A/N Hey so this is my first sonic franchise fic. So if at some point I messed up a character or or refer to an event wrong let me know please let me know I always want to improve… I mean unless it starts with something like "Hey dumbass…" Now I also must warn that I also haven't played many of the sonic games(Yes you can shoot me now…. I prefer my foot) Anyway besides all that I made sure to research anyone I'm gonna use and learn all their past I can get and even watch videos so I can learn how they speak and possibly specific lines. So don't think I'm totally uneducated.
And this probably goes without saying but I don't own any of the characters, brands, or songs that may or may not appear in this and future chapters.(Assuming this becomes multiple chapters, I might just one shot this, let me know what you think when it's over.
Deep in the forest a mile or two from the nearby city a pink hedgehog walked through the trees. From the look of her she had been recently been crying. Her arms wrapped around her body like a self hug occasionally wiping her nose and sniffing.
'I give up… why can't he just try things out? He's always pushing me away or telling me I'm like his sister…. I want to be more then just his sister' she thought.
She thought back to earlier today and sighed
Earlier today…
Amy was skipping down the street on her way to go find her blue hero. Last time she checked, which was a few minutes ago from tails, he was at home sleeping in. That was Sonic, lazy yet energetic.
She arrived at his place, small and modest. He wasn't in there a lot since he was usually always on the move in some way. She walked to the door and knocked.
Within a minute the door opened to reveal Sonic still groggy since he only woke up half an hour ago.
"Oh… hey Ames" he yawned.
She cheerfully smiled back "Hey Sonic!" her loud cheerful voice making him cringe slightly not prepared for it this early. "Tails told me you were sleeping in, glad I caught you awake" her hands behind her back twisting her foot on the ground all cute like.
That was all he needed to know which Amy he was dealing with right now. If she wasn't trying so hard he knew she just gonna be normal Amy but her cutsey look made him know she was about to annoy him again.
He opened the front door more knowing she wouldn't keave him alone now revealing his was still just in pajama pants. He knew he'd regret this but he wasn't gonna talk outside like this "Wanna come inside for a bit?"
She nodded skipping past him happily letting herself in.
"So what's up Ames?" The blue hedgehog asked as he walked back in the kitchen where he had cereal.
She followed behind taking a seat next to him at the round table "Nothing much just woke up, got something to eat, a shower, called tails then took a walk here" she quickly explained using her fingers to count off each event she mentioned.
He nodded getting out a smile but dreaded asking what he was about to ask "So…. Why'd you stop by?"
She cautiously chose her words "I thought maybe we could go for a walk" she tried hard to keep it short and simple and not scare him off.
He was obviously suspicious of her intentions but then again, it gave him a reason get out of the house so he with the slightest hesitation said ""alright Ames, a quick walk it is"
She smiled barely holding back her excitement and asked "Could head out to the forest?"
"Sure why not" Sonic shrugged continuing to eat his cereal.
The pink hedgehogs smile got bigger and she waited for him to finish.
They spoke a bit about random stuff while they waited and soon Sonic was finished dressed and walking back downstairs to meet his friend. He had decided on a blue t-shirt and black jeans with his signature shoes.
She smiled as he led her out and they started walking down the street next to eachother.
Sonic didn't live to far away from the cities edge and they entered forest through a trail. It was late Spring so the trees had there leaves back and the weather was great. Very few clouds were in the sky and the Sun was almost at it's highest since it was about 11 o'clock.
Amy had told herself to play it cool and try not to link arms with him or anything and just enjoy the walk. T was one of the first times she had tried being subtle and so far it was really hard. The scenery was beautiful and the sounds of the forest like the birds and leaves made it feel romantic, atleast to her.
Compared to sonic, who was walking with his hands in his pockets, he felt the forest to be calming. He too thought it was beautiful but it wasn't bringing any romantic feelings to him.
Surprisingly he was the first to speak "You probably already know this but I like being outside, especially out in nature like this"
Amy smiled looking to her left at him "Ya, I don't get out here as much I should anymore. I'm always busy"
"Busy with what?" the blue hedgehog asked her. What could she be busy with.
"Recently got a part time job, I didn't realize it would take up as much time as it does. This was some of the only free time I had since this is a day off" she explained glad to see he was interested with her life.
Sonic was surprised to hear her say that and thought maybe this really was just a friendly walk as his body loosened up a bit.
"What'cha do?" he asked.
"I work at a restraint, I'm the new waitress" she smiled again.
He liked seeing her smile, especially like this when it wasn't her crazy love sick smile. It was just her normal smile that could make anyone else smile seeing it. That was one of the reasons he liked her. Her cheerful attitude was so contagious. When he was having a bad day and she was crazy that day she had cheered him up unintentionally with it.
"What kind of waitress are ya, the always cheerful, the sarcastic don't want to be here one, or the changes through out the day kind?" he jokingly asked.
She giggled "Definitely the cheerful one, duh"
He chuckled still walking down the path with her as they reached an area filled with more flowers then normal.
Amy gasped seeing it, she hadn't actually planned for this and her eyes twinkled in amazement. The area was littered with white tulips.
Sonic looked around also surprised by the landscape asked "You plan this" fear in his mind again.
She absentmindedly said "No" which didn't help her case. That wasn't the worst part though; he crazy fan girl side was blooming now starting to lose her cool.
She quickly grabbed his wrist yanking him further into the flower grove and said the twinkle in her eyes even more intense "Wow this place beautiful!"
He half-heartedly chuckled getting ready for anything she was about to do "Y-ya" scratching the back of his head nervously.
She giggled looking to him "Do you see anything else beautiful?" finally her love sick side taking full charge.
He sighed and pulled his hands from her grasp trying hard not to be rough and said knowing he'd have to pull this nicely or suffer the waterworks.
"Yes, but I see a beautiful… sister" he said making special emphasis on the last word.
She suddenly lost all her steam knowing what was happening…. Like it always had before, if he even stayed long enough to say it.
"I'm sorry Amy" he purposely used her real name and not the nickname he usually used "But this isn't happening. I like you, as a sister. That's it. I've told you this several times and I don't know why you continue to pursue me. In fact what you think is destiny, as you've called it in the past, is just disrespect. Years ago you started this and won't quit even after I've politely told you"
Amy was already tearing up but was surpsised he hadn't finished yet. Usually he declined said her saw her a sister and left as nicely as he could but there was more this time.
"Amy, if you told me not to do something, and you were absolutely serious I wouldn't even joke around and leave it be. So I expect the same respect and I'm dead serious. Stop this right now, if not I don't think we can even be friends" it was super hard for him to say that but if he had keep her out of his life to finally feel like he didn't have watch over his back he was willing to do that.
"What!?" Amy yelped in fright "No Sonic please!"
"If you stop it won't come to that. Trust me when I say this, I hate having to do this but it has come to this" he said pausing now to get her reaction. All his will power was going into this and seeing her start almost made him break but he had to be stern and show no hesitation or she'd think he really didn't mean it.
She bawled there for a moment her knees quivering "Sonic I don't want to stay away from you! She hiccupped through it.
He said in a slightly softer tone "I know, that's why I'm give you this choice. I've said it before and now. You are a good friend and a sister to me and we share a lot of friends. I don't want to go through the rest of my life having to make sure you won't be there" he sighed knowing that was harder said then done since she was always hanging out with him and their friends.
She knew that would also be hard but continued to cry and look down.
Sonic sighed and put a hand on her shoulder and said "Amy please think about it. Try to think about what's more important, this fantasy that won't come true or your friendship with me which exists, and is real…. Just remember, it may not exist anymore if you make the wrong choice"
He took that moment to walk away and leave her be. He felt bad for her and leaving her alone but honestly if he heard her cry a bit longer he might break down and show a little too much sympathy.
When he was fully out of her sight he bolted away trying to escape the sobs.
Half an hour later…
The blue hedgehog had ran back to the city and walked alone now. Nothing but the sounds of the city and his mind as company. He felt like shit for leaving her, not because what he said wasn't true, that was for sure. He felt like a jerk but knew this was the only way to finally get out of this cycle and get to normal. Course it was a huge gamble which he truly hoped would work out.
She had two choices refuse his offer and ruin their friendship, and maybe even ruin friendships they both had with others when the group had split up. Both had many of the same friends and they frequently all hung out a lot. It may not happen immediately but eventually people would have to decide which friend they want more and are willing to leave another person(s) for them.
But then again the more favorable one was she took his offer and stayed friends and everyone stayed together as friends. It seemed like such an easy choice but he had been putting up with this for years constantly telling her he going to fall for her and yet no change. It was hard to believe she might actually do it. It unfortunately would prove just how crazy she was and how selfish she was to ruin friendships just for him.
He was still in thought when he walked into somebody and said as he recovered "I'm sorry, I was in deep…"
"Watch where you are going Faker!" a deep familiar voice said.
He looked up to see his friend/rival… ok let's face it mostly rival, Shadow. How'd he know it was him so fast? Especially from what he could tell he was coming from around the corner from an alleyway.
He was in a white thin shirt cut at the neck to expose his chest fur. Around the shirt was his jacket. Black with red stripes… it always reminded him of that one video game… what was it… Mass effect? It was that one jacket you could wear when out of combat. Tails like that one more then him though.
His outfit was completed with blue jeans ripped at the knees and a skull belt buckle. And his jet shoes.
Sonic recovered "Sorry Shadow, I was just thinking"
"I don't care, if you can't walk and think then sit down" he growled.
Sonic recoiled and said "Wow Shad, what's with the anger. You usually aren't this mad until I've said something stupid… like that"
"Shut up" he said knowing he was purposely mocking his anger issues there.
"Sorry" he said, not flashing his grin like he normally would after a joke.
Shadow obviously noticed "What were you even thinking about so hard?"
The blue hedgehog found it odd he even cared instead of continuing on his way "I… don't worry about it"
He shrugged walking past him "Fine" as he did he put his hands in his jacket pockets.
Sonic almost let him go but realized he really needed to talk about this and said "Wait!" jumping to catch up to him.
"I'm not waiting" he said but didn't make a move to get ahead of him again or push him away. Sonic guessed he just meant wasn't gonna stop for him and he'd have to catch up himself.
When the blue hedgehog caught up he started talking hand in his pockets looking down slightly "I…. well Amy stopped by earlier…"
No reaction from his counterpart, but he knew Shadow wasn't oblivious to what that meant.
"She asked me on a walk to the forest. I thought it was just a walk. She seemed normal today" he said now with his right hand out to the right. Nervousness making him start to wave his arm around.
"So we went out there and came across a flower grove. That's when she got crazy… I finally had enough of it for years and explained a deal. She could either stop with all this and stay friends or continue and lose me as a friend and possible others" he explained his case.
Shadow finally spoke "Why should I care about this again?" he never truly considered himself one of their friends, or at the very least didn't admit it. It was hard to tell sometimes.
"Not much I guess" he sighed. Usually he'd act positive and try to prove he was part of their group of friends but he wasn't really worried about that.
"So I guess she cried?" Shadow asked emotionlessly.
He groaned, that was the worst part "That's the worst part! I knew I couldn't back down though or she'd take that as a sign I didn't mean it"
He nodded knowing what he meant but he hardly noticed since he was looking down.
"Why are girls so… hard?"
The black hedgehog shrugged "I wouldn't know, Rouge is the only girl I really talk to and she's always got her mind on things like thievery and deceit" maybe that's why he liked her. She never really cared about bullshit like that, drama and crap. It was get the job done and part ways.
There was no better example then when they entered that boarding tournament and she couldn't care less about that robot. Not like he cared either but that heavily described her.
"Ya well, you're lucky. She's got all this drama and emotions" he whined.
"Then dump her ass" he said meaning drop her from his life.
"What!? No I couldn't"
He shrugged "Then don't" he may have sounded like he didn't care but he actually was coaxing out his true feelings on the issue.
"Gee thanks" Sonic rolled his eyes.
He grunted rolling eyes "So where's she now?"
He sighed "Last time I checked still in the forest crying… I feel like a jerk, but I couldn't stay"
"And I thought you were too good for tough love" he remarked.
Sonic was caught off guard by his small amount of humour "Ya well, if by tough love you mean tough friendship"
Shadow stayed quiet for a bit hoping Sonic would leave but when he didn't asked "Why do you push her away anyway?"
Sonic sighed, he'd been asked this by some people a few times "Well… I always say she's like a sister and I really mean that…. You know… dating your sister is creepy"
"She obviously doesn't see you that way. Did you ever try to break that idealism?" the dark one asked.
Sonic looked away and said after a pause "Ya…. I just can't. Besides…. I don't think I want a girlfriend anyway, especially one like her. You know me…. Well actually maybe not, but I like being free and doing what I want and she's too… restricting" choosing the last word specifically.
Shadow groaned "I don't want to sound soft or that I care but she's always seemed nice when I met her. I remember when she mistakened me for you… I still don't know how though"
"You saw one second of like that. Let me guess, hugged you tightly screeching my name and about to pull you somewhere?"
He nodded he described it almost perfectly.
"That is the least of my roblems when she does that" he said.
He hummed understanding and said "Do you think she'll be ok by herself out there?" he suddenly asked.
Sonic went wide eyed and said "Oh crap!"
He suddenly blasted away in as blur leaving Shadow behind.
Half an hour later then that deeper in the forest…. Basically present time…
Amy continued to walk alone in the forest, the sun at the highest it'd be during the day. The day was still beautiful, warm and a soft breeze blew in her face but to her it felt like a cold wind of despair.
She'd run away from the grove in sadness when she realized Sonic wasn't coming back and was no miles away from running and walking.
Her tears were still gone although the traces of her crying were still easily apparent.
She had realized the same utcomes as Sonic had about her choices. Either ruin relationships or fight her emotions forever and keep everyone happy. It was a surprisingly hard choice. Not because she wanted to continue and ruin relationships but because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself. It almost made just flat out leaving everyone behind a better choice.
She continued to walk sniffing until she sat next to a small clearing against a tree. Now curled up she felt like crying again but heard a rustling nearby.
She looked around with hopes and fears of what it may be. Hoping it was Sonic coming back and fearful it was an animal that wasn't friendly or even worse.
It got closer and closer and she curled up more into herself and pushed back with her legs but the tree was in the way making her freeze in place.
To her utter surprise who stepped out was none of the possibilities going through her head.
"Shadow?" she looked up at the hedgehog who now looked down at her hearing the voice.
"Amy" he said not surprised or questioning her presence.
She got up wiping her face quickly to hopefully make herself more presentable and not looking like she had just had her heart broken… again.
"What are you doing out here?" the young woman asked him.
"Looking for you" he said emotionlessly.
"Me? Why?" she asked confused.
"I figured Sonic would need help finding you and-"
She cut him off suddenly cheered happily her small tail wagging slightly "Sonic is looking for me!?"
He rolled his eyes sighing "… Ya… he's looking for you" not feeling appreciated at all.
"I knew he'd come find me. I KNEW IT!" she said dreaming while looking into the sky imagining him running the fast he'd ever run to find her and know she was safe and hold "I knew he didn't mean it!"
He cleared his throat getting her attention "He just wanted to see you do anything stupid" making it clear what he meant.
You should almost hear her repaired heart shatter again before breaking her pose and slumping over slightly sighing "Ya… or that"
Shadow crossed his arms and said "I will admit he was having a ard time leaving you with those choices though"
Her ears perked over to him and half a second later her eyes "How'd you-?"
"He ran into me in the streets and dumped his problems on me" he groaned.
"Oh"
He nodded but then said "You should head home. Make him run around in guilt for a bit longer"
She looked to him "That's mean!"
He shrugged "He's hurt you a few times, maybe he deserves a bit of pain for once"
Amy thought it over and realized just this once he was right. Not that his deal wasn't still a very real thing, but for enough making Sonic worry a bit longer was good enough.
Shadow was turning to leave when he heard Amy say "Can we walk back? It's lonely out here" she had doubting he'd agree.
After a pause and a sigh he didn't seem to want her to hear "Hurry up"
She smiled once again surprised by the black hedgehog and skipped up to his side which took a bit longer then she expected since he started walking again before she reached him.
She thanked him to receive a grunt.
After that they walked for awhile Shadow finally asked her "Why do you keep trying?"
He snapped out of her mind "What?"
He groaned hating to repeat himself but did.
Amy sighed looking away from him and said "I don't know…. Ever since I saw him and he first saved me I just knew I had to have him" She was rubbing her arm with her other arms hand.
Shadow said bluntly "Sounds like a stupid reason to fall for someone… wow he saved you, it's what he does. If that really worked he and I would both have every woman after us" referencing how they both had saved the world atleast once.
She didn't appreciate his words but at the same time he was right, this wasn't a movie where the woman is saved and instantly they are meant to be. This was real life.
She sighed frowning "I know" feeling embarrassed.
"Hmph" he said glad his point got through "So what else is there" know it wasn't the only reason.
She hesitantly started listing more reasons "He's nice, funny, easy to get along with. I like his eyes. Even after all this time he's stayed my friend-"
He broke her off again scoffing "Nice, then he'd have tried to make your two work. He might be funny to you but to me he's annoying, and he stayed because he knows you don't want that and believes you can be friends because he really likes you as a friend" he listed her points, only the second one meaning nothing really.
She felt dumb again as he chipped away at her perfect view of Sonic. He was right, he could he be so nice if he never even tried to be with her or more importantly would just run away instead of explain. She didn't think he was a terrible person, just not as nice as her perfect view of him was.
As for the third point, he'd said it many times before. She just never listened. She was so rude now that she thought about it. How could she like him and adore him so much yet not respect his wishes?
"Well… I guess I a lot to blame too" Amy said feeling like a bad person and tearing up again.
Shadow didn't notice yet since he never looked to her "I'd say about fifty-fifty. He not making this decision years ago and you not getting it through your head" he words held no remorse or regret. He too knew Amy well and knew that she would never get this through her head unless he made her know for sure.
The hedgehog heard his words and her tears started to form faster and she sniffed again finally prompting Shadow to look over.
"Stop crying" he said slightly softer then he wanted to.
"I can't, I'm such a bad friend" her tears finally being released.
He flinched "You aren't a bad friend, just a little misguided.
She shook her head "No I am! All these years I went against his wishes" she finally realized why Sonic called her crazy sometimes.
Shadow couldn't deny that but said "But you can fix that now" He felt like she had said something like this to him years ago… on the ARK, yes that was it. Man was it great to have his memories back.
She looked up her tears momentarily stopping "I can?"
He rather harshly said "Obviously, it's not rocket science"
Amy didn't even care about the tone and asked "But what if I can't, I've spent so long like this, how can I suddenly stop!"
Shadow sighed crossing his arms "That I can't answer. I doubt you will suddenly have a flash of memory that changes you like I did"
She looked away head tilted right a little annoyed at how hard she perceived this to be.
They continued to walk reaching the edge of the forest and seeing the streets of Westopolis.
Amy kept walking to her house for a moment thought she was alone but noticed Shadow was still by her side. She managed a smile to him though he seemed absent minded or just didn't acknowledge it.
They walked along a bit longer in silence before Amy broke it "Thank you Shadow, it means a lot that you helped Sonic and helped me come home" very thankful.
"Don't mention it… Seriously" he said flashing a side ways glance her way.
Soon they were at her home, that she shared with Cream and he walked her up to the door and said "Well you're home. Wonder how long it will take Faker to look here" the thought of him being out all day and possibly all night made him smirk.
"Hopefully not long" she said softly.
Her comment made him roll his eyes "Whatever"
She smiled and gave him a hug "Thanks again"
It caught him off guard his arms dangling in the air to the left and right and his body tense. He was about to half heartedly hug back when she let go and said "See ya around" and went inside with the normal bounce in her step again.
He sighed seemingly because she was finally out of his quills and walked away from the house and back where he came.
Shadow made it back to his home, just a small apartment for one and went inside hanging his jacket on in the small closet. Damn did he regret wearing that. Dumb forecaster said it would be colder then it had actually been.
He went into a cupboard and grabbed some supplies to make a sandwich and a swissroll… why? Because screw you he wants one.
He went to his tv and sat down to watch something and soon was reflecting on the day eating his lunch.
11 oclock…
Shadow was hanging out in a tree deep in the forest. It was quiet and tranquil out here and being near the flowers helped too. It calmed his nerves and helped him think more clearly. Originally it was to unlock the last bits of his memory he had yet to recover but now he enjoyed it, helped his temper and escaped from all the stupid people in the city.
The smell of all the flowers entered his nose again and he sighed contently.
His silence from the forest was ruined by a screech and he jumped slightly from his semi trance to look at the sound.
What he was didn't surprise him, Amy dragging Sonic into his grove, which made him grind his teeth in anger.
He was about to leave when he felt the tone change in the duo. He turned to see Amy now tearing up and Sonic speaking very seriously. The world almost quieted as this happened and he listened intently.
He didn't get closer or he might ruin that he was hiding. From what he could tell Sonic was laying down the law and explaining finally after years he was fed up and making a deal.
His eyes focused on the girl seeing her cry attracted his attention. Sure it was mostly her fault for being so persistent, and let's face it dumb. Something about her always reminded him of Maria. Atleast that's what he felt on the few occasions he met her.
He was breaking from his thoughts and saw Sonic trying to be nice before walking away. From his vantage point he even saw Sonic speed away.
He watched the poor girl cry and eventually run off and once again found himself feeling sympathy for the girl. He thought to himself and eventually sped off to the city.
Half an hour later…
Shadow had been watching Sonic trying to think about what he'd do and say. He was taking to long anyway so he eventually reasoned he'd just wing it.
Using his teleporting powers to jump ahead then jumping down into an alley. He timed it just right and walked out of the alley.
BUMP
"Watch where you are going Faker!"
minute or two later…
Shadow watched the blue blur take off down the road and then shot off as well. He had proven Sonic cared about Amy atleast enough to go back and find her. But he wasn't going for that. It was obvious if he reached and spoke with Amy she'd just continue her fantasy…. And that meant more tears.
He blasted ahead leaving scorch marks where his boosters shoes had turned on.
He flew I to the forest. Despite Sonics head start he had the advantage of knowing the general location Amy went after she left the grove. So his chance had drastically lowered.
Luck was with him and as he left a bush he heard "Shadow?"
Present…
He finally looked away from the ceiling finally back up to speed and wondered again why he went though all the trouble. It's not like he liked them that much. Hence why nobody knew where he lived, except maybe Rouge. He was so disconnected from them he hardly saw them even once a month.
He realized his mind drifted back to the moment Amy had smiled and gave him down, then back to when she hugged him when she mistakened his identity.
He felt a slight warmth in his chest and looked around the apartment. The warmth turned to a cold feelings, things he hadn't felt in an extremely long time.
He sighed and suddenly his pocket vibrated.
"Probably Rouge asking me to help with another job"
He pulled out his phone and realized it was someone else
Shadow I can't find Amy! Did you happen see her!?-Sonic
He had no idea how he had his number "Tails" he growled knowing the smart boy… well actually now young man probably found it for him.
He received another.
Seriously Shad, I need to speak to her-Sonic
Shadow felt something tell him to not tell him and he wrote.
"I checked her house, she wasn't there"
He spoke aloud "You can stay away from her awhile longer"
Thanks- Sonic
Shadow rolled his eyes at how gullible he was and went back to watching tv.
All he could do was think about why he did all of this today.
A/N Well I can easily tell you I started off with a much simpler idea and it evolved to this. I really hope I got people down and did a good job. Let me know if it's good or not.
I have to say by the time I was finished here I knew this had to go on. So I left Shadow thinking, I was even debating whether I should expose what he did or keep it secret awhile. Even then I left a few hints along the way… maybe a little too subtle.
Anyway thanks for reading let me know what you think! And if you guys happen to also enjoy Spyro, Sly cooper and Gears of war stuff check out my profile. If not, well then I can't entertain everyone. If you happen to take my offer my old stuff is kinda bad, especially how I wrote back then. So fair warning.
Admiralkirk