Karaoke Night (Sonic the Hedgehog)

CH5: Time to Let Go

The following chapter is written in Shadow the Hedgehog's point of view. The end is written as a journal entry.

---

‘He deserved that,’ I thought to myself as both EMT and security personnel left the building. The beating that the red echidna had received at the hands of his girlfriend was fierce, to say the least. The effect of the beat down on the crowd was entertaining as well, and had brought a much needed smile to my face.

I didn’t smile much anymore. I needed release from this sadness that threatened to rip my body and soul apart, but nobody would listen to me. But tonight… tonight I would change all that. Tonight I would release this sadness, perhaps even come to grips with myself. It was time to let go.

The original song I had planned… I wouldn’t be able to perform that song tonight. I wasn’t in an Atreyu mood, and besides, my original guitarist was sick and couldn’t play. I’d have to sing via synth and reverb, which was fine by me.

I couldn’t ask Sonic to play for me… that faker would no doubt tell me no. The batidna had agreed to play, though, and for that I was grateful.

My nerves were shot. I was ready, but I wasn’t ready. The words kept repeating themselves in my head, and I made sure not to mix them up. The last thing I needed to do was stumble over the words that would finally give my soul some peace.

I was just behind the curtain, waiting for the emcee to give me the introduction. There was a crew cleaning up the blood from the stage, so I had a little time to try to calm my nerves.

A tap on my shoulder caused me to turn around, and I saw Sonic and Stealth standing behind me. Stealth didn’t have anything to say, but the faker did.

“Stealth told me you needed a guitarist. I’m willing to play for you.”

I merely blinked at him. I guess there was shock registered on my face, because he reached out and patted me on the shoulder.

“Just because me and you fought at one time, it doesn’t mean I’ll always be your enemy. People change.”

I cleared my throat, trying to get the lump out of it. “… thank you, Sonic.” I paused, fearing my voice would shake and give away my emotion before it was time. “Did Stealth tell you what the song was?”

Sonic nodded. “It’s different from what’s on the program.”

I turned from him and faced the curtain. “This song has more meaning. It can do more for my soul.”

He didn’t say anything in reply, but I could feel that he understood what I was saying. The fact that he understood was comfort enough. I needed nobody’s pity.

On the other side of the curtain, I could hear the emcee adjusting the microphone. The crew had finished cleaning, I guess. The man cleared his throat and tapped the mic to get the attention of the crowd.

“Well, that was… er, interesting. Next up, we have Shadow the hedgehog performing Atreyu’s song Honor. Let’s give him a round of applause!”

The crowd roared its applause and the curtain rolled back, revealing the three of us just standing there. I calmed my shakes with a deep breath, then approached the microphone.

“I’m Shadow the hedgehog.” My voice came out unsteady, and very much unlike me. I cleared my throat and spoke again. “I know the itinerary says I’m supposed to perform some Atreyu for you tonight, but I feel that such a performance wouldn’t do me the kind of justice I need.”

I could see the people in the crowd looking at each other, and a low murmur began to get louder. Like they couldn’t believe I had changed my mind or something. I cleared my throat to quiet them, then took a deep breath while looking at the floor. I didn’t know if I could do it.