Bound by Music

Shadow's Realization

    Shadow wandered about the small village, crimson eyes scanning for the distraught princess. Everyone else had left the meeting house and gone their separate ways, most being led by the resident couple and the walrus to get settled in. He chose, however, to wait until later to do so, voting to look for the chipmunk princess.

    He finally saw her heading into the forest surrounding the village. He tailed her, but kept his distance to give her an illusion of privacy. She continued walking for some time, until she reached a small, secluded pond surrounded by large boulders. It was in this serene spot that she finally stopped and sat down. Shadow watched from a few yards away as she sat on her knees and cupped a hand over her mouth. He soon realized that she was crying, and he turned his head away, feeling guilty for spying on her. But, like his younger brother, who had messed up enormously, he couldn't stand to see a lady cry. He was sure to make his footsteps slow and loud, so he wouldn't startle her. Sally jumped up, blue laser blades unsheathed from her blue wrist rings. 

   "Nice trick," he complimented, "but I assure you, I'm not here for a fight." 

     The blue energy blades faded, and she lowered her guard slightly, "My apologies. Shadow was it?"

    "Yes," he nodded, "And you're Princess Sally of the Acorn Kingdom, right?"

    "Just Sally," she corrected, "but yes."

   "Not to be rude, but why are you out here?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer. The red tinge in her eyes made it all the more obvious, "Are you okay?" 

     "I'm fine," she answered a little too quickly. Shadow gave her a disbelieving look. 

    "I've spent enough time with Rouge to know that when a girl says she's fine, she usually means the exact opposite."

    "That obvious, huh?" she asked with a small, sad chuckle, "I just needed to be alone for a bit. Why are you out here?"

    "Same reason," he half-lied, "What is this place?" 

  "The Ring Pond," she said, "It's where Sonic's power rings used to come from. But when he left, the rings stopped appearing. Now, it is just a tiny pond in a big forest."

    "The perfect place to get away and think."

   "Exactly," she agreed with a small smile. 

  "May I ask you something?" Shadow asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

        "Sure."

   "What happened between you and Sonic?" 

   Sally's smile faded, "We had been going steady for a little over a year. It was a hard time for us, having to fight a war most of the time. Dates were rare, but I enjoyed every moment we had together. But when the war ended and Robotnik moved on...Sonic followed after him. He always acted like he had something personal against Robotnik and vice versa, but I never understood his obsession until today. The morning after he left, I found a note under my door explaining that he went to hunt down Robotnik and that I shouldn't wait for him. He released me, and for the longest time I was angry, especially when I found out that he took Tails with him. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous at the fact that he would take a little fox over me. But Sonic always had a soft spot for Tails, and I'm glad that he still looked after him."

   "But you still wish things had been different?"

      "Who wouldn't?" she said with a sad smile, tears already brimming her eyes again, "Wouldn't you be angry if the love of your life left without saying goodbye?" 

   Shadow lowered his gaze, staring at his distorted reflection on the pond's surface, "I understand the pain of losing a loved one, but Sonic, at least, is still alive. And even if things cannot be like they were before, even if he cannot return those feelings he once had for you, you must not give up. Nothing good happens when you give up on those you care about the most..."

   "You sound like you're talking from experience."

  "I've made several bad choices in my past. I don't want you to do the same," he clarified seriously. 

  Sally wiped her eyes, "Thank you. I needed that."

  Shadow shrugged and turned his eyes away from her, "We should be getting back. The others are waiting for us." 

    They walked in silence for a few minutes as they headed back to Knothole's village. Sally had soon regained her composure and decided to continue their conversation.

   "So, how did you feel when you found out Sonic was your brother?"

       "Disappointed." 

  The princess couldn't help but giggle at his response, "Disappointed? That's the first thing that came to your mind?"

   "Anything else would be too rude to say in front of a lady."

   Sally shook her head with a tiny grin, "Just think. If they had not found you, Sonic would be the future king of Mobotropolis. Talk about scary! Chilidogs as the only food for everyone!" she laughed at her own quip and turned to find Shadow had frozen on the spot, "Shadow? Are you okay?"

   King...I'm the oldest, which means that I'm the future--!?

   He couldn't finish the thought. The very idea made his body seize up. All his life, he had been a soldier, a fighter, a weapon. Never had he been a leader. He either took orders or worked alone. But now it had been revealed that, not only was he royalty, but he was the heir to the throne. The realization hit him hard.

               King...oh chaos, I'm not ready...

   "Shadow?" Sally asked again, this time snapping him out of his trance. He shook his head, but the thought remained. 

   "I'm fine," he snapped and marched ahead. Sally pursed her lips together in thought, wondering what exactly she said to make his attitude take such a sudden turn. Nothing more was said during their return to Knothole. As soon as they reached the village, Shadow left her and went up to Antoine, asking where his quarters were before disappearing. 

    "Quite ze odd fellow, isn't he, princess?"

   "Yes," she replied slowly, "very odd..."

   For the rest of the day, Shadow was in deep thought. He never said a word during lunch and hardly bothered to touch his food. He took no part in any conversations or activities afterwards, even denying Sonic a race when the blue blur challenged him. He vaguely noticed that the cobalt hero was in better spirits, and he halfway remembered Sally speaking to him privately before lunch. He doubted that things were completely settled between the two, but at least the process had begun. The fierce glares between Amy and the princess were anything but subtle, and Sonic had been caught hopelessly in the crossfire.

  "Hey, dude!" Manic waved as he trotted up to the black and red hedgehog staring blankly at the forest from back porch of his cabin. Manic paused suddenly when he felt a faint trace of emotion coming from his older brother. If he could actually feel something from the other hedgehog, that meant whatever it was must be a lot more powerful than what his senses were telling him. 

       "Woah, dude. What's on your mind?"

   "King," he deadpanned, "I'm the next king..."

A/N: Two chapters in a day! Wow, am I on a role right now! I can't believe it! Shadow finally realizes he's the next king of Mobotropolis. Sonic and Sally on good terms or is there something else? Shadow befriending the princess? What will a certain bat have to say about it? Will the drama come to a quick conclusion, or is it only the beginning? Will I ever stop asking the same questions you are?