This is not the full story, nor is it the beginning or end. This is just a snippet of something that's been writing itself on my mind. I am not sure whether I will continue it or not, but I just needed to get it out my brain! I would love the idea of Shadow and Silver interacting more and developing some sort of relationship. To me they are polar opposites of different worlds. I am not so sure about pairings in the future if I am to continue this. Pairings can be entirely up to the reader for this short story - But i'll consider things if I continue.
The portal stayed open. They couldn't close it...not yet at least.
"Any sign of them yet?" Tails asked. An ivory hedgehog nodded.
"..No" Silver said almost inaudibly. This was taking too long, what WAS taking them so long? They chased Wolf into the portal to bring him back. He had some intention in messing with time and reality and jumped right into the portal before they could close it.
"We'll go in and bring him out...before he get's the chance to mess with anything." Sonic said.
"We hope.." Shadow whispered.
"Ya, hope. You stay right here. Once you see us come back out...Close it. No hesitation." Sonic nodded towards Silver.
And that's what Silver intended to do. But he couldn't...not yet. Not when there is no sign of his friends coming back. Everyone else stood behind him, waiting...hoping.
Amy clutched on to Rouges arm...slowly leaning into her for comfort. All Rouge could do was grasped Amy's hand and squeeze it.
"They'll make it." She assured her. Amy smiled. In a way Rouge was saying this to comfort herself too. She knew Amy was worried for Sonic's sake. Rouge was too. Despite how annoying she found him, she came to know him as a friend. Shadow on the other hand, she saw him and thought about him in a much more different light. You better make it back you annoying snub, Rouge said to herself. She could only imagine how Silver felt. The three of them had become somewhat of a team...the new Team Dark. Well, having Silver on the team kind of threw the name off, but she wasn't complaining. He made an interesting addition to the team. Shadow was Mr. Tough Guy, Rouge, the hot one of the team, and Silver...the a dorkable one. He followed Shadow around like Shadow was the best thing in the world. Of course she thought so too, but there was something adorable and innocent on how Silver did it.
" Shadow, he thinks the world of you. Do you see how he even looks up to you?" Rouge asked him one day. Shadow didn't respond right away. He just stood there, looked down at the table top in their base. She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "Earth to Shadow?"
"I heard you..." He responded.
"Well?...No answer?" She questioned. He shifted. She had come to know him long enough processing an answer in his mind. He knew that Rouge already knew his answer and how he felt about the annoying little ivory hedgehog. Rouge just wanted to hear it from him.
"I just...I don't know why he thinks that... He's an idiot." Shadow finally responded. This resulted in eye roll from the feminine bat.
"Oh my gosh...why do you have to be so gloomy? What can't you give yourself credit for once?" She said.
"..Credit?" He asked.
"Credit that you're actually kinda, sorta cool...and not unfortunate looking I might add". She winked. This resulted in a very small, barely noticeable smile from him. She had learned how to get charming smile from him...and took in every moment of it.
Shadow hated how Rouge could produce that sort of reaction him. He hated, but liked it in a way? And he definitely hated the feelings he started to feel towards her. He tried to stop those feelings. He only knew hurt and loss when it came to him finally loving someone. He experienced it with Maria, he didn't want to experience it again if it ever came to loosing Rouge. And now, this little ivory, bubbly, innocent, annoying, naive, psychic little hedgehog had to come around and make his way into Shadows heart just like Rouge did.
"So what...Why can't he bother Sonic?" He said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Don't get me wrong...I like Sonic, he's a friend...but he's a bit overrated if you ask me." Rouge said. There was silence for awhile. Rouge could hear the gears in Shadow's brain turning. Then finally...
"Why me though? Look at me. Look who I am, what I've done. Silver...he's...he's innocent. He's just has this pureness to him that is completely annoying. Sometimes I just...just...just want strangle him on how innocent he is. Some people think he's acting but I know he's genuine. And I think that's what makes it MORE annoying. He's just...like...this light..." Shadow's anger slowed, his voice became more calm, "This light that's just surrounded but chaos. This little light trying to survive. And...no matter how hard people try to snuff it out...it still shines...He's just this small, little light in this world that...needs to be...protected. And I'm afraid I wont be able to that. I'm afraid that he'll follow me anywhere...He's willing to sacrifice so much for everyone...That idiot doesn't think about himself. I couldn't protect her...save her...she saved me. Im here alive...and she's gone. She was a light just like he is. And this cruel world destroyed it...I don't want that happening to him either. He...he reminds me of her in a way. I couldn't protect her...Im afraid I can't protect him. He'll be the one saving me...again...and I can't do that in return. This world can't afford to loose another light. Another little bit of happiness. And yet...It always finds a way to destroy it...While creatures like me always end up alive..." And with that he fell silent. There. He said it. Rouge knew. But she wanted to hear it from him. She needed to hear it from him.
"Shadow...I can't promise nothing bad is ever going to happen to someone you really care about it. I'm sorry i just can't. But...that can't stop you from really enjoying the little happiness you have in your life. Silver is in your life for a reason. Out of all the dimensions and reality this kid has traveled, he met you. And you, out of the millions of beings across the many dimensions and realities, made an affect in his life." She poked his chest at that comment. She was right. God, he hated it when she was right. But still...Imaging a world without Silver now...No, he can't come across to even think about such a thing.
His original plan was to use the stones to go back in time and bring Maria back...but he learned...if he were to bring her back...to this reality...it would be effected. The thing is, he doesn't know HOW his reality would be effected, good or bad. As much as loved Maria and wanted her happy again, he didn't want to risk loosing what he gained...Rouge and now, Silver.
"..I hate you.." He murmured. Rouge smiled.
"You know, I'm starting to think that is entirely false. When you say hate, you mean something else" Rouge said. She knew this was true because Shadow did his best to try and deny it.
Rouge never told Silver about their conversation. She just hoped Shadow would make it back...for both their sakes.
"It's taking too long! We need to go in there!" Knuckles yelled.
"No!" Amy cried, "We don't know what we'll mess up if we do..We can't afford that." Silver nodded.
"We just have too..." He paused, his ears perking up. Everyone noticed his actions and glanced towards the portal. A few moments later...Shadow and Sonic came tumbling out with Wolf at their grip.
"Now Silver! Now!" Sonic yelled. As Sonic said, with no hesitation, Silver glowed his cyan aura. Using his power, he concentrated his mind and will to closing the portal. Wolf gazed in amazement at the scene in front of him.
This power. Coming from a scrawny, kid like him...The universe isn't fair...and for that...it will pay, the thought made him laugh softly.
"I almost got it!" Silver exclaimed. His body still glowing. "Got it!" Silver clasped his hands together as he finally closed the portal for good. That dimension, that reality...done and gone. Silver fell on one knee as he breathed heavily, attempting to compose himself. A hand fell on his shoulder. He turned to look up at Amy.
"Hey...you alright?" She asked. He smiled, giving her thumbs up. He was still a little out of breath for words. Amy helped him to his feet.
"We did it...We...won?" Silver asked.
"Heck yeah we did!" Sonic exclaimed Tails and Knuckles ran to their friend giving him hi fives and cheering him on. Amy made her way down to Sonic...attempting to show her affection but failed hopelessly. When Shadow saw the love fest, he grunted and moved to the side. His eyes fell on Rouge who smiled and winked. His eyes then went to Silver. The ivory hedgehog jumped and gave him a thumbs up. Yes...Shadow made the right choice. There was no way he was going to give this up.
It was almost inaudible at first. It then grew into a maniacal laughter. Shadow turned to Wolf who was laughing in the restraints he and Sonic put on him.
"Great...think we broke him when we came back." Sonic said.
"I'll shut him up." Knuckles said cracking his fists.
"Do you guys really think you have won?" Wolf asked between chuckles. Everyone looked at each other questionably.
"The portal is closed, Shadow didn't go along with your plan, and you're locked up. So yeah, seems we have won." Knuckles said cross his arms.
"Are you sure?" Wolf asked again.
"Guys, I think he's just trying to weird us out." Silver said, "We should get out here before he's more of a ...kill joy? No...joy kill? That's how you say it right?"
"Sounds right to me" Shadow bent over and picked up Wolf.
"You what really pisses me off? When such great universal power, is bestowed upon a little, annoying, scrawny weirdo...like you." At the word, he turned to Silver.
"Hey!" Shadow grabbed Wolf by the neck... and began to squeeze. Wolf laughed and gagged at the same time.
"Shads don't! He's trying to get you mad" Silver crossed his arms and glared at Wolf, "Besides, it's not anything I haven't heard before...the weirdo part I mean."
"What would happen...if this power didn't exist. If it was in the hands of someone else?" Wolf asked looking at Shadow.
"Shut up...if you know whats good for you." Shadow whispered.
"What if you had this power Shadow?" Wolf asked attempting to get into his mind.
"It belongs to him...for a reason." Shadow letting go of Wolf, "Maybe it's about time the innocent and pure get the power." He looked at Silver. The ivory hedgehog smiled and nodded his head towards him.
"Guess it's time we start snuffing out the light." Wolf smiled. Shadow glared at Wolf's choice of words. Knuckles was about ready to knock the lights out of Wolf. As much as Silver wanted to see that, he knew better. Why lower themselves to his level? Yet again, he was going to become the voice of reason.
"Okay!" He clapped his hands, "Let's just..." He never finished his sentence. A shot echoed through the plains they were in. It happened all in the blink of eye. One moment, everyone fell to the ground, covering their heads. The next moment, all their eyes fell on Silver's lifeless body.
"No!" Without hesitation Shadow picked up Wolf and knocked the lights out of him. Wolf fell unconsciously to the ground as Shadow dashed towards Silver's body.
"...Silver...Silv?" Shadow whispered has he kneeled next to Silver, cradling him in his arms. Silver's eyes still lay open half way, the brightness in his gold eyes was gone. Replaced with dull...lifeless...golden eyes. Shadow placed his hand over Silver's chest...hoping for a pulse, something..." Please...please...please"...Nothing. There a red mark on Silver's forehead...a bullet hole. Shadow look around the plains.
"Whose out there!" Shadow screamed.
Behind him, everyone was speechless. This couldn't be real...this couldn't. Tears filled their eyes. Rouge wanted to go up to Shadow. To hold him, to comfort him. But how? What could she possibly say that would make this okay?
"Show yourself now!" Shadow yelled against the wind. No answer. No movement. Just silence. Guess it's time we start snuffing out the light, Wolf's words now rang in Shadows mind. Was this his plan? Who was we? Was going after him through the portal the right choice? They did everything right, they couldn't have possibly done anything that would've changed this reality. What could have happened?
"It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. We'll figure this out." Shadow began to say. Everyone saw something in Shadow that they never saw before...hopelessness, loss...sadness. And Shadow felt something he never felt before...even with Maria...He couldn't put words to what it was. "Damn you kid." Shadow then held Silver's body close to him. Shadow's head leaning over the younger hedgehogs shoulder in a tight embrace. He never once hugged Silver or showed any affection...until now. But what was the point, if Silver couldn't feel it.
As Shadow held on tightly to him, he felt the warmth slowly leaving Silver's body. Another light had just been destroyed in this cruel world...and yet again...there nothing Shadow could do about it.
To be continued (?)...