My second story for FanFiction!

This first chapter is more or less a preview for what is to come in this story! This will certainly be the shortest chapter I publish for this story. I promise more is to come!

I'm writing this story to practice both fluff/romance writing and battle scene writing, so expect tons of that.

xx Whisper

Chapter 1: Preview

The blue hedgehog was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his cheeks. Struggling to catch his breath, the hedgehog rolled over so his stomach was smashed against the grassy ground and his face was buried into his arms.

"It is not that funny," the red-striped hedgehog retorted. Despite his best efforts to sound serious however, the ebony one couldn't help the smile forming on his muzzle. He lightly pushed on the shoulder of his companion, who had rolled so hard that he was practically laying on top of Shadow now.

Sonic poked his head up from his arms, water streaks clearly visible on his face. His emerald eyes were wide and bright, his mouth was in the shape of a ridiculous grin. Shadow felt a heat rise up in his chest as he tried to resist the urge to kiss the blue idiot right then and there.

"I cannot believe that you used to wear dresses and high heels!" Sonic managed to get out between wheezes. Shadow playfully huffed and pushed the other's shoulder once more.

"You make it sound like I did this all the time. Maria was my only role model when I was on the ARK, so there was a time or two where I borrowed some of her clothing while she was not around." Shadow defended, rolling his eyes as the blue hero settled down and wiped his tears away.

"You know, I bet you'd look pretty good in human clothes," Sonic teased. He buried his chin in his arms so that only the corner of his smirk was visible. His eyelids partially closed to produce a mock flirtatious expression.

Shadow laughed. "Don't get your hopes up. I don't love you that much, faker." Now it was Shadow's turn to smirk as Sonic put on a fake pout.

Neither of the hedgehogs spoke for a while as Sonic began to participate in his favorite pastime – poking Shadow's chest fur and twirling the white strands around his finger. This little tick used to drive Shadow insane at the start of their relationship, but after eleven months of putting up with it, the ebony hedgehog finally got used to it. And though he would never confess it to Sonic, he actually started to find the gesture a bit soothing.

Shadow scanned the vast landscape that laid out before the two hedgehogs. From their place on top of the hill, Shadow could see for miles, and it seemed like there was an infinite span of hills and valleys that went on forever, all the way to the sunrise … Not a single sound could be heard, except for the wind through the grass and the beating of two hearts.

"We should live out here," Shadow eventually spoke. "The two of us, away from it all. Where we could actually be together like this, without the others seeing us."

Sonic snorted, not removing his eyes from Shadow's chest fur. "As if they wouldn't be curious why we both vanished at the same time? I thought the point was the keep our relationship discrete."

Shadow shrugged. "We wouldn't have to vanish. You could still visit them during holidays and birthdays. Run over every time they need our help saving the world."

"Oh, so you mean like once every week?" Sarcasm was dripping from Sonic's voice, though both hedgehogs quietly snorted at how true the comment was.

"Still, imagine being able to move out of the city … Living where it is quiet, peaceful, calm – perhaps I could finally start that garden I've mentioned before. Perhaps I could even try to give you swimming lessons in the nearby lake." Shadow added the last sentence with a teasing grin present on his face. He eyed the hero next to him as Sonic moved his hands away from Shadow's chest and let out a loud grunt.

"Ha, I don't love you that much, faker …"

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Shadow tried to cling to these memories as he stared at the horrors in front of him. Though the hedgehog was safely standing miles away on a hill top, he could still see everything.

Fire reaching higher than mountains, smoke transforming the blue sky into a dark grey, and screaming emerging from every angle. The entire area looked more like a torch than the proud city it was only hours before. And at the center of it all, was a tiny speck standing amongst the chaos and destruction. Shadow did not need to take a second look, the bright blue color of the dot alone gave away the identity of the individual.

Sonic.

Except it was not Sonic. It couldn't be. How could Sonic – his Sonic, who laughed at him and teased him only months before – have become this? How could the Hero of Mobius turn into one of the worst villains Mobius has ever seen – the bringer of pain and the creator of fear?

Shadow squeezed his eyes tightly shut, trying to erase the thoughts coming into his head. No, this was not Sonic. At least it was not the same Sonic that existed in his memories, the one he had fallen in love with. Shadow knew the truth about the hero, his partner, and he must keep reminding himself of it. Now was not the time to get distracted or be weak.

The city was in danger. The world was in danger. And Shadow knew what he needed to do to save it.

But damn it if the Ultimate Lifeform didn't feel his heart break at the thought of actually doing it …