I Am...All of Me

Do You Believe in Magic?

A/N: Another old upload, but I hope you still enjoy it. The full story of this is called Hedgehogs and Pixie Dust. I just decided to go by the chapter titles instead of just part 1, part 2, etc. Happy reading!
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"Hey, Shads! Wanna race?" a familiar blue annoyance yelled. The dark hedgehog growled and opened one eye. He had currently been taking a nap underneath a large shade tree, but that had been rudely interrupted when he zoomed by.

"Not now, faker, and don't call me Shads," he replied grumpily and waved his hand dismissively. His blue counterpart would not be so easily told off.

"Oh, come on. Just a little race through the woods, and then you can get right back to doing absolutely nothing. It'll take like...three minutes, depending on how slow you are," he smirked. At this, Shadow sat up and narrowed his eyes. He couldn't resist the challenge if he wanted to.

"I'll beat you in one," he declared and took off skating into the forest.

"Hey! Cheater!" he heard Sonic yell, and he grinned devilishly. But pretty soon, the blue hero's familiar footfall could be heard behind him. The two super speeding hedgehogs were nothing but blurs as they raced in the forest. Shadow only vaguely noticed that the vegetation was growing thicker, blocking out most of the sunlight.

"Give up yet, faker?" he called, as Sonic was trying to maneuver around a thorn bush.

"In your dreams!" he replied with a cocky grin.

The two continued their small challenge, until Sonic suddenly stopped. Shadow, who had been beside him, stopped as well.

"I don't recognize this place," the azure hero said, as he surveyed his surroundings.

"Me either. Think we should head back?"

"Hang on, I think I see a light up ahead!"

"Faker! Get back here!"

Shadow reluctantly followed after his over-curious rival. Sonic was right. A faint glow could be seen coming from inside an old cabin. The floorboards creaked as they climbed up the steps to the front door.

"Think we should check it out?" Sonic whispered. Shadow rolled his eyes.

"No, someone probably lives here, and I'd rather not get reported for breaking and entering."

"Since when did that ever matter to you?" he asked wryly, "You've helped Rouge in like how many jewel heists?"

"I still don't think it's a good idea to break into someone's home just to satisfy your undying curiosity," he retorted with a glare.

"Hey, don't worry. I'll just knock, and if no one's home, we'll just race back. No problem," he said with a chipper smile. Shadow hmphed.

"Fine. I guess."

Sonic smirked and knocked on the door. They waited a couple of seconds, wondering if their was someone on the other side. Shadow was about to leave, when the old wooden door suddenly swung open to reveal an ancient brown bear wearing a long dark blue robe and was hunched over slightly. He also had a large gold earing on his right ear, reminding the dark hero of a gypsy he once saw in a book. Just my luck, Shadow thought. Sonic, with his annoyingly ever present smile, greeted the old man.

"Hiyah! I'm Sonic the hedgehog, and this is my buddy Shadow. We were just racing by and wondered if anybody lived in this place."

"I am NOT your buddy, faker. And it was you who was wanting to stop by," Shadow corrected with a hardened gaze. The bear looked up at them with a welcoming smile that was missing a few teeth.

"Oh, do come in," he said in a low hoarse voice, "I don't get many visitors this deep in the forest. Would either of you like some tea?"

"No, thank you," Shadow answered quickly, not willing to trust what he might put in it, "I'm not thirsty."

"Me either, thanks though," Sonic followed.

The two hedgehogs entered the small building, Shadow more reluctant than his hyper counterpart. He couldn't explain it, but there was something off with this house. Maybe it was the crystal ball in the center of the kitchen table, or the shelf overflowing with books bearing odd, twisting designs on their covers. He glanced over to see a plain wooden desk covered with precious stones, bottles full of colorful liquids, figurines of mythical creatures like dragons and such, finely made amulets, or papers with strange cryptic symbols on them. It looked like a magic shop had exploded inside this old bear's house. Sonic inspected the book shelf, but once he noticed two books, The Arabian Nights and Tales of Camelot, he backed away sheepishly. Shadow crossed his arms, barely suppressing a disapproving scowl.

"Do you believe in Magic, young Sonic?" the bear asked, while looking up at the Hero of Mobius. The blue hedgehog thought a moment or two before answering.

"I guess so. I've seen too much of it to not believe in it," he replied. Both listeners raised an eyebrow at this.

"Oh?" their host queried. Sonic nodded and laughed a bit nervously, unconsciously rubbing the back of his neck.

"I've been sucked into a book, like twice, battled evil djinns and wizards and dragons. Met a talking sword and a genie once too. So I guess that counts as magic," he explained. Shadow scoffed and rolled his eyes with his arms crossed. Having grown up surrounded by technologists and researchers, not to mention being raised as a Robotnik, he had inherited a scientist's disdain for anything that refused to be explained by logic. This was also the core of his problems with Sonic.

He glanced over at the table once again and saw a book lying open. It was the picture of a creature resembling a human, except it had pointed ears and insect wings. At the top it was labelled a Pixie. He hmphed but leaned closer to the table. He had never seen such an odd assortment of "magical" things up close before.

"What about you, Mr. Shadow? Do you believe in Magic?" the grizzly's voice snapped the artificial being's mind back to reality.

"Anything can be explained, logically" he answered, his secret inner scientist shining through, "Magic is just a children's story. A myth to let people's imaginations run wild. I have no need of such fairy tales."

The crone frowned, "So what you are saying, is that you don't believe, eh?"

"In a word? Yeah," he had had enough of this mad man's questions and wanted to leave. He just wanted some piece and quiet alone, away from people and their make-believe nonsense.

"I see... But I must tell you, magic is very real and very powerful."

"Even IF it was real, I wouldn't mess around with it," he retorted sharply and turned to leave. Sonic waved and went to follow him.

"Sorry, he's always this cranky to everybody. Don't take it personally."

"I do not care about his attitude," the ancient bear said darkly, "It is his failure to believe in the simplest of things that concerns me..."

Both hedgehogs spun around quickly, but Shadow soon came face to face with a cloud full of pale blue dust. It blew straight into his muzzle and tickled his extremely sensitive nose. Sonic however, was completely free of the glitter, as if it had been aimed for the ebony creation alone.

"For two weeks, you shall see what true magic is, unbeliever...," the bear's voice echoed, "If you last that long."

"AAAAAACHOOO!" Shadow sneezed and immediately blacked out.