A Star Reignites

Love Vs Barrier

With Shadow's help, Star untied the gag from her mouth and took a deep breath, looking between her brother and her boyfriend. "Sonic! Shadow! That was amazing! You... you saved my life! Both of you!"

"I wasn't about to let any harm come to my girlfriend now." Shadow chuckled. "I told you I had nothing to do with his plans."

"I didn't doubt it for a second." Star smiled, suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck and placing a deep kiss on his lips. Shadow hummed happily and kissed back, holding her close to him.

"You lied to me."

Star pulled away from the kiss and looked over to Sonic, her ears lowering as he glared at them. "Sonic-"

"I asked you if you and Shadow were back together again, and you stood there and lied to me."

"Because I knew that if I told you the truth you would be extremely angry."

"And you don't think I'm angry by finding out this way?!"

"I know. I didn't want you to find out this way. We were going to tell you... eventually."

"Eventually? Eventually?!" Sonic growled. "Bullshit. You weren't going to tell me anything! You were going to leave me in the dark and continue to lie straight to my face!"

"Faker, that is not what we-"

"I don't want to hear anything from you, Faker!" Sonic hissed at his rival. "You clearly have brainwashed my sister into believing that you actually care about her!"

"For your information, hedgehog, I have done no such thing." Shadow growled at him. "I do care about her. I would've figured that coming to save her would prove that to you."

"Yeah, or maybe it's just another part of your brainwashing! Why should I believe that you care about her now when you were just stringing her along last time?! Why should I believe that any part of your feelings have changed?!"

"Sonic, please-" Star started, but he cut her off.

"No! I wanna know now! Why should I believe you?!"

"Because I-!" Shadow started, freezing for a moment, his eyes widening a bit at his own realization. "Because I... I..." He turned to look at Star, wanting to say this directly to her face. "I love her."

Star's eyes widened at those three beautiful little words. They started to tear up in joy as she smiled and hugged him, nuzzling into his fur. "Oh Shadow... I love you too."

Shadow purred and nuzzled into her quills, the two of them standing in each other's embrace peacefully. They were certain that nothing would tear them apart. That nothing could destroy this moment. But, they had to remember, there was still a very reluctant hedgehog standing right in front of them.

Said hedgehog scoffed and shook his head, gaining their attention again. "Alright... prove it then. Fight me."

"What?" Star's eyes widened, looking between the two males.

"What are you talking about, Faker?" Shadow frowned at him.

"If you really love her, then fight me for her. If you win, I'll let you two date in peace. But if you don't. If you fail. Then you clearly don't love her enough, and you will turn back and never bother her again."

"Sonic, Shadow, no." Star gasped, standing between them. "Please don't do this. Please don't fight."

"He either does this or you never see each other again." Sonic frowned at her. "I'm not letting your heart get broken again by this asshole."

"Sonic, please-"

"I'll do it."

Star turned to Shadow. "Shadow, no. You don't have to prove anything to him."