Author's note: Yes, I am writing a Sonic fic about vampires and love quadrangles. You can't stop me, but you might as well review when you're done reading.
Disclaimer: Sonic the Hedgehog, related characters and locales are copyright SEGA.
Chapter 1: Paddington Square
Shadow caught himself staring at the night sky again. It started raining, but that didn't make the mission any easier. Stuck in Station Square with an ankle monitor telling GUN of his whereabouts, he felt uncomfortable out in the open.
The locals knew such devices were used to track criminals placed under house arrest, so encountering one on the infamous hedgehog strengthened their confirmation bias. Shadow was a felon who had done nothing good in his lifetime and it was about time the long arm of the law had caught up with him. One false move and he'd be put behind bars like he deserved. The authorities were too kind to him by letting the freak roam the streets.
Few heads would have turned if he was to blame for the recent disappearances. Shadow's mug shot coming up on a MISSING poster would have been a relief.
He could see it in their eyes. Those were the accusatory stares he wished to avoid, and so he seldom left his temporary home in the city. The night out was a compromise; being on probation did not void his responsibilities to others.
Shadow waited for the parking spaces in front of the 24-hour convenience store to vacate before he entered. Personal failure had reduced the secret agent to an errand boy, making him even less open to socialising.
As long as there were no other customers and the purple weasel at the counter remained completely disinterested, Shadow would get to return to the comforting darkness outside in no time.
It felt weird to go about his business like a pedestrian mook. GUN had warned him against using his powers, including super speed, to avoid startling the denizens of Station Square. Shadow considered the restrictions stupid, but so was losing Omega to Eggman. Having suffered a humiliating defeat by the villain's hand, the rest of Team Dark had to lay low and recover. Unfortunately for Shadow, some of the team members didn't have quick healing abilities, making them a burden.
What was he supposed to buy?
Shadow's memory did not escape him, unlike his composure. In theory, he just needed to lift his hand, reach out and…no. He froze on the spot.
What if he picked the wrong kind? Clueless, yet completely focused on the task, he was down to two varieties. Unfortunately, his guard was also down, so he didn't notice someone else enter the store.
"If it isn't Shadow the Hedgehog! Long time no see!" he heard a noise, an annoyingly familiar noise.
Before he knew it, there was a gloved hand on his shoulder. The hand was attached to a blue torso, a temporary inconvenience one Chaos Blast could solve.
He scowled at the punk responsible for the gross violation of his personal space, but the warning went unnoticed. Sonic must have been mooching off chilidog vendors when they were handing the brains out.
Shadow clenched his fist around the handle of his shopping basket. "Get lost, Faker. I'm on a mission."
"Dude, we've barely seen each other since the Black Doom incident."
"I prefer it that way. Pity you broke the trend." He would have no remorse about breaking the blue hedgehog, though.
Sonic took the hint and put up his arms defensively. "Sheesh! Someone's feeling social tonight. What's going on, Shads?"
"I'm on vacation."
"I thought you said you were on a mission."
The dark hedgehog hid his embarrassment behind a snarl. "So you are able to think… I'm on a mission while on vacation. It's called multi-tasking."
Sonic snickered, prompting no reaction from Shadow at first. What was the faker on about?
It hit him when Sonic pointed at Shadow's hand, still reaching out toward the shelf. He should have lowered it…
"A mission to buy pads?" Snickering turned to laughter. "That's hysterical! Hahaha! You're killing me, Shads!"
Gritting teeth, Shadow aimed a punch squarely at Sonic's gut. "Hold that thought."
GUN had asked him to avoid scuffles, but Sonic was a special case and he'd get what was coming to him: a one-way ticket straight to hell. Shadow's knuckles were itching to stop the moronic laughter. Sonic didn't stand a chance against all the pent up anger Shadow harboured.
The impact felt glorious. Shadow's fist moved two inches inwards before it encountered resistance. In his mind, he could visualise Sonic's vomit-inducing contortions, a rightful outcome to his transgression.
In reality, he saw the same stupid muzzle grinning stupidly as it stood behind a pink blur that managed to intercept the hit. Amy Rose, a tardy weakling more insufferable than her male consort, was glaring daggers at him. If it weren't for her iron grip, Shadow would have already shaken her off to double down on Sonic.
She whispered, "You lay one finger on him and your multi-tasking goes to intensive care."
He couldn't free his hand until Amy relaxed her hold, letting him retreat without most of his dignity.
"I don't have the time for this," Shadow muttered as he turned his back on them. It ailed him to be unable to solve the problem with wanton destruction. Doubtless, they'd both mock him now.
That was why he jolted violently when he felt a touch on his side. Rather than berate him, Amy made a peace offering by helping him pick the right pads.
"Take these. They're her favourite."
With a light nod, Shadow threw the pack into his basket and walked straight to the counter, picking up some bandages and a newspaper on his way. The weaselly cashier must have flashed a grin at him while printing the receipt, but Shadow didn't care. He felt so humiliated his flushed gaze was focused on the floor the entire time.
Only when the rain outside cooled his cheeks did he acknowledge it was over. He looked at the small shopping bag in his hand and sighed before withdrawing into the darkness.
"Mission accomplished."
Perfect as always. That's what he would tell Rouge. She didn't need to know about the complications or Shadow losing his temper. Reckless behaviour got Team Dark in this situation and they had much to learn if they expected to reunite. The Ultimate Life Form found it difficult to admit he had to learn anything.
None of this would have happened if he was going solo. Omega would not have been captured, Rouge would not have gotten hurt and Shadow wouldn't have to endure the criminal treatment. He could have completed the mission alone, right?
Shadow looked at his reflection in a puddle of rainwater. His quills drooped from the amount of water they soaked in, making him look like a recolour of Sonic.
He stepped on the reflection. Sonic was the lesser hedgehog, yet everyone preferred him over Shadow. Even now the faker's laughter haunted him, sprinkled between so many of Amy's giggles.
"Hm?" Shadow turned around. It was them, Sonic and Amy.
Outside after midnight? That was highly unusual for Sonic, who'd normally spend the night and most of the day snoring with a snot bubble up his nose. Him not having an allergic reaction to Amy Rose was also unusual. A token of appreciation for saving him from the punch?
The thought sank Shadow's head in shame. It was a powerful blow, so how could a weakling manage to stop it? Either Amy was much stronger than she appeared or Shadow had grown weak during his downtime.
They were heading his way, so he leapt onto an awning to stay out of sight. From his vantage point, he witnessed a conversation he would not have dared to expect.
"It's so sweet of you to follow me to the park, but I can take care of myself," said Amy. She didn't sound like she meant any of it. Her voice had this tonality… Shadow couldn't put his finger on it.
"Let me be your hero one more time. I'll keep you warm in the rain," Sonic replied. What was he smoking?
The two walked underneath the cover Shadow was standing on. Shadow kept perfectly still and held his breath while the pair had the opposite in mind.
Shadow was mortified. He had heard those noises before, but was Sonic the one panting? Shadow wished he had chosen a better hiding spot or possessed Espio's stealth abilities. Curiosity was biting him and he wanted to uncover the mystery before his support would give up on his weight.
Not to gossip in revenge, of course. Getting close and personal with Sonic's own humiliation would suffice.
Amy's giggle interrupted his thoughts. "All right. Just this once. Let's go."
Blue and pink spindashed together to Twinkle Park. Shadow wasn't going to let them get away.
He still had to deliver the goods to Rouge, though. As he pondered the best way to go on about it, the awning caved in, dropping him onto the pavement, next to the puddle. The fuzzy reflection gave him an idea: his minders at GUN were less likely to notice a bit of shenanigans at this hour and Rouge would be happy to have her delivery made first class. Shadow bounced a Chaos Emerald in his hand.
"Chaos Control!"
This was the most frivolous use of the technique so far and Shadow didn't mind that at all. He'd deal with Rouge's reaction to a grocery bag popping out of the rift later. Right now, he had hedgehogs to stalk.