Until Tomorrow

Until Tomorrow- Part 4

Back on Christmas Island, Shadow, Sonic, and Knuckles were inside of the hedgehogs' room, hard at work trying to think of a plan to save Silver. Sonic was sitting on his bed, occasional tears still streaming down his face. "This is all my fault", he said very sadly. "I'm supposed to be a hero, yet I couldn't even save my own little brother! How could I have been so selfish!? I should've watched Silver! I should've-" "Sonic", 7-year-old Shadow sternly interrupted. "You can't blame yourself for something you couldn't control. Who knew Dr. Eggman would strike so suddenly? We just got a warning about him, and he instantly showed up. No one could've predicted-" "But I should've, Shadow!" Sonic emotionally interrupted. "I'm supposed to be the fastest creature in the universe, and the biggest hero! I couldn't even save our own little brother!" Sonic started choking back his tears, but he couldn't control them. They were streaming down his face, and he started laying on his side in his bed, which was in the middle of both of his brothers' beds. Shadow looked sadly at Sonic. "Nobody is perfect, though, Sonic", he said, sitting at the end of Sonic's bed. "I could say the same thing about myself, couldn't I? Aren't I equally as responsible for Silver being captured?" Sonic sadly looked at Shadow and shrugged. "No, I guess not", he said. "I saw you were trying as hard as you could to save Silver, too. You really put up a good fight." "So did you, Sonic." Shadow said. "You cannot blame yourself for something you couldn't control. You did all that you could, and you were very strong. I don't want you to ever forget that." Shadow smiled at Sonic, and Sonic weakly smiled back, hugging his big brother. Thank you, Shadow", he said softly, smiling through his tears. "You always somehow know how to help me. I wish that I could be more like you." Shadow smiled at Sonic. "Thank you Sonic", he said, "for being strong enough to listen to me." The two brothers hugged once more, and they started sitting on the bedroom floor, trying to come up with a plan. Knuckles sat next to Sonic. "Since the Egg Carrier flies through the sky, I could try to glide to it", he said. "The only problem is that I can't stay gliding at high altitudes for long, I gradually sink lower to the ground." Knuckles frowned and made his chin in his hand, thinking. Shadow and Sonic were also deep in thought. Suddenly, Shadow clapped his hands. "I've got it!" He shouted. "I can call Rouge to come over here! She can steadily fly through the air and be able to use her heart bombs to break through the glass roof of the Egg Carrier! I would've teleported myself, but I need a Chaos Emerald to do that, which Dr. Eggman had stolen." "Rouge is an expert jewel thief, too!" Sonic added. "She would easily be able to retrieve the Chaos Emeralds! I'm sure she wouldn't steal them if you asked her to bring them to you, Shadow. You are her best friend after all." Shadow smiled at Sonic, and Sonic smiled back at him. "You are a genius, Shadow", Sonic said, hugging his big brother tightly. Shadow shyly smiled. "Oh, I wouldn't say that", he said softly. Knuckles punched his fists together. "Well, what are we waiting for?" He enthusiastically asked. "Let's go call that bat!" Shadow ran downstairs to get the telephone and called Rouge. "Hello?" Rouge answered. "Rouge", Shadow replied. "Since I know you always spy on us, I know you know a great deal about what's been going on." Rouge sighed then giggled through the phone. "Okay, you got me, handsome", the 7-year-old bat replied. Shadow smiled and asked, "Do you think you could come over and discuss with us about how to save Silver and retrieve the Chaos Emeralds? Sonic, Knuckles and I already have a plan in mind, and it involves you!" "Oh, you were thinking of me?" Rouge replied. "How very flattering. I'm beautiful, aren't I?" Shadow rolled his eyes and smiled. "Rouge", he said in a mildly sarcastic tone. "Alright, alright", she said. "I'm coming over to discuss how we're going to get those emeralds, and of course, save your brother. However, there is one condition." "What's that?" Shadow replied. Rouge giggled. "You have to let me keep the magenta Chaos Emerald." Shadow lowered his eyes and smiled. "You know I can't allow that Rouge", he said. "You are my best friend and all, but it's me and my brothers' job to protect those emeralds. You know that." Rouge sighed. "Alright, alright", she said. "I'm only accepting this because you're my best friend. Anyway, I'm coming over. I know we must have a plan to discuss." Shadow smiled. "Thank you, Rouge", he said. "You are the best friend I've ever had." Rouge smiled, as well. "Don't thank me yet", she replied. "Not until I can save your brother."