The Ruby Eyes of Affection

Overbearing sidekick syndrome

  The door slammed open as Shadow took a few steps back in defense so the object didn't collide with his face. He stood in silence as a two tailed fox glared at him with a look one could describe as deadly.


"Good Morning Tails, you seem to be a tad on the peeved side. What is it with you people and breaking down doors anyway?" Shadow stated sarcastically with his hand resting on his hip.


"What in the world did you do to Sonic?! He's a complete train-wreck. He hasn't come out of his room since yesterday evening." The fox asked with his adolescent voice trying to sound assertive.


Shadow didn't really fall for it. He knew Tails couldn't do anything to him, then again the ebony hedgehog had no chaos emeralds so he didn't really want to waste his limited energy on a brat. As hard as it was, he decided to try and take the fox seriously.


"All I did was rough him up a little, I've done it probably two to three dozen times. Not sure why he decided to have a mental breakdown now and quite bluntly, I don't care." Shadow responded with an incredibly uninterested tone.


Deep down inside he did care, quite a lot actually. The thought of Sonics crying face practically destroyed him inside, but it wasn't his fault. The azure hedgehog pushed his buttons too hard and he was merely standing up for himself. Tails let out an annoyed sigh and finally a deep breath trying to dye down his rage.


"If you hate him so much, why talk to him? You only cause him trouble. You're the only person that makes Sonic cry and that disgusts me. It's my responsibility to protect him from demons like you!" Tails declared as he pointed his finger at Shadow with assurance.


The ebony hedgehog laughed a little inside. A demon really? He wasn't that evil and even he was willing to accept that. Shadow frowned in response even though he thought he might burst into laughter at any moment.


(Is it really true? Is Sonic crying because of me or is Tails merely overreacting? I did nothing too extreme right? I mean I did kind of strangle him but that's nothing new.) The ebony hedgehogs mind wondered a bit as he tried to comprehend the azure hedgehog's sporadic emotional eruption.

The kitsune noticed Shadow's slow change of expression from uninterested to slightly concerned. He decided to take advantage of the moment and put his plan into action.


"In fact, I think we can make a deal. As Sonic's best friend, I can persuade him rather easily. If you do me a little favor, I'll make sure he never bothers you again. I know a few things that are bound to make him run in the opposite direction. You get what you want and I get what I want." Tails affirmed with a secure nod as he stared the ebony hedgehog down.


"What exactly are you going to tell him, shorty?" Shadow questioned with his eyes staring right back at the foxes face.


"That's for me to decide, don't worry I don't know anything too personal and I may fib a little; but in the end, he will be out of your quills and I will get back the Sonic I know and love. All you need to do is power a device that can locate Chaos Emeralds. I know, for a fact, your body is filled with Chaos Energy. Don't worry, I already prepared a way to relocate the power from you to the machine and I'm 89.976% sure it won't destroy you and/or the lab in the process." Tails confirmed with a grin as he handed Shadow the designs of how the transfer was going to work.


"Do we have ourselves a deal, Mr. Shadow?" Tails queried as he held his hand out preparing for an immediate shake.


"What makes you think I believe you? What information do you know that could make Sonic hate me anymore then he already does?" Shadow asked with a skeptical tone.


"His disgust for me has never stopped him from tampering into my life before. What makes you think that a kid like you can keep him from tormenting me?" The ebony hedgehog continued with the face of someone who just check-mated a chess game.


"Because I have an IQ of over 300 and even you know that Sonic doesn't like it when people are able to see through him. I know exactly who he is and I'm willing to use it against him for his own safety." Tails confirmed confidently.


"You're not the first person I did this to. I can assure you he will no longer be problematic." He stated as he wobbled his hand a little wanting the ebony hedgehog to shake it.


Shadow stood in silence wondering about the ramifications. If he made this deal their friendship, or lack thereof, would most like diminish into pure rivalry. Why did that hurt him inside so badly? Even though he hated to admit it, he did appreciate Sonic's relentless help and support, but it was better for him, wasn't it? He really wanted this bickering to end and for Sonic to go back to being himself. For his sake, he had to do this. Even though it was practically eating him alive, Sonic's mental health was more important to the ebony hedgehog then his own internal desires.


"Sounds like a plan, you bring me to your workshop and I'll power the thing up." He said weakly as he shook Tails' hand with a look of complete defeat.


The yellow fox was incredibly astonished by Shadows reaction. It was almost like he was giving a child up or saying goodbye to someone he deeply cared about. He felt a tad sorry, even though the ebony hedgehog caused so much pain, he did have feelings. But, Tails was quickly reminded of how upset Sonic sounded this morning and the flame in his soul ignited once again.


He was going to separate them rather Sonic liked it or not.