A Promise Is A Promise (Completed)

Stardust Speedway

Sonic POV

I wasnt feeling the best, I was actually really sore and exhausted, but I didn't want to worry anyone, so I just ignored the pain and tiredness as much as I could. Tails had mentioned something about needing more information from another lab. It seemed simple enough of a task. Although, I was starting to wonder why Tails had such an obsession with what Eggman's research was and what bases he could possibly get these at. At first I thought he was just keeping an eye on Egghead's next move but... Something seems off about all this. I don't see how a bunch of research on robotics was gonna do. Tails did say he wanted to make a machine that would fix my chaos energy problem. I'm not even sure that's the problem, but I guess Tails would know what he's talking about.

I started to wander around, maybe Shadow was still around? I opened the door to the main room in tails lab and ran into Rouge. I smiled at her and greeted her, it was nice seeing her again. She didn't seem to have the same reaction. She seemed hesitant at first before responding with her usual smile.
Oh yeah... Everyone still thinks I'm some android. Whatever, it's not like that'll last. I'm sure Tails will explain everything once I'm not at risk of randomly dying.

"So, how's it going?" I asked her.
"Oh you know, same as usual big blue." She gave a confident smile. I wasn't sure how to continue from there, usually she had a lot more to say then that. Maybe she just didn't trust me since she thought I was an android.

"Have you seen Shadow?" I asked.

"He's talking with Tails in the garage." She answered as she walked away.

I quickly made my way outside the workshop towards the garage, I heard both their voices as I came close to the door. I opened it and noticed they were on the other side of the Tornado but I stayed out of sight when I noticed they were talking about me. Well more specifically, what exactly was wrong with me. It was nothing like Tails had told me.

"I don't see how keeping this information from him is going to help him. He needs to know Miles!" Shadow growled. What information, what are they even talking about?

"I can't believe it, you know Sonic's secret now, but you still don't get it. You clearly don't know him like I do. This is sensitive information. I'm going to tell him but not yet, not while his health isn't exactly stable!" Tails stood unwavered. "We need to focus on helping him right now. I need that Badnik research so I can figure out a way for him to be able to use his speed without damaging his mechanical parts inside."

What?! I stopped listening and sneak away before they noticed. What did he mean by mechanical parts? He new that Shadow knew now... Why is he still... Unless... My eyes went back to my stitches. This was just a coincidence right?

I'm not machine... Right?

I needed to clear my thoughts, all I could think of was going for a run but I know I wasn't supposed to... Maybe, if I didn't go too fast, everything would be okay. I can even stay close by just in case.

Before I could go, I felt a hand grab my wrist. I looked back and was met with worried ruby eyes.

"Sonic... There's something you should know about, but we can't talk here."

Am I ready to hear this? I simply nodded and followed Shadow to the lab, at first I thought we were just going to talk here but he took the chaos emerald Tails had, before I could ask him anything he used chaos control.

I noticed we were at Station Square Park. Why here of all places? Shadow lead me to the garden area, the sun was low in the sky but not quite sunset yet. Shadow held my hand tight without saying a word. This felt... Oddly familiar, like we've done this so many times before. All my anxiety seemed to just disappear in that moment. Why did this feel familiar? I can't recall ever holding Shadow's hand like this. Maybe it was because this was my favorite park..? I'm not sure. All I knew was that I wanted this moment to last.

"Maria passed shortly after I abandoned you..." Shadow with anguish. I looked over at him with worry. "I thought... That I had lost you forever." Shadow's grip tightened, I wasn't sure how to respond to him. He never took my light hearted remarks well when he was this emotional.

"I'm here now. You don't have to torture yourself over this."

"You don't understand. Sonic, you're mostly machine now. You have a whole life support system built inside you to keep you alive, but even that has a chance to fail." Shadow said sternly. He only confirmed what I overheard. It felt so surreal, but I refused to show my discomfort.

"I had my suspicions." I half lied. "But I'm here aren't I? I'll always be here with you, machine or not, you're stuck with me." I said with a smile. Shadow gave a look of amusement as the anxiety melted away.

"Sure."

"Weren't we supposed to find another one of Eggman's bases?" I asked.

"Knuckles and Rouge got sent. My assignment was to keep you out of danger."

"Oh I get it, you used this as an excuse to take me out on a date then. How sneaky of you Shad." I smirked. Shadow looked away in denial as his face flushed with a bit of color.

"Think what you want hedgehog." He said defensively.

"Well, since we're out we might as well go somewhere. Twinkle Park got a new rollercoaster called Stardust Speedway. Why don't we go check that out? Let's see if it's as fast as they say." I suggested. Shadow thought for a moment before he agreed to come with.

If I knew this was a bad idea, I would have never had us go, but it's too late now...