The Outcast King and The Koschei

The Outcast King and The Koschei By Cherilyn Ohlau Sonic the Hedgehog is owned by Sonic Team/Yuji Naka/SEGA Loosely based on the Sonic Boom TV series “My child, if I do not cut thine hands the devil will carry me away…help me in my need and forgive me the harm I do thee,”- The Brothers Grimm Part One Ivresse On my terms… On my terms… Shadow was plagued by his own words, his own shortcomings. He hated running away from Sonic and yet his words always returned to sting against his mind like pins and needles; it didn't help he was poked by Eggman on occasion to work for him, but Shadow always came as he pleased, like a stray cat. He came to Eggman's fortress sometimes, not out of good heart, he could care less about the doctor's complaints about his own problems with the blue blur, Shadow just wanted the company. Too bad the coffee always had a weird aftertaste… Come to think of it, how long has it been since he went home? Shadow couldn't help himself and let out a deep sigh in the middle of a conversation with the egg head shaped villain–that even the robot sidekicks thought this was a reaction to the doctor's stories for once. “Yeah, see, Shadow? You totally get me, it seems like whenever I try to exploit their minds and or bodily functions, they counteract it, and I get my ass kicked!” Eggman yelled in frustration, getting hot coffee on his own shoes, following a high pitched shrill of pain. “But doctor,” Cubot chimed in as Orbot pulled out a handkerchief from his mouth, “We don't even own a donkey.” “I meant my butt.” “OH!” Shadow sighed, pushing his coffee aside on the coffee table. He didn't even want it anymore. “I don't even know why I came here for your company…” Shadow said gravely, “Guess I'm desperate to have someone stick around, you're…tolerated.” Eggman let out a pleasant squeal. “As long as I'm not like the equivalent of milk mold at the bottom of a barrel filled with disastrous bacteria and diseases, I'm fine with that,” he said. Shadow groaned in annoyance, “Don't push it…” he said. “Say, speaking of company, I don't recall you ever saying where you come from, or who your folks are. Not like I'm interested in my own blood…but you're a hedgehog, don't your kind come in…uh…litters?” “You mean hoglets?” “Yeah. Surely you came in a little prickly package or something, or are you more of an orphaned doorstep baby?” Shadow glared, “Why are you so interested anyway?” “Just curious…I mean you had to be a child at one point, and someone raised you…” Eggman chuckled, “Heck, you're kinda like a son to me, Shadow.” Shadow's ears folded briefly, Eggman was surprised at the sign of vulnerability. Shadow was always stand offish, even to him and all of the villains, but folding his ears like a hurt animal was something new. The last time he said that, Shadow acted like a teenager who didn't want to socialize…why did it hit now? “I have a father…and a sister,” was the reluctant reply from the dark hedgehog. Eggman leaned in interested; until the moment was ruined by Cubot and Orbot who immediately clung onto Shadow, looking emotional. “Hey, let go of me, you idiot garbage bins!” Shadow grunted. “Ohhhh Shadow, you poor thing, you're home sick!” Cubot moaned and blew out his nose, “You have a family you haven't seen in years, no wonder you're such…filled with raging feelings and wanting to be alone!” “You're not a lone wolf at all, you're just a cat…hedgehog…who lost his way and merely wanted love!” Orbot wept. Shadow's body suddenly emitted a red glow and a force like a boom sent the two robots slamming against the walls, and spilling the coffee on the floor. Shadow slumped against the wall, his breathing was unsteady and he clutched his chest looking like a deer in headlights. Eggman slammed the arms of his chair, stood up and glared at Cubot and Orbot. “What did you two idiots do?!” Eggman exclaimed, before slowly approaching Shadow, his palms up. He had never seen Shadow act like this before. “Shadow…are you all right?” He said softly, “Come on, boy, it's alright…n-no one's gonna hurt ya, and Cubot and Orbot have social skills of a brick, they–” “Just get away from me!” Shadow yelled, looking distraught. Eggman saw his cheeks were wet from tears before he disappeared in a blue teleporting light like he typically did. Eggman could feel the shift in the air, it tilted just slightly enough that he hoped the bad gut intuition was just that, a bad feeling. Shadow teleported to a large white building near the coast of the island, it was part lab and part house, it was six stories, and had a futuristic look to it even though the structure was a mix of stone and modern. The windows were tinted blue like an office building, yet there was a patio with a railing with a garden, and on top of the roof was a field of white flowers and a palm tree. The building was surrounded by a mountain, yet palm trees and flora around the area with soft sands told that the area was healthy. Shadow was hesitant to walk in, he was twenty now. He was seventeen when he left on his own accord, and just came and went as he pleased. Shadow noticed the double electric doors were locked, when he tried pulling it. He would use his powers to bust the doors open, he could, but something inside stopped him; his ears folded and he pressed the doorbell. Who answered was an adult woman with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes in a lab coat, blue vest, and medium blue skirt with heels. Shadow nearly choked. “Maria?” Shadow strained that nearly sounded like a pitiful squeak. Shadow didn't care if he looked weak at that moment and allowed Maria to hug him. “Little brother, I'm surprised you're back…oh God, I can't believe you're here!” Maria exclaimed in gleeful happiness, “You're so much like a cat, you know that? Leaving when you want, and rarely coming home, but you were gone for years, I thought you abandoned us!” Maria stroked his cheek, “Oh Shadow, your fur is so dirty and your quills are unkempt. Have you been looking after yourself?” Shadow instinctively flinched, “I like my look…” he muttered. “Shadow, come inside…grandpa's looking for you, he's been searching for you for such a long time,” Maria said. Searching for him? Shadow didn't know why he was needed. If anything, Shadow remembered Gerald Robotnik had plenty of lab workers, and Shadow was more of an unofficial son. Maria helped Shadow inside and brought him to the main lab, but Shadow was placed in a quick sanitize station before even seeing the man who was seen as his father; he was put under a shower of mist and water, dirt dropping off his fur like paint before he was blasted with air. Shadow left the room and Maria pointed to his shoes. “Shadow, you can't wear these dirty things inside. You go see grandpa, I'll clean them for you,” Maria said. The hedgehog reluctantly did so, it felt weird to walk around in socks when he wasn't resting in a cave, but he did so to make Maria happy. When Shadow walked into the lab, wearing white slippers, he felt his body instinctively curl unease when the old scientist was reading over papers from a Manila folder, with numerous cracked stones with markings on their side. Gerald had a heavy authority to him, despite being so old; his eyes were hidden behind his round glasses, his hands were wrinkled with thick veins, and his aroma was sour and sickly. Gerald stroked his long, grey mustache as he looked over the papers, making the hedgehog scared to walk in at first--but Gerald noticed the breeze coming in. “Don't leave the damn door open, you idiot!” The scientist yelled, and Shadow stepped back in fear. Gerald paused and adjusted his glasses, “Oh, Shadow? You…actually came back?” Shadow finally remembered why he dropped this life and ran. Gerald was a loose fire cannon, but due to his age, his outbursts were slow and came from nowhere; sometimes he was a kind father figure who taught Shadow the world…but most of the time, his masks changed rapidly, and Shadow feared that. Shadow slowly nodded, “I was just home sick…” he replied, sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than Gerald. Gerald smiled and knelt down to examine him, “Despite being sanitized you're still terribly dirty…” Gerald tutted, “Regardless you sure look healthy, but let's run some tests on and get some samples. Your quills haven't been falling out too much, have they?” Shadow's ears folded, and he crossed his arms, “I haven't really thought about that. I just ate…what I could, so my diet hasn't been that great,” Shadow explained, “Been stealing food from the village's Meh Burger's…” Gerald's eyebrows narrowed and Shadow flinched expecting a hit, instead he petted his head and stroked his head in an affection that felt filthy. “Give me your blood and urine samples.” “Yes…sir.” Gerald collected both urine and blood samples and stayed in a separate room for an hour or so. Shadow didn't know what to do in between as he waited, but he sat down on an office chair and started squeezing a stress ball he found, and bounced it against the wall until Gerald came back out. “You're healthy, but you need more iron in your system; you also suffer a lack of vitamins needed for your hedgehog biology…” Gerald sighed, “It's alright, I can get some capsules and supplements for you, Shadow.” Shadow squeezed the happy faced stress ball again. “Is this why you were looking for me?” He asked, “A check up?” Gerald shook his head, “No, oh no, you just came home and I needed to check your condition,” he explained, “What I really need you for is due to my newest discovery. There's an egg-shaped anomaly hidden deep underground, my probes and drills aren't enough to get to it. I want you and I to get to it, but we need an extra third party.” “Why can't Maria come with us?” “She has a resume to fill out tonight, she'll be moving to an actual hospital.” Shadow's ears folded and he felt the sting about losing his one friend, and step sibling. Shadow wanted to say something but nothing came out, he gripped his fists and trembled. “Shadow, do you know a third party?” Gerald asked. “I-I do but he and his friends are just idiots!” Shadow exclaimed, indigently. He hated how he sounded like he was nine trying to make excuses. “Regardless, either you bring someone or I could always find an intern.” “Fine…” Shadow sighed in defeat. It was board game night at Sonic's place, and the crowd of friends couldn't agree what to play, and Tails kept insisting they play UNO and Knuckles kept complaining he didn't want to play it because he lost way too many times. It was pandemonium with everyone bickering and Sonic felt exasperated by the constant wave of yells. “Maybe board game night on a Monday was a bad idea…” Sonic groaned, crossing his arms and fuming as he sat on the couch, debating whether to be a referee or spectator. “Aw, it's not your fault Sonic, there's just a lot of board games to choose from,” Amy assured him, “OH! I have an idea, why don't we play Life? Ahh, I hope I get a successful husband in that game.” Sonic rolled his eyes. Sticks glared at Amy. “I swear that the game is a conspiracy, and is a secret future prediction device meant to be used in a non-consent social experiment!” Sticks exclaimed. “Sticks, if that was true. I would be a successful business woman by now filled with fame and a man by her side,” Amy giggled. “Urgh, sorry Amy, but this is kinda why I don't play LIFE with you anymore,” Sonic sighed. “Don't you have any life goals?” She asked. Sonic was about to raise his finger. “--That has nothing to do with chili dogs?” Sonic put his finger down, and looked irritated again. He cupped his cheek. Amy groaned, “Honestly.” “I have a life goal of fitting twenty sweet buns in my mouth,” Knuckles injected. “That's nice…Knuckles…go off,” Amy replied. Shadow teleported in front of Sonic's place, and started walking over, he was soon met with aggression the moment he stepped foot, the five did their battle stances and Shadow raised his hands with his palms open; that did nothing to quell the tension. “It's that no good lousy hedgehog double of Sonic!” Sticks gritted her teeth, ready to fling her boomerang, “What are you doing here?!” “He's not really my double, you know,” Sonic said. “But you're the same mod—” Shadow let out an irritated growl, “I'm not here to fight…it's tempting, but that's not why I'm here, just put your weapons down,” he said. Tails glared at him, “How do we know this isn't a trick?!” The fox exclaimed, “You've attacked us before!” Shadow's ears folded, “That was before, this is now…” “That's not a reasonable excuse!” Tails yelled. Shadow didn't know why, but their words stung harshly. It felt like deep daggers going through him and Shadow wanted to recoil. This felt like he was dealing with Gerald all over again. Shadow sighed and was about to leave, but he felt someone grabbing his arm. He expected Amy, since she was the mediator of the group, but felt his heart jump when he saw it was Sonic instead. “I've never seen you make that look before, what's up?” Sonic asked. “What look?!” “The look where you fold your ears and look like a kicked dog. I know we haven't been on the best of terms, ever since day one, but you giving that look…it concerns me. Have you been mistreated?” “I don't need your damn pity-!” Shadow snapped, “A-and I'm fine. I needed your help for something but clearly I am asking the wrong person.” Sonic was taken aback, “Look, as long as it's not for anything evil, you can ask for me to help anytime…” “Tch…alright, Gerald…my dad and scientist, have found something underground but we need an extra hand in getting it,” Shadow sighed, “Since you're the only guy I know aside from your stupid friends. I'm asking to join us…you don't need to do anything too laborious, maybe hold a rope or two if it comes to that.” Sonic chuckled, “So, what do I get out of it?” He raised his hands when Shadow started growling, “Right. Well, can't say that I tried…fine, I'll help; but you owe me,” he pointed at Shadow, and Shadow smacked his hand away. “You're so annoying,” Shadow scoffed, “But come to the cliffside, to the south, where there's ruins of an ancient village…on the right is…I don't know if I explain it well, it's a large patch of rocks leading downwards in a cave system. It's called Baasha Cave.” “So this is where this thing that Gerald wants?” Sonic asked. “Yes, but do be prepared…it's dangerous,” Shadow replied, crossing his shoulders, “I'm not looking forward to bringing you in a body bag to your friends.” “Alright, alright, I can always ask Tails to get some supplies ready and put your cave on my watch.” “Great, see ya.” “Hey, wait, Shadow-! I still got-” Sonic started but Shadow teleported away again and he groaned in frustration, “That stinking black sesame colored pin cushion…” Baasha Cave was a dangerous cave where the ruins of a large city lay vast around it. Shadow said it was a village but it was more than that. Its towers and buildings were crumbling apart, smoke from leftover machines or chemicals, Gerald made sure everyone wore gas masks and they could breathe well; before they could reach the cave they had to get their bearings. Sonic, Shadow, Gerald…and Dave, gathered around the map of the cave that was printed onto paper from Gerald's lab. Sonic looked less than happy to have the buck tooth braces, Meh Burger employee and a failure of a villain be part of the mission. “Why is he here?!” Sonic exclaimed, sounding like he was insulted both he and Dave were even sharing the same existential plane. “I…agree for once. Why exactly do we have this failure of Mobian genes in this group?” Shadow added. The greenish blue nutria looked exasperated, “You guys are worse than my high school clique groooups, you're such preps!” He whined. “Can't relate,” the hedgehog's said in unison. “I couldn't find a fourth party, none of my workers were open, and Maria is out. This…boy volunteered and I did need someone else to handle the support ropes besides Sonic.” “Oh, so I'm basically stuck on rope duty with Rabbit teeth here. You owe me double, Shadow!” Sonic said, crossing his shoulders. “Hey, I was just here as a side hustle because rent is going uuuup…” Dave whined. “Rent?!” The blue hedgehog exclaimed, “What happened to living with your mom?!” Dave paused for a moment, “I was kicked out.” “WHAT?!” Shadow sighed, “Can't you two save this for later? We got a job to do…” he said, firmly and gently. Shadow was usually harsher towards Sonic, but he felt himself soften just a little, and the last thing he wanted was to anger Gerald. Shadow felt himself be petted again in between his ears and his fur stood up on end again. Sonic noticed but didn't say anything, the concern was leaking in him. He didn't know Gerald very well, other than he was Shadow's father figure. “Shadow is right you know, the more we stall the more we lose daylight,” Gerald explained, “The anomaly is said to be down this well like tunnel structure. I won't be able to fit in, so Shadow, you'll take over for me and I will supervise you.” “Why can't I go down there?” Sonic asked, “I'm fast.” “The cave is unstable. You think you can zip in and get it?” “Uhh, good point, I'm not exactly a bull in the China shop but I'm no ballet dancer either…” Sonic sighed, “Plus I don't trust Dave with my rope.” “I'll destroy you in your sleeeep,” Dave hissed. “Sure, Dave,” Sonic said plainly. “So we all agree with our roles? Good,” Gerald said and led the group to the cave entrance, during the trudge there, Sonic's focus sometimes led to Shadow. He could sense Shadow was putting up a mask in front of Gerald, but couldn't understand completely why…the old scientist was undeniably affectionate towards him, yet Shadow acted rather fearful. The cliffside entrance was close to the shore, in the distance Sonic could hear the waves crashing and the air already smelled salty, even with their masks on. The rocks were almost hazardous yet Shadow managed to traverse them better than he and Dave, most of the rocks were jagged or resembled dead coral. The entrance was an oblong shaped cave going downwards and there was a faint glow coming from it. Sonic couldn't tell if it was because of bioluminescent creatures within the cave, or due to that…thing that Gerald wanted. Dave readied the ropes along with Sonic, Sonic was handling Shadow's harness quietly. He sighed when Shadow tried to look stronger than he was. “If something is bothering you, you can tell me, Shads,” Sonic whispered gently as he finished fixing on the harness. Shadow growled, “Stop acting like we're friends.” “Shadow-” Sonic started, only to be interrupted when heard Gerald set up his computer system. “This computer will release an emergency signal in case something goes wrong, medical emergency wise,” Gerald said. “So, uh, will this call in an emergency helicopter or something?” Sonic asked. “In a way, my medical scientists will drop in with a gurney and we'll be whisked away to my lab to be treated.” “Your lab?! What about a hospital, why does it gotta be your joint?!” Sonic snapped, “I barely trust you with Shadow, let alone our bodies, and–” “Sonic, shut the hell up!” Shadow yelled, his fists clenching, “You don't…speak for me.” Sonic's ears folded sadly, “B-but…” he pointed to Shadow, “We are so gonna talk about this later.” Gerald glared at Sonic, but he calmed down once Shadow shut the blue hedgehog when he raised his voice. “Right, you and Dave watch our progress from this screen and carefully release the ropes with this crank…if you feel me pull on it three times, that means you pull us up,” Gerald explained. “I still got quite a bad feeling about this, but hey, it's just a cave with a thingy in it, right?” Sonic said optimistically, before helping Shadow down, “Say Shadow, can't you just teleport into this place?” Shadow looked annoyed, “I certainly wouldn't risk my ass in an unstable cave, unlike you,” he said as he carefully went down the rope, and Gerald turned on the light as they went down deeper. “Right, point taken…” Sonic said warily, chuckling a bit. Dave raised an eyebrow, “So, are Shadow and you…?” He asked, smugly smiling. Sonic was unamused, but didn't understand what he was implying. “What are you saying, you thin, blue dipstick?” “I meeeean, you idiot, you give certain stares to the guy and you're worried about his well being? You two are like…” To Sonic's horror the nurita bent his thumb and index finger and inserted his other index finger into it, and Dave let out a laugh that made Sonic sick. Sonic blushed furiously and punched him in the face. “You should be worried about your own well being if you do stuff like that in front of me,” Sonic fumed. Shadow wasn't intimidated by the darkness of the cave, the glows from the creatures within the cave, ones that resembled dragonflies with multiple wings and those clinging onto the walls made the cave look like a blanket of stars. Shadow wished he could admire such a sight but he had a job to do, Gerald wasn't too far ahead of him, getting out his pack as they neared the hole where this egg shaped anomaly was. The cave was getting more narrow and the darkness more oppressive, yet in another tunnel, there was an eerie blue glow from inside. Gerald rushed over, stumbling a little as he peeked in, it was just like the old scientist said; it was only big enough for Shadow to go through. “Here, borrow this, in case it's stuck…and keep your mask on, don't know if there's any chemicals or gasses this deep in here,” Gerald said, putting the pack on Shadow's shoulders. Shadow nodded and adjusted his mask before going through the small passageway. Shadow instinctively felt through the darkness, in case it was like a labyrinth within this tunnel system, but was relieved it was straight. Shadow stopped at the sensation that felt like an egg, and the egg-like rock suddenly glowed underneath his touch; using a small pick axe, he started hammering the top and bottom rocks, minerals to get it loose enough to carry. Shadow paused when he felt something was off…the little area he was in not only had light now, an eerie purple and red hue around him, but Shadow could smell of death and rot creep into his nose, even with the mask on. Shadow broke into harsh coughs but managed to get the stone egg loose, and pull out– The light of the egg was gone once he pulled it, and Shadow was swallowed again, but that red and purple was now the substitute of the darkness of the cave. Shadow shivered as he felt cold, but clutched the egg and was about to tug on the rope to indicate that the job was finished, only to be pinned against the wall by an unseen force. Shadow carefully placed the egg in his pack to the best of his ability, in defiance, to whatever forces were trying to protect it. “You don't…scare me…” The black hedgehog wheezed out, “Whatever…you are…” He felt an invisible claw grip his throat harshly, and he coughed and gagged. He felt the inside of his throat tighten, while physically it felt like spider limb claws, bordering on skeletal, were on his throat. “I can…I can take this…” Shadow breathed. “Take…” Shadow felt like time stopped altogether, and there wasn't any noise from the cave anymore, aside from the drips and Shadow's struggle to breathe. “I shall take…” Shadow's eyes widened when he saw a pale face in the distance that had the skeletal head of a deer, yet its jaws were sharp with fangs, and the eyes inside were human and wild, looking in all directions. Shadow did his best to not scream, he was stronger than this, but fear overpowered his pride and he let out an animalistic cry of fear as though his instincts told him he was at the mercy of a predator. Then Shadow felt it, a wretched sensation within his eye, and a horrible crunching noise, he felt an invisible skeletal hand within his eye and he couldn't fight it. Shadow yelled out again, as his vision slowly became red, and his body convulsed and collapsed once numbness took over. Shadow could hardly see, and everywhere his body was in pain despite most of the pain coming from the assault on his eye. The pale skeleton deer disappeared and Shadow slumped on the floor, he could smell blood…his own blood…it made him feel sick… “D…dad…” Shadow wheezed out, “Sonic….” Shadow pulled three times on the rope before his body gave in and he collapsed in a heap on the tunnel floor. Sonic was barely listening to one of Dave's rambling monologues when he felt the rope be tugged more than one time. He looked at Dave and at once the two started pulling the crank, and the ropes slowly went upwards. Sonic felt his heart dropping when he smelled blood in the air, and Gerald was cradling Shadow in his arms. Shadow was covered in blood and claw marks, with his left eye, while it was closed…was bleeding. Dave clutched his head, then went to the computer and pushed the emergency button. Gerald carefully laid Shadow down, and Sonic slumped over to the black hedgehog's side. “Shadow…? Shadow?!” Sonic yelled out but Shadow was unconscious, almost comatose, “What the hell happened to him down there?! I thought this mission was just an item retrieval or something!” “Isn't it amazing?” Sonic felt his blood run cold, and Dave even looked shocked by Gerald's comment. “W…what?” Sonic said, his mouth agape. “It's amazing…Shadow got to experience a supernatural guardian of the sort, and he managed to get this magnificent specimen…” Gerald seemed more enthralled than concerned over Shadow's well being, and Sonic's blood was boiling. “You…you goddamned bastard old man!” Sonic yelled, “Even being senile isn't a good excuse to treat your adopted son that way! Screw your stinking rescue helicopter, and your lab. Shadow's coming with me!” Sonic looked over at Dave, “How long till that rescue comes?” “Uhhh…it says in fifteen to eighteen minutes…that's about about as long as–” David started, but Gerald butt in. “Blue boy, you sure do have a lot of gall talking to me like that. Shadow is my son, and I need to remind you this is my project…” Gerald said, “Us scientists thrive on unknown findings, why must you deny Shadow's blessing?!” Sonic glared, “I'm not bothering with you, and Shadow doesn't have the time! My pals and I will look after Shadow…” Sonic pulled out the stone egg and tossed it at Gerald who caught it, “And keep your damn egg stone!” Sonic called in Tails, and the fox came faster than the emergency helicopter, before Gerald and Tails could talk to Sonic, Sonic hopped on cradling Shadow's body and barked that Tails should immediately fly to Sonic's place. Tails reluctantly flew off. Shadow was plagued by odd visions as he slept, animal bones and skulls with needle teeth made his dreams and they glided around a crystal egg within an old oak tree. Then Shadow saw thin bony fingers around his vision and that forced him awake. Shadow sat up gasping, and realized his left eye was bandaged, as was parts of his body, mostly his chest and legs. He looked around and realized he was on Sonic's hammock. Sonic and Eggman rushed over, along with the rest of Sonic's friends. “Whoa, whoa, whoa…” Sonic carefully put his hands on Shadow's shoulders, “Easy there, Shads…you're safe now,” Sonic said, “Your body and eye need to heal. So you can't move around too much…” Shadow hissed in pain and placed his hand over his bandaged left eye. “What the fuck happened?” He groaned, “And why is Eggman here?” “Hey, that's no way to treat someone who saved your furball life!” Eggman huffed, “I might not be too medically trained, but I know enough to treat you…by the way, there was a pin found in your eye so I had to temporarily do some surgery…uh, hence your eye pain.” “I had to convince the local doctor to let us borrow some anesthesia and pain killing medicine,” Tails added, walking in, “I was surprised when Eggman wanted to help.” “Don't act like I haven't helped you a few times!” Eggman snapped, “I might be evil but I'm not entirely heartless!” Shadow covered his ears and glared at them. “Ugh…can someone explain to me…what happened?” Shadow breathed, doing his best to not be overstimulated. Sonic looked confused. “Uh, I was up on rope duty, remember?” Sonic reminded, and showed Shadow the pin, “This was found right behind your eye that Eggman carefully got out…I was hoping you can fill us in on what happened. Gerald didn't do this to you…did he?” Shadow clenched his blanket and his ears folded, “Something attacked me while I was down in that cave, the moment I got that egg stone, something invisible got to me…and assaulted my eyes,” he explained and sighed, “I know it sounds crazy but…I'm telling the truth.” Knuckles looked fearful. He was always scared of ghosts. “No way, a ghost did this to you?! Jeez, and Tails always said there wasn't any, especially not on our island!” “There's always a logical explanation, perhaps Shadow inhaled some sort of chemical prior to entering the cave–” Tails started, but Sonic butted in. “Tails, we were all wearing gas masks, if there was any hallucinating inducing chemicals, it wouldn't get through…” Sonic said. “Still whatever happened, Shadow got a pin in his eye by whatever got him in that tunnel,” Eggman said, “But all this sounds vaguely familiar…it itches the back of my intellectual brain…” Amy sighed, “Regardless, clearly Shadow needs TLC right now, and to get some food in his stomach, and I don't think Sonic's kitchen will help someone's stressful body system; and since I'm the only one who can cook…I'll be handling the…” “Amy,” Sonic began, “Write down some recipes and give me a grocery list. I'll cook and feed Shadow. I feel partially responsible about what happened to him…I was too distracted by Dave to consider…” he trailed off, sighing, “So please, let me do this for him…” Amy looked surprised, “Sonic, most of your cooking abilities only extend to making cold cut sandwiches. You sure you want to-?” “Yes, I'm sure, Amy,” Sonic said, gripping his fists. Shadow scoffed, “I don't care who cooks for me, as long as it's edible,” he said and laid down on the hammock, pulling the blanket over himself in a huff. “Still can't believe you dumb animals sleep with your shoes on,” Eggman huffed as well, “Regardless, I was thinking of examining that needle.” “Actually Eggman, I'll be examining that needle…” Tails said putting the needle in a plastic bag, and putting it in his backpack. “Then what am I supposed to do?!” “Eggman, I need you to do research for me while I examine this needle; read up anything about Baasha Cave and the stone egg that was inside it,” Tails said. Eggman sighed, “Great, homework…fine, I'll do it, but I'm doing it for Shadow. Not you pipsqueaks…” he grumbled and hopped onto his Egg Mobile outside and flew off. The rest of the day was hectic until nightfall, Sonic tended to Shadow by giving some food Amy made into Tupperware earlier, while he cooked and juggled giving painkillers and other medication. The black hedgehog was reluctant at first, but any pain he felt motivated him to eat and allow Sonic to look after him, down to changing his bandages. Sonic eventually finished making a cream soup made from chicken, mushrooms, and small potato pieces. It was the first time he felt proud that something he made didn't turn into a burn hazard or charred food. He sprinkled some parsley on top like Amy said in her instructions and got out a spoon. “Here Shadow, dinner's done…” Sonic said, before realizing he was staring at him, “What's wrong?” “Sonic…why are you taking care of me?” Shadow asked, sounding less grumpy and more perplexed, “I'm…just a rival, you could have just let me recover at Eggman's lair…” “Well that was an idea that I had, but I went against it. I don't trust Eggy or that man you call father, you're better off with me,” Sonic explained and offered to feed him, but Shadow took the spoon and bowl, letting out a soft growl, “As for helping you…why shouldn't I? You're my rival and all, but I'd care if you got hurt…too bad, that wouldn't happen the other way around,” he chuckled, “You always were…um…” Shadow's ears folded again as he stared at the bowl. “Sonic, while I'm like this, I kinda want to partially admit to something…” Shadow said and looked at him, “I don't want to give you a sob story and I don't want to bore you either…the reason I'm like this and why I think you're pathetic is because my father, Gerald, was always…so confusing; he would be strict and hit me one moment, then acknowledge me and give me toys after…I see…me in you, and Gerald too, kindness feels superficial…even if I have a good sister.” Sonic paused and stared, “Shadow, that's more than enough for me to understand…but does your dad have like Alz-hym-er aggression or dementia?” “Alzheimers,” Shadow corrected, “But I really have no idea, despite being a genius…he has been on cognitive decline.” “All the more reason you should live here in the village…with me!” “Ugh…” Shadow scowled. “Oh, what is it now?” “I'm only staying here because I'm injured, I have no intention of actually staying here with you,” Shadow said. Sonic raised his hands up in disbelief. “You just confided in me!” Sonic exclaimed. Shadow huffed, “Doesn't mean I like you…” Sonic sighed, and rubbed his forehead, “Damn are you a hard nut to crack…” he chuckled, and then rubbed his chin, “Tell you what, Mister Grumpy Pants, while you're here with me…let's make this a game then.” Shadow was halfway through his soup when his ears perked and he looked at Sonic, his competitive button had been pushed. “A game?” He sighed, “My body is in no condition to–” “No, no, no,” Sonic said rapidly, “It's not that type of game.” Shadow glared, “Then what is it?” He asked. Sonic smugly smirked and leaned over the pillar his hammock was attached to, “Give me a month, and I bet I can make you happy…” he said. Shadow stared, utterly speechless, “What, bet I can't?” Shadow felt gobsmacked, “Y-you're an idiot!” “I don't hear a no though,” Sonic laughed. Shadow held back the urge to slap the blue hedgehog, and his cheeks were reddened. “Fine, I'll take you up on that challenge, you dumb fool! But if you don't make me happy within that limit, I'm kicking your ass back to next year!”