A/N: Argh! I realized after uploading that I mentioned Tom and Maddie as boyfriend and girlfriend stupidly forgetting they're married… Don't worry, I'll fix it. So, anyways…I hope we like where this is going so far. Thanks to anyone who's reading this. This is AU, but it does follow after what happened in the movie minus Tails arrival after the credits. I might change how he showed up for this fic.

[ My ideal voice for movie Shadow is David Matranga. Voice actor for Shoto Todoroki of My Hero Academia. ] *keep that in mind for this fic*

Chapter 2: Introductions and Living arrangements

It was around midnight by now. Thunder roared rattling the glass of the windows in the house causing the new hedgehog to flinch every so often when another loud boom would shake the house.

Maddie prepared some coffee for the adults in the room and hot chocolate for the hedgehogs hoping to relieve some of the tension within Wades house. After the scare the new hedgehog gave them, they deserved a warm drink. The sheriffs gave a happy groan at the smell of fresh coffee as it was handed to them in steaming hot mugs.

"Ahh… That's good, thanks babe."

Tom took another drink from the mug as he stood leaning against the counter. Wade was sitting at the table drinking his coffee in silence staring every so often at the hedgehog he had found in his garage. Again Maddie turned back around and with two more mugs. These were filled with a chocolatey substance and topped with marshmallows. Bubbly laughter erupted from the blue hedgehog as his green eyes looked up excitedly at the steaming cup that was placed in front of him.

"Careful Sonic, its hot."

His adoptive mother warned, her dark brown eyes giving him a warning look and smile. He smiled back pushing the mug closer as he swung his legs off the chair.

"Thanks Maddie!"

The dark hedgehog besides him stared at the mug watching Sonics movements curiously before he too reached out his hands cautiously touching the mug. His expression smoothed over and as he took his first sip of the drink his tan muzzle dusted with a soft blush.

"Woah… Wh-what is this?"

The group looked over at the dark hedgehog in unison, equal expressions of confusion on their faces making red eyes look up and he flinched thinking he had done something wrong.

"I-I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?"

Sonic slammed his hands on the table and stood on the chair looking at the ebony hedgehog in utter disbelief.

"No, what?! You've never had hot chocolate!"

Red eyes looked around the room at the faces that showed obvious signs that this was the norm for them but for him, this blue hedgehogs erratic behavior was slightly frightening. Blue quills swayed as the hedgehog shook his head sideways and he straightened crossing his arms making a clicking sound with his mouth.

"No good, were gonna have to fix this Tom…"

Tom let out a boastful laugh, the ebony hedgehog flinching in response. Maddie saw this and smacked her husbands shoulder with a glare. He came over to the seat and sat down clearing his throat.

"He's kidding! Relax kid, Sonic's just saying he'll probably make you taste everything in the kitchen. You're safe here."

Dark shoulders lowered noticeably and Sonic grinned over at his adoptive father with a thumbs up. Maddie too came over to sit with the group at the table with her mug in hands and smiled warmly in the dark hedgehogs direction.

"Well, now that were all warmed up and out of the rain… Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself. What's your name?" She thought about her words for a second as she looked at the curious way he reacted and tried again differently. "Do you… Remember your name?"

That's when red eyes lowered nervously and the hedgehog seemed to close in on himself, hands lowering to his lap with uncertainty.

"No… I don't remember…"

Maddie stood from her chair, going over to the hedgehog. Her motherly instincts kicking as she knelt down besides him rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.

"Hey, its alright. We'll figure this out together. In the mean time though, how about we find something to call you. Huh? Something you like."

Tom nodded over at his wife with a funny smile, she mimics it nodding back at her husband. A sure sign he approved. Turning back her attention to their new guest who was busily messing with his fingers in thought, the room once again went silent.

"What about blackie?"

Wade made his presence known again speaking to the Wachoski's, who somehow seemed to have huddled their own group at the other side of the table around the new hedgehog. The hamburger loving sheriff looked over at his friends giving them a forced smile. They looked back at each other oddly before looking at Wade with apologetic faces.

"Nah, that's a cat name. He's a hedgehog, he needs a cool name like… Bat man!"

Tom snorted covering his face as he went into full on laughter.

"That's not a name Sonic… What about Dave?"

"Ew! That's even worse! No way, nu-ugh! What about Smokey?"

Sonic tried again and this time with a smug face. Maddie erupted in a fit of giggles, he looked at her oddly but focused his attention back on the dark hedgehog. He didn't seem to like the names suggestions so far it seemed. Maddie's brown eyes looked around the room, looking for anything that might give her an idea as the guys discussed different names when she caught sight of her shadow beneath her. Her brow raised curiously looking back at the dark hedgehog.

"How about Shadow?"

The group of guys paused looking over at the dark skinned beauty with raised brows and shrugged lips. Sonic laughed excitedly looking over at the hedgehog. It didn't sound too flashy or boring.

"Shadow sounds cool, So, what do you think? Do you like it?"

The hedgehog looked around the room nervous under their stare. Maddie rubbed soothing circles on his shoulder and Sonic offered a warm smile making the other look up a little more positively.

"Shadow…" The hedgehog tried the word on his tongue and his eyes looked up at the group with a slight nod of his head. "I like it, it… Sounds nice."

Sonic giggled with a wide grin and again Maddie rolled her eyes over at Tom knowingly. He shrugged with a smile but winked at his wife.

"Alright Shadow, now that we got you a name can you tell us anything else about yourself? Er… Or umm… Do you remember anything… About yourself?"

The newly named hedgehog Shadow again began to fiddle with his fingers and his ears dropped as his expression became saddened.

"I'm sorry… I don't really remember anything… I don't think I'll be able to say anything useful…"

The group gave each other worried looks, a new hedgehog on earth and with amnesia couldn't be a good thing. After all Sonics arrival had turned out a mess.

Sonics green eyes looked into his half empty mug in thought, a cloudy reflection staring back at him from the chocolatey substance. He thought back to himself, memories of fear and panic flooding back making him shiver slightly. Emerald eyes looked over at the new hedgehog taking in the black fur under the kitchen lighting. There were bits here and there stuck to his fur that seemed to be from the forest floor.

At this moment Sonics thoughts traveled far away from the group sitting around the table. He was no longer in the brightly lit warm kitchen and his eyes drooped sadly seeing the darkness of the forest. He could vividly see the dirt ground of his cave, feel the cold that would seep through the cracks leaving his body in shivers on particularly cold nights. He rolled into a ball on his bean bag chair with a worn out old baby blanket he had found trying to huddle up to achieve whatever little warmth he could. He remembered feeling incredibly alone. Even now in the present within the safety of Wades home, Sonics body shivered and his hands held on to his mug tighter wanting to hold on to its dwindling warmth longer.

"Sonic? What's wrong bud? You okay over there?"

Blue ears lifted looking over at Tom and he smiled sadly finally lifting his mug setting it on the table softly. He ignored the question instead looking over at Shadow.

"Do you think… You were on the run?"

Shadow looked up, his brows creased in concentration, red eyes stared at a drop of chocolate on the table. Had the moment not been so serious Sonic would have laughed, the look Shadow was giving the table could have very well set it on fire. Those red eyes looked back up gazing around at the people sitting at the table before landing on green eyes much like his own and sighed.

"I woke in the forest… All I remember is my body burning all over, and because it was raining I was trying to look for some place to hide and that's when I found this place."

"Burning?" '

Sonics voice came out in curiosity. True, what Shadow had said wasn't very helpful, but the burning sensation to his body was a little bit strange, curious even.

He vaguely remembered his own experiences as a kid, there weren't many situations that he could think of ever being particularly painful but he remembered the first time he managed to kick his legs fast enough to experience his first sonic boom. He remembered the way every fiber of his body burned like it was on fire and it tingled over his body till it flared and somehow gave off a chilling feeling like freezing moist air against his skin through his fur. The hedgehog flinched at the memory, luckily it didn't feel like that anymore.

He looked over at the hedgehog besides him again, trying to take in his form. Even sitting on the chair he could see the physical strength in the others muscles, even on the lean legs that dangled off the seat. Those shoes he was wearing though were a little curious looking and Sonic raised a brow at them.

"How fast can you go?"

"E-Excuse me?"

Shadow stuttered on the chair besides the blue hedgehog and the group looked over in interest. As Sonic climbed off his chair the other hedgehog stared at him curiously with a lifted brow. Tom's eyes widened realizing what was coming next and started rubbing at his face.

"No, Sonic don't!"

"Ya, like me look!" Sonic zipped around the room sending paperwork on counters flying . A couple lamp shades swung loosely as the blue hedgehog went to different items and danced or did a variety of different things seemingly all at once. "I was over there, now I'm over here! Hey Tom look at me! Woah, hey! How'd I get over here so fast!?"

Sonic sat on the edge of the table next to Shadow kicking his feet happily sporting a wide grin on his face at he waved at him. Those red eyes again were wide and slightly frightened but it was obvious enough to see the hyperactive friendly blue hedgehog was spiking his interest. Shadows lips turned slightly at the corner as he smiled slightly. Wade however, groaned at the mess in the room.

"That's it, I'm gonna go change. You guys figure this mess out…"

"We love you Wade!"

Tom yelled out to his partner as he disappeared up the stairs with a lazy wave behind him.

"Do whatever you need to just don't break anything in the house. And no more aliens Tom! I mean it!"

The group laughed at the voice yelling to them from up the stairs and as it went silent they turned their attention back to the black hedgehog. Maddie was the first to stand from her chair. She looked at the mess around the place giving Sonic a stern stare and a raised brow. The blue hedgehog laughed nervously as his adoptive mother tapped her foot impatiently.

"Heh, I'll clean that up."

In seconds the mess was clean and this time when Sonic came to stand in front of Mrs. Wachoski with a soldiers solute, the ebony hedgehog laughed softly. Tom stood from his seat taking everyones mugs to wash them and put them away before turning back to his family and the new hedgehog with hands on his hips in thought.

"Alright then its late, I'm sure you're probably tired so lets get some rest. We'll figure this all out in the morning…"

Tom yawned loudly making Maddie smile and she went over to her husband hugging an arm over his shoulder fondly.

"Come on, we should get home. I'm tired too and it's way past blue's bed time."

Wade came back down from the stairs dressed in jeans and an old faded t-shirt. The Wachoski's looked over at their friend tiredly and looked over at the new hedgehog before speaking again.

"We're gonna head out now."

"What about him?"

Toms friend nodded over at Shadow who was busy watching Sonic pretend to be an airplane around the table. Hazel eyes looked to the hedgehogs with a smirk and a raised brow.

"Ya, for obvious reasons he might have to stay here."

A lifted brow and tapping fingers on hips said it all, but Wade lowered his head with a sigh and looked back up at his friend with a roll of his eyes. He'd ask about that later.

"Fine, whatever. But you better come back in the morning Tom, I'm serious."

The man pointed a finger making the donut loving sheriff laugh. He turned around looking over at his wife and adopted son giving Maddie a tired smile.

"Alright, lets go home guys. Come on Sonic, time to go bud. It's late."

"Aww, but I'm not tired yet!"

Maddie grabbed Sonics coat with a smile holding it out to him as he waddled over sluggishly moping the whole way to the door.

"Can Shadow come with us Maddie?"

Tom walked over helping the yawning blue hedgehog button up his little red coat with a chuckle.

"He's gotta sleep bud, you can show him your comic book collection tomorrow. Look, you're tired too."

As another yawn stopped the blue hedgehogs whine, he smacked his lips unable to complain this time and waddled his way to the door as his adoptive mother pushed him forth gently.

"Night Wade, Night Shadow! I'm gonna show you everything around Green Hills and oh the base ball field…"

The hedgehogs voice faded out the door along with Mrs. Wachoski and Tom held onto the door poking his head back in.

"You'll be safe here Shadow, just don't invite anymore space hedgehogs and we'll be good. Alright, goodnight guys."

Just like that the house was left in silence and Wade turned around to his new housemate with a raised brow.

"I got a spare bedroom if you want it? Oh! You probably want to shower too, stupid me. The bathrooms upstairs down the hall to the right. I can get you some towels and I've got extra socks you can have too. Go on, its alright."

Shadow stood there for a moment before turning around looking over his shoulder till Wade nodded and he watched him go up the stairs. With a sigh and a shake of his head he followed up after Shadow making it up the stairs just as the bathroom door was closed. In the mean time he went over to get the items he promised the hedgehog.

Wade returned quickly knocking on the bathroom door before he opened it slightly to leave the items on the counter.

"I'll be downstairs, when you're finished I'll show you to the guest room."

"Okay…"

The voice came out softly and the man sighed closing the door behind him walking away. Despite the scare he suffered earlier it didn't seem like the new hedgehog wasn't much of a problem. He was glad even that he was quiet, much different from Sonic. The thought made him blow his cheeks and widen his eyes, he didn't know what he'd do if he had to live with a hyperactive hedgehog because honestly Wade didn't know how Tom pulled it off himself.

Waving the thought off, Wade went down into the kitchen for something to drink.

Twenty minutes later and the hedgehog was walking downstairs clean, fur brushed, slightly damp and shiny. Wade gave the hedgehog a once over with a nod. Shadow gave him a smile.

"Alright, let's get you upstairs to bed. I'm sure you're tired after all that too. Come on follow me."

The hedgehog nodded following the man up the stairs and down the hall past the bathroom to a door at the end.

"You can sleep here. Tom will figure out what to do tomorrow."

Again the hedgehog nodded walking into the room closing the door softly. Within the room, he sat on the bed looking around the darkness with curiosity, uncertain of what to do. What was he doing here? Who were these people and what exactly was this place? He couldn't be sure but he knew it was safe here and it was okay to close his eyes at least for a moment.

The sweet buttery scent of pancakes wafted through the house and into the closed door of its sleeping guest. Dark lids scrunch up and a tan muzzle groans before red irises peek open. When had he fallen asleep? The sunlight that seeps through the crack of the closed blinds stings causing his eyes to squint to the morning light. Finally he sits up rubbing at his face curious about his position on the bed with the blanket over him. Had the stranger tucked him in last night? An odd grumbling sound came out from the back of his throat as his hand fisted the blanket in thought. How could they be so kind, they didn't even know him. Yet the door opened distracting him from his thoughts

"Oh, hey! I was about to come and wake you, breakfast is ready. Its pancakes."

The man smiled and scratched his head at the hedgehogs lack of response. Shadow lifted a brow making the made fumble nervously by the door and clear his throat.

"Y-you probably don't even know what that its geeze, I'm an idiot sorry. Just come down when you're ready. There's a cup with a brand new tooth brush for you in the bathroom, I'll be downstairs."

Shadow this time nodded and the man smiled slightly, his shoulders slouching slightly in relief with the small response. With that he turned and left the room.

It wasn't long after Wade left the room that the hedgehog was walking downstairs in Wade's borrowed socks and now washed gloves. He stood holding onto the door frame peeking into the kitchen, his nose smelling the delicious scent within the room. Wade was watching out of the corner of his eye from the counter, a coffee mug in hand. The hedgehog stood there nervously and Wade chuckled softly at the hedgehog.

"Its alright, come over to the table."

Shadow walked over climbing onto the chair staring at the plate in front of him. There was a four pile high stack of fluffy pancakes topped with golden strings of syrup and whipped cream. Around the plate was an assortment of berries that glittered with the syrup that coated them on the plate.

Red eyes looked at the man curiously watching as he nodded. A nervous gloved hand picked up the fork cutting out triangles and popped a piece of syrupy coated fluffy bread in his mouth. Wade watched as those red eyes widened and he chuckled lightly as the hedgehog looked around the plate trying to decide what to eat next. The fork stabbing into strawberries and blueberries this time and he smeared them in the whipped, eyes widened even larger if that was possible making Wade bust out laughing. Shadow looked over with stuffed cheeks and a raised brow. He hadn't realized how fast he was shoveling food and he blushed feeling embarrassed swallowing the mouthful with a sad look.

"Hey, it's alright. You're just a little over excited is all, just slow down a bit. Don't want you chocking on a berry."

Shadow smiled at this relaxing in his seat. Suddenly a honk could be heard outside and Wade turned around getting up from his seat.

"That's probably Tom."

Black ears perked up to the sound of the front door being opened, the sound voices and laughter filled the house announcing the arrival of the Wachoski family. Shadow swallowed the last piece of pancake as a flash of blue zipped through the house and ran circles around the kitchen table.

"Hi Shadow! Heh, did you miss me?"

The hedgehog skidded to a stop in front of the other on the chair and waved with a smile as his adoptive parents walked into the kitchen with Wade.

"Sonic, what I say about running in the house?"

Tom eyed the hedgehog with grin as he stomped over to a chair plopping his head down on folded arms on the table with a scowl. Shadow besides him only smirked making Maddie laugh.

"You look like you had a good nights rest. You look better too, how do you feel?"

The beautiful dark skinned woman walked over flipping her long dark her over a shoulder with a smile. Her hands came out gently and she picked up the kitchen rag to side and went over to the sink running it under warm water. He watched her curiously with head tilted to the side till she walked back picking up his chin gently within her delicate hand and started cleaning up his face. The tan muzzle blushed at the gentle treatment till he heard Sonic snickering and he glared with a growl.

"Shut up hedgehog…" Sonic grinned back.

"Heh, baby…"

Shadow frowned snatching the rag from Maddie hand and flung it at Sonics face. These two would have been a handful together, he was glad they made the decision to keep them separate. Tom looked over with a raised brow and a chuckled at them.

"Looks like you're getting well acquainted. Alright, guys quit messing around. We talked it over last night, Maddie and I think it be best if Shadow stay here with Wade. It be easier to hide you guys if anyone comes looking again."

Sonic was about to protest but deflated to the last part, it was true they had to take extra precautions just to be safe.

"But we can visit though right? Ooh! Tom! Can he come over for movie nights?! Can he?"

Hazel eyes wrinkled at the ends as he laughed at the excited blue hedgehog. Though he understood, it was only natural considering another creature of his species was here now.

"That depends on him bud. We can't make him come over if he doesn't want to."

They looked over to Shadow who raised a brow at being stared at. Within the short time span that he had come to know these people all they did was stare and it was starting to get annoying. though he spared a glance over at Sonic who was looking at him with wide expectant green eyes leaning on the table as he stood on the chair. This hedgehog was infuriating, but his childishness was oddly endearing. He sighed turning to the blue hedgehog in defeat.

"I'll come over…"

Red eyes caught sight of a small wagging blue tail and smirked. Maddie must have seen it too since she was trying to hide a giggle behind a hand. Tom looked over at her making funny eyebrows but the hedgehogs only stared at them oddly, what were these people going on about? Wade finally cut in, realizing what the living arrangements were.

"I get my own space hedgehog?" Tom laughed as Shadow made a face.

"Ya, if… that's alright with you?" All eyes stared blinking at Wade till he nodded with a shrug.

"Awesome..."

The group again relaxed sitting comfortably around the table. Maddie grabbed everyone's attention when she spoke up.

"Looks like we're setting an extra plate for dinner tonight."

Sonic looked up with an excited laugh, he was looking forward to having his first friend over for dinner.

Sonic rushed over and giggled as he showed off his funny hat and danced. Shadow chuckled only because the blue hedgehog looked more like he needed to pee.

"Ooh and I got these rubber band balls when I met Tom last year when we drove by the worlds largest rubber band ball. It wasn't that great though."

The dark hedgehog chuckled standing in the middle of the room awkwardly as Sonic continued to show him his treasured items within the sparkling room of warm LED lights. He wasn't exactly sure what to do but he was content listening to other share his stories as he pointed to different things around the room.

Since today was Tom and Wade's day off, they spent most of the day like this with the adults downstairs discussing things while they prepared dinner.

Eventually they wandered over to Sonics race car bed, the blue hedgehog forcing him to plop down on the edge of the bed and brought over a stack of comics books. Red eyes reading over the cover with little interest but the hedgehog besides him was speaking animatedly about the collections of book so he figured they must be important. Shadow sat there and listened, he took in every little word the hedgehog said and even when Sonic paused in thought red eyes were focused hanging onto the moment with intense interest.

He stared too long, those green eyes distracted him.

"…And ooh woah, your rings… I just realized you were wearing them… Can I…"

A blue arm reached out and gloved fingers barley grazed the metal of the rings as Shadow flinched and pulled back getting off the bed. Sonics eyes looked up worriedly at the other hedgehog afraid he'd overstepped his boundaries.

"D-Don't touch them…"

Sonic raised a curious brow at the other but didn't question further.

"A-alright, don't worry I won't…"

They stayed there, green and red eyes looking back at each other with uncertainty till Maddie's voice broke the silence making them jump.

"Dinners ready boys! Don't forget to wash up before you come and eat okay?"

Green eyes flickered between the dark hedgehog and open hatch of the attic where Maddie's voice was coming from before speaking.

"O-Okay, we'll be down in a minute!"

Sonic looked around his room for the hidden coffee tin he hid around for emergencies and took it out turning back to Shadow with a more serious expression than before.

"They're probably not the same, but I've got rings of my own. A bunch actually. See…?"

The hedgehog reached into the coffee tin and took out a brown satchel that had probably seen better days, with a piece of duck tape stuck to it scribbled with 'EMERGENY' in black sharpie. Sonics gloved hand reached into the bag taking a fist back out and unfurled his fingers to reveal a pile of small golden shining rings. Shadow glanced back up at Sonic curiously and the hedgehog nodded letting Shadow know it was alright. He reached out a hand, finger tips running above the pile of gold with interest.

The feeling there was odd and electrifying, the fur standing beneath his gloves like static of a balloon. Red eyes looked up curiously was it supposed to feel like that? Could Sonic feel it too? The energy that resided within these rings pulsated under the simple touch and sent a wave of warmth through his body leaving it tingling oddly.

"D-Do you feel that too, or is it just me?"

Shadows interest peaked, so this hedgehog could feel it too. Somehow despite the pretty warm glow the energy was giving off suddenly the dark hedgehog felt panic take him over as he realized The rings had somehow activated some kind of energy within him. He was producing the energy build up and he had no idea how to stop it.

Those green eyes shined golden against the glittering energy flow and it was captivatingly breath taking but the fear of destroying something so pure had him acting on instinct as he suddenly pushed Sonic back destroying the image, throwing him against the wall roughly and aimed his hand at the floor releasing a burst of energy that shot out like a spear blasting through the attic floor.

The whole house shook as a spot to the attic ceiling exploded leaving a giant hole there. The area around was scattered with torn and chard pieces of debris. Pink fluff of insulation scattered the place and floated in the air making its occupants cough as they ran up the stairs waving at the smoke in concern.

"Sonic! What happened up there?"

In hearing his name the blue hedgehog started coming back. His eyes blinking blearily against the smoke within his room. As Sonic pulled himself up he coughed clearing his throat looking around the place in confusion. Green eyes landed on a discarded ring on the floor and he remembered what took place looking around the room for the other hedgehog who had been with him trying to see if he was alright.

"Shadow?"

He called out but he didn't have to look far, in fact he was standing there in the middle of the room paralyzed in shock. Sonic leaned forwards to stand and made his way to the other, he seemed alright but he was unresponsive and slightly trembling.

"Sonic! Say something damn it!"

Toms voice shook him alert and he looked around before running over to the hole in the attic and looked down at his adoptive parents and Wade all staring up in concern.

"I'm alright!"

"What about Shadow?"

Maddie's voice called up and Sonic looked up a little worried. He ignored her question and ran back over to the hedgehog waving a hand in front of him curiously. The sharp intake of breath he got was terrifying and he stepped back but those red eyes scattered around the room scared and uncertain and all Sonic could do was reach out taking the other hands within his.

"Hey… It's alright breathe…"

"I… I didn't mean… I wasn't trying to…"

Sonic shook his head and smiled making the other go silent from his rambling.

"It was an accident…" Green eyes looked around the room nervously taking one of his hands back to scratch at the back of his neck. "So maybe it was a bad idea to show you my rings... heh…"

Tom and Maddie finally ran up the stairs, luckily they were still in tact. Wade came up after them looking around the place with wide eyes. When Toms hazel eyes landed back on Sonic his ears lowered nervously letting Shadows hand fall.

"What the hell happened up here?"

"It just sort of happened?" Sonic replied uncertainly.

Tom rolled his eyes, behind him Sonic could clearly see Maddie was equally just as upset.

"Honey, just tell us what happened, okay?"

Sonic nodded but before he could answer Shadow pushed past him looking up at the adults in the room.

"I did it. Its my fault."

"What?" Mr. Wachoski arms fell to his sides as his mouth feel open.

"It wasn't your fault Shadow it was the stupid rings! If I hadn't had shown them to you-" Sonic yelled but was quickly cut off by Tom.

"You showed him the rings!? Sonic you said you'd hide those things away!"

Tom was yelling at Sonic and Shadow watched as the blue hedgehogs ears folded back, a visible sign that he was upset. He suddenly felt very guilty because it looked like this hedgehogs life had been perfect until he got there. Maddie looked over her husbands shoulder glancing between the pair arguing then focused her attention on Shadow who seemed to be closing in on himself again, she shook her head disapprovingly pushing past her husband to stand by Shadow placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Tom, stop it. Yelling at Sonic isn't going to make things better. Lets just go downstairs and settle down."

Wade coughed glancing nervous eyes between the Wachoski family and he smiled tapping his partner on the shoulder.

"Chill out Tom, we can put some wooden panels down in the mean time. I got some stuff we can use at home."

It took a second but the doughnut loving man sighed turning away with his friend to go downstairs. Once they were gone she turned to the hedgehogs in the room with a tired yet warm smile.

"Come on you two, lets go."

She pushed them along with her, walking away from the mess pretending like nothing had happened.

At least the rest of the house was still in one piece. Maddie pushed off the hedgehogs to sit at the table where the plates had been set.

Everyone's stomach rumbled, the noise audible to the occupants within the house around the table and as soon as the spaghetti and garlic bread had been served they dug in eagerly with pleased smiles. The explosion from upstairs moments ago, forgotten with the distraction of food.

All except for Maddie that is.

"So what exactly happened upstairs?"

Her voice came out curiously and she raised a brow when no one answered. Luckily Shadow responded.

"The rings… When I touched them… something happened… It's like energy came out of me… from my hand…"

"That's not going to happen when you're at my house is it?"

The group rolled their eyes at Wade but it was a fair question considering what just happened to their attic floor.

"It shouldn't. Those rings caused that explosion to happen. I felt it." Sonic responded quickly.

Toms eyes focused on Sonic at that last comment, his brows creasing in concern.

"What do you mean you felt it?"

Sonic looked at his hands for a moment, his eyes wondering over to Shadow before answering.

"I don't know… It was like I could the energy, like it was alive… And when Shadow touched the rings it just built up more… Like it was… waking up…"

The group was silent as all eyes landed on the new hedgehog. He swallowed under their stare, nervous and unsettled but what could he do? The damage was already done. Tom sighed stabbing his fork into a pile of sloppy noodles and let his hands rest on the table with his finger tapping in thought.

"Did you know you could do that Shadow?" He asked and the hedgehog in turn shook his head.

"No… I had no idea…"

"Well… We're just gonna have to do something to teach you to control those abilities… Something that doesn't involve more parts of the house exploding…"

Maddie took a sip from her glass looking over at Tom before she spoke.

"I just hope nobody else heard the explosion. The last thing we need is for the military to be running around here again."

They all hummed in unison except for Shadow who stared at the group curiously. These people were odd, by the looks of things, it seemed like this was almost normal. Sonic turned around offering him a grin from his side of the table and Shadow felt thankful these people had been so kind.

"Now if we can just find somewhere for you guys to practice, without anyone finding out about it, Sonic… Everything will be just fine..."

The car ride back to Wade house was quiet with the soft music of a classic rock station playing in the background. The mans brown eyes looked over at his new housemate. He'd have to set some rules for the day he'd be at work.

"Tom and I work tomorrow so I might just have to drop you off with Maddie, she'll know what to do."

The hedgehog crossed his arms looking over at the man with creased brows.

"What if I just stay there by myself?

"Heh, no can do buddy. What if someone's after you and they come in guns blazing?"

"I think I could handle it…"

"What you and those powers you suddenly found out about? I don't think so kid."

The hedgehog grumbled in his seat pulling at the seat belt in irritation to move it from rubbing at his next except when he let go it retracted and smacked him in the face pissing him off more. Wade on the other hand laughed besides him, this was turning out to be very amusing. He wondered what the hedgehog would do if he handed him off to Maddie's sister Rachel for a play date with Jojo.

It was an interesting thought.

But honestly, Wade just didn't want his house getting blown up.

"I'm not a kid, I'm a hedgehog…"

Shadow grumbled and Wade reached a hand over ruffling his hand through the red fur of the hedgehogs head.

"Sure pal, whatever you say…"