Fickle Hedgehog Village

Sweet Dreams, Bestie

That night, Sonic returns to his shack, potent of lavender sent.

"Getting that chili dog smell out of my quills only took five hours of bathing in lavender, and four gallons of baking soda and soap! Makes me wonder why I eat at Meh Burger at all. Jeez, what a crappy day. Wha-?"

Shadow is in the shack, finishing the installment of a larger hammock.

"New hammocks done," he announces. "Why do you smell like lavender? Not that I'm complaining."

Sonic admires the hammock.

"It's a long story. Wow, this is way bigger than my other hammock. We can both totally fit in this thing!"

He hops in and sways a bit.

"Ooo, swingy too!"

He hops out and hugs Shadow.

"Thanks Bestie! I'm kinda beat actually. How about we give it a test run?"

He hops back into the hammock. Shadow joins him and rests his head on his chest.

"Your heart is racing. You must have come from a battle involving a lot of water."

"Nah," Sonic giggles, "that's just me being giddy cause we're having our first snuggle."

They hear a bunch of rustling and voices. A mob conglomerates near the entrance of the shack.

"We'll show them!" Mrs. Vandersnout yells. "Those rebel rousers! Let's get 'em!"

"You ruined Sonamy!" accuses a Weasel Bandit.

"You can't lay in bed with the enemy!" blurts Willy Walrus.

They rush into the shack but Shadow Chaos Controls himself and Sonic onto the roof.

"What's this about?" he asks.

"They're on the roof!" Mayor Fink points. "Quick, everybody shame them with more herd-mentality outrage!"

"This is all wrong!" cries Mrs. Vandersnout. "Hurry, we must destroy them before they destroy us!"

"Destroy you with what, our gayness?" Sonic remarks and scratches his head.

"I'll show you gayness, you entitled whippersnapper! You've trampled on my lawn for the last time!"

"What lawn? This is my shack, you old bag!"

"OLD BAG?!"

"Sonic," Shadow starts.

"Shadow corrupted him! He's become an ANIMAL!" cries Willy.

"We're all animals!" Sonic snaps.

"Sonic!" Shadow grunts. "Stop talking smack, you're just pissing them off even more!"

"But my sassy charm is what gives me my street cred, bro!"

"Burn them at the stake!" yells Mayor Fink.

Everyone pauses.

"Eh, that's a little harsh, don'tcha think?" Willy asks.

"Fair point," says the Mayor. "Bring out the chili dogs. It's you're turn, Shadow!"

"Run for it!" Sonic cries.

The two jump off and dart in opposite directions. Sonic speeds for a bit before realizing he's not being followed.

"Darn it, Shadow, I thought you were right behind me!"

He turns around and catches up to him, miles a head of the villagers. The two take refuge in the canyon, where Shadow demands...

"Why the heck are they chasing me? What did you tell them, Sonic?"

"I told them about us. They attacked me too earlier today, threw chili dogs at Team Sonic. For once, just the thought of a chili dog grosses me out right now. Look, let's just hide here in the canyon until this whole thing blows over."

Shadow scoffs, "I told you this would ruin everything for you."

"Dude, the villagers are super fickle. They've been angrier for lesser things."

Shadow frowns and sighs with disappointment.

"I really wanted to sleep in that hammock tonight."

"Me too," Sonic sighs, bummed. "Hey, I know!"

Sonic zooms into the village. No one's around. He runs into a shop, leaves some money on the counter and takes a box containing a large, freestanding hammock. He returns in a flash and installs the hammock in an open area of the canyon, under the stars. Shadow smiles softly and hops in. Sonic joins.

"That's better, at least for now. Sweet SWEET dreams, Shadow the Hedgehog."

Shadow's eyes water at the prospect of actually sleeping peacefully for once.

"Sleep well, Sonic."

He gives his friend a snuggle, feeling sort of bittersweet.

"Heh, score for Sonic. Like, big time."

"Don't spoil the moment."