Fickle Hedgehog Village

Confrontation with Shadow

A bit late that night, Sonic returns to his shack, beat and bummed. He hops into his hammock.

"Man, how am I gonna fall asleep now that I have all these depressing memories in my head? Now I know how Shadow..."

Shadow Chaos Controls at the entryway of the shack.

"Feels." Sonic hops out of the hammock and zooms to Shadow. "Shadow, I spent all day looking for you!"

"I know, that's why I went out of my way to make sure you didn't find me. My terms, Sonic."

"Shadow, maybe you can tell me what you mean by your terms already?"

Shadow folds his arms and looks away.

"It means, I fight you on my terms."

"Dude, I thought we were friends. Remember, you're the rogue member of Team Sonic. We made a truce. We even shook on it!"

"No, I'm the villain. Worse than Eggman. Worse than all your nightmares."

"Oh." Sonic's stance becomes gloomy. He slumps, walks past Shadow and sits on the step to the shack. Then he puts his head in his palms and spaces out at the ocean.

Shadow asks harshly, "what's your problem?"

"Why are you like this here but kind in the Modern World? Here, you're difficult and stand off-ish. There, you're my friend."

"Sorry," Shadow says tragically.

Sonic stands.

"Did I do something really crappy to you without knowing it and now you hate my guts? What did I do wrong?"

Shadow refuses to make eye contact.

"Nothing, Faker, you are what you are."

"Kay Shadow, I think I know what the problem is but I'm a little afraid to say it cause I don't wanna run you off."

Shadow enters the shack and leans against the wall, arms folded, head down.

"I was falling into the earth's atmosphere before I arrived in this world, years ago. I remember it very well. I was brought here by a friend before dying, so... whoever took my place, I can see, when I dream, what life is currently like back where I came from... through another Shadow. Last night I dreamt you were there with me, or rather with him, my replacement, in what you call, the Modern World. I don't enjoy dreaming about what other Shadows are doing, mostly because something bad always happens. It's vivid, I can still see it when I close my eyes. It's a nightmare and I don't like what I see. You do better here."

Sonic longingly replies with...

"I remember everything that's happened too."

"Good. Then there's nothing more to say."

"I should get a bigger hammock," Sonic says seemingly out of the blue. "Then, you could come here and sleep."

Shadow's eyes widen with surprise. He unfolds his arms and pauses before asking...

"Really?"

"Yeah. I know it's small but if you wanna get in it now, then..."

"Are you serious, Sonic?"

"I mean, where do you sleep anyway, Shadow?"

"Why do you care, Sonic?"

Sonic stands, heated.

"Why do I care? Is that a real question? I was dying on the ARK and you were begging me not to leave you!"

Shadow's eyes water. He darts out of the shack.

"Wait, Shadow! Arg!"