Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shadow raced up the mountain, following the fissure Sonic had - obviously - created earlier that day. Reacting the mouth of the cave, he heard Miles call out to Sonic. “Sonic! Wait!”

The idiot was running towards the prism. Shadow knew he had to reach Sonic, before anything could happen. Seven things happened at that moment.

Shadow ‘Chaos Controlled’ over to Sonic.

Shadow spin dashed Sonic.

Sonic’s friends shouted. “Sonic! Stop!”

Sonic collided with the prism.

A huge burst of energy exploded from the prism.

The prism broke into five different shards.

One of the shards was heading in Shadow’s direction.

The last thing Shadow saw before his vision faded to black, was cobalt fur, and a green prism shard.

*       *        *

When Shadow came back to consciousness, he noticed two things immediately. 1.) He was upside down. 2.) He was in a jungle.

Groaning, he looked up to see the reason for why he was upside down. A vine was wrapped around his ankle. Slowly, he moved to unwrap the vine from his ankle.

The plan was to land on his feet, which he accomplished with no trouble. Landing in a puddle of mud though, was not part of the plan. Doing his best, he wiped off as much mud as he could off his air shoes.

Shadow frowned at the fact that some of the mud had refused to come off. “Sorry, Maria.” He mumbled. He could almost hear her response.

“Why are you apologizing? Come on! Let’s go clean them off!” She would drag him to the showers, and help him clean them. The cleaning would eventually become a water fight, and they would end up soaking wet.

Shadow shook his head, and looked around at his surroundings. He was surrounded by an overgrown forest. It would have been pitch black, if not for the patch of sunlight.

“First things first, find Sonic.” Shadow said to no one in particular, making it his first priority. Suddenly, he hears the sound of leaves rustling behind.

Priorities change.

Shadow launched himself at the bushes. “On the other hand, you could tell me who you are.” Shadow growls, not showing any signs of surprise, as he looked at who was stalking him.

The familiar pink hedgehog wore leaves, held together by rope and wood. There were markings on her forearm, and face, while her quills were held back in a ponytail. Her wrists bracelets, and hammer were made out of rock.

“The name’s Thorn Rose!” She announced. “You hurt my Jungle, I hurt you!” Her voice was deeper than what Shadow was expecting.

“How long has she been here?” Shadow wondered. “Maybe she’s seen Sonic?” He thought, dodging Thorn’s attack.

“Have you seen a cobalt hedgehog nearby?” Shadow asked, after dodging another one of her attacks.

“Get out of my Jungle!” She said, ignoring his question.

“So that’s a no.” Shadow would get out of the Jungle. As soon as he found Sonic.

Sonic wasn’t getting his ass kicked.  Shadow considered that a war crime. Although he felt like justice was being served.

*       *        *

Elsewhere, Sonic was getting what he deserved.

“A baby rattle? Is that supposed to be scary-“ Sonic was cut off as he was punched and in the face. He collided with a wall, earning him a minor concussion.

*        *       *

Thorn took another swing at Shadow, but he grabbed her hammer. He kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying. Then he threw the hammer away, with no idea where it landed.

“Maybe finding Miles would be the best course of action.” Shadow grumbled under his breath. “If anything, he’ll know what to do.”

Shadow spent a good amount of time looking for the Chaos Emerald. He had grabbed it before Sonic has shattered the Prism. He had no idea about the terrain of the Jungle, so he didn’t use his air shoes.

Suddenly he heard a familiar voice.

“What do we have here?” Came Rouge’s voice. Shadow knew it wasn’t the Rouge he knew, not after the encounter with Thorn. Carefully, he made sure to not make a sound, as he looked past the leaves that were hiding him.

“Is it food?” A voice sounding like Big, whispered.

Shadow watched as a gloved hand grabbed the emerald he was looking for. “If this bat is anything like the Rouge I know…” Shadow let the thought trail off.

“No, it’s a gem or emerald.”

“Then it’s useless!” Declared a voice similar to Knuckles. His voice had an edge of paranoia to it.

“Could mean something to the Monster.” The bat suggested.

“What do they mean by “Monster”?” Shadow wondered. “Is it possible that they are talking about Thorn?”

The bat finally moves far enough to were Shadow could she what she looked like.

Much like Thorn, most of her clothes were made of leaves, rope, and leather. She wore dark green/turquoise eyeshadow. Her hair was longer in most places.

“What the actual fuck did Sonic do?!” Shadow needed to find Sonic and kick his ass.

"Let’s take it back to the village.”Shadow heard the bat suggest. The Cat and Echidna agreed to this, and started walking away.

“Nope, not happening!” Shadow thought, activating his air shoes. He zipped over and grabbed the emerald out of her hand. While doing this he caught sight of the Cat and Echidna.

The Cat, like the others, uses leaves for his clothes. His clothes were some what similar to what Big wore. There was grime and dirt all over. The cat, and he looked like he hadn’t had a shower in a while.

The Echidna wore a hat made out of leaves, and a necklace made out of sticks. He had mud smeared on his face to make lines, as if for was for camouflage, it was terrible. He looked slightly paranoid, as he raised his spear at nothing.

Shadow put the chaos emerald in his quills, and got out of the area. Screw not knowing the terrain, but he couldn’t stick around long. Especially since they probably don’t know who or where Sonic is.

"Any version of Miles will be smart enough to help me.” Shadow thought. "Just got to find this world’s fix." Shadow groaned inward, this was gonna take a while.

While running, Shadow noticed that he was suddenly surrounded in rainbow light, radiating the energy of the prism. He noticed the similar outline of Sonic. Sonic’s outline was tainted red.

Shadow saved that detail for later.

“Sonic! It’s broken! It’s all broken!” Shadow decided that “broken”, described their situation perfectly.

“Shadow?” Sonic called out, uncertain. Whatever Sonic was about to say next, was cut off, as the colored lights faded away.

Before Shadow could have any time to think, he was airborne. The cause for why he was suddenly in the air, came from a flicky. A giant version of the one he had seen around Amy at times.

Shadow quickly noticed that above the trees, the giant trees had no leaves. Then he spotted a wooden trail that he could land on. Adjusting his body, he landed on the path without a problem.

Shadow heard footsteps from behind him, and quickly turned around. A spear was thrown, and Shadow knocked it out of the air. The shock faces of the group, told Shadow everything.

“Shit!”

Chapter Text

Shadow was screwed. Royally screwed. Not like he can do anything about it though.

Prim - as the bat introduced herself - was just like Rouge. Despite having his guard up, she managed to get the chaos emerald. “I’ll give it back, once you help us.” She had bargained, when Shadow attempted to get it back.

“Rouge would enjoy this. Good tring shes not here.” Shadow thought. “Although Prim is just as insufferable.” He decided.

“Do the trees talk to ya?” Gnarly - the version of Knuckles - has asked Shadow not to long ago. Shadow had just looked at him, before turning away.

“Trees. Don’t. Talk.” Prim had sounded exasperated when she said it.

"Not the first time she’s told him that." Shadow noted mentally.

“So, do you have a name Handsome?” Prim asked on the way to their village. Prim used the same nickname Rouge often called him. It had unerved Shadow slightly, but didnt let it bother him.

“It's Shadow. what's it to you?" shadow huffed, arossing his arms.

"Just putting a name to a face.” She responded. Shadow knows she wasn’t actually gonna call him by his real name.

When they arrived at the village, shadow immediately noticed something.

This was not a village.

Shadow cautiously approached one of the leaves closest to him. It was attached to a plank so it hung over the pavilion like area. Slowly, he reached out to touch it, to see how stable it was.

"Get away from my house!” Gnarly ran over, and slapped Shadow’s hand.

"That's not a house, but okay.” Shadow replied mentally, choosing to leave it be, and turned away.

"Bark?" Hangry - the version of Big - offered. He held out a piece of tree bark to Shadow.

"Do they not have any food?" Shadow wondered. Before Shadow could resuse, something almost crashed into him. Almost, cause Shadow stepped out of the way at the last second.

Shadow turned to look at what had almost landed on him. It was Miles. Well, this world's Miles at least.

The fox - much like the others - used rope, wood, and leaves for his clothes. Instead of bangs, the fox had a Mohawk. The tips of the Mohawk were dyed red.

The fox had crashed and tumbled into Hangry. Quickly, the fox turned to Shadow, and growled. Shadow suddenly felt like we were holding the weight of the entire fucking world.

The fox couldn't speak.

Shadow was gonna punch something. “Chaos, where is Sonic when you need him!” Shadow thought.

The fox jumped at Shadow, but Prim caught him. "He’s helping us, lay off him.” She explained, before dropping the fox on the ground.

“That’s Mangey.” Prim told Shadow, a smirk present on her face.

Shadow decided that it was time to get this done and over with. “So, why exactly do you need me to help you with?" Shadow asked Prim.

Shadow watched the smirk on her face fade away. “Damn, you get stright to the point.” Prim muttered.

She took a glance at the others - who were goofing around- before looking back at Shadow. “Come, let’s talk.” Prim says, sighing. She grabs Shadow by the wrist, dragging him away from the others.

“I can walk.” Shadow yanks his wrist out of her grasp.

“Whatever, Handsome.” Prim rolls her eyes at Shadow.

“Called it. She’s not even using my real name. Just like Rouge.” Shadow adds to himself. “So why do you need my help?” Shadow asks again.

“We need you to distract the monster, and its pet, so we grab the necessities.”  Prim explains.

“Seriously! That’s what you need me for?!” Shadow deadpans.

“Everyday here is a struggle to survive.” Prim responds quickly. “I know you’re not from around here, so you have no clue what goes on in here.”

“Sure, I have no idea what goes on here, but Thorn-“ Prim visibly flinches at the name. “-is not some monster.” Shadow fires back, spitting out the word.

“You don’t know it like-“ Prim begins, but is cut off.

“”It”? Seriously, Thorn is a person too!” Shadow couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Prim and Rouge were more different than he thought. Rouge would never call anyone an “it”.

It also brought up bad memories from the ARK.

Prim narrowed her eyes. “You talk like you know me.” She said accusingly. Shadow knew she had every right to be suspicious.

There had been many times where he thought Prim was Rouge. The more similarities he found, the less different the two seemed."I wonder is Sonic is experiencing the same issue as me.” Shadow wondered vaguely.

“Your right, I do, but I don't.”  Shadow answered, growling.

Prim looked at Shadow, dissecting him with her eyes. Trying to figure out what the hell he meant by that. Although her efforts were fruitless, she still looked at him with suspition.

“Are you gonna explain to me why I need to distract Thorn long enough for you to get supplies?" Shadow decided to get this “mission” back on track. “Or are you gonna continue to stare at me?”

Prim huffed in annoyance, but got to the point. "Here in the Bosscage Maze, everyday is a fight for survival." Prim began "We use to live in peace with the monster-" Shadow glared at her. "- only taking what we needed to survive. One day, it -"Another glare. "-snapped at us.”

Shadows made a mental note about the name of this forest, as she talked. Shadow also had a feeling, this was only one side of the story. That is, based of as what he has seen.

Prim continued. "Since then, we’ve been living in the canopy. Once these trees-“ Prim gestures to the baron trees. “-bore fruit, but now they're fruitless. Now, we scavenge the ground floor, hoping to find food.” Prim finishes her story.

"One thing’s not adding up.” Shadow stated plainly.

“Oh, and what's that?” Prim glared at him.

“While I was running around down there, I saw tree stumps. A single section of downed, and rotting trees." Shadow explained dryly. “Are you sure you took what you needed to survive?” Shadow asks.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Prim sounds scandalized.

“No, I’m saying that your story doesn’t add up.” Shadow deadpans, rubbing his temples in annoyance.

“Unlike you, I actually experienced it!” Prim is on the defensive now. “Where’d you even come from anyways?” Prim questions accusingly, narrowing her eyes at Shadow.

“Time to go.” Shadow moved too fast for Roug- Prim, he corrected himself, to react. She tries to fly up and land a blow from above, but he anticipates that. Shadow grabs her ankle, and throws her onto the ground.

“It’s none of your business.” Shadow tells her. "And, I’ll be taking this back.” He grabs the chaos emerald. Before he leaves, he knocks her out, so to not be followed.

Shadow starts skating in the opposite direction of the scavenger’s "village”. Picking up speed, he prepares to Chaos Control to Miles’ lab. The real Miles, not whatever version’s are out there.

Everything comes to a halt, as time and space are manipulated. Shadow is enveloped in a flash of light. Any trace that Shadow had been there, is gone.

Shadow was expecting to see Miles familiar lab, and the smell of oil. He was not expecting a giant void, filled with purple shards. Neither did he expect to be in front of a giant partal looking thing.

Shadow decided to take note of his surroundings first.

Gravity didn't seen to apply to where ever Shadow had ended up, and sharp looking, purple crystals floated aimlessly. Below him, there was a giant black void, it seemed to swallow up the crystals that got to close to it. Scattered around there were five portal thingys, - including the one in front of him - all of them different colors.

The one in front of Shadow was made of yellow, hexagon crystals. Shadow spotted a green portal, - probably the one he just came from- a red portal, a purple portal, and a blue portal. All of them had light coming from the center, most likely the portals entrance.

The red portal was most likely where Sonic was. If Shadow based it off of earlier.

Shadow turned back to the portal in reach, thinking about what to do next. Chaos Control had taken him here, so this must be where Miles was. But, if thats true, why not Chaos Control him inside the portal?

“There’s only one way to find out." Shadow mumbled to himself. He eyed the yellow portal, seeing if anything would happen. Nothing did.

Sighing, Shadow prepared to go through the portal. He had no idea what was on the other side. In other words, he was going in blind.

Before going through, Shadow made a vow. “Sonic, the moment I find you, I swear to Chaos, you’re a goner."

*       *       *

Sonic felt a chill go up his spine. Although, he wasn’t sure if it was because of the room, or someting else. Sonic really hoped it was because of the room.

Sonic stood in front of the prism shard, with Nine by his side. Nine was New Yolk’s Tails. Sonic had discovered that the hard way.

As he had gotten closer to the shard, his gear had started glowing brighter and brighter. It had been making his head hunt for a while now. Probably from the mild concussion he now had.

First, he had been hit by Dr. Babble into a wall. Next, he had hit the concrete hard. then, Rusty - this world’s version of Amy - had shoved him against a wall. Finally, Dr. Deep has shoved him against another wall.

"Could everyone please stop shoving me against walls." Sonic asked in his head.

Sonic shifted his weight from, side to sides in a repeated fashion. His ADHD meds were probably wearing off.

Sonic shook his head, and reached for the prism shard. Trusting Nine that nothing bad would happen. Boy, he was wrong. When his fingers had barely touched it, he had been sucked in, going to who knows where.

Chapter Text

The sky was filled with clouds, giving off a dull vibe. Everywhere  Shadow looked, it was the same. The grass, and surrounding areas were dull, not the vibrant colors that they should be.

"What the hell is going on?" Shadow asks aloud.

Shadow decided to see now far this went on for. Activating his air shoes, he started skating to the edge of the island. When he reached the sea shore, he went across the water.

Somehow, even the water was dull looking.

Shadow started to slow down when he saw vibrant water ahead of him. When he attemptia to cross onto the vibrant water, he was stopped. Some invisible barrier kept him on the dull looking water.

A growl made its way up his throat, as he pounded on the invisible force. Shadow looked for anyone or anything on the other side. Finally, he spotted a boat.

It was a simple rowboat, with the words, Chaotix Detective Agency, written on the side. Inside the boat sat, Vector, Espio, and Charmy. Shardow wondered how they had been informed.

Espio spoke up first. “No wonder we couldn’t contact Sonic.”

“Why were they trying to contact Sonic?"Shadow wonder confused.

“Or why Omega couldn’t reach Shadow or Rouge." Vector added.

Shadow’s confusion increased tenfold. “Why was Omega trying to reach me and Rouge?!”

“It also explains why Amy never told us what time the party was.” Chimed in Charmy.

“Why would Amy be planning a party?" Shadow thought. In his head, Shadow compiles all the things he heard. Amy planning a party, possible for Sonic. Omega had tried reaching him and Rouge.

Omega would only call Shadow or Rouge if it was an emergency, or one of their birthdays. Amy would definitely plan a birthday party for Sonic. Last time Shadow had checked the calendar, it had been Sunday, June 15.

Shadow was connecting the dots, and he didn't like the shape they were making. Shadow’s birthday has been the thursday following the 15. Which made Sonic’s b-day the following Monday, or today in other words.

It had been over a week since Sonic shattered the prism!

Shadow punched the invisible barrier, had it been glass, it would have shattered. Time moved differently in each world! “Sonic really messed things up this time, didn’t he." Shadow growled.

Shadow left the Chaotix behind, he still needed to find Miles. The last thing Shadow heard, was from Vector. “Until we figure out how to breate this thing, we can’t contact anyone inside."

Shadow decided to check Miles lab first. It was the best place to start looking for the fox. If anything, Miles might have already found the solution to their problem.

When Shadow arrived, he was severly dissapainted to see that Miles wasn’t there. He had even looked inside to see is there were any clues to where Miles was. The only significant thing he found was an open first aid kit.

Shadow couldn’t explain it, but he felt like he would need it soon.

*       *       *

Sonic grimerced in pain, as the thorn filled vine was yanked off his ankle. Glancing briefly at his ankle, he noticed the surrounding fur had been dyed red with blood. Another injung to the already growing list.

“I asked to stop being shoved into walls." Sonic thought as he dodged a hammer. "I should have included "not receiving injures" when I asked, Chaos."

To add on to that, all this moving around wasn’t helping his concussion.

*       *       *

Shadow decided the best course of action to take next, was

to check the cave. Hopefully, Miles was there collecting data about the prism. Shadow started skating over there at top speed.

Reaching the mouth to the cave, Shadow came up empty handed once again. Miles was no where to be seen, and none of his machines littered the ground. Shadow did notice somethin off about the prism, though.

There was only one prism shard, where the entire thing should be.

The prism shard was yellow, much like the portal was. A white outline showed where the other shards once were. Almost like a blue print of where each shard should go.

"Hopefully, Sonic is able to grab the shard in the red portal." Shadow said out loud.

Shadow raced out of the cave, he still had to find Miles. Shadow decided to check the coast. He knew it was a common place where Sonic and his friends would hang out.

Shadow heard them, long before he saw them.

“As long as I’m around you’ll always have a wingman." Miles.

"The forest is the most beautiful place on earth.” Amy

"I don't need the details, just tell me who to smash.” Knuckles.

"You might not like the way I do things, but I get things done." Rouge.

That didn't make sense. They weren’t even talking about the same things. When they finally come into view, Shadow realized why it didn't make sense.

It also explained why only Sonic’s friends had variants.

“As long as I'm around, you’ll always have a wingman.” Miles repeated.

A pit formed in Shadow’s stomach. Sonic’s friends were dull, much like the rest of green hills. The worst part was that they were transparent, like ghosts.

Any repeted her words. “The forest is the most beautiful place on earth."

Which also meant he couldn’t get help from Miles.

“I don't need the details, just tell me who to smash." Knuckles repeated next.

Shadow decided it was time to leave. He could get help some other version of Miles. Hopefully.

“You might not like the way I do things, but I get things done” Ghost Rouge repeated.

Shadow made a vow to fix anything. Using the chaos emerald Shadow Chaos Controlled into the void. The glow of the portal seemed to insult him.

Shadow looked at the other portals, wondering which one he should check out. He didn’t feel like heading back to the jungle. Sonic probably wasn't even in the red portal anymore. The purple portal felt too far away from the others to have anything inside.

Which left the blue portal.

Shadow heads over to the blue portal. Shadow mentally prepares himself for whatever was on the other side. "Can’t be worse than the jungle." Shadow muttered, before entering the portal.

Chapter Text

Sonic knew he was on the verge of having a major concussion. Thorn’s hammer, being made of rock, hurt way more than concrete. He wished there was time to rest, but he had no idea when he would have time.

Currently, Sonic was trapped by wooden spikes. All because Thorn wanted to keep the Scavengers out of the Jungle. Trying to get out, Sonic had stuck his head through the spaces.

Not realizing that there was no roof, until the flickies pointed it out.

After clawing his way out - with his gloves -, Sonic rubbed his neck. He winced in pain when he felt the sides of his neck. Bruises had already started forming there.

Sonic also felt like throwing up.

Running in the direction that Thorn went, he almost tripped multiple times. His vision was somewhat blurry, but it didn’t stop him. He needed to catch up to Thorn.

He had to get to Thorn for two reasons. 1.) He needed to get the shard back. 2.) He needed to ask her what she meant.

“Another hedgehog, seriously." Thorn had said earlier.

It took a moment to register for Sonic, but it had registered all the same. He had a feeling she was talking about Shadow. Shadow didn’t seem to have any variants, so it was a good sign.

Spotting Thorn, Sonic prayed that Shadow was still in the Jungle.

*        *        *

Taking in his surroundings as he free fell from the sky, Shadow had one thought. “Sonic would hate it here." Water as far as Shadow could see, with islands occasionally popping up.

Shadow aimed for an island below him, which of course he landed on without any problems. Shadow already had an idea in mind of what variants he’d be dealing with. “With this much water, most likely pirates."

Shadow’s suspitions were confirmed when he spotted the ship. The sails where a striped red and black pattern, and on the sides where red and white life savors. Shadow also spotted unlit lanterns.

"Fuck. Shadow murmured, he would need to signal the ship somehow.

He didn’t need suspicion, so using his air shoes was out as the question. Waving his hands in the air is a stupid idea. Shadow settled on a smoke signal.

Shadow alreday had a plan in mind to get this world's shard. Pirates are always looking for treasure, the shard was most likely a treasure here. So his plan was quite simple:

I.) Get on the pirate ship.

2.) Gain the pirate’s trust.

3.) Use the pirates to find the shard.

4.) Grab the shard and leave.

Shadow already knew that gaining the pirates trust, would be difficult. “Sonic wouldn't have any trouble doing that." Shadow murmured under his breath, as he set the leaves he had gathered, on the ground.

As Shadow did this, he spotted a dandalion. It's seeds were ready be blown away by the wind. Shadow thought about something Maria had told him, before picking it.

“If you make a wish, and blow all the seeds off. Then your wish will come true!"

Without making a wish, Shadow sent the seeds flying. He knew any  wish he made wouldn't come true. That was a lie, the wish he made 50 years ago still came true.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Shadow returned to the task at hand. Shadow focused his chaos energy to his hands. Not enough to wipe out the island, but enough to start a fire.

It took a few minutes, but a small rowboat started heading towards Shadow’s island. Which meant the smoke signal had worked. Shadow had already worked out the perfect story to tell the pirates.

When the rowboat reached the island, shadow coldn't say he was suprised. This world’s Rouge, Amy, and Tails had been the one's sent to investigate."That must make Knuckles the captain."

Alt Rouge wore purple eyeliner, which somehow matched the brown of her boots and gloves. She also wore a navy blue body suit (?), covered by a sleeveless white vest. Finally a yellow bandana, matched with a yellow cloth belt.

Alt Amy wore striped shorts, with a white button up shirt, adorned with a brown jacket. The jacket had yellow lining, and was held to gether by a red belt. Her boots, gloves, and bandana - which only covered one ear - all matched.

Alt Tails’ outfit was the simplest by far.

He wore a blue and white striped bandana over one ear. A vest paired with a matching belt, which had a machanical arm on it. Finally, fingerless gloves, with matching brown boots.

They all had dark circes under their eyes as well.

Shadow made a mental note, and decided to ast about it later. Shadow cautiously approached the group, catching some of their conversation. He didn’t know what the "Devil’s lighthouse", but it helped him greatly.

Pirate Rouge spoke first. "Mind telling us how ye ended up on this here island."

Shadow explained his “story”. A group of sailors had needed extra hands on their voyage to the “Devil’s lighthouse” and Shadow had volunteered. On the way, a storm came out of nowhere, causing the ship to sink.

“And what be ye name?” Asked the Amy variant.

“Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog.”

"Ahoy, nice to met ye Shadow. Ye can call me Black Rose" Black introduced herself first.

“Aye, same here. I be called Batten." Batten introduced herself next.

The fox introduced himself last. “A pleasure to meet ye, me name be Sails."

Sails is a stupid name in Shadow’s opinion.

“We can take ye to our ship on one condition." Batten began. “Ye do the rowing. Then we’ll see what the captin thinks of ye.”

"Fine." It’s not like Shadow could argue with them. He needed to get onto the ship, and this was his best bet.

*      *      *

20 minutes later, they reached the ship. Black, Batten, and Sails were giving Shadow strange looks. Probady because Shadow had shown no signs of exhaustion from rowing the boat.

Coming aboard the ship Shadow was met with multiple crew members. He had no idea who half these mobians were. The only  somewhat similar face being Big’s  variant.

“What the hell is gong on here!" Shadow wondered, looking at the crew members. Some looked worse than others, some almost as bad as the animatronic from FNAF 2.

That’s when the captain, Knuckles’ variant, came out onto the deck.

Pirate captain Knuckles wore a black vest that had a light blue underside that had gold marks. Under the vest was a white shirt, and a purple chavart, brown gloves - his boots matching in color - with spikes on the knuckles. Finally, his pirate captain hat was black , rimmed with gold.

"Who in Davy Jone’s locker let this landlover on me ship!?"

Batten quickly explained the situation to him, before introducing Shadow to the captain. "Shadow, this here be Knuckles the Dread. Captain of this here ship.” Dread held out his hand for a handshake, and Shadow shook it.

“Ahoy, Shadow, do ye think ye have what it takes to be part of me crew?” Dread asked, raising an eyebrow.

Thank Chaos Sonic wasn’t here to hear this next part. "Yes, sir." Shadow said with as much sincerity as he could muster.

"Right then, ye will help swab the deck. After Batten here shows ye around me ship." Dread gave Batten a look before walking off.

Batten straightened up immediatly. "Aye, captain!"

Batten quickly showed Shadow around the ship, and where every thing was. “Ye should start swabbing the deck.” Batten said, handing Shadow a mop and bucket.

While swabbing the deck some pirates started singing a Sea Shanty. Shadow didn’t pay much attention to it, but it was catchy. Shadow even found himself humming along.

She’d not been two weeks from shore

When down on her a wright whale bore

The captain called all hands and swore

He’d take that whale in tow

Others started singing along as they went about their tasks. “Sonic would be enjoying himself here.” Shadow trought, as he continued humming along.

Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

One day, when the tonguing is done

Well take our leave and go

*      *      *

Night had fallen, and most of the crew membars looked relieved to go to bud. "Why does everyone look so tired?" Shadow asked Batten as she was heading to the Bilge.

"Cause Dread is always on the move, looking for booty. " She said, like it explained everything. Which it didn’t.

Shadow had been about to say something else, but Batten stopped him. “Goodnight Shadow." He decided to drop the matter, for now, as she disappeared to the sleeping quarters.

Shadow, being the Ultimate Lifeform, didn’t need sleep, so he went up to the crows nest instead. When he reached the top, he looked toward the sky. Normally, he would look for the Ark, but he knew it wouldn’t be there.

Instead he chose to look at the constellations, as they hadn’t changed. He quickly spotted Orion, Cassiopeia, and Centaurs. He also spotted Pisces, which according to Maria, was associated with his birthday.

It was also associated with Sonic's birthday.

"I wonder how Sonic has been  handling this." Shadow thought aloud. Knowing Sonic, he would make friends with all the variants, even if they tried to kill him.

Shadow leaned against the railing, and closed his eyes. Sonic would also have various injuries. Shadow vaguely wondered what happened to Sonic’s self preservation skills.

Suddenly Dread’s voice startled Shadow out as his thoughts.  "Ahoy there Shadow, couldn’t sleep either?"

“No, sir.” Chaos that felt so weird to say.

“Well, I suggest ye get some sleep. We got a big day tomorrow.”

“Why is that?” Shadow asks.

“Cause tomorrow we be going after the Devil's lighthouse.”

"Oh." Was all Shadow could say. He didn’t expect it to be this easy. Nothing was ever this easy.

"G'night Shadow, make sure ye get some sleep” Dread announced to Shadow, before leaving him alone. As he watched Dread leave Shadow couldn't shake this feeling he had.

Something was going to go wrong tomorrow.

Chapter Text

When Shadow returned to the Bilge, at least an hour before dawn. He stopped on the stairs when he heard voices. Whoever it was, seemed to be whispering, but Shadow still caught what was being said.

"We’ll all be sharkbait if this plan of his goes wrong!"

“We have to trust his abilities! It's not like we can give him a black spot without walking the plank!"

“Arr, ye be right about that."

“Ye all should have more faith in the Captain!" Shadow heard Black speak up. This was also when Shadow made his presence known.

Black jumped in the air when She glanced at Shadow. "Shiver me timbers!” She put a hand on her chest, when she realized it was Shadow. “Shadow, ye nearly sent me to Davy Jone’s Locker!”

Shadow forced an apology out of his mouth.

“Ye don't necd to apologize, ye did nothing wrong." Black insisted."So what are ye doing up at this hour?"

“Could ask you the same thing.” Shadow retorted.

That made Black pause for a sccond. “That's fair, but I asked ye first!" She responded after a minute.

"Couldn’t sleep." Shadow lied through his teeth. “So I went to get some fresh air.”

At least that part was true.

Shadow looked at Black, waiting for an answer as to why she was up. "Overheard these two scallywags takin about the Captain." She explained after she realized what Shadow was waiting for.

“Don’t give us that!” One of them complained.

"There be no back up plan if things go south!" The other one-Jack, Shadow believed - argued. “We have every right to talk about what might happen."

“What!” Shadow thought, astounded to say the least. "Why the hell is there no fucking backup plan!"

Shadow tunned out the three as they argued back and forth. Shadow made his way to his designated hammock. Getting in, Shadow laid on his back, the fact there was no back up plan reinforced his feeling that something would go wrong.

And Chaos, did it also remind him of Sonic.

*       *       *

Sonic heaved behind Nine’s plane thing.

Once he was done, Sonic ran back to Nine, amost passing the fox. Sonic amost fell, but caught himself. While Sonic had stopped moving, his brain was going a million miles per minute.

He had seen and heard Shadow, earlier in the Bosscage Maze. Although, Sonic couldn’t tell if it was a concussion induced halucination, or if it really happened. Hallucination or not, it had caused him to land on the Bosscage Maze shard.

Which had sent him back to New Yoke, where he found out time works differently in each space. Apparantly, he had been gone weeks, which had been long enough for Rebel and Knucks to start a revolution. The Chaos Council had taken back control of Rusty Rose as well.

"-The grim!" Nine's voice broke through Sonic’s thoughts.

"Shit!" Sonic hadn't been paying attention, “What had Nine been talking about?” On the way here, Nine had told Sonic about Shatter spaces and the tech he made using the shard. Hopefully that's what Nine was still taking about.

“-Perfect place to start over!" Nine’s voice snapped Sonic out of his thoughts once again "A clean slate."

That caught Sonic’s attention faster than a Chilidog. "But I like the slate the way it is!” Sonic somewhat pleaded to Nine, voice cracking as he did so.

“Why does the slate have to be clean?”

*       *       *

Shadow watched the horizon from the crows nest, looking out for other ships. Dread had asked Shadow to watch for other ships, to make sure no one use was after the Devil’s Lighthouse. Shadow had accepted, as it meant he could be alone.

Below Shadow, Dread called out orders to the crew. Earlier, Jack had tried to persuade Dread to at least think of a backup plan. This had earned Jack the responsibility of swabbing the deck.

"Damn it." Shadow mummerd, Dread was forced on getting the Devil’s Lighthouse, nothing else. It reminded Shadow of when the Professor got absorbed his work, and forgot to take a break.

“Not now Shadow, I need to get this done. For Maria.”

Shooow spotted dark clouds ahead, prismatic lightning lighting up that area of the sky. Shadow had a feeling that the shard was located in the center of the storm. Although, with the rocks that jutted out of the sea, Shadow wondered how far Dread would go to get the Devil's Lighthouse.

Shadow had heard stories about Sonic and Knuckles’ first interaction. Knuckles - who the Doctor had tricked - had been  trying to protect the Master Emerald from Sonic. Shadow wondered if this world had stemmed from Knuckles’ desire to protect the Master Emerald.

If Shadow followed that train of thought, it would be easy to figure out what the Jungle stemmed from. It most likely came from Any's desire and love for the forest. That just left the other two portals Shadow hadn't explored yet.

Shadow looked down at Dread, who was currently steering the Ship. With his enhanced vision, Shadow could see a somewhat prideful gleam in Dread’s eyes. The tension that seemed to hang off the crew members with every second the ship got closer to the prismatic storm.

Chaos, today was gonna be a long day.

Shadow climbed down from the crows nest, and headed towards Dread. He could feel the eyes of the crewmates, watching him as he walked over to Dread. “Captain, I would like to talk to you."

"What do ye need Shadow?" Dread asked, not looking at Shadow.

"We should turn back." Shadow stated plainly.

It took a second for Dread to register what Shadow said. "No, we stay on course." I'm so cose, remained unsaid.

"No, if you continue like this, we will crash.”

"Are ye defying me? Do not forget who be the captain. Me." Dread  began, looking at Shadow now. “Ye will follow me orders."

"But you are not my captain." Shadow stated, before continuing. "In fact, no one is."

Shadow shoved Dread away from the wheel, attempting to turn the ship around. Shadow dodged Dread's fist, as Dread used his other hand to steer the ship back towards the prism's location. Shadow used his foot to kick Dread away.

Dread grunted as he hit the railing, ignoring the sharp pain in his back. “Shadow, step away from the wheel!" Dread command, his voice freezing the crew members in place.

Shadow scoffed, unaffected by Dread’s tone. “No can do Dread," Shadow spat out Dread’s name like venom. "You are a danger to yourself, and the crew.”

“The only threat here is you!" Dread fired back at Shadow. He then launched himself at Shadow.

Shadow - forgetting about the wheel - jumped away from Dread's fist. This allowed Dread to stick his sword in the wheel. Making sure the ship kept moving towards the Devil’s Lighthouse.

“Do you have any idea what you just did!?” Shadow asked, sending Dread flying. “You just put everyone here in danger!”

Slowly the sky began to darken. “Who the hell do ye think ye are?!" Dread questoned angrily.

"Someone you shouldn't have messed with." Shadow replied coldly.

Suddenly, the ship lurched to the left, sending some of the crew into the water. The ship had hit one of the rocks, and like the Titanic, split in half. The ship was going down fast, and the remaining crew rushed to deploy the rowboats.

"Shit!" Shadow cursed under his breath, and rushed over to help the crew. Once that was done, and those on the ship were on the rowboat, Shadow rounded up those in the water.

He ignored the shocked stares as Shadow skated over the water. He left Dread in the water, the crew could decide what to do with him. Turning away Shadow took off towards the prism shard.

He would not be leaving without the shard.

Shadow weaved in and around the rocks that jutted out of the sea. The shard was in sight, and Shadow was closing the distance with every passing second. Then a familiar prismatic aura suddenly appeared around Shadow.

Shadow spotted Sonic, who was still surrounded by a red outline. "Sonic! Keep going! Don’t stop!" Shadow yelled, mustering up all the urgency he could.

Shadow had an idea, that if he or Sonic were going fast they would be able to see the other. So that lead to the posibility of being able to teleport to the otner. That was the theory Shadow was currently testing.

“Shad-ow?” Sonic asked.

Suddenly, Shadow’s vision was engused by a rock, and he didn't have time to avoid it. Shadow braced for impact, but to his suprise it never came. Opening his eyes, he sounds himself in the void, heading straight toward the red colored portal.

Shadow didn’t have time to stop his momentum before he entered the portal.

Chapter Text

After spending just a few seconds in, where ever he was, Shadow already had an idea of where this world had come from. Smog filled the air, leaving the city below in darkness. Buildings and concrete everywhere, and no signs of plant life.

The Doctor was the only person this world could have come from. It was also quite clear that this was the only world that had Doctors - Shadow easily spotted the signs suggesting multiple Doctors. Shabow quickly realized another thing as well.

This is what Green Hill's would have looked like if Sonic was never there to stop the Doctor.

Shadow had this strange feeling in his chest, which he quickly identified as dread. A world without Sonic to stop the Doctor felt wrong. No, it felt impossible, it's something that most would have nightmares about.

Shadow maneuvered his body, landing on the roof of a building. Shadow looked around before spotting an announcement. “Welcome to New Yolk City." Shadow read aloud.

“Damn, they gave this dump an egg themed name.” Shadow murmured under his breath. He also spotted a yellow, egg shaped building in the middle of the city. “How fucking dumb are they?!”

As if in answer, an explosion went off a few buildings away. Shadow decided to head the direction of the explosion. Mostly because there were robots Shadow could punch to let out some of his anger.

When he arrived at the scene, Shadow waited for the right moment to jump into the fray. The robots were larger than the Doctor’s, and had plasma blasters. The mobian fighting all had a slashed egg with wings on their clothes.

Most likely a resistance symbol.

Shadow saw an opening, and punched a robot sneaking up on an unsuspecting resistance member. While doing this, he caught a gimps of New Yolk’s Rouge and Knuckles. Shadow launched a chaos spear at another robot.

“If you’re looking for Sonic you missed him by a couple of weeks." Alt Rouge told Shadow. Having flown over after noticing his presence.

Shadow acknolages what she said with a nod of his head. “Name?" Shadow asked, taking down another robot. Alt Rouge dived at a robot before responding.

"Rebel, you?"

“Shadow.”

Shadow launched a robot into the sky, which Rebel finished off with a kick. They quickly synchronized their attacks, diminishing the robots faster. The fight was over minutes later.

Robel landed next to Shadow, and he was finally able to see what she was wearing. During the fight, he had only caught glimpses of her outfit. It looked like something Rouge would have somewhere in her closet.

Rebel's eyeshadow was a light pink, and she wore a black hat with the resistance symbol, between her ears. There seemed to be a color theme, as her vest, pants, heeled boots, and gloves were all gray. The only thing that wasn't gray, was her scarf, which was red.

“So Shadow, do you have some kind of title as well?" Robel began. “Sonic said he was the “fastest thing alive"” Shadow rolled his eyes. "So what's your title?"

“I am the Ultimate Lifeform.”

“Thought he was ‘bout to say ‘Ultimate Edgelord.’" Knuckles' variant said, coming over to where Rebel and Shadow stood. Shadow immediatty noticed that the varient had a brooklyn accent.

Rebel sighed, shaking her head. "Shadow this is Knucks." She said, introducing them both to the other. "Knucks meet Shadow."

Knucks wore a black beanie that had the resistance symbol on it. He had black and green brass knuckles on his gloves, paired with red and black boots. Finally, he had a brown belt, with a strap over the shoulder.

“Come on, let’s head back to the base."

"Why are we bringing mister edge-lord here with us."

"Cause he is powerful and can help us."

Shadow listenes to them, quietly following behind them. He kept up with them as they traveled through the pipes. Eventually they arrived, and Shadow realizes there were more mobians, than he originally thought there were in the resistance.

*       *       *

Sonic sat on the floor of Dread's ship, everyone else sleeping peacefully. He should be sleeping, but he couldn't find the energy to lay down. He kept thinking that something was going to happen, and he wouldn’t se able to prevent it.

When Sonic got on the ship earlier, Dread had been skeptical. Apparently, he reminded Dread of someone who appeared a year prior. Black Rose had later told Sonic that the guy's name had been Shadow.

Sonic quickly figured out Shadow was most likely in New Yolk now. Shadow had been to the Bosscage Maze and No Place before Sonic. Rebel had said nothing about Shadow, when Sonic had gone back to New York briefly.

Sonic got up and went to the crow’s nest. He wanted to feel the air in his quills, while aso not waking up the others. Sighing, he rested his head against the railing.

“Ahoy there Sonic.”

Sonic jumped in the air, just managing to not sall over the railing. "Dread, you fucking scared me!" Sonic told him, too tired to care about what he was saying.

Sonic sighed. “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting you to appear out of thin air like that.” Sonic says, apologizing to Dead.

"Ye be fine, no need to apologize? Dread tells Sonic. "But what are ye doing awake?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” Sonic says plainly.

Dread frowns. "Ye should try ye look like yer about to drop dead.” Dread tells Sonic.

Sonic gives Dread a small smile. "Thanks for worrying about me." Sonic tells him. “But I'll be fine. I've been longer without sleep.”

Flashes of the Metal Virus outbreak passed through Sonic’s mind. Sonic hadn’t been allowed to sleep back then. After he and Silver had saved the world, Sonic had slept for a week straight, only watching up for basic needs.

“Fine, ye do what ye what," Dread says, surrendering. "At least go to sleep at some point."

Sonic gave a nod, watching as Dread disappered. Although, Sonic knew that he wouldn't be getting sleep anytime soon. Looking up at the stars, Sonic attempted to remember the names of the constellations.

*       *       *

Dr. Don’t was reviewing footage from the robots the rebels had destroyed earlier that day. Today had been his turn to look for new information on the rebels. He wasn't really paying attention though, he was focused on beating the level on his game.

That was, until a new player appeared on the tv screen.

Startled, Dr. Don’t had fallen out of his chair, as well as dropping his video game. He looked at the footage again, looking for what had spooked him, Finally, what he had been looking for reappeared on the screen.

“Who the hell gave them a mini boss!”

It was a hedgehog - clearly not Sonic - with black fur and red highlights in his quills, and on his arms and legs. In his hand he seemed to be holding a spear, made out of pure energy. Dr. Dont ran a few scans to determine what kind of energy it was made of.

Chaos Energy.

It was Chaos Energy that made up the spear. Dr. Don't had heard stories of mobians whose Chaos Energy had enhanced a single trait. Sonic had been the first to prove the stories true with his super speed.

But this, this was something entierly new. If the Council could harness the Prism shards and Chaos Energy... “We would be unstoppable. "Dr. Dont whispered out loud.

Dr. Dont grabbed his video game controller, not really looking at the screen yet. Quickly he hopped back into his chair, replying the video footage one more time. He had been about to message the other Council members about the discovery, when he finally looked at the screen.

GAME OVER

"I WAS SO CLOSE TO BEATING THE LEVEL DAMNIT!"

*       *       *

Shadow, Rebel, and Knucks were in the temporary war room, mapping out the tunnels. Well, mostly Rebel and Knucks, Shadow was just giving input on where they should relocate the base. Apparently the old one had been discovered after the Council tracked Sonic’s energy signature.

Shadow hadn't seen any sign of this world’s Miles or Amy. He considered asking Rebel and Knucks, but wasn’t sure what kind as reaction he would receive. Shadow looked at the maps - decorated with x’s and question marks - that covered most of the floor.

Shadow looked over the maps again, looking for anything he might have missed, "Hey Rebel, what about right there." Shadow spoke up, pointing at a big open space on one of the maps.

Rebel flew above the map, looking it over. “It's in Dr. Done - It’s area, far away from where we were.” She murmered. “It's a few levels deeper than the old base, and it's harder to get to.”

"It's the perfect place.” Rebel announced.

“Then who's gonna go scout out the area?" Knucks asked, already eyeing Shadow.

“I'll do it, the Council doesn't know about me yet." Shadew said, volunteering himself.

"Alright, make sure to stay out of sight." Rebel tells him.

“I've been on plenty stealth missions, I'll be fine." Shadow says, before using Chaos Control. Shadow reappeared in an ally, rain pelting his face. Shadow carefully navigated the alleyway, trying to ignore something Maria had said once.

"I wonder what it's like to feel the rain against your skin!”

Shadow pushed the memory away, now was not the time to be caught up in the past. “Just get this done and over with." He growled to himself, heading in the direction of Dr. Done-It’s area.

Chapter Text

Mr. Dr. Eggman looked over the footage that had caused Dr. Don't to shout. Mr. Dr. Eggman had gotten a few words out of the teen, before Dr. Don't had stormed out. "A hedgehog that can control Chaos Energy to its fullest extent."

But something still felt off about that statement, there was something more to the ebony hedgehog on screen. He decided to do an energy scan of the black hedgehog. He paced the room, thinking of all the possibilities.

Ping

Mr. Dr. Eggman chuckled when he saw the results on the screen. The ebony hedgehog was made completely of Chaos Energy. “Who was the genius that created you?”

If the Council managed to capture the hedgehog, they could use him for so many things. A powersource, a weapon, but there was something better Mr. Dr. Eggman thought of. They could experiment on him, take the hedgehog apart and see how he worked.

Then, when they caught the blue rodent they could "mechanically enhance" him like they did to Rusty. Oh the irony of becoming a weapon for the people you've been fighting against. He just needed the perfect plan to capture both hedgehogs at the same time.

“What would you do to capture both hedgehogs?”

A moment of complete silence.

“I will never help you capture Sonic!“ The fox genius they had capture not too long ago, announced. Mr. Dr. Eggman saw fear for a split second in the fox’s eyes, as he approached.

"What about the new hedgehog?”Mr. Dr. Egoman inquired.

"He most likely knows Sonic." The fox rambled. "So if you manage to capture him, Sonic will try to come save-!“ Blue eyes widened in realization, as Mr. Dr. Eggman smirked.

“That's not too bad of an idea." Mr. Dr. Eggman says to the fox. "Thank you for your assistance. "Mr. Dr. Eggman then looked at the eggforcers watching over the fox.

“Take him away.”

Mr. Dr. Eggman turned away, getting to work on a way to capture the artificial hedgehog. "Whatever you come up with, Sonic will stop you!” He heard the fox cry out, but payed him no mind.

He had work to get done.

*       *       *

Shadow waited for the eggforcers - as Rebel had called them - to pass, before ducking into the next alleyway. He hid under a camera, timing it, then moving in the opposite direction it was facing. He couldn’t use any of his abilities so he didn’t alert the Chaos Council, same went for taking out the eggforcers.

Hc had entered Dr. Done-it's area not long ago, making his way to the potential base. He had memorized the way to get there, and kept his eye out looking for the right pipe to enter. It didn’t take long to find the pipe he was looking for, and then quickly marking it.

It was a simple scratch on the metal, something you wouldn’t notice unless you were looking for it. Shadow’s air-shoes clanked against the metal, the sound echoing down the pipe. He tried to step as softly as possible as he walked.

When he came to a part of the pipe that dropped down, he knew he would have to time what he did next carefully. Without a second thought, he stepped off the edge. The bottom of the pipe came rushing to meet him, and at the last second, he activated his air shoes.

"Why the fuck did I volunteer myself for this?" Shadow wondered, questioning some of his life choices. The choices that included Maria or Sonic were not allowed to be questioned.

Eventually, Shadow felt he was deep enough underground to safely use his powers. He skated through the pipes, -crouching slightly - leaving burn marks behind him as he went. He stopped when he finally reached the destination he had been traveling to.

The area was larger than originally anticipated, the map having done it no justice. The area was the size of a gym, with some side rooms that could be used for the storage of food and weapons. It was the perfect place for the resistance’s new base.

Now the only problem was going back the way he came. It wouldn’t be that hard, until he couldnt risk alerting the Council. “Time to get the fuck out of here.”

Shadow turned around and entered the pipe he had previously came out of. He started walking, down the pipe, when he stopped in his tracks. His quills bristled as a chill went up his spine.

He opted to ignore it, and set off down the pipe once more.

*       *       *

"Preparing for a final change?" Rusty's monotone voice questioned. Sonic was sure he heard smugness in her voice, but that's impossible as she is a robot.

It was probably another thing he was hallucinating.

"Something like that." Sonic replied, sportting his usual cocky grin. Then he took off, in the opposite direction.

Yes, Sonic knew exactly what the hell he was doing. Yes, Rusty and the pirates probably thought he had ditched the fight. Anyone else would know that was not the case.

It only took a few seconds to go from the back of the ship to the front, but a few seconds was all it took. As Sonic was running on the water, he caught a glimpse of his reflection. “Chaos, is that what I look like right now!?"

His fur was burned in multiple places due to plasma from the eggforcers. There was multiple pieces of debris in his quills, and some of his quills were broken. Finally, dried blood on his ankle and bags under his eyes.

Sonic couldn't believe this is what he looked look like to everyone. He hadn’t really had the chance to look himself over, or see his current condition. No, belly flopping into a big body of water does not count as any of those things.

For some reason, Sonic’s mind decided to think about how he ended up in No Place anyways. He had been in New Yolk before this, when he thought he heard Shadow’s voice. Sonic was pretty sure he was just halucinating Shadow at this point.

Maybe he had been hallucinating Shadow the whole time.

Anyways, he was at the front of the ship, in the few seconds it took to think of all that. Sonic gave the pirates a wink besere he took out the eggforcers behind Rusty. Rusty turned to face Sonic, as he stood up.

Sonic should probably take out Rusty is he wanted to end this, but there was one thing stopping him. He couldn’t bring himself to harm any version of Amy. Sure, Rusty was a robot, but that didn't mean anything, she was still Amy's variant.

"When will this end?" Sonic wondered, preparing himself for more fighting. “When will I make it home?"

*       *       *

Shadow had long since exited the pipe system and was going the wrong way on purpose. He had this feeling that he was being tracked somehow. He has already sent a messanger to Rebel that the area was perfect for the new base.

So now he was just causing a distraction for them. He had purposely destroyed cameras and eggforcers. Which was basically why he was in Dr. Deep’s area right now.

His plan had worked, as Dr. Deep stood in front of him, with the rest of the Council watching somewhere, no doubt. “Prepare to be amazed, then deceased." Dr. Deep announced.

Dr. Deep wore sunglasses, with teal hair tied in a bun. Currently he was in a big, red, mech suit. Said mech suit had two Katanas on the back, and Shadow immediately spotted all the weak points.

“One thing about that" Shadow said, reaching into his quills. "Kinda hard to kill someone who can’t die." Shadow then proceeded to pull out a pistol.

Dr. Deep looked flabbergasted "Wha-what! No ane told me you had a gun!” Dr. Deep practical yelled, before composing himself. “No matter, I will still win!”

“1.) This is a pistol, not just a gun." Shadow announced, taking aim. “2.) You’ve already lost."

Multiple gun shots went off as Dr. Deep attempted to attack Shadow. It only took a second for the mech suit to fall to parts. Dr. Deep looked utterly confused, as Shadow reloaded the pistol.

"That’s playing dirty!" Dr. Deep complained.

"There are no rules in war." Shadow retorted.

“Good thing I brought back-up" Dr. Deep stated, as the pistol was shot out of Shadow’s hand. Shadow growled, as multiple eggforcers appeared, one with Dr. Don't’s symbol over its head. The voice of a teenage boy, came through the speakers. “This is for making me mess up!"

“Thanks for taking care of his gun." Dr. Deep told Dr. Don’t. "Now it's an even fight.”

“Don’t you know not to underestimate your enemies?” Shadow asked, producing a revolver from his quills. “I always have more guns.”

Shabow quickly eliminated the eggforcers, as Dr. Deep made a run for it. "Pathetic." Shadow spat out in the direction Dr. Deep went.

Shadow decided now would be the best time to leave New Yolk. He pulled out the green Chaos Emerald, and disappeared into the void. The New Yolk gateway loomed behind him, as he floated away.

*       *       *

Screaming could be heard from Dr. Don’t’s room.

Mr. Dr. Eggman ignored the screams, choosing to focus on the video that was taken during the fight moments ago. Dr. Deep suddenly entered the room furiously and yelling. "You didn't tell me he had guns! I could have died!”

Mr. Dr. Eggman said nothing, continuing to watch the video footage. Dr. Deep was expendable, along with the other Council members. While it world be hard to find another with a high IQ, it wasn't impossible.

“Be quiet! It was only to test his abilities." Mr. Dr. Eggman explained, while putting a clip of the hedgehog’s powerful abilities, on the screen. “He clearly didn't see you as a threat, so that's on you.”

“It looked more like he was stalling for time, to me."Dr. Deep voiced his assessment, having composed himself. “Or, he just wanted an excuse to use his guns."

“It’s both.”

Dr. Deep was taken aback. "What?"

“He was stalling for time, which allowed him to use his guns." Mr. Dr. Eggman observed. "Once he was done stalling, he left this reality to go somewhere else.”

The energy ping that came from the artificial hedgehog when he disappeared, had never reappeared anywhere. So it was quite obvious that he had left this world. “What was the word you used for the different realities, it was "Shatter space” right?”

It was a rhetorical question, the fox - Nine, as he insisted he be called - knew this. Mr. Dr. Eggman knew he was right based off of Nine’s reaction, or lack there of. It told him all he needed to know, so he turned to Dr. Deep.

“I believe it's time we went to these Shatter spaces ourselves."

*       *        *

Shadow had started making his way towards the purple gateway after he left New Yolk. He didn’t get far when a flash of light from the blue gateway caught his attention. Someone had exited the pirate’s world, and was heading toward New Yolk.

It was Sonic.

"I'm not letting you get away from me this time!” Shadow thought as he used his air-shoes to send a purple shard flying. It crashed into Sonic, making him lose his momentum.

Shadow quickly made his way over to where the cobalt hedgehog was floating. He noticed that Sonic was holding his head with one hand, as if trying to steady himself. When Sonic finally looked up to see Shadow, he heard surprise in the hero’s voice.

“Shadow?!”

Chapter Text

Shadow had to hold himself back from punching Sonic, even though he totally deserved it. Shadow was created to be the Ultimate Life-form, which meant he had to know about any and all injures and diseases. Maria had helped him with finding ways to spot and treat different illnesses and injuries.

Which meant it was quite obvious to Shadow, that Sonic had a concussion. Sonic’s eyes were dilated and he was looking at the space beside Shadow. Shadow spotted dried blood on Sonic’s ankle, along with multiple burn marks - likely from the eggforcers - along his body.

“I don’t have time to deal with whoever you are.” Sonic says finally, his words making Shadow angry. "I just wanna go home."

"Home?" Shadow asks accusingly. “Home doesn't exist anymore, because of you!”

Shadow intentionally misses - he can’t afford to make Sonic’s condition worse than it already is - as he dives to punch Sonic. Sonic attempts to avoid Shadow by jumping from rock to rock, before slipping on one of them. Sonic makes noises of protest, before speaking again.

"Can’t you just leave me alone?"

Shadow kicked -as lightly as he could- Sonic in the stomach, sending him flying across three rocks, before hitting his back. Shadow then grabs Sonic’s leg, after launching him off a rock. Shadow throws - again, lightly - Sonic against a rock twice, before he manages to get away.

"Alright.” Shadow hears Sonic tell himself. "Gonna get back to New Yoke city. Find Nine.-“ Shadow has no idea who the hell Nine is.”- “Heh, maybe Nine will pass through and I can catch a ride.”

Shadow catches up to Sonic, but chooses to float behind him. "Ugh, you again?" Sonic says once he realizes Shadow is following him.

"let me guess,” Shadow braces himself for whatever stupidity is about to come out Sonic’s mouth. “You’re Grumpy Shadow. Although that would be redundant.”

“Shadow who needs a shower." Sonic is clearly describing himself when he says that. “Sheriff Shadow of Floating Rock world!"

Shadow has had enough of Sonic’s idiotic, but it’s not like it can be helped. "We’re stuck here and it's all your fault, Sonic!" Shadow kept his voice just below a yell.

“Yeah, yeah, what else is new.”Sonic said uninterested, but Shadow watches realization flash through his eyes. “Wait, how do you know my name?”

Shadow stays silent as he watched Sonic. “Unless... you’re you!” Sonic shouted happily, before hugging Shadow. “The real you!"

Shadow let the hug last a second longer than normal, before pushing Sonic away. “The only me.” Shadow attemps to punch Sonic, but breaks a rock, as Sonic dodges.

"You just don't listen." Shadow growled. “What part of ‘our home doesn’t exist anymore!’ are you not fucking understanding!"

Sonic looked shocked. "W-what did you just say?"

“What do you think I've been trying to tell you! When you broke the Paradox Prism, you broke our fucking reality.” Shadow explains harshly. "Green Hill is gone. It doesn’t exist anymore!"

Shadow watches Sonic look away from him, ears flat against his head. "I know I caused this, and it just keeps getting worse." Sonic admits dejectedly.

Shadow breaths in through his nose, he needs to take Sonic and show him Green Hill. He also needed to take care of Sonic’s concussion. “Follow me."

Shadow lead Sonic toward the Green Hill gateway, it would go slower than if he used chaos control. He couldn’t use chaos control without risking the possibility of making Sonic's concussion worse. Shadow also periodically looked back to make sure Sonic was still behind him.

"So, have you been following me this entire time?" Sonic asked as they passed the Boscage Maze gateway. Shadow had been hoping they could travel in silence, but it was Sonic he was traveling with.

"No, I've been focused on trying to fix our reality." Shadow responds, bending the truth slightly. “I only knew where you were when you kicked up prismatic energy."

Shadow watched Sonic’s face morph into confusion. “And how do I kick up prismatic energy?" Sonic asked, some of his words coming out slurred.

“Whenever you run at top speed.” Shadow hadn't noticed earlier that Sonic’s words were slurred. Although, he had also been focused on trying to not make Sonic’s condition worse.

“So I wasn't hallucinating talking to you.” Sonic muttered under his breath, catching Shadow’s attention. "What?!”

“Nothing!” Sonic responded quickly, which meant that it was, in fact, something. Shadow waited for Sonic to realize that he had heard what Sonic had said.

It never happened.

Shadow would ask Sonic about it later. “Whatever, we’re here.”Shadow told as they arrived at the Green Hill gateway.

“Where does this one lead?” Sonic asked.

“It would be best if you saw for yourself." Shadow responded, entering the gateway, Sonic following suit. Then to only make his concussion worse by landing on his face.

Shadow shook his head in annoyance, as Sonic got off the ground. “Is this..." Sonic races off before Shadow could tell him any thing.

Shadow found Sonic by the beach, talking to the imitation's of his friends. Shadow watches Sonic’s face fall when Tails repeats what he said. “Heh, you just said that buddy."

“They’re not real, just imitations of who they are." Shadow informed Sonic, who had collapsed onto a rock.

Sonic looked at his hands before speaking. "How do we-I fix this?"

"You, can't do anything until you are in a better condition."

Sonic's head snapped up to look at Shadow. “W-what do you mean, I'm in tip top condition.” Sonic lied, and hid his nervousness with a smile.

"Faker…" Shadow growled, hatred brewing at the sight of the “smile” plastered on Sonic’s face. “You clearly have a concussion, as well as being injured, not to mention sleep deprived!”

Sonic attempted to say something, but Shadow cut him off. "I’m taking you to Tails' workshop, and you will allow me to treat you.” Shadow finished, turning in the direction of Tails’ lab.

Sonic got up and ran one circle around Shadow before stopping, “Aw, Shads, you sure you don’t secretly care about me?” Sonic teased.

“I don't." Shadow huffed. "I care about what happens to Green Hill."

*       *       *

Shadow put the first aid kit back in the clost, letting out an exasperated sigh. Sonic had finally fallen asleep, after having Shadow tend to his injuries. "I am never treating Sonic’s injuries alone anymore.”

It had bean a hassel to got Sonic to sit still long enough for Shadow to remove the debris in the hedgehog's quills. Not to mention removing the damaged quills themselves. Next time, - if there even was one - Shadow would tie Sonic to the chair.

Shadow gathered the debris and quills together, before putting it all in a trash bag. He carried the bag outside and set it down, before looking up at the sky. The time of day hadn’t changed a bit, but his internal clock told him it was around midnight.

Heading back inside, Shadow sat down in the chair Sonic had used. He needed to be near Sonic in case something happens, that way he could respond as soon as possible. He had done the same for Maria whenever she was bedridden.

*       *       *

Sonic watched as Shadow fell towards the void, before launching into action. They had been fighting, he didn’t know why, and he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He needed to save Shadow, he couldn’t lose him again.

Then they were in space, and Shadow was falling toward the earth. Shadow’s inhibitor rings were falling with him, and his fur was returning to its natural color. Sonic reached out, his gloves torn and burned in multiple places.

Sonics vision kept switching from Shadow falling into the void, and falling to the earth. "No, no, no, no, no!" He had to reach Shadow, he wouldn’t let him die.

Finally, Sonic caught Shadow, and saved him from entering the void. Suddenly, he wasn't holding Shadow, instead one of his inhibitor rings. His breathing turned erratic, had he saved Shadow, or had he failed.

“-nic!”

Sonic needed to move, he can still save Shadow, right? If he used his super form, he would find Shadow faster. He reached out for the Chaos Emeralds, but was met with nothing.

“Sonic-!”

He had just been in his super form, where had the Chaos Emeralds gone. How was he suppose to save Shadow is he couldn't go super. Why was everything going so wrong, so fast?

“Sonic, wake up!”

*       *       *

Shadow hadn’t been prepared for Sonic to hug him as soon as he was awake. Sonic had been having a nightmare, and Shadow had realized he would have to wake Sonic up. He had been planing to let the nightmare run its course, until Sonic started making noises.

Even then, Shadow had been hesitant to wake Sonic up, unsure how bad the nightmare actually was. As it turned out it had been the best thing to do, as the cobalt hedgehog was currently clinging to him. Unfortunately, he was bad at comforting people in these, or any, kind of situation.

Shadow hesitated before speaking. “What happened?"

"You were falling into the void, sometimes the earth." Sonic explained quietly. "I couldn’t save you."

"Oh." was all Shadow could think to say. Sonic had had a nightmare about him. Not to mention it incluced something that happened in the past.

Shadow slowly hugged Sonic back, before speaking again. "It was just a dream, I'm still right here.” Maria would have approved of that response.

Chapter Text

Thorn Rose surveyed the forest floor, looking for the familiar glow of the shard. What would have taken hours on foot, was reduced to minutes with Birdie’s help. It was also helpful that Birde could make sharp turns at any moment, despite the terrain.

“That way, Birdie.” Thorn directed, pointing at where she wanted to go. She was positive that she had seen the shard.

She had been right.

Thorn hopped off of Birdie and walked over to the green crystal Sonic had been looking for. “No one should have this much power." Thorn whispered, considering where to hide the shard.

That's when she realized the perfect place to hide the shard. She  quickly took take of the shard, and hopped on Birdie’s back. “Come on, Birdie. We don't know who else is after the shard.”

*       *       *

“You cant trust him! He isn’t real!"

"Nine and the others are real!"

Their brief argument ran through Shadow’s head, refusing to leave him alone. Just like whatever the hell happened between him and Sonic in Tails lab. For, reasons unknown, these moments haunted his mind.

After Sonic had recovered from both his injuries and nightmare, Shadow had showed him the prism blueprint. They shortly argued over if Nine was trustworthy, and how real he and the other variants were. After that, they left Green Hill silently, not allowed time to formulate a plan before following the Chaos Council into the Boscage Maze.

Which explained why his mood had soured even more.

Shadow and Sonic ran through the forest, taking out eggforcers left and right. They work silently, not daring to speak and say things they - probably - didn’t mean. Although, Sonic has always been good at hiding now he really felt, which was why he was the first to speak.

“We should go find the Boscage gang."

"Must we?" Shadow grumbled, crossing his arms.

Sonic looked at Shadow. “We can't win this if we fight alone, we need their help.”

"No! We don’t!" Shadow argued.

Shadow watched annoyance make its way across Sonic’s face - something only he can do. “We can trust them.” Sonic stated firmly, refusing to back down.

“No we can’t." Shadow said harshly. “We can only trust ourselves"

Sonic’s expression switched from annoyance to anger. “Just because you have trust issues doesn’t mean they’re not trustworthy.” Sonic’s next words cut deeper than any wound possible could.

“What would Maria think.”

"You have no right to dictate what Maria would or would not think." Shadow growled, shoving Sonic into a tree. "Do not talk about Maria as if you knew her."

Shadow removed his hand from Sonic’s chest, turning away. "We’re wasting time, let’s go find the Scavengers.” He said, before taking off.

*       *       *

Sonic watched Shadow leave, before taking off and easily catching up. He could still feel the phantom of Shadow’s hand on his chest. Sonic didn’t - no, couldn't understand why it was bothering him more than it normally would.

"Maybe it's because I like him.” Some traitorous part of Sonic's brain whispered. Sonic had a very rude awakening to how he felt about Shadow.

In fact, Sonic realized while Shadow had been comforting him, he had liked Shadow from the start. His nightmare had proved how he really felt, especially when he watched Shadow fall to the earth, again. Sonic had no clue why it had taken him this long to realize how he felt.

Sonic needed to focus, he realized as he dodged the spear Gnarly had thrown at him. Sonic pushed his thought and feelings about Shadow to the farthest corner of his mind. Besides, it's not like Shadow would return Sonic’s feelings, especially after what he said.

He also should have remembered to take his meds while in Ghost Hill.

Time had passed faster than it should have, as Sonic watched Thorn and Birdie disapear into the forest below. “Thorn, wait!" Sonic had called out, or maybe he thought he said it, as Thorn hadn’t seemed to have heard him.

“I’ll help Thorn.” Shadow chose as an explanation, as he followed Thorn into the Jungle. Sonic felt  disappointed, but knew he deserved this.

"Thorn’s right, you know." Sonic said. Turing to Prim and crossing his arms.

“All Thorn has to do is give them the prism." Prim responded, before pointing to a break in the foliage, where eggforcers could be seen. "They’re here for the Shard, not us!"

Sonic glared at Prim, his expression showed how pissed he was feeling. He hadn't felt this pissed for a while now, it was hard to pinpoint exactly when he had last felt like this. He felt angry at the thought of giving the Council a prism shard, and at Prim for even suggesting that they give it to the Council.

“Why does this have to be so difficult?" Sonic thought. “I just want to go home!"

*       *       *

Shadow destroyed eggforcers silently, directing his anger at Sonic towards the robots. He had used Thorn leaving as an excuse to get away from Sonic, even if it was only for a couple of minutes. Sonic had returned to Shadow's side, but he was actually giving Shadow space for once, which was weird.

Infact, everything about Sonic right now told Shadow something was off. Sonic hadn't said a word since showing up, and he had an angry look in his eyes. “I haven’t seen Sonic like this since the Metarex tried to turn the universe into plants."

Shadow would ask Sonic about it later, he was still mad, and they needed to focus on fighting. They had been destroying eggforcers in a clearing with a giant Palm Tree in the center, when Dr. Babble and Dr. Don’t showed up. Dr. Babble was in a mech suit, while Dr.Don’t was using the eggforcers like last time.

Dr. Don’t’s voice came through the speaker, as he faced Shadow. “Rematch, bro.”

"The baby again!” Shadow heard Sonic complain, as he launched into battle. “Why can't it be the old man for once!”

Shadow destroyed the robot Dr. Don’t was controlling, before launching a chaos spear at the next one. “Spawn killing is against the rules!" He heard Dr. Don't shout from behind him.

"There are no rules in battle." Shadow retorted, demolishing a robot before Dr. Don’t had a chance to do anything.

"Stop fucking cheating!" Dr Don’t yelled.

Shadow threw another chaos spear at an eggforcer. "It's not cheating if I have an advantage.”

Suddenly a mechanical voice was heard. "Shard energy detected." Shadow looked to see that it was Birdie who had been scanned.

Thorn told Birdie to run, as she hopped on her companion’s back. Dr. Babble and Dr. Don’t gave chase, and Shadow quickly took off after them - but stopped. Sonic wasn’t with either of them, he turned around to go find Sonic.

Sonic was still in the clearing by the Palm Tree, and talking to a robot? "What the hell are you doing!?" Shadow growled, walking over to Sonic.

“I'm talking with Nine!" Sonic quickly explains, pointing to the eggforcer. "He’s spying on the Chaos Council by pretending to be their prisoner."

"Who are you!?” Shadow hears Nine's voice come through the speaker.

“Shadow the Hedgehog."

Nine’s voice is filled with curiosity when be speaks again. “You’re not another version of Sonic, but you could be twins." Shadow growled at that.

"Hardly, I am the Ultimate Lifeform." Shadow states harshly.

"Hell is that suppose to mean!" Shadow opens his mouth, fully prepared to insult Nine, when Sonic intervenes. “We should hurry up, before anyone realizes we've been gone too long."

"Sonic has a point." Shadow realizes, before saying anything more. “Then let’s go.”

“Wait!" Nine calls. “I still need to update your tech, Sonic.”

Shadow crosses his arms, and looks away. “Hurry up, we’re wasting too much time.”

Sonic holds out his hands to allow Nine to update the tech. “Now we can communicate, and you won’t be teleported away when you touch a shard.” Nine explains once he’s finished.

Sonic beams. “Thanks, buddy!"

Once Nine is gone, Sonic turns to Shadow. “Look, I get you still don't trust Nine, but I do." Sonic runs toward the direction of the battle, leaving Shadow in the clearing.

Shadow shakes his head, as he watches Sonic dash off. “Your trust is misplaced, Faker." Shadow whispers to the now empty battlefield.

“How much longer till you realize I was right." Shadow activates his air shoes and goes after Sonic. Leaving the palm tree, as it stands tall, watching over those in the jungle.