Boom Sonadow

Part 10

The sky is clear, and it's the perfect day for a run to shake off all the weirdness. Unfortunately, the "weirdness" follows Sonic out the door in the form of a tall, brooding hedgehog. Shadow is right behind him, looking as intense as ever.

Sonic stretches "Alright, I think I'll go for a run. You know, clear my head a bit."

Sonic takes one step forward, but before he can get any momentum, Shadow suddenly appears in front of him, blocking his path.

"You shouldn't exert yourself. Let me carry you."

Sonic blinks, confused "Wait, what? No way! I can run just fine!"

Without another word, Shadow picks Sonic up with ease, cradling him in his arms. Sonic flails in surprise, completely caught off guard. "Whoa, hey! Put me down! I can walk—er, run!"

Shadow is completely unfazed, walking calmly with Sonic in his arms as if this is the most natural thing in the world. Some passersbys exchange shocked looks.

"Running is unnecessary. I'll take you wherever you want to go. You don't have to lift a finger."

Sonic facepalms. Shadow's protectiveness is getting worse by the minute. But Tails should have the antinode--soon, he just had to endure. 

"Shadow, seriously... I've got legs for a reason."

As they walk through the village, Sonic's friends—Knuckles, Amy, and Sticks—look on in varying degrees of confusion and annoyance. Knuckles looks confuddled as Sonic, looking beyond, is being carried like a delicate treasure.

"Is... is that guy.. now carrying Sonic?" Knuckles said.

Amy sighed, annoyed. "Yep. He's been acting weird since yesterday. It's driving all of us nuts."

 "He's like a robot bodyguard! It's creepy." Sticks said, doing a little dance.

Sonic waves  at his friends from Shadow's arms, hoping to play it off like it's no big deal. Like it was just normal for your rival to carry you around. "Hey, guys. Don't mind me, just—uh—getting a lift.. because my uhm... my uh, my rival is under Eggman's potion, so it's not like.. weird." No, he couldn't say that.. 

Amy crosses her arms, glaring at Shadow. "Sonic, this is ridiculous. Why don't you just tell him to stop?"

"I've been trying! But trust me, it's not that simple."

Shadow, hearing the exchange, glares at Amy. "Sonic doesn't need your opinions. I'm here to take care of him. Something you've all failed to do."

Amy bristles at the remark, while Knuckles clenches his fists, "What are we mad about again!" He said angirly.

"What's that supposed to mean? We've always been there for Sonic!" Amy snapped. 

"You're weak. None of you could ever protect him the way I can."

Sonic winces, knowing Shadow's possessiveness is causing tension between his friends, Tails needed to hurry up and get that antidote!

----

Inside Tails' workshop, everyone gathers around as Tails puts the finishing touches on a glowing blue vial—the antidote. He wipes the sweat from his brow, holding it up triumphantly.

 "Alright! It took some work, but I think I've finally got the antidote that'll reverse Eggman's potion. This should return Shadow to normal."

Sonic breathes a sigh of relief, but Shadow, standing nearby, remains as stoic as ever, his eyes still glued to Sonic like a magnet. "Thank Chaos. Let's get this over with."

Tails turned to Shadow, holding out the vial "Here, Shadow. Just drink this, and everything will go back to the way it was."

But Shadow doesn't reach for the vial. Instead, he crosses his arms, his gaze narrowing.

 "No."

Everyone freezes. Sonic's heart skips a beat as he turns to face Shadow, who looks more resolute than ever. 

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Sonic said, annoyed. " You need to take this, Shadow! Cmon, here comes the airplane-"

"I refuse." Shadow said flatly.

The workshop goes completely silent. Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Sticks all exchange shocked glances, but no one dares to speak. 

Sonic sighed, throwing his arms up. "You've got to take the antidote!"

Shadow shook his head. "I'm not taking that antidote."

He glances at his friends, who are all looking at him expectantly.

Sonic rubs his face in frustration. He knows there's no reasoning with Shadow in this state, and time is running out. Shadow's behavior is only getting worse, and there's no telling what might happen if the potion's effects continue to intensify over time.

After a long pause, Sonic takes a deep breath, stepping closer to Shadow, meeting his eyes.

"Look Shadow, I care about you. I do. We've had each other's backs more times all those times against Eggman. But Eggman's potion messing with your head, he's trying to use you again! You've gotta trust me on this."

Shadow's gaze flickers for a moment, the faintest hint of doubt crossing his face. 

"But right now, you need to take that antidote so we can go back to being ourselves."

Shadow hesitates, his eyes searching Sonic's for any sign of doubt. But he still refuses, shaking his head.  "No,"

"I will not take this, it's my duty to protect Sonic." He said stoically, crushing the potion and everyone groaned. They had to find some other way to stop Shadow.

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