BEFORE THE STORY

Rated T for depiction of crime (of course, fortunately no killing, just thieving and maybe some kidnapping), some violent moments, and mild sexual themes in later chapters. Recommended for 13 years or older, though younger ages can read if they can handle it.

Shadow the Hedgehog, Blaze the Cat, and everything canon in the Sonic the Hedgehog universe belong to SEGA (They're tolerant to fanwork, but let's play along with others and stay safe)

"The Hedgehog of the Streets" is also available on DeviantArt, Wattpad, and Archive of Our Own. Check it out over there!

"The Hedgehog of the Streets" takes place in an alternate universe where a majority of the Soni cast are in their early 20's, living their average lives in average cities. None of them have powers or fight robots, but some do have interesting characteristics. There will be nods to the Sonic mythos, though. I do have a main fan universe based on the games, which some of the later fanfics take place in.

This Shadaze AU shipfic is based on a 2-point perspective art project I had to do for school. I chose to do a drawing of a street corner displaying graffiti. I instantly got my idea. I drew Shadow caressing Blaze to come forward, with the corner of an empty building in front of them, covered with Shadow's graffiti of Shadow and Blaze having romantic moments together. (You'll see it later in this fic.) It was so romantic and heartwarming that I came up with a story behind it. I fantasized about it every day. Some parts made me smile. Some made me cry. I wanted to sit and write it down.

And I will tell you the story...

Blaze Sparks is my name. Making a living and acting is my game.

I'm a 20 year old cat who just graduated from college with an Associate's degree in acting and fine arts a few months ago. Now I'm on my own, living in a moderately-priced apartment in Solettle, the city I decided to move to. Unfortunately, all of the high-paying professional roles in Solettle productions are taken, so while acting in a small-scale play, I'm working at a gas station convenience store as well.

I step out of the bathtub all wet and steamy from the morning shower, dry my soaked lavender fur with a towel, slip into my underwear and everyday clothes that were laying on the toilet (A pink one-strap top and purple shorts), and go out of the bathroom and into the kitchen.

I greet my pet black cat, Ember, as I prepare my favorite breakfast of all time: Salmon burgers with a side of sprinkled donuts and a cup of bitter coffee. I pull last night's salmon burger from the microwave and sit down at the coffee table, licking my lips.

After munching through all of that goodness, it's time for me to go to the rehearsal. I grab my indigo leather handbag, wave goodbye to Ember, enter the hallway, and ride down the elevator to the garage, where my purple bicycle is waiting. Yes, I do own a driver's license, but I can't afford a car for now.

I ride my bike out of the garage and into the already bustling streets of Solettle. I pedal along with the cars and pedestrians furiously, trying to make it to the theater lying outside the skyscrapers. As I stop at the red traffic light at an intersection, I turn and something catches my sight.

Pinned on a storefront is a wanted poster with a scowling face of a young black hedgehog. It read:

WANTED

Shadow "The Hedgehog" Dark

Thief, graffiti artist, member of the Solettle Underground Crime Network

Has looted many businesses and vandalized buildings in Solettle

REWARD: $1,000

If you see him, please call the Solettle Police Department (1-555-199-128) IMMEDIATELY.

I've heard of the Solettle Underground Crime Network ever since I moved to Solettle. People identify them as notorious criminals who execute crimes from pickpocketing innocent people's bags and looting stores and banks of money and valuables to vandalizing important points of interest and even kidnapping children. Unfortunately, although the police have kept a strong watch on and educated the public about them (my handbag comes with several tricky locks), the criminals were cunningly skilled and could evade the police easily. If they were ever arrested, which happened a few times, they would escape prison and return to business again. Fortunately, for my body anyway, they were never confirmed to murder.

About that face on that poster, I gotta admit he looks like an average bad boy. He may be a sketchy thief, but his scowl, half-lidded eyes, and thick black-and-red quills can't fail to attract a girl.

The cars suddenly start to move, signaling the traffic light turned green. I look away from the poster and pedal forward once again, hoping to arrive at my destination in time.

At last, at the edge of the suburban area, I reach the Solettle Citizens' Dramatics Theater, a barebones small theater meant for amateur plays and productions. I go inside and open the door to the backstage, where the play director, a teal dragonfly named Opal Shutter, is discussing the script with the actors.

We're performing a play called Aquaphobia. It's about a hedgehog, Ogilvie, who is afraid of water. He accidentally falls off a cliff into the ocean and encounters an underwater empire inhabited by various anthropomorphic ocean animals. They're evil and he must use all of his strength and wits to defeat them and return back to land. I find the story interesting, but the characters and their dialogue are mediocre in my opinion. The dark magenta hedgehog over there, Kriss Evans, is playing Ogilvie. I'm playing the Queen, who is meant to be an angelfish.

"We've started selling tickets yesterday," Opal announces, "and the sales have a chance of being high and steady. Now, chop chop! Today is our first rehearsal and we want to fully memorize our lines and movements before the final show."

We head in our normal plainclothes to the bare stage, each with copy of the script in our hands. For the most of the beginning, Kriss and the people playing as his family and friends are the only ones in front of the auditorium, as somber music play from the loudspeakers. When the underwater empire part starts, it gets exciting.

As tropical-sound music flow over the hundred velvet seats before the stage, many actors roll out, including me, the Queen of Pacifictopia. I sit in a tall wheeled chair besides the King of Pacifictopia, who is being played by Alexander Pond the frog.

"HOW DARE YOU TRESPASS ONTO THE EMPIRE OF PACIFICTOPIA?!" I boom into the ears of Kriss, reading off my lines. "WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO?!"

"M'am," Kriss pouts in the weakest voice, "I only fell into the water and came upon this Pacifictopia of yours-"

"SHALL THE SHARKS EAT YOU!" I snarl and point at Kriss. Puppeteers and their shark puppets dash in, chasing away a screaming Kriss.

"Shall he be ridded," I huff, sitting my script on my lap and wiping my lavender hands. Alexander turns to me and smiles.

After 2 hours (we had a 20 minute break complete with snacks), our first rehearsal went successfully and is now complete. Opal waves goodbye to us as we exit Solette Citizens' Dramatics Theater to the parking lot. I hop onto my bike and pedal away into the noisy streets of Solettle, ready to eat lunch and spend some spare time at my own apartment with my own Ember, before going out to work at the gas station for the afternoon.

Along the way, I suddenly reminisce of the wanted poster I saw earlier today. My head burns with thoughts of Shadow. The reward of $1000… How heavenly, as most of the wages I earn go to buying food and apartment rents. I can try to catch him, call the police, and win such fortune from them. What will I spend the $1000 on as Shadow is arrested and sent to jail? A video game console and a bunch of games will be a nice addition to a lame PC I keep and play lame web games on. Or, an expensive airplane ticket to the most lavish and luxurious resort will be splendid also. Or, I shall save the $1000 for anything crucial in the future.

I catch sight of another Shadow wanted poster hastily taped onto an electrical wire pole. I stop my bike, tore the poster off, fold and tuck it into my handbag, and continue my trip back.

Back at my apartment, I mix my favorite instant ramen (red hot spicy shrimp) and lay back on the couch in the small living room, cuddling Ember, as the ramen heats and sizzles in the microwave. I can dream about spending my $1000 on my wishes, but first, how can I catch that black hedgehog criminal?

As always, please make sure to favorite, follow, and review this story! It will help encourage me to write more chapters. :)