Boom Sonadow

Part 11

The gang is gathered inside Tails' workshop, huddled around a cluttered table.  Sonic had barely managed to evade Shadow's watch by coming early in the morning. Tools and gadgets are scattered everywhere as Tails paces back and forth, clearly deep in thought. Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Sticks all stand nearby, each looking frustrated or exhausted from the day's chaos with Shadow.

Sonic was sighing, rubbing his temples, "Okay, this whole situation is out of control. Shadow's practically ready to flatten Eggman and anyone else who so much as looks at me sideways."

Amy was annoyed, glancing at Tails, "Tell me about it. He wrecked my entire collection just to 'make space' for Sonic! He's going overboard!"

Knuckles was still confused "And he called me a... buffoon? That's not even an insult, right? Sounds fancy."

Sonic rolled his eyes "Yeah, Knucks, it's not a compliment."

Sticks, still wearing her tinfoil hat, looks around the room suspiciously. "I'm telling you, Shadow's probably a brainwashed alien or something! The potion's just a cover-up! We need to trap him before he tries to steal our DNA!"

Tails Interrupted, raising a hand,  "Guys, focus! We all know the problem—Shadow's obsession with Sonic is getting worse by the hour. And we can't keep dealing with it like this. The antidote is the only way to fix him."

Sonic crosses his arms, frowning. "Yeah, but we tried that. He's not gonna drink it willingly, Tails. He made that really clear."

Amy nodded, crossing her arms) "Exactly. Shadow's way too stubborn for that. He won't even listen to Sonic when it comes to this."

The group falls silent, each of them mulling over the situation. After a long pause, Tails' eyes light up, and he suddenly stops pacing.

 "Wait a minute... there might be a way."

Sonic and the others turn to face Tails, sensing the shift in his tone. He walks over to a nearby workbench, grabbing a bottle filled with the blue antidote potion and holding it up thoughtfully.

"If Shadow won't drink the antidote directly, then... maybe we can get him to ingest it another way."

Sonic raised an eyebrow "What are you getting at?"

Tails takes a deep breath, clearly working out the details of the plan in his mind as he speaks."Well, theoretically, if you were to drink the antidote yourself, Sonic, and then... exchange saliva with Shadow, the potion should transfer to him."

The room goes completely silent. Everyone's eyes widen in shock, the weight of Tails' plan sinking in. Sonic's jaw practically drops as he processes what Tails just said.

Sonic was stammering, "Wait—what?! You mean, I've gotta kiss Shadow?!"

"What?! No way!" Said Knuckles. "Wait. Who's this Shadow?

Amy covered her mouth in surprise, "Tails, are you serious?!"

Tails holds up a hand, trying to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.

 "It's not as weird as it sounds! I mean... okay, it is weird, but scientifically, it should work! The antidote just needs to get into his system, and since he won't drink it on his own..."

Sonic throws his hands up in disbelief "There's gotta be another way! I mean, come on! I can't just—"

Sticks was nodding seriously, "I told you! Alien mind control! Shadow's trying to seduce you into giving up your DNA! This is exactly what they do in the conspiracy books!"

Sonic rubs his face in frustration, trying to block out Sticks' ranting. Meanwhile, Tails is clearly determined, stepping forward with a new potion in hand.  "Sonic, I know it sounds crazy, but this might be our only option. Shadow's not going to listen to reason, and we can't just keep dodging him forever. If you drink this, and if he... well, if you two kiss, the antidote should work. It'll reverse the effects, and Shadow will go back to normal."

Sonic looks around the room, seeing his friends staring at him, some in shock, others in amusement. Knuckles is still confused, while Amy looks a mix of concerned and flustered. Sticks, unfortunealy is convinced the whole situation is an alien conspiracy.

Sonic groans, clearly torn. He knows Tails is right, but the idea of kissing Shadow is a step too far for his comfort zone. I mean.. how was he supposed to look Shadow in the eyes ever again if they did that? He began reluctantly "Well--"

"Here." Tails offers the antidote bottle to Sonic, giving him a sympathetic but serious look.

"I wouldn't suggest this if I thought there was another way. We need to fix him, and this is the fastest and safest way to do it."

Sonic hesitates for a long moment, his mind racing. Finally, with a deep breath, he reaches for the bottle, his hand hovering over it for a second before he takes it.

Amy was blushing and shaking her head "I mean, as awkward as it is, it's the only plan we've got. Good luck, Sonic."

Sonic takes another deep breath, clearly trying to psych himself up for what's to come. He opens the bottle and stares at the blue liquid inside.

He grimaced. "Well, here goes nothing..."

With one last, reluctant glance at his friends, Sonic drinks the potion, feeling the strange, cool sensation as it goes down. He sets the bottle aside, wiping his mouth.

"Now, all I've gotta do is... kiss Shadow. Easy, right?" He says to no one in particular. "No, not easy." Says the voice in his head.

The group exchanging looks as they prepare for what's about to unfold. Sonic squares his shoulders, mentally preparing himself for the weirdest moment of his life. Nah, it'll be fine..