Sonic the Hedgehog

What's Next?

"Hey, Rouge?" Shadow says.

"Yes, Shadow?"

"What's on my plate?"

Seated around a circular black table just outside of a drowsy restaurant are Rouge, Shadow, and E-123 Omega whose head touches the umbrella propped above them.

"Why, it's a Tiramisu," Rouge answers, motioning to the brown, square-shaped dessert layered with a delectable combination of rich white cream and espresso sitting in front of the ultimate lifeform. "Don't tell me you've never heard of fine dining."

"I've heard of it," Shadow replies, carefully eyeing the curious meal sitting in front of him. "Just never saw the point."

"Well get used to it," Rouge says, prodding her chocolate blackout cake with a spoon. "I require the finest things in life. Nothing less."

Still hesitant, but motivated by a partly empty stomach, Shadow takes off a small piece of the meal with his fork and takes a bite. All pessimism in the hedgehog's red eyes vanishes from sight. Quickly, he takes another bite.

"See what happens when you try new things?" Rouge teases, eyeing the pleased hedgehog.

"It's alright," Shadow says dismissively.

"Uh-huh."

Rouge looks over at E-123 Omega who sits quietly at his spot. Admittedly, the spy is surprised to see that his chair has managed to sustain his weight for so long. Its arm-resters have been stretched to fit his irregular frame.

"Sorry you couldn't join us, Omega," she says.

"YOUR APOLOGY IS UNNECESSARY. I AM GRATEFUL TO NOT HAVE INTERNAL ORGANS IN NEED OF CONSTANT MAINTENANCE. ADDITIONALLY, I FIND YOU FLESHINGS' DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SIMPLY REPULSIVE."

"Well... that's good to know," Rouge says unsurely before taking another spoonful of chocolate.

Around their current table on the restaurant's second-floor balcony, all of the other tables remain unseated. Most likely due to it currently being five in the morning. The establishment's opening hour. The employees currently on shift seemed too appalled by the Sonic look-alike and walking robot to be bothered by unusually early customers.

From this view, the beautiful skyline of Empire City is as clear as day. Countless buildings block the dark horizon, outnumbering even Station Square's most notable skyscrapers with their staggering height.

"We can't do this often," Shadow says, noticing Rouge taking in the enamoring view. "Public exposure like what we're doing will lead GUN right to us."

"Trust me, Shadow, I know what constitutes a low profile," the bat replies. "Just thought we should treat ourselves after saving the world. Besides, I have nine different hideouts in Empire City alone. We'll be fine."

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MY OPINION?"

"Let me guess, we should take the fight to GUN and annihilate everyone in our way?" Rouge sighs.

"WHAT A PERFECT GUESS."

"I'm the one they're after," Shadow states plainly, gaining the other two's attention. "It's not too late for me to-"

"What, leave?" Rouge interrupts. "Sorry, Shadow, but that's not happening. Meals like these aren't cheap. Don't think I'll allow you to go before you pay your tab."

"HAVING YOU AROUND WILL LEAD HUMANITY'S BEST COMBATANTS TO ME. IF SO, I MAY FINALLY FACE A CHALLENGE."

"Besides, we're a team," Rouge says. "And a team stays together."

Shadow smiles, momentarily too distracted to hide it.

"In that case," he says, rising from his seat. "We should get going while it's still dark."

The others rise from their seats. Before they take off over the balcony railing, fully intent on avoiding the waitress who'll surely be looking for their bill, Shadow snatches his plate of Tiramisu.

"But I'm taking this with me."

...