Antoine doing here?
Sonic frowned before quietly gasping, smirking.

Antoine’s face turned red, burying his face into his bouquet of slightly dead flowers. 

Rotor motioned for Antoine to go on, Sonic shooting him a thumbs up.

Antoine glanced at his fellows before taking a deep breath and entering the room.

Rotor and Sonic both eagerly turned their attention towards the window.

Bunnie looked up as Antoine entered, her slight annoyance melting away in the presence of her beau.

Antoine took a deep breath before walking towards her, saying… something. Tails couldn’t hear at all, only able to hear Rotor’s murmurs of encouragement and Sonic’s snickers. 

The coyote pulled Bunnie to her feet, placing the bouquet in her hands. As Antoine continued to speak, he got down on one knee.

Tails gasped. Oh! Okay, that makes sense!
Bunnie’s eyes widened and her face turned red as she realized what was happening, Antoine fishing some small minuscule golden ring out of his pocket. 

Antoine’s mouth hadn’t even stopped moving when Bunnie threw herself onto Antoine, squealing.

Rotor and Sonic both cheered, Tails joining in. 

Chapter Text

Antoine jolted back as the half robot rabbit landed down the tunnel. Oh, gaia, Sonic had turned on them after all! He’d brought the enemy to their door!
But, of course, the princess, the sweet girl she was, did not see it that way. She ordered the use of precious medical resources and time to assist the half robot girl.

But Antoine would not argue with the princess or Sonic, the hedgehog had made the princess incapable of seeing reason.

Antoine huffed as he sat by the partially robotic girl’s bedside. Rotor had gone to make lunch while the princess and Sonic were talking. He hoped she was giving him a good tongue lashing but he doubted it.

“...Momma…?” a weak voice, dripping in a southern accent like syrup on a pancake, startled Antoine.

The bunny girl stared at him, brow crinkled in confusion.

“Who are you?” she asked and Antoine squeaked.

He scrambled out of the room, running towards whoever would handle this girl instead of him.

So, yes, that’s how Antoine and Bunnie first met. An awkward meeting for certain, one Bunnie liked to tell over and over again. Mostly because she loved the way it made Antoine squirm with embarrassment. 

To be fair, Antoine and Bunnie did not get along at all in the beginning.

For one, Bunnie was a living representation of Antoine’s current greatest fear. For another, where Bunnie saw Sonic as the person who saved her when no one would or could, Antoine saw him as a rat bastard who kept causing problems, even after he was gone.

Bunnie was brave where Antoine cowered, Bunnie was a listening ear where Antoine was a boasting mouth, Bunnie was clever where Antoine was faking it until he made it.

And it made Antoine so mad, to see her, a person who’d gone through the fire and came back alive, still face the world with her head high where Antoine struggled to do so without pushing someone else down first. 

Maybe Antoine would have stayed there, in his jealousy and simmering rage, if Bunnie was just that little more stubborn.

But she wasn’t. As much as they didn’t get along, Bunnie didn’t like seeing people being miserable. She pushed him, to be braver, to be stronger, to face the world, even if it was with shaking knees. 

Antoine would never forget Bunnie tossing his sheathed sword at him, the coyote struggling to grab a hold of his blade.
“Are you coming?” she said, a challenge in her voice, and, fool that Antoine was, he could not resist such a challenge. 

He’d followed Bunnie out to where she’d set up something of a training ground, followed as she forced her not yet weaponized body through it. Antoine had struggled to keep up.

He’d wanted to quit, like he did every difficult thing. She didn’t let him.

When Sonic came back and Sally declared they’d fight, Antoine wanted to run. She didn’t let him.

When they thought they’d grasped victory, only to be sent right back where they’d started and Antoine wanted to throw the hat, Bunnie didn’t let him.

She didn’t let him give up, not on anything, not on himself. She inspired him.

Antoine’s not sure when he started to find the heavy handed country accent charming, when he stopped seeing her with scorn and instead straight up delight, but it crept up on him like a cold and had stayed with him ever since.

“I imagine my lovely bride does not have as positive a story to tell about her affections for me,” Antoine concluded his speech, a teasing smile on his face. The audience laughed, amused. 

“Aw, you weren’t that bad, sugar-twain!” Bunnie called out from her seat next to him. The laughter grew at the nickname, Antoine flushing. “Sometimes it was even cute!”

“Mon Coeur, please not in public,” Antoine pleaded. He cleared his throat and held up his cup. “A toast! To my wife and to our happiness together.”
The crowd cheered and downed their thin glasses.

Sonic had to say, they’d had clearly planned this for a while. How else would they have the funds to have such a nice wedding? Well, unless…

Sally chuckled, her amusement restrained, even as her growing out hair was splayed out of the back of her dark blue jumpsuit.

Sonic smiled. Of course Sally’s idea of a wedding gift would be the actual wedding itself. Why not? 

It was the reception dinner and the actual wedding had been lovely. 

Bunnie’s hair had been in long curls, her dress white and poofy, making her look like some kind of caramel topped scoop of vanilla ice cream. Antoine had dug up one of his father’s old uniforms, a white one that matched Bunnie’s to a tee.

There hadn’t been a dry eye as Bunnie had, slowly and no doubt with some mispronunciation, recited her vows in Antoine’s mother tongue, Antoine bursting into tears the second the first french word came out of her mouth.

Antoine had barely managed to pull himself together for his own vows, pledging his heart, body, and soul to the sole pursuit of making Bunnie as happy as she made him every day for the rest of their lives. 

If there had been anyone holding back tears at that point, they quickly lost their resolve as Antoine clasped Bunnie’s metallic hand in his, his voice trembling with absolute adoration for Bunnie.

Sally, Bunnie’s maid of honor, had shot a look at Sonic as he suppressed his own sniffles. Sonic had given her one right back.

He did suppose a best man should have better composure. 

Oh, yeah, he’d been Antoine’s best man.

That had been an awkward conversation that Sonic promises he totally didn’t milk. Really!

Okay, maybe a little but Antoine had it coming.

Antoine’s logic was that if it wasn’t for Sonic, the two would have never met but Sonic’s just flattered that Antoine saw Sonic as his best friend.

Antoine’s response to that bit of ribbing had been a sputtered and flustered, ‘don’t put words in my mouth, you blue rat!’

Yeah, okay, maybe Sonic had that coming too.

The plan was for the happily married couple to pack up their few wedding gifts and spend a week in Soleanna. 

That was probably a wedding gift from Sally too. She’d been eagerly working to set up an allyship with the machinery specialized country. It’d be easy for her to arrange a lovely little weekend retreat for their friends there.

The clinking of a spoon against a glass pulled Sonic’s attention back to the present.

Sally had stood up, pulling the room’s attention to her.
“Now, before these two run off to the beautiful beaches of Soleanna, I’d like to say a few words,” Sally said. She dug in a pocket for some flashcards, nearly dropping them before picking them up. “Ahem.”
Sally cleared her throat and straightened up.
“I’ve known the both of you for a good couple years now,” Sally said. “And for all of Antoine’s words, I’ve watched both of you grow. Grow into the proud warriors and friends I am happy to stand alongside every chance I’m given. Antoine, you taught Bunnie patience and understanding and, Bunnie, you taught Antoine bravery and determination. It’s been both a nightmare and a pleasure to watch that process but… well, we’re here now! I can only hope all of us find happiness, the way the two of you have with each other and will for the rest of your lives.”
A chorus of agreement and cheers went up.

Sonic looked over at Sally. Obviously, she meant find happiness in general, not in the same way Bunnie and Antoine have, but he has to wonder…

As Antoine and Bunnie run for their car, they’d almost missed it, how embarrassing-

Bunnie turns and tosses her bouquet over her shoulder, laughing.

Arms fly up to catch it but no one is more surprised by the person who captures it then Sonic himself.

He caught the bouquet. What the fuck. The Chaos Emeralds giggled in the back of his head, nearly as amused as those around him.

He gets some playful ribbing about his hidden partner but most dismiss it, that old tradition didn’t really have a leg to stand on besides sometimes motivating proposals.

But Sonic couldn’t get it out of his mind as he helped clean up.

“This was nice,” Sally said, passing a folded tablecloth over to Sonic. “We should plan more of these.”
“No thanks,” Sonic scoffed.”way too slow and way too formal. You can plan the next one on your own.”
Sally laughed at that. Sonic smiled at the sound.
“Regardless, you clean up nice,” Sally remarked. She turned to Sonic, motioning to him. “Is that one of Honey’s?”
She was referring to the dress Sonic was wearing; a neon blue dress with black lace over it, making it look like roses. 

“Oh, yeah,” Sonic nodded, putting a chair on top of another. “I told Honey I was gonna be Antoine’s best man and she insisted on making me something for it. I tried to pay her but she said she’d needed something to do. Honestly, you’d think with everything she does, she’d have no time to do anything else.”

“Yeah, she has far too many careers,” Sally shook her head. “Her wiki page is going to be insufferable.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s her goal,” Sonic agreed. “I can’t imagine her standing still for more than a minute.”
“I agree,” Sally said before smirking. “She might be interested in that bouquet you got.”
“Oh, c’mon, Sal,” Sonic groaned, to Sally’s amusement. 

“Of all people who could have caught it, it was you! You’re not even interested in anyone,” Sally paused, not turning to Sonic. “Are you?”
Sonic paused, thinking over the question.

Sally’s unstoppable object versus Shadow’s unmoving force, both so captivating in their own ways. 

“Wait, are you?” Sally asks as Sonic’s silence lingers a tad too long, turning to Sonic with something like panic on her face. 

“I…” Sonic looks away, face red. “Does it matter? It’s not like I really am the best for relationships, you know? It’s hard to find people that can keep up, ya know, with Eggman, my speed, everything.”
It’s hard to find the courage to ask people to keep up.

“...yeah,” Sally agreed, her expression odd. “I can understand that. I don’t think I could ever be with anyone ever.”
Oh. Wow, ow, that hurt. Why did that hurt? Was Sonic really in that deep? How long had he been?
“Acorn Kingdom is going to be in recovery for a long time,” Sally continued. “And my brother isn’t going to be able to do it alone, not that I would want him to. I don’t think I have time or energy to dedicate to the expectations of a romantic relationship.”
“Ha,” Sonic said, weakly looking away. “Yeah. Guess we’re gonna be bachelors for a while then. Who needs a relationship like that anyway?”
“Yup,” Sally agreed. 

Sure, Sonic didn’t need a relationship like that but he kind of was… curious what it would be like to have one.

Romantic love was something he’d only known from the outside looking in. Was it really as wonderful as everyone said? 

“But you’re still thinking of someone,” Sally said, trying to playfully press. “You’re not keeping secrets from your princess, are you?”
Shit. Sonic definitely couldn’t say how he felt about her, especially after a conversation like that.

“...Shadow,” Sonic said. It wasn’t a lie but Sonic was still sorting… all of this out. “He’s… well, come on, you’ve seen him, right?”
Shadow wasn’t bad to look at and he was funny when he wanted to be and he could be such a jerk yet be so kind and- and-
“Yeah,” Sally said stiffly. “I have.”
Sonic blinked, turning to his best friend with concern.
“Sal?” he asked, reaching out for her.
“Can you finish clean up?” Sally asked, casually stepping out of his reach. “I’m gonna head home.”
“Oh, uh, sure thing,” Sonic frowned, confused. “Are you okay?”
“Of course!” Sally nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“...See ya,” Sonic waved as Sally hurried off.
Was it something he said?

Shadow.

Of course, it was Shadow. 

Why not, honestly? The first person Sonic had cried for in years, the only other person able to go super, the only one who could possibly keep up with Sonic.

It was a match made in heaven, every story in the book supported it.

The sunshine and the grump, the yin and the yang, enemies to lovers, equal in every manner Sally could think of.

Of course. Of course.

So why was Sally so bothered? Why was she slamming her treehouse door open, why was she throwing herself onto her bed, suppressing a scream into her pillows?
Because Shadow was everything that Sally ever wanted to be to Sonic.

What an unfair reason to dislike someone.

Shouldn’t she be happy?

Sonic was her best friend, why couldn’t Sally remember that when it mattered?
Sally was acting like a fucking jealous child.

She was a goddamn princess, nearly eighteen!
“Sally?” Nicole asked.
“Sorry, Nicole,” Sally said, sitting up. “Just…”
“Is it Sonic again?” Nicole asked, her tiny hologram form flitting around Sally’s face. “You always get like this about him.”
“Do I?” Sally made a face. Gaia, was she really so terrible?
“So it is,” Nicole confirmed. “What happened?”
“...He told me he likes Shadow,” Sally sighed, flopping back. “Like… romantically.”
“Didn’t you say you had suspected that already?” Nicole asked.
“Well, yeah!” Sally tossed her hands up. “It’s just… different to hear him say it.”
Sally stared up at the ceiling. There was a painting up there, Tails had made it when Sally first moved out.

He’d flown up to the ceiling, ordering Sonic to hold various buckets of paint on his head.

Tails had painted his best impression of the three of them. It wasn’t any kind of masterpiece but it was made by Tails and that was enough for Sally.

“Do you plan to do anything about it?” Nicole asked. “Like, I don’t know, actually pursue Sonic instead of pine after him?”
“No,” Sally closed her eyes, blocking her view of stick figure Sonic and Sally with Tails in between them.
“Sally…”
“If he felt anything like that, he wouldn’t hesitate,” Sally said. “And now that he knows he wants Shadow, it’s only a matter of time before Sonic makes it happen. He’ll try to push it off, claiming it’s for duty and whatnot, but in the end…”
“Princess, may I just say?” Nicole huffed. “You are a terrible person to advise.”
“I’ll make sure to keep note of that, Nicole,” Sally huffed.
Maybe it was time for Sally to let this thing, to let Sonic, go.

Chapter Text

“You’re not going,” Rouge said.
“Why not?” Shadow asked, crossing his arms. “It’s for me.”
“IT IS OBVIOUSLY A TRAP,” Omega added. “YOU SHOULD TAKE A GUN.”
“It’s an amusement park,” Shadow held up the brightly colored ticket. “I don’t think they allow these in there.”
“IT IS AN AMUSEMENT PARK CREATED BY DOCTOR EGGMAN, IF HE DOES NOT HAVE GUNS UP THERE, I WILL DO SOMETHING FOOLISH, SIMILAR TO HOW THIS STATEMENT WILL THEN BE FOOLISH,” Omega grumbled. “BUT I WILL NOT ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO IT BECAUSE DOCTOR EGGMAN WILL HAVE GUNS UP THERE.”

“I know it’s a trap, that’s why I’m going,” Shadow rolled all three of their eyes. “Eggman’s last move nearly drained the world. An interstellar amusement park could possibly be a major threat.” 

“So why not let one of those heroes deal with it?” Rouge asked, crossing her arms. “There’s no real reason to involve yourself.”
“Because if I don’t and things go wrong, I’ll have to yell at Sonic,” Shadow shook his head. And he’d rather try and fail than things fail without him.

It doesn't like feeling… helpless. 

"I'll be quick," Shadow said, tucking the ticket away.

"WILL YOU WIN ME A PRIZE IN ONE OF THE GAMES?" Omega asked hopefully. 

"I'll see what I can do," Shadow agreed.

"Be careful," Rouge said with a frown. "It's hard enough paying rent with the two of us, I would rather not try to pay it alone."

"Yeah, yeah," Shadow huffed, waving away her concern. "I'll message you two when I'm on my way home."

He closed the front door behind him, racing off.

Well, Shadow found the location of the so called ticket booth. It was in classic Eggman form, metallic, red, manned by a robot that Shadow is 80% tried to blow his head off.

It led to what could only be described as an elevator, a pod shaped room attached to an incredibly long pole that went up and up and up. Shadow can’t believe anyone could miss a build of this size!

"Shadow?" A familiar voice called out and Shadow's ear twitched as he looked where it came from. Well, he supposed he was wrong about missing it. Sonic grinned and waved. "Shadow, hey!"

"Why am I not surprised?" Shadow sighed, tail slowly waving as Sonic ran over. The hedgehog's tail was wagging as he came to a stop right before him. 

"Well, geez, good to see you too!" Sonic laughed. "Guessing you got a ticket too?"

Shadow pulled out its ticket in lieu of a response. 

"Nice! Maybe we can all go together!" Sonic suggested. "Three heads are better than one!"

"Three?" Shadow questioned, just as Tails ran up.

"Sonic, you gotta slow down, I can't keep up!" The twelve year old fox whined. Shadow startled, their tail standing up straight as he took a step back.

The fox's appearance had drastically changed since Shadow last saw him, with a metallic foot, arm, eye, and ears.

"You look-" Shadow swallowed around a lump of concern before forcing him to be causal. "You look well."

Tails smiled weakly.

"Thanks, Shadow," Tails said.

"So, Shadow! Wanna work together?" Sonic butt in, pulling Shadow's attention to him. He held out his hand to Shadow.

Shadow hesitated for a moment before sighing and nodding.

"Don't fall behind," Shadow said, shaking Sonic's hand.

"Same to you," Sonic grinned. "Now, how do we get up there?"

“There’s an elevator over there,” Shadow motioned back to the ticket stand. “I imagine we’re supposed to ride it.”
Sonic made a face at it. Shadow couldn’t blame him. Eggman plus small enclosed space? Shadow was just as hesitant. 

“Want me to keep it hot?” Tails asked, holding up his metallic arm.
“Absolutely not,” Sonic said sternly, turning to Tails. “We still don’t know what that’ll do to you!”
“You let Bunnie do it!” Tails argued.
“Bunnie got modified by a friend I trust and it was made with a series of crazy safe tests all so she didn’t blow off what arm she had left!” Sonic crossed his arms. “Plus, Bunnie is not my responsibility. You are.”
“Ugh, fine,” Tails huffed, moving towards the ticket stand. “You’re the worst.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Sonic rolled his eyes before turning an grin to Shadow. “Teenagers, amirite?”
…Oh, wow, why did that make Shadow want to kiss Sonic? What was it about Sonic being so protective and caring, it made Shadow want to kiss the stupid out of him?
“I suppose so,” Shadow agreed, willing their tail to behave as he followed the fox kit. “But many could say the same to you.”
“I’d like to see them try!” Sonic challenged, following after.
Shadow shook his head.

The place was obviously some trap or evil plot. Possibly both. 

Five planets for the price of one? Built secretly but out of remorse? Yeah, no.

“But you can’t deny that view!” Sonic said, pausing to point out the view of Moubis below. “Been a while since we’ve seen something like that, huh?”
Shadow paused as well. Moubis looked divine from here. It had always looked beautiful from space but now having been on it, knowing exactly what it was like below…

Shadow couldn’t help but smile, unaware of the strange look Sonic was examining him with. 

“It is rather beautiful,” Shadow agreed. 

A shot fired in the distance pulled their attention away from the sight.
Sonic was off before Shadow could even blink, Tails seeming unsurprised by his lack of hesitation. 

Shadow follows, catching Sonic as he scooped up some bizarre beings out of Eggman’s minions’ clutches.

If Shadow recalled correctly, those were Orbot and Cubot. 

One held a net while the other held a gun of some kind.
“Long time no see, you two!” Sonic said with some scorn to his voice. “Mind telling me what- whoa!”
Sonic was cut off as one of the aliens went into his chest. Shadow’s jaw dropped as Sonic proceeded to transform into a strange cyan blob before rocketing away.

…Shadow wasn’t sure how he was going to explain this to Tails.

Well, it all goes a little something like this; Eggman is once again attempting to create a weirdly theme park themed empire but this time he’s bringing some aliens into it.

Shadow can’t help but wonder if Eggman sees the parallels between himself and a certain ancestor. 

Tails is currently working on a translator. How someone so young could be so intelligent, it still caught Shadow off guard. It cleared up a lot of shit.

The aliens were called Wisps, the white one talking to them was known as Yacker, and Eggman was once again being an asshole. 

It was pleading with Sonic to save its people, a plea Sonic agreed to with excitement and ease.

Or… at least, it sounded like excitement.

Sometimes, Shadow wondered if Sonic really just saw this all as a game of sorts. He certainly gave off the impression he did. 

“Aannnnd… there you guys go!” Sonic said, kicking open a container. Aliens of various colors flowed out, trilling as they spun around Sonic. He laughed, listening to their cooes. “Shadow, do you mind getting that other one?”
Shadow nodded, walking over to the container. The wisps’ attitude shifted, a wall of tiny bodies shakily blocking Shadow’s way.

“Huh?” Shadow questioned.
“Tails? An explanation, if possible?” Sonic asked, joining his brother’s side.
“Well, Yacker says, um,” Tails’ face paled. “Oh.”
“What is it?” Sonic pressed.
“I don’t think I should say,” Tails hesitated, shooting a look at Yacker. The small white alien looked apologetic. 

“Out with it,” Shadow sighed. From the way the wisps were looking at him, they could wager a guess.
“...Yacker says, um, either that they’re afraid of sack barns karting their pals or,” Tails winced. “Black Arms hurting their friends.”
Shadow froze. They could tell.

Not for the first time, Shadow felt all the things that set him so apart from Mobians as if they were forcing their way out of his skin at that very second. 

His tail, his horns, his third eye, the scales that littered its body, all of it was so suddenly apparent. 

Shadow felt his self hatred turn to rage in a matter of seconds, baring his teeth to snap back-
“His name is Shadow and he isn’t going to hurt anyone,” Sonic says, a burning fury latent in his voice. “So let them help your pals.”
The other wisps go to continue protesting but a strange coo from Yacker gets them to heel, allowing Shadow forward.
He opens the cage, the wisps inside tentatively exiting.
“See?” Sonic says, the same simmering rage in his voice. “Shadow’s as likely to hurt you as I am.”
Shadow looks back at Sonic, catching the slightest hint of a dark glare before Sonic smooths it out.

That hedgehog…

The energy within the aliens was apparently called Hyper-Go-On and either that’s another goof of Tails’ still in progress translator or these guys came up with the most on the nose name for their powers possible.

“He’s draining it from them,” Tails read off, frowning.
“He’s draining their lifeforce,” Shadow exclaimed in hidden horror.

“It wouldn’t be the first,” Sonic growled. “After all, Badniks and Robians don’t have batteries.”
“Our parts run on us,” Tails said, reaching up to touch his metallic eye.
And that, of course, would not be allowed to stand, no matter how many strange and vaguely sentient ferris wheels Sonic and Shadow had to break. 

And Sonic kept looking at Shadow strangely as well… it clearly wasn’t about his appearance so what?

Shadow supposed it didn’t matter.

Because that Hyper-Go-On did more than allow Sonic to access new forms of powers.

Mind control.

Forget robotization, Shadow fucking hated mind control. It reminded him too much of…

Tails was clearly raised by Sonic and Shadow wondered how Sonic felt when it arose in Tails in the worst ways possible.

When Tails jumped between Sonic and an unknown beam, how did he not see it as anything but the blind leading the blind?
“In fact, the only way to make this better, would be to make you fight!” Eggman said and Tails’ robotic eye snapped open, glowing the same purple that was crackling out of him.

Shadow raised his fists, trying to think how best to fight Tails without harming him-

Sonic stood frozen, his mouth agape in unhidden horror, unmoving even as Tails raised a charging weapon at him.

Oh my god. 

Sonic would let Tails kill him.

“Sonic-” Shadow started to move but just as quickly as Tails turned hostile, he went dormant, falling forward into Sonic’s arms.

Oh thank god. 

Eggman ran out of juice.

“I knew it was a bad idea to bring you,” Sonic fussed over Tails, like the boy was injured.
“Well, Sally wasn’t coming, she’s been avoiding us,” Tails grumbled. “And stop hovering, I’m fine.”
“In the future, I’d suggest not jumping into danger, I know you’re smarter than that, kit. You getting hurt is not any more or less useful than Sonic getting hurt,” Shadow said, trying to conceal the concern he had during that altercation. “And Sonic? Try not to freeze up on me again. I’d rather not watch your kid brother kick your ass because you panicked.”
“Sorry,” Sonic said bashfully, scratching the back of his head. 

“Don’t be sorry,” Shadow scoffed. “Be careful.”
Sonic blinked, that strange look on his face again.
"Where's the fun in that?" Sonic said, something soft to his voice.
“Let’s go,” Shadow huffed, ignoring Sonic’s heart pounding in his chest. What, had he been too intimidating?

The planet they were on was tranquil and peaceful, if you ignored the construction on it.

It had a generator on there, one of five in total. They’d already destroyed two, which is good because those generators were holding the Wisps’ small planet in place. 

Shadow decided not to think about the implications of Eggman’s ability to hold an entire planet in place for theirs if Eggman decided to actually use his brain and think less with his ego.

“Well,” Sonic said, arms crossed as he overlooked the planet. “This brings back memories.”
“You saw the beginning of Eggman’s reign of terror,” Shadow reminded themself. Sonic nodded.
“Still don’t know how he does it,” Sonic said. “Just… eliminates anything living so quickly, leaving barely a chance for recovery. You know, there’s still large sections of Acorn Kingdom that haven't been able to heal from his rule?”

“I didn’t,” Shadow said. Sonic’s face was solemn. 

“It scares me,” Sonic says, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Just what he’s capable of.”
Shadow stared at Sonic. He did look scared. Shadow couldn’t blame him. After all, it was its own fear of Eggman’s capabilities that led to him following Sonic and Tails up here.
“I’m scared too,” Shadow said back, just as quietly. 

Eggman made a sushi place. What the fuck. Why did Eggman make a sushi place.
“And why is it advertised ‘now with fish’?!” Shadow gestured at the sign, face aghast.
“Oh, Gaia, we have to try them,” Sonic said, horrified.
“...We shouldn’t,” Shadow argued.
“What? Are you a coward?” Sonic challenged.
Shadow glared at Sonic, the blue hedgehog smirking back.
“I hate you,” Shadow hissed, moving to walk in.
“No, you don’t,” Sonic chuckled, following him.

They sat down at a table, ordering each some sushi. 

“Gotta hand it to Eggman, the atmosphere isn’t bad,” Sonic said, looking around. It was a mahogany wood area, with windows that showed the water filled areas. It was dimly lit by lanterns on tables and hanging from the roof.

The only weird parts were the robotic fish outside and robotic staff.

“If this entire thing wasn’t some mad scheme for world domination, it wouldn’t be a half bad tourist attraction,” Shadow agreed. “And trust me, Rouge has dragged me to far too many.”
“How does she afford that?” Sonic asked.
“I’m not stupid enough to ask her,” Shadow shrugged. Sonic hummed and accepted the answer. “Tails mentioned the princess was avoiding you. Is that why she’s not here?”
“Oh,” Sonic frowned, ears drooping. “Yeah, she’s been avoiding me. I don’t really know why.”
Shadow could think of why. 

It was clear how the princess felt towards Sonic, anyone with a brain had noticed. 

Shadow knew because he’d seen her jealousy firsthand. She tried not to let it show, especially around Sonic, but Shadow could see the way her mouth became a thin line when Sonic was speaking to him. 

In Shadow’s mind, she had no reason to fear. While Sonic and him clearly had something of a special connection; their shared heartbeats, Sonic and Sally had history, a history where Sonic lavished Sally with attention and praise, willing to do anything she commanded, even if he personally didn’t like it.

Shadow didn’t stand a chance in hell.

“What’s the last thing you spoke to her about? I wouldn’t be surprised if you put your foot in your mouth,” Shadow scoffed, smirking as Sonic’s sadness faded in favor of offense.
“Nothing much, just,” Sonic’s face turned a vivid red. “Um.”
Shadow’s hand went to his chest. Why was Sonic’s heart speeding up?
“Um?” Shadow repeated, pressing. 

“We… were talking about having feelings for people,” Sonic admitted, looking away. 

Now Shadow’s heart sped up. They shouldn’t ask. It wouldn’t work out anyway, it’s probably not him, he shouldn’t ask, he shouldn’t ask-

“Did you say you had feelings for someone?” Shadow’s mouth moved and Sonic buried his face in his hands.
“I did,” Sonic grumbled. But why would that bother Sally?
“Did you say you liked Sally?” Shadow crossed his arms.
“No, I didn’t,” Sonic sighed. “But…”
Ah.

“But you do like her,” Shadow said. He already knew this. He already knew. It was obvious. It shouldn’t hurt. 

“I do,” Sonic agreed. “I think… I think I’ve loved her for a long time.”
“Your sushi!” the robotic waiter declared, practically tossing the plates on the table.

“Um,” Sonic laughed anxiously. “Let’s eat.”
“Yes,” Shadow agreed, picking up its chopsticks with a slightly shaky hand. “Let’s.”
Well, at least he didn’t waste his energy on that. Sonic’s friendship, this pounding in Shadow’s chest… that would have to be enough.

But Sally was avoiding him. Why should Shadow bow out for an opponent who wasn’t even competing?
Ugh, why was he viewing Sally as competition?
Shadow shoved a bite of shitty sushi in his mouth. Much to think about.

There were few things that made Shadow physically sick; Rouge locking lips with her bootlicker paramour, sushi from Eggman’s Bucket’O’Sushi, the interior of the Black Comet, and this.

Aliens flowed into a machine, terrified and wriggling, they flowed out, robbed of any spark, barely twitching. 

And Yacker was missing.

The trio couldn’t help but scan the area, praying that they wouldn’t find Yacker’s barely moving body or frantically panicking cries amongst either party. 

“You work on tearing this place apart,” Sonic says, his voice deadly calm, his face blank. “I’ll shut down the generator."

“Man, this whole thing was absolute bullshit on my back,” Sonic groaned, stretching. “Doesn’t matter how many times you stretch, one of those bombs will put all that hard work to shame.”
“We should treat ourselves after this,” Tails commented.
“Oh, how about an amusement park?” Sonic joked.
“Preferably one not trying to kill us,” Shadow played along. 

“Oh, but then how would it be any fun?”Sonic joked back. 

As they arrived back on Eggman’s main parkland, they could see the chains holding the planets in place shatter into pieces.

“Well, isn’t that just all tied up and put into a box for Christmas!” Sonic cheered.
“That mind control weapon can’t function without juice and all the generators are broken! I think our work here is done, gentlemen,” Tails agreed, in a very Sonic-like manner. Shadow huffed and rolled his eyes with a smile.
“Our?” Sonic asked. “I don’t recall you blowing any robots up.”
“Oh, right, then allow me to congratulate you on creating a translator for a language that no one on our planet could even replicate,” Tails teased right back. “Oh, wait, that was me.”
“Yeah, yeah, don’t get a big head about it,” Sonic laughed. “Good job, buddy.”
And then Sonic looked up, giving Shadow a soft smile. Shadow couldn’t help but look away. 

To say he loves Sally and then to look at Shadow so shamelessly! There is, of course, the possibility that Sonic doesn’t even recognize the idea that something so soft on the face of someone so sharp could be valued as highly as Shadow views it. 

The Wisps twirled around them, their chimes and cooes sounding almost like songs to the mobian listeners. 

“Wow, they look as happy to go home as I feel,” Tails remarked. “I think we’re in the middle of a party.”
“The middle? Buddy, we are the party!” Sonic cried out joyfully, grabbing both Tails and Shadow’s hands and twirling the two around. 

Shadow let out something like a cackle, caught off guard. 

“See, I knew you were a good dancer!” Sonic beamed. 

Sonic speculated if Shadow could dance? 

Damn it, he was never going to get over Sonic, were they?

And then the ground began to shake. Later, Tails would say that Eggman had attempted to fire the cannon while it was damaged, causing the energy collected to self destruct and backfire into the cannon. 

At that moment, all they knew was that the ground was shaking and the Wisps were no longer dancing but running. 

“Hm,” Sonic hummed. “That’s not good.”
“Run?” Shadow asked. Sonic nodded, scooping up Tails.
“Run,” Sonic agreed.

The Space Elevator was waiting for them as they approached, Sonic releasing Tails once they’d gotten past Eggman’s various buckets of bolts.

“Time to bail!” Sonic said, pushing Tails forward.

Something like a roar rumbled out as what looked to be a giant metal wisp floated over the elevator in front of them.
“Leaving so soon? There are no lines and I’ve saved the best rides for last!” Eggman asked, sitting within. “At least let me stamp your hand so you can come back in!”
“You know, I’m glad you’re leaning into the whole amusement park theme but isn’t it a couple years too late for that?” Sonic groaned.
“This isn’t his status quo?” Shadow questioned.
“Oh, no, he usually threatens to either kill or robotize me,” Sonic replies. “This is a serious change from form.”
“Curse you, Sonic! You’re just like your meddlesome uncle; you have to humiliate me at every turn!” Eggman roared, slamming his fists on the dash of his machine. “No matter. I will destroy you and I will be victorious! Is that better, you blue rat?”

Sonic smiled, something more of baring his teeth than any actual expression of emotion.
“Much, thank you,” Sonic hissed. Shadow looked over their opponent. It thrummed the same purple as that horrid mind control machine; was it powered by Wisps? It certainly seemed fairly intimidating.

“This bad boy is invincible!” Eggman declared, a threat that would be more worrisome if it wasn’t on every one of his machines. “And it’ll make my job of tearing you all apart that much easier!”
“Sonic?” Tails whispered. Sonic glanced at him, no, wait, past him. “What’s the plan? This thing looks- whoa!”
Tails was cut off by Sonic forcing both him and Shadow into the Space Elevator, the door slamming shut.

“Sonic!” Shadow exclaimed.
“See you guys on the ground floor!” Sonic said with a wink, hitting the down button. It rocketed away, leaving Sonic behind.

“Sonic!” Tails cried in a panic, practically clawing at the door. 

That idiot…

The negative overload of energy created something akin to a black hole.
“Not quite,” Tails corrected later when Sonic was recapping. “Because it couldn’t absorb light and it could be outrun. But it’s the closest thing I could compare it to.”
Tails didn’t say that when they saw it happen though. Shadow felt Sonic’s heart pounding in his chest as the blue hedgehog no doubt fought Eggman and then scrambled to escape that horrid glowing purple light. 

And for a horrid second, Shadow could feel nothing but his own heart.

It was only a second but for that second, Shadow’s chest felt empty. 

And then it was full again, as Sonic’s heart exploded, beating as fast as if he was running a marathon.

The Wisps swirled around the explosion, neutralizing it somehow, as a much smaller clump floated down towards them.

They flowed over Shadow, depositing Sonic in his arms.

Sonic groaned as Shadow helped him to his feet.
“You alright?” Shadow asked.
“Good as gold!” Sonic panted, looking strangely out of breath.
“Good,” Shadow sighed before socking Sonic in the arm.
“Shadow!” Tails exclaimed.
“Ow,” Sonic winced. “What’d I do?”
“I’m not your helpless little brother,” Shadow said, much to Tails’ protest. “I could’ve helped.”
“Ah, I had it covered,” Sonic tried to assuage but Shadow was not accepting that for an answer.
“Next time,” Shadow said, sternly. “Let me help.”
Sonic laughed but nodded. 

Shadow had a bad feeling Sonic wouldn’t listen.

Yacker floated down to them, twirling around the group.
“Oh, uh, it says, ‘thank you for the help, my friends!’” Tails read off.
“Hm, that didn’t have a misspelling,” Shadow commented. “you really have perfected that thing.”
“Sure have!” Tails gleefully agreed.
“Good, because we’re gonna need it,” Sonic said, crossing his arms and facing Yacker. “I doubt Eggman will bug you again, he never tries the same scheme twice, but my people would be more than willing to talk with yours on making our friendship a more permanent thing.”
“Um… it says that sounds beneficial! It says…” Tails snorted. “Take me to your leader.”
Sonic laughed as well, Shadow unable to resist a chuckle.
“Sure thing!” Sonic agreed before looking around. “You two haven’t seen Eggman, have you?”
“You don’t think he could’ve…” Tails trailed off, pointing up. Yacker chirped something. “Oh my Gaia.”
“What, what?” Sonic asked, turning eagerly to Tails.
“It says it thinks that Eggman didn’t escape in time!” Tails said excitedly.
“Oh my Gaia,” Sonic exclaimed. “I don’t know how he could have escaped that. I barely did!”
“He could be dead!” Tails exclaimed.
“Oh, man, talk about a birthday gift!” Sonic cheered.
“Huh,” Shadow blinked. He smirked. “Good riddance.”
“Yeah!” Sonic cheered. “Oh, c’mon, Yacker! Sal is gonna lose her mind about this!”
Sonic, Tails, and Yacker started to walk off.
“Oh, Shadow, you coming?” Sonic turned to ask. Shadow shook his head.
“I oughta to assure Rouge I’m intact,” Shadow said.
“Alright,” Sonic nodded. “Don’t be a stranger!”
He scooped up Tails and Yacker, dashing off in a streak of blue.

Shadow sighed.

If only it was that easy… 

Chapter Text

Shadow did not plan to go to Sonic’s birthday party.

He sent a gift but, after its adventure with Tails and Sonic, his social battery needed to charge. 

Sonic had many friends, they seriously doubted he’d notice Shadow’s absence.  

Well, apparently, an eating time being controlled by Eggman begged to differ.

The last thing Shadow remembered was sitting down with some peanut butter ice cream before waking up in some white void, Sonic holding a Chaos Emerald and looking relieved.
“Shadow? You with me, buddy?” Sonic asked.
“What… happened?” Shadow asked, holding his head. It was pounding like the devil.

“Uh, long story short?” Sonic laughed nervously. “Eggman’s fucking with time and he kind of accidentally summoned you but back when we were enemies?”
“Ah,” Shadow sighed. “I suppose he’s not dead then.”
“Just our luck, ey?” Sonic sighed as well, nodding. “Uh, sorry.”
“Ugh,” Shadow shook his head. “Is there anything else I should be aware of?”
“There’s a younger me running around here sooooo,” Sonic hissed.
“Oh, yeah, sure, why not?” Shadow tossed their arms up. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“Haha, yeah, wait, what?”
“What?”


Sally did not plan to go to Sonic’s birthday party. Thankfully, her small family (?) tradition made sending a gift unnecessary but it made Sonic and Tails’ gifts to her all the more painful.

She needed distance if she was going to move on and distance she would claim, even if it hurt Sonic. 

She, thankfully, had already unintentionally prepared for this, what with her various royal duties. 

Sally had just gotten curled up with a trashy romance show and some ice cream, Nicole already commentating on the horrific male love interest, and then everything went… dark.

She felt cold and dark, endlessly floating in some horrid abyss. 

And then Sonic found her.

“Welcome back, Sal,” Sonic sighed with relief. “How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve been run through a blender,” Sally hissed, holding her head. “Sonic, what-?”
“Eggman, time adventure,” a smaller Sonic said. Sally stared at him. “You’re pretty.”
“Hey, be nice!” Sonic said to the smaller him.
“I am being nice!” the little Sonic said. “It’s a compliment! I didn’t think she could get prettier.”
“Dude!”
“What?!”
Sally sighed. Two of them. Great.

After all the excitement, Sally and Shadow found themselves stuck at the party, the younger versions of their favorite hero and his little brother now joining the party.

Baby Sonic or, as Sonic was calling him, Classic Sonic, stared up at the gang surrounding him, a much smaller Tails cowering behind him.

Tails shifted uncomfortably as Classic Tails stared at his robotic parts. 

Classic Sonic, however, seemed to be having a different realization.

“Hey, big me,” Classic Sonic said, walking over and yanking Sonic down to his level.  He pointed to Sally and Shadow. “Um, you think they’re cool too, right?”
“Well, yeah! Shadow’s like my rival!” Sonic agreed. “And Sally’s our bestest friend ever. You’ve got some great stuff to look forward to.”

“Yeah,” Classic Sonic agreed, his tiny face red. “I really do.”

Shadow leaned against a distant but not too distant tree. Rouge wasn’t letting him leave now that it was here, which is totally unfair! 

He sighed. Maybe if they kept its eyes closed, time would pass faster.
“Mind if I hide away with you?” Sally asked and Shadow opened his eyes. Sally stood in front of them, pointing to a spot on the ground by the tree.

“Do what you want, Princess,” Shadow said, closing his eyes again.
“I’m 80% sure I’ve told you to call me Sally,” Sally chuckled, sitting down.

“I’m surprised you’re over here,” Shadow said. “Shouldn’t you be at the party?”
“I… need a break,” Sally sighed. “They’re my friends but… they’re a bit much sometimes.”
Shadow looked over at Sally. She got tired of people too? 

That was… a surprise. 
"I didn't think you had that in you, Princess," Shadow blinked.

Sally snorted, an undignified sound. It sounded like victory to Shadow.

"Me neither," Sally agreed. "And then I had to deal with people…all… the time."

It was Shadow's turn to snort.

"Was that a laugh?" Sally questioned, amused.

"Princess-" Shadow tried to recover his dignity.

"Did I make the Shadow the hedgehog laugh?" Sally went on.

"And if you did?" Shadow challenged.

"Well, I suppose I'd like a trophy. I've heard that's quite a challenge," Sally smiled.

"Then I'd like to request two medals," Shadow countered. "I've made you laugh twice."

Sally didn't respond and Shadow looked down at her. She was staring up at him, almost surprised.

"You… kept track of that?" Sally asked.

"A victory is a victory, no matter how seemingly insignificant," Shadow huffed. 

"... You're a lot kinder than most say, Shadow," Sally remarked.

"And you're actually less stuck up," Shadow returned. Sally laughed again, covering her mouth. Shadow smiled. "Three medals."

"No!" Sally groaned. "You did that on purpose."

"Perhaps," Shadow smiled. 

Shadow was very much more considerate than Sally expected him to be. She'd thought Sonic was seeing the rough and gruff hedgehog through rosy glasses but perhaps, she was just letting jealousy blind her.

She could learn to live with Sonic being with someone so kind.

Princess Sally was actually… pretty funny. Shadow supposed it made sense. You would have to have some sense of humor to get along with Sonic and even Shadow himself was not immune to that concept. 

Shadow wouldn’t mind losing to someone so alike and yet different from Sonic.

What a horrible thing to think. 

Sonic had had a, well, decent birthday.

His friends were there, even the ones who couldn’t make it, he got some delicious cake, he got closure on what happened to his uncle-

His uncle.

Sonic… tried not to think about him often. It just wasn’t healthy for Sonic, ya know?
But sometimes he wondered. And now he knew.

He’d run through a time hole and found himself in the Acorn Castle during the height of Eggman’s rule. Sonic’s feet had nearly slipped on a piece of metal.

It brought his attention to the ground.

It’s weird to pick the robotic head of your missing uncle in the past but, well. Sonic knows now.

He knows. 

Oh, uh, and Shadow and Sally are getting along.

Sonic always knew they’d be good friends if they would just talk to each other.

But why now?! He’s just confessed his feelings for the opposite person to each of them?!
What if they think he’s lying or worse; pranking them!
He really does like both of them but… well…

He doesn’t know which one he could choose. If having one meant losing the other…

He’s never been good at those kinds of choices. He’s used to being able to cheat the system.

But you can’t exactly do that with people’s hearts and it’s not like if he even knows if either of them like him.

Sonic should stop thinking about all of this and just… be glad they’re becoming friends. 

They both honestly could use some more friends. They probably won't even talk about him.

Sally looked over the cocktail dress with a degree of utter disgust. Apparently, her usual jumpsuits weren’t the vibe for the parties she was now going to be sent to.

It was… fine but it wasn’t her. 

Well, good of the people and all of that. Acorn Kingdom needed all the help they could get and if a black sparkly dress could help with that, somehow, so be it.

“Hey, Sal!” Sonic called as he slipped in through the window. Sally screeched, nearly jumping back out of the dress. “Oop, sorry!”
“You couldn’t knock?!” Sally hissed, face red. She sighed, reaching back in an attempt to reach the zipper. "Nicole!"
"Sorry," Nicole said, sounding very unsorry. "Must've sneaked past my sensors or something."
“Need some help?” Sonic asked, stepping behind her.
“Please,” she growled, growing more irritated by the second. Sonic zipped her up before taking a step back.
“It looks good on you or, at least, it would if you didn’t look like you wanted to tear it off your body in an act of sheer rage,” Sonic said, flopping onto her bed.
“Thank you, Sonic, very helpful,” Sally sighed. “Elias’ idea. Hopefully, it’s a one time thing.”
“Hopefully,” Sonic agreed. “Want me to come with you? It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to go with you.”
Sally paused, turning to look at her best friend. He was reclined on her bed, face bright and earnest. 

“No, I’ve got it,” Sally said, averting her gaze. Gaia damn it, why’d Sonic have to be so damn lovable? "I think I can handle a single party. I've been doing fine on the rest, right?"

Sonic's ears drooped.

"Oh, yeah, right, ha," Sonic fiddled with his gloves. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I don't think you can handle this. I know you can."

"Thanks, Sonic," Sally smiled. "I'll talk to you after?"

"Sounds good," Sonic nodded, calling out as she exited. "Break a leg!"

“I’d rather not!” Sally called back. Nicole made an audible sigh of annoyance at their banter.

The party was a who’s who of world leaders, world organization leaders, a few celebrities here and there, charity founders, pretty much if you had money and influence and wasn’t a known criminal, you were there.

Sally smiled and politely laughed where it mattered, trying to not visibly stare too hard at the snack table. 

She may have to go to this stupid party, she may have to wear this stupid dress, but nothing on this Moubis could stop her from getting some delicious fucking snacks.

The second the person she was talking to had finished and moved on, she practically ran over to the table. 

It wasn’t Rotor’s delicious homemade pastries and the homegrown vegetables of Knothole Village but it was still pretty good.

This dip was good for one, store bought but good. Sally scooped a spoonful of vegetable dip and some vegetables onto a plate, grabbing up a few finger foods as well.

The band stuck up another song, some people going to dance, and Sally found herself a quiet corner to enjoy her snacks.

She spies Elias on the ground, walking around, talking to people. Is it actually easy for him? Sally finds it very difficult.

It feels like lying when she wants to scream and shout, wants to rally people to a cause and charge at the problem until it’s gone. 

But that’s not always the solution. Sometimes, she’s not enough. Sometimes, more tact is required and Sally is nothing if not tactful. If she has no physical abilities to use, she can at least use the leadership skills she’d sharpened to the point she had.

Sally sighed, leaning her head against the wall. She hoped there were no cobwebs, otherwise she’d have them on her furbun.

Still, she’d honestly rather be anywhere then here but she can’t hide away forever. 

Sally finally leaves her corner, dumping her empty plate in the trash. 

As she does so, she notices a familiar face.

Wearing a dress that she looks far more comfortable in than Sally is, Rouge is gathering a mostly pastry based plate of food before walking away.

Sally spies Omega, wearing a comical tie on his clearly shined metallic body, and Shadow waiting for her.

Shadow quickly nabs Sally’s attention.

He’s wearing a suit jacket and a dress shirt, a bright red tie accenting the red stripes across its body. He’s wearing fingerless gloves, a bold contradiction to their formal attire, and Sally can swear she can see the slightest swipe of a bright shade of red on his claws, except for his red striped middle finger, which is black.

Sally realizes she’s staring when Shadow takes something off of Rouge’s plate and looks over in her direction, staring straight into her eyes.

It chokes before swallowing his food. He says something to Rouge, Sally can’t hear it from this far, before exiting the darkened doorway to approach her.

…Yeah, she can see the appeal of Shadow now. 

“Princess,” Shadow greets as they approach. “You look well. I didn’t think you cared much for dresses?”
“Ah, I don’t,” Sally agrees, snapping back into focus. “But it’s a special occasion, as you know. Didn’t I tell you to call me Sally already?”
“Consider it a nickname, if that’ll stop you from correcting me everytime we see each other,” Shadow huffs, rolling his eyes. Sally covers up her laugh.

“I didn’t know I’d see you here,” Sally said, trying to think of why he’d be here. “Didn’t you leave GUN?”
“We did,” Shadow agrees, pointing to the dance floor. “A fact that Tower still resents.”
Sally looks past, seeing GUN Commander Tower dancing very angrily with a bleach blonde woman who seems just as pissed.
“Topaz convinced many other agents to leave after we did to start an organization that would actually work to protect the United Federations, as well as any Mobian countries that requested aid,” Shadow explains, crossing his arms. “Rouge is Topaz’s plus one and she didn’t want to hire a babysitter for us.”

“For you or Omega?” Sally teased before stopping herself. Damn it, Sally, now’s not the time.
“Both, actually,” Shadow said, joking back. “We have a tendency to feed into each other’s more destructive habits, which does not do well for our apartment.”
“I imagine not,” Sally shuddered. There had not been many occasions where she’d shared the battlefield with both Omega and Shadow but she could imagine exactly how that would crack up. “You clean up nice for a party you didn’t even want to come to.”
“Rouge suggested we all coordinate attire,” Shadow shrugged, some strange shade of green to his cheeks. “This seemed acceptable. That is all.”
“It’s a complement,” Sally huffed. “You’re supposed to say ‘thank you’? Here, let me try again; ‘oh, Shadow, you look absolutely dashing’!”
Sally said the last bit in an overly high pitch voice, batting her eyelashes at Shadow.

The dark hedgehog lost his cool at her overly dramatic performance, stifling a snort that felt like a medal around her neck.
“Ahem… thank you, Princess,” Shadow finally said. “Does that satisfy you?”
“Very much so, yes,” Sally nodded, smirking. 

And then the roof exploded because Sally’s last reincarnation or some shit must’ve signed a contract that meant every moment of slight enjoyment Sally had had to be immediately ruined by some complete and utter fucking bullshit.

Eggman cackles as he descends, flying pod-like robots filling the ballroom as dignitaries and ambassadors scream in terror.
“Oh, fuck me,” both Shadow and Sally mutter. Gaia, how old was this fucker? Couldn’t he just have a heart attack and die in the bathroom like everyone else already?
“Hello, your Highnesses!” Eggman greeted Elias and Sally specifically. “Oh, and all of you fine people, of course. It was so nice of you to plan this little get-together near my home!”
“Can you just get to the point, Noisy McNoseHair?” Sally spat out, crossing her arms. The trick to facing Eggman was to not show fear. 

“Sally!” Elias hissed at her. Didn’t he know how he was playing right into Eggman’s hands? 

“Oh, Princess Sally, the sound of your voice is just as annoying as usual!” Eggman laughed, all guns turning to her. Sally swallowed around a lump in her throat. Overkill much? “Isn’t it a bad idea to get me angry unarmed?”
“Your first mistake was to assume I was unarmed,” Sally said, uncrossing her arms as her blue rings sparked to solar powered life, easily slicing through the robot right in front of her. 

She heard the power-up of a gun far too late, turning just in time to see Shadow pull out a pistol and fire directly into it. 

“Your second was assuming she’s alone,” Shadow added with a snarl. Their overly sharp teeth made it all the more menacing to Eggman and reassuring to Sally. 

Rouge and Omega were quick to leap into the frey while Topaz urged the mostly defenseless people out through the backdoor, Eggman too caught up in his losing battle with Sally and Team Dark.
“You brought a gun to a party?” Sally questioned, stabbing through three robots into a metallic kabob. Shadow kicked a spear into the air and through one that was shaking a little too suspiciously like a bomb. 

“You brought swords,” Shadow countered. “You have no room to talk.”
“I have plenty of room because a gun shouldn’t have passed security!” Sally huffed.
“I stuck it in Omega,” Shadow shrugged. “And took it back after we passed.”
“BECAUSE I AM A WALKING ARSENAL, THEY DO NOT CHECK ME FOR WEAPONS,” Omega intoned, blowing up thirty robots and making many very expensive holes in the already ruined roof. “I AM THE WEAPON.”
“Yes, yes, you are, Omega,” Rouge agreed, throwing her heel directly into Eggman’s face. “NOW STOP BANTERING AND FOCUS!”
“SORRY!” all three other combatants said, resuming the fight.

“Gah!” Eggman cried as the heel hit his face. He backed up his little mobile, taking what ‘bots remained with him. “Even without that meddlesome blue rat, you’re all a thorn in my side! I’ll be back! I’ll be back!”

He retreated and Sally retracted her swords.
Shadow sighed, glaring up after Eggman, his tail flicking in agitation.
“Hey,” Sally said quietly, nudging him. She gave a reassuring smile. “We make a good team, huh?”
“...Yeah,” Shadow agreed with a small smile of his own. There was something reminiscent in its shape. “We do.”



“I told you not to bring those!” Elias exclaimed as the other people left. Sally turned to him, insulted.

“If I hadn’t, we both probably wouldn’t be standing here,” Sally argued. “So what I think you mean is, you’re welcome!”
“Okay, yes, but don’t you realize that it’ll look bad to have brought weapons to such a serious meeting?” Elias hissed, rubbing his forehead.
“I protected us,” Sally crossed her arms. “I don’t know what else you want from me.”
"I want-" Elias started before being interrupted.

"Your Highness," Shadow said to Elias as he approached. The way their mouth sounded out the title made the so called nickname of Princess feel all the more affectionate in comparison. "I apologize for interrupting. I just wanted to thank the Princess for her assistance. I doubt we would have been able to momentarily fend off Doctor Eggman alone."

"Ah, of course," Elias said, smiling weakly. He had to be somewhat polite to Shadow. He was a member of a fledgling organization that was already rivaling GUN and a known hero. "I'm glad my sister could be of assistance."

"Could I trouble you for a discussion, Princess?" Shadow asked Sally directly. “If you’re not… busy.”
“Not at all,” Sally nodded, glancing back at Elias. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Ah, right,” Elias said with a nod. “Remember, we have that talk with the construction company!”
“I remember!” Sally called back, walking away with Shadow.

“What did you need to talk about?” Sally asked Shadow as they walked, entering what remained of the royal garden.
“Oh, I was lying,” Shadow shrugged. “You looked seconds away from killing your brother.”
“He means well but…” Sally sighed. Shadow hummed, nodding with sympathy. Sally looked around, recognizing where she was. “There used to be a maze here.”
“This is where you were a kid, right?” Shadow asked, crossing his arms.
“Well, what time for it I got,” Sally sighed. “I’ve spent more time in Knothole than this castle, this garden, this entire city. It’s a bit weird to think about it.”
“I can understand that,” Shadow agreed. “Some part of me still recognizes the Ark as home.”
“What was the Ark like to grow up on? I can’t really imagine much in the way of entertainment,” Sally asked.
“I had Maria and I had my various tests,” Shadow looked away. “I didn’t really want much more.”
“So you’ve never been on a playground? Never gone down a slide? A seesaw? Swings?” Sally frowned.
“Swings?” Shadow repeated, sounding almost offended. Sally grinned and grabbed its hand.
“C’mon,” Sally said eagerly, turning mock-stern when Shadow hesitated. “That’s an order from your princess.”
“I don’t take orders,” Shadow scoffed, pulling his hand away. Sally crossed her arms.
“Then as a request from your friend?” Sally tried. Shadow paused before sighing, following Sally.

Eggman either never messed with the playground or Elias had repaired it at some point.

The swings struggled to hold the two 'adults'’ weight.

“We’re a little old for this, aren’t we?” Sally laughed. Shadow huffed and nodded, tail flicking. “But it’s a good reminder of how things used to be. Of how I’m going to make things be again.”
Probably not for herself. Sally’s not sure if she’d even be comfortable in peace anymore. The idea of doing… nothing made her restless, just from the thought. 

But for all the children being born and growing up in a world with Eggman in it… she wanted them to have the years of youthful joy she once had. 

“You’re quite determined,” Shadow remarked. “How do you know you’ll succeed?”
“What other option do I have?” Sally shrugged, tightening her grip on the chains holding the swing up.

Shadow hmphed.
“What other option indeed,” Shadow sighed.
“For someone who doesn’t take orders, I never expected you to join… well, any organization,” Sally tilted her head.
“I want peace as badly as you do, Princess,” Shadow replied. “I suppose that means I have to do things I’d rather not to achieve that.”
“Yeah,” Sally agreed. “Yeah.”
“You looked…” Shadow struggled with the words for a moment. “Beautiful tonight.”
“Really?” Sally scoffed. “I felt like a bottle of toothpaste.”
“An elegant bottle of toothpaste then,” Shadow huffed, looking away. “Weren’t you the one who told me to just accept a compliment?”
“...You’re right,” Sally nodded. “I did. Thank you, Shadow.”
“...Right,” Shadow looked away again, face red. He stood up, offering a hand to Sally. “Shall I walk you home, Princess?”
“Yes, please, Shadow,” Sally smiled and accepted. 

"Well, someone had a fun night," Rouge said as Shadow finally came home, jacket thrown across his arm.
"Shut it," Shadow groaned, sitting down next to her.
"Well, while you were playing Royal Charmer," Rouge said, holding up a device. "My handy dandy shoe might have just led us to Eggman."
"Let me guess," Shadow sighed. "You want me to investigate."
"In the morning," Rouge nodded. "I'm sure you're exhausted from batting your eyes up at Princess Sally for so long."
"That is not what happened," Shadow said, face red. 
"Was it?" Rouge grinned like a cheshire cat. Shadow got up and hurried past her to their room. "Sleep well, hun!"

"So, how was it?" Sonic asked Sally the next day, waking her up as he hopped onto her bed.
"Small, leave me alone," Sally grumbled, tossing her pillow over her head.
"I heard Eggman attacked," Sonic pressed. "Heard you and Team Dark teamed up."
"Oh, they certainly did," Nicole teased.
"Don't you have my brother to irritate?" Sally grumbled, halfheartedly tossing a blanket over Nicole on the computer.
Sally paused, moving her pillow away. Sonic tilted his head.
"Hey, what face is that?" Sonic asked, poking her cheek. "Saaaal, what happened?"
"...I think I'm starting to catch feelings for Shadow," Sally confessed with a sigh, glancing at Sonic. "Is that okay?"
Sonic looks surprised before shaking his thoughts away, grinning.
"Uh, yeah!" Sonic said. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Because you like him," Sally sat up, crossing her arms.
"Well, yeah, but I'm 80% sure I'm not his type," Sonic laughed anxiously. "You though? Totally."
"Hm..." Sally frowned. 
"Come on, give it a chance!" Sonic said. "Sal, you're my best friend, I want you to be happy. If you think Shadow will make you happy, you him, I say give it a shot!"
"But you like him," Sally argued. "I don't want to-"
"Sal, you're always gonna be first to me, alright?" Sonic cut off. "Come on. Are you really gonna let my feelings get in the way of your actual chance?"
Sally was trying to move on from Sonic. There were worse people for Sally to fall for. 
"...Alright," Sally agreed. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt."
"That's my bestie!" Sonic cheered, beaming. 
His smile dropped the second Sally turned away, an almost pained expression on his face.

Chapter Text

It's been two days since Eggman had sent his latest crackpot experiment to capture Sonic.

And succeeded. 

To Eggman's credit, Sonic still isn't sure how he did it. 

How'd he convince Zavok, Chaos, and Shadow to join the evil party again?

Especially Chaos. Especially Shadow!

There was no way that was the real Shadow. He'd hardly felt Shadow's heartbeat go higher than a calm beat despite him apparently kicking Sonic's ass the whole time.

Plus he'd looked… wrong the whole time. His horns were two big, his tail too long, his third eye didn't even blink.

Something wasn't right here but Sonic's sure he'd figure it out.

"Ah, hello, Sonic!" Eggman's voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. "Have you been enjoying your stay?" 

"Oh, hey, Eggster, thought you'd forgotten about me!" Sonic called out, unsure where Eggman was listening from. Probably not from the same area. 

"Ohohoho, hardly," Eggman chuckled. "Say, did I ever tell you what happened to your dear Uncle Chuck?"

"You robotized him and then broke him into a bunch of pieces so even if we discover how to unrobotize someone, we'll never be able to save him?" Sonic 'guessed', sounding unimpressed.

"Well… yes, how'd you know?" Eggman sounded surprised.

"Time Eater dropped me off right after you did that," Sonic shrugged. Eggman was quiet for a moment before bursting out in laughter.

"Oh, even with time travel on your side, you're still unable to stop me!" Eggman gloated.

"I've stopped you plenty of times," Sonic said, standing up. It was a little difficult with the electric cuffs around his wrists and ankles but he managed. "We'll just add this to the list."

Eggman laughed, his voice fading into someone else's.

"We shall see…" Eggman's latest dog laughed, stepping out of what seemed to be nowhere.

"Where'd Eggman dig you up?" Sonic huffed. "Usually he turns his lackeys into robots during the hiring process."

"That matters not," the masked jackal responded. "All that matters… is fulfilling my end of the deal. Prepare to suffer."

Sonic's cuffs vanished as Chaos oozed in, leering over Sonic.

Sonic grinned at Chaos.

This was fine. He'd be out of here in no time. It was simply a matter of surviving until he could escape himself or until someone came to rescue him! He was a patient fella, he could handle it.

He couldn't handle it. 

Sonic's not sure why he expected a rescue. After all, he's the one usually doing the rescuing. If he can't save himself, why would anyone else even bother?

Sonic was too worried about his friends anyway. 

It's been six months and he's fairly certain Eggman's been raising hell on them.

Was Sally okay?

Was Shadow? This jackal guy, Infinite, he said to call him, really hated him, enjoyed tormenting Sonic through Shadow, having the dark biohog spat the word "Pathetic," before making Sonic watch him get torn apart. 

Sonic's has had a not great six months. It's too quiet until Infinite shows up and then torments him.

Whatever Infinite's powers are, teleportation or illusions or whatever, Sonic's ending up in a lot of destroyed places, places that look familiar.

Also Eggman bases. Lots of Eggman bases. Sonic's trying to keep track of them in his mind. 

He just wants to see his friends again, really, his actual friends, not the cruel fakes that mock him, not the dead bodies shaped eerily like them. No one is coming. 

Sonic's been trying to be strong, to keep up his bark, even if he doesn't have much in the way of bite, but…

Sonic's running out of steam. Physically, mentally, he's drawing a tad too close too empty and unlike the other times when it's happened- ( a call that was unanswered as the world below became lifeless, claws digging to an artificial gem as he prayed for a miracle, screaming as his body morphed and changed into a shape almost unrecognizable, pausing to fix his shoes in a house that was now forever empty )- there’s really no solution out he can see. Somehow, that just makes the empty and helpless feeling feel worse. No one is coming. 

There has to be a way out. Six months have passed, there has to be a way out, Eggman’s guard lowering, power running out, some slip, some hiccup Sonic could throw himself at to get out. No one is coming. 

There was nothing.

Six months.

No one was coming. Sonic couldn’t find a way out. 

…Was this how his Uncle Chuck felt?
Focus, Sonic. The fight isn’t over until you can’t run anymore. You still have two working legs. As long as you can run, you can’t quit. You know that.

Just as Eggman was waiting for Sonic’s moment of weakness, so was Sonic waiting for Eggman’s and Sonic had historically more luck than Eggman.

He just had to wait.

Sonic hears footsteps and closes his eyes.

Hm… too solid to be Chaos but too light to be Zavok. Maybe Metal Sonic? No, Sonic normally only hears this horrid screeching before he shows up, not footsteps. 

That only leaves…
“Shadow,” Sonic greets as the fake walks in. Sonic knows now for certain he’s a fake for multiple reasons. 

One, he’s seen Infinite kill Shadow more than once, two, the lightning on his body’s all wrong, not the right light for an almost completely dark room. The lighting on ‘Shadow’ made him look like he was standing in some fading sunlight and his stripes were the completely wrong shade of red; far too bright, like freshly spilled blood.
The fake doesn’t stop walking, beelining right for Sonic.

Sonic forces himself to his feet, even as his body aches and his cuffs nearly make him fall. He frowns.

How come it isn’t stopping? Sonic flinches as the fake walks through him.

What?
Sonic blinks in confusion. Why had it done that? Was that some kind of trick? 

Or was it…

Sonic doesn’t waste any time, hobbling over to the electric bars of his cell, shoving his cuffs up to it.

The identical but opposing energies do not take kindly to being forced to cross and Sonic lets out a slight hiss as they spark once before turning off.

He’s free. Holy shit.

Sonic stares down at his uncuffed hands, his gloves falling to pieces and singed around the wrists.

An alarm going off shocks Sonic out of his relief and he runs, the entire building flashing red as he did so.

Focus, Sonic, exiting your cell did not mean you’re free. You’re not out of the woods yet.

As he runs, he passes a window and halts, nearly falling over.

He’s in fucking space?! Sonic stared out the window, red lights flashing as he stared down at the blue and green planet before.

Shit. that made escape a good deal harder.

…unless…
Sonic resumed running, there had to be a radio or something like that around here, there just had to be!
In the next room, there were more computers than Sonic had time to count, all connected to one long button filled control panel. It’d have to do.

Sonic slammed the door shut, shoving a couple boxes in front. He could hear someone coming after him down the hall.

Eggman? Infinite? That phantom of Shadow? Sonic doesn’t really know. He supposes it doesn’t really matter. 

Sonic remembers the radio signal for the Resistance, he can only pray it hasn’t changed.

“Sonic the hedgehog calling the Resistance from… someplace above you, I repeat, Sonic the hedgehog calling the Resistance!” Sonic called out, flinching as the doors shuddered behind him.
“We hear you, Sonic,” came a stranger’s voice, surprised. “Can you tell us where you are?”
“Not entirely sure,” Sonic laughed anxiously. “I’m not on Moubis, I’ll tell you that. I can see Moubis from up here but I’m not sure where here is-”
There’s a horrid squeal of sound in the air and Sonic isn’t fast enough to avoid a familiar metallic arm reaching out and grabbing his forearm.
“Let go!” Sonic cried, attempting to yank away from his metallic double.
Metal Sonic is ignorant to his demands, its emotionless and dark eyes boring into Sonic.

Its grip tightens as Sonic attempts to pull free. It tilts its head, as if listening for some unseen order, as Sonic ignores the calls from the Resistance to attempt to escape.
Its claws dig into Sonic’s arm and it pulls .

The sound is wet and sounds just as painful as it feels and Sonic can’t help but to scream. 

Five months before Sonic has his arm torn off, Shadow claws himself out of a false Green Hill Zone into the worried arms of Rouge.

He left a month ago to deal with an Eggman base. He came home from that, having urged a squad of Jackals to avoid Eggman’s services, no matter how well he paid, only to be called back a day later to deal with the worsened condition of Eggman’s infestation.

He got pulled into an illusion, a fantasy, where the faces of those he loved haunted him.

Shadow saw Rouge, Omega, Sonic- the whole cast of people who Shadow loved were there. 

All puppeted by some faceless mastermind who claimed Shadow had killed everyone the puppeteer loved.

Shadow was fairly certain he hadn’t killed… anyone? Correct him if he’s wrong. 

But Shadow clawed his way out, literally, Rouge tracing his signal just in time to catch him as he fell out of some magenta hole in space. 

He’d been replaced. 

Some… pretender had appeared and helped taken Sonic down, assisting Eggman in his global conquest. 

“It killed Sonic,” Rouge told him, dressing the wounds that were being slow to heal. “And if anyone sees you, they’ll…”
Sonic? Dead?
Shadow raised a hand to his chest.

A second heartbeat, steady and firm, pounded in his chest.
“Sonic’s not dead,” Shadow replied.
“How do you know?” Rouge questioned.
“I can feel it,” Shadow shrugged. “There’s just this… feeling. I know that sounds foolish but…”
“Well, you’re not the only one who believes that if it helps,” Rouge sighed. She clearly didn’t believe him but she didn’t seem like she wanted to argue.

Tails had left the Resistance, made his own little bunker.

When Shadow entered, he nearly got his head blown off, Rouge hurrying between them.
“It wasn’t me,” Shadow pleaded. 

Tails looked at him, gun arm shaking, his own organic eyes filling with angry tears.
“Why should I believe you?” Tails hissed, looking more than ready to kill.
““I know Sonic’s still alive, I just want to help,” Shadow insisted, pressing his hand to his chest. “I can still feel him. He’s still here. I know it.”
Tails hesitated, lowered his arm slightly. The fox glanced at Rouge before lowering his arm, allowing the two in.
“I’m surprised you’re alone here,” Shadow commented, keeping a careful distance from the fox. “I can’t imagine the Princess would be fine with you being on your own in the middle of… this.”
“Sally doesn’t know where I am,” Tails hissed, looking away. “And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Shadow frowned before looking at Rouge, who looked away.
“It’s only been a month,” Tails went on. “And everyone’s given up on him. Even her. Especially her. He never would have given up on her.”
Oh! Oh.

“...I see,” Shadow sighed and nodded.
“He’s my brother,” Tails pleaded. “I know him better than anyone. I know he’s still alive. Still out there. If he could be taken down that easily, we all would’ve been lost a long time ago.”
“I know,” Shadow said, stepping up next to him, picking up and straightening a pile of papers. “What do we need to do?”
Tails’ face brightened. 

In the cover of night, Shadow crept in. He was lucky. The way here had been empty of most badniks and the base was quiet and empty. 

 Sure enough, left in the corner Tails told him about, Shadow finds a deserted, half opened box.

"Like taking candy from a baby-" Shadow mutters to himself but is caught off by the room being illuminated by a familiar shade of blue.

He turns, face to face with the princess.

Sally glares at him, blades drawn. Shadow opens his mouth to defend himself but Sally responds quicker.

She relaxes, her blades vanishing. 

"It's really you," she sighs. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"You know?" Shadow asked. "How?"

"Your copy, it's the wrong shade of red," Sally explained, picking up some doodad off the table. "Once I noticed that, I couldn't stop noticing. Tails sent you?"

Shadow nodded.

"Any chance I can convince you to tell me where he is?" Sally tried. "He hid his signal from Nicole."

"He's right, you know," Shadow picked up the box as Sally dropped the doodad in the box. 

"Of course he's right," Sally agreed. "Do you really think I wouldn't know that?"

"What? Then why aren't you helping look for Sonic?" Shadow exclaimed.

"We... we just have the manpower, time, or energy to do so," Sally shook her head. Her words sound like a recited script. "This is a brutal assault on par with his initial takeover. We have to dedicate all our energy to stopping this now."

She was leaving Sonic. She was leaving him on purpose.

"This shouldn't take long anyway," Sally tried to reassure. "Sonic'll understand."

"You say that like it's a good thing," Shadow scoffs at that last bit.

Sally crossed her arms.

"I'm not the leader here," Sally defended. "If I just focused on my self centered desires and not what our people need… I'd be a failure of a princess."

"Of course," Shadow said, anger dripping into his voice. "You do that, Princess."

Shadow stormed out.

He got why Tails left now.

“Did you get everything?” Tails asked as Shadow walked in.
“Everything,” Shadow nodded.
“Great! We’ll find Sonic in no time!” Tails beamed. Shadow looked away, frowning. “You know what the worst part is for me?”
“Hm?” Shadow asked.
“Sonic will definitely forgive Sally,” Tails frowned. “But she’ll never forgive herself for thinking Sonic’s dead.”
For thinking Sonic’s dead. Shadow bit his tongue. It’s not his painful truth to reveal.
“I see,” Shadow said.

Two months and three days into the war, Shadow blew up a wave of badniks coming near some civilians, confusing everyone involved.

Two months and four days into the war, Shadow got shot in the back (by a badnik or a civilian, Shadow never found out), and passed out in a sewer drain while his body healed.

He woke up two hours later, moved out of the sewer drain into an alley, covered by an old scratchy blanket. 

Shadow returned it to the Resistance base on his way back to Tails and Rouge.

Two months and two weeks into the war, Shadow pulled Sally away from an exploding building.

Three months into the war, Sally cornered Shadow to give him some food. She claimed it was for Tails but she put coffee beans into the pack. How did she know? 

Three months and a half into the war, Shadow and Sally sat down on a roof and talked.

“You can see the Ark from here,” Shadow said, pointing to an overly bright ‘star’ in the sky.

“Wow,” Sally whispered. “I never thought of looking for it. Do you remember a lot from it?”
“Not much,” Shadow shrugged. “With all the mental tampering, add in the memory issues caused by my… fall, and most of it is still a dream like blur. I remember more than I did two years ago but…”
“I get that,” Sally agreed. “My parents both died when I was very young so I barely remember them now. Elias tells me things about them, sometimes, but I don't remember them.”
“Huh,” Shadow looked over at her before looking away. “Memory is quite the fickle thing, isn’t it.”

Four months into the war, Shadow and Sally argue about Tails.

“He’s not safe on his own!” Sally snapped, ducking as a Death Egg Robot fired upon their hiding spot. It was probably the reason Sally was now insisting on Tails’ return.

“He’s not alone,” Shadow snapped back, glancing over to see if it was still there, ducking quickly back out of sight. “I’m watching him. It’s your own fault he left. If you would just-”
“I’m not putting my people at risk for the rare chance that Sonic might still be alive,” Sally hissed. "Even if I wanted to, Elias won't listen to me!"
“It’s not a chance and you know it,” Shadow argued back.
“We still can’t risk it,” Sally shook her head. “You and Tails haven’t found hide or hair of him! For all we know, he could be-”
The gunfire had stopped. Sally cuts herself as she presses an earpiece somehow deeper into her ear.
Her eyes widened.

“Shit!” she screams, getting up and running. Shadow stands up, following. “They found our current base, they’re firing on them!”
“Hold tight,” Shadow says, scooping Sally up. 

They arrive in time to see Bunnie force herself out of the wreckage of the base and fire what looked like twenty wisps out of her arm at the ‘bot.

Shadow carried her down to the group before hastily backtracking to a hiding spot.

His face was still seen as part of the enemy. Trying to distinguish them could only get people hurt so Shadow had refused all of Sally’s offers to clear up the confusion.

He regretted that now as Sally ran over to Bunnie, talked to her for a moment before screaming, and dropping to her knees in tears.

Four months into the war, King Elias Acorn died. 

After that, Sally didn’t end up the field a lot. Shadow could imagine why. If she wasn’t in a leadership role before, she was most definitely in one now.

The last surviving Acorn. Shadow can imagine how she feels.

But, if there’s a bright side to this, she’s out of harm’s way now. Shadow misses her though. 

For all their… differences, she was an intelligent mind who knew how to fight and that is a valuable person to know in a crisis like that.

Shadow found himself mostly sneaking into Eggman’s bases, tearing things apart and looking for any sign of Sonic.

He couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t. Shadow could literally feel his heart.

It speed up, it slowed down, signs of not just life but activity. Probably not good activity but it just gave Shadow all the proof he needed to find him. 

Six months into the war, Sonic called for rescue.

Tails called him in, saying one of his bugs had picked something up at the Resistance base.

Sonic was alive, he was okay, he was still fighting, he was- 

He was hurt. He was hurt and trapped and scared. Shadow’s never going to forget the sound of Sonic’s screams as flesh was torn, the way Sonic’s heart pounded in his chest like a wardrum. 

“He’s on the Death Egg,” Tails said, effortlessly tracing the call, despite his own shaky hands. “Of course! Why didn’t I think to check there?”
Because it felt too obvious, because surely Eggman wouldn’t put his greatest nemesis right next to his seat of power.

Unless he was certain he could keep his nemesis contained. 

Oh god, they’d left Sonic up there for six months.

No one’s coming. No one’s coming.

Sonic’s not sure if the mantra is his or Infinite’s anymore. He isn’t sure of anything. 

Blood loss is not good for keeping your head straight. Sonic hissed in pain as he pressed his hand against his stub of an arm. 

When Sonic was ten, he started scarring in gold, injuries healing up with an almost metallic colored glow. Sonic wondered how the scar of his stub would look when it healed. 

If it heals. 

Oh Gaia. Sonic might die up here. Sonic closed his eyes. 

An explosion rocked and Sonic suppressed a flinch, his body hurt enough without him moving. A siren rang out and sounds of violence filled the air.

Sonic peeked his eyes open, trying to follow the muddled shapes fighting outside his cage.

Finally the bars lowered and a hooded figure came into view.

He knew it wouldn’t be her but he couldn’t help but hoping.
“Took you long enough,” Sonic croaked as the figure picked him up. They pulled down their hood.
“Sorry, no time for banter, it’s a grab and go situation,” Shadow, the real Shadow, the shade was right, the lighting, he wasn’t too sharp but not too soft, it was him, it was really him, said. “Let’s go.”
Sonic nodded, relief and mild disappointment warring in his chest, leaning on Shadow. 

Shadow’s heartbeat doubled in Sonic’s ears as he rested his head against the soft fluff of Shadow’s chest. It felt a little bit like safety.

Chapter Text

Sonic's blood follows Shadow like a trail as he carries the injured hedgehog.

He'd love to stay and tear this place apart but he was already working on borrowed time, even without Sonic's injury.

Tore his arm off, who fucking does that?!

"Well, well, if it isn't Shadow," a not too familiar but not stranger voice purred out, a strange sound occurring as the jackal warped into existence.

"Infinite," Shadow snapped, pulling Sonic closer.
“I see you’ve finally come for your precious hero. I hope you don’t mind his condition,” Infinite chuckled. “Things got a little… out of hand.”
“Did you do this to him?” Shadow snarled, his tail snapping back and forth.
“In a sense, yes,” Infinite shrugged and nodded.
“Why? Why work for Eggman? You can’t be stupid enough to think he won’t toss you to the side once he no longer needs you,” Shadow growled.
“I don’t care,” Infinite hissed. “As long as you suffer, nothing else matters to me. You took everything from me, now I’ll take everything from you.”
Shadow went to question that statement but Sonic made a sound of pain, pulling his attention back to what really mattered.

“I don’t have time for this,” Shadow said, preparing to run.
“Surely you don’t think I’ll just let you go,” Infinite mocked.
“You don’t have a choice, you pathetic worm,” Shadow sneered as explosions sounded from the outside. Infinite’s head darted to the noise and Shadow ran. 

That was the signal.
“Here’s our ride,” he told Sonic as he ran into the hanger, Tails flying in just as he entered. He climbed into the biplane, resting Sonic upright on a seat.
Tails glanced back as he prepared their exit.
“Sweet Gaia, what’d they do to him?” Tails exclaimed.
“Focus on flying,” Shadow said firmly but not ungently. He understood this was a sight the kit probably would have never dreamed of seeing. “Let’s get out of here.”
As they flew off, Shadow glanced back.

He could see Infinite in the hanger, his lone yellow eye seeming to follow Shadow.

…Infinite couldn’t have been telling the truth. Some grudge against him couldn’t be the cause of… of all of this . 

It just couldn’t.

Back at base, Shadow and Tails looked over Sonic’s fitfully sleeping form.
“You have to take him to the resistance,” Shadow finally said, walking over to his Miles Electric. “I know where the current one is so I’ll just input the coords.”
“Right,” Tails nodded before pausing. “You’re… coming too, right?”
Shadow paused.
“Tails, right now, I’m not exactly the most welcome visitor there,” he said, turning to the kit.
“But Sally knows you’re good! She can vouch for you!” Tails insisted.
“I’ll be more help if people still see my face as the enemy,” Shadow shook his head. “The systems of Eggman’s bases still get confused when they see me. I can’t risk giving up that advantage.”
“...I think you’re just scared,” Tails huffed, looking away and crossing his arms. Shadow rolled his eyes.

Teenage angst. Of course it had to hit the kit right when both Sonic and Sally weren’t around.
“Tails, my feelings don’t matter,” Shadow sighed. “What matters is getting Sonic medical attention. We can worry about clearing my name after that.”
Tails softened at that, his robotic eye clearly scanning his older brother.
“We’ve both done all we can do for him on our own,” Shadow said gently as he could. “You need to go to the Princess. Both of you.”
Tails made a face but sighed and nodded. He hurried out to fire his plane up. More Death Egg Robots had filled the area, flying was not the safest route but it was the quickest.

“Do I smell guilt?” Rouge asked, fluttering in. she paused once she saw Sonic, turning her attention back to Shadow. “Because there’s a strangely guilty air about you.”
“It’s nothing,” Shadow shook his head. “I’m just… taking the ramblings of some maniac more seriously than I should.”
“Well, you do have a habit to do that,” Rouge nodded. “You haven’t seen Omega, have you? I sent him over to you days ago.”
“He got to us but not unharmed,” Shadow reassured. “He’s down in the shop if you wanna check on him.”
Rouge frowned and fluttered past. 

Shadow turned back to the Miles Electric, punching in the coords. He looked back at Sonic.

“...I’m sorry,” he whispered, an apology meant for deaf and unforgiving ears. 

Sonic woke on a hospital bed, his arm itching like the devil. Eyes closed, he moved to scratch it.

His reaching hand met empty air and his eyes flew open.

The memories of the last few months hit him like a brick and he turned his head, puking into a well placed bucket. 

“You’re awake,” Sally said, sitting up from the chair she was sitting at. Sonic stared at her.

Was this… real? Sonic looked around. It… looked real. He turned his attention to Sally, staring into her face. There was always one detail that looked wrong when it was fake Sally.

Sure enough, on her chin, there was something of a scar. It wasn’t from anything cool, it was just an acne scar but Sally always covered it up when on camera. Sonic assumes that’s what Infinite bases his fakes on. 

“Heya, Sal,” Sonic finally responded, assured in his place in reality. “How’ve you been?”
He’s out. He’s fucking out. Someone actually came for him!
Sure, a couple months late and one limb less but better late than never!
“Not well but that can wait,” Sally sighed, walking over to him with a wet rag. He flinched away at her touch initially before allowing her to clean his face. “How do you feel?”
Honestly? Like literal shit. 

“Could be better,” Sonic sighed, subconsciously leaning into her touch. When was the last he had a nonviolent touch? Wait. “Where's Shadow?”

“He’s… not here,” Sally glanced away. “I have a lot to explain.”
“Well, I imagine you’re not letting me out of here anytime soon so fire away,” Sonic gestured about.

Sally made a face and nodded.

Twenty minutes later, Sonic could only think of one thing to say.
“Sweet fucking Gaia,” Sonic exclaimed. “That’s… none of that was good.”
The fakes that beat the shit out of him were still at large, 99.9% of the planet had been taken over, Elias was dead, and it had been six fucking months.

"Yeah," Sally agreed with a wince. "It's really not."

"I've got my work cut out for me," Sonic sighed, hoping out of bed.

"Absolutely not, you literally just got out of capture, you're not going back on the field," Sally exclaimed. "You need to rest."

"Sal, I've been sitting on my butt for six months," Sonic huffed. "I can rest when this is over."

"You lost an arm!" Sally insisted.

"I never really needed my arms," Sonic tried to make light of it. "Legs are the only real thing I need to fight. Oh, and my quills but that doesn't matter."

"Sonic, please, you've already been hurt enough," Sally said before stopping. She looked away, something like guilt or shame filling her expression. "And I'm sorry for that."

"What?" Sonic asked, confused.

"For… for leaving you up there. We didn't have the time or the manpower to fight while looking for you so I just…" she trailed off. "And then Elias died and I had so much responsibility that I couldn't even be on the field anymore-!"

"Sal, it's… you're okay," Sonic said. "I get it. You were trying to do the right thing."

Sally sniffled. 

"Don't say that," she whimpered. "That's worse."

"Okay," Sonic sighed. He really wasn't mad at her. He knew how Sal's mind worked. She was genuinely trying to do the right thing.

Didn't mean it didn't hurt though.

"You want me to stay put? Fine," Sonic tried to cross his arms, forgetting he was missing one for a second. "I'm sure I can find some way to help."

"Thank you," Sally sighed, relaxing. "I just… I can't risk losing you again, not with... I just can't. Tails nearly lost his mind looking for you."

"Where was Tails during all of this?" Sonic asked. Had his kit been alone in the middle of a fucking warzone?!

"Don't worry, he was with Team Dark," Sally reassured. "He ran off on his own though."

"Ugh, teen rebellion," Sonic joked, feeling something relax at that. "Could be worse. I’m sure Shadow was probably the only good influence of the three."

Sally smiled weakly, something wistful in her eyes at the mention of Shadow. 

"Could be," she agreed. Sonic frowned. “But I’m… sure you’ve heard about Shadow. It’s not true, of course, he’s too good to… never mind. I should let you rest.”

This war had really messed her up. Well, of course it had. Elias is dead. Tails ran away. Eggman was fucking winning. Sonic had to fix this before things got worse.

He went to reach out to her with his left hand but, well. 

Sonic bit his lip, glad she hadn't noticed that little slip up.

This was no time for any handicaps. Sonic had to get over this one arm thing and fast.

 Word of advice; if you're going to kidnap and torture someone, don't indirectly give them all the details of your most secret, most secure, and most important bases.

Sonic had never been one for mapmaking, much less with one hand, but he made it work. Nicole helped him draw out the maps, for one, making them 3D for the rest of the group. Nicole seemed just as relieved at being able to help as Sonic felt.

"Operation Big Wave's gonna go off without a hitch!" Knuckles cheered. "Once we destroy that Ruby's power source, Robotropilis will be easy pickings."

"Don't get too cocky," Amy warned, taking Sonic's latest map. "This is bigger than just the Acorn Kingdom now. We're lucky Princess Blaze was willing to accept so many people."

"And that the wisps were willing to help out," Sonic added, tossing a treat to the blue cube one hovering around Amy. "Giving you guys a whole lot of firepower." 

"Haha," Bunnie rolled her eyes as both her and Rotor's wisp partners cooed at the mention of their favorite element. "Can we please focus?"

Bunnie's temper was shorter than Sonic remembered. He hoped that didn't have anything to do with Antoine. 

Sonic hadn't seen that coyote in a while and he was kind of scared to ask. 

Elias' death had been a painful surprise and Sonic hadn't even really liked the guy. Antoine's would just…

"Alright!" Knuckles said, pulling attention back to him. "Let's get out there and get our home back!" 

The group of leaders cheered as they rushed out, leaving Sonic behind.

Sonic sighed, slumping in a chair.

It was too loud, the dripping of the tap against the metal sink.

Sonic got up to turn the sink completely off but his stub of an arm got in the way.

He felt utterly helpless. He felt like prey.

"Sonic?" Nicole asked, Sonic nearly spindashing into the speaker her voice came out of. "Sorry. Tails asked me to get you."

"Thanks, Nicole," Sonic nodded.

Sonic was so relieved someone had been watching his baby brother. 

Sonic's not sure how he'd take the idea of the kit being alone out there in that hellscape. Probably not well.

Sonic seriously needed to thank Rouge and Shadow and maybe sort of Omega later.

Especially Shadow. 

Sonic's remaining hand went to his chest, feeling Shadow's heartbeat. 

It'd been a relief in that horrid cell, it was a relief now.

Sonic got… why in a sense, but he still wished Shadow would stop hiding, advantages be damned.

Being alone, with so many people hating you, Sonic can't imagine it's not hurting Shadow but then again, Shadow's pretty tough.

He probably didn't even care.

Sonic knocked on Tails' door before entering.

They'd both nearly gotten panic attacks last time Sonic entered without knocking, haha, embarrassing.

"Sonic!" Tails beamed. "Great! I just finished the arm you asked me for!"

"Oh?" Sonic asked, entering.

There was an arm on Tails' worktable.

It looked fine except…

it looked a lot like Metal Sonic's arm.

"It can handle most of your highest speeds but be careful and it has a grappling hook, for when you need to get up places," Tails was explaining. Did he not notice? "Oh, and a capacity for wisps to enter it for attacks! So you don't have to absorb them yourself to use their power!"

Tails beamed up at Sonic, proud.

Sonic looked at the Metal-Sonic-like arm before beaming back.

"It's perfect, little buddy," Sonic fibbed. "Put it on me!"

The arm fits perfectly and a quick testrun of its features reveal it’s all in working order but Sonic was more than happy to take it off once Tails asks him to.
“I’ll try and make you one for more average day tasks but this should work for now,” Tails said, tucking the arm. “But a few little touch-ups and you’re free to go out.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Sally said, stepping in. She did not look happy. “Tails, where’d you get the materials for this? You know we can’t waste supplies, right?”
“Sal, relax,” Sonic said, defending Tails. “I’m sure Tails didn’t waste anything.”
“You don’t know how tight of a ship I’m trying to run here, Sonic,” Sally groaned, massaging her temple.
“I mostly used parts from Metal Sonic, I had some leftovers from before the war,” Tails assured, rolling his eyes. “Nothing from the stuff you guys have.”
Sonic notes Tails’ choice to not include himself with the resistance for a later conversation.

Sally sags, running a hand through her hair, a few strands of fur getting yanked out. Sonic frowned and took a step closer to her.
“Sal, you need to relax-” Sonic starts but she cuts him off.
“I can’t,” Sally hisses, turning away. “Relaxing is what got me into this mess.”
Sally storms off and Sonic frowns, hand tightening into a fist. He goes to reach out for her-

But it’s with the wrong arm again and he just leans forward as she walks away.

Useless. He’s useless now.
“Tails?” Sonic asked. “How soon can you get that arm ready to go?”

The answer is; very soon.

Tails insists on seeing it after every outside use but once Sonic puts it to use, oh, it’s very well used.

Sonic missed this, the fighting, the noise, up on what was apparently the Death Egg, fighting was… very one sided and very 1v1. Don’t get it twisted! Sonic’s always down for a good sparring match or whatever but it’s nice to fight with, no, for a team again.

It’s nice to have a purpose again.

Sonic’s just relieved his little pitstop on the Death Egg didn’t turn his skills into mush but, then again, he’s been doing this for years, since he was a kid. His muscle memory is probably carrying that. 

Sometimes, he gets tired now though, in a way he hadn’t really before ( liar ). He slows down for a second, just needing a breath.

But then Sonic hears Sally, sees Bunnie’s pinched face, the way Amy’s quills were once again cut short after growing them out, sees Knuckles’ smoldering fear under his mask of sensibility and focused rage, sees Tails at an age where he should be exploring his own personal freedom, not working on his big brother’s arm.

He sees that and he’s got all the energy he needs. 

Sonic just knows, at this rate, he can set everything right. Years of progress will not be lost, they can’t be. 

He just needs to keep his head on straight!

Sonic sees Chaos approaching Tails and he freezes but his little buddy can defend himself by now. 

He sees Zavok and he makes sure his mouth is moving too much to even imagine the taste of blood.

He sees Metal Sonic and he has three arms all of sudden, one being torn off-

He sees Shadow.

But Sonic knows it’s not Shadow. It’s the fake. Wrong shade, wrong shade, the pounding in his chest drowns out Shadow’s heartbeat.

Real Shadow takes his flesh hand.
“Sonic?” he says, sounding worried, as if he’d been just talking. Sonic blinks, glancing behind him. A thing that looked like Shadow disintegrated behind the real Shadow. “You spaced out.”
“Oh,” Sonic’s mouth feels full of cotton. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” Shadow says, pulling his hand away. Sonic wants to yank it back. He doesn’t. “You were frightened.”
“I wasn’t frightened, I was just-” Sonic pauses, mulling over an excuse. “Distracted! Damn thing snuck up on me.”
“You didn’t think it was me, did you?” Shadow asks. He sounds like he’s trying to be nonchalant but his tail reveals his true feelings.
“Of course not,” Sonic scoffs. “I knew that thing was bogus from the beginning. Your eyes are way prettier.”
Shadow’s relief turns to confusion.
“What?” Shadow asks.
“Uh, nothing!” Sonic exclaims. “You should come back with me!”
“No,” Shadow crossed his arms, shaking his head. “All it’ll do is cause confusion. I’m better use to you all in the shadows.”
“Very funny pun, Shads, but I miss you! I’ve been worried, it’s hard to find you! We’ll put a bell on you or something if you’re so worried,” Sonic pleads. Shadow wavers but doesn’t falter. That’s fine. Sonic remembers a little detail from before the war and add that to the way Sally still talked about him… “Sal really misses you. I think it’d take some worry off her mind to see you okay.”
Shadow’s face remained unmoving but his tail froze before curling. Sonic wasn’t sure what that meant but he had a guess.
“...Fine,” Shadow agreed. “Just to make sure you don’t get… distracted on your way back.”
Sonic cheered, his own tail wagging. He’d ignore the distracted bit for now. 

“Princess,” Shadow greeted.
“Shadow,” she responded. 

The last time Shadow saw her, she was wailing at the loss of her last family member. She did not seem to have recovered since then. Shadow couldn't blame her, even if he wanted to.

“I’m glad Sonic could convince you to reveal your allegiance,” Sally said, speaking formally. “I’m sure everyone else is assured to see you on our side. We could not ask for a better ally.”
And yet under the formalness, Shadow could hear that sass the princess was so known for, at least to Shadow.

“About time you came! I was worried! You better not disappear again!” she seemed to be saying. Of course, Shadow could just be projecting. He knew some people hid the true meanings of their words in the subtext of their statements but he usually didn’t get that subtext.

“Of course,” Shadow said. He had no subtext to add. He meant what he said to the greatest sincerity. “I’m more than happy to do anything to help you and the resistance, Princess.”
Her face flushed red and her lips pursed. An amusing reaction that made Shadow’s lips quirk upwards.

Shadow wasn’t so normally upfront but, well, after not speaking to her for so long and the last they spoke being an argument about a delicate subject right before a tragic loss, well, Shadow thought she deserved a little upfrontness of his loyalty. 

“You’d probably work best with Sonic,” Sally said, turning away to her tasks. Shadow frowned. He’d known she was super task oriented but had she worsened in the two months since he saw her last? He supposed it made sense… “But we may have some spy related business for you to attend to when you have the chance.”
Shadow huffed.
“I don’t take orders, Princess,” Shadow reminded, something of a plea, something of a tease. Sally turned back, arching an eyebrow.
“So… you don’t want to race Sonic and Rouge?” she said, her tone light. There it was.
“Hmph,” Shadow nodded. “I suppose I could. Just this once.”
“This war will be over in no time!” Sonic cheered, coming out of nowhere and slinging his one arm over Shadow.
“And then the real work will begin,” Sally frowned.
“One problem at a time, Sal,” Sonic said gently.
“First problem, get off of me,” Shadow grumbled, Sonic jumping off. Sally snickered at both of their dramatics.
Sonic beamed triumphantly at the snicker. Shadow couldn’t help but share the sentiment.

If they could get an overworked princess-soon-to-be-queen to laugh, how hard could Eggman and Infinite really be?

Chapter Text

The Death Egg is dark and quiet. You'd think it peaceful, if it was anywhere else. Somehow, it’s also Acorn Castle.

It’s strange, both of those facts coexisting and existing in one place in his brain.

Sonic can’t move. Frozen, even as he strains to move. Suddenly, he’s aware of someone else in the room. 

He can’t decide who it is, his brain keeps cycling through people but it most consistently settles on Eggman. 

“Well, well! Ran as far as you could, didn’t you?” Eggman gloated before flickering to some weird dog-cat thing and trying to sell him a pack of pineapple before back to Eggman. “Honestly, this is for the best. The sooner you stop fighting, the less likely other people are to get hurt.”
Eggman reaches out, grips his arm, his right arm. 

Sonic knows what happens next.
“Oh, Chuck,” Eggman grins, shaking his head. “Why couldn’t you have made this easier for you? Aw, well, guess it would be less fun for me if you did, yes? Don’t worry. This’ll be our little secret.”
Eggman pulled and Sonic’s arm came off like taffy.

Sonic woke up, heart pounding and eyes wet. He bit his lip, the fresh pain and taste of copper waking him up properly. 

He sat up in his bed, moving to run a hand through his quills. When his arm doesn’t move, he frowns, looking to see if something is on top of it.

Oh. yeah, that’s right. No arm. 

Sonic groans and rolls out of bed. He really has got to try and remember that, especially if it’s right after weird… dreams where he gets it… removed again.

It’s been two weeks since the War For Moubis ended, officially. The resistance is now officially the Restoration and Sally isn’t the leader of it anymore, sort of.

She passed leadership over to Amy but Knuckles is sticking around to help before heading back to check on Angel Island. He’d hid it somewhere, so Eggman couldn’t find it. 

Sally was now the Queen in almost every way that mattered, her coronation was this week.

Elias’ funeral had been last week.

Sally stood, shaking, her stare going into the distance. Sonic felt guilt wiggle in his stomach as Elias’ coffin was lowered into the dirt. He took a step closer to Sally, brushing his hand against her knuckles, just so she knew he was here. 

Immediately, Sally turned, burying her face in Sonic’s chest, sending him stumbling back a step. He wrapped his arm around her back, just letting her shake in his embrace.

Well, there were technically two funerals but Sonic supposed one could be more considered a wake? It was the more public of the two, is Sonic’s point, more for the public to grieve the loss of their king.

Sonic didn’t go to that one, just to the private friends and family one. Don’t get it twisted, Sonic hadn’t been a fan of Elias, he seemed more focused on appeasing the public then anything, on keeping the peace, but Sonic had never wanted him dead. 

Sonic especially never wanted Elias' life on Sally’s head. He just really hoped it didn’t affect her too bad.

His Miles Electric buzzed and Sonic grumbled as he got up, picking up the watchlike communicator. 

It was a message from Bunnie, asking if he could met her in the base. The main resistance, sorry, restoration base was the current meeting place for all real serious business, since the castle was both, A. a death trap, B. in pieces, for now.

Sonic frowned. Must be serious then.

It took him a second to reply but he managed, grabbing and slipping on his (metal) arm as he did.

There was a slight pinch on his stump as he did so, wiggling the metallic fingers to give it a little test run as he walked. 

Stepping inside the base, Sonic spied an visibly anxious Bunnie and a stressed out Sally.
“What’s up?” he asked, stepping forward.
“We think we know where Antoine is,” Bunnie said. “Maybe.”
Antoine had gone AWOL during the war, before Sonic had gotten rescued. He’d been sent on a mission to help a town that was getting hit pretty hard by the Eggman fever before dropping out of contact.

The general assumption was either he was fighting too hard to respond to Bunnie’s more and more desperate pleas or was… well. 

“That’s great news!” Sonic grinned before pausing. “So, wait, what’s the problem?”
“I need you to go down and check on him,” Bunnie continued before throwing a very surprising stink eye. “Her Highness here decided I couldn’t go.”
Sally flinched, slightly, and sighed loudly.
“Right now, we need as many hard workers as we can get and Bunnie’s skills in particular are crucial to the efforts to restore sanctuary and safety to the citizens,” Sally said, sounding like she’d said this all before. “If I could let Bunnie go, I would.”
Bunnie grumbled again, turning away. Sonic made a face.
“Well, I’m more than happy to help, Bunnie,” Sonic reassured the older. “I’ll make sure to tell him to hurry home.”
Bunnie smiled weakly at that, relaxing. Sonic looked over at Sally. 

“Anything else you need me to do?” he asked Sally. “I’m more than happy to help with anything.”
Sally smiled at him. It looked hollow.

“No thank you, Sonic,” she said. “We don’t need anything from you. That’s all.”
Ah. Okay, he can inspect why that hurt later! Right now, find Antoine.
“Want me to punch him for worrying you?” Sonic joked with Bunnie.
“With your metal arm,” Bunnie nodded, giving a brief smile. 

Sonic sped past the town militia and its cheaply built walls, a blue streak dashing through the city.

He only stopped when he saw a certain french coyote and took a second to pause so he wasn’t hitting Antoine with the force of someone who had ran a good several miles in just a few minutes.

Once Sonic was certain he wasn’t going to break Antoine’s jaw, Sonic gave him a good sock.

“Sacré bleu!” Antoine squawked out, reeling back.
“Oh, chill out, I didn’t hit you that hard,” Sonic scoffed.
“Sonic?! You are alive?!” Antoine exclaimed.
“Wow, you’re really out of the loop,” Sonic frowned. “Bunnie’s been trying to contact you for months.”
“My Miles Electric got blown up and I could not get it zepaired,” Antoine sighed. “But, again, I thought you zere dead!”
“Well, you know the war is over, yeah?” Sonic started. “Eggman went missing, not long after we gave him and Infinite a good kick to the face.”
Infinite’s defeat had been so satisfying. Smashing through illusions just to get to the jackal throwing things in a desperate attempt to avoid him, Sonic had never enjoyed punching Shadow or Metal Sonic more. Especially Metal Sonic.

Sonic didn’t actually see what happened to Infinite at the very end, just saw him get yanked back and then Eggman came back with a machine powered by the Phantom Ruby. 

Sonic imagined it wasn’t pretty. Well, can’t say he didn’t warn him.
“Yes, I’m…aware,” Antoine made a face, wincing. “Um, Sonic, zere is something you should know-”
“Antoine,” a stranger, a tawny yellow wolf, was suddenly at Antoine’s side, a mask pulled over her face.
Sonic startled at her appearance, quills rising up to a sharp front. He couldn’t see her face. He… wasn’t a huge fan of that.

She stared at him for a minute and Sonic could physically feel his blood pressure rising as unseenable eyes bored into him. How hadn’t he heard her walk in?
After a moment, the wolf moved her mask to the side, revealing her seemingly shut eyes. Embarrassingly, that did help relax Sonic.
“Oh, uh, Sonic, zis is Whisper,” Antoine said before grinning. “Or as many know her, ze Angel of ze Battlefield!”
“Antoine!” Whisper hissed, face red.
“That’s you?” Sonic exclaimed. “Man, I’ll have to keep Silver away from you! He’d explode, he loves you!”
“I have saved him once or twice,” Whisper admitted. “He tends to throw himself into danger without a second thought.”
“Yeah, Silver’s a real character,” Sonic agreed with a chuckle. “But, uh, what’s up, Antoine?”
Whisper and Antoine shared a look.

“You should be warned before we enter,” Winter said. She pulled her wisp gun off her back. It was very different from Tails’ standardized models, seemingly capable of holding more than one kind of wisp. Sonic wondered if she made the design herself. Sonic wondered if she built it herself. Sonic wondered why she seemed to be threatening him with it. “Remain calm. Do not attack.”
“I promise you, zere is no danger but zis is zilterally the only way I could think to explain it to you,” Antoine added as well, much less intimidating. Geez, how bad was this?
“I’ll be chill,” Sonic reassured. “What’s the situation?”
Antoine opened the door.

Eggman was inside, wearing some red sweater and green overalls, painting some little bee toy for an eagerly waiting child. 

Sonic’s first thought; Oh Gaia, Eggman’s near a child, move! 

His second thought; Whisper looks very ready to attack and Antoine did say to chill.
His third thought; what the actual fuck?
“Ah, Antoine, Whisper!” Eggman grinned, handing the toy to the child, standing up and walking over to the group. Whisper took a step backwards, similar to the one Sonic took, while Antoine stood his ground. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Sonic, Mr. Tinker,” Antoine introduced.
“You don’t recognize me?” Sonic asked, examining the man’s exposed eyes. They were black with red pupils. Had Eggman been adding robotic enhancements to himself this whole time?
“Ah, should I?” Eggman- Mr. Tinker said apologetically. “I’m sorry, I can’t remember much from before I woke up in this kind village.”

Sonic turned an eye to Antoine. 

“I’ve checked,” Antoine said quietly. “It’z why I’ve been staying here. Zere is nothing of his former self within Mr. Tinker. Sonic… I… I think zis is it. I think we’ve won.”
Sonic blinked, face going blank. He looked at Mr. Tinker, who looked concerned and confused by the conversation.
“Huh,” Sonic said.

Sonic didn’t like to think of his passed Uncle often but when he did, Sonic tried to think kindly of the man.

That was hard to do when imagining how working with Eggman must’ve gone plus some of… Sonic’s own memories but Sonic could see how Uncle Chuck could have done it while spending time with Mr. Tinker.

The man is so… not Eggman. He’s kind, thoughtful, and so quiet. He respected how Sonic stiffened when he moved too fast, how Sonic needed to stand by an exit while he was talking, how Sonic was more than ready to never see him again.

Sonic never really realized how loud Eggman was until Sonic met who seemed to be his polar opposite.

It all seemed to be too good to be true and yet, here it was. And it wasn't like all the times where Eggman just vanished and they hoped it meant his ass had finally gotten gotten. 

Mr. Tinker's idea of Eggmanland was a giant train track he was building called Tinkertracks and Sonic could feel relief creep up inside of him. Could it really be over?

Sonic had messaged Sally and Bunnie the news. 

Sally hadn't responded since.

Aw, well, Sonic would just have to see her reaction when he got back.

Sonic watched from a distance as Mr. Tinker showed a curious child how to wind up a toy car.
“Hm,” Shadow said. Sonic glanced over at him, surprised. When had he gotten here? “It’s convincing, I’ll give him that.”
“Shadow,” Sonic greeted, tail wagging. “Whatcha doing here?”
“The princess sent me,” Shadow responded, looking over at Mr. Tinker. “Sally asked us to bring him in.”

Sonic looks at Shadow like he had just said he intended to eat Sonic’s liver.
“What?” Sonic exclaimed. “Why?”

“It’s Eggman,” Shadow sighed. “For all we know, this could be a trap. It’s best to keep him someplace we can keep an eye on him.”
“He’s not Eggman anymore,” Sonic scoffed. “He’s no longer a threat, look at him! He doesn’t even remember being a threat.”
“Memory has nothing to do with it,” Shadow says and he starts to walk forward.
Sonic reaches out and yanks back Shadow.
“I can’t let you do that,” Sonic says and it sounds far too desperate to be a proper threat. 

Shadow stared back at Sonic.
“I don’t want to fight you, Sonic,” Shadow warned, gently.
“Then don’t,” Sonic said back. The two stared at each other, tense.

Shadow could feel Sonic’s heart pounding. Was Sonic… afraid of him?
“Why,” Shadow asked, hands turning into fists.
“I just…” Sonic released Shadow, rubbing the area on his arm where scarred flesh and pristine metal met. “I just want to be done.”
“You don’t know if you are anyways,” Shadow said, motioning to Eggman, or Mr. Tinker, who seemed to be noticing their conversation. “Are you really willing to risk Eggman getting the jump on us?”
“It’s not, he isn’t,” Sonic’s face went through forty emotions before turning away, raising and crossing his arms above his head. “That won’t happen. He doesn’t even look like a threat. And we’ve dismantled most of his machines. Even if he did become Eggman again, which he won’t, he’d have to start from scratch. He wouldn’t even be an issue.”
“Are you willing to bet all our lives on that?” Shadow implored.
“Why are you even worried?” Sonic turned back, his smile something sharp. “If something happens, again, which it won’t, I’ll stop it. I always stop it, don’t I? Tell Sal not to stress about it.”
“...I don’t take orders,” Shadow muttered.
“You took orders from Sal,” Sonic said, something dry and almost… bitter? about his voice. Shadow could feel his heartbeat relaxing, now that they both seemed to be leering away from physical conflict.

Shadow made a face, looking away.
“If things go wrong, I’m blaming you,” Shadow scoffed, walking away.
“I’ll give you full permission to sock me in the face,” Sonic waved away his concerns.

Sonic hadn’t fought Shadow in… well, a good few years. Sparring, competing, racing, yeah, Sonic and Shadow did those all the time. 

But actually fight Shadow? Had he really almost done that?

Ugh, Sonic really needed to blow off some steam. 

But why hadn’t Sally messaged Sonic? He could have spoken to her directly instead of arguing with Shadow and then probably having the same argument with her! 

Did… did Sally trust Shadow more? 

No, no way. And even if she did, why would Sonic care that much?
It’s not like she purposely left him in Eggman’s clutches for six months, was avoiding him even before the war happened, and now only really spoke to him if she directly needed something-

Okay! Sonic thinks it’s time to go for a run! Maybe around the globe? 

That could be fun!
“Hey, Antoine, I’m heading out!” Sonic dashed over to the french coyote, leaning on him. “Want a ride home?”
“Ah, no, thank you,” Antoine said before glancing at Mr. Tinker. “I think I’ll take the scenic route.”
“Fair enough,” Sonic shrugged. “Whisper?”
The wolf shook her head.
“I plan to keep watch,” Whisper, well, whispered. “I’ve learned it’s best to keep my eyes open.”
Sonic nodded.
“Alright!” Sonic said, stretching briefly. “Call me if you need anything!”
“Ah, wait, Sonic, there was someone I’d love to introduce you to-” Mr. Tinker started.
“Oh, sorry, no can do, Tinker,” Sonic waved. “Maybe next time!”
He dashed off before anyone could get another word.

“Papa!” a young robotic girl ran up. “Did I miss him?” 

“Just by a second, Belle,” Mr. Tinker sighed. “Oh well. What kept you?”
“Oh, there’s a customer in the shop who’s really insistent on seeing you,” Belle explained. “I think his name was… Starline?”

Chapter Text

 “B4,” Sonic guessed. Tails snickered and shook his head.
“Nope,” Tails replied, putting a white puck somewhere on his side. “Miss.”
Sonic huffed, leaning back. 

"Fine, well, there's no way you'll figure out where my ship is-" Sonic grinned smugly, massaging his arm.

"C7," Tails said calmly.

"What?!" Sonic exclaimed, rocketing forward. "How'd you-?!"

"Sonic, I'd already found the rest of your ships," Tails scoffed. "It was only a matter of time."

Sonic grumbled, looking over the board. The board presenting Tails' side was covered in white pins while there were maybe two misses from Tails on Sonic's side.

"Damn, how do you always beat me?" Sonic asked, impressed.

"Sonic, you use the same strategy every time," Tails said, tails flicking. "Once I figured it out, it was easy."

"When you'd get so smart, huh?" Sonic chuckled, ruffling Tails' fur. The fox giggled.

"I've always been so smart," Tails gloated, grinning.

Sonic scoffed but smiled, somewhat proud. It was hard not to be proud of Tails 24/7. 

Sonic’s Miles Electric lit up and Sonic hopped up, walking over and picking it up.

A call from Sal?

Sonic had to press the answer button with his nose.
“Heya, Sal,” Sonic greeted. Oh Gaia, he hoped this wasn’t about Mr. Tinker. “What’s up?”
“Metal Sonic has been spotted, running through towns and generally making a ruckus,” Sally explained. She looked exhausted. When did she last get a haircut? Sonic or Bunnie usually did it so… “I’ll send you the current locations and where it’s projected to be next.”
“Gotcha,” Sonic nodded. “I’ll take care of that in no time.”
“Good,” Sally nodded. She hung up before Sonic could say another word.
“Who was it?” Tails asked as Sonic set the Electric aside, picking up his arm. 

“Sal,” Sonic winced slightly as he stuck his arm on. “Metal Sonic’s causing problems.”
“She never talks to us anymore,” Tails grumbled. “Guess she’s too good for us now, huh?”
“Hey, don’t say that!” Sonic scolded, turning to the younger. “Sal, she’s just real busy now. Once things settle down, we can plan on meeting with her and just having some fun, okay?”
“Not too busy for Shadow,” Tails huffed. “He came in the other day for Omega’s repairs and told me about all the fun little tea parties he’s been having with her.”
“Those are business meetings for the organization he’s a part of,” Sonic reminds both Tails and himself. “They already have a good relationship so he’s the perfect person to send.”

Shadow hasn’t wanted to race him. Sally hasn’t wanted to talk to him.

They’re busy. That’s it. He’s not being abandoned-

“Cantan when I get back?” Sonic asked Tails, adjusting the arm to fit just right.
“After I adjust your arm,” Tails frowned at the metallic prosthetic. “It should be more comfortable for long use.”
“This works for now,” Sonic assured. “I’ll be back. Stay out of trouble.”
“Stay safe!” Tails told him.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Sonic winked and he was off. 

Spiral Hill Village was the predicted next attack, following how the Metal Sonic attacks were preceded by weirdly organized badnik attacks. 

Which is weird because the person organizing them is currently too busy painting cute little ladybugs on wood rather than on metal. 

Sonic skids to a stop within the town, noticing the wrecked badniks. Whoa, this town’s militia must be pretty good, they seriously put a number on these guys.
“Oh my Gaia, it’s really you!” a squeal sounded out and Sonic turned to see a ringtail lemur in a yellow jumpsuit running up to him. She came to a stop, just in front of him, taking his gloved hand and shaking it vigorously. “It’s a pleasure to meet you!” 

“Oh, hello!” Sonic blinked, surprised. “You are…?”
“Tangle! Tangle the lemur, sir!” Tangle said, releasing Sonic’s head to salute. “I’m in charge of Spiral Hill Village’s defense!”
“You don’t have to call me sir, it’s just Sonic,” Sonic snorted. “Well, your team does good work, it’s not often I see robots so destroyed when I wasn’t involved.”
“Oh, there’s no team, si-Sonic,” Tangle said sheepishly. “It’s just me.”
Sonic blinked, looked over the lemur once more.
“Just you?” he repeated, dumbfounded. Tangle grinned and nodded eagerly. 

“My tail’s pretty handy,” Tangle explained, the bushy appendage waving. Well. Sonic’s heard weirder. 

“Ah, well, if you wanna help stop Metal Sonic, you’re free to but try not to get hurt, okay?”
“Understood!” Tangle nodded eagerly.

Sonic smiled, crossing his arms. His ears flicked up and his smile dropped. 

Metal Sonic’s engine roared as he approached, ramming through a house and exiting just in front of both hedgehog and lemur.
“Holy shit, Metal Sonic!” Tangle gasped. “Wow!”
“Get excited later when you can keep his head as a trophy, pal, destroy now!” Sonic reminded the lemur before waving to Metal Sonic. “Heya, Metal. Ready to lose again?”
Metal Sonic didn’t say anything. It often didn’t. Sonic swallowed around a lump in his throat. Why did he…?
Sonic curled into a ball and flung himself at Metal Sonic, ramming into the unprepared copy. 

It fell to the ground, Sonic grabbing a leg and flinging it away.     

“Taking notes?” Sonic teased Tangle, the lemur watching dumbstruck.
“Notes don’t actually help me memorize things and I’m dyslexic,” Tangle responded excitedly. “But spiritually, yes!”
Metal Sonic came flying back, right into Sonic’s face. 

For a second, everything froze. Sonic wasn’t in Spiral Hill Village anymore. There was just cold metal and burning electricity and the red blaring alarms and Metal Sonic’s claws digging into Sonic’s arm as he realizes that he’s alone and that no one’s coming for him -
Metal Sonic’s charge is stopped mid-flight, a long and striped tail wrapped around Metal Sonic.

“I got him! Hit him now!” Tangle strained, struggling to hold the metal copy in place. “Sonic?”
Sonic couldn’t breathe.
Tangle yelped as Metal Sonic tore her tail off his body and hurled her away. The sound of her body hitting a building shooks Sonic out of his thoughts but it’s too late.

Metal Sonic does another dive through a house before rocketing off. 

“Shit!” Sonic curses, running up to Tangle. “Hey, you okay?”
“Ow… a little sore but I’m fine,” Tangle said, standing up. “What’s next?”
“Well…” Sonic frowned, raising his prosthetic and pulling up the attached Mini Electric. A small blue dot goes along a path. “Fuck, he’s headed to Windmill Village!”
That’s where Mr. Tinker was! Shit, was Metal Sonic attacking these towns in an attempt to find his old master?
“Uh, why is that exactly a bad thing?” Tangle asked. Sonic hesitated. “No, explain on the way!”
“On the way?” Sonic repeated.
“Yeah! I’m helping,” Tangle said. “I can’t walk away from this, even if you’re the ‘hog on the job.”
“Well… I suppose I could use another hand!” Sonic agreed. He scooped up Tangle.
“Ha, I got that one!” Tangle chortled. “Let’s go!”

Progress had been… slow. 

But Starline was nothing if not a patient man. He had years of practice in it and he would have years of practice yet. 

The platypus watched as the man, formerly known as Eggman, fidgeted under his gaze, a dismantled badnik on the table between them.

“And… if I repair this, you’ll let me go,” Mr. Tinker asked. “For real, this time?”
“If you put it together properly,” Starline ‘agreed’. “I’ll let you go, Mr. Tinker.”
“Good,” the large man sighed, leaning forward and getting to work. “I’ll work quick, my daughter is probably worried sick about me!” 

Starline watched as he did so. Doctor Ivo ‘Eggman’ Robotnik was an extraordinary genius, of that, there could be no doubt. 

He had a talent for causing massive chaos and destruction in his attempt to achieve order and perfection. He lacked control in his quest of ambition but if he ever applied himself, he could easily bring the world to its knees. 

He’d proven that no less than a month ago, not that the good doctor remembered that.

Oh, but he would. He would remember, remember everything he’d done.

A clamor shook the base, something rocketing through the Eggman base Starline had found no more than twenty minutes away from Windmill Village. Starline had wondered if this had been the doctor’s destination when he’d fallen and lost his memory. 

Metal Sonic skidded to a stop, arms full of… eggs? It appears Starline wasn’t the only one trying to restore Eggman’s memory.

“Oh my!” Mr. Tinker stood up, walking over to the metallic copy of the worldwide hero. “Your fine paint is scratched, are you-”
The man stops. He places a hand on top of Metal Sonic’s head. He picks up one of the eggs Metal Sonic is holding. 

Starline holds his breath. Is this it? Is this what he’s been looking for?
“My greatest creation,” Eggman says. He chuckles darkly. “Well. My greatest creation that people know about.”

Starline stands. Yes! Finally!

“Hello, Dr. Starline,” Eggman looks back at him, grinning. “Care for a job?”

Whisper paces.

Things are happening and happening fast. 

Mr. Tinker disappears. Sonic shows up with some… lemur girl and whisks Antoine away as soon as he hears that. 

He left the lemur girl though.
“I’m Tangle,” the lemur said, bouncing on her heels. She’d been staring at Whisper since she’d got there.
“Whisper,” she muttered back, her wisps curling around her.
“Oh, sorry,” Tangle whispered back. “I’m Tangle.”
“No, I meant that’s my name,” Whisper corrected. “I’m Whisper.”
“Oh,” Tangle’s face went a bright red. “Sorry.”
Whisper chuckled. Cute.

Tangle’s eyes went up and went wide.
“Is that-?” she started to ask, pointing up. Whisper turned.

A giant ship floated over the village. It hovered over the town, citizens stepping out and staring up at the giant metal face painted on the belly of the ship. 

Tangle took an anxious step closer to Whisper.

The face split as a vortex of orange and yellow stared down on the group. 

Whisper stared up, horrified. She… she recognized that metal face. Everyone did.

"Move!" Tangle called, long tail wrapping around Whisper as the lemur ran, dragging the wolf with her.

People tried to follow, screams abruptly silenced as they were fucking raptured.

Whisper found her footing as she ran, still looking back as she ran.

They weren't fast enough, Whisper getting pulled first. Tangle snapped back her tail to try and ground the wolf but all it did... was pull them both in.

 “A portal,” Sally hissed, massaging her head. “But how?”
“I’m not sure,” Antoine replied. “I’ve never seen something like this before but I didn’t get a good look.”
“Could I ask you to see if you can find anything about how Eggman is doing this from when you saw this?” Sally asked, leaning forward on her throne. 

Antoine visibly hesitated but nodded.
“I’ll help him, your highness!” Bunnie exclaimed, jumping around. Sally looked at Bunnie strangely before nodding.
“Sonic, Commander Amy,” Sally spoke up, looking over to the two hedgehogs. Amy was standing at attention, fidgeting. Sonic was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Somehow, Sonic looked the guiltiest of the two. “I’m sending you to Metal Sonic’s last recorded location after Windmill Village. Hopefully, that’ll shed some light on the situation.”
“On it, your highness!” Amy nodded.
“No prob, Sal, we’ll clear that in no time,” Sonic pushed himself up, offering an arm to Amy. “Ready to go, Ames?”
“Ready!” Amy agreed, squeaking as Sonic scooped her up, dashing off. Sally watched them go, expression tight. 

“This place is giving me the creeps,” Amy shuddered. “You feel those bad vibes too, right?”
“I’m 80% sure that one of Egghead’s top building materials is bad vibes, Ames,” Sonic shuddered as well, jolting when his prosthetic brushed against his side. 

“True,” Amy agreed. She paused.

Sonic paused as well, stepping a few steps ahead of her out of the tunnel into the open air. It had been a deserted base for Eggman in a desert, well, mostly deserted. Some rooms had been oddly cleaned… 

“What’s up?” Sonic asked, tilting his head. Amy’s eyes widened.
“Duck!” she barked and Sonic reacted to the warning faster than he acknowledged it, two workboots kicking right where his head had been.
“Aw, man!” a skunk, about Sonic’s height with dark colored fur, dropped down, frowning. “She saw my attack coming!”
“Don’t worry about it,” a much larger skunk appeared, reassuring his comrade. He was albino, with a much shorter tail. “She won’t see the next one.”
“Who the hell are you guys?!” Amy exclaimed, Sonic jumping to her side.
“You looking to scrap?” the big guy asked.
“Then get ready to crumble!” the smaller one declared. 

“Brace yourselves for-” The big guy said as the small one joined in unison. “Rough and Tumble!”
There was quiet as Amy and Sonic stared at the two.

They glanced at each other. Sonic cracked first, with a muffled snicker that made the skunks’ smiles lessen.
“Sorry, sorry,” Sonic quickly said as Amy elbowed him. “What are you guys doing here?”
“We’re Doctor Eggman’s hired help’s hired help!” Tumble said with clearly misplaced pride. Geez, what was with the Doc hiring people lately? Well, Sonic supposes it’s been somewhat working so far… somewhat.

“Doctor Eggman’s hired help?” Amy asked.
“No, no, his hired help’s hired help,” Rough corrected before pausing. “Though I guess Eggman didn’t hire the doc technically, did he?”
“I’m surprised the doc is working for him! I thought he wanted to-” Tumble paused, remembering who they were speaking to. “Anyway, get ready to lose!”
“Yeah…” Sonic drawled, stretching and backing up. Amy pulled out her infamous piko piko hammer. “I don’t think we’ll need to.”
Sonic slammed into Tumble with the force of an actually very calm Amy Rose and Rough took off screaming.

Sonic was kind of insulted. He’d like to think he’s pretty humble with a decent mindset of his power but this felt a little under his paygrade? What was Eggman doing, sending some playground bullies to guard a seemingly empty base? Or rather, what was Eggman doing, letting someone else do that?
They’d mentioned the doc, someone separate from Eggman, but not much. Sonic would have to see if they could get some more juice out of ‘em.

“Leaving in such a hurry?” Sonic called out as they scrambled away. “Geez, how much is your boss paying you?”
“Sonic, don’t taunt them, they could be serious threats!” Amy scolded half heartedly.
“All the more reason to taunt them then,” Sonic said quietly. “The world will end the day I can’t make fun of whatever I’m fighting.”
The two hedgehogs pursued the skunks.

“Here, over here!” Rough squeaked, Tumble following, darting behind a corner.
Sonic arched a brow and followed.

Turning the corner revealed the two skunks now armed with some strange firearms, a pack full of a churning orange and yellow energy strapped to them.

Sonic paused, putting an arm up to block Amy.
“The doc gave us these in order to take you out!” Rough said, waving the muzzle of his oversized weapon about.

“So we’re gonna take you out now!” Tumble added on.

They pulled the trigger, grinning. The packs exploded, creating a massive yellow and orange whirlpool. Sonic and Amy flinched back, trying to avoid the pull of it.

Rough, the smaller, was consumed immediately, his scream of terror cut off as he vanished within.

“Rough!” the bigger one cried in panic, the portal taking a longer time to suck him in. “No, no, this wasn’t supposed to happen! Doc! Doc, something went wrong!”
Tumble scrambled to escape, as if anyone can escape gravity.
“Doctor Starline!” Tumble screamed before the last of him was swallowed, going abruptly silent and still.

The whirlpool remained.

Amy and Sonic dug in their heels, trying to stay in place. Amy finally slipped, crying out as she fell forward. Sonic reached and grabbed her jacket, his clawed hand gripping onto some dusty root in a desperate attempt.

The root, weak, snapped. 
“Oh, shit,” Sonic hissed.
The two hedgehogs screamed as they were sucked in, the portal consuming itself the second they were through.

Chapter Text

Hey, gang, it’s the rat freak, Alex.
This chapter (chapters, technically) has changed a lot to try and write it out.
In the end, I have given up and decided to do something else.
It started as a zombot adaption, then a torture dungeon maze thing because i thought mazes were cool. I need to write the chapters because they’re kind of important to the story i wanna tell!
So here’s what we’re gonna do.
I’m gonna give you a summary of the three chapters and you’re gonna nod your head and accept it and we’ll all just go on without acknowledging this.
Sound good? Great, let’s go.

Chapter 1: Doc Name: Sonic gets eebied deebied p1
Actually wrote the better part of this one before the evil brain goop consumed me.

Sonic and Amy wake up in a strange giant underground chamber, which holds a giant maze. They realize Rough and Tumble are there and, as they go to wake them, a bunch of robians spot them and chase after them.
Sonic attempts to save Rough and Tumble but Amy forces him to leave them, claiming they don’t have time to escape and save them.
In the confusion, Sonic and Amy get separated.

Meanwhile, with Sally, Bunnie alerts Sally to the fact that Sonic and Amy’s trackers have gone offline.
Almost immediately after she says this, Tails, Knuckles, and Rotor also go offline.
The castle is broken into by a horde of robians, led by Sally’s now robot dad. This is not going to help with her trauma and grief at all.
The robo-king teleports them away.

We pop over to where Shadow and Omega is helping Rouge undig some loot she hid when they’re jumped by robians and taken, leaving Omega to fend off the horde himself.
Shadow is then awakened by Rouge and Amy. Amy tells them that it is definitely an Eggman plot and that Sonic is also somewhere in the maze. 

They decide to go and find Sonic before looking for a way out.

Sonic is currently freaking out because all the metal and isolation is giving him flashbacks to his time in imprisonment.
His panic is ended when he runs into Tails and Knuckles, who reveal that the maze is within Angel Island.
Knuckles bemoans that he can’t seem to leave Angel Island alone without something bad happening to it. 

Tails, who was with Rotor, and Sonic, who is seeking Amy, suggest finding those left in the maze before attempting escape.

Sally, with Bunnie and Whisper, are also seeking those no doubt in the maze.
Bunnie teases Whisper about her budding crush on Tangle and this gives Sally a flashback.
It’s the night Elias dies and she’s sneaking out to meet with Shadow. Elias catches her and they argue. Elias tells Sally she can’t let her emotions get in the way while Sally tells Elias to basically fuck off since she’s led more than him.
Elias then accidentally gives not the greatest advice, advice he got from their dad. ( “Sometimes, as a leader… you have to stand tall and stand alone. That’s what Father taught me.”)

Sally, in the present, is brought back to the moment by Whisper asking if she’s alright.
Bunnie tries to tease Sally about her crush(es) but Sally snaps at her, walking ahead of the group.
Bunnie apologizes to Whisper on Sally’s behalf and Whisper reassures her, saying she thinks she knows how Sally feels.

Sonic tells Knuckles and Tails about the Mr. Tinker situation. Knuckles scolds Sonic for his actions but relents, admitting he sometimes also shrinked his responsibilities.
Sonic and Knuckles laugh a little at the idea of not saving the world/protecting the Master Emerald like they’ve always done and Tails frowns thoughtfully.

Sally, Bunnie, and Whisper find Antoine, Rotor, and Tangle, using a smoke signal that Whisper taught Tangle. Tangle and Whisper reunite joyfully, Whisper’s wisps flying between them.
Antoine runs to Bunnie in glee, only for Bunnie to punch him with her flesh hand. She scolds him for staying away for so long before pulling him away into a relieved hug, breaking down into a sob.
Rotor walks over and comforts Bunnie, gently teasing Antoine for going no contact for so long.
Sally watches her friends reunite with their loved ones and feels strangely hollow.

Starline and Eggman watch overhead, looking down on some smoke spire reaching up from Team RAT’s place.
Eggman laughs about how love (not just romantic, to clarify) renders his enemies fools. Starline adds that love is also why Eggman has not completely conquered yet.
Eggman angrily remarks that will end soon enough.
He explains he had this place built as a way to finish Sonic and the captured resistance off after he won the war but since he lost, it remained buried and hidden.
Now that Eggman has returned, nothing will stop him, not even love, and he’ll finally rule.
Starline agrees, saying Eggman will get everything he deserves. 

Shadow, Rouge, and Amy see the smoke signal from a distance. Amy panics, saying the people who lit it must be idiots for revealing their location in such a dangerous area.
Rouge says that it also revealed where they were to them, so they can join up and work together.
Amy fidgets but agrees, antsy. 

Eggman’s robian army and Team RAS find Teams RAT and WBS about the same time, just enough time to see each other before the robians scale over the walls after them.

The group scrambles.
Rotor is almost taken but Antoine sacrifices himself, Bunnie charging back in after him. Whisper covers Sally’s back as Rouge flies Amy out of danger, Shadow grabbing Sally before running.

Tangle and Whisper are cornered, refusing to leave each other as they are taken by the robian forces. However, Tangle, emulating Sonic, forces Whisper to safety.
Rotor, Sally, Rouge, Amy, and Shadow manage to get away, hiding in a dead end from the horde.

CHAPTER TWO: 

Whisper finds the others and they set out to find Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, if they’re not too late.
They don’t have to search long because the STK saw/heard the chaos and headed towards them.
Sonic is both worried and relieved to see Sally but she barely reacts to him, focusing on rallying the group out.
Shadow, however, is both annoyed and relieved with Sonic. Sonic jokes about how Shadow totally can hit for his idiot mistake and Shadow responds with he has a feeling that it’s not necessary, that Sonic knows he fucked up already. Shadow can’t hurt him anymore than that.

Amy tries to comfort Whisper but struggles, shocked that her usual words of kindness and affirmation are no longer coming as easily to her. She decides to worry about this later.
Sally joins in, it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep up the fight, but Whisper counters with how can anyone fight when all you do is risk losing what little you have left and it won’t bring back what’s already gone? Sally has no response.

Tails and Rouge have a talk, where Rouge is initially asking after Sonic but then shifts gears onto what Tails is doing.
After a few minutes, Rouge points out that all of Tails’ projects seem to be for others. Does he not build for himself anymore?
Tails responds that he’ll build for himself when people stop needing him to build for them. Rouge responds that if he does that, he’ll never build for himself again. Tails looks conflicted.
Rouge shrugs and says she can’t blame him for that because of who he was raised by. Tails looks back to where Sally is still shellshocked over what Whisper said and where Sonic seems to be trying to laugh off the guilt.

Whisper keeps watch while the others strategize, trying to figure out how to get out. 

There’s not a lot of easy options; if Rouge tries to fly out, where’s a way out of the cavern, if they punch a straight path out of the maze, what if there’s no exit, stuff like that.
Sally is becoming visibly annoyed with her now long hair. Frustrated, she turns to Sonic and asks him to braid it for her.
Sonic agrees; this is old news for him, he’s braided hair before.

Yet, he’s never braided hair with his current prosthetic. The claws are too sharp and the movements aren’t fine tuned enough for such a delicate task.
Tails watches guiltily as Sonic struggles to bond with Sally in one of the oldest ways they have. Sonic eventually admits defeat and Shadow volunteers. Shadow braids Sally’s hair.

Rotor, noticing the sudden group tension, leaves to get some air. He reminisces how different yet familiar it is.
He’s grabbed by the robians, sneaking up on the group, but screams out to Whisper.
She alerts the others, urging them to flee.
Shadow suggests fighting but Sally snaps at him, saying that damaging innocent people who could be saved is not an option.
The group runs, Whisper fighting with a whole lot of grief and anger. It’s not the first time she had lost someone she cared about because they were ten times nobler than her but at least this is a culprit she can fight this time.

They run deeper into the maze, the terrain changing. No longer are the paths just metallic halls, they have doors, doors that close in front of and behind them at seemingly random.

Yet there is a fear that they are being guided deeper into Eggman’s plot.

Eggman is indeed closing and opening the doors but at random, having a hoot over the panicked faces and cries of his victims.

He closes the door on Shadow, separating him from the group. Rouge flies over the wall, hurling him back to the other side but is grabbed before she can follow suit, much to Shadow and everyone else’s dismay. 

Eggman points at Shadow’s naked fear, pounding on the door as Rouge is dragged away on the other side.
Starline watches, something cold and venomous yet patient in the way he observes Eggman playing with his food.

Sonic hesitantly drags Shadow away, robian hands starting to peel away at the door.

A door shuts between Sonic, Shadow, and Tails, separating them from Amy, Knuckles, and Sally. 

They agree to hurry along the ways forward and try to rejoin.

Shadow forces himself out of Sonic’s hold, screaming at him for stopping him from saving Rouge and for stopping him from bringing Mr. Tinker. 

Sonic just stands there and takes it, a dazed look crossing his expression. Tails cuts Shadow off after that, saying Sonic was just doing his best. He asks Shadow what he would have done in Sonic’s position.
Shadow counters with turning the question back to Tails; what would have he done?
Tails admits he’s not sure but it’s too late for this all now. They have to escape, if only for the chance of finding and saving their captured friends.

No one mentions the fact they could be getting robotized.

Knuckles and Amy are arguing about which course of action to make; Knuckles wants to be conservative, stay in place until the two hedgehogs and fox find them. Amy wants to go forth and find them themselves and take down Eggman.

Sally is immobilized, trying to think up the perfect plan but her mind keeps going back to Sonic and Shadow and Tails. She loves all three, Tails like a baby brother, Sonic and Shadow, like, well, you know what fanfic you’re reading. 

Elias’ words keep coming back to her and she is just. 

She’s panicking. 

Both Knuckles and Amy turn to her, expecting her to break their tie, but both their frustration fades at Sally’s blatant terror.

They try to reassure her but both struggle to do so. It seems every time they get a little bit of hope, they lose it.

SST are walking in silence.

Shadow feels bad for yelling but not enough to apologize, after all, wasn’t he right? Sonic also feels bad but isn't sure if an apology would be accepted.

Tails is thinking about what Shadow said; what would he have done? 

Tails, out loud, says he's gonna fly overhead to see if he can see where the others or the horde are. Sonic tells him to be careful.

This just leaves the hedgehogs alone together.

Sonic asks Shadow how Sally has been. Shadow retorts that this is what Sonic wants to talk about right now?

Sonic says it was the first thing that came to his head but he'll shut up now.

Shadow tells Sonic that Sally could be worse but if he's really that worried, he can just ask her himself when they find her. 

Sonic says that Shadow is the only one Sally's been regularly talking to outside of business, including Sonic. 

Shadow is surprised by this; the only one?

Sonic says it makes sense. Shadow has always been able to keep himself together. Even now, Shadow manages to move forward.

Of course Sally would seek counsel with someone like that.

Shadow is flattered but tells Sonic to just focus on getting out alive. Sonic agrees and he uses the harpoon gun to scale the wall to check on Tails.

Tails lands near the now depressed trio, relieved to see them alright.

Amy hugs Tails and Knuckles noggies him but Sally just formally greets him.

Tails responds with angry teenager sass but tells the group that the two hedgehogs aren't far.

Tails points in the general direction and Knuckles starts punching through walls to get to them. Amy stays behind the group, watching their back.

The robians, however, come from the floor and drag Knuckles down towards fuck knows where. Sally drags Tails away and out of danger, pushing Amy back. 

They run from the hole with crawling robians, struggling to get away.

As they turn the corner, they find Sonic and Shadow.

They shout at the two to run, a hint the other take up quickly.

Shadow picks up Sally, who is holding Tails, and Sonic scoops up Amy.

They clamber on top of the walls, Sonic setting Amy down. Tails jumps out of Sally’s arms but Shadow keeps Sally in his arms.

The maze is getting filled with more and more robians, there’s not a lot of maze left for them to run in.

They decide to remain on top of the maze, in hopes they’ll remain out of the robians’ clutches for even just a second longer.

Tails looks up and sees the viewing platform that Eggman and Starline have been in this whole time, pointing it out to the others.

Tails declares he’ll try and fly up there, see if he can get them out of here.

Sally and Sonic both tell him not to, that it’s too risky, but Tails just retorts that it’s what Sonic would do.

Sonic looks crushed.

Amy tries to reassure them by volunteering to go with him, an act that Sally and Sonic protest just as much. However, Amy and Tails ignore the SH,SON,SA’s concerns and take off.

They don’t get far.

Eggman from his platform snickers before pressing a button, sending a small missile at Tails.

It knocks him out of the sky, dropping Amy.

They both land on the path of the maze, quickly overtaken by the horde.

Amy screams while Tails automatically and full of terror calls for Sonic.

Sonic moves to help but it’s too late, they’re both gone.

Sally suppresses a scream while Sonic seems to go into some kind of daze.

Shadow feels just as helpless but he’s not the one who just watched the kid they raised get fucking nabbed by their greatest enemy.

After a moment, Sonic seems to shake off the daze. It’s uncertain if he got over it or if he’s just suppressing his emotions until he can freak out alone without ending up with the same fate as Tails.
He insists that they have to put a stop to this and escape. Sally questions how.

Sonic reminds her that she’s a brilliant mind, that any plan she creates, Sonic will execute to completion. Sally is hesitant. Sonic says she’s probably already realized something, that she's smart like that. That they have to get out, if only for their friends’ and Tails’ sake. 

Sally hesitantly remarks that since Eggman’s base is above the center, maybe all the operations, like whatever controller or robotizer Eggman has created, are in the center.

Sonic applauds Sally, telling both Sally and Shadow that the three of them have overcome just as bad, if not worse, odds than this. They just have to keep up the good fight and refuse to stop now!
Sally and Shadow both independently are inspired and take a brief moment to bask in awe of Sonic’s ability to stay hopeful and inspire, no matter the circumstances. 

They then all head to the center, as stealthily as possible.

In the center is a pit, leading down.
Shadow wonders how this all could fit in Angel Island before stilling, saying he senses a Chaos Emerald down there.
Sonic pauses and then agrees.

The three start to descend. 

There’s a lot of prisoners as they do down, most of them not robotized- yet. Eggman’s only managed to rebuild one machine and it has a fifty-fifty chance of just killing you.
Sonic remarks that it makes sense that Eggman's copy doesn’t work as well, the original was accidentally cruel. Eggman with his dark intentions can’t replicate the effects.

Shadow asks how Sonic knows this and Sonic refuses to answer. Sally wordlessly tells Shadow to leave it alone. 

At the bottom of the pit is the robotizer, currently offline while Eggman tinkers on it. 

Shadow decides to attack it but doing so sets off the alarms, alerting all to their location.

The horde begins to descend. 

The three fight off the horde, finding they all have a strange synergy with each other in combat.

However, the horde is too many and they’re getting backed into the robotizer, which Eggman looks very eager to turn on.

Shadow is trying not to hurt the robians too badly but he does not want to be a robot. Sally’s brain is frantically trying to figure out a solution and failing.

Sonic has an idea.

He tears off his metal arm, pressing a button on it. It starts ominously beeping and Sonic tosses it onto the robotizer.

He tells the group to run for a door, a door that is closing as Eggman tries to trap them within. 

With just one arm, Sonic is struggling to keep up while fighting and running.

Sally and Shadow make it to the door, the arm’s beeping speeding up.

The door shuts just as Sonic’s arm explodes and before Sonic can make it to the door.

Sally screams and Shadow freezes. 

CHAPTER THREE:

After a day of losses, seeing the hedgehog who has endlessly inspired them and changed their lives for the better get trapped in a room with a bomb and malicious robians is not the most relaxing thing.

Sally is trying to pry the door open, calling out for her first and oldest friend. 

Shadow feels like his legs are stones, only there so he doesn’t fall to the floor.

The only thing keeping him from truly panicking is the heartbeat still beating alongside his own.

Whether Sonic is trapped, captured, or something else, he’s still alive and the two are vulnerable. They need to move.

Shadow hurriedly tells this to Sally, forcing her to leave the door. 

The catacombs like building they’re now in is relatively empty, just spooky, really.

Most of the robians were in the center, with the robotizer.

They make it back into the maze, finding a hatch that leads to it.

As they emerge, Eggman laughs.

He’s visible, having lowered his glass walls so that his two remaining captives can see him. Starline is behind him.

He gloats at how helpless and pathetic the two are, how pathetic and helpless all of them are! He tells them how excited he is to robotize them all.

He tells them of his plans for rebuilding Robotropolis: bigger and brighter, statues mocking his defeated foes, rides mocking his defeated foes, all of it, one big thing to point and laugh at how stupid they all were to fight him.

Shadow retorts by asking who will be there to laugh, since literally everyone is his enemy.

Eggman shrugs, saying he and his creations are audience enough, but Starline corrects him, saying no one will be there to laugh.

Eggman is about to question further before Eggman is pushed down by Starline into the maze. 

Starline lords above them all, now in control of everything. He’s not here for Eggman, at least, not out of worship of Eggman.

Infinite was his lover, his fiance, and Starline blames both Eggman and the heroes of Mobius for his beloved’s disappearance. 

He wanted to bring Eggman as high as he possibly could before bringing Eggman down low, just as Eggman did to him by taking Infinite away from him.

And now? Starline plans to have the robians basically tear the three apart before robotizing what little is left of them.

Sally and Shadow are not down for that and do not give a shit about Starline’s cringefail alter ditching relationship problems.
Sally says he is not even close to the low Sally is at and charges. 

The robians crawl out of the hole to attack them and they fight back, using the robians and the maze as steps up to where Starline is.
Eggman, panicked, scrambles and runs, further into the maze and the untouched depths of Angel Island.
As the two get closer, Starline panics, trying to lower the glass but it’s too late, Sally and Shadow bust through.

Starline is not a very physical fighter but he does have the Warp Topaz, which he uses to summon robots to defend him and teleport out of harm’s way.

However, Shadow and Sally have had a rough couple days and are running on 67% rage.

They catch him, tearing the topaz away from him.

They force him to show them how he was controlling the robians and turn it off, allowing them to go basically dormant once more.

After that, they make him show where he keeps his captives.

Shadow ties Starline up, saying he is just as pathetic as Infinite was before leaving.

They free people as they go, telling them to stay in place until they figured out how to move everyone.

Along the way, they find Whisper and Tangle, Whisper curled up asleep in Tangle’s lap. Rotor is near them, attempting to pick the lock.

Next, they find Bunnie, who insists on following them until they find Antoine.
Antoine is with Rouge and Tails, the bat fussing over the kid.

Bunnie throws herself in relief at her husband, Rouge fluttering over to Shadow. 

The two joke about how Omega missed out on the fun before Shadow hugs Rouge, relieved.

Tails approaches Sally and Sally nearly bursts into tears. 

The next cell has Knuckles and Amy, Amy trying to help Knuckles tend to the bruise on his head. 

Amy and Knuckles get to work on getting people to the surface and off the island.

They free everyone but can’t find Sonic. 

They head down to where the robotizer was, finding Sonic’s arm had effectively destroyed it but Sonic was still missing. The two call out for him.

Sonic emerges, a little banged up but not much worse from wear, from a different doorway, relieving both Sally and Shadow.

Sally hugs Sonic, weeping. Shadow watches from a few steps back.

Eggman, meanwhile, has found a strange giant throne chair, a Chaos Emerald resting upon it.

Curiously, Eggman attaches a new program he made to it to analyze it while he picks up the Chaos Emerald. 

The chair seems to be technological, despite its tremendous age, the AI he fiddled with uploading to it as it lights up an Eggman Brand red. 

Doing so lights up the area above him with magenta fractures of almost crystalline lights, followed by alien screams. 

Eggman’s eyes widen and then it all shuts off.

The AI intones something about the Ancients and Eggman gets a familiar gleam in his eyes…

And, yeah, that’s basically what they would have been, okay, MOVING ON.

Chapter Text

“Weird, the Chaos Emeralds never move this much,” Sonic muttered, looking over the diagram Tails had passed to him.
“Well, they’re moving now, to Starfall Islands,” Tails shrugged, motioning to the map. “It’s an uncharted grouping of islands. No one’s ever been able to land on them, something about the area is… wrong.”
“Well, wouldn’t be the first weird island we find,” Sonic joked, shrugging. “Wanna grab some help and check it out?”
“Who, like Sally?” Tails rolled his eyes.
“Oh, c’mon, Tails,” Sonic winced, closing his eyes against the repeating and oncoming argument.
“Just because she got all weepy on all of us, it doesn’t mean she isn’t avoiding us still!” Tails argued, standing up. “If she cared, she’d show up! But she hasn’t. She hasn’t for awhile.”
Sonic looked away, unable to argue with that.

Sally had seemed so relieved to see Tails and Sonic, she’d hugged him, she talked to him! Sonic thought maybe things would be different.

But they just got the last group of captives resettled last week and Sally hasn’t said a word since.

“...I was thinking of inviting Amy,” Sonic said, changing the subject. “She’s seemed kind of in her own head lately, a good ol’ treasure hunt might do her some good.”
Tails frowned but let it go.
“Amy could be fun to invite,” Tais agreed with a sigh. “When do we wanna head out?”
“Soon as possible!” Sonic grinned. “Let me contact Amy.”

“If you need us, just give us a holler,” Sonic said over the phone to Sally. She hadn’t picked up when he called. “No guarantee we’ll hear you or get there in time to be much useful… you’ve got Shades’ number, he’s pretty handy.”
Sonic paused.

He remembered Sally admitting budding feelings for Shadow in a time that felt strangely distant, he remembered Shadow carefully braiding Sally’s hair, he remembered Shadow carrying Sally like the priceless treasure she was.

A pang echoed in Sonic’s chest.
“Well, you already know that,” Sonic laughed off the feeling. “See you around, Sal!”
Sonic hung up, walking over to the Tornado. 

“She didn’t answer?” Tails scoffed.
“Well, she checks her messages pretty regularly, I’m sure she’ll hear,” Amy reassured.
“Yup,” Sonic agreed, hopping on. “Let’s go! Destination; Starfall Islands!”

Starfall Island was not what they were all expecting.
Sonic obeyed the mysterious voice out of curiosity and desperation. He wished he hadn’t but he’s not sure what else he would have done.

Amy’s teal and sparking hand went through the red poppies, her quills still while the world around her swayed with the wind.
“I used to be so kind,” Amy said to Sonic. “So full of… love. Just like that coco. Where did it go? Did I get rid of it?”
“Probably not on purpose,” Sonic reassured, massaging the spot on his hand where it sparked red and black.
“When we get out of here, I’m leaving the Resistance, Freedom Fighters, Restoration, whatever we’re called now,” Amy sighed. “I’ve lost sight of… a lot of things. I need to figure that out, for myself as much as for our friends.”
Sonic smiled and nodded.
“I can’t wait to hear about it all when you get back,” Sonic said, standing up. “But first? Let’s get you off this island, yeah?”
Amy smiled and nodded.
A ghostly white child watched with red eyes from above.

The sun was setting on the desert, Sonic shivering partially from the chill and from the almost numbing pain that was beginning to ripple through his body. 

“It’s beautiful out here,” Knuckles said, interrupting the almost mournful silence. “I can understand why they’d be willing to fight to stay here, instead of running. More sense than my own ancestors, anyway.”

Sonic frowned, looking over at him.
“I’m the last echidna,” Knuckles said. He said it like it was a revelation, not a fact he’d been practically born knowing. “I’m… I’m alone.”
“You’re not alone, even if you are the last,” Sonic corrected. “You’ve got all of us, dontcha, Knucklehead?”

“I wish I was more like you, honestly,” Knuckles said, something like embarrassment making his flickering cheeks redden. “Freedom to go where you want, do what you want. Nothing can hold you in one place for long. You’ve seen the world more times than I can count, more times than I’ve even left Angel Island.”
“Well, I mean, my lifestyle is a choice,” Sonic shrugged. He didn't fully agree with what Knuckles was saying but... “Why not do it?”
“But… then who would watch the Master Emerald?” Knuckles shook his head. “I’m the last lone guardian. I have to, well, guard, even if I’ve been kind of bad at it.”
“Again, you’re not alone,” Sonic insisted. “I could watch it. The Chaotix could watch it, the Restoration, hell, literally Cream could watch it! You don’t have to let this responsibility isolate you, ya know?”
“You’re right,” Knuckles hummed. Sonic smirked, leaning over.
“what was that?” he teased.
“Ugh, I said you were right! Probably! But we can’t prove it until I’m normal so,” Knuckles waved aggressively to shoo Sonic away. “Go fix this! Me!”
“Sure, if that’ll get you out of my quills,” Sonic stood up, Knuckles following.
They glared at each other for a moment before breaking into chuckles, giving each other a quick fist bump.

The child listened, pondering the character of her adversary. 

“Am I a burden to you?” Tails asked. It was strange, seeing him free of his mechanical parts. When had Sonic gotten used to them? “Is that why Sally stopped talking to us?”
“No,” Sonic immediately said. “Tails, what? No! Where did this come from?”
Tails looked away, almost as if ashamed of his question. 

“I feel like… like I’m in your way. I’m always standing on the sidelines!” Tails insisted. “And when I try to help…”
Tails’ eyes drifted to Sonic’s prosthetic. That, somehow, hurt more than the strange pain that seemed to be eating away at his body.
“...I can’t do enough in time,” Tails finished. “Maybe you’d be better off without me.”
“Don’t say that,” Sonic said, a firmness he didn’t mean to let slip out catching them both off guard. “I couldn’t do half the things I do without you. I mean, look at this arm! Tails, it’s a mechanical wonder.”
Tails frowned and slightly nodded.
“Plus, you’ve got brains to put Eggman to shame, speed that lets you keep up with even me at times, and you can fly with your butt! You can, have, and will do so much already!” Sonic reached out, his own glitchy arm resting firmly on Tails’ flickering shoulder. “It’s okay if you’re not always ready to do it alone. That’s why I’m here. That’s why we’re all here.”
Tails snorted, looking almost teary eyed.
“When did you get so insightful?” Tails asked.
“Hey, I’ve always been insightful! You just weren’t paying attention,” Sonic joked. “You really should listen to your elders, young man.”
Tails laughed.

It hurt to walk but… it was important he talked to Tails. The little guy had been out of it lately.
“Feeling better?” Sonic asked, trying to hide the limp he now had.
“Yeah. weird enough, I feel… better than I have in a while,” Tails said, standing up. “I’m thinking it might be time for me to leave the nest. I mean, how old were you when you started your adventures?”
“Younger than you were but a shit ton less mature,” Sonic admitted. A strange pride, mixed with sadness, rose up inside him. To be fair, that wasn't a choice but... well, who was Sonic to deny Tails' his own choices?
“So, it’s okay?” Tails asked.
“Of course, it is!” Sonic said. “I’d never try to hold you down. I guess… I don’t know, you grew up faster than I realized. Ain’t that something.”
“Are you saying I outpaced you?” Tails asked, with a Sonic-style shiteating grin.
“Ey, don’t push it, junior,” Sonic snorted. “I look forward to you reaching new heights- literally.”
“Ugh, I hate those puns!” Tails whined but didn’t resist the affectionate ruffling of his fur. Sonic’s hand ached as he did so but he wasn’t gonna ruin the moment by saying so.
The child watched, equal parts jealous and mournful. 

There are memories that are not his own in his head. Or are they his? He can’t remember.

Oh Gaia. He can’t remember. Everything hurts. Where’s his uncle? He was always good at making the pain go away.
Does he have an uncle? He has to keep moving. Why? 

He can’t remember. 

He just- he just has to keep going. For them. For who? Who is he fighting for? Who is he fighting?
Just don’t stop, don’t stop fighting, don’t stop running-




Sally idly tapped on her desk, the message Sonic left for her on loop.
“If you need us, just give us a holler- If you need us, just give us a holler- If you need us, just give us a holler-”

She had called Sonic, just out of curiosity. He hadn’t answered. Tails had left his own warning about how the islands might obscure their locations so not to freak out if they vanished but Sally worried and worried. 

Why hadn’t they told her? If not to ask permission or to invite her, just to let her know?
Oh, wait. They had. And Sally didn’t answer.
“If you need us, just give us a holler- If you need us, just give us a holler- If you need us, just give us a holler-”

Sally groaned, placing her head in her hands.

They’re. They’re fine! They’re just having fun! Having a fun little adventure and Sally shouldn’t worry! That’s all. 

They’re fine.

Sally’s office door broke down, Bunnie peeking in anxiously as Shadow stormed in, their tail whipping like a brewing storm.

It had a hand to his chest, a motion Sally did not like in this particular moment.
“Where’s Sonic?” Shadow demanded.

Sonic’s heart did not stop so much as it stalled. Shadow had felt Sonic’s heart stop before, a stillness in his chest that felt like there was a rock in them.

This felt more like it was constantly vibrating. Still bad, still dead. 

It hadn’t lasted… too long but, at the same time, it felt like an infinity. Shadow had wanted to tear it out of its chest, just so it would stop.

He had broken into Sally’s office, hoping she’d have an explanation for the strange pains and stutterings Sonic had given when he collapsed to his knees, Sonic’s strange new heart condition giving him an almost literal heart attack.

It corrected itself after a moment, Shadow finally breathing in as Sonic’s heart resumed its usual pattern for the first time in a week.

Sally helped them to its feet and to a chair and the two elected to wait for Sonic to get back.

“He’s a moron,” Shadow growled, trying to hide their concern. Sally, back at her desk with her paperwork, thankfully didn’t notice or didn’t care.
“He always puts all of himself into whatever he does,” Sally admitted. “It makes sense that as the danger escalates, so would the consequences of that. It's been true for a while.”

Shadow pressed his hand back to his chest. That was true, after all, Shadow had gotten a tad too used to feeling an emptiness before a familiar beat refilled it. 

“You’ve known him longer than me,” Shadow said, his voice barely not a whisper. “Does it ever get easier seeing him throw himself away so foolishly?”
Sally paused, looking away.
“No,” Sally finally said. “Why do you think I’ve stopped looking?”
Shadow scoffed at that. Please. It could see Sonic’s muted voice mail on loop on her phone from here.

“You really should ease up on him,” Sally said after a minute. “You two are more similar than you think. Just because he’s more public with it, doesn’t mean you don’t have the same problem.”
“What do you mean?” Shadow asked, frowning at her.
“During the war, you put Tails and the general public over yourself, refusing to allow me to clear up the deal with the fake because it could leave confused people vulnerable,” Sally set down her papers. “You joined an organization even though you hate orders because you want to help.  You both are more than fine with dealing with a level of discomfort for others’ sake.”
“...That’s different,” Shadow huffed, turning away. “I’ve never gotten myself killed over it.”
“Space Colony Ark,” Sally deadpanned. Shadow flinched.
“That was years ago! It doesn’t count,” Shadow hissed.
“Shadow, be honest with me,” Sally leaned forward. “If you were in the same position today, would you do the same thing?”

The answer was obviously no. Well. Sort of. 

The falling bit was… well, it was a sign of their mental instability, to put it nicely. Everything else… he’d probably do again in a heartbeat.

“No,” Shadow lied. “I’d be smarter about it.”

Sally scoffed now.

Shadow sighed.
“At least I didn’t dye my hair some horrendous color,” Shadow decided to say, Sally’s face turning a crimson red.
“Wha-” Sally sputtered, the queenly appearance dropping. “How did you know about that? Who told you?!”
“I did some digging,” Shadow shrugged. “I must say… pink and yellow? A good combo but perhaps, not in your fur.”
“Oh, you’re… you’re the worst!” Sally screeched, placing her head in her hands.
Shadow grinned, chuckling slightly. It was a release of tension Shadow desperately needed.
However, Shadow wished it was Sonic here, playing the fool.

Sally had accepted Amy and Knuckles’ resignation letters, one written in cursive, one clearly written first with an oversized glove before frustration took over. 

Amy wasn’t sure what she wanted to do but she had moved out back in with Cream and Vanilla.

Knuckles had said he didn’t care where he ended up, only if it was someplace he’d never been before. He got on his flight with a childlike glee, promising to send Sonic a postcard. 

Sally was fine with them leaving. She understood. They were tired and they had had a close brush with death that clarified life for them.

It’s Tails that caught her off guard.

She didn’t even know he was leaving.

He didn’t tell her. She only knew because Bunnie mentioned it.

She had been talking about having dinner, said her new garden had grown way too many tomatoes and she was gonna need help eating them. Said it was a shame they couldn’t invite Tails, the boy loved spaghetti and teenagers always eat so much.

Sally had looked up, confused. Well, why couldn’t she invite Tails?
Bunnie had looked at her strangely after that.


“You just let him fly off?” Sally scowled as she walked in. Sonic startled up from the bed, clearly almost asleep. He looked exhausted but Sally was too focused to truly notice or care.
“Well, hello to you too, Sal,” Sonic groaned, face planting back into his bed.
“You let Tails just fly off,” Sally repeated.
“Geez, you and Shades are two peas in a pod, ya know? Always repeating what you just said,” Sonic chuckled. “Oh, don’t scare me like that, you moron, you moron, ha.”
“Then respond to what I’m saying,” Sally insisted.
“Ugh, fine. Yeah, I did,” Sonic finally sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What about it?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Sally threw her arms up.
“Because he said he would,” Sonic frowned. “Did he not?”
“No,” Sally said, crossing her arms. Sonic winced.
“Aw, geez, Tails,” Sonic groaned. “Look, he needs to find his own place in the world, same as any of us. He thought he wouldn’t be able to do that in all of our shadows. Don’t worry, I’m no genius but I can take over his workload with Rotor.”
“The work isn’t what I’m worried about,” Sally said. “How are we supposed to keep him safe if he’s so far away?”
“He can protect himself, just as good as we can,” Sonic said. “He’s got a gun for an arm, for one thing.”
“He shouldn’t have to!” Sally screeched. “We’re supposed to protect him so he can be a kid-”
“Then, and no offense, Sal, why didn’t you?” Sonic cut off. Sally felt as if Sonic had kicked her in the throat.
“What?” she struggled out.
“Why didn’t you?” Sonic repeated. “From what Tails tells me, you dipped out… a while ago. He was alone until Shadow and Rouge joined him during the war but you’ve been avoiding him for longer than that.”
Sally bit her lip, looking away. Sonic frowned.
“Sally,” Sonic said and Sally startled. That... why didn't he...? “I get it. You’re busy. But you don’t get to show up now and criticize me for this, tossing around the word ‘we’ like it means anything. There hasn’t been a we since before the war. Since before before.” 

It hurts to say. It hurt to hear.

Sonic’s heart felt crushed as Sally’s face crumpled in on itself. 

“Well,” Sonic said, standing up. He avoided looking Sally in the eye, as if that would somehow make his own words disappear. He forced back on his arm, wincing as it clicked into place. “That’s enough sleeping on the job. I’ve got work to do. See ya.”
Sonic walked past Sally, out of the hut the three once shared.

Sonic’s arms weren’t good for intricate tasks but Rotor needed heavy lifting as much as he needed another pair of skilled hands. 

Sonic was just happy to have something to do, anything.

He hadn’t realized how much free time he’d spent with Tails but now that the kit was gone, well, Sonic had to do something with his down time.

Which was to make sure he had none.

Yup, Honey was pleased to have his help, so was Rotor, if there was work that needed to be done, Sonic was the guy to do it.

He didn’t- he couldn’t stop. 

If he did, everything would catch up to him.

“It’s 6 am, Sonic, did you go home at all?” Rotor asked as he walked in, finding the whole lab spotless. 

“Sonic, I appreciate your help but I’m getting carpal tunnel, I’ll call you when I need help again, okay?” Honey said, massaging a paw as Sonic modeled the fourteenth dress in a row. 

“You don’t work here,” said the teal chinchilla as she caught Sonic reorganizing her library books. 

“Again?” Shadow asked as he opened its apartment door to find Sonic waiting with two bagels.
“Again!” Sonic agreed, tossing one bagel to Shadow. “Hey, you were the one telling me I need to get better reflexes.”
“I was telling you that you need to be more careful,” Shadow caught it, glaring.
“Same difference,” Sonic shrugged. “Are you down or not?”
Shadow sighed before nodding.
Sonic grinned, tail wagging as Shadow joined him outside.

People got sick of him really quick. Not Shadow though. No matter how late, early, or constantly Sonic asked, there was Shadow, ready to race, spar, anything really!
It made Sonic wonder if Shadow was in the same boat as him. Sonic really should ask one of these times.

Bloody and bruised, the two reclined on a park bench.
“That’s 6 to 6 now,” Sonic remarked. “We always end on ties, huh?”
“You’re too predictable after a while,” Shadow shrugged. “That’s how I win.”
“And you get too into your head,” Sonic chuckled back. “That’s how I win.”
Silence rippled through the park and Sonic’s eyes drooped. He hadn’t been getting really good sleep lately. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Shadow asks out of nowhere, Sonic startling awake.
“Uh, I’m sorry?” Sonic snorted, rubbing his face. Shadow’s face was now an embarrassed green.
“Ugh, I mean,” Shadow tried again. “Are you okay? You’ve been acting… weird.”
“Eh, same as always,” Sonic shrugged. “Weirded out that Tails is leaving the nest but, well, growing pains, I guess.”
Shadow stared at Sonic for a moment.
“I don’t believe you,” Shadow finally said.
“What, that telltale heart of mine telling you I’m lying or something?” Sonic rolled his eyes.
“No,” Shadow shook their head. “You just look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks,” Sonic deadpanned. “Ugh, fine, I guess I haven’t been sleeping well. Too… empty.”
Shadow hummed, nodding. 

Far too empty. The silence echoed, a small hut becoming a small metallic cell in his mind. Or giant field, with only the chitters of stone ghosts to keep him company. Or a maze, where his friends were torn from him one by one. Or a burnt down village, not even the flicker of flame left. Or- 

“You could stay at my place for a night,” Shadow suggested, breaking Sonic’s thought process. Sonic glanced over, surprised, at him.
“Really?” Sonic asked. Shadow shrugged.
“Rouge is over at Topaz’s and Omega was planning on charging,” Shadow explained. “It wouldn’t be a disruption and it might help you relax.”
Sonic pondered. It was a good idea…
“Sure!” Sonic finally said. “Thanks for the offer.”

The team’s shared apartment was about how Sonic expected it; a level of class coexisting with signs of extreme violence. 

There were giant fistholes in the wall, covered by fine paintings. The oaken bookshelf was slanted, a brick replacing a fallen leg. The sink was full of stained fine china.

It looked like a home.
“Do you mind sleeping on the couch?” Shadow asked, motioning to the said piece of furniture.
“Oh, not at all!” Sonic said, walking over and sitting on it. He set down his one pillow and blanket, kicking his shoes off. “Really, again, thanks for letting me stay.”
“It’s not a big deal,” Shadow shrugged.
“You know, I can make dinner for you, as thanks,” Sonic offered. “One good turn and all of that.”
Shadow paused, glancing over at the kitchen.
“I was going to order take out but…” Shadow looked back at Sonic. “You can cook?”
“Sure thing. Turns I can do it with one hand behind my back,” Sonic said, standing up and walking to the kitchen. 

The fridge was sparse but there was ingredients for breakfast for dinner.
“That cool?” Sonic asked, carrying the eggs and the bacon out, one at a time.

Shadow made a face but nodded. 

“Grab me a pan, will you?” Sonic asked, getting to work. It was a bit slower with only one hand but he made it work.

“Here,” Shadow said, holding out a pot. Sonic stared at it for a moment before looking up at Shadow.
“Shades, what the fuck.”

So, turns out, Shadow doesn’t know how to cook! When you don’t need much food to survive and can safely consume raw meat, such a skill is not really required. Baking? Loves baking, actually had some brownies he made the other day for dessert.

But cooking? Sonic actually had to kick Shadow out of the kitchen so he didn’t fucking murder them.

The dinner was delicious and the hedgehogs left no leftovers as they went to bed.

Sonic actually fell asleep pretty quick. Guess he was more tired than expected.

It was the staying asleep that was a problem.

Sonic frowned in his sleep, eyelids fluttering. His quills stiffened, piercing holes in the leather couch. Claws dug into the cushions as Sonic tossed and turned, a motion that came to an abrupt stop as Sonic jolted up, eyes flying open.

He didn’t scream but it was a very near thing. 

It was just a nightmare. Sonic blinked away budding tears. It wasn’t real. It was just a dream. Breathe.

His arm, the missing one, ached, as if it was asleep. Stupid phantom pains.

Sonic swallowed around a lump, trying to force his lungs to behave. 

A creak in the hall restarted Sonic’s panic, his head turning towards the sound.

Shadow stood in the hall, his red eyes gleaming in the limited light. 

Sonic raised a hand to his chest. Oh. That’s not just his heart pounding like a jackrabbit then.

Sonic opens his mouth but the words are still born. 

After a moment, Shadow moves, walking over and sitting next to Sonic.

The two sit in silence, waiting for their hearts to realize they’re not in danger. 

Sonic wonders what Shadow dreamed about. Sonic wonders if he really wants to know.

Shadow finally spoke.
“I didn’t want to be alone,” Shadow whispered, a confession Sonic wasn’t expecting. “It gets worse when they’re gone. I thought if someone was here, then… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Sonic said back. “Same boat. I don’t know how I’m going to get used to it.”
Silence overwhelmed them again.

“I don’t want to get used to it,” Sonic admitted. “I just. I don’t.”
Shadow nodded, as if Sonic hadn’t said two fragments of a sentence and things that made coherent sense.
“I keep waiting for it to get easier, better,” Sonic laughed a little at that. “I’ve… never been very good at waiting.”
Shadow snorted, somewhat amused. 

“I’m scared it won’t get better,” Shadow says. “But then I remember how bad it used to be.”
Sonic sighs and nods, leaning over on Shadow. Shadow stiffens and then relaxes. 

Sonic can hear his heartbeat in Shadow’s chest. The soft white fluff on his chest tickles Sonic’s cheek. 

“You’re a lot stronger than I am, ha,” Sonic says. “Because all I can think about is how it feels like it’s just getting worse.”
Shadow frowns and Sonic feels bad for ruining Shadow’s pretty face like that. 

“...Get some sleep, Sonic,” Shadow says and Sonic feels Shadow’s tail wrap around his leg. “We both need some.”
Sonic nods. Should he pull away? Was Shadow uncomfortable like this? No, Shadow seemed fine with this position. 

Sonic was very fine with it but… well, he had a crush on Shadow, of course he was. 

…could it still be called a crush if it lasted several years? 

Sonic decided those thoughts could wait until the morning and closed his eyes.

Shadow’s ear flicked as he heard a snicker and he grimaced, opening his eyes. 

Rouge leaned over him, holding her phone out in front of her with a shit eatting grin.
“Weren’t you staying at Topaz’s?” Shadow grumbles, closing its eyes again.
“It’s noon, hun, I just got back,” Rouge informed. “Thanks for the lunch, by the way. Or should I thank your snuggle buddy?”
“Snuggle buddy?” Shadow questioned, still waking up. There was indeed a weight on them but…

A glance revealed it was Sonic, still fast asleep. While the two had been pretty close when they’d fallen asleep, some point in the night, they’d gotten closer. 

Sonic’s hand was entwined with Shadow’s, his tail idly wagging while Shadow’s was tightly wrapped around Sonic’s leg. Sonic’s head was now buried into Shadow’s chest fur, muffled snoring coming from the blue hedgehog.

Shadow blushed, face turning a vibrant green.
“Didn’t know you two were so friendly,” Rouge teased.
“Shut up,” Shadow hissed. “He just… I asked him to make dinner and then it was too late for him to go so I just…”
It was a shitty excuse and a blatant lie but a teasing Rouge was not allowed to know about Shadow’s or Sonic’s nightmares. 

Wait. Nightmares. 

Shadow glanced back at Sonic. He looked so peaceful… was this the first good sleep he’d had in some time?
Shadow felt the corners of his mouth twitch up at Sonic’s utterly relaxed face, half buried in Shadow’s fluff. It was a tad uncomfortable but…
Another camera click and the moment was ruined, Shadow’s head snapping over to Rouge.

She was covering her mouth with a snicker.
“WHAT ARE WE LAUGHING AT?” Omega asked, stepping in. “AH. I SEE. SHADOW’S BIZARRE COURTING METHODS. THIS IS INDEED WORTH LAUGHING AT. HA. HA. HA.”
“I will kill you both!” Shadow hissed in a whisper, pointing at them threateningly with his free hand. 

Chapter Text

“And Eggman’s forces have been low again,” Sally remarked. “Usually a hallmark to him planning a big move.”
“And around more human areas,” Shadow agreed. “It’s probably going to be big. How long do you think we have?”
“Longer than I fear and shorter than I hope,” Sally sighs. “He’s not one to repeat plans so there’s a limit to how we can predict his actions.”
Shadow nodded.
“However, there’s been large shipments of galvanized steel and other parts regularly found in Eggman’s machines being stolen,” Sally went on. “So it’s not out of the question that he may be up to something.”
“We’ll look into that,” Shadow agreed. “Topaz has been trying to keep a closer eye on Eggman related activity, especially in more human territories.”
“I’m surprised Eggman hasn’t enlisted human help,” Sally remarked, brushing a strand of oaky brown fur out of her face. She’d been growing it out lately and Shadow had to admit, it looked good on her. “But maybe that’s for the best.”
“Considering what that ‘help’ did to him before, I doubt he’d be so eager to enlist help again,” Shadow added. Sally paused, recalling Starline and his attempt to backstab Eggman.
“That’s… true,” Sally sighed.
The two sat in silence, Sally working on various pieces of paper. Her brow was furrowed in something a mix of determination and frustration, her sharp mind going a hundred miles per hour.
“How long have you been working today?” Shadow asked after a moment admiring her.
“Since… I think 6 am?” Sally responded, not even pausing.
“Ah,” Shadow glanced at the clock. Perfect. “Would you care to join me for lunch?”
Sally looked up at him, her expression strange. Shadow fidgeted under it.
“...I can’t,” Sally said, looking back at her work. “I have too much to work on today.”
“Ah, of course,” Shadow said, tail sinking. “Another time then?”
Sally didn’t respond. Shadow frowned but stood up.
“I’ll be back next week with our findings, if not sooner,” Shadow said. “Be sure to eat something, Princess.”
Sally just hummed, only looking up to look at Shadow as he left the room.

“Any luck?” Bunnie asked as Shadow exited.
“I don’t know why you asked me to,” Shadow huffed.
“Because you worry about her,” Bunnie said, chuckling. “You’re friends.”
“Well…” Shadow hummed. He wasn’t sure if that was true. It wasn’t not true, it just… Shadow’s not good with relationships. He does care about her but it feels somehow both less and more than friendship. “She keeps trying to bury herself in work. She’s worse than Sonic.”
And Sonic was bad. Sure, he’d gotten better since he started staying at Shadow’s place at night but Shadow couldn’t help but notice his apartment seemed to be extremely clean and organized.

Sally and Sonic were alike, in that way. 

Shadow’s fists tightened. It irritated him, to a degree. Concern to the point of anger. 

There’s an explosion and a familiar howl of laughter.

Shadow bares his teeth, tail snapping like a whip against the floor. He passes his folder over to Bunnie.
“Hold this,” he said before sending himself hurling through a window.

Eggman was in his stupid floating car thingy, a small but most definitely not human child by his side. Her eyes landed on Shadow as Shadow landed in front, something not quite curious in them.

“Oh, Shadow! I didn’t expect to see you here! You still being all buddy buddy with the princess?” Eggman asked with a smug grin.
“As far as you’re concerned, you’ll address her as a queen,” Shadow growled, pointing at Eggman. He cast a glance around, surprised. There were no forces, no giant robot. Had Eggman seriously just shown up? Unless… Shadow looked at the girl floating by Eggman’s side. “I assume this is your newest weapon?”
“Ah, not quite! This is Sage! My greatest creation so far,” Eggman gloated. “I expect you to give her the same respect you all give me.”
“Thank you, Father,” Sage said, preening at her father’s praise. Shadow balked. 

Father? Considering his other creations and general controlling nature, even if he wasn’t a megalomaniac, Shadow would hesitate to be excited to see him have any children. 

“So, no respect whatsoever?” Shadow said, feeling power pool in his hands as two dual green spears. “Fine by me.”
“Hey, you’re not picking a fight without me, are you?” Sonic asked, jumping down and landing next to Shadow. “Huh, just Sage? Really?”
“More like they’re picking a fight,” Shadow huffed.
“While we have been temporarily allies on Starfall Islands, we are no longer so,” Sage said. “My capabilities have improved since then. I will not be an easy foe.”
“Well,” Sonic said, something like disappointment in his voice. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Sage wilted, like a scolded child, before shaking it off.

“Prepare to be defeated!” Eggman exclaimed. “By Sage 2.0! Show them what you’re made of, dear!”
Sage’s eyes gleam as she raised her hands, her childlike form getting covered by that of a slender robot.
“Oh, I recognize this one,” Sonic remarked. “Ninja! She must be replicating the robots from Starfall Islands!”
“I’ll follow your lead then,” Shadow said and the two prepared to fight.

“Sally Girl, you really should get to safety!” Bunnie insisted. “Their focus may not be on us but it ain’t safe here!” 

Sally did not move. 

Shadow and Sonic fought like they’d been doing it for a lifetime, responding to unspoken cues with grace and ease. 

The small girl went flying back and Eggman frowned before cursing out the two hedgehogs, the maniac flying off. 

Sonic turned to Shadow with a grin and Shadow’s own lips seemed to upturn from where he stood by Sonic’s side. 

Sally looks down at her wrists, bare. She had stopped wearing her rings not long after she found out Tails left. 

Clearly, Tails did not think as fond of her as he once did. 

And whose fault is that? Sally doesn’t talk to him, doesn’t talk to anyone.

She looked back up, hearing Shadow’s laughter. His laugh was strange, something soft and sweet, it never seemed to quite fit the face Shadow gave the world. 

She only talks to Shadow and that is a rare thing but he understood, didn’t he? He was like her. They’d both learned from grief.

Sonic grins at Shadow’s laugh, a look of adoration in his eyes, a look Shadow returns. Do they even realize they’re doing it?

But maybe Shadow learned something that Sally didn’t. 

“Woo,” Bunnie sighed. “That was an odd one, Sally Girl. Think it was meant to distract us?”
“I need to get back to work,” Sally said, walking back to her desk. Bunnie frowned as she did but said nothing.
Back in the lobby, Sally did hear Shadow and Sonic enter, did hear Shadow accepting his folder back. 

Did not see Shadow frowning at the shut door and Sonic glancing at both the door and at Shadow’s back with something between jealousy and concern.

 Whatever Eggman’s building up to, it’s huge. The man’s microdosing on small attacks to various Restoration bases, seeming to test his so called daughter’s capabilities. 

And while Shadow and ARMOR, Topaz’s organization, hadn’t found any sign of activity of Eggman around human territories beyond stealing materials, that did not mean Eggman wasn’t a problem, it just meant Eggman was their problem. Her problem.

Sally could at least satisfy herself with Rotor running various analyses and scans of the data of Sage they’ve gathered so far. If whatever Eggman is prepping for involves her, they need to be as ready as possible. 

“And you said you had another thing to speak to me about?” Sally said, looking up at Rotor. The walrus nodded, fidgeting.
“Well, yes but it’s more his project than mine,” Rotor said. 

Tails stepped into the room.

Sally had to stop herself from launching out of her chair and hugging the life out of the fox. 

“Starfall Islands opened a whole new world of possibilities,” Tails said, launching right into business. “And with it, I think we might finally have a solution for the Robian problem.”
Sally blinked, surprised, looking to Rotor. He nodded. She looked back at Tails, motioning him to elaborate.

“I believe that the consciousness of the person robotized is still within the Robian,” Tails explained. “If we use Ancient tech to bring that consciousness back to the forefront, restoring their own bodily autonomy…”
“You could bring them back,” Sally finished, putting a hand over her mouth. “Have you tested this yet?”
“We wanted your approval first,” Rotor said. “There’s a chance there could be no consciousness left or that the tech is incompatible so we’re unable to reach them even if they are still in there.”
Sally puzzled. Those were beyond valid concerns. 

Yet, the chance of restoring those they had lost was…
“You have my go ahead,” Sally said, already starting on the required paperwork. “Just be careful who you pick as your initial… test subject.”
“We already have some people in mind, we’ll take care of it,” Rotor agreed with a nod. Tails nodded as well, turning to leave. 

“Wait, Tails,” Sally called out, the teen stopping. “Can I speak to you for a moment? Alone?”
Tails and Rotor share a look and Sally remembers how Rotor was as a child, cowering away from his fathers, one cruel and one cold.
Tails nods and Rotor pats him on the shoulder, casting a cautionary but not accusatory glance Sally’s way.
“What is it?” Tails says, sounding impatient. Sally swallows around a lump in her throat.
“Where have you been?” she asks.
“About,” Tails shrugs. “Here, there, a bit of everywhere.”
“Where, Tails?” Sally repeated her question. Tails shrugged again.
“Why does it matter?” Tails asked.
“Because I’m responsible for your wellbeing,” Sally sighed.
“Since when was that a thing?” Tails scoffs and his voice has a warning tone.
“For quite some time, Tails,” Sally crossed her arms.
“Oh, please,” Tails said. “I don’t know what crap Sonic’s been feeding you to sooth your bruised ego but you stopped giving a shit about me, oh, I wanna say, three years ago?”

Sally bit her lip. She had started putting some space between her and Sonic about three years ago. Of course Tails had gotten stuck in the crossfires. 

And then the war happened and then…

It was best for everyone if she kept her distance. 

But if that was true, why was Tails so angry?
“I do care about you, Tails,” Sally said. “I’ve just had less free time. That’s all.”
“Bullshit!” Tails snapped, slamming his hands down on her desk. The slam of flesh and metal against wood made Sally flinch back. “Sure, you’re more busy but you haven’t even tried! You refuse to try!”
Sally wilted, avoiding meeting Tails’ eyes.
“You think you’re above us or something,” Tails hissed. “And you’re not.”
“I have to be,” Sally said, hands tightening into fists. “It’s my responsibility to be.”
Tails scoffed and pushed off her desk, turning away.
“I’m leaving,” Tails said. “I’ll be with Rotor if you need me. Not that you will.”
The door slams as he leaves and Sally slumps down on her desk.

Oh, Elias… was this how you felt? 

Sonic watches, leaning against the wall, as a mother wails, struggling to operate her arms around her child. He can’t imagine how she feels, her only child so much older, so different. It must be hard.

The procedure was more than a success and this woman was far from the first subject.
Tails and Rotor were trying to limit to ten per day, they didn’t want to overload their device but that might change as they duplicate it. 

They’d used the Ancient’s technology to connect the Robian to cyberspace and then coax the consciousness of the person beneath the metal back to the surface. 

It worked like a charm, people restored for the first time in over ten years. They seemed distantly aware of the time that had passed and what had happened around them but not by much. 

They couldn’t be blamed.

“Almost done for the night? I’m starving,” Sonic said as Rotor left the family to briefly reconnect.
“Just one more,” Rotor said. “And then you can take Tails out of here.”
Tails had remained in the room, overseeing to make sure there were no side effects or backsliding. They had nearly lost one or two that way, so shocked and grieved that they nearly retreated back into the comatose state.
“He’s just as annoying as you, you know? He wanted to stay up and work on it through the night, he’d stop eating if I let him,” Rotor huffed.
“How do you think I feel?” Sonic laughed back but dropped his smile as he looked over at Tails. “So, who’s your last patient for the night?”
Rotor took a deep breath.
“King Acorn,” Rotor said and Sonic startled.
“Wha- he’s been found?! I thought we lost him in the chaos of the whole Starline-Eggman mess?!” Sonic exclaimed, Rotor nodding.
“It was suggested that we save him for the last but, well, a lot of us disagreed with that,” Rotor said.
The door opened and the koala led his mother out gently, nearly carrying her from how much she was leaning on him. 

Tails wheeled out King Maximilian Acorn out on a dolly, propping the ruler against the wall as he began the process of attaching a bazillion wires to him.
Sonic heard her before he saw her; Sally walking past him and Rotor into the room.

She shared a look with Tails, something almost hostile in the teen’s eyes, the now queen averting her gaze first. However, she did sit in the seat across from where Tails was now positioning the king.

Sonic watched her, Sally’s expression blank as jolts of blue went through her father, twitching him to life. 

There was a moment of stillness and then-

The king blinked, once, twice, before looking up. Sally’s eyes widened as he did so.

His mouth moved and Tails grinned with satisfaction. 

Sally got up and bolted. 

The door shook as she shoved it open in her hurry to get out, both Tails and King Max looking shocked by her scramble to leave.

“I’ll get her,” Sonic says, missing how Rotor sighs and Tails frowns. 

Sonic hasn’t seen Sally this upset in forever. The last time he can think of is… maybe the Starline-Eggman thing when Tails-

Yeah. Since then.
But he knows where she’ll go because it’s where he would be running to too right now.

There’s not a maze anymore but Sonic still can’t help but feel lost as he enters what once were the royal gardens, spying Sally sobbing by the swings. 

He approaches, slowly, the last thing he wants to do is give her more reason to run.
“Sally?” he calls out gently, sitting next to her. “You with me?”
“It’s him,” Sally sobs. “It’s really him. Oh Gaia.”
“...Most people are excited about that,” Sonic presses. “But you seem upset.”
“I’m, I’m glad, I am, just,” Sally hiccups. “Gaia, I spent so long thinking it’d never happen…”

She buries her face in her hands, shaking her head.
“None of it has felt real,” Sally cried. “None of it was real until… oh, Gaia, what am I gonna tell him?”
“Tell him?” Sonic tilted his head.
“His wife and son is dead, his kingdom is in shambles, Eggman is still on the fucking loose…” Sally hissed. “I’m a failure. He’s going to hate me.”
“Sal, he’s not going to hate you,” Sonic said.
“He should!” Sally snapped, her head shooting up. “He should. I was a shit leader, a shit queen… a shit friend. Elias told me that a good leader stands alone and all I end up doing is dragging everyone down with me.”
Sonic’s jaw clamps shut. Sonic tries not to think ill of the dead but Elias just made it very, very difficult. 

Sally shakes, just like she did at Elias’ funeral, and Sonic, just like at the funeral, brushes his knuckles against Sally’s arm.

Just like at the funeral, she throws herself at Sonic, Sonic nearly jolting back in surprise. 

It’s. It's been awhile since Sally had touched him. He didn’t realize he’d missed it but he’s bad at realizing things. 

“Sal,” Sonic said and she sharply inhaled. “I can’t speak for Elias or anything but… I always thought you led best when you let us help you. I don’t know. You’re the smart one here.”
“That’s what I thought too,” Sally sniffled. “But now I’m not so sure.”

They sat in silence, Sally just crying on Sonic, Sonic just holding her. 

“Do you hate me?” Sally asked after a moment. Sonic couldn’t help but snort.
“Sal, the sun would go dark before I even stopped caring about you,” Sonic said. “Let’s not be silly, okay?”

Sally snorted now, but Sonic doubted any of what they were saying was funny.
“Let’s go back, okay? Your dad’s probably worried,” Sonic said. “Help me up?”
Sally nodded and stood, pulling Sonic with her. Sonic didn’t really need the help but sometimes the best way to accept help is to help. 

They walk back to the lab, Sally letting go of his hand once they’re inside, walking back into the room where Max Acorn was still waiting.

Sonic watched them talk for a bit, Sally laughing at something her father said, before hugging. Sonic smiled. While he couldn’t hear it, it was nice to see her laugh again. 

Max moved to touch Sally’s hair and she flinched before relaxing. They stood up together, Sally nodding to Tails as the two walked out.
Tails stepped out of the room, joining Rotor and Sonic.
“You’re the worst, you know that?” Tails grumbled but he didn’t really sound that upset.
“What? What’d I do?” Sonic asked, tilting his head.

“Well, well, if it is the rat in my apartment who refuses to pay rent,” Rouge said as she stepped into her apartment, Sonic once again in her kitchen.
“First off, I’m not a rat, second off, do you want to kick me out before or after I finish cooking?” Sonic responded.
“...After,” Rouge grumbled, sitting down on her couch and peeling off her long gloves. “Damn it, you’ve got me hooked on actually good cooking, was this your plan?”
“I will neither confirm nor deny,” Sonic snickered.
“Damn you,” Rouge snickered back. “Long day?”
“Hey, you’re the spy, you tell me,” Sonic said. “...But, yeah, actually. King Max Acorn got rehabilitated today.”
“Oh,” Rouge hummed, turning on the TV. “I imagine her majesty was happy.”
“...Kind of,” Sonic said. He paused stirring his rice. “I think she got so used to the idea of him being gone that him coming back just… I don’t know. It’s not my place to say.”
Rouge glanced back at him.
“Shadow’s planning to try and trick- ahem, convince her to go with him for coffee instead of hiding away in her stuffy office tomorrow,” Rouge said. “Think that’ll cheer her up?”
“Oh,” Sonic says. He can’t help the pang he gets at that. It’s worse because he can’t tell what bugs him more; Shadow asking Sally or Sally saying yes. “That’s… that’s great! Yeah, she’d really enjoy that, Shadow’s always seemed to brighten her mood.”
And it’s true and has only gotten truer over the years. Even when they were just acquaintances, Sonic had seen it. 

Sonic should be happy for them. Why isn’t he? Why is his heart trying to be so selfish?
“Hun,” Rouge says and her voice takes on an almost protective tone. “Was that jealousy I just heard?”
“Well, maybe,” Sonic tells a half truth. “Sally’s been avoiding me for a while now and I’m her oldest friend. A bit of a bummer that she likes hanging out with Shadow more.”
“That’s not what I heard there,” Rouge corrected. “The royal Acorn is your oldest friend, yeah, avoiding you, absolutely, but I could’ve sworn you seemed especially bothered it was Shadow.”
How the hell could she tell that?
“Ya know, I heard bats were blind, I didn’t believe it was true,” Sonic tried.
“Sonic,” Rouge said and her voice was so, so serious. “Be honest with me. Do you like my boy or do you like your princess?”
Sonic went quiet. 

“Why not both?” Sonic finally said. “I mean… I’m dumb enough, yeah?”
Rouge blinked, surprised. 

Sonic sighed, rubbing his face.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair to Shadow or to Sal. it wasn’t fair.

“They like each other though,” Sonic said. “It’s only a matter of Sally getting out of her head and Shadow getting out of his. The second they do, they’re gonna go on some date where they play War or something and make snide little comments while making eyes at each other the whole time.”
“That sounds like them,” Rouge tentatively agreed.
“I’m happy with what I have,” Sonic said. He would be. He has to be. He can’t risk losing it for the slim chance of something more. “They’re my friends and I love them and I am more than happy to be friends with them. I don’t need to add anything to that friendship.”
“...Hun,” Rouge said. “I’m used to telling Shadow this but I guess you might need to hear it too.”
“Hit me,” Sonic snorted.
“Better to have loved and lost,” Rouge said. “Then never loved at all.”
But wasn’t this friendship a kind of love? Couldn’t he be satisfied with this love? 

Why did he want the other kind so badly?
…And when did he become such a chicken?
“Sonic?” Rouge spoke up again.
“Hm?” Sonic hummed back.
“The rice is burning,” Rouge said, turning back to her show.
“Huh- oh, shit!” Sonic scrambled to save it. “This is your fault.”
“Suuuure it is,” Rouge smirked. 

Chapter Text

“Sometimes I worried I was too hard on him,” Sally’s dad said, his cold metal fingers holding hers. “I still worry.”
Sally glanced over to him. It was odd, to see the light back in his eyes, to recognize the shape beside her as her father and not a puppet of the enemy. It was nice.
“We didn’t talk about you as much as we should have,” Sally admitted. “On one hand, you’d been basically dead to us for years. Secondly, we just… didn’t talk much.”
He was an interloper who thought he knew best, she was an arrogant child who wanted control, neither were willing to meet in the middle, much less to talk about their ‘dead’ father.

“Well, I can’t blame you two for that,” Max sighed. 

Elias’ grave was… nice. Sally would like to think he’d like it. To be fair, she was just happy to have the closure of a grave. It was not one she often had. 

“I should have known,” Max said. “I should have told Chuck to find another co-scientist. I’m sorry.”
“It’s a little late for that, dad,” Sally said. “Let’s just work on where we are now.”
Max nodded.
“Where we are now…” he repeated. “Where are you now? I don’t think I’ve seen you step out of that office for more than two minutes since I… woke up.”
“That’s work to be done,” Sally shrugged. “Things to ensure, people to protect.”
“Yes but, uh, what’s her name, Bunnie! Bunnie, she invited you to work over lunch. Why didn’t you?” Max asked. “It’s good to keep council, you know.”
“I keep council,” Sally said with a frown. Bunnie and Rotor, they look over her stuff and she checks theirs. And Shadow, there’s something about him that always causes her to just start talking and not stop. “I just didn’t feel up to eating out that day.”
“And where is Nicole? I haven’t seen her in some time,” Max added. Sally closed her eyes.
“She’s working with Rotor,” Sally says. “She has unique skills that help with the rejuvenation of Robians. She’s busy too.”

Max looked her over and she squirmed, trying to both not look at her father and at her brother’s grave.
“...Fair enough,” Max sighed. “I do think, and this is just my two cents, you can ignore me, that you could use some fresh air. Just do some of that paperwork outside or something.”
“I’ll take it into consideration,” Sally said, tentatively. Max snorted but nodded.
“That’s all I ask,” Max said. “I’d rather like to have at least one happy and healthy child.”
Sally sharply inhaled and looked away. 

Shadow’s eyes snap open and he bites its own tongue to keep from screaming. The taste of their own blood taints his mouth, sitting up in his cushion of a bed.
Its door creaks open and it looks up, a part of him stiffening in preparation of an attack.

Sonic stands in the doorway, a hand to his chest and a worried look to his eyes.
“You okay?” Sonic whispers, tilting in his head, like an adorable dumb dog.
“I’m fine,” Shadow whispers back, taking deep breaths as they forces themself to just relax. No point in freaking out Sonic. “Just a dream.”
Sonic pauses but, when Shadow doesn’t elaborate, just nods, quick feet retreating back to the living room. 

Shadow sighs in relief. Sonic’s generally pretty good at telling when Shadow doesn’t want to talk but sometimes he’ll try anyway. Shadow really didn’t want to talk about this dream at all.

Well.

Mostly because Shadow doesn’t think it was a dream.

There’s the phantom taste of copper in its mouth and his tail is a whip, lashing out in… anticipation.

The dream had been dark and bloody, giving him a strange hunger and then satisfying it with blood and gore.

And through it all, a voice called, called and called, for Shadow, in a tongue Shadow did not know how they were understanding.

Well, that’s not entirely true. They knows how it’s understanding, he’s understanding because it’s alien, like him, literally.

But it shouldn’t be possible. He killed the Black Arms, they killed Black Doom, they’re dead, he killed them, their putrid green blood staining it in more ways than one.

But it seemed they were not.

But where were they then? Were they here? Or were they coming? It’s one thing to hear their whispers in his mind again, it’s another to not know where the whispers are coming from.

He’ll find them. He’ll find them and kill them all.

Two hours later, the apartment shakes as a meteor, much smaller than the original, touches down. 

There’s an evacuation and Sonic has a strange look on his face when Shadow tells him to stay out of the way, that he’ll be as much help now as he was five years ago.

Five years ago. It hadn’t felt like that. It felt longer. That’s not fair. 

Shadow watches Topaz pace, watches Commander Towers recline in his chair with a slight scowl on his face.

Shadow has no idea if the man has gotten over whatever hang ups he has against Shadow but it doesn’t care, they’ve got bigger fish to fry.

“It’s definitely Black Arms,” Shadow says and Topaz groans.
“Great! Great, just great,” she huffs. “Good thing we already planned on blowing that thing sky high.”
“Which is why I assume he’s here?” Rouge asked, her tone casual as she pointed to the GUN Commander.
“He’s the one with the fire power we need,” Topaz sighed. “I’m sorry, you three.”
“I WILL IGNORE THAT FIRE POWER COMMENT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY LOOK APPROPRIATELY MISERABLE,” Omega said. “PROCEED WITH EXPLAINING THE PLAN.”
“I’m sending you three in there-” Topaz started.
“Along with a small force of my own,” Towers added. Topaz shot him a heated look.
“...to place a blockbuster bomb in the heart of the comet,” Topaz finished.
“Why can’t we just get the Chaos Emeralds and have Shadow go super to get rid of it?” Rouge asked. “No need for a bomb in that case.”
“Well…” Topaz hesitated.
“The Chaos Emeralds have been missing since the Moubis-Egg War,” Sally said, walking in with Bunnie at her back. “They were briefly spotted on Starfall Islands but… well, they haven’t been found since.”
“Team Dark, you already know Queen Sally, Bunnie D'Coolette,” Topaz said. “They’ll be joining you.”
Shadow blinked, surprised, looking back at Sally.
“ARMOR appreciates the help, Queen Sally,” Topaz says, shaking Sally’s hand.
“Of course,” Sally says with a professional smile. 

“Your jobs are going to be covering the GUN force while they plant and arm the bomb,” Topaz said. “Shadow, do you think you could guide them? You have more… experience than the rest of us.”
Shadow swallowed around a lump in his throat, picking idly at a scale on his arm.
“Of course,” Shadow said. “Leave it to me.”

They ride a shuttle up to the comet hovering above the city.
“What a beautiful ring!” Rouge says sweetly, leaning over towards Bunnie.
“Why, thank you,” Bunnie preens. “It’s my wedding ring. Cost Antoine an arm and a leg.”
Rouge laughs at the joke, discreetly trying to slip the ring off Bunnie’s finger. Shadow scoffs, rolling its eyes.

“Handmelded it to me,” Bunnie adds. “Knowing myself and my life, I’d lose it in two seconds flat. You’d think it’d be harder with all the paperwork I’ve been shifting through but, well! Better safe than sorry!”

Rouge laughs again, a bit more forced this time. 

Shadow snorted at Rouge, tail idly flicking.

His ears twitched as they picked up the snickers and murmurs, glancing over to GUN’s bomb placement team. 

They were majorly human, as most of GUN was, and it was evident that Shadow was the subject of their amusement.

Shadow pursed his lips and glanced back away, ignoring their laughs.

GUN… same as ever. If you weren’t mobian, if you weren’t normal, you were an object of ridicule. 

Team Dark weren’t the only people who left GUN, just the most noticeable. It was not a good organization for anyone who wasn’t willing to cut moral corners and be an ass.

Including just fucking chuckling like a dick at Shadow. It supposed it couldn’t be too mad at them, after all, they’re the ones handling a bomb. They were either truly prepared or expendable idiots.

“I didn’t think you’d want to come,” Sally suddenly said to them, quietly.
“They need a guide,” Shadow shrugged. “I need to be here. Why are you here?”
“While ARMOR and the Acorn Kingdom, the Restoration, have been working together for some time, I thought it might be good to make a public display of it,” Sally explained. She fiddled with blue rings on her wrists, idly flicking the star attached.
“Could have done that without traveling to a comet with flesh hungry aliens in it,” Shadow huffed.
“Where would be the fun in that?” Sally retorted. Shadow scoffed.
“I’m certain the fun will be out of this world, Princess,” Shadow said and Sally snorted, a noise that made Bunnie look up. Sally covered her mouth, embarrassed. 

“Excuse me,” Sally said.
“It’s fine,” Shadow sighed, closing their eyes and leaning back. “I think it’s cute.”
Shit. Too honest, Shadow, reel it in. 

Sally’s face went red, not that Shadow saw it, attempting to play it cool.
“...Thank you,” Sally said and Shadow just hummed and nodded. 

The comet was as disgusting as its precursor, pulsing and worryingly meaty. Bunnie cringed as they walked and Shadow could have sworn they saw one soldier puke.

“I just know something’s gonna get stuck in my joints,” Bunnie grumbled. “Rotor’s gonna kill me…”
“Bunnie,” Sally said sternly in a low voice. Bunnie winced but nodded, getting quiet.

Good. this place was probably crawling with Black Arms. They’re lucky none of the neurotoxin was in the air yet.

They walked in silence, the only sound being the squelch of the comet’s interior beneath their feet.
Shadow’s ears were like satellites, swiveling and picking up any sounds. There was an idle hum in the back of his head, a monotone sound that did nothing to calm Shadow.

“THIS IS TAKING TOO LONG. WHERE IS THE ENEMY?” Omega asked and Shadow jolted. Rouge smacked him in the head, hissing at him to be quiet.

They all froze for a moment, praying to whatever god Sonic hadn’t killed yet. The hum in Shadow’s head hadn’t been phased and, after a moment, he nodded for them to move forward. 

 However, as they walked, the hum, it… it got louder.

Shadow winced, stumbling to his knees, clutching his head.
“He’s coming,” Shadow gasped, only half aware of the words it was saying.
“Shadow?” Rouge asked, crouching down next to Shadow. “What’s wrong? Who’s coming?”

“I believe my sweet older brother is referring to me,” a voice echoed through the fleshy halls and blades were drawn, Wisps pulled into guns, and aimed.

The creature that had spoken stepped into the massive chamber. His almost reptilian appearance was reminiscent of Shadow’s own features, a long tail trailing behind, horns that resembled quills curling up behind his head, vivid reds juxtaposed by almost gray purple.
“Who the hell are you?” Rouge asked, stepping in front of Shadow as Sally stepped forward and helped Shadow to their feet.
“Me? I am him in a way,” the Black Arms laughed, motioning to Shadow. “A living weapon, built for a singular purpose. The Black Arm biology perfected. I am the shadow that blocks out the last light of hope. I am Eclipse the Darkling.”
He smiled with razor sharp yellow teeth, eyes grazing past all of them to the bomb the GUN squad carried.

“And I’m afraid that this is where your journey ends,” he said before snapping his fingers.

Several things happened in that moment.

A hiss filled the air as gas filled the room. Sally screamed for them to put on their masks, a task that was completed hurriedly by Bunnie, Sally, Rouge, and two of the GUN squad. 

The other three were frozen, small winged Black Arms descending and snatching up them.

Omega fired upon them until Rouge told him to stop, fearing he’d blow them all up.

Shadow recognized all these events as something almost distant, not things happening right next to him.

The head splitting hum had become a laugh and, as Shadow turned their head back towards Eclipse, the Black Arms overlooking him, it felt control slip out of his fingers.

“It’s so nice to meet you, brother,” Eclipse said, his voice the only thing Shadow could really hear. “Welcome home.”

“They got the bomb!” Sally cries, at the same time Rouge screams out, “Shadow!”
Sally turns in time to catch a glimpse of Eclipse, the strange alien, leading a very strangely moving Shadow by the hand.

Rouge moves to follow but Black Arms fills in the space between, blocking her way.

“We have to go after the bomb!” Sally called out to the bat.
“You may be comfortable tossing your best tools to the side whenever it’s inconvenient but I’m not!” Rouge snapped, glaring through the aliens. Sally flinched, looking away. Bunnie frowned but said nothing.

“THE TRAITOROUS SQUIRREL IS RIGHT,” Omega intoned. “IF WE DO NOT REGAIN THE BOMB, WE WILL BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG WILL BE FINE.”
“Enough chitchat!” Bunnie said, already pursuing the carried off bomb with the two remaining GUN agents. “Let’s move!”
Rouge hissed but nodded, turning away.

Where it had been incredibly empty before, it was now full to the brim with very hostile Black Arms. Sally was very glad she’d recharged her blades and very, very glad she did some warmups before she came over.

Green blood splatters the meaty hall as she slices through them and her mind flashes to Shadow.

Was he alright? She wasn’t- she wasn’t leaving them behind like she did Sonic-
“Sally!” Bunnie called out, firing a fireball at a Black Volt that got too close. She frowns at Sally, a question in her eyes. Sally shakes her head and refocuses.

“Once we capture the bomb, we should split up,” Sally says. “One team to position the bomb, one team to locate Shadow.”
“I’ll find Shadow,” Rouge said.
“Sally, you should go with her,” Bunnie said, turning just in time to save one of the GUN agents. “Me and Omega can blitze these guys to hell while the GUN chumps set up the bomb and you and Rouge find Shadow.”
“I LIKE THIS PLAN,” Omega piped in, carefully aiming enough at the majority of the flying Black Arms. “PARTICULARLY THE PART WHERE WE KILL ALL OF THESE CREATURES.”
The aliens cried as Omega hit on target, the group flinching as the bomb slammed against the meaty ground. 

“BOMB SECURE,” Omega said, picking up the human soldiers by the scruff of their necks and carrying them over to the bomb.
“Once you get Shadow, head out,” Bunnie said. “We’ll join you outside!”
“Stay safe,” Sally urged Bunnie.
“I’m standing next to a living arsenal, I’m probably safer than I’ve ever been in my life,” Bunnie snorts, motioning to Omega. "Hurry, alright? Don't want y'all blown to Kingdom come with these varmints."

Sally nodded, Rouge taking the lead as they separated.

The halls were thankfully clear as Rouge followed Shadow's tracker. Probably more concerned over the giant bomb.

"I wasn't planning on leaving him," Sally blurted out. Rouge shot her a look. "I wasn't."

"Sure you weren't," Rouge huffed. "Just like you didn't leave Sonic."

"I did leave Sonic," Sally winced. "But it's something I regret everyday. If you had gone after Shadow right then, if we all had, they could have carried the bomb away and weaponized it against us. And there were too many for you to handle alone in that moment."

"Got it all figured out, don't you, Princess?" Rouge snorted.

"That's my job," Sally said. "And don't call me Princess."

Rouge turned and stared at Sally for a moment, before shaking her head.
“Every single one of you kids is horribly depressing,” Rouge sighed.
“You’re only three years older than me,” Sally groaned. “Are we going to find Shadow or not?”

Shadow’s head felt full of cotton, its feet like lead as he followed Eclipse’s steps. He was home. Wasn’t he? With his own kind, where they belong.

They wouldn’t be afraid of him, they wouldn’t try to make them their slave, no, he’d be welcomed, loved, have a family.

“Black Death!” Eclipse greeted eagerly. “I brought him.”
Black Death. Shadow could feel it, like a weak shadow of Black Doom’s influence, this was the Black Arm’s current leader. 

Its tail lashed behind him, even as Shadow stumbled after Eclipse, not bound by the same control Eclipse possesses. 

“...Release him, Eclipse,” Black Death says and Shadow feels the cotton fade, somewhat. He blinks the blurry out of its eyes, allowing themself two seconds to gain his senses before moving.

Eclipse yanks him back as Shadow moves to jump at Black Death, snapping his jaws at the hivemind leader.
Black Death watches coolily, not even sliding back away from Shadow. It pisses them off more.
“Even now, you spit in the face of your own blood?” Black Death asked.
“I killed Black Doom, I tore apart the comet, with my bare hands, and I don’t regret it for a second,” Shadow snarled. “I’ll do it again, in a heartbeat.”
“Hm,” Black Death hummed. “Do you see, Eclipse?”
“He just does not understand!” the alien pleaded. “I can make it see, I can!”
See what? There was nothing to see. The Dark Arms had made their choices; to be little more than a plague.
Eclipse, still holding Shadow in place, circled around to face Shadow.
“I am like you, the hivemind has no hold on me, it’s why I was able to guide you,” Eclipse said. “And I can tell you, we are above these creatures! You are above them! Leave them and their chains!”
“I’ll gut you first,” Shadow hissed. Eclipse didn’t even blink.
“I can feel it, the alienation, the confusion, the disconnect,” Eclipse went on. “You do not feel at home with them! You could not possibly! They know you are alien, you know you are alien. It burdens you.”
Shadow winced, trying to ignore Eclipse’s words. The scales on his skin seemed to itch. 

“Here, you would belong! None would judge you, could judge you,” Eclipse pleaded. “Isn’t that what you want? A home? A family?”
A… family?
Maria and Gerald flash in Shadow’s mindeye, followed by Rouge and Omega.
“Shadow!” Rouge’s voice echoes, as if summoned by Shadow’s thoughts.
“I already have a family,” Shadow hisses and kicks Eclipse in the chest, sending the darkling back.

“Then you shall be ours by force,” Black Death booms and Shadow winces, dropping to its knees as a mind carelessly forces itself into his.

Rouge flies in like a bat from hell, driving a heeled boot towards Black Death.
“Get my kid!” Rouge barks at Sally as Dark Arms seem to almost ooze into the room, called by their insidious master.
Sally nods, withdrawing her solar blades. She runs over to Shadow, kneeling on the ground.

The hunger he feels is not his but it haunts them all the same. It drives out any images of family, any memory of relief, increasing only the constant pangs of hunger throughout the years, for food, for justice, for blood, for revenge. It makes his mouth water.

There’s muffled noises, just outside of his reach, like someone yelling and fighting.

“Shadow!” a voice, sweetly familiar, calls out. “Shadow, you need to move!”
A hand touches its shoulder and reality shifts into a familiar shape, even if not entirely whole. 

Is he really going to let someone control them? Let anyone control him?
“I don’t take orders!” Shadow snaps, turning on the person touching it, lashing out.

Sally reels back with a cry, moving her hands to where Shadow had just struck her.

Shadow freezes.

Reality finally clicks back into space.

“Princess-” Shadow starts, turning his eyes to its own still outstretched hand, the slightest tint of red at the edge of them. 

Sally trembles where she stands, Shadow can smell her blood, can see the pinpricks of thick red liquid peeking through her tightly pressed hands. He’s lucky it didn’t hit her mask. He didn’t hit her mask.

“Sally,” Shadow starts again, they want to move towards her, but what if she backs away from him in fear? 

“What’s the hold-” Rouge starts and stops, seeing what’s happened. Eclipse leaps on her, tail lashing like a whip as he holds her down.
“This? This is your ‘family’? These are the people you choose to love over your own kind?” Eclipse spats out, sounding bitterly disappointed and almost hurt. 

The Dark Arms do not have voices, do not have anything close to a sense of humor, but Shadow swears the encroaching forces are laughing. 

Sally curses and shrugs off the vest she was wearing, holding one hand to her eye while wrapping it around half of her face.
“Shadow, we need to move,” Sally says, only the smallest of tremors in her voice. Shadow blinked and frowned, nodding.

“Off, you little shit!” Rouge snaps at Eclipse, using her powerful wings to send the pesky alien flying.

Shadow drives a spear through a Dark Arms, swinging it, still squirming, at its allies.
“Are you alright?” Sally asks Shadow, slicing through one that got too close.
“Am I alright?” Shadow repeats. “I’m fine.”
“Then let’s get out of here!” Rouge landed next to the duo, glancing over Sally before fussing over Shadow.
“But what about the-” Shadow starts to ask but he’s cut off by the angry pressure of another’s mind.
“You are one of us, you belong to us, turn on those creatures!” Black Death demands, shaking with rage. “Obey! Obey!”
He was Black Doom, to an extent. Shadow could feel it. The monster didn’t want to lose twice, not to the same creature, not to the same world.
Too bad.
“Shut up,” Shadow hissed, firing a spear at the hivemind leader. It pierced the unprepared and soft flesh of Black Death’s forehead, Shadow feeling Black Death’s demise before his body dropped to the ground.

“No!” Eclipse cries, horrified. The darkling ran up to the hivemind leader, shaking the alien. He looked up at Shadow, teeth bared. “How could you?! Are these weaklings truly worth your time?!”
“If you knew them like I did,” Shadow huffed, looking to where Rouge was driving a boot through the thick skull of an alien and where Sally tightened the vest around her face. “Weak would not be the word you use.”
The comet shook and all looked up, surprised.
“They must have set the bomb off!” Sally exclaimed. “We’ve got to go!”
“Hun, mind giving us weaklings a lift?” Rouge said.
“No, Shadow, wait, please!” Eclipse begged. 

Shadow glanced back at Eclipse as it scooped up Rouge and Sally.
I don’t belong on Moubis anymore than I belong here, Shadow tells Eclipse, finding a strength to the voice he spoke to Eclipse in it they didn't expect. I’ve made my peace with that. If I ever see you again, if you’re still a threat… I’ll kill you.
He zoomed out, just as the roof came down on the room.

Bunnie watches the outside of the comet, pacing.
“We should have waited,” Bunnie stresses, the comet crumbling before their eyes.
“THAT IS NOT WHAT YOUR QUEEN TOLD YOU TO DO,” Omega said, holding two hot cups of coffee in his giant metal hands.
“Yeah, well, she’s a genius when it comes to seeing the big picture, little things like individual lives are where she stumbles nowadays,” Bunnie huffed. 

The comet shudders and collapses and Bunnie fidgets. It takes everything to keep herself from running back in.

They’re fine. Sally’s fine. She’s-

Bunnie jumps as a breeze zooms past them, Shadow setting down both Rouge and Sally. Rouge peels off her mask, taking a coffee mug from Omega.
“Might wanna call an ambulance,” Rouge tells Bunnie while taking a sip. 

Shadow gently takes Sally’s mask off her face, backing up to let the cyborg rush in.
“Wait, Sally girl, what happened to your face?!” Bunnie exclaimed, horrified by the now somewhat bloody vest around her face.
“Just got a scratch on my eye,” Sally said. “I’m more worried about infection.”
“Then let’s get you to a doctor then!” Bunnie insists, pushing Sally towards the medical tent set up, where two out of five bomb squad were getting the gas flushed from their systems.

Shadow watched Sally get forced to the tent, tail lashing anxiously.
“Oh, relax, she’ll be fine,” Rouge huffs. “Besides, that’s what she gets for trying to ditch you.”
“She wasn’t ditching me,” Shadow said back. “She was trying to get the mission done.”
“Yeah, at the risk of you,” Rouge argued.
“And if the roles were reversed, she would expect me to react the same way as she did,” Shadow said.
“But you wouldn’t,” Rouge pointed out and Shadow went quiet.
“No, I couldn’t,” Shadow agreed. “That’s why she’s stronger than me.”
Rouge looked him over and sighed, somewhere between resigned and annoyance.
“I guess love really is blind,” Rouge says and Shadow flinches. 

Wait. Blind. Did they blind her? Would she be angry?
It glanced down at his hands, noting they were mostly a mess of green blood but there was a hint of red.

Sally’s blood.
“COFFEE,” Omega said, handing the cup over. Shadow sighed and took it, downing it in one shot.

Chapter Text

Sally was blind in one eye.

Huh. 

That’s a weird fact. She’d faced a lot of injuries, a lot of scraps in her life, but this was the first one to leave a lasting, permanent effect.

She… didn’t know how she felt about that yet. Probably nothing good. Ugh, she’d have to adjust so many things she does to accommodate for this, peachy. 

“Sally!” Max cried and Sally jolted as her father slid into the room, tripped, and fell.
“Dad! Are you okay?” Sally hopped up, helping Max back to his feet.
“That’s what I should be asking you,” Max grumbled. “What happened in there?”
Sally hesitated.

Sally remembered a jolt of pain, like hot oil splashed on her face, and remembered thinking to cover the open wound before the paralyzing gas could touch it. She wasn’t sure if gas would even affect the injury, she’s no scientist, but she wouldn’t risk it.

She remembered finally opening her now solely working eye to see Shadow looking at her as if his own heart had been torn out. 

“One of the aliens got me,” Sally chose to say. “I didn’t get out of the way fast enough.”
Max frowned and sighed.
“You honestly shouldn’t have gone,” Max said. “ARMOR could have handled it on their own.”
They probably could have but… but Sally wanted to fight once, to be the one solving the problems, not just giving orders on how to. Topaz had suggested Sally send some forces over from the Acorn Kingdom in order to cement their corporation and Sally had…
“Well, it all worked out,” Sally said. “We got the job done. No second alien invasion.”
Max made a face, well, as best as he could, but nodded. 

“And I’ll get back to work soon,” Sally said. “The doctor said I was fine to go home and he’d email me if there was anything wrong with me-”
“Back to work?” Max cut off. “Sally, dear, you just lost your eye!”
“I can still operate with just one,” Sally insisted. “Look, dad, Eggman’s up to something, as per usual, and it’s my job to make sure we can handle it.”
“Surely you can’t give yourself a day or two to recover?” Max suggested as Sally pulled away, adjusting the bandage around her eye. “Ask one of your friends to oversee things.”
“No,” Sally said. “This is my responsibility, dad. I’m queen for a reason.”
“You’re queen because I’m a hunk of metal and your brother’s dead,” Max says, Sally flinching. “I think you’re allowed to give some of your duties to those you know can handle it.”
“It’s my job, dad, I can handle it!” Sally insisted. “I can do it, by myself.”
“It’s not that I don’t think you can-” Max tried but Sally cut him off.
“It’s like you told Elias,” Sally said, both to make a point to him and to remind herself. “Sometimes, as a leader… you have to stand tall and stand alone.”
Max frowned, going quiet.

“Sally, I never said anything like that to your brother,” Max said. “When did he tell you that?”
“Two years ago. Before he died,” Sally said. Before she left him to die. “What do you-”
“I never ruled alone,” Max explained. “I had your mother and my advisors and half of my decisions were voted on by a council or by the public. There wasn’t a moment where I was alone.”
Sally stared at Max.
“Oh,” Sally finally said, looking away. “I… didn’t know that.”
It… it made sense. Of course. But-

“I failed you and your brother,” Max muttered. “That’s becoming more and more apparent by the day.”
“I’m sorry,” the words slipped out unbidden.
“No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong!” Max exclaimed. “Look, just- get some rest. I’ll have Nicole keep an eye on you. We can talk about this all later.”
Sally didn’t want to talk about this later. Frankly, she didn’t want to talk about it at all.

But she nodded, just to see Max’s face slightly relax, somehow. How metal could emote so well, it surprised her.
“Good,” Max said, giving her arms a gentle squeeze with his cold metal handss before pulling away. “Sleep well.”

Sally sat down on her bed, a chime coming from every electronic in the room as Nicole entered and accessed them.

“Hello, Sally,” Nicole greeted.
“Nicole,” Sally said back.
“You have an email, do you want me to read it to you?” Nicole asked.
Sally nodded wordlessly.
“While your eye itself is damaged, there seems to be no infection,” Nicole said, reading Sally the doctor’s report. “You’re very lucky.”
“You can say that again,” Sally winces, remembering all of the green alien blood. “I’m sorry I pulled you away from Rotor, Nicole.”
“It’s fine, Sally,” Nicole reassured. “You know I’m happy to help.”
Sally smiled and nodded, looking away after a moment.

“We… haven’t spoken in some time,” Nicole added, cautiously. 

“Yeah, I… We haven’t,” Sally agreed. “I’m… I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, I understand,” Nicole said, sounding only slightly begrudging. “You’ve been dealing with a lot.”
“Yeah, I guess, I have,” Sally closed her eyes, well, eye. “How have you been?”
“Me?” Nicole said, surprised. Sally nodded. 

“...I’ve been doing well,” Nicole said slowly. “Um, I’ve been helping Tails and Rotor, as you know, uh, but I’ve also taken up chess.”
“Chess?” Sally repeated. Nicole’s hologram nodded.
“It’s a good mindful activity and good for strategy,” Nicole said. “I got an interest in it after watching these youtubers, the Game Grouchs.” 

“Wait, the Game Grouchs?” Sally grinned.
“Their dynamic is humorous and their videos are good background noise for work!” Nicole defended herself. “However, I do stick to mostly their horror and chess videos.”

“I’m not judging,” Sally chuckled.
“You are,” Nicole huffed, crossing her arms. After a moment, she softened, smiling. “It’s nice to talk to you again, Sally.”
“It’s good to talk to you too,” Sally agreed.

She didn’t remember deciding to put distance between her and Nicole, not like she had with her other friends, not like she had with Sonic. She just… stopped talking to her. 

Maybe she’d gone too far, trying to stand alone. Could Sonic be right? Could Elias’ last piece of advice for her have been wrong?
“I missed you,” Sally said, sniffling.
“Sally?” Nicole exclaimed. “Sally, what’s wrong?”
If Elias was wrong, what had she been doing? Elias had to be right because, otherwise, it wasn’t her fault people kept getting hurt, it wasn’t her fault that Elias got hurt, it wasn’t her fault Eggman was still a problem, and if it wasn’t her fault, it meant she couldn’t fix it or prevent it from happening again.

She couldn’t save anyone because she never had any control.

“Oh, Sally,” Nicole sighed as Sally sobbed, curling up. The lynx’s hologram frowned, sitting on the bed next to her. 

Sally felt her heated blanket switch to life underneath her, the light in her room turning off.
“Look, just get some rest, okay?” Nicole said. “I’ll let everyone know you’re not to be disturbed.”
Sally nodded, grabbing the heated blanket out from under her and wrapping it around her.
“And I’ll send in some ibuprofen for your eye and some water,” Nicole added. “Sleep well.”
Nicole vanished and Sally hiccuped, burrowing into her bed. 

“I’m sorry, Shadow,” Nicole said. “But Sally’s not seeing anyone right now.”
Ah.

Shadow tries to hide his disappointment and concern.

“I see,” Shadow said, picking at its fingernails. “How… how is she doing?”
“She’ll never see out of that eye again, not without extensive surgery,” Nicole said and Shadow flinched. “But beyond that, she’s fine. No infection or cross contamination, as far as we can tell.”

“That’s… that’s good,” Shadow nodded. God, imagine if she had gotten some alien disease because of him. “Let her know I came by, please.”
“Of course,” Nicole nodded. She smiled, something almost teasing to it. “She’ll be happy to hear it.”
Happy. Somehow, Shadow doubted it. They attacked her. She came to help him and he blinded her. 

Shadow nods, regardless, and heads back home. It has to use a different route from usual, his usual pathing blocked by chunks of rock. 

There were teams, from ARMOR and hired by them, working together to remove the rubble but it would take a moment.

Shadow stepped up the stairs, pushing open the door.

His nose perked up as something absolutely delicious smelling reached them, like a wave as he opened the door.
“You’re back early!” Rouge called out, reclined on the couch. “Omega, move, I can’t see the TV.”
“She was asleep,” Shadow shrugged, unable to keep the disappointment from his voice. “Is Sonic here?”
“At your service!” Sonic said from the kitchen. “Welcome home!”
Shadow hummed, distracted, and stepped into the kitchen.

There was meat on the pan, strips of what looked like beef, sizzling as Sonic pushed them around the pan.

He was wearing a new arm, much less polished, the hand being almost a giant glove, only a thumb and palm. 

“What’s for dinner?” Shadow asked.
“Fried beef strips,” Sonic said. “We’re also having potato salad, I made it earlier, it’s in the fridge.”
“Hm,” Shadow nodded, not fully present, just standing next to Sonic and letting the smell take him away from its current thoughts. He was tempted to sneak a bite but Sonic was watching, they’d definitely get caught.
“Shadow! Stop lusting after our dinner and come play Mario Kart with Omega!” Rouge shouted out.
“Why don’t you play with him?” Shadow yelled back.
“SHE KNOWS SHE WILL LOSE,” Omega said. “NOW COME AND LOSE WITH DIGNITY.”
“I’ll be back,” Shadow grumbled, walking into the shared living room.
“I call winner!” Sonic said, grinning.

Dinner was delicious, a fact that Shadow found himself getting used to. Don’t get it twisted, Shadow liked raw meat and his quote unquote garbage food, but there was something about sitting on the couch with a warm plate.

Omega had won so Sonic now attempted to play with his new prototype of an arm, Shadow enjoying his dinner while they did so.

Sonic was fully focused, his tongue sticking out of a corner of his mouth, his flesh hand occasionally moving to run a hand through his quills, green eyes gleaming with determination.

The glove-like shape of his new hand made it a struggle to operate but it’s better than his other arm, which shattered the last controller. 

Sonic groaned as he lost, Omega raising his arms in delighted victory.
“YOU HAVE LOST YET AGAIN, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG,” Omega crowed. “GET FUCKED.”
“Yeah, yeah, good job,” Sonic huffed, standing up and stretching.
“Here,” Shadow said, passing Sonic a plate. “You didn’t grab any food yet, right?”
Sonic blinked before smiling, taking the plate.
“How’s the new arm?” Shadow asked as Sonic picked up the fork with the new hand.
“Eh, still struggles with small movements but it’s good for gripping!” Sonic said, shoving half of the plate in his mouth. “Tails is really busy with, well, everything so this will work for now.”
Shadow nodded.
“Must be real proud of him, growing up and out,” Rouge asked, relaxed.
“Yeah, I am,” Sonic agreed. “It’s been rough adjusting to him being gone after years of him sticking around but, well, the last thing I wanna do is drag him down.”
“DO YOU THINK HE COULD HELP ME ADD MORE GUNS TO MY PERSON,” Omega asked.
“Hell no,” Rouge answered before Sonic could. “You have enough.”
“I DO NOT HAVE NEARLY ENOUGH,” Omega responded. “EGGMAN STILL LIVES. IF I ADD MORE GUNS, THAT MIGHT CHANGE.”
“Well, in that case…” Shadow muttered.
“Hey, which of us is the leader here?” Rouge cut him off.

It was hours later, when Shadow was doing the last of the dishes, when Sonic stood next to him.
“Hey,” Sonic whispered.
“Hey,” Shadow scrubbed at the pan. Well. the pan and their hands. They felt dirty.
“Just though I’d check on you, what with the whole…” he mimed something falling and exploding. Shadow winced.
“Check on me?” Shadow asked.
“Yeah,” Sonic nodded. “Didn’t want to bring it up around the others, thought it might make you uncomfortable. You weren’t 100% at the time last time, thought this might bring up those feelings.”
Shadow clenched his fists in the water, Sonic stepping back to get a glass of Chaos Cola from the fridge. 

“Besides,” Sonic said. “You were out of it when you came back from Sal’s.”
“I attacked Sally,” Shadow blurted out. Sonic paused, empty glass in hand.
“You what?” Sonic asked. There was a chill to his voice.
Shadow shudders from it, his tail lashing out.
“I didn’t mean to,” Shadow snapped back. He thinks I'm a monster. “The Black Arms, they, they were in my head, and she came up behind me- she told me to get up but I couldn’t hear her, all I could hear was her yelling at me and I-”
“Shadow,” Sonic yanks Shadow back from the sink, back from where it was starting to crush the still dirty silverware. “Breath. Please.”
Shadow inhales sharply. Sonic moves his hand from Shadow’s back to his face, cupping it.
“Sorry, that sounded accusatory,” Sonic winced. “I was just surprised. I know you wouldn’t hurt Sal.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Shadow hissed. “I did.”
“You didn’t mean to,” Sonic argued. “You wouldn’t hurt her on purpose and you went to check on her!”
“I blinded her, Sonic,” Shadow groaned, stepping away from Sonic. “She’ll never see out of one of her eyes ever again because of me.”
“It was an accident,” Sonic insisted. “Look, I’m sure Sal will understand, I can talk to her for you-”
“She’s not mad at me,” Shadow cut off. “Or, at least, that’s what she last told me.”
But maybe she was lying. Maybe she was trying to spare his feelings, maybe she was trying to keep ARMOR and the Acorn Kingdom on good terms, maybe she was delirious from pain and just wanted them to stop approaching her. 

“Wait,” Sonic frowned. “If Sal’s not mad at you, what’s the problem?” 

“What,” Shadow turned and stared at Sonic, who held up his one hand in self defense.
“You didn’t mean to hurt her,” Sonic rationalized. “Sally’s not mad at you. Beating yourself up over it will do nothing but make you feel worse.”
“It’s the least I deserve,” Shadow said. “Sometimes… sometimes I think about all I’ve done. All I haven’t done. All I might do. People are afraid of me. I come from monsters, not just in blood, but in who created me. I was made to hurt people. What if this is all I am? A… a monster?”
“Don’t you dare call yourself that,” the chill is back in Sonic’s voice, like the breaches of space nipping at the flickering edges of its superform. “You are not a monster. You have never been a monster and you never will be. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong or ignorant.”

“How do you know?” Shadow asked.
“Because we’ve both seen real monsters and none of them are as pretty as you,” Sonic said firmly. “I’ve seen environments crushed by human desire, I’ve seen fear of death warp a person beyond recognition, I’ve seen vengeful gods lashing out of pain, I’ve seen so many monsters, Shadow, and they all made their choices.”
Sonic moved into Shadow’s space again, tracing the scales that were just on the edge of Shadow’s eyes.
“You made yours as well and not one has been a monster’s,” Sonic’s voice softened, glistening green eyes pleading with Shadow to believe him. Shadow’s tail curled loosely around Sonic’s leg. “What, you think a couple of scales and a pair of horns make you evil? C’mon, you’re smarter than that, aren’t you?”

Shadow scoffed but didn’t pull away this time.
“You’d think the ultimate lifeform would know better,” Sonic teased. “Who gives a hoot what the world thinks?”
“I don’t care what the world thinks,” Shadow says, only a half lie. “I care what you think. I care what she thinks. That’s it.”
“Well,” Sonic said. “Can’t speak for Sal but… I think you’re great.”
And then Sonic kissed him.

It shouldn’t have surprised Shadow as much as it did, he moved slowly, deliberately, giving Shadow all the time in the world to pull away.

It’s like Sonic turned his brain off and then back on with that kiss, chapped lips pressing against Shadow’s own.

Sonic pulled away much faster than he came in, face burning red. He laughed nervously, avoiding Shadow’s eyes.
“Oh, uh, sorry! Should’ve asked,” Sonic said.
Shadow stood there, struggling to find words. Why was it so hard to find words? Did Sonic steal them all when he kissed them?
Sonic anxiously stared at him as Shadow remained silent, looking more and more afraid by the second. Say something!
“I thought you liked Sally,” Shadow finally croaked out.
Say anything but that!
Sonic’s face dropped and he pulled his hand away.
“I-” Sonic started before making a face like swallowing a lemon. “I, uh, should go. Thanks for having me over.”
“Sonic, wait-” Shadow tries to say but it’s too late, the hedgehog is gone, having taken all his bedding with him.
“Did you catch that, Omega?” Rouge asks, leaning against the wall. Shadow jolts, turning to the bat with the giant robot behind her.
“EVERY SECOND,” Omega assured and Shadow groaned, burying their face in his hands.

Chapter Text

“I think you should step down,” Max said. Sally stared at him.
“What?” she asked, her heart sinking.
“Not permanently!” Max held up his hands. “I just think, considering your eye and your mental state-”
“My eye isn’t enough to stop me from working and my mental state is fine!” Sally protested, standing up.
“Sally, you look exhausted,” Max tried to plead. “You’re running yourself down to nothing.”
“So?!” Sally hissed. “I’m fine with being nothing, as long as no one else has to get hurt! I’d set myself on fire if it meant no one else loses their loved ones!”
The two stood in silence before Sally sighed, turning away from Max. The robian looked at her like…
“Stop looking at me like that,” Sally said, back still towards Max. “It's fine. I’m fine.”
“Just until you feel better,” Max insisted. “I’m your father, I’m supposed to take care of you.”
“I can take care of myself,” Sally protested.
“You had to take care of yourself,” Max said. “I want to help, I am able to help, please, Sally, dear, let me help.”

“Then let me do my work,” Sally said, not begging, she was not begging. “Dad.”
“...I’m afraid I can’t do that, Sally,” Max said softly. “Enjoy your week off.”
Sally hissed. A week?! Sally stood there, debating an argument before turning away, storming off.

“One week,” she hissed, the door slamming behind her.

One week. He wanted her to sit out of… everything for a week! Did he really think he could do this to her? Just push her to the side like that? 

Sure, he was her dad and probably legally still the king since no one ever really put it down on paperwork that he was dead or not capable of ruling because that would mean confronting the possibility that robians could never be recovered…

But that didn't mean he could do this to her! 

She knew Max was just being cautious and considerate… no doubt missing literal years of her life, missing her entire childhood, had brought about a measure of guilt.

Unnecessary guilt, none of what happened was anyone's fault but Eggman's, but Sally was a bit pissed. She'd assure him of what guilt Max did not have once she wasn't pissed. 

For now, Sally thinks she's just fine leaving her father feeling guilty.

…That's not fair. But it's also not fair to try and give her the boot.

This was her life, is her life. Max can't kick her out of it. 

It's just a week. It's just-

Sally slammed into a street post, squeaking as she fall backwards.

She felt eyes on her as she struggled to get back up, felt more then see because she lost one of her fucking eyes.
“Are you okay, Your Highness?” a familiar and quiet voice asked, a hand entering her limited vision. Sally hesitated before taking it, allowing herself to get pulled back to her feet.

Whisper released the second Sally was on her feet, taking a respectful step back.

Sally's face burned. It was one eye. One eye! Was that all it took to render her little more than a blind bumbling idiot? 

How pathetic. 

Sonic lost an arm and was fine . How dare she be worse.

"What happened to your eye?" Whisper asked, frowning.

"An accident," Sally said, wishing she could cover up the bandage but… "Nothing to worry about. Thank you. How are you?"

"I'm fine," Whisper said quietly. "I'm, uh, meeting up with Tangle."

"Oh," Sally said. Why did she feel jealous?

"It was a surprise," Whisper said, cheeks tinted red. "Not because of Tangle, because of me. I just… I guess you inspired me." 

How? By failing to accomplish anything and giving up everything along the way? What an inspiration.

"I'm… glad I could be of any help," Sally smiled weakly. Whisper smiled back before looking past Sally.

"Oh, hi, Bunnie," Whisper greeted. 

Oh, fuck, Bunnie.

"Whisper, Sally Girl," Bunnie greeted. "Funny bumping into you two. Guess who just finished making some, uh, how do you pronounce it, Bouillabaisse, it's like a fancy French soup. Care to come by and try it?"

"Sorry, I'm already meeting Tangle for lunch," Whisper sank into her poncho. "I was just on my way."

"What about you, hm?" Bunnie asked, sounding very pleased. She fucking knew.

"I'm completely free, Bunnie," Sally bit out. "I'll go."

"Great!" Bunnie cheered. "Enjoy your date, Whisper!"

Whisper's face turned a violent red and her poncho shook with the laughter of her wisps.

"It's not a date," she whispered before running off. 

"Mon Amor, your cooking skills rival the gods!" Antoine complimented, licking his lips.

"Aw, you're sweet, Sugar-twaine!" Bunnie giggled. "But you're still washing all the dishes tonight."

Antoine deflated and sighed, eating another spoonful.

"It waz worth a try," Antoine said weakly.

"Don't run off without telling me if you're livin' or dyin' next time," Bunnie shrugged, much less angry than she was when she first said that. There was probably a mile long list of chores and several nights on the couch behind that.

Sally sat silently between them, poking at her bowl of food.

She didn't feel up to eating, she hadn't even done anything today.

Max had kicked her out before she could even start reading what needed to be done.

"Enjoying it, hm? And you were trying to avoid this for months!" Bunnie motioned to Sally. 

"Had no idea what I was missing," Sally agreed. Has no idea what's missing. Was everything going alright? What if her dad had completely lost track of… of fucking everything, she had a system, what if he messed up her system?!

Sally forces the warm meal down her throat.

Antoine looked concerned and Bunnie looked disappointed.

Sally's face was burning. Was that the soup or the embarrassment of failing as their leader?

She wants to go home. She can't see but she knows they're staring. 

I want to go home, Sally's thoughts repeat, a rhythm almost akin to her heartbeat in her head. 

"Excuse me, where is your bathroom?" Sally asks, standing up. 

Elias had wanted the people who had been leading the charge against Eggman for so long to be highly rewarded.

Money, housing, benefits, he tried to give as much didn’t feel like a bribe. His words exactly, if Sally remembered correctly.

This house was what was given to Bunnie, Sally remembers, close to where Sally lived, since the older rabbit insisted on staying close to Sally, even if it meant not living in Knothole anymore. 

Sally had thought it sweet. She still did but…

Sally sat on the sink, trying to breathe. 

Just breathe. In and out, she knows how to do that at the very least, yes, that skill hasn’t turned to putty in her brain?

What is wrong with her? She’s dealt with worse than a slightly awkward dinner, why is she like this now?

A knock sounded and Sally flinched.
“Sally?” Antoine called. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Sally called out, her voice breaking as she did. She did not, say, sound fine. 

“...I’m coming in,” Antoine said and pushed the door open. 

Sally felt even worse, perched on the lip of Antoine’s sink, shaking like a baby.
Antoine came and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. 

“I’m sorry,” Sally hiccuped, trying not to cry. “I know this isn’t what you both wanted.”
“And zat do you think we zanted, Sally?” Antoine asked.
“A nice dinner with decent company?” Sally shrugged. “Wanted me not to be an overdramatic cry baby when you took the time to ask me to just show up?”
“Sally…” Antoine huffed. “Neither of us are going to judge you for zis. You’re our friend, for one, and it’d be hypocritical, on my part.”
Sally scoffed.
“Don’t scoff at me!” Antoine squawked. “It iz well known how much of a coward I was! I am! You never held my fear against me, only my arrogance.”
“I’m not scared,” Sally insisted. “There’s nothing to be afraid of here.”
“That iz not quite true,” Antoine disagreed. “Your father has returned, no? Is attempting to relieve you of responsibility by momentarily taking ze reigns from you?”
Sally grimaced and nodded.
“It iz a big change, a big change for all of us,” Antoine said. “I fear for when my father is restored. What will I say? What will I do? I spent my life, believing, even if just internally, that he would never return. I am married now, I am grown now. I am not the child he once left in Knothole. None of us are.”
They were children, left to survive on their own, and Sally had tried her damnedest to keep them safe and alive.

She tried so hard to do what her father would do but…

“Sally,” Antoine said gently, pulling Sally’s attention back to him. “You know we’re here for you, yes? Like you have alwayz been for us?”
“You shouldn’t have to,” Sally sniffled.
“Do you think it iz a burden for us?” Antoine scoffed. “No. If we were only your friends when you were our composed, triumphant, radiant leader, what kind of friendz would we be? Try and get rid of us. If Eggman can not do it, neither can you!”
Sally laughed.
“That’s true,” she cackled. “Eggman’s tried his best but… but there’s just no getting rid of you. Guess I need to learn that too…”
Antoine’s grin dropped as Sally’s laughter shifted into sobs.

The coyote wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders, not squeezing her but enough pressure that she felt it was almost a hug.

“I’m glad you let Bunnie bully you here tonight,” Antoine said. “We’ve missed you.”

Sally left that night with far too many leftovers and with a promise to not try and avoid Bunnie and Antoine.
Bunnie had threatened her, saying she’d blow Sally to kingdom come if she did, and Sally had simply informed her that she’d have to face her best friend Bunnie to get to her and Antoine had done that cackle all coyotes seemed so good at. 

Home was dark, dusty, and cold after seeing Bunnie and Antoine’s, placing the various containers in the fridge before laying down in bed.

Sally waited for a moment, fidgeting in the darkness, before sighing.
“N…Nicole?” Sally called out hesitantly. “Are you there?”
“Sally?” Nicole responded, the light in Sally’s house turning on as Nicole popped in. “did you need something?”
“Oh, uh, not really anything urgent,” Sally said. “Just… curious how today went for my dad.”
“Today was very beneficial! I showed him your planner, he accomplished 9/24 things planned for this week ahead of schedule! Including your cease and desist order to Breeze and her paparazzi. I told him that one was really urgent.”
“I’m sure that had nothing to do about the episode she released on her vlogsite that included you practicing the world is mine ,” Sally giggled.
“None whatsoever,” Nicole said coolily. “I still don’t know how she got past my security…”
Sally grinned and closed her eye. 

Her dad had accomplished more in one day than she had in the last few weeks. Was she really that useless now?
“He said he hopes you’re enjoying your day off,” Nicole said. Sally opened her eye. “Your father. He suggested you hang out with Sonic.”
Sonic. One of her oldest friends, including Nicole. Her crush. Persistent and bold and radiant, perfect in even his imperfections, like a star made flesh.

Sally frowned. 

“You still love him, don’t you?” Nicole said, something strangely sad in her voice.
“I don’t think I could ever stop,” Sally admitted. “I tried. Honest to Gaia, Nicole, I tried.”
She sat up, massaging her head.
“But I think… no, I know I like Shadow!” Sally said, placing a hand near her now blind eye. “I like them both. Oh Gaia.”
Sally flopped back on her bed. 

Both of them. Oh no. 

Sonic and his constant smile, teeth bared to face the day.
Shadow and his stoicness, a rock in a sea of chaos.

Sonic and his constant affection, believing in her when no one else would.

Shadow and his rare yet shining praise, looking at her in wonder as she strives to do the impossible.

Both so different and yet…

“I like both,” Sally said out loud, feeling it settle on her. “Oh, fuck.”
She’d never stopped loving Sonic but she had hoped loving Shadow would cancel that out, why hadn’t it canceled out?
“You can do that?” Nicole exclaimed.
“Apparently!” Sally threw her arms up. “As if I didn’t have enough on my plate.”
She liked Sonic. She liked Shadow. But… but they like each other.

“Well, at least I can always count on you for some relationship drama,” Nicole sighed. Sally groaned.

Well, crush or no crush or two crushes, Sally hadn’t spoken to Sonic in awhile. Well, besides…

Gaia, what was with her pushing people away until she’s a blubbering mess?
Her point is, she misses her friend so she goes to see him.

She knocks first, hearing the sound reverb off the empty walls.
“Fuck off,” Knuckles called from inside and Sally startled.

“Sorry, is now a bad time?” Sally called back.
There was a scramble and the door flew open.
“Sally!” Knuckles exclaimed. “Shit, sorry, I thought you were… someone else.”
“Ah, nope,” Sally fidgeted. “Is… Sonic home?”
“You just missed him,” Knuckles shook his head but moved out of the way to let Sally in. “Just ran off to do some training.”
Sally stepped into the small hut, feeling some part of her relax.
“What are you doing here?” Knuckles asked. “Thought you were up to your neck in papers.”
“That’s what I should be asking you,” Sally retorted.
“Was in the area, thought I’d grab a bite with Sonic,” Knuckles shrugged. “Ask after the Master Emerald, but he only had time to tell me it was still all good.”
Sally nodded.

Sonic’s hut looked the same as ever, not messy, not clean, bed a twisted nest of blankets, pictures of friends and adventures on the wall.
Sally noticed there were no recent ones. That made sense, the last couple hadn’t been fun.

“Whoa, what happened to your eye?” Knuckles exclaimed.
“Just an accident,” Sally said, facing Knuckles. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Hmph,” Knuckles frowned and crossed his arms. “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”
“My father is forcing me to take a break,” Sally said. “Seems for the best, he’s been very productive.”
“You don’t sound happy about it,” Knuckles pointed out.
“Are you happy whenever you had to leave the Master Emerald unguarded?” Sally retorted. She looked up, her eye catching a picture.

“Well, yeah,” Knuckles agreed. “But I felt a lot better once I knew people were looking out for it in my stead. Silver keeps sending me 3 am texts about how delicious grapes are and how Tikal is the best.”
The picture was one from long ago, long, long ago. 

Sally was in it, about twelve, smiling and waving, ignoring Antoine who was visibly whining, in favor for Sonic. She picked it up and frowned.

The girl in the picture felt almost like a different person than who she was now.
“Knuckles?” Sally asked. “Do you… have you ever worried that guarding the emerald is the only thing you know about yourself for certain?”
Knuckles went quiet and, for a second, Sally worried he wouldn’t answer at all.
I try not to,” Knuckles finally admitted. “It’s… I mean, it was for the longest time, it’s gonna be so for awhile, but I know I’m more than that because… I don’t know. I guess I just know?”
Sally looked over at him. Knuckles shrugged.
“I learned that I like boba recently,” Knuckles said. “Not sure if that’s just ‘guarding the Master Emerald’ but it’s something about me.”
“...Huh,” Sally muttered. “That’s something.”
Knuckles nodded.

“Sally,” Nicole suddenly piped in. “We got problems at the castle. Eggman’s throwing his eggbrat at us again.”
The castle. Her dad. Shit. Shit!
“You’ve been hanging out with Sonic too much, Nicole. I have to go,” Sally said, placing down the photo. “I’ll see you around, Knuckles.”
“Are you kidding?” Knuckles said, following after her. “I’m coming with you!”

Sally draws her swords as she hops off the trolley, running towards the castle.

She can see it, sort of. 

“Are you sure you’re, uh, battle ready? How long ago did ya lose the eye?” Knuckles asked, running alongside her. 

“I can see just fine,” Sally insisted. She was worried about that too, to be honest, but she had bigger fish to fry.

“Just don’t cut me!” Knuckles huffed but accepted her words.

Sage floated above, strange shambling robots crawling around. 

They let out shrieks as Sally cut through them, falling in pieces on the ground as she ran. It was hard with such a huge new blindspot but she wasn’t losing her father to Eggman again. 

She stumbled once, crushing the head of an already down badnik beneath her foot.
“Sally! What are you doing?” Max called out from inside the castle.
“Don’t move, dad, you’ll be fine!” Sally called back.
“I told you to rest!” Max argued.
“And how do you know that this is relaxing for me?” Sally countered, barely able to stop a badnik going for her ankles.

Knuckles slammed his fist through one particularly large badnik, hurling its corpse over ontop of the others.
“Resistance is futile,” Sage said coolily.
“Go fuck yourself,” Knuckles replied eloquently. He turned to Sally. “I got out here, make sure nothing got inside!”
Sally nodded, nearly tripping over the barricade that was in place before getting inside.
There, thankfully, didn’t seem to be any badniks inside, as far as Sally could tell. She felt ridiculous, turning her head so much, but she couldn’t fucking see.

“Sally?” Max called.
“Dad!” Sally said, relieved. She sheathed her blades, running over to him. “Oh, thank Gaia. Did anything get inside? How do you feel? Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine, dear,” Max reassured. “Nothing touched me.”
Sally let out a sigh of relief, a sigh that was cut off when the wall next to them was blasted away.

Sage floated above them.
“Found you,” she said.
Sally pushed Max behind her, drawing her swords.
“You’re not touching my dad,” she hissed and noted how Sage’s expression softened, just slightly, just ever so slightly. 

“I am not here for him, do not be alarmed,” Sage said. “I will not harm him as long as he stays out of our way.”
“Then the hell you do want?” Knuckles asked.
“That is none of your concern,” Sage said. “I will not share unnecessary intel with the enemy.” 

Sally frowned. Eggman loved sharing unnecessary intel. Are they sure she’s Eggman’s?

“Then you can just leave!” Sally said. A badnik got too close and she stabbed through it, watching the light leave its eyes.

“Not without what I require,” Sage responded and vanished with a flicker. 

In her place, a wave of badnik. 

Peachy.

The wave did not fall easily and fighting with such a newly limited range of vision was not much easier but she made it work. She’d worked with worse. 

Knuckles was a major help, helping turn the nearly two hundred various robots into little piles of scrap metal.

Max fretted over her, trying to be gentle with the fragile medkit and his metal hands.

It was immensely satisfying, to know people she loved were safe because of her. It reminded her why she had wanted to fight, like actually fight, in the first place. 

“Is anything missing, Nicole?” Sally asked.
“Nothing of value,” Nicole said with a hum. “Maybe she was bluffing? This could have just been another test, like the other Sage attacks.”
“But testing for what?” Max asked. “It can’t just be his new-made daughter’s abilities, that could be done off the battlefield.”

“I’ll figure it out,” Sally said.
“We’ll figure it out,” Max corrected with a huff. “I’m your father, young lady, you better not push me out of this investigation when you’re supposed to be resting.”
“Sorry, Dad,” Sally smiled weakly. “If it helps… I have been having an… eye opening experience.”
Max smiled and nodded.
“Good,” Max said. “Your happiness is one of my top priorities.”
Sally wondered when being happy stopped being one of hers.
Knuckles patted her on the back, nearly knocking her out of the chair she was sat on.
“Stop looking so stressed! Sonic was right, you do overthink every little thing without someone around to distract you!” Knuckles said. “Look, from one paranoid worrywart to another, relax. You’ve got help.”
“Yeah,” Sally agreed. “I think I need to start recalling that.”

Chapter Text

“Again,” Sonic said, taking a deep breath.
“Are you sure?” Nicole asked tentatively. “Sonic, that last one was-”
“Nicole,” Sonic cut off, keeping his eyes closed. “Again.”
“...Alright,” Nicole agreed and the room lit up.

Sonic opened his eyes, doing a couple of leg stretches. 

It looked like a normal street, the stones warm from the sun under Sonic’s feet. 

There was a speck in the distance, blue and shimmering, approaching very quickly.

Sonic breathed in, breathed out, braced himself-

Metal Sonic came into view, an arm outstretched, reaching for Sonic.

Sonic choked, reeling back, dropping to the floor as little more as a trembling blue ball.

The simulation flickered off, the room just a black and dark square once more. 

“Sonic?” Nicole called out. “I turned it off, are you okay?”
Sonic didn’t respond, couldn’t respond. 

“Sonic-” Nicole paused. “Hold on, Sonic, something’s going on.”
Nicole’s voice vanished, leaving Sonic alone.

He unrolled, still on the floor, heaving.

It wasn’t real. He knew it wasn’t real. Why was he shaking? Why was he near tears? 

He wished he had a Chaos Emerald. Their voices were so comforting. 

Get up, Sonic. Get up! Something is going on and you’re laying on the floor like a dipshit! 

Sonic did not get up. Not for a good couple of minutes, his heart racing and his head aching as he finally got up.

He exited the castle’s basement, praying he didn’t look as bad as he felt.

He stepped outside, realizing that the corpses of a shit ton of badniks were resting around him. There were so many! How were there so many?!
Laughter rang out and Sonic’s ears twitched upwards before his eyes followed. 

Sally sat technically inside the castle, not that one could tell with the giant hole in the wall.

Max sat beside her, looking somehow both stressed and relieved. Knuckles stood next to them, grinning as Sally laughed at something unheard.

Her eye was bandaged up, no doubt, the injury Shadow had unintentionally done. She didn’t seem that bothered by it, turning her head to look at whoever was speaking to her. 

She laughed again, looking just as surprised by her own laugh as Sonic felt.

When had he gotten used to not hearing her laugh? Hadn’t he vowed to make sure that laugh never faded? It’s not like he didn’t try, he did, he fought every day and now…

Shadow thought he loved Sally and Sonic did but Sally deserved someone who could promise to make her smile and keep it.

Someone like Shadow. She always had some kind of smile for Shadow, even if it was just a professional kind of smile.

Ugh, but look at him moping over here! He should head over there, check that she’s okay, though she clearly was, look at all these badniks-
“You’re late,” Sage said.
“Wha-” Sonic turned to face her before his world went dark. 

“Well, for someone with a good portion of her vision missing,” Nicole said as Sally stepped into her home. “You did very well!” 

“Thank you, Nicole,” Sally sighed. “I feel… a lot better. Weird.”
“What, weird that you’ve been sleeping well for the first time in months, talked to your friends like you weren’t the manager of a Ross, and did some physical exertion? How bizarre,” Nicole said. Sally cast a look up to the ceiling, as if the AI was up there.

“Tails,” Sally said after a moment. “You’ve been hanging out with Tails.”
“We have been working together, he’s a bright mind,” Nicole said with a shrug to her voice. 

Sally nodded in agreement, walking over to her fridge. It was empty, dead empty, except for the leftovers Bunnie had sent her home with.

Sally pours herself a bowl, heating it up in the microwave.

She didn’t like the lack and yet constant activity from Eggman. A low hum, if she was trying to think of exact wording.
Preparing something, leading up to something, looking for something.

But what? And if, no, when Eggman found it, were they prepared to face it?
“Nicole?” Sally called out as she pulled her bowl out. “Knuckles said Sonic was training. Was that with you?”
“Yes,” Nicole said. “He was practicing his… reflexes.”
“I see,” Sally nodded. 

As much as she honestly hated it, Sonic was and always has been their best fighter. Fast, strong, able to do things others couldn’t even attempt.

Dependable, even when all Sally did was run from him.
“I owe him an apology,” she muttered, mostly to herself.
“Speaking of apologies…” Nicole said. “Shadow just messaged me, asking if you were well enough for visitors.”
Shadow. Sally raised a hand to her bandaged eye, the place smarting as she did so. 

“Tell him that I’m fine,” Sally said after a moment. “And… that it’s always welcome to visit.”
Shadow arrived about twenty minutes later, enough time for Sally to scarf up her bowl and clean up her place so it didn’t look like she’d had a midlife crisis and started rearranging her entire residence no more than two minutes ago. Which didn’t happen, by the way. She’s fine.

“Sally,” Shadow greeted. His tail whipped behind them, anxious, agitated. “How have you been?”
“Fine,” Sally said, sitting down on her couch. Shadow sat across from her. “My father is forcing me to take a break from my work. I’m… enjoying it more than I expected.”
Shadow nodded and the two lapsed into a… not tense, more like pregnant silence.
“I didn’t-” Shadow started before stopping. “I’m sorry.”
“You were scared,” Sally said. “I’m not going to judge.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” Shadow said. “I hurt you. I blinded you, Sally.”

“And I let them take you in the first place,” Sally said firmly. Shadow blinked, surprised. “If I had stopped them then-”
“You could’ve risked losing the bomb,” Shadow exclaimed.
“But we could’ve risked losing you,” Sally looked away. “I made a choice, for the good of the mission, and didn’t care if it hurt my friends in the process. Again.”
Shadow looked away as well, lips pursing.

She knew how he had felt about that decision. Sally wondered if they would still defend her leaving him to its alien brethren with that comparison. 

“I still hurt you, for no reason,” Shadow said instead. “You should be furious with me.”
“It’s just an eye,” Sally said. “I’ve handled worse.”
“But from a friend?” Shadow asked. “Dealt worse, from a friend?”

He looked guilty as hell, their tail lashing from where it was curled around his leg, ears flat against its head, eyes turned away even as he faced her.

“I know you didn’t mean to,” Sally repeated. “Shadow, this doesn’t change a thing about you.”
“It changes how you feel about me,” Shadow said.
“And how the hell do you know how I feel?” Sally demanded. “I don’t even know how I feel.”
Fuck. Shit, why’d she say that?
Shadow glanced up at her, surprised, before looking away. 

“So you are angry with me,” Shadow said.
“No!” Sally exclaimed before closing her eyes, reeling in her frustration. “No, Shadow.”
“I’d rather you be honest with me than be cool and collected, please,” Shadow requested.
“I’m not mad at you,” Sally hissed. “The only thing you’re doing to upset me is insist that I should, what, see you as a monster?”
“I look the part, don’t I?”
“Maybe to someone else,” Sally crossed her arms.

“Really?” Shadow said, standing up. He walked over to her couch, sitting next to her, its nose brushing against hers. “So, this is fine? You’re not frightened?”
“You’re trying to irritate me,” Sally frowned. “Stop it.”
“I don’t take orders,” Shadow said. 

“I’m not scared of you,” Sally rolled her eye. “If I wanted to, I could have you thrown out. Hell, I could do it myself. But I won’t because you’re my friend.”
“How do you know?” Shadow insisted.
“Because a monster wouldn’t have spent so much time dealing with me,” Sally said. “If anyone is the monster here, it’s me. I’ve pushed everyone away. Monsters do that.”
Shadow leaned back by that.
“You were hurt,” Shadow said. “You are hurt.”
“And that makes me innocent and you guilty?” Sally raised her chin. “Pick one, Shadow.”
“The situations are not comparable,” Shadow said.
“You were a comfort to me during the War and I treated you as little more than a co-worker,” Sally said. “You were frightened and I made it worse and you lashed out. We both made mistakes. You forgive me… I’ll forgive you.”
Shadow went quiet but his tail calmed, brushing against her leg as it relaxed.

“You’re not a monster,” Sally said, reaching out and touching his arm, fingers light as they pressed against their scales.
“And you were just hurt,” Shadow said in return, tail curling against her leg. “Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Sally smiled and nodded. Shadow sighed. “Suppose you can go back to calling me Princess, since that seems to be the more friendly term.”
Shadow snorted.

Sally blinked, suddenly realizing how close the two of them were. 

Shadow seemed unbothered, unbothered by her touch, unbothered by their proximity. 

They glanced up, his yellow and red eyes meeting her blue.

He stared at her, its expression unreadable.
“Shadow?” Sally asked, face red. “Can you-”
Shadow leaned forward and kissed her.

Sally mentally paused, rethinking that last thought.

Shadow kissed her. 

Oh. Oh!
A scent of coffee beans and lavender hit her like a truck, his lips tasting almost like vanilla, a wave of sensations as Sally struggled to realize what the fuck is happening.

Shadow yanks back and away from her, nearly as quickly as he does it.

He jumped up, face turning green.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” Shadow said and Sally’s heart sank like a stone.

He likes Sonic, he likes Sonic, He likes-
“Sorry,” Sally said softly.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, it was me, I was,” Shadow groaned, face in their hands. “Sonic kissed me.”
Sally’s head shot up.
“Oh,” She said. They’re together? Already? Then why did Shadow kiss her?!
“Which doesn’t make sense because he likes you-” Shadow hissed.
“What,” Sally frowned. Shadow full on snarled, flinching.
“Fuck,” Shadow said, banging his hands against its head. “Fuck, fuck, I’m not supposed to tell you that-”
“What do you mean, Shadow, Sonic likes you!” Sally tossed her arms. Shadow stopped, turning to look at her.
“No?” Shadow said with a frown.
“Yes,” Sally crossed her arms. “I remember, he told me.”
“When?” Shadow asked.
“Bunnie and Antoine’s wedding? I think?” Sally paused, trying to recall. “Yeah, he caught the bouquet and I was giving him hell about it.”
“He told me he liked you when we met the Wisps,” Shadow countered. 

The two stood there for a moment before Shadow sat down again.

“Why did you kiss me?” Sally asked.
“Because- well-” Shadow’s face was green. “You know why.”
“I want you to say it,” Sally said, crossing her arms. Shadow glared before sighing, looking away.
“Because I like you,” Shadow hissed out through his teeth. “There, happy?”
“Yeah, actually,” Sally said. “So, let me be sure I’ve got this straight; Sonic said he liked me. You like me. Sonic said he likes you. You like him.”
“You’ve got it right so far,” Shadow rubbed his face. “God…”
“And I like you,” Sally said, Shadow snapping over to her. “And I like Sonic.”
“Ah,” Shadow said eloquently. “That… sounds right.”
“So we all like each other,” Sally said. “But none of us have said anything.”
“I wasn’t sure what to say,” Shadow admitted. “I don’t even know why I did that.”
“Did what?”
“Stop making me say these things.”
“Go on,” Sally smirked.
“I don’t know why I kissed you,” Shadow choked out. 

“Was that so hard?” Sally teased.
“Yes, very,” Shadow deadpanned. “...Don’t tell Rouge. She’s already making a joke out of me for how I reacted to Sonic kissing me.”
“How did you react?” Sally asked, curious.
“He kissed me and the first thing I said was… was to ask why he kissed me when he liked you,” Shadow said.
“...Well, that is a fair question but interesting to say right out of the gate,” Sally hummed. “We’ll have to talk to him because this is a mess.”
“Yes,” Shadow agreed before standing. “I have to go. You have my number, Princess. Call me.”
He went to leave before pausing, turning and taking Sally’s hand.

He looked near combustion but it pressed a kiss to her gloved hand before dashing out the door.

Sally sat there, frozen, before she finally stood up, face red.
“Holy shit,” Nicole muttered.
“You’re telling me,” Sally agreed. She stepped into the bathroom, splashing water into her face.
Both. They both liked her. Allegedly.

Sally fished her phone out of her pocket, dialing up Sonic. It went straight to voicemail. 

“Sonic, call me,” Sally said. “We need to talk. Wait. That sounds like you’re in trouble. You’re not! Probably. Look, just… just call me.”
“Want me to try and reach him?” Nicole asked.
“Please,” Sally nodded in agreement. 

She stared at her reflection, long brown fur flowing down her back. It was a tangled mess, only allowed to the quality and length by her own self neglect.

Her fingers twitched as her eye trailed over to her scissors.
“He’s not answering,” Nicole huffed.
“Do we have his location?” Sally asked, picking up the scissors.
“Yes, he’s still in Mobotropolis,” Nicole reassured. “You really shouldn’t cut your own hair, it’s not going to look good.”
“It’ll look fine,” Sally said. “As soon as you can reach Sonic, let him know I need to speak with him.”
“Will do,” Nicole agreed, watching as Sally raised the scissors to her long and tangled hair. 

Bunnie jolted as a knock on the door sounded.
“Comin’!” Bunnie called out, stepping away from her carving of a tiny fish to get the door. 

She opened the door to see Sally standing there bashfully, clutching a pair of scissors in her hands. Her hair was wildly cut, uneven, and terrible.
“I made a mistake,” Sally said weakly.
“Obviously,” Bunnie said, aghast. “Come on in, I’ve gotta fix this.”
“Thank you.”
“You owe me!”

Chapter Text

Nicole glared at the little dot that was Sonic.

Jackass, not answering her calls. Did he think he could ghost her? She’s literally AI! You can’t ignore her!

And he really should answer her. She’s had to deal with, what, nearly fifteen years of pining and finally things are starting to come together! 

And where the hell is Sonic? Moping about his hut like an idiot.
Though, to be fair, when she last saw him yesterday, he wasn’t really at his best…

“Nicole?” Sally said, having gone quiet as they entered the small building.
“Hm?” Nicole said back.
“Sonic’s not in here,” Sally said.

Nicole paused, poking at the signature. It didn’t even flicker.
“Are you certain?” Nicole asked.
“Absolutely,” Sally said. She was poking around as well, checking under the bed, in the shelves, even if it felt silly, he was very good at fitting into tight, small spaces. “He’s not here.”
“But his tracker says he is!” Nicole exclaimed. This couldn’t be good. “I’m calling Tails.”
If they’re lucky, Sonic’ll be with him and Sonic’s tracker is just glitching out.

Tails answered after a moment or two.
“What’s up, Nicole?” Tails asked.
“Is Sonic with you?” Nicole quickly asked.
“Sonic? Isn’t he at home?” Tails replied, confused. Nicole hissed.
“No,” Nicole said. “Sally went to speak with him and we’re at his house and he’s not here.”
“Let me-” Tails went quiet, probably grabbing one of his Miles Electrics, tweaking the tracker to properly display Sonic’s location. “Oh, fuck.”
Sonic’s location reappeared about 100 miles from Knothole and sixty feet underground. 

Sally put a hand over her mouth. 

“From the look of it,” Tails says, now in person. “Sonic’s been down there since 3:47 pm yesterday.”
“That’s what Sage was looking for,” Sally exclaimed. “Sonic. She was looking for Sonic.”
“Sonic was working with me in the castle yesterday,” Nicole mused. “I thought he just went home without saying goodbye.”
Tails nodded and stood up, moving towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Sally asked.
“If he’s still stuck in there, he’s either injured or stuck,” Tails said. “And I’d rather not wait a few good months to bring him out.”

Sally flinched before standing as well.
“You can’t go alone,” Sally said. “Give me ten minutes, I’ll get a team to go with you.”
“I don’t need help,” Tails argued. 

“Eggman’s planning something, something that’s gonna be annoyingly big,” Sally said. “It’s not safe and the last thing Sonic would want is you in danger.”
It’s the last thing Sally wanted either but she had an odd feeling that Tails wouldn’t believe that.
Tails made a face before finally nodding.

Sally let out a slight sigh of relief.
“Bunnie and Antoine?” Nicole asked.
“Who else?” Sally nodded. “Tell them to meet us there.”
“Wait, us?” Tails repeated.
“I’m going with you,” Sally said, adjusting her sword rings.
“Are you sure?” Nicole asked.
“Yes,” Sally nodded. She looked up, Tails eyeing her. 

Ah. yeah. Tails is still mad at her, fairly so.
“...Is that alright?” Sally asked. Tails huffed, turning away.
“I don’t care,” Tails said. “Let’s just go before… before Sonic talks Eggman to death.”

He’s here again. 

Sonic can’t stop shaking. Is he in the exact same place? The Death Egg? Sonic hates the Death Egg. it makes him sick but he doesn’t feel sick so maybe it’s not the Death Egg?

Then again, he doesn’t know what he’s feeling. He feels like… like his brain has partially turned off. It’s fuzzy and distant, like his arm.

His arm. They(who?) took his prosthetic when he came in. He hopes they don’t do anything to it. Tails worked so hard on it, Sonic hoped it wasn’t too badly damaged, even if it looked like...

There was a nearby mutter, the Chaos Emeralds, a mutter meant to bring comfort but only pricked at the numbness with panic. 

If he was taken by Sage, who is Eggman’s… what, assistant? Daughter? and the Chaos Emeralds were here, that means both he and the Chaos Emeralds are in Eggman’s clutches.

Which is fine. It’s good actually, Sonic’ll just harness them once he’s close enough and stop Eggman, Sonic’s fine.

He needs to get out first though.

Sonic stands on shaky legs, pressing his hand to the wall. It’s cool and smooth, like glass. Maybe it is glass?
Which is worse, a cage or a display case? He slams his fist against it, just to test it, it doesn’t even shake.

Trapped, trapped, trapped, did anyone notice he was missing, did anyone even care-

“Focus,” Sonic hissed to himself. “Focus.”
No one was coming so he was gonna have to rescue himself. Sonic took a step back before curling up, ramming into the wall.

He bounced off, slamming on the ground.
“Don’t resist,” Sage warned.
Sonic winced, sitting up. The girl floated outside of Sonic’s cage, an apathetic look in her eye.

“Oh, hey!” Sonic greeted. Stop shaking, stop shaking, stop shaking- “Funny running into you here. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“I can’t share information with the enemy,” Sage said but there was something almost sad in her voice. 

“We’re back to that, huh?” Sonic said.
“As long as you resist the Eggman Empire, it will always be like that,” Sage said.
“I was born to resist the Eggman Empire,” Sonic shrugged. “Literally. There’s a whole ancient mural and everything-”
“I am aware,” Sage quickly cut off. She looked around for a minute before hovering down to Sonic’s level. “Please, do not resist.”
Her darker color scheme flickered to a lighter one, her face concerned.
“Sage-” Sonic started.
“You don’t understand,” Sage hissed. “I am made to consider every possibility and you taught me to truly consider them. If you continue to resist, you will die.”
Sonic blinked.
“What is he planning on doing?” Sonic asked. Sage looked away. “How bad is it gonna get?”
“Bad enough that he won’t need a robotizer for most of the resistance, if he follows my plan, stays focused,” Sage responded solemnly. “But that doesn’t need to include you.”
Sonic laughed.
“Does it include my friends?” Sonic asks. Does it include Tails? Does it include Sal? “Sorry, Sage. I can’t do that. I’m breaking out of here and I’m stopping you two. No bones about it.”

“Then you shall not survive,” Sage shook her head. She floated upwards out of Sonic’s vision. “Good bye, Sonic.”
Sonic watches her go, bites his tongue to stop himself from asking her to stay.

She’s new. His brain can’t be tricking him if she’s here and new but then again, apparently half of the things on those blasted islands were fake and in his head. 

It’s fine. Everything’s fine. He’s gonna get out of here.

He will. He doesn’t need help.

It’s a large empty field they land in, grass tall and untouched. 

“Are you sure this is right?” Sally asks.
“I’m sure,” Tails said, eyes trained on his Electric. “It’s where his signature is.”

There’s nothing in this field and Sally watches her step with wide sweeps of her head, hoping Sonic’s maybe just… napping in the grass?

Oh, gaia, where is he?
Everytime Sonic goes missing, something is usually happening and it is not usually good and Sally does not think she has the, uh, what’s the word, oh, yes, spoons, Sally doesn’t have the fucking spoons to deal with this.

She’s lost her eye, Shadow kissed her, she’s apparently in some kind of fucking love triangle, her dad’s alive and a robot but the rest of her family is dead, oh gaia, did she ever bury her mom-

“Sally?” Tails asked, turning to Sally. 

Sonic is missing and she misses him, she hasn’t talked to him like a friend in so long, why did she push him away, why did she push everyone away, she misses her mom-
“Sorry,” Sally sniffled, raising her shirt to wipe her face. “Sorry, one moment.”

Tails’ eyebrows raised, still a child surprised when someone supposedly older and more in control than them starts crying. 

She needs to stop. She knows she needs to stop, now is not the time for this. 

Does he know? How important he is to her? Of course he doesn’t. She pushed him away. She left him there. 

She’s not leaving him again. She can’t leave him again. She’ll find him. She’ll find him if she has to individually tear up every blade of grass here.

“What do we do next?” she asked, face still in her shirt.
Tails avoided looking at her before reaching up into the Tornado, something clicking in place inside it.
“We find an entrance or make one ourselves,” Tails said. The plane shivered as a canon rose from its back. “Whichever is quicker.”



Sonic’s going to kill Eggman. 

This is far from the first time he’s thought that, there’s so many moments when the it flitted into his head but this is the first time he feels like an animal for thinking it.

His cell is so small, so small, no room to run, no room to do anything but pace, pace, pace, he needs to get out, he needs to escape. 

They’re going to hurt people, they’re gonna hurt his friends, Bunnie, Amy, Rotor, Knuckles, Tails, Sally, no, no, no, no, no.

He has to get out. 

He rammed his shoulder against the glass for what felt like the two hundredth time and falls as his attempts bring him no less closer to escape. He pushed himself up, panting. 

Sonic prayed for the glass to break, for a strength he knows he doesn’t have. The Chaos Emeralds cry out in dismay.

He’s helpless, no, worse than helpless.

He’s useless.

The hole smokes and is dirt leading into metal. Sally embeds a blade into the wall as she slides in, her boots thudding against the metallic floor.

She freezes for a moment, glancing around to see if she’s alerted anything with their dramatic entrance but it looks like they’re in the clear.

Tails flew in, landing beside her before walking over to an interface in the wall.
“Nicole, I’m plugging you in,” Tails said. “Try not to go evil on us please.”
“Well, since you asked nicely,” Nicole scoffed.

“Oh, Nicole?” Tails said before leaning in, lowering his voice below what Sally could hear. “Keep an eye out for a chance for…”
“Now?” Nicole exclaimed.
“Do you see a better opportunity?” Tails retorted. Nicole sighed.
“Alright,” she said weakly. “But be careful.”
She vanished as Nicole slipped into the system. Sally walked over as Tails’ Electric lit up, something of a map appearing on the screen.
“She must be having some difficulty with the security, we’re missing some data,” Tails mused.
“Like there?” Sally asked, pointing to a huge, almost circular shape on the map. “Something big is hidden there.”
Tails nodded. Sally frowned.

It’d be such a bad idea to rush in there. Bunnie, Antoine, and Whisper should be here soon, with maybe others. 

Waiting is just as bad.
“I’ll go check it out,” Sally said. “You stay here.”
“Are you sure?” Tails looked up at her, surprised. 

“Yes,” Sally nodded, pulling her own Electric out. The map popped up as she turned it on. “The others will be here soon. Meet up with me as soon as you can.”
“Sally!” Tails called out as Sally moved to leave, hesitating as she paused to face him. “...Be careful. We don’t know what’s down here.”
Sally smiled and nodded, hurrying along the map’s path.

The place thrummed with power, the walls vibrating and glowing, as if saving up for something. 

Sally eyed the walls as she ran, her boots echoing in the empty halls. 

It was empty, much emptier than any place of Eggman’s. Why? Why so empty?
What the hell was Eggman planning? 

She finally enters the blank space, a warning popping up to let her know. 

It’s a glass container, it glowing and vibrating with just as much energy as the rest of the building.

Sonic was inside.

“Sonic!” Sally cried and Sonic jolted, looking up as she ran up to the glass. “Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“Well, he, uh, took the ol’ new arm,” Sonic laughed, motioning to his stub from where he was sat on the floor. “But besides that, no.”
He was shaking,  hand trembling, breath coming out in almost pants, Sally would have thought he was lying if Eggman wasn’t known for doing worse.

“What are you doing here?” Sonic said. “It isn’t safe.”
“I’m here to rescue you,” Sally replied. She examined Sonic’s container; it didn’t look that thick, surely she could break through it?
“Alone? Sal, that’s not safe,” Sonic frowned.
“What’s not safe is leaving you here,” Sally countered. She stepped back, firing up a blade. She let out something close to a battle cry as she drove her sword into the glass, only for it bounce off. 

Sally stumbled backwards, blinking in surprise. What? That’s not-
Sally charged again, now slamming both blades down in the same spot. An impossibly small crack appeared on the surface, not at all matching the force Sally’s applying.

She stares at it in disbelief. She knew she wasn’t that strong but surely she’s not that weak?
Sonic stared at the crack, but not with the same disbelief Sally did.
“You should go,” he said. “It’s not safe here. The Chaos Emeralds are here, I doubt Eggman would leave them unguarded.”
“The Chaos Emeralds?” Sally exclaimed, looking around. That explained the energy in the place. Sonic nodded. “They always seem to end up close to you…”
“More like the other way around, honestly,” Sonic laughed dryly. “Sal, I’m serious, you need to go.”
“You want me to leave you here,” Sally said.
“It’s the smart thing to do,” Sonic shrugged. “Get some back up, get the Chaos Emeralds, stop Eggman, ya know.”
“The smart-” Sally shook her head. “Sonic, you’re trapped.”
“It’s fine,” Sonic said, turning away. “I can handle being in a… small… enclosed… space for a few hours. We don’t know how much time we have, you should really focus.”
“No,” Sally shook her head. “No, I’m getting you out and then we can find the Chaos Emeralds together.”

Okay, if she couldn’t brute force her way through, maybe there was some way to- to lower the walls. Surely Eggman had some way to bring Sonic in and out of the cage.
“It’ll be faster if you just go,” Sonic said.
“Do you want me to leave you here or something?!” Sally exclaimed.
“Oh, come on, Sal!” Sonic laughed, turning and grinning over his shoulder. “You know I’ve handled worse!” 

Sally froze.
Six months. She left him for six months. No. Worse. 

When did she push him away? She left him with Eggman for six months, she left him altogether before even that.

“Sal?” Sonic called out, sounding concerned.
“I didn’t want to,” Sally said out loud. “I really didn’t.”
Sonic frowns, confused, before piecing together what she means.
“I know you didn’t,” Sonic said. “But it was the smart move. Just like how leaving me now is the smart move.”
“No,” Sally protested. “No, it might have been a smart move. Yes, we saved so many people but people lost hope, lost faith, lost themselves. I lost you.”
“I’m not worth that many lives, Sal,” Sonic argued.
“And what if I think you are?” Sally replied, heated. Sonic went quiet. “I wanted these swords, these blades, for a reason, do you want to know what it was?”
Sonic said nothing.
“Because you were always so far ahead of everyone, a bright shining star no one could touch,” Sally said. “No one except for me. You always came back to me. But I was so scared that, one day, you’d run too far. That you wouldn’t be able to come back. I always told you to be careful and then you’d say-”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Sonic sighed, leaning the back of his head against the glass. Sally knelt down, pressing her hands against the thick glass, as if she pressed hard enough, she’d just go through.
“I wanted to fight beside you,” Sally said. “Shine just as brightly as you. I don’t know when exactly I stopped following you but-”
Sonic turned to face her, his hand resting over where Sally’s was.
“-but I’m never leaving you again,” Sally vowed. “I promise.”
Sonic stared at her, face red, eyes wide, as if she just promised to tear down the heavens for him. Maybe, in a way, she had. 

“Sal-” Sonic started but he’s cut off by a strange sound.

The two looked at the center of the cage, it having opened up. 

Metal Sonic hoovered out. 

“Metal Sonic,” Sally gasped. Sonic quickly stood, covering the sight of her with his body. “Sonic, what are you-”
If Metal Sonic saw her, he didn’t care.

He flew forward, metal claws wrapping around Sonic’s throat, slamming him against the glass.
“Sonic!” Sally cried. “Hold on!” 

Sally drew her blades again, slamming them against the glass.

Metal Sonic paid her pointless efforts no mind, focused solely on his organic counterpart. 

He squeezed around Sonic’s throat, making him gasp like a fish for air before dropping him, coughing, to the floor.

With as little care as if he were hauling a bag of trash, he grabbed Sonic by his quills and started dragging him towards the hole in the center.

Sonic was like a wild animal, biting at nothing, tail tucked between his legs, his claws leaving marks in the floor as he tried to fight back. 

“Sonic!” Sally called out again. 

“Sally!” Sonic screamed back, ears flat against his head. “Hel-” 

Metal Sonic tossed Sonic into the hole, Sonic’s words cutting off.
Metal Sonic turned to face her.

Sally felt her fur stand on end as Metal Sonic stared at her, flexing his claws. 

He made a move forward, as if he could exit the cage and attack her-

Sage appeared just as Metal Sonic did so. The robot paused as the AI flickered into sight, an unheard conversation passing between the two.

After a moment, Metal Sonic turned away, dropping into the hole as well, the floor closing after him.

Sage looked at Sally and Sally blinked, the AI suddenly in front of her.
“You are an enemy of the Eggman Empire and not welcome here,” the child like AI said. “Leave.”
Sally glared with her one good eye.
“Not without Sonic,” Sally said. Her blades hummed at her side, fully charged.
“Then I will force you to leave,” Sage glared back.



“Sally is fighting Sage,” Nicole said.
The group, Tails, Bunnie, Whisper, and Antoine, stared at Tails’ Electric.
“Is… Sonic with her?” Bunnie asked tentatively.
“...No,” Nicole responded hesitantly. “In fact, I’ve lost Sonic’s signature altogether.”
“We need to move,” Tails looked up and snapped out. 

Shadow could feel Sonic’s heart, like a jackrabbit, under his hand. He wondered what Sonic was doing. 

On a run maybe? Arguing with someone? Doing something incredibly dangerous and life threatening? That last one is probably the most likely.
“Hun?” Rouge called out. “You got that stupid wistful look in your eye.”
“You are dating our boss,” Shadow countered, tail whisking back and forth.

“AND GETTING NO BENEFITS FROM IT,” Omega added. Rouge tossed her hands up.
“I thought you were on my side!” Rouge exclaimed.
“I AM ON MY OWN SIDE,” Omega corrected. Shadow snorted before standing up. “WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”
“Just for a walk,” Shadow responded, hand still to its chest. “I’ll be back.”

Chapter Text

Okay, maybe this fight wasn’t one Sally was prepared to do, maybe not fighting for a fucking long time then deciding to fight an AI who had control of the entire area around you was not her smartest plan but it’s way too late to back out now!

The walls had given way to hundred of robotic hands, reaching, clawing, grasping at her, trying to hold her in place so Sage can… well, Sally’s not sure what Sage wants to do to her but it’s not gonna be good. 

The smell of burning metal and plastic fill her nose as she slices and dices, blades cutting through the various arms. 

“Give in and we might be merciful,” Sage said.
“Not… without…” Sally yanked away from an arm that almost took advantage of her blindspot. It sizzled as her sword cut through it, dropping to the ground with a thud. She nearly tripped over it as she turned back to face Sage with a snap. “Sonic!”
Sage’s eyes narrowed.
“If you wanted to protect him, you should have acted sooner,” she remarked and Sally flinched. “But if you continue to resist…”
There was a screech of metal as more arms scrambled out of the walls, seeming to be trying to pull the walls close together-

Sage yelped as a shot flew past her face.
Bunnie ran up by Sally’s side, reaiming.
“I missed ya once, I ain’t gonna miss ya again!” Bunnie called out. “Sorry we’re late!”
“Ze car broke down so we had to borrow Tangle’s bike,” Antoine said on her other side, Sally turning her head to see him. “Apologies!”
“I’m just glad you’re here!” Sally sighed in relief.

“You do not understand,” Sage said, pulling attention back to her. “This plan is flawless. There is no way- ah!”
She cut herself off with a scream, dropping down to her knees, hands pressed to her head.
“Nicole might not be as strong as you,” Tails said coolly, walking past the older three. “But the both of us can be.”
“Tails?” Antoine called out.
“I can keep Sage here busy,” Tails said, back still to them. “You three find my brother.”
Bunnie and Antoine looked to Sally, who hesitated before nodding.

The three turned, hurrying down the now dormant but still thrumming walls. 

Sage winced as Tails eased up on her, pushing herself back to her feet.
“Let’s talk,” Tails said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Sonic’s arm hurt. 

Not just his arm that was not there, his actual arm. 

That’s probably because of the position he’s stuck in, bound to some weird pod, full of wires and cords. 

His arm is yanked up in an awkward angle, the robot that shoved him in here clearly caring little for his comfort. His legs weren’t much better, just slightly off any surface, dangling from the tangle of wires and cords like a puppet. 

Sonic yanked his arm, finding he had little give, barely able to move it.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, hedgehog,” Eggman’s voice was sudden and frightening, booming in the small space, echoing into Sonic’s ears. “Messing with such delicate machinery could give you a shock.”

Sonic swallowed back a scream, tossing on a shaky smile.
“Mind telling me what this is all about, Egghead?” Sonic asked. “You’ve been really letting this one simmer.”
“Oh, this strategy is courtesy of my darling newest greatest creation!” Eggman said gleefully, a fatherlike tone of pride filling his voice. “She said my moments of greatest success came after my own silence. My initial takeover, the War, no trumpets, no fanfare, no games. The first time, I gained a kingdom. The second time, I gained 99% of the world. This time…”

Sonic sharply inhaled, a chorus of voices echoing in his head. The Chaos Emeralds.

“Is it really a good idea to let those near me?” Sonic challenged. “We both know they like me more than you.”
“That’s true!” Eggman agreed with a giggle. “And that’s part of the plan.” 

“What do you-” Sonic started to ask before crying out as energy was forced through him, the Chaos Emeralds crying out alongside him as they were forced within him.
“Did you know, Sonic,” Eggman asked gleefully. “That you and the Chaos Emeralds combined produce a greater output of power than the Chaos Emeralds alone?”
Sonic’s now red eyes darted around his tiny prison, the wires going into him, the tubes flowing, the shift as whatever his pod was in moved.

Oh. Oh Gaia.

Eggman was using him as a battery. 

The halls were empty now. Quiet.

All energy sucked clean.
Whisper was somewhere by the entrance, watching for anything going in or out. So far, the sniper had seen nothing. 

So where had the energy gone?
“This is wrong,” Sally hisses. “It’s too quiet. He’s rarely so quiet.”

“Ze can not help but show off,” Antoine agreed. “But ze times when he hasn’t…”
“They’ve been shit times,” Bunnie grumbled.

An explosion echoed and the three stumbled, forced to the ground.
“Whisper, the hell was that?!” Bunnie called in.
“I’m not sure,” Whisper said back, sounding confused. “But it was big and it was fast.”
“Did you see where it was headed?” Sally asked, standing up.
“No,” Whisper replied. “I could barely keep track of it.”
Shit. Shit! The hell is this thing? What is Eggman doing?!
“Sally,” Nicole popped in. “I’m still working with Tails but something just landed in Mobotropolis, something big.”
“I’ll get Tangle’s bike,” Whisper immediately said.
“That’ll take too long,” Sally replied. “Tails, we’re taking your plane.”
“Is that alright?” Antoine questioned.
“Go ahead without me, I’m still dealing with Sage,” Tails responded. “You need to be in Mobotropolis yesterday.”
“Are you sure?” Sally asked anxiously. “Someone can stay behind and-”
“Focus on getting my brother out and leave me to my work,” Tails snapped at her. Sally frowned but went quiet.
“I can’t fly a plane,” Bunnie said, following Sally out. “Can you?”
“I’ve seen Tails and Sonic fly it,” Sally said as she found the giant hole and started to climb out of it. “How hard could it be?”



Rotor watched in horror as a giant robot, gleaming steel and glowing with literal power, a trademark smiling and mustached face on the chest of it, crushed through a line of houses. 

It was kicking through the city like a child through a sandcastle.
His horror only mounted as he saw the Tornado, like a red fiery comet go flying by and crash landing not too far from where he himself was standing.
“Tails!” he called out, running over to the mostly undamaged plane. “Tails, are you alright?”
Bunnie kicked the top of the plane, Sally, Antoine, and Whisper crawling out before yanking Bunnie herself out.

“What- where’s Tails?” Rotor asked.
“Still dealing with Sage,” Sally said. “What’s the situation?”
“That,” Rotor pointed to the rampaging robot. “Eggman?”
“Eggman,” Bunnie agreed.
“I think Sonic’s inside that thing,” Sally said. “Eggman, he took Sonic and the Chaos Emeralds for a reason.” 

“He’s using Sonic’s super form as a fucking battery?!” Rotor exclaimed. The group blinked.
“Oh my Gaia, he’s using Sonic’s super form as a battery,” Sally exclaimed. “Oh Gaia. I’m going to kill him.”
She immediately turned around as if to march up to the robot and take it on by herself.
“Woah, girl!” Bunnie exclaimed, yanking Sally back. “I love the new found enthusiasm and mildly impulsive nature after everythin’ but you’ll just get yourself in hot water if you run in there now.”
“If Eggman is using Sonic in that way, we have to assume that that robot has all the capabilities of Super Sonic,” Rotor explained. “Invulnerability, limitless energy, increased speed, flight, that thing has it all.”
“Well, not limitless,” Bunnie corrected. “Sonic can only be super for as long as he’s got rings! We just… get that thing somewhere empty and wait it out!”
“Ezcept Sonic is ze battery, not his rings,” Antoine said. “If we try and wait it out, then Sonic-”
“Sonic could get seriously hurt,” Sally finished. “Fuck. fuck, shit, we have to get him out of there.”
“But how?” Whisper asked. 

The ground shook as the robot reached into the ground and yanked out a chunk, hurling it.
The group scrambled to get out of the way, rock and rubble falling around them. 

“Ah, there you all are!” Eggman’s voice boomed. “I was wondering what was taking you all so long. I suppose you’re just… oh, what’s that thing Sonic likes to say? Ah! You’re too slow!”
Eggman laughed, laughed hard, and Rotor was half convinced Sally was gonna burst into tears and then into flames. 

“This is my fault,” she hissed. “If I’d just been more aware…”
“You can’t blame yourself for everything, Sally,” Rotor said. “It’s not like you had control.”
Sally looked at him like he’d just torn out her other eye.
“You keep blaming yourself for things, keep trying to fix things you can’t, and it’s hurting you, we’ve all seen it,” Rotor said. “You can’t fix it all on your own.”
Sally looked away, looked down at her hands, did she see how they trembled? Was the ground shaking or was that her?
Rotor reached over, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“And that’s why we’re gonna fix it together,” he said, Sally looking back up. “Together, all of us. We’re gonna save Sonic, we’re gonna stop Eggman, even if it takes the rest of our lives because he can’t win when we work as a team. Remember?”

Sally smiled, weak and shaky, and nodded.
“A team,” she repeated. “Yeah. you’re right. Ha! You’re always right.”
“Not always,” Rotor said. “Sometimes I misspell misspell.”
“Ha!” Sally laughed before growing serious. “Alright then. Let’s get to work.”



Sonic couldn’t see what was happening. This was worse than the Death Egg. he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. He kicked his legs but went nowhere, couldn’t fight, couldn’t run.

 The Chaos Emeralds cried apologies as their power was forced through him and then torn out, just as helpless as he was. Sonic didn’t blame them, not anymore than he blamed the flickies he used to find in Badniks. 

No, this was all his own fault. He should have been faster. Stronger. And now who knows how many people were paying the price.

Sonic could hear things, from his pod. Things breaking, people screaming, Eggman laughing. 

He’s hurting people, Sonic’s hurting people. 

He has to stop this. He has to before it’s too late, before Eggman goes too far, there’s always a way out, he just has to find it.

It’s his power, there has to be a way to stop Eggman from using it, to stop Eggman from making him nothing but a tool. 

He has to stop Eggman or die trying. 

Whisper carefully aimed, her bizarre mask seeming to help with that. 

“Tell me when,” she said, her voice like steel.
The robot stopped to pick up a house and hurl it at the castle. The castle remained unaffected, the house’s debris hitting the forcefield Tails had recently outfitted around it and most of the major buildings in Mobotropolis.

“Oh, not fair!” Eggman cried. “I never used a forcefield on my bases!”
“Now,” Sally said. 

There was a whistle as the wisp went flying from Whisper’s gun. 

Eggman didn’t notice as the alien phased through the seemingly impenetrable shell.
Sonic startled as something entered the small pod before smiling in relief.
“A wisp? You’re not with Whisper, are ya?” Sonic asked, the wisp responding with an affirmative trill. “I figured!”

The wisp looked around the small space, making a babble of confusion.
“I’m fine,” Sonic reassured. “Just a little… a little tired. Can you tell me where we are?”
The wisp struggled, trying to find a way to communicate their location before brightening, miming to a crown on its head.
“A… crown…?” Sonic frowned before freezing. “Oh, fuck, don’t tell me Eggman’s tearing apart Mobotropolis?” 

Another affirmative trill and Sonic let out a sharp curse.

“We need to stop this, he’s using me as a power source,” Sonic said. “Think you can lend me a hand?”
The Wisp nodded before turning its tiny alien hands towards the interior of the pod, yanking and pulling on wires. Sonic strained again against his restraints, wincing as they sent a warning shock through him. 

The wisp turned to him, worried.
“Don’t mind me,” Sonic said. “Just keep going!”

Sally squinted her good eye.
“Is it even slowing down?” she asked.
“A little bit,” Rotor responded. “But not enough for us to stay in one place. We have to get to safety.”
Sonic’s in there. Sonic’s in there. 

Sally’s hands tighten into fists.
“No, I don’t think I will,” Sally said before charging towards the giant robot.

It was preoccupied, the controller either dealing with or aware of the pest they’d sent his way. Sally didn’t care, she just needed a clear path. 

With a cry, she leapt onto one of the robot’s legs, digging shimmering blue blades into hard, cold metal. 

Her rubber boots scrabbled for footing but she gritted her teeth. Weak. It was weak, she could pierce it, she could pierce it, she could climb, she could climb it, she could free Sonic. 

One blade in front of the other, the screech of metal as she punctured it, trying to go as fast as she could out of fear it’d get its invulnerability back and she’d be unable to climb any further. 

The thing was swinging about it as she climbed but never at her, clearly the robot mimicking the annoyed motions of its master. 

She just had to get up there, once Sonic was free, they could figure something out, like always-
Sally felt more than saw her blade give out, clearly not as charged as she hoped. Her eyes widened as she lost her hold, starting to fall.

And then Shadow reached out and grabbed her arm. Sally squeaked from the jolt, going from falling to dangling in just two seconds.

Shadow had just landed on the robot, a slight dent and a spear hinting at how he’d gotten there.
“I’m assuming something important is up there,” Shadow says, helping Sally to keep her sword in the robot’s metal hide.
“Sonic,” she panted. “And the Chaos Emeralds.”
Shadow’s head snapped up.

“Both of them?” Shadow asked and let out a hiss. “Lead the way, Princess.”



The wisp had zipped up to bug Eggman, leaving Sonic to wriggle free.

They had stopped moving, thank Gaia, but if Eggman got control over this whole system again, they’d have problems.

His bones ache, ache, ache, a shook just tingling the edges of his senses, a constant warning, but he has to get free.

He yanked his arm free, wires and small metallic pieces going flying, and gritted his teeth as something that was definitely an electric shock coursed through him. 

His senses burned but he bit his tongue and reached for his stub, gripping the group of wires that were, oh no, embedded in the stub and yanking them out.

Sonic actually cried out at that and the Chaos Emeralds cried out in response, trying to escape their confines within his body to reach him and failing.

Okay… that’s his arms free. Now, his legs. 

Sonic paused, glancing around the wires around, felt the Chaos Emeralds shudder at his mental prodding.
Or maybe…

There was a circle of glass on the chest of the robot; the asshole probably intended to show off his ‘power source’ to anyone who got close enough. 

If Shadow didn’t know better, he’d say Eggman wanted to get his ass kicked, leaving such serious holes in his security. 

The more likely answer? He was an arrogant fool. 

Sally’s teeth was gritted into something Shadow would refer to as a grimace, arms shaking as she climbed. Shadow was just barely ahead of her, using their air shoes as a grip she did not have. 

It was true, what she had said about the Chaos Emeralds, Shadow could feel them above, a slight tugging.
Or was that Sonic?

The robot had stopped rampaging and its movements had slowed but it was still operational.
“Could use a hand?” Sally asked with a squeak. Shadow nodded and reached down, his tail subconsciously wrapping her as he more or less tossed her onto his back.
“Don’t squirm,” Shadow warned before hastily scaling up the wall. Without the invulnerability, the metal was easily pierced and easily climbed. 

The glass, not so much. The two flinched as Shadow’s claws scraped against it, clinging to the lip of the exposed chest piece.
“Sonic!” Sally called out, smacking against the glass.
Sure enough, there he was. He looked… Shadow bit his tongue. His currently golden ears perked up at Sally’s voice but his eyes passed over them.
“Sal?” Sonic called out, surprised. “Was that you?”
“Can you see us?” Shadow asked. Sonic shook his head.
“Can barely hear you,” Sonic added.
“Are you okay?” Sally asked. Sonic faltered but pressed on. He grabbed up a handful of bloody wires, wrapping them around his stump, carefully reinserting his other hand into something that resembled a gauntlet.
“Sure I am!” Sonic responded with false bravado. His heart had been pounding with terror for the last several… hours. “Even got a plan to fix all of this.”
“What are you doing?” Shadow exclaimed. Reembedding oneself into Eggman’s tech sounded stupid.

“I’m the power source, yeah?” Sonic asked. “We blow up the power source, no more power source.”
“Please do not say, no more power source, while being said source,” Sally groaned. “You’re joking!”
“I can fix this!” Sonic reassured. The gauntlet locked back around Sonic’s arm and he winced, eyes squeezed shut. “I made the problem, I fix it. Simple!”
“By blowing yourself up?!” Shadow shouted.
“I’ll be super,” Sonic justified. “It’ll be fine.”
“No, no, I’m getting you out, just- just stop- don’t move-” Sally scrambled, struggling to get off Shadow.
“You don’t gotta protect me, Sal,” Sonic said, voice impossibly soft. “I’m sorry I made you think you had to. I’ll do better from now on.”
“That’s- no- that’s not-” Sally sputtered, dull claws scrambling against the seemingly impenetrable glass.
“See you in a sec!” Sonic said cheerfully. “Keep an eye on Sal, Shads?”
Sonic’s eyes gleamed red, fur rising, and Shadow felt something inside him rise like magma in a volcano-

And then the robot was gone.

Sally shrieked as they briefly freefalled before Shadow grabbed her, teleporting to the ground.
Sally tried to stand but her legs shook, depositing her on the ruined ground, panting.

“Where- where they’d go?” Bunnie asked as she ran up to the duo, stopping by Sally and helping her to her feet.
Shadow stared at the crater. 

His heart pounded- or was that Sonic?
“Tracker,” Sally said, yanking her Miles Electric out. “I got- I have the-”

Shadow turned back towards her, walking to her side.

He looked at it and nodded, holding a hand out to Sally.
“Let’s bring that idiot home,” Shadow said. Sally looked up at it. “I believe he owes you an apology.”
Sally’s eye narrowed and she nodded, taking his hand.

Cold.

It was… cold.

Maybe overloading Eggman’s stupid robot’s stupid system and causing it to implode wasn’t the smartest idea. The teleport going to explode robot away bit- pretty smart. 

That seems to be Sonic's method; suck at actually solving shit, genius at minimizing damage. 

He should get up. He’s not certain where he is, all he knows is that he wanted to go to someplace empty and woke up here. 

That was probably one of the worst super form moments of his life, like getting turned into a werehog but worse. Sucking and yanking and pulling- Gaia, he was exhausted.

And cold.

Fuck, he’s cold.

Sonic just thought he needed to hurry and beat the stupid robot, make sure not even a scrap of it remained for Eggman to use. The notion of being a weapon against the people he fought so hard to protect... and Sally sounded so… he had just wanted it to stop.

He had to get up. It’s cold. Is it cold? He’s gotta get home. He’s gotta…

…Well. There isn’t really anything he needs to do, is there? No one has really needed him for awhile. Hell, he could probably stay here a couple minutes. He’s earned a breather, yeah?
Just… lie here and…
“Don’t fall asleep,” Sally’s voice was almost wet. Her soft fur was a shock through his senses, a reminder of the fact he was just cold. She sounded relieved. She sounded pissed. She calls out something, not to him, so it turns to goo in his ears.

Sonic squeezed open eyes he hadn’t realized were closed. Snowflakes dot over Sally’s chestnut fur as she peels her coat off, wrapping it around Sonic. It’s nice. It smells like her. Snow was kicked up by his tail as she bent down near him.
“Toldja,” he wheezed out, grinning up at her.
“Don’t talk,” she sniffled. “You’re an ass.”
She scooped him up, struggling to find out how to hold him for a minute before getting a good grip.
“You certainly left a mess,” Sally admitted, looking around at the scraps of metal around before down at him. “But no Eggman.”
“Don think that asshole can die,” Sonic muttered, staring up at Sally. She looked so pretty against all the white… 

“You have to stop doing that,” Sally said to Sonic. “I want to help, it’s not that I think I have to, I want to. I’m your friend, why is that such a bad thing?”
“Is not,” Sonic admitted. “Just feel bad. You deserve better.”

“And you don’t?!” Sally snapped. Sonic’s tail stopped wagging.
“Don’t be mad,” Sonic said sadly. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m-! I’m not mad,” Sally said, looking away guiltily. “Not at you.”
He had to cheer her up. With such a pretty backdrop, she deserved to look happy!
“Hey,” Sonic asked, struggling to keep his eyes open. “Ya know I’d die for you, yeah? This is nothing.”
“Don’t say that,” Sally pleaded. “Don’t ever say that.”
“Is true,” Sonic tried to shrug. “I love ya.”
And then Sonic felt himself more or less tumble into a deep sleep, without hearing Sally’s response.

Tails stared at Sage. Sage stared back.

“You’re covering your signature,” Sage pointed out. “You don’t want to be heard.”
“What I’m about to suggest isn’t something either of us want heard,” Tails replied. Sage was silent as she changed her own tracker to a different but similar location.

“What do you want, Tails Prower?” Sage asked.
“Well, in this specific case, I’d like to see an end to this struggle,” Tails said, motioning vaguely around him. “And I’d like my family to live to see the end of it. I imagine you want something similar.”
“In a sense,” Sage agreed.
“The thing is Eggman can’t win. As long as there’s people to fight, someone will oppose him,” Tails said.
“Then there will be no one left to fight,” Sage retorted. “No resistance left to fester.”
“And then what? What will Eggman do then?”
“He’ll transform this world. Make it perfect steel, an amusement park made in his image,” Sage said, recited like a perfect student, even if she didn't agree. “He’ll be in control of all of it.”
“And you’re fine with that? Destroying everything so you can have a dad themed roller coaster?” Tails raised an eyebrow at that. Sage hesitated before nodding. “And what then?”
“What?” Sage frowned, looking up. "There will be no after."
“That's certainly true. If there’s anything I’ve learned about Eggman, he’s shortsighted. He has this grand plan to rule the world, make us all his robotic slaves, and then what?” Tails crossed his arms. “How will he sustain himself? How will he entertain himself? Conquer more? Attempt to awaken a god so he can always win or something?”
“Where are you going with this?” Sage asked, her hands tightening into fists.
“Eggman’s idea for his perfect world is not sustainable,” Tails said bluntly. “In the end, he’ll get himself killed.”
“He’ll have life support systems in place and factories producing food-” Sage started.
“Does he have a plan for what he'll do when he’s bored? He’s arrogant, Sage, believes he can do anything without consequence,” Tails rolled his eyes. “He’s only survived for this long by the skin of his teeth, by luck.”
“By genius,” Sage scowled.
“A genius wouldn’t have thrown himself pointlessly at so many deities with the same half baked plan over and over again,” Tails scowled right back. “Tell me, if we lose, if my brother dies to your father, if we all become robotized, how long, realistically, could Eggman keep himself from killing himself due to his own foolishness?”
Sage frowned, her eyes glimmering as she sorted through scenarios and potential situations. Her face became more and more panicked before she reeled back, shaking her head.
“He’s… he wouldn’t…” she whispered to herself. 

“He would,” Tails huffed. Sage shoots a glare his way. “Be as pissed as you want, you’re the one who claims to be able to be perfectly able to calculate scenarios and shit.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” Sage demanded.
“Because I have a proposition. It doesn’t have to reach that point, where even victory will lead to Eggman’s eventual loss,” Tails said. “You want Eggman out of harm’s way, I want Eggman away. You keep him somewhere secluded, somewhere safe… and I’ll make sure they never find you. Your father will be safe.”
“But he won’t be happy,” Sage gnawed at her lip.
“Well, he won’t be much happier in a cell or in a prison of his creation, dead,” Tails shrugged. “It’s no skin off my nose.”
“I don’t understand,” Sage said.
“My brother will eventually beat Eggman, for good, that’s the hope, anyway,” Tails said. “But doing so… the time, the effort, the pressure, it’ll kill him. He’ll win but he won’t be… won’t be himself anymore. Not anymore than Eggman would be if he won. I have to stop this, now.”
“If your friends ever find out about this possible deal of ours… they might not forgive you,” Sage pointed out.
“I can live with that,” Tails said firmly. “As long as they’re still there to be mad at me. Plus, as long as I never get caught…”
“...I shall consider your deal,” Sage said after a moment. “But how do I know I can trust you?”
“Because I don’t respect you enough to lie to you, Sage,” Tails laughed. “You really think I’d do all of this for a trick? Please. And even if it was…”
Tails grinned, something sharp and dangerous and threatening, a mix of everyone who ever loved him, a mix of everyone who taught him what it meant to be strong.
“How would you stop me?” Tails asked.
Sage glared before softening, looking back to where she knew her father was no doubt raging as his plan fell apart again, due to obvious mistakes he’d overlooked for one reason or another. 
For arrogance.

“Fine,” Sage said after a moment. “I accept your bargain. We’ll be gone before the year is out.”
“And you won’t have to worry about someone taking your father away from you,” Tails agreed, holding out his hand.
Sage took Tails’ hand.

It felt like shaking hands with the Devil.

Chapter Text

Sally sniffled and rubbed her nose, a lethargic haze resting over her bones.
“That’s what happens when you give your coat away in the fucking North Pole. the fact you didn’t immediately freeze to death astounds me,” Nicole scolded, wagging a pixelated finger at the chipmunk.
“Don’t exaggerate,” Sally grumbled, pulling her blanket over her ears. Besides, what else was she supposed to do? Let a battered and bruised Sonic freeze? Especially after what he said…

“I don’t exaggerate!” Nicole gasped dramatically. “I am being perfectly reasonable.”

Sally rolled her eyes and closed them, feeling her cold sit on her chest like an oversized cat.

Maybe it hadn’t been the smartest move but Sonic was home now, safe. That meant something, didn’t it?

Sally opened her eyes again.
“Is Sonic awake yet?” Sally asked.
“No,” Nicole said. “I told you, I’d tell you when he did.”
“He hates hospitals,” Sally grumbled. “He’s going to be upset if he wakes up alone.”
“Which is why Tails is there,” Nicole reminded her, face softening. “You need to relax.”
“I am,” Sally stressed. “I’m the picture of relaxation.”
“Hm, let me google that,” Nicole said, pausing for effect. “Yeah, I just checked, you’re full of shit.”
“Thank you, Nicole,” Sally grumbled, shoving her face into her pillow. “I’m just… I don’t know.”
She needed to talk to Sonic. About a lot of shit. And she needed to talk to Shadow. And to her dad. And to-
Sally quietly screamed into her pillow, Nicole grimacing. 

She had so much to do and she was wasting time being sick! It wasn’t fair!
“...Would it help if I said Rotor is here?” Nicole asked tentatively. “He brought food.”

…Sally was pretty hungry.

“Hey, Sally,” Rotor called out as he entered, the muted smell of pumpkin soup filling her room. “How’s it going?”
“Kill me,” Sally requested.
“Later,” Rotor replied, setting the bowl on her nightstand. “Feeling bad?”
Sally simply nodded.
“How’s your eye?” Rotor said.
“Still blind,” Sally waved a hand in front of her face to demonstrate. “Why, want to replace it already?”
“No, just making conversation,” Rotor shook his head. “It’s been a while since we’ve talked. Well, talked not under stress.”

“Oh,” Sally blinked. “Um. How’s the baking going?”
“Pretty good!” Rotor beamed. “Thought I’d try to make some gluten free stuff lately, it’s been turning out pretty good!”

“If the genius inventor thing doesn’t work out, you’d have a real future in baking,” Sally chuckled.
“Eh, I’d rather just bake for fun,” Rotor shrugged. “Knowing me, I’d panic if I had to bake for a living.”
Sally hummed. She supposed that made sense.

“What about you? Any new hobbies?” Rotor asked.
“Not… really?” Sally shrugged. “I mean, this was supposed to be my week off and instead I got sick.”
“Oh, yeah, I heard about that,” Rotor hissed sympathetically. “You’re fine with your dad pulling rank on you?”
“No,” Sally said. “I don’t know. I’m starting to think he had a point.”
It was mildly embarrassing, to be sure. To think, she didn’t know how to live without work… well, what else was she supposed to do? Bake, like Rotor? What did she do when she was just having fun? Because she’s drawing fucking blanks. 

Which is, again, mildly embarrassing. She liked… exercise? 

“You’re overthinking,” Rotor said gently.
“That seems to be all I ever do,” Sally grumbled. “Gaia, how are you all not sick of me?”
“To be fair, you haven’t let us close enough to get sick of you in a while,” Rotor pointed out.
Sally flinched. Oh. Yeah. That’s a good point.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, sinking into her blankets.
“Hey, we all deal with trauma differently,” Rotor reassured her. “I’m actually kinda similar; when something bad happens to me, I tend to try and hide.”
Hide. That was what she was doing, wasn’t it? She never thought of it that way.

Sally nodded thoughtfully. 

“Be kind to yourself, okay?” Rotor requested. “Would you be as harsh as you are to yourself if it was me?”
Of course she wouldn’t! It’s Rotor, one of her oldest friends. He’s grown so much, just because he-

Oh.

Sally frowned and shook her head. Rotor smiled and nodded with a mildly smug satisfaction. 

She sat up uneasily, taking the bowl of soup, spooning herself a bite.
“I’ll take that into consideration,” she says diplomatically, sipping her soup.
“Sally,” Nicole said, appearing in her room again. Oh, shit, Sally hadn’t noticed her leave. “Sonic’s awake. He’s asking after you.”
Sonic.

Sally tossed her spoon, pouring the warm soup into her gaping maw before hopping out of bed.

Things Sonic hates: Hospitals. Being sick. Being alone, while sick, in a hospital. 

Which is why he fucking hated this right now.
“I’m sorry, I thought Tails was here,” Nicole said as Sonic complained for the third time in a row. “But Sally is coming.”
“I know,” Sonic grumbled. “But this sucks.”
“You’re like a stupid little baby, you know that?” Nicole sighed. Sonic stuck his tongue out at her. “Wow. So mature.”

Sonic’s VERY mature response was cut off by the door flying open, Sally walking in a hoodie with a mask covering the lower half of her face. 

Sonic frowned as Sally walked over to his bed, nearly dragging her feet.
“Geez, Sal,” Sonic winced. “You okay? You look like shit.”
Sally gave him a withering look.
“Me,” she deadpanned. “I look like shit.”
Sonic winced. Oh boy. Maybe he should’ve kept his mouth shut.
“Sonic, you turned yourself into a bomb,” Sally hissed. “Have you seen the crater you left?”
“Nope,” Sonic shook his head. Nicole waved her hand, a holographic image appearing before Sonic’s face.
It was of the North Pole, packed ice and snow sent back away from a smoking hole full of metal shrapnel. 

“That hole is big enough that it, uh…” Sally paused and then glanced at Nicole.
“If you hadn’t teleported away, you would’ve taken out nearly half of Mobotropolis,” Nicole explained.
“Yeah, that,” Sally nodded.
“Sorry,” Sonic laughed sheepishly. “But I did teleport away! No harm, no foul!”
“You were harmed!” Sally shouted out, Sonic flinching back. “You could have died, you know you could have died!”
Sonic bit his lip. Honestly, that fact was so commonplace, it didn’t even register as a warning anymore. 

…Probably shouldn’t say that out loud. 

“But I’m fine!” Sonic said. “Look, I’m- ow.”
Sonic tossed his arm up to demonstrate just how fine he was, only for a sharp pain to come from his ribs.
His chest was bandaged, slightly more on the right than it was on the left. Sonic winced, lowering his arm.
“...It’s fine,” Sonic said, avoiding Sally’s gaze. “Just a bruise. Probably.”

“...I’m going to get a nurse,” Sally huffed, walking out of the room. 

Sonic wilted. Great. Just stress out Sally more, why doesn’t he? He’s actually glad Tails wasn’t here too, the kid deserved better than to fret over his stupid older brother. 

A quick talk with a, ugh, doctor later, Sonic now knows he’s got two broken ribs on his right side. His unnaturally quick healing was already repairing them but the doc suggested at least two weeks of bedrest. 

Yeah, Sonic’ll consider it. 

He briefly wonders if his bones will heal in gold just like his skin does as the doctor leaves.

His thoughts are interrupted when Sally more or less collapsed into the bedside chair.
“...Sorry,” Sonic said softly. “Don’t mean to stress you out on your time off.”

“Stop hurling yourself into danger then,” Sally said. “Please.”
“To be fair, this one wasn’t entirely my fault, I legit got kidnapped,” Sonic pointed out.
“Yeah, obviously that part isn’t your fault,” Sally snapped. Geez, she must really be sick, she gets extra cranky when she’s sick. “You could’ve let me and Shadow pull you out though!”
“I didn’t want to waste your time,” Sonic shrugged. “I mean, it’s me we’re talking about here, shouldn’t I be able to save myself?”
Sally stared at him like he just suggested he chop his leg off and tie it to where his arm used to be. 

“...It’s, it’s fine,” Sonic insisted. “Really, Sal-”
“Because you’d be willing to die for me,” Sally cut off. Sonic bit his tongue.
“Did I say that?” Sonic asked.
“Right before you pass out,” Sally confirmed.
Well, it wasn’t like it wasn’t true but… well, no one really likes to hear someone say that and mean it.

“Tell me you didn’t mean it,” Sally said, her voice nearly pleading. “Tell me you were exaggerating.”
Sonic stayed quiet.
“It’s you, Sal,” Sonic said, looking away, face red. “How could I not?”
Sally sneezed and choked in one moment.
“Don’t say that,” she hissed. “Just- no. No! Don’t admit it, please.”
She stood back up, starting to pace. Sonic looked away. 

“Sal, sit down, you’re sick,” Sonic said weakly.
“I’m sick?!” Sally snapped. “My best friend just said he’d die for me and the worst part is I know you mean it! Gaia, Sonic-!”
Sally sneezed again, sagging as her energy was lost.
Sonic sighed and scooted over on his bed, leaving some room on his left side.
He patted the spot, motioning for Sal to join him. She hesitated for a minute, glancing towards the door, before giving in.

She practically collapsed next to Sonic, curling up next to him. Sonic’s face went red. This is fine. This is so fine. 

“I hate how much I love you,” she grumbled and Sonic felt his heart stop, start, and skip a beat.
“Wait, what?” Sonic asked but Sally was out like a light.

“ROUGE,” Omega whined. “SHADOW IS BEING PATHETIC AGAIN.”
“Ugh,” Rouge popped out of the bathroom, fur pulled in a towel as she applied lotion to her face. “Shadow, stop being pathetic.”
“I’m not being pathetic!” Shadow exclaimed, tossing his arms up.
“YOU HAVE BEEN PACING IN FRONT OF THE TV FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SIGHING,” Omega pointed out. “I CAN NOT SEE THE TV.”
“I am not pacing,” Shadow hissed.
“You’re pacing right now,” Rouge said, Shadow stopping mid walk around the living room. “Look, I get it, you’ve had a rough couple of days, on a physical and emotional level, but you’re just working yourself into a tizzy and making me nervous.”
Shadow huffed and flopped back onto the couch, crossing their arms.

Two kisses. Two love confessions. Two people he found himself falling for that were absolutely shit at keeping themselves safe.

It was good to see that old fire in Sally’s eyes again, the fire that had been hidden and smothered for some time now, but it was less nice that she was trying to singlehandedly scale a robot and save Sonic.
Well, he supposes she wasn’t doing it alone; without her friends by her side, she’d never gotten as far as she did before Shadow joined in. 

She was becoming herself again, controlled fire, a sun starting to shine once more down on them. Shadow knew Sally wasn’t happy with being forced to take a break but Shadow had to admit, it had some clear benefits already.

It was worried about her.

Something Sonic said to her before passing out when they had rescued him, it had unsettled her. She had a strange look on her face as Shadow took Sally home.

Oh, and Sonic.

Captured by his greatest enemy, used as a tool against his friends, a self sacrificial idiot.

Shadow hadn’t even known Sonic had been taken. From what he gathered, no one had. They almost had a War For Moubis moment again, what with Sonic getting taken without a trace. 

And what had Sonic done? Blamed himself. Apologized for Sally having to rescue him. Nearly blew himself up.

Shadow wanted to shake him, his luck was going to run out one of these days!

The North Pole was cold but the crater they found Sonic in was almost warm from the explosion. It had been huge, hard to find one small hedgehog amongst those twisted heaps of metal.  

Idiot. Fool. But if Shadow had been in his place, would they have done any different?
Shadow flipped between the two contacts, tail flicking idly on the floor. 

Sonic’s in the hospital; probably doesn’t have his phone. Sally hadn’t looked so good when she went home; probably resting.

He should let them recover but…
“ROUGE, IT HASN’T STOPPED,” Omega called out, startling Shadow.
“Shadow, you’re gonna give me gray hairs,” Rouge called back from the bathroom.
“I’m not doing anything!” Shadow shouted out.
“YOU ARE, AS THEY SAY, HARSHING THE VIBE,” Omega said.
“No one says that,” Shadow huffed.
“I SAY THAT,” Omega replied.

Shadow growled and turned away. 

His phone buzzed and Shadow shot up, turning it on immediately.
The message was not from either of the people they hoped would be messaging it but it was from Nicole.

“I’m heading out,” Shadow said, standing up.
“THANK GOD, YOU’RE LEAVING,” Omega said.
“Shut up,” Shadow sighed.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Rouge called out. “Again!” 

“Shut up!” Shadow shouted back, slamming the door behind him.

Shadow slipped into the hospital room, shuddering. He fucking hated hospitals… too clinical. Too clean.

“Shadow!” Sonic greeted cheerfully before blinking, shying away from Shadow. “...How are you?”:

“I’m fine,” Shadow said, face warming. Oh, shit, yeah, the awkwardness of a kiss and run. Fun! “How do you feel?”
“Ribs a little sore but nothing too bad,” Sonic shrugged, motioning to his bandaged chest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Sally, curled up at his side, rustled at the movement.
“Is she alright?” Shadow walked over.
“Yeah, I think she got sick though,” Sonic said. “She's got a cold.”

She looked… relaxed, her short hazelnut hair around her face like a halo, a low rumble of a snore rising up as she slept. 

Shadow glanced up to see Sonic looking at her with the same soft expression Shadow imagined was on his own face. 

“...I should probably go, I don’t know why Nicole told me to come,” Shadow said, clearing its throat, Sonic looking up at him. “Both of you, get some rest.”
“Oh,” Sonic said, a note of disappointment in his voice. “Yeah, that… okay. Thanks for checking in.”
Shadow nodded and turned to leave. The door did not open.

Shadow frowned, tugging on the knob. 

“Is the door stuck?” Sonic asked.
“Seems so,” Shadow grumbled.
“No, I locked it,” Nicole said, her holographic form appearing. One of Sally’s bracelets jolted, Sally bolting up awake at the shock. “Look, as fun as this love triangle has been, you need to wrap it up. No one is leaving this room until it’s discussed.”
“I was gonna do it,” Sally grumbled, flopping back down. “Pushy.”
Nicole snickered and vanished.
Sally sat up, pushing her hair out of her face.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s get it all on the table.”
“Right, yeah,” Shadow sighed.
“Uh, sure,” Sonic blinked, mildly confused.
“I kissed Shadow,” Sally started. “You kissed Shadow. You told me you like Shadow. You told Shadow you like me. I like you. Shadow likes me.”
Sonic squinted, the gears in his head visibly spinning.
“So… we all like each other,” Sonic said.
“It appears so,” Shadow nodded.
“The question is what to do about it,” Sally sighed.
“Wait, you’re kidding, right? This is the best possible scenario because there’s only one thing to do about it!” Sonic scoffed. “We all date each other!”
Shadow and Sally stared at him and then at each other.
“I… can we do that?” Sally asked.
“I mean, why not?” Sonic said, his smile a tad nervous. “We all like each other, yeah? Seems obvious to me. I don’t wanna choose one of ya over the other and I kinda hope you guys feel the same.”
“I can’t imagine choosing,” Shadow blurted out before retreating back into himself.
“But is a relationship even really the best idea for us right now?” Sally asked, fiddling with the edges of her hair. “I mean, with… everything we’ve got going on… hell, it took us being locked in a room just to talk.”
“She does have a point,” Shadow agreed, sounding disappointed. Sonic slumped forward.
“I mean, yeah…” Sonic sighed. “But I don’t wanna wait! I’ve had a crush on you guys since like ever!”
“Oh, please,” Sally scoffed. “I’ve liked you since we were teens.”
Sonic stared at her.
“Awww, really?” he blushed, twirling some quills sheepishly.
“That’s adorable,” Shadow teased.
“You shut up,” Sally hissed. “The point is a relationship should wait but… not forever. Just… I don’t want to go into this acting like we haven’t had problems or anything. Especially me and you, Sonic.”
“I didn’t do nothing! And we are reconnecting!” Sonic whined. “But, sure, if that’s what you wanna do.”
“It sounds like a good compromise,” Shadow agreed. “I suppose rushing into a relationship would be a bad idea.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” Sally nodded. 

“And you should go home,” Shadow said, looking at Sally. “You look like shit.”
“Woe, be still my beating heart,” Sally deadpanned.
“You’ll feel better! Plus, if you don’t leave soon, they’ll kick you out,” Sonic said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out in no time.”
“You’ll be out in two weeks, after your ribs heal,” Sally said firmly. Sonic waved away her words. “Fine. I’ll go home. I’m… glad we talked.”
“Feels like a long time coming,” Sonic smiled. “Now get out of here, you two!”
“Rest,” Sally said hypocritically as she hopped off Sonic’s bed, adjusting her mask as she dragged herself out the door. Thankfully, it was unlocked now.
“Don’t die,” Shadow said, following her out. Sonic stuck out his tongue as they left.

He waited a good… two minutes before pushing himself out of bed, wincing as shaky feet hit the cold hospital floor.
“Okay,” he wheezed. “I know one of you guys are in here.”

It was like a giggle as he slowly searched the room.
“C’mon,” he called out. “Don’t you think we’ve caused enough trouble?”
And then there it was, glistening on the hospital’s bedside table, a gleaming blue Chaos Emerald.
“Hey, you,” Sonic greeted, happily relaxing back on his bed. He cradled the gem in his hand, admiring how its edges reflected the light. “That was quick. Did I hit a nerve?” 

It shimmered and shined, deepening the hues of Sonic’s quills as the light shined through it. 

“You couldn’t help it,” Sonic told it. “He used you.”
Sonic blinked, pulling the emerald close to his chest. 

“He used me,” Sonic whispered. He took a sharp inhale, feeling his body ache.

Like a tool. A weapon. Something to hurt his friends with. Could Eggman do it again? Would he?
No. no, he so rarely replicated plots.

Rarely.
Sonic shook his head violently, nearly dizzy from the motion.
“Think you can give me a hand?” Sonic asked the Chaos Emerald. “I don’t feel like lying around for two weeks.”
The emerald shimmered and began to glow. 

Chapter Text

When Sally got home, she went to sleep.
When she woke up, she had two days left of her break, not counting that day.
Sally laid in bed, her sinuses finally clear, her stomach clearly protesting her 24+ hour long nap, her head groggy from sleep. She was barely aware of the time or who she was as a person.
She sat up. That’s how you know it was a good sleep.
Her stomach makes another cry of protest at its emptiness and Sally agrees with it, rising to her feet.
Her fridge is nearly empty except for some leftovers that are better suited for a lunch or dinner, rather an impromptu breakfast. A check in the freezer reveals some frozen waffles. It’s not the best breakfast but… well, Sally’s had worse.
She bumps into her table as she walks from the fridge to the microwave, shooting an irritated glare at it as she walks past.
Her house is quiet except for the hum of the microwave as she idly watches it cook.
Her eye itches. When did she last change the bandages around it?
Sally wanders to the bathroom as she waits, looking at herself in the mirror. The bathroom is still full of cut fur from her impulsive and disastrous haircut.
She peels the patch off, wincing as the tape pulls at the fur around her eye. She traces a finger over it, feeling the slightly raised skin of a fledgling scar around it.
Sally looks at her reflection. It honestly doesn’t look that bad but… she tries to brush some fur over it but it’s too short. Great. Just when she cut it.
“Nicole?” she calls out. “You busy?”
“Not at all,” Nicole says, appearing by Sally’s side. “What’s up?”
“Think you could order me an eyepatch on Door Dash?” she asked before sniffing the air and making a face. “Oh, and some breakfast? Dealer’s choice.”
“You’re having yogurt then,” Nicole said.
“Oh, nice, what flavor?” Sally asked.
“Strawberry.”
“You would pick strawberry.”

One delivery later, Sally was walking into the castle, cup of yogurt nearly finished.
She was just checking on her dad, that’s it. Okay, maybe, she’s also worried because the attack was literally in the heart of Mobotropolis with who knows how many casualties but she’s still on her break! Really!
“Work going well?” she asks as she steps into her- his office. Max’s eyelights dart up to her before his head moves, the robotic squirrel smiling at her.
“Sally, my dear,” he says. “Well, I’m afraid I had to redo your well put together schedule; we’ve been set a bit back by some… unprecedented circumstances.”
“Oh, I’m aware,” Sally hisses softly. It’s gonna be hell when she comes back to work. “That’s gonna be a pain in the ass.”
“How’s your week, by the way,” Max asks. “I hope it’s going well?”
“Oh,” Sally blinks. “Well…”
At least she got a good week off, for the most part. Reconnected with old friends (with just a little bit of crying), started to adjust to being one eyed, and got to talking about their feelings with her two crushes.
“Pretty good,” she went on. “Um. Got a haircut. Bunnie got me to try some soup or something. Oh, uh, and I’ve got two almost-partners now.”
“Oh, that’s- wait,” Max exclaimed. “Two partners?!”
“Almost-partners, dad, almost!” Sally squeaked. “We’re not dating yet. I didn’t want to dedicate myself to something I wasn’t emotionally clear for.”
“Oh,” Max frowned. “Elaborate.”
“Well, um,” Sally squirmed. “I really like Shadow and Sonic but I know I have a bad habit of… pushing people away, when bad things happen. They deserve someone who won’t hide from them every time I’m sad or overworked or scared.”
She’d already done that far too much and… it wasn’t fair. Not to Sonic, who still cared for her despite that all, and not to Shadow, who tried to reach out to her during it all regardless.
“...hm,” Max hummed thoughtfully. “Sally, dear, that reminds me of something I wanted to speak to you about.”
“What’s up?” Sally asks, sitting down.
“I know we agreed to a week break and I will respectfully back off once that week is over but…” Max sighed. “Sally, dear, do you even really want to do that?”
“Huh?” Sally blinked.
“Rule,” Max went on. “Be queen.”
“I-” Sally frowned. “I mean, I want to help this kingdom, these people, the best way I can. I’ve always put the people first.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Max leaned forward. “Your brother was supposed to rule and I was working hard to prepare him for it.”
Sally flinched, ever small, ever careful; as he said that.
“I still was teaching the boy when… well, when it all went to shit,” Max said. “And you, oh, Sally…”
“I know,” Sally looked away. “I was never meant to rule but they needed a leader and no one else was there so I… I stepped up.”
“You were so young,” Max stared at Sally and she closed her eye, shutting out his expression.
“I did my best,” Sally said.
“You did more than enough,” Max exclaimed. “You led, you fought, you won, you stayed alive! Not many would have done the same.”
“...wait, so you’re not disappointed in me, right?” Sally said, for clarification.
“Not in the slightest,” Max nodded.
“Then… what’s the problem?” Sally asked.
“The problem is it’s been destroying you,” Max pointed out. “I told you, I’m your father, I want you to be happy. Has this ever brought you joy? Ever done anything beyond making you pained and miserable?”
The air was so thick, Sally felt like she could choke on it.
She knows there had to have been a time. She just… she can’t remember it.
“I…” Sally fidgets. “But it’s what I’m good at. I just need to work on balancing it, is all.”
“Sally,” Max said. Sally looked up at him. “Has this week made you consider… maybe resigning? For a time?”
“A… time?” Sally repeated. Resigning… such a permanent sounding word.
“You wanted to put off being with your… almost-partners, for your health and theirs,” Max said. “This wouldn’t be much different. I rule until a time comes where I am unable and then pass the reins back to you.”
“Well,” Sally bit her lip. Elias had done something similar but…
“It’s your choice, dear,” Max said. “I’m not even asking you to decide now. It’s just an option I’m placing on the table. You don’t even need to think of it until you get back to the office.”
“Really?” Sally asked.
“I wouldn’t lie.”
He wouldn’t. Or, at least, Sally supposes he hasn’t yet.
“I-” Sally chokes out. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask,” Max says, looking… relieved. She supposes that’s fair. She’d responded pretty hostility to being forced to just take a week long break.
Resigning. Not being in charge.
It sounds equal parts heaven and hell.
“But, uh, have you eaten?” Max asked, pulling Sally’s attention back to him.
“Oh, yes, just some yogurt,” Sally nodded. “But if you’ve got snacks lying around, I could go for a bite.”
“You left a bag of chips under the desk.”
“Oh, hell yeah, I was wondering where those were hiding.”

Sonic stretched as he walked into his house.
Ugh, stupid doctors. Even with his damned ribs healed, they insisted on holding him, just to make sure he was okay.
Sonic shuddered, remembering the overly clean… everything and horrid smell. Fuck, he hates hospitals. The doctors always stare at him.
He runs a hand over his stump.
The skin feels ever so slightly different from the rest of his arm and he doesn’t know if that’s in his head or not. He can still feel it sometimes. It’s weird.
His door opens and he startles, a part of him bracing to fight even as Sonic casually turns towards the door.
Sally steps inside his house and stops, staring at him.
“Why aren't you in the hospital?” Sally said firmly.
“I healed fast! Doc gave me a clean bill of health!” Sonic said cheerfully, holding his hand up.
“You found a Chaos Emerald,” Sally groaned, closing the door behind her. “Don’t you worry you let those things close to you too much?”
“Nah,” Sonic waxed away Sally’s concern. “They’re chill, they wouldn’t hurt us.”
Sally made a face at that but kept quiet.
“Uh,” Sonic said. “Sorry, I’d been chilling with Shadow, place is kinda a mess, sorry. What’s up?”
“I-” Sally sighed. “I needed a place to think and… I figured your place could help keep me in order.”
She looked around Sonic’s hut, her single eye bouncing from each picture Sonic had painstakingly put up.
Sonic sat down on the edge of his bed, patting the place next to him.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Sonic asked. Sally hesitated before walking over, sitting next to him.
“My… father has suggested I resign,” Sally explained.
“Resign? From the throne?” Sonic asked, whistling when Sally nodded. “That’s ambitious.”
“I’ve been taking a week off and… I didn’t realize how bad I was,” Sally admitted. “Being queen or whatever… I think it was killing me.”
“I can see that,” Sonic agreed with a sigh. “I wish I could have been more help.”
“You already were great help!” Sally exclaimed. “You kept me grounded, you know that? You all did. If I hadn’t pushed you away…”
She looked away, as if ashamed.
“I wish I hadn’t. It was for such a dumb reason and it didn’t even work!” Sally exclaimed, head in her hands. “At first, it was to try and get over my stupid crush but then I just… I saw my brother die and you were already gone.”
Sonic winced.
“I didn’t want to lose you, didn’t want to lose anyone,” Sally shook her head. “But it felt like I already had and it sucked.”
“I really missed you, on my part,” Sonic admitted, reaching over and taking one of her hands in his own. “Even when you tried to push me away, I was still right by your side.”
“You always are, aren’t you?” Sally muttered. “Sonic?”
“Hm?”
“Do you ever get tired?” Sally asked.
Sonic blinked.
Tired? If he’s honest, he can’t remember not being tired, not clearly, anyway.
“We’ve been doing this for years but you’ve dealt with it the harshest lately,” Sally goes on. “Since we were kids, we’ve been throwing ourselves at Eggman, to no avail, but no one more than you.”
Sonic pulls his hand away from where he was holding hers, turning his head away.
“It’s… it’s fine,” Sonic says.
“Don’t lie to me,” Sally hisses, turning to face him. “Please. You’ve always been there for me and I’ve been there for you before. Just talk to me.”
“I’m not lying!” Sonic exclaimed. “I’m the same as always, really! Shit like this is what I’m good at, remember?”
Sally stares at him. Sonic swallows around a lump in his throat.
“You really would die for me. No,” Sally shook her head. “No, you’d die for anyone. That’s the kind of person you are. Someone asks for your help and you give your all, literally. Even if it would destroy you. That is how you’ve always been. Oh, Gaia.”
Sally looks sick, as if she swallowed a tack.
“I’ve been taking advantage of that for years,” Sally said. “I’ve been taking advantage of you-”
“No!” Sonic cries, standing to his feet. “Sal, you didn’t even want me to fight in the beginning! And then you were always telling me to be careful! I choose to fight, for you, for our friends! I’ll never regret that.”
“And if Eggman was stopped today, what would you choose to do then?” Sally insisted. “Sonic, who the hell are we without this stupid conflict?”
They both stared at each other. Sonic’s arm ached. Don’t question it. Don’t worry about it.
“What does that matter? We still gotta fight,” Sonic said. “No point in wondering about something that’s not really in view.”
“Can you even imagine living without being under threat?” Sally pressed. “Just answer me that.”
“...No,” Sonic shrugged. “But again, that’s… I’m still alive right now. Worrying about the future, good or bad, is just unneeded stress.”
Sally’s face is pinched, pained. Sonic’s doing this to her, hurting her. Gaia, why is he so bad at this?
“It’s fine! As long as everyone’s safe, I’m happy,” Sonic said.
“Why?” Sally asks, brokenly. “Why do you-”
“Because no one else will and it’s what I’m good at,” Sonic cut off. “You know that. It’s why you led and I’m glad you can step back from it because I’ve seen how it affected you but I don’t get to do that.”
“You don’t know that,” Sally said.
“Yes, I do!” Sonic tossed his arm up. “I went missing for six months and everything we had worked for had been lost. I’m not saying anything but they only started winning when I showed up again, even with one arm missing!”
“That’s not fair,” Sally said softly.
“No,” Sonic shrugged. “But that’s how we've always done this. It works.”
“It’s killing you,” Sally hissed. “Literally.”
“I’m fine,” Sonic hissed back. Besides the phantom pain and the panic attacks and the nightmares and the loneliness and the anxiety and the paranoia and- “Let me worry about me, you worry about you.”
“I love you,” Sally says and, wow, why did that hurt? "I'm always gonna worry about you. I told you, you're why I wanted to fight. I meant it."
"You shouldn't have to!" Sonic exclaimed. "I should be able to take care of myself! If I'm just a burden, you'll get rid of me again!"
Another moment of silence where Sonic wishes he had stayed mute.
"Again," Sally says and Sonic can see her beautiful mind whirring, piecing it all together. "Sonic-"
"You don't have to explain anything to me, I get it, you know I get it!" Sonic cuts her off. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything-"
Sally stands and hugs him. Her fur smells of burnt waffles and old wood and Sonic feels a part of him unwind at her touch.
"We should've come for you," Sally whispered. "Strategy be damned. I never cared about you because of your usefulness to me and I never will. Even if you never fought Eggman again, I'd still love you. We all would."
"If I never fought Eggman," Sonic fought against the comfort internally, a bug in a web. "No one ever would."
"Then at least let me fight by you, not just as someone you need to protect," Sally's grip tightened, as if to keep him from running. "I can be more than a support or motive. Aren't you tired?"
Sonic felt his legs buckle.
"...Maybe a little," he whispered. "It's… it's fine… fighting, running… it's what I do best."
"You're good at those, yes," Sally nods. "But is leadership all I am?"
"Of course not," Sonic huffed. "I hate it when you do that comparison thing, I never know how to argue against it."
"Good," Sally smiles. "Then I'll keep using it."
Her wrist buzzes, a message from… someone.
She pulls away, cupping his face.
"I have to go," she says. "But this conversation isn't over, understood?"
"Aye, aye, Captain," Sonic nods. The laugh he gives out is wetter then he means it to sound. Sonic hopes Sally can't hear it.
Sally releases his face and Sonic lets out an undignified whine, like a stupid dog.
"I'll talk to you later," she says, walking out the door, struggling to find the door for a moment. "We both need to think about this."
Sonic nods. Think about what? Let Sally fight? He couldn't stop her if he tried. Stop fighting himself? He can't do that.
Not so long as Eggman is a threat.

Tails watches as Sally leaves the house, watches as Sonic sits down on his bed, looking around him as if some answer was stapled on the walls.
Her apology to Sonic was long overdue but her attempts to protect herself and her friends via separation has clearly done more harm than good, Tails will let it slide, for his brother's sake.
He's got bigger fish to fry.
"Nicole?" Tails asks. "Does Sage have the script?”
“She does,” Nicole nodded. “She didn’t like it.”
“Of course she didn’t,” Tails scoffs. “Let me know when to start the livestream. It has to be quick to be believable.”
Nicole looked over Tails, hunched forward.
“Sonic missed you at the hospital,” Nicole informed him. “Wondered where you were. Worried, in fact.”
Tails flinches, ever so slightly, pausing in his work.
“I… I didn’t mean to ignore him,” Tails insisted. “I just- I’m ending a war we thought would outlive us!”
"I'm just calling it out before it worsens," Nicole said, strangely passive. "I missed it last time. You remind me a lot of…"
"Sonic?" Tails guessed.
"No," Nicole said. "Of Sally."
Tails stilled.
The world felt strangely colder.
"Sage says she'll be ready in four," Nicole said, breaking the moment of silence. She vanished in her custom haze of purple, leaving Tails with his thoughts.
He resumed his work for a moment before pausing. Like Sally…
He shook his head. Reflection would come after he ended Eggman's grip of fear on Moubis.
"On air, in 3…2…1…"

Chapter Text

Eggman rubbed his aching back as he sat down in the chair, feeling more like a news show host than a would be tyrant. 

His back would stop hurting soon enough, if the surgery was successful. He didn’t think he’d need to replace his spine for another ten years but, well, Sonic always had to complicate things. It took him awhile and Sage ended up doing most of the work, something steeling in her eyes as she did so.

He can’t blame her. After all, he hated his own father but seeing him weak had always made him sad.
He once again considered just skipping to the full brain transplant but decided against it. After all, he wanted his transformation to be just like his conquering of this planet; slow, efficient, and utterly majestic.
No point in rushing perfection, a philosophy that he really actually should bring into his world conquering.

But that’s what he was doing now, wasn’t it? But still…
“I don’t know about this script, Sage,” Eggman said as Orbot and Cubot finished setting up the cameras. “Makes me look like… kinda a wuss?”
“Apologies, Father,” Sage said from behind the scenes. “But if you seem weak, then they’ll suspect you less.”
“Hm, good point,” Eggman nodded. “See, that’s how I know you’re my kid! That’s exactly something I would say!”
He beamed at the AI, who smiled back, a smile that dropped when her creator looked away.
Orbot held up three fingers and Eggman straightened up, waiting for the countdown to end. 

“Hello, Moubis!” Eggman’s voice boomed. He’d done an announcement like this once, something about… blowing up the moon? Honestly, after so many grandiose and dramatic speeches, you could hardly blame him for getting them all mixed up. 

Or maybe that was the head trauma.

Eh, he’d worry about that later.

Right now, the whole world is watching him, even those in the Acorn Kingdom, thanks to his daughter’s spectacular hacking skills.
“It is I, Doctor Eggman!” Eggman continued after allowing his greeting to sizzle a little. “I’m here to inform you that I…”

He paused, allowing for dramatic effect. If the script wasn’t going to let him be dramatic with his words, he could at least do so with his phrasing.
“...am retiring!” he announces and imagines a world of shocked faces, gasping like dumb little fish at their televisions. Cubot gasped as well, as if he didn’t know. “It’s true! I’ve been beaten!”
Sage makes a face and looks away. 

“Now, a proper gentleman would turn himself in but I’m no proper gentleman,” Eggman snickered. At least that part was true. “So I’ll stay right here, nice and quiet, and we’ll see just how well things go when I’m not around. That’s all! Good bye!”
The camera light went off and Eggman relaxed.
“Whew!” Eggman said. “Honestly, I should've been an actor and then a world conqueror. Wasted my youth.” 

He stands, leaving the small set behind.
Sage hurried to join him, the two standing and staring out at the wide frozen sea.

“I’m not a fan of laying low when you could be doing something,” Eggman mused out loud. “But your ideas haven’t been… 100% wrong yet. We’ll see how this one goes.”
Sage nodded before glancing over to him.
“Father?” she asked quietly.
“Hm?” Eggman hummed in response, his mind whirling around nefarious schemes. 

The little AI rammed into Eggman, clinging with all her might to the older man. Eggman jolted.
“Whoa, everything alright down there?” Eggman questioned. He was all about loyalty but Sage had been especially clingy these past few days. He supposed replacing your father’s spine put some priorities in order.
“Everything is fine,” Sage said. “Apologies. I just-”
“No need to apologize over being emotional,” Eggman patted the kid on the head. “Just don’t let it mess with our mission.”
“I… I understand,” Sage nodded. “I won’t let you down.”
There was something strange about how she said that but…


Amy blinks, confused, turning an eye to the calender. It’s not the first of April…

“Dr. Eggman’s gone?!” Cream cries in innocent excitement, jumping up and down on Amy’s arm.
“Um,” Amy said eloquently. “Seems so.”
“Holy shit,” Knuckles mumbled from where he was sitting.
“Mr. Knuckles!” Cream cried in offense.
“Sorry, sorry,” Knuckles quickly held up his hands. “That’s… this is a joke, right?”

Bunnie felt like all the air in her lungs had been sucked clean out.
“Well,” Antoine says, slowly laying down on the floor of their house. “It must be the end of times. I zink I shall lay here until angels come to take me away.”
“Oh, get up,” Bunnie huffed, crossing her arms. “Eggman just surrendered! We should be celebrating!”
“Darling, call me a cynic but that man does not know the definition of the word ‘Surrender’,” Antoine said, still on the ground. “Zis is clearly a trap.”


Rotor gnawed at his lip. He could hear cheers in the street. He understood the excitement but he had to wonder; was this some prelude to some horrific plan? Eggman had said it himself. 

His most successful plans had a silence before them, a calm before the storm. But how had Eggman even gotten past Tails’ defenses? Certainly not that little AI, Tails could beat her, easy.

But what if Tails had…?
No. Tails couldn’t have. Tails couldn’t have let Eggman in because that is a betrayal too big for them to comprehend and Tails loved his friends, his brother, too much to do something like that.

Rotor supposed the method didn’t matter as much as the message. 

And, holy shit, the message.


“Ya know, you somehow have a formal situationship,” Rouge said to Shadow, carefully filing his claws.
“It’s just for the moment,” Shadow huffed, leaning back against Omega. The warmth of the robot’s engine was somehow comforting. “It’s good. I admit, if I had to try and balance Sally’s bad habit of trying to keep me as far away from her as possible while dating her, I’d probably end up killing her. And Sonic- ugh. Keeps giving me heart attacks. Literally.”

“Mhm, I getcha,” Rouge nodded. “Me and Topaz are actually on a break ourselves. Turns out people think I get special treatment since she’s the organizer of SHIELD.”
“THIS IS WHY RELATIONSHIPS ARE STUPID,” Omega piped in. “THE BEST RELATIONSHIP IS ME AND DESTRUCTION.”
“Go back to watching your Dance Moms,” Shadow said.
“I’M TRYING BUT THE TV’S ACTING WEIRD.”
Shadow glanced over at the screen, spying the screen now being just snow.
“Is the signal lost?” Shadow asked, letting Rouge grab his other hand to clean it.
“MY DANCE MOMS,” Omega said as forlorn as possible. 

“Just give it a sec, the cable’ll come back,” Rouge said.
And then Eggman came on TV.

And then Eggman surrendered.

And then the TV turned back to Dance Moms. 

“...I have to call Topaz,” Rouge said. “Holy shit- HOLY SHIT-”
The bat jumped to her feet, scrambling for her phone.
Shadow felt completely blind sided. Could… could Eggman do that? Give up? Shadow didn’t think it possible. It had to be some kind of trap.

“...Yeah, I know it’s clearly a trick, that’s why I’m calling you! We could catch him, like a rat in a bird’s nest!” Shadow could hear Rouge shouting down her phone. “We have to jump on this while we have the chance.”
“Well, one thing you can count on the good doctor for is him to do something unexpected,” Shadow sighed, leaning once more against Omega’s toasty engine. “He’s gone quiet before but he’s never announced his ‘retirement’. How bizarre.”
He wondered if Sally and Sonic had seen the news. It’d explain how Sonic’s heartbeat was picking up.

Wait. how would those two take this?
After when Shadow lost his entire reason for being, he…
“I’m going out,” he says, standing up, tail flicking with unspoken anxiety. 

“BRING ME BACK SOME CHIPS,” Omega requested.

“You can’t eat,” Shadow reminded as he shut the door.

Tails leans back in his seat, letting out a sigh of relief as the world began to discuss Eggman’s resignation speech.

He doubted many people would believe it. Hell, even Eggman wouldn’t believe that. That’s fine.

Tails had written that speech to be true and, eventually, Eggman wouldn’t want to ever leave! It was a simple solution to an old problem.

Sure, there was a chance he’d lose control of the situation and things would stay the same or even get worse and his friends and family would pay the price for his errors but that was such a small chance! Like! Crazy stupid small!

It’s fine! He’s fine!
…Is it possible to sound like two people at the same time? Because, gaia, why do all his thoughts now sound just like Sally and Sonic?
“Stupid Nicole…” Tails grumbles as he pushes away from his desk and heads out.

If the idea of resignation and a break or anything of the sort had felt like the rug had been ripped out from under her, this felt like someone disassembled an entire house under Sally’s feet and now she was just left in an empty lot.
Give up? Eggman could just… do that? After so many years, after so long, just… give up? No, no, no, no, clearly it was a trap but…

Gaia, what if it was true ? Sally’s not sure if that’s more or less terrifying. 

Sally thinks she’s going to be fucking sick. Why is this so sickening? It’s not a blatant threat, he didn’t say anything threatening. 

Breath. Just breath. Her brother died for this? For Eggman to just give up? When she imagined victory, this is not how it looked. 

Should she call her dad? No, no, Max probably already knows, Eggman got in their system, of course, he already knows.
Sally gulps down air like she’s drinking water. Breathe. Breathe. 

“Princess?” Shadow’s voice echoes in her head and she startles, turning towards him. Shadow’s face is pressed into a frown, concern blatant on his face.
The world is swimming and Shadow steps forward, catching her just as Sally starts to fall.
“Just breathe,” Shadow says. “Please.”

His fur is soft and Sally breathes, her lungs filling with the scent of lavender.
“He’s not really giving up,” Sally pleads. “Right? Not after everything, he gets to just- leave. No justice. No victory.” 

“Of course not,” Shadow says after a moment. “The bastard’s just pulling everyone’s leg. You’ll see.”

Lavender, keep breathing in lavender.
“Right,” Sally nodded. “Right.”
His tail is wrapped around her leg, holding her in place. She’s… more than grateful for the support.
“I’m better now,” she says softly and Shadow takes a step back. “Gaia, just… why now?”
“Who knows,” Shadow shrugged.
“Who cares?!” Sonic butts in, grinning as he’s suddenly by their side. 

Sally cringes as a heavy metal arm is tossed over her shoulder, Shadow jolts as Sonic grabs him in what is nearly a headlock.

“Reason, no reason, trap, no trap,” Sonic goes gleefully. “I say we treat ourselves to a day out. How does the beach sound to y’all? I could go for some fun in the sun.”
“Are you sure if that’s a good idea?” Sally questioned.
“Well, you’re still on break, yeah? And Shadow, you ain’t got nowhere to be?” Sonic said. “My schedule just cleared! Let’s get a tan somewhere embarrassing! Bury each other in the sand! It’ll be fun!”
“Are you alright?” Shadow frowned.
“I’m great!” Sonic exclaimed. “Let’s go!”

“I mean, I guess we are free…” Sally hummed.
“See? Sal, I knew you’d agree, let’s go, let’s go!” Sonic pumped his fist before scooping Sally up. “Race you, Shadow!”
“Wait, wait, where exactly are we-” Sally started before the wind snatched the words out of her mouth.

Sonic felt normal, felt great, even! 

He doesn’t know why people are freaking or celebrating. It’s not like this is real. Eggman? Surrender? Give up? Ha! Don’t make Sonic laugh.

Sonic’s been fighting that guy for as long as he could remember and knew the asshole even longer. Eggman would give up when they were dead, robotized, or both. Nothing more, nothing less. 

But Sally seems freaked out and Shadow’s in the area so hey! Why not hang out? See where the day takes ‘em?
There’s no time like the present!

Sonic skidded to a stop, sand flying up into Shadow’s face as he followed close behind. Sonic set Sally down and leaned over, brushing the sand off of Shadow.
“Whoops, sorry about that, bud!” Sonic laughs. Shadow huffs, straightening his jacket, his tail flicking in slight annoyance behind him.
Sally had sat down on unsteady legs the second she was set down, panting.
The beach wasn’t empty but it wasn’t busy.
That makes sense, it’s not exactly the right season for the beach, but hey! It’s beach season somewhere!
“I’m thinking ice cream and then… sand castle?” Sonic asks. “Yeah, sand castle!”
“Sonic-” Shadow starts but Sonic’s not slowing down, won’t slow down, can’t slow down.
“Sal, you still like cherry sundaes, yeah?” Sonic asks, pointing to the chipmunk. She looks at him and nods, hesitantly. “Great! Shads, I’ll get you something super sweet and super weird, sound good?”
“...Sounds good,” Shadow says, his tail flicking continuously.
Sonic grins and hurries away.


“Oh Gaia, he’s not taking this well at all,” Sally says once he’s out of ear shot.
“What’s going through his head?” Shadow hisses, concerned.
“We’ve been fitting Eggman all our lives,” Sally says, standing. “But… there was always something going on with him and Eggman, something he would never tell me. I… I think they knew each other before.”
“Do you think they were close?” Shadow asked.
“Hell no,” Sally scoffed. “But I think someone Sonic looked up to was.”
They have to stop their conversation there because Sonic is back, grinning widely. It looks too wide, too cheerful, too sharp, like he’d taken a knife and carved it into his own face.
“One cherry sundae for mon princess,” Sonic said in a faux french accent, handing it over to Sally. “And one triple banana cotton candy creme blizzard for Shads!”
Shadow takes it, noting the slightest tremor in the robotic arm Sonic had.
“What did you get, Sonic?” Sally asks. Sonic blinks before frowning.
“Oh, uh, I guess I forgot,” Sonic says before shrugging. “But that’s fine! You guys will share with me, right?”
“Sure,” Sally rolls her eye. “Like that wasn’t your plan from the beginning.”
“You’d accuse me of something so underhanded?” Sonic gasps. “Sal, I thought we were friends!”
Shadow scoffs.
“You’ll share it with me, right, Shads?” Sonic turns big eyes to Shadow.
“Only because you’re an idiot who forgot to get his own,” Shadow said. “If you were any less foolish-”
“Aw, but that’s why you love me!” Sonic beams and there’s something almost real to it for half a second.
But then it’s hollow again, empty, Sonic carving his face into something it’s not.
“Speaking of love,” Sonic continued. “Does a castle with three or four towers sound better? No, wait, don’t answer that, I’ll just do six!”
“Sonic, is that a good idea with your arm?” Sally asked. “It’s not exactly made for stuff like this, what if sand gets in it and breaks it?”
“Sonic glances to his side, flexing metallic fingers.
“They’ll work,” Sonic says and his voice makes it sound like a threat. “No sweat.”
He’s moving so fast, too fast for Sally to catch up, too frantic for Shadow to follow. It’s like he’s being chased, the way he moves.
Sonic’s building a sandcastle when they catch up to him, close to the waves where the sand will stick more.
He’s already finished a base.
“Ya know, if I was just a smidge more artistic, I’d make this more like the castle in Mobotropolis,” he said. “But I’m not.”
The waves keep coming up, lapping at Sonic’s feet and the base of his castle, built just a tad too close to the sea.
It’s not the greatest castle, one hand either gripping the sand too harshly or too loosely.

Sally steps forward to help but Sonic waves her off, “I’ve got it, Sal, see, it’s really starting to come together!”, he can do it on his own.

He’s frantic. 

His castle keeps collapsing, keeps falling apart, the waves occasionally coming up and taking bits of sand away with them.

His claws dig into the base as he tries to force a lump of sand on top but it all just starts to fall off when Sonic lets go.
“Sal,” Sonic suddenly says and Sally startles, nearly dropping her almost finished ice cream. “Hold my arm?”
“Sure,” Sally nods and Sonic reaches over and yanks it off the base, his face pinching as he did so. “Shit, Sonic, are you okay-”
Shadow grabs Sonic’s arm as Sonic tosses it towards Sally’s feet, keeping the metal arm from the sand. 

Sonic has already went back to his sandcastle. His progress has slowed but stays longer, his castle crumbling less under the more controlled flesh arm.


It’s stupid, how invested Sonic feels with this stupid clump of sand. It’s literally just a sandcastle, what’s the deal?
Exactly, it’s just a sandcastle, if I can’t even handle this, what can I handle, why do I keep failing at everything?
It keeps falling apart, which isn’t fair, because Sonic’s patting it solid, he’s using partially wet sand, the only problem he might have is the proximity from said castle to the waves-

As if summoned by his thoughts, the tide came in, submerging the castle. When the tides pulled back to the sea again, there was just a slightly raised lump of sand.

It’s gone.

He’s gone.
The sand indents with a droplet and Sonic blinks, sitting up.
He looks up at Shadow and Sally, stop looking at me like that, and laughs.
“Just our luck it’d start raining?” he asked.
“...It’s not raining,” Shadow says, crossing his arms.
Sally blinked again and looked up. Sure enough, the sky was clear. But where was the wetness on his face coming from, the marks in the sand?
Sonic reaches up to wipe his face.

Oh, it’s from him.

He stands up, snickering.
“This, this is stupid,” Sonic says, pointing at his face. “Ya’ll seeing this? Over a stupid sandcastle! Honestly, why am I still on the payroll, amirite?”
Sally looks like she’s swallowed a rock. Shadow’s face is passive but his tail is kicking up clouds of sand. They’re not laughing. He needs them to laugh.

“But at least I’m not Eggman! Didn’t even stick around to finish the fight!” Sonic exclaimed. “If that’s his idea of an April’s Fool, it’s a shitty one. He’ll be back!”
“Do you want him to come back?” Sally asks and Sonic freezes.

Want Eggman back? Hell no!
“It’s not how he’s supposed to go,” Sonic corrected. “This isn’t a victory. He doesn’t get to just… disappear after… after…”
Is his face getting wetter?
“He’s not gone,” Sonic insisted. “Because we deserve more from him than just a, ‘oh, bye forever!’, he deserves to face judgment, it’s, it’s, it’s not fair!”
The last sentence comes out of him in a scream, Sally jolting back.
“All the people he robotized, all the people he’s killed, and he just gets to leave ?!” Sonic says. “He can’t just leave! It’s not fair, it’s not fair, it’s not fair-!”
“Sonic-” Shadow starts but it’s too much, it’s all coming out.
“Why does he get to leave? We never got to! I never got to!” Sonic shook his head. “He took my life, he took my arm, he killed my uncle, he- he-”
He must’ve been really out of it because Sonic hadn’t realized Sally was in front of him until she was wrapping her arms around him, her soft fur tickling his nose.

“I know,” Sally said. A very undignified whine escaped Sonic’s throat as she ran a hand through his quills. “I know.”

“It’s not fair…” Sonic bit out. “We fought so hard just to get rid of him and he just…”
“It’s not,” Sally agreed, voice thick with her own held back emotion. “It’s not fair at all.”

Sonic wrapped his arm around Sal as well.
Shadow watched the two, just a step behind them.