Allergy - part 2
Where did Shadow go?
The answer was simple… ARK… It was the only place where the air didn't contain the pollen of the purple flowers… for now…
In order to keep it that way, first, Shadow has to get rid of it from his fur and Sonic's as well. Thankfully Professor Gerald thought about sanitary after the accident that could cost Maria's life. Robotnik built a special chamber, where in order to enter the space colony you had to go through it. It was kind of a shower with definitely too many cleaning substances.
Shadow directly chaos controlled them to this room, now he only needs to turn it on.
Last time while collecting chaos emeralds to the Eclipse canon, he specially deactivated it. Yes… Nobody would like to have their fur seven times washed with stinky chlorine substances, because of every each visit on the planet below in search for Chaos Emeralds.
He got a better hold over the hedgehog with his single hand while with the other one he activated the cleaning sequence. And when he did, the cold water fell from the ceiling directly at his head. Both hedgehogs shivered from cold. Secondly - detergents, again water a little warmer 'Thank Chaos!' and it continued till the dryers turn on. Only after that the door opened and they could enter the main hall.
'Damn it.'
Shadow stepped out from the chamber, glad that it was over and that Rouge wasn't with them on ARK... The heated air made his fur curl in all directions and he looked like... well, like an authentic fur ball. Actually… not only he looked that way.
Sonic's fur wasn't spared from the treatment... not at all…
'Two sweet, fur balls for the press!'
'Take photos when you still can!'
'I'll be a millionaire!'
Shadow almost heard the Chaotix Team and their ad... Lucky he and only he will be remembering about this...
But first things first, he needs to settle Sonic down and find something that would help his rival. Also it didn't went unnoticed by Shadow that the short time of being here was already helping the poor one; but it would be better if the hedgehog was lying on a comfortable bed. And there was only one left spared from the ARK accident…
Darkness was weakening over Sonic's eyes, finally giving access to the world. Slowly he opened them and saw a gently enlightened room with light blue painted walls. He himself was lying on a bed covered with a black-red blanket. He slowly moved his head to get a better sight of his surroundings. There were some pieces of furniture and on them toys and many other objects that belonged to children, covered with a thick layer of dust.
'Well, I'm not at Cream's, neither at my other friend's houses... So... Where am I?'
Sonic tried to lift his body to a sitting position, but for some odd reason he couldn't do that. Something heavy was placed on his legs, preventing him from any movement.
Suddenly his ears picked up a strange noise, a snoring like noise... He wriggled as much as he could and looked at the source. There he saw the upright turned quills with red stripes on ebony fur. Shadow was sleeping on him. His rival's head was resting on his blue legs, near his lap and only the blanket was separating their bodies from contact.
'Okay... That's something new...' Sonic didn't freak out, but a light blush made its way on his face anyway... He was used to having somebody sleep on him, but this was definitely unexpected.
When Tails was younger or upset Sonic had to comfort him like a big brother would do. So they ended up quite often in a similar position. But why was Shadow sitting by his side not Tails, or (shiver) Amy... That was expected... but something had to happen...
He gently placed his hand on the other's shoulder, as far as he could reach, and shook the ebony.
- Five more minutes… Maria… - Shadow mumbled.
- Wakey, wakey Shads...
On the sound of the nickname two black ears shot up, the same with the eyes. Crimson orbs blinked, and then they registered the position... Shadow jumped backwards only, to have the chair slip under him and fell on the floor.
- Morning sunshine! – Sonic greeted cheerfully leaning over the edge of the bed to look at the Ultimate Lifeform.
What to say? It was rare to see his rival spread on the floor with shock and embarrassment plastered on face, as Shadow mostly covers any of his emotions.
Sonic was having quite a hard time shuttering the laughter in his throat, while seeing him like this…Well, better this than the awkward feeling few minutes ago.
Meanwhile from the floor, Shadow couldn't believe that he got caught by the faker in such an awkward position! And what's worse, now the blue hedgehog could mock him with it. (When it'll be over the danger a race was guaranteed from his site. That was for sure; if he wanted to keep shut the other hedgehog about this.)
He lifted himself from the floor acting like nothing had happened; he wanted to safe at least some of his dignity.
- Guessing that you're better – he snarled, ignoring Sonic's a little too happy mood.
- Well, yes… so where are we?
- ARK.
The Hero was surprised. He never expected to find himself again on ARK and especially in this not ARK looking like room, ah and not to mention that with Shadow, who now was leaning over the wall with his arms crossed and silently observing him, which was typical… well not the caution that he was giving to Sonic, but whatever.
Now the question is 'why are they here'...
Anyway before he could ask Shadow dose this for him and tells.
- As you remember, you were fighting with Metal Sonic in the park, but you fainted from lack of oxygen after inhaling the pollen of this new flower specie and I had to get you to the hospital...
- Woah! Stop! I can believe that I fought with Metal, but I definitely did not faint! – he enraged at him.
Shadow didn't pay attention to Sonic's little outburst, he found the space more entertaining that dealing with the hog, after all he could be doing different things than babysitting his rival in the place with so many memories... Anyway, he continued with putting in the facts.
- I found out that you have allergy on their pollen.
- I have? How?
- Yes, it's reacting on your body, making you unable to breath. I had to take you here, otherwise you'd suffocate.
- Oh...
Now Sonic knew the reason of being here, but was it really necessary to go as far as on ARK? Surely, he did feel quite horrible and helpless when he couldn't take a breath, but now everything is okay... Right? And besides there is still a blue robot out there waiting to get kicked his sorry butt, together with Eggman.
Sonic jumped from the bed and found his sneakers. When they were finally on his feet he attempted to run out from the room, but the other hedgehog stopped him in mid motion.
- And where do you think you're going?
- Huh? Isn't there a world that needs a handsome blue and speedy hedgehog? – he joked.
'I preferred when he was asleep...' Shadow thought.
Sonic was known for his hyperactive and need for stopping the bad guys, so he was ready to jump into action not listening to his friends and their plans, neither like now having heard only half of what's going on and probably not even have an idea how to get out from the space colony in the first place.
The ebony sighed and pointed for Sonic to look through the window. Sonic got to his side not understating his intentions, but anyway he looked at what Shadow wanted to show him.
It wasn't the best view on the planet, but it showed what was needed. The once green parts, the continents were now purple.
Sonic's ears dropped.
- Um, Shads? What's going on there?
- I was going to tell you... – but was interrupted.
- So? I'm waiting!
Shadow growled in annoyance, they weren't going anywhere if the blue brat was going to interrupt him at every step.
- The flowers spread and from the last message that I got from Tails before losing contact with him was that you're the only person who reacts on them and it's like they were made especially for you.
- Eggman... It's his doing… We need to stop him!
- Faker... I'll agree that he needs to be stopped, but you're not going anywhere.
- Wait, what?! – he faced the ebony one only to see concerned crimson eyes.
'Is... Is he worrying about me?'
Before he could think about it, he was shoved back to the bed and a plate of food was given into his hands, as he wanted to protest.
- Eat, you were two days unconscious and you're probably hungry.
'Well, I'm actually starving… so why not' Sonic started chewing on the food, observing the other as Shadow for some unknown reason prepared some food supplies and so on.
Shadow was acting strange, that was for sure, but he couldn't guess what was bothering him. Other than that Sonic wanted to go back on the planet below. He didn't feel good in this locked place and of course he had a world to safe from a madman.
On the other hand Shadow knew better about the whole situation, but didn't tell about his plan to Sonic; he already knew what would be the answer. So far he managed to distract the blue blur with food and put some more packed ones for the upcoming days.
'Sonic would not like this.'
The thought went by his head, but he couldn't stop the smirk forming on his muzzle. After all it was only for the time till everything would be settled back on the planet and Sonic should manage to stay few days like this.
He couldn't longer sit here with him, not when Tails didn't answer his calls. Something bad was going on the planet and without at least one super hedgehog; it probably will fall into disaster.
Shadow moved to the doors making this way a big gap between them. He had to do it carefully… Next he took out the chaos emerald, which was all that time hidden in his quills. And now… The hard part.
- Stay here, hedgehog and wait, till I come back for you – he said calmly.
'Did he just say what I think he said?' Sonic at once stopped eating and gave Shadow a confused look. Then the blue hedgehog spotted the emerald… He shot from the bed trying to stop Shadow or at least hung up to him, so he would teleport together with him.
- Chaos… Control!
But his hand only met the air and after the chaos light went down Sonic found that he was left alone on the metal covered construction without any ways of escape, neither a chaos emerald nor a fake one…
A shout of frustration, anger and distress filled the empty corridors…
