You never told me who does your highlights.

[bluebolt]

Sonic was an absurdly easy person to read, or so his fmaily insisted despite the Hedgehog's attempts to sound cool and myserious in some cases, but there were thins he managed to keep hidden inside. One of them? He was sad that Shadow was gone.

As much as he acted casual around the others whenever the topic came up, he did wish he had more time to... know better that guy. It wasn't every day that he met another Hedgehog- back in his days with Longclaw? It was just the two of them, he didn't even get to interact with anyone beside her. Not that the young man resented her for their isolation, he knew she sacrificed everything for his sake. Still, isolation was his norm back home.

After he arrived on his new 'home'? The first years were complete solitude, even if he had to admit his old cave was comfy and nice for something that was pretty much dug in the dirt. He had Longclaw's drawing to keep him company, comics, all he needed to have fun on his own but the lingering loneliness was there. Then his family happened. Unplanned, messy, but something he treasured greatly. Tom had been a good friend at first, then a good dad. Maddie? Sonic couldn't hope for a better 'mother'.They didn't replace Longclaw, but they still allowed him to feel like he belonged.

Tails and Knuckles? Their presence made him so incredibly happy, even if he often complained about the echidna's peculiar ways and even if he often couldn't follow the fox's fancy talks. It took him months to fully realize how much he loved them, how much he considered them his brothers- even if he couldn't bring himself to admit that out loud. It felt so incredibly... sappy. When he stopped to look at how far he went, how loved he felt, Sonic had to be honest: he was happy with them.

Still. They weren't completely like him. Fifteen years and he had only met a fellow Hedgehog once. And they barely had time to talk to each other, finally dropping their hostilities, when 'Saving the world' got in the way. And while the last moments he spent in space felt like a blur,..? He couldn't shake how a certain conversation he had with Shadow on the moon made him feel. They were... so similar, in some ways? Sonic didn't have big answers, but in his mind the Hedgehog convinced himself the real issue was how much pain the other felt. And how he couldn't (wouldn't?) face it. A bit of guilt was there, it took far too long to realize that, and now he coudn't even apologize. Nor he could tell him they could build plenty of good new memories to be made, even if so many important things had been lost.

'Look at Knuckles', he wanted to tell him 'He also lost his people, but now he's here with us!'.

'Well, you have Maria and I have Longclaw, we can both remember their light and honor their life' he wanted to say.

But Shadow was gone.

And Sonic had never been the best at big, emotional speeches so part of him wondered if he would have been able to reach the other even after everything calmed down. Maybe Shadow would have enjoyed moving in with the family as well, maybe he could have become one of the new siblings not that he ever wanted to say that out loud but that feeling of 'there is someone else just like me' was supposed to be lost forever. Who even knew if there were other Hedgehogs back on their planet, if they could even reach Earth...

Sonic stretched, standing on the top of the house's roof. It was a beautiful night, absolutely perfect for a run and to clear his own mind. Lingering on 'what ifs' and 'maybes' wasn't going to fix anything. He had an 'almost friend' there and he was lost....

"No point in getting all serious, man. What will your fans think?" He asked himself, slapping both cheeks and shaking his head, quilla dancing wildly left and right. With everyone asleep and only the occasional lights in the distance, hidden between trees, that let him know G.U.N. was still spying on them, Sonic knew no one who mattered was actually looking but that didn't matter. Even without witnesses, he had a reputation to protect. "We'll make more friends, I'm sure of that!"

No one of them was going to be 'different' like Shadow was, but, hey. There were miles to run and selfies to take, right? He slipped a few rings inside his glove for safekeeping, not even realizing one of them was just slightly cracked, and before anyone could notice? He was already on his way. down the road. Fast enough to feel the usual adrenaline and joy, not fast enough to trigger any big sensor or create any energy shift that could be perceived.

He didn't usually care about the 'where' when he started moving, just about the wind between his quills and the joy the simple act of following what was almost a primordial urge gave him. He passed cliffs in silence, rushed all around a lake, jumped from tree to tree and let his nature push to the side any negative feeling... at least until he put his foot on a wrong rock. The surface he was moving on fell apart under his feet, making him plummet down, his attempt to hold back on the ground without giving away his position by using any special power had him almost lose a glove and, before he could even properly figure out what was happening? The damaged ring he was carrying was already opening a portal and he was falling through it.


One, two, three tumbles and he found himself face down against a hard surface, either stone or something manmade- holy moley, why did he feel like he just went through something that scrambled his whole being? Green eyes opened to an unfamiliar area and- wait. Why were his arms tan instead of the usual blue? The teen gasped, trying to stumble back on his feet- what did he even do?

Comments

[limiterrings]

[ there's a lifestyle to how shadow goes about his life, especially when he's left to the devices of sonic's clear stupidity. it's been some time now with him missing in action, and that starts to worry those involved — various individuals has brought up the same question: "where has sonic the hedgehog gone?" normally, his locations are an easy tell for someone like tails, even amy has said she has a "sonic tracker" that could find him anywhere, but even that hasn't worked.

when the hero disappears, shadow finds himself put in an unwanted position where those worried individuals turn to him. not that they had to come to him directly, but sometimes sonic has a knack for avoiding responsibility, but it's never this bad.

that's what irritates shadow the most.

what gives that hedgehog the right to shirk off on his duties to do what equals to nothing. things have been odd lately though, that's something shadow has noticed during his search. not only has things been quiet on sonic's end, things have also been quiet on dr. robotnik's end as well. wouldn't he normally take advantage of this time with sonic missing or is he so detached from them that sonic is the only trigger to make him act? most likely the latter, but it's still an odd situation anyway.

no matter where he searches, he comes up dry with no trace of that blue hedgehog, and even relying on team chaotix to fill in what he doesn't have is also useless. truth be told, shadow's feelings about sonic are on and off, he can accept that he's a worthy opponent when the time comes, but this is unlike him, so unlike him that all it does is worsen his temper. shadow has patience for very few things, but never for those who indulge in foolish actions.

the worst part about searching for sonic is that against shadow's better judgement, there are some chances he has to take. especially when unidentifiable black holes appear here and there from his journey, as though it calls to him. at the first location, he ignored it, at the second, it only seemed like an odd variable that shouldn't be explored, but coming up with nothing every time and that path becoming the only option.

why wouldn't he take it? whatever's calling for him, he might as well take it. besides, he has a chaos emerald with him, it'd be easy to blip in and out of wherever he finds himself in, so taking the jump does place him at an odd place. familiar white walls, something he had thought deconstructed on itself once they were offered their accomplishments, but maybe he should be fine with the fact it still stands because while someone is trying to gather their bearing with their new appearance... it's only for a short moment once a strong force targets onto him, knocking sonic directly into one of the pristine white walls nearby.

the impact probably won't feel good, but the pain is intended. ]

[bluebolt]

[Seriously, his whole body felt weird. A bit longer? more thin? It wasn't just the arms, it was... everything. He was... taller? older?. His whole being adapted for 'something' but he still had no idea what that was-

No time to think, though, as something hits him and sends him flying against the nearest.. wall? He didn't even realize there were barriers of any sort around there, everything felt white and flat and- oh. The corner of his eyes caught in a familiar share as he tried to roll back on his feet and he felt air get knocked out of his lungs a second time in a matter of seconds- even if he and another stupid hedgehog only met for a matter of days, Sonic felt like he would recognize the dark quills everywhere.

Not really trusting his own sight, the teen (adult?) rolled over, trying to regain some parvence of composure as he tries to look at the other. God, it really was him! Sonic's chest was suddenly filled with emotions he couldn't even name- how was it even possible? First there was the unbridled joy, then the fear because if Shadow was dead maybe the same happened to him? (oh what a shame if he managed to save the world multiple times but also... well, who knew a fall could get him?), then relief as he felt his own heart still beating and then... he didn't know. There was no label for the mix of relief, happiness and... comfort? The only other Hedgehog, that guy who probaly needed Tom to give him a hug more than anyone else in the family, he was...]

It's you.

[It had to be... uncanny to look at this adult Sonic sound so sentimental, so... relieved. Both gloved hands were raised to cover his mouth as he processed the fact they were in some kind of white box, trapped between rings maybe, and the other was alive. Hands were lowered and brought together as fists as he contained the need to rush and give the other a big squeeze like he sometimes did with Tails.]

It really is you! Ah! Oh, buddy, I'm so, so happy to see you!

[limiterrings]

Huh-- What?

[ sonic has only been missing for some time, but not enough time to warrant that type of reaction. actually, it's disturbing when he talks like that, there's a childish whimsy to it that makes the fur on the back of shadow's neck stand. he dismisses that odd feeling in favor of showing his irritation at the fact that sonic has been gone far too long.

how dare shadow find him sitting on his ass not doing anything, he would have expected the blue hedgehog to have some sort of plan or to be doing something, how he got here in the old domain and construct of the time eater is another issue, but even then he faced the challenges to get out. what excuse does he have to still be here struggling? it's like the other wants to mock him, make shadow's life a little more difficult than it has to be.

there are things he has to do which doesn't involve handling whatever mess sonic leaves behind when he's not around. those issues are his issues, they aren't anything that belongs to shadow. even the hyper focus of it's you pisses him off, what about everyone else, why is he fixated on the wrong things? such happiness when he's been gone for so long only makes looks worse in shadow's eyes. ]

How dare you leave me with your mess, I'll make you regret it.

[ he wastes no time dashing towards the happy and sentimental hedgehog, closing the distance between them in order to throw a punch directly towards his face.

if sonic is smart, and smart he needs to be, he would get out of the way because shadow doesn't seem to be listening anymore about what sonic's happy about. ]

[bluebolt]

[And Sonic would have no idea of what Shadow even meant with any of that. time eater? Old domain? Did he read some kind of weird novel and got too invested with it? As far as the blue Hedgehog knew, the one leaving everyone behind was Shadow, not him. And, honestly, he didn't even feel angry about him being still alive, even if he didn't show his face in... weeks.

What makes his quills stiffen up just a little and his ears flatten is Shadow accusing him of 'leaving him with his mess'.

A new, not unfamiliar feeling, settles in as well. Guilt. He knows exactly what the other is talking about. They were both up there, in space, trying to stop the beam... but Sonic couldn't hold up to his title of Hero. At some point memories were just a blur of light and exhaustion followed by nothingness until he woke up a bit later, all blue again.

Shadow was right, Sonic did fail him in that part.]

It's not like I wanted to!

[That was small justification compared to the fact he almost let the other die on his own. Still, he just... wanted to celebrate the event, not let things go completely sour between him and the only other Hedgehog on the goddarn planet.

And then came the punch. Instinct kicked in just soon enough for Sonic to bend backward and dodge If Tom had been there, he would have thrown in some kind of Matrix reference. Tails and Knuckles still had to catch up with Earth movie culture, sadly. It still unbalanced him, since he wasn't in 'active' mode, and had him stumble backwards to recover some parvence of dignity and stand up once more.]

Oh- wow, Shadow? Isn't this a bit too much as a 'hi'?

[He did raise both hands in front of himself, not entirely sure if another punch was coming or not. Dude was... hard to read, sometimes. Most of the times.]

[limiterrings]

"Not like I wanted to"? Then explain yourself, why are you doing nothing to fix it?!

[ he snarls, the dodge was sonic's best bet, and shadow wouldn't have mind elbowing the hedgehog in the throat if not for his quick recovery of stepping back and away. it's easy to tell that shadow's annoyed, his quills up, and alongside his fur as he glares at sonic for messing around. ]

Forget the formalities, hedgehog. Take responsibility.

[ that's the thing about sonic, he's never able to take things seriously, or maybe shadow is just too serious. how could he be within this dimension not figuring things out, why is he in this one in specific is jarring, but he should understand the gist on how to return to their world.

however, the one big factor here is that this sonic isn't his sonic, and being without his sonic means that they're having two different conversations. no matter how it looks, shadow sees sonic in the wrong when the other agrees with him, and he shouldn't have done that. this only validates him even more that sonic is deserving of what comes to him even if... this sonic doesn't.

skating forward he closes the distance between him and sonic, ducking first in case the other decides to swing, and with his palms on the white surface of the ground, he kicks one leg out to trip the other up and back. ]

Or I'll break you in half myself.

[bluebolt]

"Fix it? Fix what?"

[That gave him a pause for sure. As far as Sonic knew, the big problems of Earth were currently being handled by politicians and G.U.N. (may they all step on plenty of legos) and whoever was on power, he and his family were out having picnics and trips and relaxing with the Emerald kept safe and sound (Or so Knuckles said).

Oh. Oh. Maybe Shadow got warped.... wherever that place was right after dealing with the beam? Maybe he didn't know things got resolved outside- that could explain why he didn't show his face for so long after heroically saving the Planet. Sonic knew he would have taken the spotlight if that was him (But not this time, not with the guilt he felt over letting someone else die because he wasn't strong enough.]

Things are fine out there! [He finally dared, with a more hopeful tone. Maybe this was going to calm the other down? He had to be pissed because he was also looking all weird and lainky and who knows how long he had been stuck there all alone. Solitude never helped a single soul, he knew that very well by that point.] Even Tom-

[He could barely finish the name, he knew Shadow didn't mean to hurt Sonic's human 'dad' and he was trying to reassure the other Tom wasn't going to join Longclaw and Maria at the list of people they missed but no- He found himself on the floor, not really wanting to fight the other anymore.

Well, maybe a race or a proper fight- the idea sounded amazing, but at the same time this was all wrong at the moment.]

Whoa! What's gotten into you? I thought things were okay between us?

[You don't hold your bro's hands in space to spin attack space robots if you're going to act all aggressive right after, right? So much for the bonding moment on the moon- to think Sonic wanted to call him friend!]

[limiterrings]

When you disappear they are not.

[ shadow responds, a hint of irritation in his voice as a name flies into the conversation, and he doesn't even know what the other is talking about. even if sonic manages to put distance between them once he's able to compose himself, shadow stands properly while looking at the other. ]

Are you stupid, am I talking to a brick wall? Who the hell is Tom!? And when wouldn't I knock you down for being an idiot!? Sonic, don't irritate me.

[ but it's easy to tell that he is irritated, that he's so annoyed with what the other is saying because it doesn't make sense.

closing his eyes, shadow tries to calm himself down, but his brows remain furrowed with an occasional twitch that never goes away. he wants to knock sonic into a wall so bad, but he doesn't, instead his arms cross as he waits for the other to let his guard down to attack him again.

he can play the waiting game, but staying within an empty world that they've escaped a long time ago isn't actually the best place to converse. shadow doesn't care what sonic does at this moment. ]

...I'm not humoring this. Stay here if you want, but I won't deal with your idiocy.

[bluebolt]

What are you talking about?

[Those words just... made no sense. He kept his guard up, making sure not to give the other any opening to step in too close to punch again, but he also couldn't understand a single thing. He didn't... remember Tom? It had been one of the things that brought Sonic almost to... really hurt Shadow. And their talk on the moon, their-

Something was wrong with Shadow and maybe the fall from space scrambled his mind or something else was at play here. Did that filthy Gerald mess with the other's mind?]

. . . Tom is- my human? The... you know... the one you almost killed? But he's fine now, back home and all And I have not been missing, if anything that was you!

[He was worried, yes, but he also couldn't hide the growing irritation. He thought this was going to be a joyful reunion! Where were his 'Two hedgehogs and four chili dogs dreams again? Nah, Shadow had to be a grumpy annoying irritating frustrating aggravating vexing exhasperating companion right now.]

That's what I should say. And- hey! Where even is... here? I mean, rude, but I don't even know how to get out.

[limiterrings]

[ his human? who the fuck is tom, why does sonic always talk to stupid to him that it infuriates him to no end. with ease, shadow jumps up onto one of the nearby arches, his arms crossed as he looks down at sonic with a glare. ]

I've killed a lot of people, hedgehog. You think I keep names?

[ but this one escaped dying? nothing stands out, sonic having a human doesn't really make sense either. there's eggman, but they haven't been around a group of humans in ages.

there's a tired sigh that comes next. ]

But your stupid scenarios or dreams have nothing to do with me.

[ he skates along the ramp, leaving sonic where he left him because rather than sit there and play with stupid... he's going to find a way out. whether sonic follows him or not, shadow doesn't seem interesting in having a friendly chat or explaining what sonic should already know. ]

[bluebolt]

Yes, I'm aware, your... stunt got people killed. But- TOM! We talked about him!

[Scenarios and dreams? Having a family and caring about them is a 'scenario and dream'? What is Shadow even saying? There's only one thing that bothers the blue Hedgehog a whole lot- Shadow wants to leave.

And Sonic can't have that.

The hedgehog bolts after the other, having to adjust to the longer legs and the weird sensation of... oh. Where even is the Chaos Energy that usually goes through him when he incrreases his speed? The body handles the run easily, but it feels different.

Goddarn it, he'll have to figure out what's wrong with his body... after. Maybe that place absurbs chaos energy away? For now, the hedgehog focuses on keeping pace with Shadow as the best he can, even if his footing isn't the most stable- not with all the changes happening in him.]

Come on, Shadow, we also talked about that rage thing- (more or less), being angry isn't going to get us out of here anytime soon. We need to get back to the others- I... I don't know what's happening to us, but we can go home, I'm sure of that.

[The other probably had no 'home' but Maddie and Tom were warm, they took in Tails and knuckles after Sonic, they were going to take in another alien hedgehog.]

I- I will get some small delivery job too so we can have cash for snacks and such, it will be great!

[limiterrings]

We talked about no one.

[ shadow snaps back, jumping to a different run way while trying to push sonic off of the arches in hopes that he'd go away. it probably doesn't work, but that doesn't matter when he's working to get out and sonic is goofing around.

what he notices is a few things about sonic that doesn't feel correct, his comments, the way he looks like he might trip over his own feet, and even the way he talks about shadow makes everything feel weird. sonic should understand that shadow will never change, he should know his attempts will either distance them more or cause a rift, but he can't tell what this is. ]

Nothing is wrong with me you idiot. You know what this place is.

[ shadow jumps onto a pedestal, surveying the white space for what it is, and knowing some opportunities aren't within his skillset at the moment. it's not like he ever went into detail about what unfolded her, and he's not going to do it today.

he glances down to where sonic is, groaning in disgust. ]

There is no time for frivolous activities, aren't you supposed to be gone, anyway?

[ what happened to leaving with team chaotix or whatever that decision was of his. ]

[bluebolt]

[No one. That talk on the moon was nothing then? Maria, Longclaw... Tom. Ah, the anger was back, fortuantely enough there were so many feelings bubbling in his chest he managed to put it to the side. For the moment.]

We did, Shadow! Why are you pretending otherwise? The light shines even though the star is gone, I'm not going to forget that!

[But no, he doesn't have time to elaborate further because the other attempts to push him to the side and... succeeds. Sonic's footing is still far too unstable on the new, slender body, and in the attempt of moving away and dodge- well, he merely managed to stumble on his own shoes and roll on the ground for a good bit. Stupid, stupid red striped hedgehog, why did he have to act this dumb?

The hedgehog scrambled to get back on his feet and rush after the other, the only explanation was that something bugged Shadow's mind and he was going to get to the bottom of this.]

I don't. I genuinely don't! I fell through a warp ring and found myself here! [Oh, wait, maybe he should play the other's game and try to gather more info about... this.] Is there anything I should remember and I don't? Come on, throw me a bone, Shad.

[He stares at the other on the pedestal, not really returning what feels like a disgusted glare but certainly growing more and more nervous about the whole situation.]

Where? Where am I even supposed to go? I- oh!

[He did reach inside his glove, checking what was in it. He came here through a warp ring, maybe they could- YES! He could feel something round under the fabric, maybe he...] Oh... [An onion ring. From earlier at Dinner. Ears flopped down and he let out a deep sigh-]

Really? I get to keep the food but not the good rings? [He did sound as frustrated as he was starting to be.] Then again, this place drains chaos energy, doesn't it?

[He glanced up to the other, hoping he could maybe get ONE answer that made sense there.]

[limiterrings]

[ he's itching to kick sonic right in his mouth, but he stops himself from doing so because he doesn't need to do it. those words mean nothing to him when sonic says it, because he doesn't know what was said to shadow specifically. no matter how close those words sound in familiarity, he rolls his eyes as he looks away from him.

what stands out is the comment about a warp ring, his brow raises in confusion as he pockets that piece of information. ]

...

[ clearly there's something not right, but to play shadow for an idiot by being an idiot in general doesn't work. he's a disgusting creature when a tendency to make disgusting little nicknames for him, and as much as shadow despises them, he's gotten tired with correcting him not to say it. ]

Shadow.

[ that's his name.

besides, the place may drain for him, but shadow has always been at peace here. there's always something calling him only due to familiarity's sake, but those times are over. sonic shouldn't be stupid about this location, he may have never been here before, but wasn't his own place a construct of nothingness that only built upon itself as he delved further into the unknown? he even met shadow at one point. ]

You're asking too many questions.

[ for someone who can be without a plan and make one on the spot, it's troubling to see sonic so lost. it's unlike him which makes shadow's quills bristle, and there's a part of him that wants to figure out what the issue is before him. ]

It's called the "White Space", how have you forgotten? If you're having an issue existing here, then get out.

[bluebolt]

[For a moment ther'es a bit of hope. The other is... thinking maybe? Hard to tell when he keeps his expression on Neutral at best- he rememebered the other to be more expressive, yet the man in front of him barely changed from his 'pissed off' default. It was irritating at best.

The correction comes and barely hits him. As if he will ever stop making stupid nicknames for his friends. Tails and Knuckles barely give him any reaction, Shadow would be the 'new cool thing'...]

Yeah, sure, Mister Highlights...

[Oh. His mouth moved before he could connect his brain- and there he is, trying to brush it off and move forward and pretend he didn't just do that. It wasn't the right moment to joke around, so to speak- not in that way at least.]

Because I have a lot of them! 'How did you even survive the explosion?' being one of the bunch!

[He protested, one gloved finger pointed at the other. What was Shadow even expecting of him when... he was lost? At least Shadow seemed to know what he was doing, as bold and confident as Sonic was the risk was ending running into a depressing white area forever.

There was nothing familiar about a blank canvas of a place, nor he would have been able to identify any Mobian place, even Green Hill felt like a distant memory by that point after all. He could remember the flowers, the way hills beautifully curled upon themselves creating the perfect ramps for Sonic to run on and... the forest. Just the forest where he lived hidden away with Longclaw, being told over and over NOT to run around or risk being spotted by 'others'. Nothing from White Space was going to call him in any way and-]

HOW?

[He finally raised his voice, the teenager side of him manifesting over the adult appearance of his body. Both in how he shown his irritation and how his next words betrayed a far more idealistic way of thinking than his more mature counterpart.]

I don't know why you think I should be familiar with this place, but I'm not. And- and I'm not leaving without you! Not this time. Hedgehogs stick together!

[limiterrings]

[ highlights... ]

....

[ everything he says sounds more and more obtuse, it never makes any sense, what sonic says never compares with the information he has, and the contrast of what he should ask about doesn't show itself either. he never asks about how everyone is fairing, he seems to be focused on him mostly, he acts like this place is foreign when he was locked inside a place much like this with a younger version of himself.

shadow's expression hardens, that look of irritation shows that everything sonic is saying only gets worse and worse. somethings not right, nothing adds up like it should, but before he kicks this look-a-like away from him, he has to understand what game he's playing at here. ]

What explosion?

[ he jumps down off the platform, skating some distance away until he's on another, and he glances around the area to try and find something that stands out. if there are shattered pieces of stages here to enter, they might just work to give them concrete ground of where to go.

just a connection, but not one that returns them to a set point of time, one close enough that takes them straight back to the world that they came from. ]

What do you remember that you're against going back to where you're needed, hedgehog?

[ to be frank, he's pissing shadow off mostly with his inconsistencies. an explosion, there hasn't really been one unless he's talking about ... no, sonic returned with no problem after him and silver's efforts so any recent explosions hardly seem like something shadow was a part of. ]

[bluebolt]

The Ark! And the Moon too, I guess, apparently it's going to cause many tidal issues down the line but thisisnothepoint!

[The Ark exploded. The moon got some... damage as well, so to speak. The doctor died, probably for good this time and Shadow... disappeared. Died, according to everyone, Sonic believed that too but the Hedgehog was now right in front of him, so he didn't know what to think anymore.

People he had around were incredibly good at surviving against all odds, weren't they?

Still, no time to think. Shadow was moving to another platform and he did his best to follow, no matter how his legs still felt 'wrong'. He moved from one platform to another as well, trying to understand what the other was looking for.]

What do... I remember? You're making no sense. Where am I even neeeded? Shadow, I was literally sitting home with my family until... what? An hour ago?

[Possibly weird sounding now that he was by all means an adult, not to mention Sonic did not have a home to begin with, he wandered around in Shadow's world- but this one? He had an abandoned cave and a very cool house he shared with the ones he loved.]

I think this place is messing up with your head, man. Let's stop for a moment and see what's wrong here, mh? And if I'm needed somewhere, I'll come- no Hero says no to that, am I right?

[limiterrings]

[ enough of that.

nothing he says makes sense. family? what family? what home? all he does is bum around and crash wherever he likes. not 30YL arc of him, but you know, he bums at the restoration when it was active or take time to chill at cream and vanilla's home.

that's why shadow jumps over to here sonic is, standing right in front of him with a glare. ]

Are you stupid?

[ an idiot, more or less. one hand lifts up, a gloved hand coming up to poke the other in his chest to push him back. the way he digs into him is rough due to his annoyance, it's always like him to say something wrong. he can't be this wrong, he can't forget this white space, nor can he mention the arc and then say something about a family.

nothing makes sense. ]

Either something's wrong with your memory or...

[ ...

... ]

No. You're not coming with me.

[ he will not be responsible for bringing something unknown and alien with him, especially if this is just a trick of the broken white space. ]

[bluebolt]

Oh wow, greats minds DO think alike because I was wondering the same about you.

[He stands still in front of the other, holding his ground and doing his best NOT to look even remotely intimidated. If there was something Sonic was incredibly good at, it was acting cocky. He crossed his arms, ignoring the finger poking his chest and standing there.]

Something has to wrong with your memory, Shadow. You fell from such a high plce after such a big explosion- unless it warped you here, which couldn't have been an easy ride as well. If you want I can tell you more about.. stuff? We can fix it, Shadow.

[A frown. What even was the other's problem? He felt his lips twitching, little fangs almost uncovered.]

Fine.

[He was not many things- he wasn't as strong as Knuckles NOR as smart as Tails, but he was *fast*. One hand was raised up, trying to get a hold of the other's wrist.]

But you're coming with me. No more being all on your own, I know how that sits on the heart and we're not having that again.

[limiterrings]

...

[ shadow is ready to leave this pile of trash where he's found it, figuring that this is some leftover data or remnants of sonic that probably merged together to make something.

but then he does the unbelievable.

he... grabs shadow's wrist which causes the hedgehog's eyes to widen. is sonic telling him what to do, is he going as far as to take direction and tell shadow to come along with him.

something in him snaps, that irritation of the past where his anger would spike finds its way to him at the moment. his free hand reaches for sonic's arm that's holding his wrist, squeezing tightly in order to wedge him off. ]

Do not touch me, fool.

[ it's a threat, a threat where he effortlessly pulls sonic back just to throw him right into one of the adjacent pillars not caring if he's crushed underneath it.

his fur stands up, his quills bristling as though he's tired of dealing with whatever it is that's been talking to him. ]

Come closer and I'll kill you.

[ he! means! it! ]

[bluebolt]

[And. He's sent flying again. Shadow sure is a person who doesn't know how to talk or handle things, is he? The hit against the pillar hurts, but not like his pride- he's really, really trying to get things to go right this time, but the other is acrtively fighting against him at every step.

He gets up, ignoring his own small bruises- Shadow had always been Edgy, but this is just so incredibly... wrong.]

What happened to you, man?

[The threat of killing him is nothing new, it barely worries him by this point, but he's starting to get really nervous- The place is off, Shadow is acting all wrong, there's no way home, what is he supposed to do?

It's like talking to a wall. A spiked, angry wall full ora anger and death threats. Like on the moon, perhaps, he has to pick a more... soft attempt to things. Ears flatten just for a moment, but he's nothing but determined to move forward.]

Shadow, please...

[He's a teen. The please works, sometimes, when Tom says 'no more snacks'. The The please may let the other understand that he's not a threat, just... Sonic doesn't even know by this point.]

Let's talk this out. Punching or killing me won't solve anything...

[They're the only two Hedgehogs on the whole goddarn planet, not including the pathetic looking Earth ones, there has to be some way to connect there. Right?]

[limiterrings]

[ as long as sonic doesn't come near him, it's fine, there's something unnatural with who he is. simply that it makes him need to leave, which is what he'll do, jumping back with an annoyed look stuck on his face, and the small snapping and popping of green energy that appears in his hands. he points the weapon towards sonic, his warnings becoming threats and his threats are turning into warnings. ]

Stay away from me, hedgehog.

[ if that's what this is in front of him.

to make sure of this, he throws the spear in the direction of an arch above where sonic stands, and when it crumbles down is when shadow takes his leave. his air shoes activate with a click, assisting him in his dash away from the location as he tries to think about his situation. if that is sonic, then he'll figure out what to do, that's the thing about that idiot is that he tends to make his own way.

as for shadow? he's not here to take care of him, someone else can handle it, amy can do it when he explains what he's found within the white space.

what is going on here? his eyes close tightly before opening them, skidding to a stop as he stands in front of one of the location alters that only has a spec of color here and there. he realizes that it isn't a close enough location to home, so he leaves from that location to reach a different destination if he can.

as long as that hedgehog doesn't find him then he has all the time in the world. ]

[bluebolt]

[Stupid, stupid striped donuthole!

The spear doesn't surprise him, he has seen Shadow use that technique in space (kind of), it was just so much easier when it wasn't directed at him though... The arch falls and he barely dodges it, hating once more how slow and weird his body feels.

He stumbles, almost trips on his shoes (even those feel different compared to the ones he usually gets back home), and he's back on... following Shadow. Keeping some distance because while he's a reckless teen, he still has some survival instinct helping him out where it's needed.]

I'm Sonic, man. Sonic Wachowski! Not Hedgehog.

[It's like yelling at a windmill or whatever those books Maddie read said.

Grumbling to himself, Sonic managed to more or less keep up and follow tracks, mostly because Shadow was also checking his surroundings, occasionally slowing down and- oh. A horrible looking set of white tables, near weirder decorations and counters made Sonic wrinkle his nose. Oh, he did recognize that place, it was awesome but at the same time seeing it now all colorless and empty-]

What the hell happened here?

[The first sign of something familiar and it was... in that state?]

Shadow? SHADOW? Why is the Chao Garden here?

[They were distant, yes, but Sonic knew the other could still hear him as long as he yelled loudly enough.]

[limiterrings]

[ the name throws him off, it doesn't even sound... fitting, to be entirely honest, it doesn't sound like him. he says that name with pride, as though it's true, emphasis on what's right and what's wrong. ]

...

[ that must be it, either sonic truly has bumped his head or shadow's in a position he has never wanted to be in his entire life.

he turns on his heels, skating back over to check on the chao garden because that was never in his white space. it would check out for someone like sonic who enjoyed that zone himself, but as soon as shadow stops right in front of the area, it has no familiarity to him at all.

the large mascots standing frozen in place do, but... ]

Chao are not that big.

[ to correct him even more. ]

That's also not a garden.

[ he skates around the structure to look at how new and unique it is before stopping right in the front. taking a step closer, he touches it, seeing that it won't come to life with a simple tap anyway. ]

I don't know what that is.

[bluebolt]

[The look on Sonic's face is priceless when Shadow says his first sentence. He was distracted by his surroundings, slightly annoyed by the situation (okay, very annoyed), but what the other said kind of snapped him out of that as the hedgehog slowly turned to stare at the otehr one.

What?

Oh. Oh no, this was one of those 'Santa is not Real' kind of situations, wasn't it? It made sense, if the other had been locked away for who knows how long and then only proceeded to hang around the stupid doctors... well, it made sense he wasn't properly informed about some important things in life.]

Shadow... I am so, so sorry. [He did look like he was going to give the other a terrible news and perhaps it was the case.] Chao are not real. They were a popular cartoon and now there's a raising game with them but that's all. Those chaos are so ig because you're supposed to have people in costume working in this place...

[Who even knew The Chaoverse was popular even back then. Sonic enjoyed the games, he knew the chao were as tall as two apples or little more in them but... that's what they were. Games. And an old cartoon that was worshiped by some weirdos around the world.]

It's the name of a place. The Chao Garden. It's part of a franchise. And this was the one in Tokyo.

[Oh, dear, he couldn't believe he was explaining stuff like this to the other. It was, like, something people learnt at ten? Still, a spot caught his attenton as he fully turned in the direction of the table where his third adventure pretty much started. His lips turned into a thin line before he shook any bad memory away and returned his attention on Shadow, who was skating around the place.]

This place was destroyed. A good part of it. Why is it here? I mean... it this White Space something where things that blew up end, somehow?

[The unsaid question: Did *I* blow up without realizing?]

[limiterrings]

Are you stupid?

[ rhetorical question, sonic is indeed stupid, but the more he talks, the more he confirms how different he is. shadow sighs, not exactly offended by sonic's words, but if it were cream she would probably sob about sonic saying that to her.

in truth, sonic saying that all is pretty jarring. ]

Actually, stay stupid. You aren't my problem at all.

[ the white space takes whatever it can through time, and to find sonic in here could mean that he came from a different time? just not one that shadow's familiar with, maybe this sonic is from some lost world where the obvious isn't as obvious to them. ]

You're from an Earth.

[ shadow can make that assumption and be right, sonic saying terms that he understands, but it's not terms that's normally said in his world nowadays.

why is it in shadow's white space is also a question he has no answer for, but they don't want to stay here for long unless the key to getting out is... moving through his old memories? could be, shadow looks to sonic, stopping right next to him as he pushes the boy forward. ]

Touch it.

TW: horror elements

[bluebolt]

Do you Have to be like this Shadow? I thought we were making progress on the Moon!

[The bro moment they shared, the super awesome handshake that turned them Super, their dance in space- and now Shadow was just... like that. He let out a sigh in return, bringing both hands on his hips.He was going to figure out what was wrong and get out of there- and he was going to help Shadow too!

The sentence about Earth makes his ears drop just a bit, tho.]

Well... yes and no?

[Did... the other forget the most basic things? Sonic let out a deep breath while pinching his own forehead for a moment. Okay, back to the basics. At least he seemed aware he was not personally from that planet...]

I am like you. An alien. We're both not from Earth, Shadow. Reason number X to stick together as a team!

[But for now? The attention shifts back to the Chao Garden- not he location where chao lived in Shadow's own universe, but the tacky building with egg shaped lamps and weird things hanging from the ceiling. Part of Sonic wants to make a snarky comment about the other finally acknowledging him in a non violent manner, but the way he somehow lands in front of one of the men in a chao costume gives him pause.

Touch it.]

Is it... like... going to come back to life? Because this place exploded minutes after this dude moved on stage...

[A good place for Sonic and his siblings to talk with other people who also appared to be wearing costumes, military ones. The attack? It was a complete surprise. He wanted to laugh at the memory of someone pointing a finger in his direction, in Shibuya, and calling him Furry-kun (laughing), but...]

Okay, well...

[He did reach forward, placing one hand against the blank fabric covering the arm. A flash of color follows, filling everything on that body, and it does start moving again- the breathing under the mask is labored, frantic, and the person under it takes a sudden step back, mask being tossed to the side. It can't be much older than a teenager boy and he looks... terrified. Words follow, accusatory fingers (paws) are pointed in Sonic's direction but he can't understand a single word of Japanese so anything that's being said is lost to him.

It's frantic, almost delirious, but Shadow could at least make sense of 'floating in the void', 'not having a body' and 'feeling dead and like all hope had been lost' between the other nonsensical sentences. It doesn't last long, though- The teen reaches forward for the blue hedgehog, panicked.

Something 'reaching for him'. Something 'taking him away'. Something something 'it must be broken'. Nothing really makes sense, nor it's coherent. And even if it's still in contact with the blue Hedgehog, who can only watch in horror, the color disappears completely, leaving the young man frozen in time once more, his expression one of pure fear as a silent scream attempts to escape his lips but only turns into silence.

Sonic is... silent for a moment, there. What the other said may be a mix of feelings and personal beliefs, it may mean nothing concrete, but the other teeen didn't understand a thing, all he can see is what's left in front of himself and it's not sitting well on his nerves.]

I... Shadow. What was that?

tw: gore, horror

[limiterrings]

Tsk.

[ as quickly as it happened, it all comes to a stop like time is no longer moving and it eats away at what's before them. if shadow had to explain what he thinks he saw, that was probably this statue's final moments. a cry for help, a need to be saved, the fear and pain and quick blame on something other than itself. because this place, this void, was nothing more than a hellscape for shadow, it could be the same for the blue hedgehog.

the issue here is different, the beings seem to have something against this one — they accuse him, they blame him, maybe it's his fault as to why they're like this. shadow doesn't care, he quickly rushes over, one fist balled together, and he beats it against the chest of the statue that sonic had previously woke up. they're hard just like a statue, but means they're able to crack just as easily which this body does.

it proceeds to split in places, a crack coming towards the neck as though decapitating, the thin splits spreading out through the chest to their arm, and the vague small of blood hits the air until the statue breaks on top of one another. somehow, the pieces seem to be pulsing... then the mass crumbles into ash, as if burnt away. sonic should remember the smell once everything exploded, it's the exact same one with this after shadow made sure it was no longer a threat. ]

You're nothing like me, Hedgehog.

[ them both aliens? that isn't right, but what is happens to be what shadow follows up with next. ]

Don't touch anything. They're connected to you.

[ whether they come to life because he's nearby or because he touches it is a problem within itself. whatever shadow touches, they remain still as though they were never alive at all. if anything, he thinks he should break each and every one here. even if they're technically dead, shadow doesn't care killing them off completely. whether they're stuck in time and wanting to get out, lost souls to the void unable to be free; that doesn't matter to shadow, they're not his concern. ]

tw: gore and blood

[bluebolt]

[Sonic's mind was in overdrive. Was that some kind of sick joke? Some pathetic recreation of a place and how people spent their last moments in the cafe or... what? That big kid seemed so aware of... his situation. So alive. It left Sonic almost unable to move from the spot he was standing on, this at least until Shadow decided to take initiative and... detach the two of them. The 'statue' fell back, one hand snapped and remained ell firm around the hedgehog's wrist.

If he wanted to leave any comment, he felt unable to as the statue turned into fragments, small ones, and was destroyed. When he tried to open his mouth, then, Sonic felt something shift and splat down in front of his feet. One glance down had been enough to regret his choice to check- the hand fell down, splattering blood all over his shoes, and kept moving... twitching like a lizard's tail still spasming to attract a credature's attention.

He... needed to trust Shadow in this. This entire thing had to be some kind of lure or trap, maybe a place to turn people insane, and if the other ha spent so longin there.]

I'm so glad my stomach was empty..

[Lips turn into a thin line then. nothing like him, huh. It hurts as if the other just slapped him- no matter why he couldn't tell why those feelings were so strong to begin with or associated with both nstalgia and loneliness.]

But I am, Shadow. We truly are. After all... it's just you and me out there.

[No other Hedgehogs. No other walking banks of Chaos energy. Possibly comrades... possibly more (the adoption papers were still on the table as much as he was concerned).

Maybe this entire place was out there to annoy him? The hedgehog swallowed, tacking both gloved hands under his armpits before nodding. Wait... what if even this shadow wasn't acually real?]

So if I touch things they start... moving?

tw: gore and blood

[limiterrings]

The only truth we can believe at the moment.

[ because when shadow touches anything, it doesn't come alive, it doesn't move or attack. they remain the same because shadow isn't part of the world that sonic speaks about, that earth where him and shadow should have shared their concerns, their loss, and learn that they have one another.

...that isn't anything this shadow knows about. from how he carries himself, he's confident in his actions, he's fine going it alone, and any concern that shadow would have when it comes to sonic isn't there.

besides, he trusts sonic to handle himself. ]

We are not. Speak to me about it again, I'll rip your tongue out.

[ that's enough, he thinks. he doesn't want to hear how the other believes them to be the same. they'll never be the same, this alien dna that runs though his veins is a testament to that.

he rolls his eyes at the statue that he's gotten rid of, stepping over any debris on the floor that could trip him. he doesn't know where they are, but he understood most of what they were saying if it didn't make sense.

this place is tied to sonic even though they've never been at a place like this, and it's sonic, he always speaks up about where he's been. this would have been a topic, one he probably wouldn't shut up about, and then amy would have complained about how she wanted to go with him too. ]

I should have left you for dead.

[ because where they are now isn't anything he feels like dealing with, especially with the statues spread all over the place. even some that lay on the floor that were reaching out for help. to ensure that if sonic does accidentally touch them that they're not a problem, shadow stomps his foot down on one outstretched arm, crushing it underfoot as blood pools underneath his shoe. ]

[bluebolt]

Well, this doesn't exactly explain what this place is yet. Some kind of limbo? I would say 'oh, yeah, that's where dead people go then' but I don't see the only person I actually knew who died here... well, here.

[The Hedgehog glanced to the side to the spot where a certain white haired man passed him a certain Key. Nothing. No statues nor nothing. This all had to be some kind of twisted joke or... no, he can't keep repeating to himself something he knows isn't true by now.

And, despite the threat of having his tongue removed...]

We are hedgehogs.

[From his tone? It carries all the weight Sonic feels about it. The isolation even before leaving to Earth, the fact he knew he was... hunted for some reason he still couldn't comprehend (and he didn't dare ask Knuckles), the fact Longclaw never mentioned anyone else 'like him'. It carried the ten or so years of solitude living inside a burrow and pretending he had friends and family in the animals around him. It carried how 'alien' he felt even knowing he wasn't from that planet- hedgehogs were weird creatures on Earth. They purred and chirped when happy, something he never did, they had all dances around each other to express things, they are insects between the many things (Sonic tried one very rough winter. Never again.)

They were Hedgehogs. Possibly the only two. From his pint of view Shadow was just like him. Ths not even going to talk about how their bodies seemed to be perfect recipients for Chaos Energy (or even generate it?) nor how similar their stories were- the only difference that Sonic found Tom, Shadow found pain.

The next sentence seems to snap him out of his thoughts if anything.]

Shesh. Listen, Hot Topic, can you chill down a bit? It seems we're both trapped here, or at least that's what I'm seeing... we could at least try to...

[It's as he steps toward the other that he finally sees his own reflection- it's pale since the mirror behind the counter is still frozen in time, yet at the same time it's visible enough to give him pause. Everything is 'him', yet everything feels completely... off, not just the blue arms. It's a small distraction from what the other is doing with the statues, at least.]

This place is oddly familiar, yet something seems... different.

[Just the place.It's just a place he's talking about. That's why his green eyes are locked to his reflection, an unfamiliar face staring back in his direction. It's with a bit of hesitation that he reaches down to other things he can study beside the long, long legs, the tan colored arms or the way his shoes aren't the ones his dad keeps getting him every other week. The glove comes off.

Even his paws are different.

They're very similar to how they usually are, humanoid enough not to be a problem inside the gloves, but there's something... exotic mixed in? Claws are definitely longer than they should be, and he knows that because he always makes sure to file them properly, and thicker. The individual fingers beside the thumb? They're also a bit larger than what he considers normal, reminding him of a weird hedgehog-dog mix in the end. Even the fur is more... dense?

There's a moment of wonder, is his struggle at moving properly maybe tied to his feet not being completely 'normal' either? Sonic doesn't dare take his shoes off, not when he knows Shadow may just take off taking advantage of that. For now? A new feeling and awarenes are starting to sink in- 'This is not my body' is loud in his mind, yet it doesn't get out of his mouth. All he does is lifting his hand up and showing the palm to the other- ]

I don't know how to explain it. It's like looking at something incredibly familiar, something I've always seen, like my own hand right here? And knowing something changed without being quite sure what it is. But... like. When I actually look at it, it's not like my hand actually changed. Right?

[The way this dude talks and acts is starting to make him wonder a few things.]

I'm still talking about the Chao Garden, of course.

[limiterrings]

[ the more and more sonic talks, nothing he says makes proper sense as though he doesn't know where they are or the meaning of why they're here. if he questioned the location then that would have been fine, but being unsure about the hub world, saying things like chao are humans in suits, and more questionable comments.

the hedgehog looks to the side making sure not to make eye contact, but outside his peripheral he can see the hedgehog who looks like sonic, but doesn't act like him properly. he had thought the individual was odd before, but the way he carries himself, what he does and even now the hedgehog showing shadow his paws before talking about how confusing and familiar their surroundings is elicits an annoyed grown from him.

it all goes through one ear and out the other, shadow now looking at sonic properly, and then at his hand indicating the small differences. it feels almost wrong considering it's not something shows so freely, circumstances usually, but was now really one of those times? ]

Sonic. [ shadow calls to the other, capturing his attention to speak in a controlled and obvious tone. ] I don't care.

[ he should when sonic acts so different, nothing he's done so far reminds him of that annoying hero who would take all this in stride. instead, he questions, he points out the differences that he knows but nothing shadow is capable of seeing.

it makes him think what if this sonic... ]

Let's go. The longer we stay, the worse things must get.

[ he's already looking around the "chao garden" as sonic calls it, the humans in suits look identical to a few that he's seen in races here and there, but this to sonic is the real deal. treating them like fantasy and hedgehogs as a sort of special race, this is also very strange to shadow.

with a sigh, shadow runs over to a broken window, jumping through to be outside of establishment. the writing on the billboards are in japanese, but some words are blacked out, spelling out different phrases... some deadlier than others. he doesn't comment on them, but he turns around to see if sonic is coming along. ]

Come on.

[ maybe sonic will realize that even staring at his own body will make him question shadow's, was he aware that shadow at home had three quills in the back and not two? that there was a softness to his features where as the one before him is more hardened and sharp, prepared for anything that happens next? ]

[bluebolt]

[Paws are off, feet are off, he can tell Shadow looks different as well -Quills and all- but he merely assumed it was just the place shifting their looks, it's just-]

Oh...

[It finally clicks. Green eyes dart in Shadow's direction for a moment, then they go back to his own reflection. It's still him, but he's... older? An adult? Both hands are raised up and passed on his quills, flattening them down just slightly- they're smoother than his usual ones (or even the ones that he saw on the original Shadow), a bit longer too. He's older. Why? Sonic has no idea but it explains why he's 'longer' at least. There's just a short moment where he wonders when hedgehogs reach adulthood, how old he's supposed to be in that body and what puberty even if when a Hoglet turns into a proper Hedgehog but...

But there are other priorities.

Shadow doesn't care and he has to pretend that doesn't hurt.]

Fine. We'll figure out WHY you don't care once we're out.

[He does put up his attitude, but the ears still flatten quickly as soon as the other warns him things will get worse. What. Why? Despite his bravado and the way he attempts to act unbothered, the way his quills stand on his back and that he moves do tell a different story before he hops on the window and hops at Shadow's side... keeping a generous arm's lenght worth of distance.

Oh? Wait.. Let's go. Come on... ACCEPTANCE, AT LAST. Or, well, a sliver of it. Sonic brought both hands to his hips and glanced down to the city-]

You know. I was supposed to visit many things with my siblings when I came here. My younger one wanted to see The big Crossing thing? All the talks about this place being so important in many videogames and a very romantic spot. HEH. Personally, I can't see the charm of a place where all you do is cross a street. My older one just wanted to find a good place where to fight local warriors so there's that...

[Chatting, chatting, not really sure on what to do or say. This was his world, covered in what felt like a coat of porcelain and stuck in time. Part of him wondered why he even bothered to leave his owwn place hours earlier, but what could he do now?]

Not really easy to be turists but if there's one place where I can be taken for a guy in a costume... it's probably Japan. Anyway, what is the goal? We just... go around? Run? See what we can find?

[limiterrings]

[ and he talks, and talks, and talks.

shadow tunes him out, his patience wearing thin, but given the situation they're in he chooses to do nothing more but move forward. he tilts his head up at the sky wondering if that is also covered in the substance that the world seems to be, but it seems there's no clouds, and only a bright sun that hangs overhead illuminating the world.

the place is familiar enough as he's aware of it, and has passed through before. however, the timeframe is unfamiliar to him. the year 2025 that appears over and over again compared to how he knows things is jarring, but shadow doesn't make any comment about it. in the end, he's the type who won't be made a fool of due to what knowledge that he lacks. ]

You think I know what the goal pertains to when this is your world?

[ that's the issue, he doesn't know what sonic finds so familiar here. it's outside of what shadow himself knows, it's new, not something he could easily reference like the back of his hand.

it's an entirely new world.

he clicks at his teeth, rolling his eyes as he looks to the hedgehog behind him. ]

Do you live in Japan? If not, then there's no way to get into contact with your "family".

[ it's weird to say knowing that sonic doesn't have that, but he swears that there's someone named tom, and someone else whose name he's forgotten already. these discrepancies in what makes sonic stand out so well that they pale in comparison to the original, and when has shadow started thinking like that? either he needs sonic to remember who he is, or this faker to remove himself immediately, but his chance to ditch him is gone.

clearing his throat, he's about to speak up again until a strong gust of wind blows from one direction. warm, wet and the smell of blood wafts along. ]