Chapter Text
Everything seemed to be falling into place. Eggman had been defeated, like always, his friends were all normal and not some copy of themselves, and the Paradox Prism was lost in some forgotten corner of the world, courtesy of Shadow. It was almost as if nothing had happened. As if everything was normal.
Everything was alright.
The small group of friends made their way to the cave exit, poking fun at Sonic's new found sense of teamwork.
“Maybe we should find more of these crystals if they help Sonic’s listening skills,” Amy joked as she stepped out into the light.
“I don’t know, even though nothing happened that crystal felt awfully sinister. I kinda wish Shadow hadn’t taken it so I could have taken a closer look at it, but it's probably for the best that it’s gone.” Tail’s voice briefly startled Sonic as the memory of Nine came to mind. But this was Tails, not Nine, as far as the blue hedgehog, knew Nine may not have even existed anymore.
Everything was fine
And then the world started spinning. And he started swaying. And he started twitching.
Sonic closed his eyes in an attempt to steady himself. You’re back home you’re fine, calm down Sonic.
“Sonic?” This time Tails’ voice made Sonic visibly flinch back. Tails not Nine, Tails not Nine.
“Is something wrong?” All of the humor had left Amy’s voice, all teasing replaced with concern.
Sonic heard Knuckles’ voice, but couldn’t comprehend his words.
Everything started to fade, the noises around him turning into jumbled murmurs, His limbs going numb. And then everything went dark.
The group seemed to be gathering near the exit of the cave, though they were taking longer than Shadow would have liked. He wanted nothing more than to leave this place and never look back. More importantly though, he needed to make sure Sonic was okay. He may have been able to fight Eggman, but that didn’t change the fact that he had almost died in Shadow’s arms. The current plan was to follow the group from a distance, and then check on Sonic when the group split. As concerned as he was about the hedgehog, Shadow didn’t exactly like the idea of confronting the rest of the group.
That plan quickly changed.
Shadow watched as Sonic fell behind the others. He watched as the blue hedgehog started to sway and twitch, as he flinched at the sound of Tails’ voice.
Something isn't right.
The twitching in particular painfully reminded Shadow of Sonic fading. He could almost feel as the hedgehog got lighter in his arms, fading to almost nothing.
The panic of that moment came back in full force, and as that same hedgehog started to fall, Shadow yet again jumped into action.
Before any of the others could react, Shadow was at Sonic’s side.
A moment of stunned silence.
“Shadow?” Rouge broke the silence, “Why are you here?”
“What happened? Is Sonic okay? He seemed fine a second ago,” That voice was Amy’s
“Did someone hurt him?” Knuckles.
“He looks pale,” The last voice startled Shadow. It was too similar to Nine. The glare that was shot at the source of that voice was enough to stop the fox from approaching. Tails, not Nine. Focus. Shadow turned his attention back towards the hedgehog in his arms.
Shadow had set Sonic on the ground by now and was studying the state of the blue hedgehog. His fur and quills were a vibrant shade of blue again, and there was no hazy outline around his body, so at the very least he wasn’t fading. He was whole. Maybe he just needs rest. He almost died and then went straight into battle, that must have finally worn him out. He just needs rest.
Luckily, what was most likely turning into a mental spiral was promptly stopped by a groan from the very hedgehog he was worried about.
The group cautiously gathered around Sonic as he slowly opened his eyes. They all watched as the blue hedgehog groggily took in his surroundings, with his eyes lastly falling on the figure directly above him.
“Hey Shads. Did I miss somethin’?” His gaze shifted to the others around him. “Why does everyone look so tense?” Sonic tried, and succeeded, to stand; only with the help of Shadow though. Even while standing Sonic was still desperately clinging onto the other as if he was the only thing keeping him upright, which he was.
“You just fainted, Sonic.” Shadow kept most of his emotions out of his voice, yet a hint of worry was present in his tone.
“I fainted?”
“One moment it seemed like everything was normal, and then before any of us could react you had fainted,” Tails took a few steps closer, “Thankfully, Shadow caught you so you didn't hit your head on any rocks.”
“Huh.” Sonic lightly punched the hedgehog who was making it possible for him to stand, giving him a playful smile as well. “Good to know I’ll always have someone here to catch me when I fall, ain’t that right Shads?”
Shadow hummed in return. “Don’t get used to it.”
“You keep saying that and yet you’re making it real easy for me to get used to it.”
This small interaction between the two hedgehogs melted the tense atmosphere in the room, as the observers were now confused more than anything.
Knuckles cleared his throat. “I think we’ve spent enough time in this cave,”
“I agree, it seems to have some…interesting effects” Rouge eyed the two hedgehogs curiously. She’s definitely going to interrogate me about this later.
Amy watched the two leave and started to trail after them before turning to Tails. “If his condition worsens again, come find me, okay?” Tails quickly nodded in response, and Amy made her exit, leaving just the two hedgehogs and the fox.
“The Tornado's here so we can just fly home, Sonic.” Tails stepped to Sonic’s side.
“Sorry buddy, but I don’t think I can handle flying at the moment. I’ve missed the grass here too much.” Sonic did seem genuinely sorry about it.
“What do you mean you miss it? This mission didn’t take that long…” Tails seemed to be lost in thought. “Though I’m more worried about if you’ll be able to make it home. I don’t think you should be walking or running all by yourself after you fainted…”
“I’ll be fine, see?” Sonic tried to stand on his own, and promptly fell back onto Shadow.
“Yeah no…I’m not leaving you on your own.” Tails immediately started brainstorming ways to get Sonic home, “Flying is apparently out of the question…but I’m not gonna leave the Tornado here. I could bring him home and then come back and get it but I don’t know how long it will take to bring him home or if I can support him the entire way…”
“I'll take him home” the room fell silent yet again as eyes shifted to the Shadow.
“Really? I mean I'm sure I could figure something out…”
“I mean I like this idea. It means I have something else to hold over Shadow forever.” Shadow glared at the smug blue hedgehog.
Tails seemed to be lost in thought for a moment longer. “Well if Sonic isn’t protesting then I guess I can't really argue…this would allow me to bring the Tornado back and get Sonic home around the same time…” The fox made up his mind. “Alright! Shadow can take you home and I’ll meet you both back at the house.”
“Alrighty!” Sonic seemed all too happy at this decision. “Let's get going, shall we? See you later buddy!” Tails waved to the hedgehogs before flying out of the cave, leaving the two alone. “You know, if you keep helping me out like this, I might start to think you actually like me.”
Shadow sighed in response, “In your dreams, faker.”