Boiling Point

by galsgeneration

Temperance is an important virtue. After receiving a single message from a long-time rival, Shadow the Hedgehog decides to attend a rather friendly gathering, hellbent on pursuing a dreamlike night.

3. Inferno

One plus six.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

---

BOILING POINT

And a Chemical Reaction

ACT 3

Inferno

Ashes. Burnt to ashes.

There was no other way to describe what Jet, that son of a bitch, had done to Shadow's forecasting. Yet, as ironic as it sounded, the dark hedgehog held on to some thread of hope, barely alive thanks to the comforting energy he had previously felt. The remaining six Chaos Emeralds were around, empowering another user like him. That unique sensation alone had prompted the agent to stay focused on his goal.

Shadow wasn't there hiding from anybody, bearing in mind he just required a moment to think after such an intense outburst. His wavering emotions shouldn't have taken the best of him, but Shadow knew coming back to the party like some sort of penitent deserter wasn't ideal. And even if he were to be somebody who enjoyed self-humiliation, it wouldn't be practical. Not in this state. He wouldn't last a second trying to hold himself back from eliminating the troublesome hawk, who had turned whatever expectations he had with Super Sonic into cinder.

Furthermore, Shadow wasn't one to give up, but the idea of leaving and finding a guy to fuck out of spite elsewhere sounded tempting. Departing shortly was the best option anyway. He remembered Sonic's subtle advances throughout the night when picking his next move, realizing the hero wasn't one to embrace defeat that easily either – at least not until he had warped away from the main area. Perhaps the blue hedgehog would do a quick search later on, a futile act since he'd be long gone by then.

It was close to 2 AM, introducing the devil's hour. At the peak of the crag, face to face with the celestial body that plagued him whenever Sonic's doings came into the picture, Shadow blew smoke forward and crossed his arms over his chest, amber-ish red eyes never swerving from their target. He glowered at its blinding color, since it resembled a certain golden hedgehog's fur. A rich hue belonging to a man he desired to have a taste of.

And be tasted by in return.

Shadow closed his eyes and felt a warm gust of wind get in contact with his black fur. Taking another long drag in the meantime, he noticed when the once energetic music became an audible, faraway echo. His right ear flicked in the direction of a whisper, coming from behind. He heard his own name in a weak voice, as if he were mourned by a ghost, which made him frown, open his eyes slowly and get ready to surprise the bastard who was about to sneak up on him. Shadow didn't move, though he listened to those careful steps heading his way when a familiar scent reached his nostrils. The next thing he expected was a startling touch.

It never came, because he was faster than Sonic.

Even so, his swift punch was enclosed by a gloved hand in a second. How annoying.

"Hey, it's just me," Sonic smirked, not removing his palm around Shadow's left fist. "Not that you would say 'sup or anything, though."

"I knew it was you. Again," Shadow spat, hastily retreating his fist from the blue hedgehog's grasp.

Sonic chuckled and halted beside his rival. "What can I say? Can't get rid of me that easily."

"Hmph. You were fast to ditch your friends and come find me," he rested his right elbow over a hand, smoke disturbing the sky above.

"Find you? Nah, I wasn't trying to. You just tend to be everywhere I go," Sonic told him, shaking his head slightly and placing a hand on his hip. "I don't get why you stayed after that shit-show, but I'm glad you did."

"I didn't stay for you. I'm leaving when I'm done here," Shadow shook his cigarette in the other's line of sight, then moved it back to his lips.

Mouth agape, he didn't even bother complaining when Sonic stole the object from his fingers, taking his own drag and blowing out a puff of smoke on his stoic face.

"Yeah?" the audacious hero had the nerve to speak.

"What do you want, Sonic?" Shadow sighed, recovering a pack from his head quills to get another one for himself. A digit enveloped by Chaos energy lit up its tip as he waited for his rival's answer.

Sonic didn't tell him at first. Therefore, they stayed in silence for a moment, hands holding their respective cigarettes down in the short distance between them. Smoking while observing the supermoon near the mount's horizon, Sonic pondered how to shift this conversation to the subject he was actually interested in. He was aware he should pick his words prudently, hence why the hedgehog decided to state a direct yet not so clear fact. Shadow was smart and could dip anytime. Plus, if a simple revelation had to remain a secret, the agent would make sure to stay on guard, independent of what he says – sugarcoated or not.

"She doesn't know," Sonic started, anticipating the tilt of Shadow's head requesting him to elaborate. "Rouge. I noticed at the table."

After a few seconds, his rival explained the reason behind Rouge's ignorance on his sexcapades.

"Omega found out," Shadow paused, missing Sonic's confused sideways glance. "If she knows about me, she knows about you."

'About us,' he refused to specify, because it would point to his own mistrust of Rouge handling such information.

Sonic snorted after exhaling smoke through his nose and mouth.

"You gave something away," his raspy voice was laced with amusement.

"What are you implying?" Shadow glared, impersonal tone becoming sharp.

"What are you implying, Shadow? You sound like we're obvious. How could she know? We're far from a thing, dude," Sonic remarked, unable to hide his blithe demeanor. "Just leave me out of the talk when she asks about your most memorable adventure so far," he smirked slyly.

"Then why the hell are you asking if it has nothing to do with you?" came the inquiry Sonic was hoping not to hear.

"Fine! You got a point. I shouldn't have asked," he raised his voice a tad.

'And I shouldn't have answered,' Shadow thought, quietly smoking his regret away with eyes casted onward.

Inside the organized workshop, lacking any kind of ventilation, Tails frowned and turned off the blowtorch in his hand. Seated on a wooden stool, the young inventor thought he had heard Sonic's exasperated voice coming from outside, thus his gaze darted to the lab house's entry for a minute. His best friend hadn't made his presence known in the cramped hall, so he used the back of his hand to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead, where golden bangs were somewhat disheveled.

Focused on taking a short break, Tails lifted a tall cup of Starfox Coffee to his lips, formerly placed on the small table beside his customized Extreme Gear. Adjusting the tackle on his lap, he figured the rotating power generator could be the origin of said noise, along with the creaking sound from the porch. Maybe even the background music itself was one at fault, which made more sense. With that in mind, Tails absorbed himself in hard work again, turning on the portable device to solder a metal plate over the side of his dynamic board, the Yellow Tail. A vivid blue flame reflected on unblinking aqua eyes, since the aerial pilot wore no protective equipment whatsoever, such as welding face shield and apron.

Tails had no time to lose, determined to prove Wave wrong after she swore his rig was outdated and limited, because it didn't have any exceptional abilities like her latest one. Taking him for an amateur had encouraged Tails to quit the conversation altogether. Or else, he wouldn't particularly care about how she viewed him as. He never saw the avian as a rival in the field. As a matter of fact, Tails admired Wave's mechanical knowledge and proficiency, never considering her an adversary outside of a championship. Still, the teenage fox couldn't simply let her win their argument that night. His strangely piked temper and infernal migraine had prevented him from doing so anyway.

Grumbling, Tails decided to blame his resentment on the weather and curse himself for not repairing the air conditioner when he had the chance, oblivious to the two hedgehogs standing just beyond the closed front gate of his workshop.

Ready to break the indefinite silence, Sonic glanced over Shadow and asked a self-centered question.

"Enjoyed my performance?"

"No," Shadow declared, understanding how it wasn't exactly Sonic he had envisioned dancing.

The hero raised an eye ridge in derision. "That smirk of yours said otherwise, man," when Shadow didn't deign that with a response, he carried on. "By the way, you owe me a dance."

Shadow watched his recently blown out smoke blend with the wind, mouth curving upwards at the veiled request. He thought of Sonic dancing gawkily with Silver after his stupid invitation was ignored. It turned out his rival wasn't done trying to convince him yet.

"Tch. I saw your moves, Sonic. You're no match for me," the striped hedgehog mocked, turning to regard his blue counterpart at the same time a sensual tune started playing, its beat faint and distant. "Get on my level first and perhaps we can schedule a trial."

"No match? Brave of you to say that when your specialty is rump shaking," Sonic shot Shadow a shit-eating grin, flicked his nose and started walking around the other in a rhythmical pace, making him growl in indignation.

The reaction didn't last long, because Shadow decided to use Sonic's reference to their distraction number back in Shamar to his advantage. "Don't judge me. Unlike you, I know how to entertain an audience," tired of the archaic method to rile him up, the agent circled the obnoxious hedgehog anticlockwise, mostly to intimidate him as they moved away from the lab house and closer to the location's epicenter near the runway.

Drawing a circumference on rocky ground, the rivals stared into each other's eyes once the music's tempo grew in intensity. Sonic couldn't help but simper as he smoked, clearly aware of what was coming next.

"That you do," he agreed with a sultry voice, one peach shoulder going up while the other went down in time with the nostalgic beat. "Dance with me, then. Betcha can't be the ultimate in everything."

"Watch and learn, hedgehog," was Sonic's final warning.

Shadow had always been the type to bite after barking. Besides, he didn't care how ridiculous a dance contest sounded at all. He was there to establish he was unrivaled in the game, no matter how hard Sonic doubted it. The hero's eyes widened when Shadow moved his body to the pleasant instrumental with unusual fervor. Sonic kept up almost instantly, smirking while mimicking his steps to make fun of the agent's head start. Shadow remained unfazed, rather taking a lengthy drag of his cigarette to show his disdain over Sonic's pathetic attempt to copy him. The blue hedgehog wasn't even close to his level, which was evidently superior.

Sonic's initial shock about Shadow's boldness was disguised with a snort. Licking his lips, the hero clapped and ambled in his rival's direction, only to stop at his front and showcase his individual routine, thought-out seconds before the lyrics first hit. Blue legs matched the alluring melody as Sonic's hips swayed, never losing momentum. Shadow frowned when his nemesis threw his head back in time with the bass, exposing his tiny neck while exhaling smoke upwards after a deep inhale. Pushing the hedgehog out of his personal space, Shadow twirled on the spot with flair, then advanced towards Sonic until they were almost chest to chest. Obviously, Sonic laughed at his endeavor, finding it hilarious and kind of enthralling, albeit a distinct air of hostility could be sensed from the black and red hedgehog's calculated actions.

"Nice opening, Shadow," Sonic praised casually.

"Praise is for the vain," Shadow scorned and drew back, putting a fair distance between them.

No more words came forth. Their focus shifted from voicing snarky remarks to presenting their best moves. Sonic and Shadow didn't bother relying on existing choreographies, let alone followed a specific type of dance, in contrast to the last time they found themselves in a comparable situation. Now able to sway however they saw fit, the heroes resumed circling one another menacingly, outlining a ring on the dusty ground as perfect as the full moon – their only witness to the rare occurrence. Spiny figures were illuminated by the marvelous orange glow, warm and fiery, just like Shadow's piercing look on his rival. When they met each other in the center, exhibiting steps that were far from conventional, the nearly ritualistic moment got intensified by a male choir, resonating louder whenever the chorus peaked in a sexy, unceasing way.

Dangerous

The way you leave me wanting more

Under the moonlight, black and blue mingled through an exchange of synchronized motions in the open area. Sonic mouthed the lyrics, incapable of breaking eye contact with Shadow after hooking his right arm around his waist. His rival mirrored the gesture with a knowing smirk, positioning his left hand flat behind his back as their crotches touched, hips involuntarily bucking forward to the ostinato. Sometimes they would grip a wrist or a forearm with unrestricted force, as their hands would always find a way to bring their silhouettes closer than ever before, masking an unspoken need for physical contact.

The night breeze swept the predominant smell of tobacco away during the continuous push and pulling. Cigarettes between index and middle fingers, Sonic and Shadow anticipated one another's movements, reflecting them with a parallel version of their own in a sign of equality and opposition. Two pairs of sharp white fangs made themselves visible when the rivals grinned with half-lidded eyes, genuinely having fun by treading in and out of each other's world with every step, forward and backward, intentionally and not as much.

Sonic tightened his hold around Shadow's torso, hardly believing when the agent hadn't even hesitated in doing the same. Closing the gap between their upper bodies gradually, the hero nuzzled his rival's shoulder, approaching his neck to take a good sniff of his fragrance while moving side to side. His flared nostrils caught a satisfying mix of lavender and musk, together with an indistinct aroma of citrus, which probably came from the gin Wave had accidentally knocked over his chest fur.

Eyes fluttering shut in tranquility, Sonic had no idea who to thank for the wonderful, new beginning of his night. He even forgot what he was supposed to do out there, utterly submerged in Shadow's company. Eventually, Sonic felt his dark counterpart lean into his touch, and throw his other arm around his shoulders to fully embrace him. The blue blur took the gesture as a hint to continue, fondling the side of his rival's muzzle with the tip of his nose until teeth came to graze on a cheek, digits traveling down to stroke a pointy tail, which quickly wagged.

Shadow's breath hitched and he chuckled, feeling Sonic's wandering hand play with the black appendage. The breathy, hoarse sound was cut short after he brought the cigarette to his lips, hauling Sonic closer in the process. Shutting his eyes, Shadow took one last drag while squeezing the other's buttock, hips moving left to right in an idle manner. Sonic had begun to shower the crook of his neck with light kisses when he had raised his chin to puff out smoke in the air. Shadow barely managed to conceal his forming grin, replaced by a brief croaky laugh. Irrefutably, the unpredicted affection made him shiver and relax at once, though Shadow didn't allow himself to get carried away, eyelids reopening for him to promptly scan the environment.

Palm trees casting uneven shadows on the runway were a nice addition to the scenery, according to Shadow's eye for natural beauty. Using his gloved fingers to explore his rival's athletic body, the Ultimate Lifeform failed to hide a sneer while thinking about how easy it had been for Sonic to back down from their challenge. Even so, the striped hedgehog couldn't deny their competition was on the verge of turning into something else. Something both of them wanted but wouldn't address out loud.

Far from the burning torches and tipsy mobians, Shadow let his gaze linger on the supermoon as he paid attention to Sonic's shallow breathing against his collarbone. The whole moment felt like a dream, although shared with another being. Yet, nobody could imagine the turmoil that flashed across those crimson eyes, at the instant their owner perceived a curious detail, too engrossed in the desire to surpass his look-alike to mind it sooner.

That was the first time Shadow was deliberately swaying with someone.

And he was enjoying it. Features twisting in disgust, Shadow turned his face to the side after Sonic's lips almost found their way onto his own, now curved downwards. He recalled how infuriated his rival had left him the last time he risked giving him a surprise kiss in Arid Sands, escaping moments before he reciprocated it. Settling he had already won their challenge, since Sonic wasn't even taking it seriously anymore, Shadow had a brilliant idea. There was nothing like the sweet taste of revenge on a flourishing night. Wetting his lips after discarding the cigarette butt, he estimated it was time for payback. The perfect chance to right the wrongs so they were finally even.

Clueless about what had just transpired on Shadow's reeling mind, Sonic grunted when the agent lowered his palms to grip the back of his thighs, getting his legs off the ground with utmost velocity and ease. His limbs came to wrap themselves around a narrow waist instinctively due to the sudden change in position. When he left his now favorite spot in Shadow's neck to comment on the lift, the dark hedgehog amazed him with a heated kiss, so bruising and raw that Sonic's lips couldn't even move against his.

An odd sensation of excitement and confusion washed over the wide-eyed hero as Shadow tugged at his bottom lip, purposely drawing blood. He swung them both in his strong hold, like a mock-up spin coming straight from a romantic flick, without breaking the one-sided kiss. With his back now facing Tails' workshop, the blue hedgehog couldn't imagine that Shadow would sprint forward with his body in his arms, lacking a clear direction other than a dingy folding door. However, Sonic could predict in that split second that the outcome would be more than disastrous for all those involved.

"Piece of junk. She knows nothing abou– holy cow!" Tails shouted, throwing himself on the metal flooring when a noise louder than a thunder blasted to his side.

Falling jointly with its rider, the Yellow Tail emitted a hard clanking sound upon hitting the pristine steel. The fox's endorsed coffee had splashed all over the board once the table inclined, courtesy of the strange thump. Breathing heavily, Tails gritted his teeth and clenched a fist around the turned-on propane torch, surveying how the impact had made his sky-blue iron gate bend violently.

Tails dismissed his tachycardia and stood up, realizing the collision had formed the perfect shape of Sonic's head and back quills in tough metal, where lime green paint was scratched under a two-tailed emblem. Convinced that his best friend was in terrible danger, the young hero rushed to the wooden door while holding the fuel-burning tool, namesakes gyrating behind him for an extra boost.

"Shit," Sonic tried to squirm out of Shadow's grasp, still pressed hard against the deformed gate. "Get off! Get off!" he hissed as the front door was pushed open, panic inducing him to punch his rival in the ribs repeatedly. His desperate measures had brought Shadow to slip on the high, stone step and fumble backwards, tumbling to the ground on his back with Sonic straddling his torso.

"I'm coming, Sonic!" Tails stopped in his tracks and took in the scene before him, wearing the most incredulous expression he could muster.

Needless to say, Sonic and Shadow were angrily bumping heads and throwing insults at one another over the debacle. That was, until the duo set their googly eyes on a motionless Tails with heavy eyebags, mouth agape, arms hanging down and a blowtorch in hand. Looking like a deer caught in headlights, Sonic gulped and rose from Shadow's mid-section. The striped hedgehog got back on his feet as well and dusted himself off, wiping his mouth clean while glaring at the other's back. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Sonic chuckled sheepishly and greeted his li'l bro, leaving a hand on his hip to disguise the yet to be thrown away cigarette butt.

"Hey, Tails!" the blue hedgehog waved and sneaked a look at his friend's occupied fist. "Uh, I think you should turn this thing off."

"Really, Sonic?" Tails deadpanned, then pointed to the wrecked metal gate. "Look at my door!"

"Sorry…" Sonic felt himself shrink under the yellow fox's death stare, stroking his nape with ears folded back. "Shadow and I didn't mean to trash it."

"Well, then go take your fight somewhere else!"

"Sounds like a great idea, buddy!" the hero winked and gave him a thumbs up, heedless of the thin line of smoke rising upwards beside him.

"Are you smoking?!" Tails strode forward in disbelief.

"No!" Sonic brought his hands up to stop the inventor from confronting him, but to no avail. Almost burning a peach arm on the way, Tails used the opening to snatch the cigarette from his fingers and toss it furiously on the ground, stomping on the object several times. "Dude, calm down! It was a bet. Shadow thought I couldn't take a drag."

"He's lying, Tails," Shadow added fuel to the fire, crossing his arms with a poised smile on his muzzle.

Sonic glared daggers at him over his shoulder. "Oh, shut the fu–"

"Argh, you're gonna drive me bonkers! I knew I shouldn't have left you alone. Knuckles was supposed to– is that blood in your mouth?" Tails abruptly inquired, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Y-yeah. Shadow busted my lip," he wiped his mouth using his forearm in a display of nonchalance.

The aerial pilot blinked a few times and heaved a tired sigh. "Okay, first: I don't want to catch you smoking ever again, Sonic. You know it's bad for your health," he raised his forefinger and went on. "Second: no fighting in front of my workshop," another digit up. "And third: I'm done doing your dirty work, so who's going to pay for the damage?" Tails' gaze landed on the agent. "You, Shadow?"

"Ha! Absolutely not," Shadow denied. "Sonic can pay. He has rings to spare."

"He has rings to spare," Sonic echoed part of the other's speech in an awkward, husky voice.

"I'm just taking you up on your offer," the striped hedgehog disclosed, making the hero turn around and check him out.

"What offer?" Tails scowled, darting his azure irises from Sonic to Shadow, then back to his best friend again.

Shaking his head, the blue blur let out a low chuckle, stealing one last glance at his serious rival before answering Tails with a mysterious beam in place. "That's between me and Shadow."

Knowing the rivals most likely had an awful inside joke going on, Tails closed the gas valve of his handheld device and waited for the flame to reduce, until it vanished completely. When silence prevailed, Tails recognized the whole talk had only worsened his headache, thus he put an end to the conversation, retiring for the night.

"Whatever. I want this fixed by tomorrow," the teenage fox motioned to the ruined entrance and departed, heading back to the lab house.

"Tails, I–" Sonic cringed when his li'l bro slammed the door shut.

Once the crabby inventor was out of earshot, Shadow didn't waste time to ridicule the blue hedgehog's behavior.

"Heh heh. What a shame, hedgehog. Preaching shit you won't do."

"Very funny, Shadow," Sonic eyed the agent in question, arms folding themselves over his chest and foot tapping on the ground. "The heck was that, anyway? If you wanted a little kiss, you could've asked. No need to stain my friendship with Tails for it," the hero looked unamused when Shadow raised his eye ridges to taunt him. "You done now? Got what you wanted?"

Shadow mused. "Hm. I expected you'd get your arm scorched or face toasted after smoking without his permission, but I'm satisfied with the result nonetheless."

"Ha-ha. I'm dying of laughter," Sonic disregarded his rival's morbid humor and made a proposition instead. "Tell you what, how 'bout a race to get Tails' payment? The first one to collect a hundred rings wins!" he swiped a thumb across his nose, radiating confidence.

"Do you take me for a fool? I won't do your dirty work like your fox friend is used to."

"Nah, lemme finish," Sonic got near Shadow and placed a hand on his shoulder, usual blaring voice turning candid as he whispered into a triangular ear. "If you win, you get to fuck me in any position you want and how many times you like. But if I do…" he traced two fingers down Shadow's arm delicately. "I hope your shiny toy didn't leave you sore down there, or else you should start praying right now before we run."

Shadow snorted and tipped Sonic's head slightly to retort in the same tone.

"I'll fuck you either way, Sonic. Whether I win or not, but I will," he clutched the hero's right arm, which made him close his eyes and grin. "It's not me who should be asking for mercy. It's you," his murmur was finished with a soft peck on the outline of its listener's ear.

Locking gazes, the debauched hedgehogs parted once the preliminary threats were given.

"I remember you told me to go find another cock the last time we met. Can't hold on to your own word, huh?" Sonic pointed out in jest, gesturing for Shadow to trail behind him as he sauntered towards the porch. "You didn't think twice before coming to my party. Wanted to cum in me this bad?"

"That only applied to you, hedgehog," Shadow didn't miss a beat, standing next to his blue counterpart to relish in the overview of the location and its visitors, mere dots in the landscape. "You're the one who can't get enough of me."

Sonic rolled his eyes upon hearing that absurdity and indicated a hollow at the rocky wall downhill. "Anyway, the West Cave leads to the shrine. There's a trail past the bridge that will take us to Red Mountain. We could head into the volcano from there. Easy-breezy."

"And then I destroy you," Shadow concluded.

"Are you seriously trying to intimidate me?" his rival asked with a lopsided grin. "If so, it's not working. You're just turning me on like this, Shad."

"I don't plan on going easy on you tonight."

"Cool! I also have been looking to get out some pent-up aggression," Sonic let the sentence hang in the air and turned his whole body to face Shadow. "I brought lube, 'cause I'm sure I'll get hard seeing you lose," he emphasized the first vowel to make a double entendre, extending his palm for a handshake. "So, we have a deal?"

"Hmph. You really are a glutton for punishment," Shadow clasped his hand, shaking it firmly. "Deal," his resolute nod teared a joyful smile from the hero.

There was a conflict of interests underneath their wisely chosen words.

Shadow would indulge him. Trust him this one time again. It wasn't something akin to unwavering faith, but it harbored a few similarities. No, the dark hedgehog wouldn't partake in the race to help Tails' cause, since gathering enough rings for repairing costs was Sonic's personal problem. Come to think of it, his proposition would be rather useful, because Shadow could hand over his rings to Omega, secretly contributing with his first part on their new habitation. His friend deserved a bigger place to stay after all.

Thus, certain of what he would do in the end, Shadow returned the other's smile with his own special version of it, tiny and discreet, fairly confident he would win. And even if he didn't, for any unfortunate reason, the outcome wouldn't be as predictable as Sonic imagined. There was a whole night ahead and Shadow never bluffed. He had every intention of carrying his threat out, whether his rival liked or not. For now, he guessed he did.

Sonic, on the other hand, had only one thought floating on his lust-clouded mind. It wasn't the pleasure that would come from a busy mouth and a tight hole, either his or Shadow's. Unbeknownst to said hedgehog, Sonic was more focused on one thing: the truth. Yes, he would get the answer for his random doubt, finding out if Shadow's motivations to have his way with him had something to do with what Rouge had divulged. He was nearly sure they didn't, but hinting at it wouldn't hurt. Or it would, depending on how things unfolded. Sincerely, he was looking for a fight.

How would he do it? Sonic didn't know nor paused to reflect on it, so he was mostly going to let things flow as temptation did the rest, probably driving his weird friend a little crazy in the long run. Shadow's words had almost made him go back on his own, but the sheer remembrance of that delightful picture he had received hours ago made him reconsider his original plan. Shadow was begging to be fucked, and that was something he was sure about at least. That overbearing attitude wouldn't trick him, because he knew his rival sufficiently to prevent those signs from passing unnoticed.

In reality, neither of them minded how things would unroll in that volcano.

"Right," Sonic gave his rival a pat on the arm after releasing his hand. "Now let's get outta here," he curled into a ball and launched himself to the second floor of Tails' workshop, leaning his forearms on the silver balcony while staring down at Shadow with half-lidded eyes. His voice raised just enough for the agent to hear it over the music. "But first, bathroom break. Y'know, for hygiene."

As for Shadow, a deal with the blue devil sounded rather promising.

•••

Sometimes plans don't work out as intended.

"Staying away from my emerald so it won't restore itself?" Rouge had probed, fixing Knuckles a speculative gaze. "I can sense the shard on you, handsome."

"Don't try anything, Rouge," the guardian had threatened evenly.

And there was that mysterious chortle, disturbing his peace and quiet again. Making his heart skip a beat as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

Rouge wasn't aware of Knuckles' silent reaction when she had wandered towards the Altar of the Emeralds, leaving a restrained Shadow behind to deal with the consequences of being a loser. She was a woman on a mission, eyeing her precious gem from afar while trying to fathom why Knuckles refused to watch Sonic giving her partner a lap dance. Personal reasons were implied, though she couldn't help being curious about what exactly was going on inside that thick head of his.

Perhaps he had something against Shadow or held grudge over the way he had treated Sonic earlier. Yet, she knew it was unwise to delve on those hypotheses once an implicit warning had manifested itself to her, for the second time that night. First it had come to light when Rouge was about to take a shot at the party. Now she had thought about that world-famous voice again while ceasing her somber laughter. Just a bunch of secretive words from a silver-tongued hedgehog. Apparently, Knuckles' misplaced wariness could easily have something to do with her, as much as with Sonic's welfare.

"My man's got an open heart. I wouldn't play with it if I were you," the hero had advised when they came to a stop near the train bridge.

Instead of countering or even showing concern over Knuckles' pensive state, the generous bat had simply extended a hand to share a fruit, as red as her rival's dreadlocks, that she had picked from a table and given a bite on her way to the Emerald Shrine, detached from the rest of the lawn.

An apple.

"Hungry?" Rouge had gifted him a friendly smile.

Without diverting his amethyst irises from the supermoon, Knuckles had uncrossed his arms and accepted the offering, giving it a hesitant bite. At the base of the staircase, encircled by rows after rows of worn-down stones and broken columns, the treasure hunter chewed on the apple, observing how Rouge had paused right in front of him to ogle his body from head to toe.

"What?" Knuckles had asked through the mouthful, realizing he hadn't voiced his gratitude yet. "Oh! Thanks," he raised the fruit to her field of view, shaking it lightly. "It's juicy. I like it."

Rouge had to bite her lower lip to prevent herself from chuckling. That sure was daring.

"I knew you would, sugar."

Under her intense gaze and the celestial body surveying them from above, Knuckles wondered if the elite agent desired something other than the Master Emerald. His gut had told him to wait for her next move. Clearly, that was what Knuckles did, until his mind had begun to detour back to the apple in his grasp. Eating Rouge's already nibbled fruit had felt nearly forbidden in itself. Moreover, the uncanny feeling had only amplified after he saw her prior bite had just grown wider with his own.

"You didn't bring a rope for climbing. Did you have another use for it other than tying Shadow up?" Knuckles had cleared his throat, mostly to drift his own conflicted thoughts away.

"Who knows?" the jewel thief had pouted subtly, walking past him to go up the stairs. "I don't understand why Shadow being tied up bothers you so much."

Knuckles had snorted, bluntly closing his hand around her upper arm before she could reach the third step to the dais. "It doesn't. It's the other use that bothers me," his stare was overawing, displaying how acquainted he was with the idea of a potential scheme.

"My, you've grown strong," Rouge had stroked his white glove, which contrasted with her black one. "I was thinking about what you would do with Silver Boy after he mentioned my name like that. Vector had to cut in when things were just about to get hot."

"What did you say?!" Knuckles' eyes had widened, a pink flush rapidly spreading across his muzzle. "I know what you want. Help yourself, then," recomposing himself, the tenderhearted echidna let her go and sat down, strictly focused on the dark sky to dismiss her ascent from his peripheral vision. "You have twenty minutes. Not a second more."

After that, Knuckles had resumed eating the fruit, enjoying its pleasant flavor.

Twenty minutes lying on top of the Master Emerald had gone away in a flash. Back to present time, Rouge gasped and writhed against Knuckles' torso upon having her wrists restrained by her own rope. A suitable reward for almost stealing the emerald shard from its guardian in front of the altar. Preceding the tragic event, Rouge had tried to wrap that same long rope around the majestic gemstone. Knuckles, being more than ready to strike, had busted her tactic before she could even notice him gliding. He was anticipating such ploy from another spot in the ruins after her granted break expired. The fiasco was probably misfortune for the way she had underestimated his sagacity and perfect reaction time.

Or maybe Rouge had every single move under control, just to get on the echidna's nerves and put her real plan into action.

"Stop it, bat girl!"

I'm not known for my gentle touch, hun.

And that was how she failed. Because the jewel thief never expected Knuckles to crash their lips together when her twitching fingers were about to touch his chest, short-circuiting her entire train of thought and former beliefs on a whim.

The next thing she remembered in detail was the two of them making out. Tenderly to say the least. It went on for a considerable moment, until a striking burst of light materialized two brazen hedgehogs, who knew nothing about privacy or self-preservation.

"Whoa! What did we miss here?" Sonic asked with a knowing grin, releasing Shadow's forearm.

Knuckles broke the kiss after he heard his best friend's voice. "Sonic?!"

"Let go of me!" Rouge demanded, removing his hands from each side of her head using her elbows.

"Gross," Shadow muttered under his breath and watched the guardian scramble in his task of untying her wrists. Rolling his eyes in contempt, he moved to cross the old bridge with his snickering rival on his tail.

"Hey! Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Knuckles dropped the rope and ran ahead to block the hedgehog duo's path.

"We're gonna have a race," Sonic answered, interlocking his fingers behind his head quills in a laid-back manner. "You guys can make out as much as you like now," he winked, sending Rouge an amused smirk after she feigned disinterest by smoothing her dress down.

"Knock it off, Sonic!" the echidna protested and let the hero's words sink in. "You're racing in Red Mountain? At night? Forget it."

"C'mon, Knux! Stop being a party-pooper," Sonic stretched his arms forward, resting a fist on his hip when he was done. "What could possibly happen?"

"Look at the sky," he glared at the blue hedgehog, pointing to the supermoon beyond his head. "Do you see that?"

Sonic turned around leisurely, having a glimpse at the natural satellite. Shadow huffed air through his nostrils at the whole exchange.

"Yeah, I got two eyes," Sonic gazed back to his best friend and smiled fondly. "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"

Knuckles blushed after listening to his quiet remark, mouth gaping idly. His baffled expression was quickly replaced with a frown as he clenched his fists. "Quit it, smart aleck! You can't be thinking of heading into a volcano filled with ghosts while the full moon is at perigee."

"Ah, Knuckles. You and your superstitions," Sonic continued his stroll, asking Shadow to tag along by curving his index finger towards himself a few times. "Relax, I trust your wisdom! I've got Shadow here to teleport us back in case I set myself on fire."

"Sonic," the treasure hunter stared at the supermoon and purposely avoided eye contact. The stubborn hedgehog tried to read his face upon halting beside him. "Just… don't do anything stupid."

"And where's the fun in that?" Sonic teased, although his features softened imperceptibly.

"Don't say I haven't warned you," Knuckles smirked at his teammate, landing a weak punch on his shoulder. "Now scram. You two."

Winking, the hero stroked his friend's back for an instant and did as he was told.

"With pleasure," Shadow almost bumped into Rouge's target, hellbent on starting the race once and for all.

'Be careful,' Knuckles didn't ensure, because he figured Sonic knew that by now.

"Alone at last," the elite agent pointed out.

Whilst the rivals went across the bridge, Knuckles assumed he would have a long night ahead. Moving around to regard his fearless companion, the guardian was met with the sight of Rouge sending a mischievous grin his way. She tested the discarded rope with a harsh tug after recovering it from the ground – a clear invitation for rematch. Pushing aside his own qualms, Knuckles darted towards the jewel thief, who had achieved flight and instantly soared in the direction of the Master Emerald. His gentle smirk hadn't faltered over her conduct.

Not even once.

•••

Red Mountain, a symbol of thrill and intricacy. Known as an arduous, thoroughly volcanic mountain range, strewn with treacherous crates, uneven bridges and outdated traps, left behind by a certain evil scientist Sonic would always have the pleasure to thwart the plots of. The hedgehogs' showdown began in the wide mountainous region, where they ran neck to neck through trails of golden rings, angling left or right, depending on the particular section. Leap after leap, Sonic and Shadow executed focused homing attacks to defeat remaining Kikis and Gohlas on their way, saving tiny elephants and lions from such robotic cages at once.

Leading the competition on hold of fifty rings, the blue blur watched Shadow dash directly into enemies, never decreasing his ring count when performing masterly bouts. Their race wore some aspects of a chase, since Shadow kept things fair at first, denoting a clear avoidance of his Chaos powers so he wouldn't distance himself from Sonic that much. Why, said hedgehog didn't know. Rules were never established, meaning the hero considered that single detail quite suspicious coming from his dark counterpart. His guard had stayed up for that reason.

Tremors underneath their soles alerted the incidence of a rock bridge crumbling down, which prompted the rivals to jump and sprint onward, traces of blue and golden nearing one of the highest mountains. Dodging heavy, almost invisible black spheres covered in spikes, ones that would slam into the ground every now and then, Sonic anticipated the expel of water vapor from a huge crater, noticing how the location had become far more dangerous at night due to the lack of light. The inevitable, minor eruption catapulted them to another stony range, closer to the canyon.

They flew side by side athwart the night sky with open arms, harsh wind picking at their fur while red-ish gray clouds frightened animals below. Sonic turned to regard Shadow, who surprisingly met his gaze mid-air with his regular scowl. The hero presented a smug grin to diverge his focus, but it didn't serve its purpose as intended in their haphazard drift. On the contrary, Shadow had imitated him, smiling broadly in a way that made Sonic frown in confusion. Distracted by the other's diabolic grin, Sonic hadn't expected to get shoved aside abruptly when they were about to reach the ground. His face hit a metal tube, until his form slid down its surface like a dead fly's. At that time, Shadow landed elegantly on the mountaintop with an accomplished smirk on his muzzle.

"That's really unattractive!" the agent scoffed, leaving Sonic to eat his dust.

Rising with the help of a fist after punching the rocky soil, Sonic growled and fixated his sharp gaze on Shadow's distant figure. The striped hedgehog eyed the industrialized area and rushed to achieve his goal. Only thirty rings left to win. Unfamiliar with the shortcut, missing pitfalls and flying badniks, Shadow was astonished by a rather low move. Closing their distance when breaking the sound barrier, Sonic boosted headfirst, arm hanging to the left and palm stretched at the level of his formidable opponent's butt. A pained cry pierced the silence, once Shadow tripped over his own feet with the impact of the smack. Besides his dignity, he had lost some of his collected rings, nearly curling into a ball when crawling ahead to regain his balance.

"Always so loud, huh? We didn't even start yet!" Sonic laughed at his rival's disgrace, now meters away from his spot.

Shadow decided with a snarl that his stinging rear wouldn't slow him down. After the hero glanced over his shoulder, his expression changed drastically upon finding that nobody chased him. Seconds before checking who also boosted in the direction of a rocket-shaped device, Sonic was pushed sideways. He collided with a brown sculpture that resembled a skull, its mouth opening to spray out burning fuel like a flamethrower. Panting in agony, the blue hedgehog flailed his right arm when it caught fire, oblivious to the great number of rings leaving his body in the meantime. Eyes darting to his malicious rival, Sonic cursed at the sight of Shadow holding onto the rocket's handle while waving him bye-bye with a sardonic grin.

Before long, the launching pad released the rocket upward just when the blue blur sped up to grab Shadow's legs. The extra weight plunged his adversary's figure down till he could only grunt, a double grip secured around the steel handle. Baring his teeth, Shadow tried to stomp on Sonic's head using his hover shoes during the ride, but the hero prevented his assaults by swinging back-and-forth as they took off at high speed, flying across bottomless pits to leave obstacles like sloping bridges and giant hammers behind.

Reaching the perilous destination, Sonic sprang out with grace, tightening his grasp around the bars of a suspended horizontal ladder, connected to a hill that bordered a deep lava pool. Shadow followed wordlessly, climbing the first one before moving to the second, where Sonic navigated while illuminated by the glow of the sizzling pond. The agent didn't waste the opportunity to kick his ass, despite the other refusing to lessen the hold above his head. Dying to return the loving gesture, Sonic turned around and engaged in a leg wrestle with Shadow, limbs tangling until the ladder wobbled and they were forced to continue their race, given how the path gave out, then melted away.

A precise spin jump had taken Sonic straight to the zip-line, headed for the only safe entrance to Red Mountain's underground section, mindful of how another murderous chamber in the active volcano could be accessed through Sandopolis Zone. The hero extended his ashy arm to grab onto the hook, seeing Shadow fail to hop on the apparatus in time. Instead of letting his foe disappear amid the murk, Sonic took his hand as soon as the equipment carried him to a lower point in the location. Passing a set of Bladed Spinners while surrounding the mountain, the blue hedgehog commented on their fast-paced descent, eyeing the vexed guy beneath him not to miss his reaction.

"What a view!" Sonic smiled brightly, observing Shadow roll his eyes at the remark.

Upon gathering ten more rings from an item box in the middle of a circular rock formation, Sonic squeezed his rival's hand and prepared to enter an opening metal trapdoor, enclosed by olive green alarm sirens. Shadow went along with his blue counterpart, falling straight into a void-like death trap that led to the confines of their final stop. Black obfuscated his vision, until crimson distinguished the smoldering landscape of Red Hot Skull, neighboring the crystal labyrinth of Lava Reef Zone.

A star post marked their defying journey inside Angel Island's infernal abyss. Flaring orange-eyed skulls decorated each side of the narrow passage, lighting up Shadow's route to yet another line of rings ahead. Deviating from crumbling rocks and gaunt spiders, the dark hedgehog got the lead after unleashing a fierce spurt of Chaos energy through his rocket skates. Curved pathways left him no choice but to sidestep the flow of scalding lava, as the main clearing made itself visible.

Shadow could even compare the area to the Doctor's volcano base, the Lava Shelter. A series of red soil platforms floated above the magma pit, which left cumbersome structures intact at every corner of the chamber. Robots were nowhere to be found, though Shadow realized he and Sonic weren't exactly alone when paying close attention to his surroundings. Built within the walls of the primitive cavern, innumerable prison cells guarded souls of sentenced men, whose damnation would last for eternity.

If only Knuckles was there. He'd love watching him get scared of ghosts.

Some quarters were vast, able to fit three white and blue striped prisoners, wearing spiked iron balls attached to shackled ankles. Others were plainly claustrophobic, containing one or two translucent specters, whose emerald orbs shone as bright as Sonic's, swaying next to electric chairs, downright useless judging by obvious signs of aging. Several criminals danced in a varied pace behind bars to the music, resonating into the entire dungeon through means unknown. Shadow's eardrums were bombarded by electric guitar chords and an incessant heavy bass, together with dreadful screams and loud noises whenever an enormous stone succumbed into molten rock.

He kind of liked the place, all things considered. It looked like a very cozy, lava-filled hell of a volcano. Sonic never ceased to surprise him with creative settings for a modest fuck.

Eluding scattered gimmicks, Sonic and Shadow recovered their previously lost rings while keeping a watchful eye. There were many hindrances disturbing the tricky ground, which included wooden boxes, lines of cross graves and tombstones, inclining from one side to another. Fixing his rival a resolute look, Shadow sprinted forward, verging the wall as rising lava threatened to swallow their road. Sonic seemed unaffected, rather smirking as his face reflected the warm light of the fervent sea. Switching positions with the agent, he ran across that same wall until he got upside-down with the aid of a hanging lamp, racing up the ceiling over Shadow's head after evading a few stalactites.

Coming back to the patchy ground, Sonic yelped once Shadow seized his arm to slow him down. The hero escaped from his tenacious grip and decided to split, rushing to the left as Shadow stuck to the right. Using a dash panel to step on a grind rail, the striped hedgehog absorbed the last few rings bit by bit while scraping the decaying path. Shadow thought he had already won, taking his time to finish the race and rub his triumph in the other's face. What he didn't predict was Sonic dashing towards a long trail of rings mid-air, blur vibrant enough to leave a cyan aura in his wake. Shadow's eyes widened upon seeing his rival land on a broad platform, where a couple of locked-up inmates danced, and raise an eye ridge, holding over a hundred rings inside his body.

Game over.

Four meters was the distance that kept Sonic and Shadow apart, considering the latter was headed to the same destination. Clenching his fists at the sides, Shadow didn't bother steadying his short-winded breath nor ceasing the grind of his teeth over the revolting situation. That was outrageous, even more because Sonic won due to a special move. One he consciously refrained from executing, so his victory would be clean enough to show him who was the fastest. Undeniably, Shadow had cheated multiple times, but he never performed a light speed dash. To say he was a little disappointed in Sonic was an understatement, despite his appreciation for the fact he didn't hold back when testing his abilities up against him.

"Guess who's getting some?" Sonic boasted his win by spreading his arms and pointing at himself with his thumbs, just when a crater erupted next to them.

Shadow couldn't lose to that motherfucker. Not now or ever.

"I'm loyal to my word."

Such insolence had been the last straw for him. Shadow reached his boiling point, raising a hand enveloped by Chaos energy to throw a noxious spear aimed at Sonic's face. Astounded, he scowled when Sonic tilted his head with a mocking smirk. The Chaos Spear hit a tenuous lavafall in the far opposite wall instead, thickening its course of melted rock at the time a few stalactites collapsed with the rumble. Charging at the hero, Shadow delivered consecutive punches, alternating a kick whenever his fists were dodged with a quick step. Elbowed in the face, Sonic had properly squared up for the fight, maintaining his stance even if a particularly strong jab hurt. A low grunt escaped the brutal fighter after Sonic injured his arm during a cartwheel, bristled spines being sign enough to show a constant increase in rage.

"What do you know about loyalty?" Sonic asked curiously, ducking when a roundhouse kick almost sent him drowning in magma flow.

That question made Shadow fume. Not only the insinuation was out of place, but Sonic knew nothing about him or his ways. He was loyal to his beliefs, desires, words and even people he came to trust once in a lifetime. He was loyal to himself, and Sonic asking him that shouldn't have made his temper flare with something atypical like it was doing now. Like a reminder to stay cold as ice. Sonic didn't have the right to make him experience a disgusting sensation of treachery, when he was just about to consider switching for the sake of their previous sexual clashes – let alone doubt his views on loyalty as if they weren't valid to his moral standards.

He wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that sentence wounded him like a gunshot.

And he was bulletproof.

"More than you will ever know."

Before the blue hedgehog could recoil with a somersault, Shadow had plunged in his direction and grabbed him by his head quills. Almost touching noses, they locked gazes and shared a hot, destabilizing breath for an instant. Repressed arousal in disguise of vexation could be sensed from Sonic's cocky demeanor in the exchange. Glowing red at the edges, Shadow dragged his enemy's thrashing figure to the border of the divided platform. Sonic felt the sweltering heat inflame his body at the proximity, growling while squinting his eyes. His rival was quick to shift his hold around cobalt spines and fling him away to another rocky land. Ghostly spectators merely witnessed the undignified brawl, hardly losing a beat.

Wracking a bunch of piled boxes, Sonic swore when a splinter from some broken container got through his back. Bruised, the hero lost his bearings for a minute until he saw a hazy Shadow flying to his spot, Chaos energy overflowing his shoes. He had nowhere to hide, so he resorted to use his reflexes and elude whatever Shadow would throw at him. Both hedgehogs had increased their ring count in the area before the final confront. With a roar, Sonic extended his leg in a high kick, striking his rival directly on the chest. The blow knocked the air out of his lungs, leaving Shadow to bump against a column and fall to the ground with a palm over his torso, unaware of the numerous rocks sinking with the cruel thump. Crouched and gulping for air, he lowered his head and tried to stand, not realizing the unhinged battle was also turning him on.

Living up to his name, Sonic sprinted to lift Shadow from the red soil by holding a fistful of his chest fur. Crying out with a desperate grip around the other's forearm, the Ultimate Lifeform was pinned against the rusty jail bars, which emitted a loud clanking sound. Sonic pressed his entire body on his as they came face to face. Legs almost giving out, Shadow groaned in delight once their forming bulges touched. Two pairs of half-lidded eyes unconsciously met, creating an electrifying tension in the air.

"I wouldn't expect anything else coming from a douchebag like yourself," the hero chuckled, deriding Shadow's involuntary response.

"Douchebag?" Shadow snorted, timbre low and hoarse. "I wonder if you've done yours properly," he palmed his rival's crotch firmly.

Shaking his head at the bad joke, Sonic had to admit that comeback was kind of unexpected. "Would ya like to inspect it, Shadow? You're a pro in the field. Love taking it up in the–"

Tired of Sonic's trash-talking and excuses to act rude, Shadow gave him a headbutt and switched their positions. Sonic crashed onto the grids, that shook when dust fell from the ceiling. Before he could protest, Shadow closed that tasty, short distance with a lick to his mouth, lips finding their way onto Sonic's afterward. Closing his eyes, the hero hummed and encircled his arms around Shadow's neck to let him deepen and take full control of the angry kiss. The agent rutted against his rival, listening to the acute noise the old bars would make whenever Sonic was pushed further up. Breaking the unyielding embrace, Sonic moved to Shadow's neck, sucking and biting hard while cherishing his grunts and feeling a rough pull on his head quills.

"Are you giving me head or not?" Sonic demanded over the sensitive area, now covered in lovebites. "I deserve a consolation prize after losing to Jet and enduring your shit."

Shadow wouldn't go down without a fight.

"Not with this tone," he warned, glaring at a tall spirit inside the prison cell, where an electric chair was located beyond his rival.

The striped hedgehog removed his palms from the other's spines and mid-section and enclosed them around two irregular grids behind his head. Seeing how Sonic was taking care of his neck and shoulder, Shadow bent the metal bars open. The crossed framework made a grating noise as a wide gap was manually formed. Sonic appeared to heed the motion, valuing his strength with featherlight strokes between back quills. Done with the set-up, Shadow grasped a higher grid with both hands and sustained his entire body off the ground, wrapping his legs around Sonic's waist as his kneecaps rested over inferior bars. Retreating from his rival's lips, Shadow boosted himself backwards, much like on a swing, and kicked Sonic inside the tawny cell, destroying the spaced grids that consisted of its center.

Sonic was hurtled straight onto an electric chair, having his wrists automatically restrained by thick leather cuffs on each armrest. Groaning, he leaned against the copper backrest, careful not to get stuck behind countering straps, and raised his head, parting his lips at a helmet akin to a flipped steel bowl above him. Sonic loathed being cooped up, but it looked like the punishment served him right according to Shadow, given how the other leaped to tap a lightbulb, which spun wildly as its dim light illuminated the decadent place. Rising from the opening, Shadow smirked and blocked Sonic's view of the lava cascade with a hand on his hip. The blue blur spread his legs out, sitting on the torture device comfortably like a king on his throne.

"Wanted us to share a cell first?" Sonic asked smugly. "I hope our buddy over there doesn't mind."

Removing his gloves one by one, Shadow pondered whether he should give Sonic exactly what he wanted or not. He tucked the white garments into his head quills and did the same to his cellmate, ignoring Sonic's complaints when he had almost ripped his gloves off in all his delicacy. Picking up the blue hedgehog's lube, Shadow supposed it would be a nice occasion to showcase how much he had improved in the game ever since their last fuck. After all, they had some unresolved business on the dick sucking matter.

A small part of Shadow reminded him Sonic wasn't worthy of his continuous effort to prove himself as the best over and over again. Dismissing the nonsensical thought, Shadow settled he would blow his rival for his own gain. He had gathered plenty of experience from willing test subjects after that catastrophe shattered his ego. Ready to get down, Shadow still felt a little conflicted. His mind created the image of a yellow hedgehog smiling at him in encouragement, as if Super Sonic would be able to reduce his initial self-awareness. Picturing the dreamy being instead of Sonic when giving head sounded like a good idea, one Shadow had acknowledged in the moment amber-ish red irises met crimson. And then, glancing up at his golden form, he was there.

Knelt before a god.

In the blink of an eye, the daydream strayed away, because Shadow wasn't a coward. It was time to redeem himself, especially now that he had an audience – if taking the perished criminal into account. Averting his eyes from the blue hedgehog, who had a sympathetic smile on his muzzle, Shadow proceeded to coax his member out of its sheath with his protruding tongue, dark hands fondling thighs that flinched under his touch, which was far from violent. An expert sequence of licks, together with the soft brush of tan lips against groin, drove his prize to show itself, glistening head peeking out until the entire length came along.

Shadow put his hands around Sonic's legs and drew him closer to the edge of the seat, so his hole was exposed. Sonic observed him, calming his breath once his chest began to heave in anticipation. The agent blew some air into the tight pucker, adoring how the other gasped and clenched his buttocks, unclenching them when the tip of his tongue left the entrance tingling. Shadow heard a satisfied moan once the sucking and licking initiated, and continued for a while, thumbs caressing inner thighs that would shiver and tremble, leaving Sonic's eyelids to close as his mouth hung open.

At once, Shadow placed his calves over his shoulders and poured a great amount of lube onto his longest fingers, sensing his own erection release itself while slipping the bottle into blue quills. Sonic's dick twitched with neglect, its tip oozing pre-cum. Teasing his impatient rival, Shadow's wandering tongue left a trail of saliva on its way to his cock, starting from his hole, to his perineum until he stopped to nuzzle and kiss his balls slightly. After that, Shadow used his relatively dry hand to ease some of Sonic's ardor by cupping and gently stretching his sack. The hero let out a harsh groan at the treatment, inclining his head against the backrest to glance and grin at the lonely prisoner, who surveyed the scene from afar.

The warm breath on his girth told Sonic his rival wasn't going to lag anymore, judging by how Shadow fixated his gaze on his veiny cock. Biting his lower lip, Sonic caged his head a bit to make things interesting. Shadow parted his own legs while knelt down, lifting his ass before his eyes fluttered shut to give Sonic's shaft an open-mouthed kiss. The hero moaned, hands turning into fists and bare wrists jerking involuntarily. One of Shadow's lubricated fingers traveled down to its owner's behind, where a black tail wagged excitedly.

Pecking his rival's dick while circling his own pucker, Shadow finally opened his eyes and looked into Sonic's own, enfolding his mouth and hand around the other's tip and length, respectively. At first, he tested the waters, checking if his gag reflex would protest. Then, as Shadow took Sonic inch by inch, pumping his cock and never breaking eye contact, that same finger entered his hole, preparing the ring of muscle instead of his rival's, knowing how he technically had lost their race. Sonic groaned loudly, nails scratching the rusty armrests and toes curling inside shoes. Shadow hummed around his erection, vibration spreading in waves, and increased the pace of his fist while inserting another digit to scissor his inner walls, pre-cum trailing down his girth, that pleaded for friction.

Once the third finger went in, curving and rubbing, Sonic's shaking wrists teared their restraints apart with a yank, making Shadow's arousal peak at unbelievable levels. His gag reflex, albeit present and disregarded, was triggered by the sudden view, bringing his throat to constrict and convulse around the dick until he unfashionably choked. Fortunately, Sonic was swift to grab his head quills, taking Shadow's face out of his crotch at the same time his legs slid off his shoulders.

Blushing, Shadow sat on his soaked fingers in a coughing fit, eyes watering and drool wetting his muzzle. Of course he gagged again; it was always that fucking bastard. Worse than that, Shadow felt a weak blow to his cheek, putting his head back in the game. Frozen in indignation, he saw Sonic chuckle and lean back, holding his erection by the base.

He had slapped him with his cock. The bravery of that hedgehog.

"You're going to regret this," Shadow threatened in a faint, raw voice before clearing his throat.

"He's your biggest enemy, isn't he?" Sonic wiggled his hard dick lightly. "'Is alright, I love when you choke on it. Just breathe through your nose and finish me off, 'kay?" he smirked, resting his arms on the chair to demonstrate he wouldn't interfere anymore.

"Don't tell me what to do."

Shadow glared at his rival but got the hint, removing his fingers from his pucker just enough to change his posture and resume their previous activity. He wasn't breathing correctly; at least Sonic had been useful enough to point his mistake out. Edging nearer while fingering himself leisurely, Shadow jacked Sonic off and exercised his jaw. He considered asking Vanilla for blowjob tips eventually, comprehending with wonder that he had remembered her name when discarding the idea altogether.

Back to the task at hand, the dark hedgehog didn't waste time to leave Sonic gasping. His head bobbed up and down in an attempt to deepthroat the insufferable hero, its pace growing faster with every second. Guided by instinct alone, Shadow shut his eyes tightly and fucked himself viciously, avoiding that spot as he endured the increasing pain in his rear. Fantasizing a scenario where Super Sonic fingerbanged him on a raving three-way, Shadow failed to notice tears seeping down his muzzle as he sucked the blue one down to the hilt and back, wilder than his cellie could handle.

Sonic squirmed and cried out, trying really hard not to buck his hips into his crazed rival's throat. The striped hedgehog's forgotten erection ached but he paid it no mind, preserving the hectic rhythm his head and fingers moved with enthusiasm. It was filthy, nasty and sloppy. Plus, Shadow would be lying if he said he didn't wish Sonic to fuck his mouth right then and there.

He could tell the blue blur was about to cum when his legs opened and closed idly. Therefore, Shadow took the digits out of his pucker and wrapped his slick thumb and index finger around the base of the other's cock, squeezing it firmly until Sonic shuddered at last. Releasing a guttural moan, Sonic reached a back-arching orgasm, shaft throbbing and filling Shadow's throat as he clasped the armrests. He barely registered his rival's struggle to milk him until the last drop, not intending to gag or let anything drip out. Basking in the afterglow, Sonic breathed heavily and watched Shadow let go of his dick with a pop, tenacity emanating from glazed red eyes.

Slowly, the agent opened his mouth and showed Sonic his load, sticky fluids glued to his palate and covering his tongue. Guilty pleasure blatant on his face, the hero had trouble catching his breath, entranced by the exhibition. What a promiscuous man. The sight was incredibly erotic, so much that Sonic wanted to climax again and give him a facial, similar to how Shadow had done on their first night. Although it probably hadn't meant shit to him, that encounter in particular meant a lot to Sonic for a few reasons. Instead of swallowing his rival's cum, Shadow turned to spit it on their guest. Opaque liquid passed through the inmate and hit the wall like a bullet, marking the fetid cell forever.

"You didn't just spit on a ghost right in front of me, dude," Sonic laughed breathlessly, throwing his head back. "Oh, Shadow! What got into you? You've improved!" he complimented with a grin.

"Hmph. I'm full of surprises," the pretentious hedgehog brushed his disheveled quills back.

"I'm impressed," Sonic stroked Shadow's left ear, then cleaned his mouth with a thumb. "Now it's my turn to surprise you."

Shadow wasn't waiting for Sonic to cup his face. Let alone for what he did next, since the hero hauled his head down with enough force it ended on a knee strike. Grunting, Shadow lost his balance and received an unforgiving sole to the middle of his chest. The kick sent him flying out of the cell and onto another platform, body slamming against one of the multiple cross graves, next to high skull-shaped tombstones. Unable to retaliate in kind, Shadow sank to the burial ground, arms spread out and legs wide open, pre-cum still leaking onto black fur. When he was about to ease the agony, Sonic tackled him, palms confining each side of his head.

"And have a taste," he finished his sentence and captured Shadow's lips with his own.

Their kiss had bite; it was harsh, ferocious and short-lived, because Sonic wasn't one to delay urges. Upon eyeing Shadow wrap a hand around his own dick and pump it roughly under him, the hero had an idea. Sonic crawled backwards until he was level to his rival's groin, lowering his head while holding Shadow's fist to halt its movements, which earned him a growl. Reaction ignored, Sonic took a sniff of his balls, relishing the smell in a deep inhale before exhaling air through his mouth. Somehow, that scent stimulated him more than it should, motivating the hedgehog to dive in and get on with it.

"Son of a–" Shadow cut himself mid-curse to let out a long moan. "Damn. Do that thing with your tongue again."

And Sonic did, its tip brushing against his sack, amid his testicles, and sliding up and down until he started kissing the delicate skin, now moist. Over the gravestone, Shadow gasped, dick pulsating yet climax never peaking. When Sonic handled his balls to dip them into his mouth, the dark hedgehog groaned and hastily released his shaft to grip his rival's hand instead, pressing trimmed claws into his palm. After taking a moment to breathe, Sonic repeated the act, conscious of his own length demanding attention.

"Oh yeah… keep going, hedgehog," Shadow required in a breathy tone, enamored by the sight of Sonic teabagging him.

Sweating, the agent tried to find something to hold onto, eye ridges furrowing as he felt close to burst. At that time, Sonic had moved from his spot and positioned his torso over Shadow's dick, leaning down to rub his firm chest against its underside while his rival's sack fondled his abdomen. Going back-and-forth tentatively, Sonic clutched Shadow's hand back as the other panted, throaty sound inspiring the hero to stroke himself. Slow and accurate movements were essential, bringing muscles to contract and relax. Sonic and Shadow weren't vocal, much less gaudy. Still, they could hear one another's breathing over the music, entirely focused on each other. Bending his legs until the nib of his rocket skates touched the ground, Shadow felt his lower back arch and member throb.

"Give it to me," Sonic licked his lips, preparing himself for the long-awaited splatter. "In my mouth, c'mon."

That sultry voice did it for him. Shadow had inclined the tip in those parted lips right on time the wondrous sensation spread through his body. Highly pent-up, the agent's eyelids stayed half open as ropes of cum hit his eager rival's mouth, observing him swallow his fluids the best he could. His load trickled from Sonic's chin to his neck, and at that Shadow could only grin, biting his bottom lip and shaking his head in a conceited way, despite his faltering breath and racing heart.

Speaking of which, Sonic had to point the latter out after he straightened his posture with a smirk, remaining knelt before his lying rival. Unconcerned about his own state – dirty, sweaty and sore, he got lube from his spines to coat his fingers, leaving his cock slithery for the main event.

"Say, has anyone ever made your heart race as fast as me?" he didn't even bother glancing at Shadow, tending to his member instead. Unbeknownst to his rival, that was a bait – his last one. The now or never.

Another strange question. Yet, one that made Shadow reflect on. To the point of a heart attack, no one. However, he could mention a guy who had nearly conquered the feat earlier that night.

"Yes," Shadow declared, caressing black thighs while breathing heavily. "The man of my dreams," he said absentmindedly.

His revelation made Sonic stop in his tracks and frown.

"The one you're compromised with?" he asked, yanking his rival's hand away from his length when he tried to align its tip to his avid hole. "Get your hand off my cock."

Shadow scowled. What a lunatic. Even so, he was fast to recognize the speculation behind that inquiry. Rouge's stupidity had gone over Sonic's head, to such extent that he was having second thoughts after taking his nuts into his mouth. It was beyond laughable.

"Mad that I won't stroke your ego?" Shadow raised an eye ridge, offering him a perverse grin.

He got punched square in the face after that.

"What's the deal, Shadow?"

Sonic felt provoked. That had nothing to do with him or his ego. There was someone, and knowing from his rival's mouth he didn't care in the slightest about using him to play them like that was revolting. He detested anything that was unfair. Shadow's methods, albeit hard to concur on, had proved his true intentions were reasonable in many circumstances before. Thus, Sonic assumed his own prejudgment wasn't to be taken so seriously. Rouge's disclosure could be interpreted as a misunderstanding, until he found out his suspicion was indeed right.

On the night he wanted to be wrong the most.

Sonic couldn't fathom why Shadow hadn't fought back yet. Instead, the cryptic hedgehog's mouth curved upwards, not in disdain or self-glorification, but in determination to finish what he started. Preparing his clenched fist for another strike, Sonic bared his teeth and waited for his answer.

"He was rougher than you," the hit caused Shadow's head to dart left. "Stronger," a blow, and he bled through his nose. "Hotter," his moan lost its high-pitch after a jab made his arm stretch to recover a few rings. "Better," the word cut like a knife, even when blocked by a heavy fist. "Took me to heaven," one last bout and Shadow spat in his rival's mouth, red liquid mixing with dried cum. "Come on! Punch me, punch me!" he slapped his own cheek and chuckled, white fangs stained with blood, ecstatic about Sonic's raw display of emotion.

Releasing an unsteady breath, Sonic retreated and waved his hand, knuckles stinging. He realized the jerk was taunting him to satisfy some sick fantasy, semi erection persuading his own. Shadow was making shit up, and Sonic felt like a clown with a hard-on after his rival mocked his outburst through a pout.

"You're fucking with me, aren't you?" Sonic wiped his stained lips clean, staring at Shadow's bruised, smug face in exasperation. He didn't know what to believe in anymore, but at least he saw in that gaze how equivocated he was – and that put him at ease. "That's it."

Manhandling his rival's body until he was bending over, Sonic eyed Shadow's entrance while bringing his rump close to his groin. Even if Shadow ended up overstimulated, Sonic decided not to grant him time to adjust, thrusting forward sorely to make him pay for that clownery. Halfway in, he gasped at being welcomed so warmly by his hole. Sharp teeth piercing his lower lip, Shadow clenched his shaking fists when Sonic built a pace that was hard to keep up, relying on his elbows and knees to maintain the position while loosening up. Sonic held his tail and hip, hearing the agent's breath come in short takes.

"Fool," Shadow smiled, closing his eyes. "You'll never be like him."

A crater erupted near the lavafall beyond the high tombstones, its blast shifting Shadow's focus from the environment to the miracle gems secured within their bodies. He was able to tap into the unbounded energy through their close distance, prepared to transform his thoughts and desires into unlimited power. Underneath Sonic's ephemeral ire, Shadow knew persisted care and interest in the situation at hand. No wonder he had asked him about loyalty. A strong sense of justice was evident, even though he had spouted nothing but the truth. Honestly, he was growing tired of Sonic's nonsense and principles. What Shadow witnessed left him wanting more, because this time, he had been the cause of such brutality, an unusual feat coming from the goody two-shoes hero.

It was something to be proud of.

Chaos was described as power, enriched by the heart. Perhaps it was the first element to exist, long before the world was created. That being said, Shadow and his good-natured rival would continue doing things as their hearts desired, no matter if chaos ensued on the way. For that reason, the agent laid his emotions bare in an honorable, yet selfish act to turn his most profound wish into reality. He'd share his enhanced state with Sonic from inside out. He wouldn't turn first; they would turn simultaneously. As equals. Only Shadow could unify the chaos like that and control it, being a master in the topic for years and counting.

And he was more than ready to wake up and face him.

Enough of blue and its variations. Yellow denoted caution and provided enlightenment.

"Not like this," his eyes shut open and the seven Chaos Emeralds materialized themselves in a flash, encircling their conjoined bodies at once.

The colorful gemstones spun wildly around their users, enfolding them in a glow brighter than the sun. From their chests to the edges of upturned quills, golden and platinum yellow extinguished injuries and bodily fluids from blue and black fur, replacing them with purity and perfection. For the first time, their transformation felt orgasmic, making the empowered hedgehogs groan as their features morphed into ones of unbridled pleasure. They didn't reach their climax physically, but the transcendental glimmer was there, flowing inside their limbs.

Chuckling blissfully, Super Shadow looked over his shoulder to check on his companion when he pulled out. What he saw, however, was a lot to process. Beauty, vitality and reverential charisma. Shadow lost it when Super Sonic rubbed his damp cock between his ass cheeks, tip brushing a perky tail whenever hips were bucked forward in a tantalizing motion. Shaking his head at his rival's lack of explanation, the yellow hedgehog stuck his tongue out through a toothy grin and spoke, voice growler than its usual tone.

"Wow. It's been a while since I've last seen this glowing ass," he smacked Shadow's right buttock.

"You can do better than that," the striped hedgehog tsked in disappointment, wiggling his ass against his golden counterpart's shaft.

Sonic took that as a challenge. Aligning his girth with Shadow's pucker, he raised a hand and delivered a fierce slap on the other's left butt cheek, slamming his hips onward at the same time. Such actions teared a delightful cry from Shadow, whose head lowered and perception improved. Arousing gestures increased both his sex drive and ring energy, possibly because whenever he lost a ring, Sonic would try to absorb it unconsciously and vice-versa. He felt no actual pain, only a mild discomfort where he was mistreated on the surface, which would fade away within seconds.

Now, on the inside was another story. His anal sphincter kept mostly contracted, even after Shadow attempted to relax the muscle. Using the Chaos Emeralds to become Super implied a threat lied ahead, so the hyperstimulation of his fight-or-flight response caused his body to be up for combat in any conditions. On all fours amidst sparks of light, the striped hedgehog braced himself for the wildest night of his life with a thrilled smile on tan muzzle.

"Show me what you're made of," he dared his rival, pupils dilated with adrenaline.

There was nothing the Ultimate Lifeform couldn't handle.

Sustaining his torso over his knees after Sonic mumbled a 'fuck yeah' and grasped his ankle, other palm clasping his shoulder, Shadow chased his pleasure on his shooting star's cock, meeting his incessant thrusts midway, pressure slightly disturbing their mutual need of going deeper. As predicted, the golden hedgehog showed no mercy when mounting Shadow. He spanked his ass several times, bringing shiny light-yellow fur to stand on end and aura to grow brighter. Eventually, the agent lost track of his surroundings, holding onto a short wooden cross grave while enduring the boundless rapture.

Pre-cum pooled beneath Shadow, who hardly noticed its dim brilliance as it dripped straight onto the mucky ground. Sonic pulled out just to ram back in. Testing diverse angles to find his p-spot. Baring his weight down on Shadow to bite a shoulder and nibble an ear. Moaning into the appendage in that raspy voice that drove the other insane, virtually losing coherence and rationality. The yellow hedgehog fixed his posture to explore his rival's prostate with a couple of immaculate jabs, strong hand gliding around his weeping dick erratically. Forcing him to surrender and give in to his predestined end. To cum for him. It felt overwhelming for both of them, until Sonic witnessed Shadow experience an orgasm different than anything he'd ever seen.

Letting out a gruff moan, Shadow blew up the cross he had been gripping with a spurt of Chaos energy, neon-lit cum dyeing the grave below, where red scriptures flared up. Gasping when trapped by the other's quivering hole, Sonic threw his head back and followed with a groan, bursting inside him while shuddering in elation. Chest heaving, Shadow was filled to the brim with his rival's load, feeling hot in contact with his inner walls. Incinerating in a good, satisfying way, just like on their first time. Bewildered at the fact that his glinting cock hadn't gotten flaccid yet, Shadow perceived the golden hedgehog release his member, then loom over his flattened spines to wrap his arms around his mid-section, nuzzling and smooching the crook of his neck before withdrawing.

"Here. Take a picture," Sonic placed a smartphone into his hand and moved back to his position, hands on the hedgehog's hips and erection buried inside. "Say 'Cream and Cheese!'"

"No," Shadow groused but complied, stretching his arm farther ahead to find a better angle, where he and his rival fitted in the camera frame. Sonic's phone was so warm it could melt anytime.

When Shadow was about to snap the photo with his regular scowl, Sonic smirked and rocked his hips forward. By some miracle, the scene was pictured in high sharpness before the agent's elbow slithered, revealing some of the hellish area and its dwellers. Pounded unexpectedly, Shadow's wanton expression was captured along with Sonic's parted lips and half-lidded eyes. The striped hedgehog grumbled and handed the device back to its holder, who inspected the image with a tender smile and a nod. Phone retained, Sonic whispered his rating on their first after-sex picture into Shadow's ear, pecking its outline kindly.

"Ten out of ten," he pulled out and moistened his dry lips, watching the other's hole clench involuntarily as fluids streamed down. "You look even hotter with my dick up your ass."

"Being perfect has its advantages," Shadow laid down on his back and raised his legs, inhibitor anklets leaning against Sonic's shoulders.

"Up for round two? 'Cause I'm on fire," the yellow hedgehog held Shadow's calves and lifted his torso off the ground, making his breath waver and head tilt back.

"See for yourself, golden boy," Shadow glanced seductively at his own cock twitching over his abdomen, then back to his rival, stroking the kneeling hedgehog's thighs at his sides while brushing his entrance against his crotch. "You think you can take me on?"

Grinning mischievously at the title, Sonic changed his hold to grasp the agent's kneecaps instead, opening stiff legs wider until they formed a V in the air. "I can take you on any day of the week," he carefully pushed the tip in, tearing a hiss from Shadow. "Anywhere, anytime."

After resting Shadow's body on red soil, Sonic spread his legs and thrusted leisurely, hearing a squelch sound when rekindling a pace that conveyed sensuality. Ruby half-lidded eyes found garnet, then it happened. They smirked at each other, breathing the same air and sharing the same energy, back-and-forth and so on. Shadow eyed Sonic set his ass on his lap and grip his legs by the ankles, ogling his body once he released a golden thigh to massage his gleaming dick and balls. Palming and caressing them, thumbing and circling the head, tracing his inner groin with a pinky and forefinger as nails tickled his member. Gasping till a low whine escaped. And another. Shadow put on a show, one that was extremely slow. Mouth ajar, Sonic couldn't blink, rolling his hips languidly to match his rival's flow like a tool.

Once he got out of the trance, the hero looked up at a big, skull-shaped tombstone, where a thick cross laid attached to its top. Making up his mind, Sonic put a palm behind Shadow's back and properly guided him onto his lap, ceasing his movements and standing up as striped arms and legs came to wrap around his neck and waist. The platinum yellow hedgehog tilted his head to kiss him, only to gnash his teeth for being grabbed by the muzzle and suddenly pinned against a rough surface.

With an aggressive look on his face, Sonic held him there and stepped on the double eye cavity within the sculpture, assuring the tips of his trademark shoes were inserted in securely. The heroes were quite a few inches off the platform, considering the height of the grave, which had stopped its motions. To make sure they wouldn't tumble, Sonic harnessed some of his power to hover while clasping Shadow's thighs, yellow luster intensifying his features. Finally, he proceeded to buck his hips upward, pursuing the ardent sensation anew as Shadow half scowled, half grinned in craving, light-yellow quills bouncing whenever he was boosted up against the cross.

Gaze lingering on those savory lips, the golden hedgehog didn't venture kissing his rival yet. And neither did the other try again. The friction down there felt pleasant, so Shadow directed his attention to his cock squeezed between their bodies instead. Speeding up despite the tightness, Sonic made a request, tone smooth but rigid.

"Don't hold back."

He wouldn't.

Recoiling from their rather close proximity, Shadow released Sonic's neck and spread his arms out, draping his limbs over the transverse beam forming the stone cross. Fists closing around each extremity, Shadow bared his neck, which was licked and bitten by the hero. A loud groan freed itself from the Ultimate Lifeform's throat, courtesy of Sonic fucking him against the tombstone while denying him a moment to breathe, even if his prostate was constantly hit.

Shadow was painfully close, failing to keep his eyes open. In a combination of rhythm and balance, Super Sonic surrounded him whole with lofty strength. The edges of the gray cross cracked and caved into melted rock, leaving platinum yellow hands to scramble for purchase when another orgasmic wave trembled through Shadow's body, followed by aftershocks. Chest fur matted with cum, the agent whimpered, making Sonic's dick pulsate at the idea of his rival taking it all with honor. Ear twitching, Shadow was the first to recognize the change in angle, seeing the background spin behind the other's flaming aura. When the striped hedgehog was filled up again, sticky walls accepting a new batch of Sonic's precious load, he connected the dots.

The gravestone was inclining backwards.

Dazed, the hero yelped and stumbled forward, realizing the sculpture had been detached from the burial ground, thanks to his continuous pushing. He was fast to pull out and embrace Shadow when the grave toppled down, flying ahead while supporting his rival until they levitated in front of the magma cascade, erections still in place. Hovering above the lava pit, Shadow felt hot cum run down his inner thighs as he huffed and tightened his hold around Sonic's waist.

Over his shoulder, the golden hedgehog watched the cross submerge in molten rock until it fully disappeared from his sight. The blistering heat brought him back to where they were buoyant, almost in contact with the volcanic furnace. Turning his head to regard his rival, Sonic didn't know what to make of what he saw. For some reason, Shadow stared longingly at him. As if Sonic were him. The man whom he was drawn to in body and mind – that imaginary dude from the lap dance, to be more specific.

Whoever his enigmatic rival idolized in Mystic Ruins, he was idolizing now. Sonic had no idea who that could be, even after shiny digits stroked his chest with utmost adoration. There was nothing but veracity in those red irises, uncovering the true story behind that simple gesture. Gulping, Sonic would rather think Shadow's devotion was reserved for him, despite of sounding egotistical and ridiculously hopeful. Questionable, even.

Swerving his eyes from Shadow's intense gaze, Sonic knew he was blushing due to the high temperature of the lavafall, so bright and imposing it matched the heroes' individual light. That same hand came to hold his, studying it. Making sure he was real. Fur standing on end, Sonic contemplated their joined palms, seeing Shadow intertwine their fingers in a way that made his heart nearly beat out of his ribcage. Consuming great amounts of Chaos energy, their rings were directly shared this time. It felt strange, like a warning. Peculiar but nice. Unmoving, Sonic wanted to recoil his hand, though he couldn't do anything except let Shadow take him.

And cast them both under the resplendent shower.

His hypothesis on their bestowed abilities was proven correct. Adventuring himself and his rival in a risky deed to test their physique's limits, Shadow smirked in complacency at their achievement. He watched Super Sonic chuckle and throw his head back in fascination, arms enclosing firmly around his neck, not quite believing how the curtain of fire poured and trailed past their bodies without burning them. They were covered by a unified aura that visibly parted the course of lava. Steam evaporated from their limbs, but their flesh continued unscathed, scorching heat replaced with a humble tingle.

After that, Shadow locked his gaze with his beloved's. Super Sonic leaned in tentatively, parting his lips upon eyeing his own, because the agent had done exactly the same. Their combined transformation was strong enough to deem them untouchable. Together like that, they could do anything. It transcended invulnerability. Lasted longer than temporary invincibility. Equaled ultimate power and maximal greatness. Closing his eyes when a thumb brushed the almighty being's cheek, Shadow evoked the perfect term to describe their state during the initial chaste kiss, feeling the other melt into his arms as they floated like two gods in a blazing inferno.

Omnipotence.

Space and time ceased to exist for an instant. For the first time until now, their famished kiss felt personal. Illicit. As if it opened gates to release something that was meant to be under lock and key. What, they didn't pause to dwell on, nor cared to. Bathing in lava, Super Sonic and Super Shadow made out fervidly as pained cries echoed throughout the entire volcano, its music becoming a muffled cacophony when overcome by their heartbeats.

Due to a new influx of epinephrine, the rivals made use of their privacy to worship one another's bodies and get lost in their musky scents, frotting while hands roamed areas that weren't explored in that form before. Utilizing the air as ground, Shadow bit the yellow hedgehog's neck, white fangs drawing his own name from the other's lips before peach fingers ran through his tangled chest fur. It surely was a dream come true. At first, he thought hooking up with Super Sonic would be impossible.

But with Sonic the Hedgehog, anything is possible.

So, that was it. Leaving wet pecks on his golden counterpart's shoulder, Shadow had to acknowledge the truth behind his dreamful fantasies. Much to his dismay, they were one and the same – and he knew his wish would never be eternal, bearing a spontaneous allusion to finitude. Without the blue hedgehog, Super Sonic wouldn't exist in the first place. Heaving a sigh, the agent let the hero pull him into another kiss, tugging at his bottom lip while tasting his momentary compliance. Hopeless or not, he could live with that. Had to. Even peeved, Shadow fought against those greedy lips, hearing the other purr when nails tickled a wagging tail.

Once again, Sonic had pulled him back into reality, shattering his reverie like stained glass. If two times weren't enough, it was also clear they had some chemistry going on. Remarkably, the duo could dance in fire without getting burnt, and Shadow found that sort of inspiring in a way. Breaking the fierce kiss, he interrupted the delicious brush of their cocks and touched his forehead with Sonic's. There was a promise he had made to him, one he intended to fulfill at last. A major threat he would see through to the end, since they were far from finished. Clock was ticking, but Shadow had the means to stop time altogether.

After all, it was now his turn.

"You're good…" he admitted, hinting at something other than sex.

Sonic snorted, kind of bashful. "You know me. I aim to please," he gawked when Shadow cupped his face, tilting his head to the side.

"…but I'm better," the striped hedgehog stated into his ear, taking a small bottle from yellow quills.

Dominating the emeralds' warping capability, Shadow performed Chaos Control to catch every single ring box dispersed around the chamber's perimeter. In a split second, he returned and teleported himself and Sonic to a large platform, nearing a few inclined stands of red soil that drifted over the magma lake. From the ceiling, the golden hedgehog received an upside-down axe kick to his stomach while airborne, plummeting towards the ground with a pained grunt. His landing formed a superficial crater next to another cell, occupied by three shackled ghosts. Frowning, Sonic saw Shadow hover ahead, scowling in judgment with arms hanging down and fists clenched – one around the stolen lube.

"Back to throwing me around, Shad? Thought it was over," he cocked his head, checking his rival out with a pretentious smirk.

"It's not over until I say so, Sonic," Shadow asserted, metal soles touching the edge of the shallow cavity.

"Heh, I'm always game for another round," the yellow hedgehog's features shone in expectation as he presented his tailhole. "Bring it on, man."

Without fear of injuring the other, Shadow extracted Sonic out of the crater by his legs, dragging him across the platform. Golden back quills scraped the earth, till Sonic realized they were coming to a halt in front of the dim cell. Having a sideways glimpse at its crowded interior, he could've sworn Big the Cat was among the prisoners, learning it was a mere illusion after blinking repeatedly. Sitting on his heels between the hero's thighs, Shadow coated his fingers with lube and placed the bottle alongside them. Sonic was perceptibly tense, to the point he held his breath when the agent palmed his ass cheek, releasing it after he caressed his hip in a meager effort to let him know the worst part was yet to come.

Shadow was in no rush to prepare him. Covering them in his glow, he leaned down and kissed the hero deeply to alleviate some of his tautness, tracing his entrance before applying pressure. Sonic moaned against Shadow's thought-out distraction, hands latching onto striped quills after the first digit was inserted. His walls quivered around the intrusion, feeling warmer than normal. Reveling in the fiery sensation, Shadow left his tightly hugged finger there and waited for Sonic to adjust, arousing other parts of his torso in the meanwhile. He wouldn't hurt his rival – not until he was balls deep inside him.

The agent withdrew from Sonic's lips to lavish his attention somewhere lower, mouth finding a hidden nipple he began to lick and suck weakly. Flexing his legs to be level with his shoulders, Sonic gasped as his powerful body accepted the digit, painstakingly sliding and making room for the second. Eyes fluttering shut, the light-yellow hedgehog traveled south to Sonic's stiff abdomen, sticking two fingers in and out of his pucker, then scissoring them to stretch him further. When a third digit joined in, finding that valuable spot, Shadow's tongue encountered his rival's cock, which had managed to do him wonders. Inhaling its strong smell, he tasted his dried, gleamy fluids, mixed with his own from when they got frisky under the lavafall.

Sonic appreciated the whole teasing with a grin, scratching behind the other's ears while being fingered and licked. Shadow removed his fingers from his hole, estimating the golden hedgehog was open enough, and got a hum in objection. Dampening his lips to wipe remnants of pre-cum, Shadow recovered the lube when positioning his shaft over Sonic's, undersides touching like moments ago. As the hero eyed his towering figure, the striped hedgehog raised his arm high above their dicks and squeezed the bottle hard, transparent liquid gushing all over his member till it was completely soaked. Sonic's grin only widened as he observed his rival crush the empty bottle and fling it aside to dissolve into molten rock.

"Don't do this to me, cum breath," he pled jokingly when Shadow prepared his erection with precise strokes.

"Too late, ball sucker," the agent smirked, then pouted to feign compassion.

Sonic couldn't retort after Shadow hustled his body to lay on its side. Facing the eerie onlookers, the golden hedgehog felt an arm snake itself around his shoulders and a chest push against his relaxed quills. Spooned, Sonic had his right arm forcefully twisted behind his and Shadow's back, coming to rest atop the other's rib. An expression of awe found its way onto his face as he saw their reflection in one of the prying ghosts' orbs, keeping in mind they regarded every motion thoroughly.

Dodging upturned spines, Shadow nuzzled the crook of Sonic's neck before fangs dug into flesh, cock rubbing between parted golden thighs. The yellow hedgehog let out a groan and Shadow sped up, wetting his balls and dick, given the excess of lube. Legs slightly trembling, Sonic bit his lower lip and wrapped his hand around their lengths, clinging to Shadow with the other when bucking his hips onward to intensify the friction. Their breathing hastened, until the agent decided foreplay was over, changing his hold around his rival's shoulders to yank his head quills instead.

Sonic gritted his teeth, noticing that Shadow had taken his leg out of the way to properly align his tip with his pucker from the side. Naturally, he shut his eyes and hissed once the head was in, stroking his glistening member to relieve the initial discomfort. Frankly, Shadow had to be very lusty to endure being fucked twice while Super-charged, because Sonic was sure he was going to be sore for the next few days after that thick cock began to split him open. To be fair, the hero was adoring every glide of his dick inside him. He shouldn't complain, since his rival was taking it easy. However, Sonic knew such leniency wouldn't persist for long.

"Those miserable souls. Think they're enjoying the show?" Shadow's voice was huskier than customary.

"Yeah," Sonic spread his legs even more apart to exhibit his groin, conceding their spectators an awesome view of his erection and Shadow screwing him lazily. "Bet they also think I'm faster than you."

"Going fast won't make it last," the agent's pace quickened, contradicting his remark.

Sonic panted, but managed to reply. "So what? I'm not going anywhe–"

Shadow let go of his spines to shove two slick fingers into his mouth.

"Even if you were, I want you to remember one thing," the striped hedgehog started, pleased when his rival almost choked on his digits, resorting to suck them. "No matter the plane of existence you are, I'll find you. And I'll fuck you again, and again, and again," he punctuated each word with a rough thrust.

Sonic's cries made him gag, thus Shadow retracted his fingers.

"I'll m-make sure," he tried to take a breath, seizing the other's arm, "to be in the same one as y-you."

"Better make things easier for me, hedgehog."

Yet, Shadow made things harder for Sonic. In an instant, he paused to roll and lay on his back, taking his rival's body with him to set it over his torso, and put him in a rather awkward position. Gazing at the rocky ceiling, Sonic barely fathomed Shadow's arms had gone down to lift his legs, now level with his head. Striped forearms pushed against his kneecaps, bending the hero's body in two, until fingers were intertwined behind his scruff, constraining his movements indefinitely. The gesture had Sonic's head lowered, so the only thing in his sight was his own cock, since the forced display of flexibility left his crotch obscenely exposed. Restrained like that, Sonic was vulnerable to be railed by Super Shadow however he saw fit.

Not that he wasn't looking forward to it.

The yellow hedgehog held on to his rival's elbows when he rocked his hips upward. Calves up in the air, Sonic whined after Shadow's punitive thrusts became tougher to handle. From inside out, he felt his whole body on fire, unable to draw in a few discarded rings. Panting, Shadow pounded into Sonic ruthlessly, hitting that spot over and over again as nails pierced his arms. He had no qualms in claiming Super Sonic's power in front of the dead, wandering emerald orbs glued to where their figures were bonded. Whether or not such vulgarity should be considered felony down there, Shadow came undone with a raspy groan, enjoying the inviting grasp Sonic had around his slippery dick.

Focused on Shadow's premature release, Sonic closed his watering eyes in respite after those hands moved from his nape, resting over his chest as thumbs circled his nipples. The platinum yellow hedgehog's tip remained in contact with his prostate, giving Sonic time to compose himself and lean his head back, hanging beside Shadow's in a heap of glossy quills. His member implored just one touch, but his rival seemed to have other plans. Breathing heavily, Shadow removed his arms from under Sonic's kneecaps and pulled out, neon-lit cum splattering all over the soil. When the golden hedgehog's shoes hit the ground, he was suddenly put in a headlock. Fidgety, Sonic gripped the agent's limb and swore.

Until two digits were rammed inside his hole.

"Can you hear me?" Shadow whispered hoarsely, receiving a snarl in confirmation. "Hold it."

He turned his wrist and Sonic cried out deafeningly, spines almost bristling. Shadow's middle and ring fingers had released the gist of a Chaos Spear, sending out a faint energy voltage akin to electricity straight to the hero's prostate. The shockwave lasted briefly, resulting in the contraction of his lower body muscles, considering his nerves were instantly stimulated.

With a thumb and curved index finger, Shadow had squeezed his rival's perineum to delay his ejaculation, nurturing his orgasm – the first one of many if depending on him. Hips aching, Sonic whimpered, lost in euphoria as his veiny cock twitched and swelled momentarily. Shadow echoed the command, louder this time, encouraging the flushed hedgehog to prepare himself for the next wave before repeating the newfound ritual. Screaming in that growly voice, Sonic experienced multiple peaks of ecstasy in a spam of seconds, without proper recovery; body spasming, aura electrified and head secured in a chokehold.

"Hold it!"

Untraining the impulse to give in, Sonic tightened his pelvic floor muscles as tears poured from the corners of his eyes, edging until his abdomen hurt so much that he gasped in despair, back arching from his rival's mid-section. Whilst in the mental state of climax, the yellow hedgehog laid astray in a tenuous line where extreme pain and pleasure met and mingled. The never-ending sensation was absurdly torturous yet delightful. Another energy charge, higher but insufficient to burn tissue, and Sonic reached the no-return threshold with a blaring moan, since Shadow's thumb pressed his balls in order to cause him a final, prolonged orgasm, facilitating his long overdue burst.

Cumming at last, Sonic felt his limbs slack and crimson eyes roll back, engrossed in the heavenly bliss. With a triumphant, dark chuckle, Shadow admired his unceasing load, bright pulses of semen nearly erupting aloft in comparison to their previous rounds. Drenched in sweat, the numb hedgehog slowly came down from his high, throat drying out from the continuous panting. Shadow took his digits out of his squelchy pucker and sucked them clean, humming while releasing the hero's chafed neck. Stealing a quick glance at Shadow savoring his own cum, Sonic laughed in disbelief and stared at his cock, up and hard – typical. Even worse, Shadow's big guy had made himself present, slightly touching his sack. It wasn't over yet, was it?

"A beer would do me some good," Sonic noted in a croaky tone, glazed eyes on the ceiling.

Without losing momentum, Shadow plunged his legs down and propelled Sonic to get off his torso. Driven by a swarming desire of reprisal, Sonic shifted and turned around to sit on his lap. Light-yellow hands spread his buttocks apart, coercing the hero to align their owner's dick with his hole from behind, since he rubbed it in-between his ass cheeks, slapping his tail with its tip.

"Go," Shadow ordered sternly.

Sonic didn't like taking orders either, but whatever. Holding eye contact with his rival, he lowered his body cautiously, having his thighs held. After entering the ring of muscle, Shadow's girth slid up effortlessly. The golden hedgehog went up and down with a knowing smirk, building a light flow as wet sounds went unheard over the music. Leaning back to balance and boost himself over his palms, Sonic felt the slight pain in his pelvis – and everywhere else – vanish. Therefore, he flexed his legs and sped up, arms on each side of Shadow's calves, taking his length down to the hilt and back, while the other grasped his knees and bucked his hips upward in return. Groaning, Sonic checked the ambience around them. Strange how most inmates danced closer to the grids in every corner of the extensive jail.

"We're gathering quite the crowd here."

"Let them witness," Shadow scorned.

That was what he did. The striped hedgehog watched his motions with interest. Sonic's pace wasn't steady by any means. He drew circles on his lap, switching the back-and-forth rhythm to something focused and with a dose of eroticism. Then, he resumed riding his dick, closing and opening his legs wider to present him that view. Raw, honest and up-close. Shadow's traveling eyes went everywhere: from Sonic's tongue, lolling out and licking his upper lip; to his chest, where the agent ran a hand through sweaty fur, finding droplets of cum here and there; until they landed on his shaft and balls, which smacked his abdomen whenever he descended. Skin brushed against skin. Fast and slow, rough and gentle. Bounce. Repeat.

The air was predominantly filled with their breathing, save for a moan or two. Shadow placed an arm under his head and pressed his legs together, serving as backrest for his rival – the same whom decided to use it and throw his head back, verging another orgasm after a vigorous pace was stablished, legs lewdly open. Absentmindedly, Shadow mouthed two words, and smirked when they manifested themselves in the form of a partial Chaos Control, not exactly ceasing time but enough to make everything appear in slow motion.

He hadn't moved an inch from his spot. Distracted by Super Sonic's lascivious expression, the agent perceived his bouncing quills as if nothing else mattered around them. Obviously, Sonic didn't notice a thing, hence Shadow rolled his hips leisurely. His soft thrusts were rather fast in the golden hedgehog's spacetime, matching his tempo perfectly.

Shadow wanted it to last forever, but he knew it wouldn't. Maybe paradise was concealed in refined ecstasy, able to pose him into a reality split in two. One that was under his control, from start to finish. Wearing a frown, Sonic's sharp gaze found his own in both realities, true and warped, kind of perusing it. Enchanted, the platinum yellow hedgehog found his rival strikingly handsome like that. Mouth hanging open, eye ridges furrowed, about to climax on his cock at any second. Unparalleled. He was sure he'd remember such view for days on end.

Revering Sonic's features, Shadow didn't realize a peach hand had lowered a few seconds ago, holding the base of the hero's erection to aim its tip at something above tan lips. Unfortunately, it was already too late when Shadow saw it coming. His energy wavered and the environment went back to normal as Sonic gave him a facial, shots of radiant cum flickering precisely onto an open eye and muzzle like neon party paint. Over a month later, the rivals were ultimately even.

"Eye for an eye, Shadow," the golden hedgehog reminded in a sultry tone.

From a deserver to another.

"Fuck!"

Sclera turning red, Shadow shut his eyes and snarled, blinking in urgency to diminish the burning pain. As he squirmed on the ground, Sonic chortled and rose from his seat, leaving the agent with no release whatsoever. Shadow was quick to get up and go after him, even mazy. Laughing, Sonic hovered and flew toward shallow platforms, located under a chasm in the center of the lava pit. He wasn't expecting Shadow to catch up so fast, though. Two sparkly golden traces bumped into each other and violently crashed against a stalagmite, then an industrial gear, coming to land onto an uneven red stand. It floated below the deep, narrow fissure in the ceiling, that casted an orange-ish light over the sea of fire. Stone bridges crumbled when Shadow, already on top, seized his rival's wrists, placing them above his head with one hand.

"I'm ending you here and now!" he settled, hastily directing his cock to Sonic's entrance.

The aloof hedgehog sounded flattered. "Aw. The way I have fun with–"

Whatever he was going to say next was heckled by a punch. The agent grabbed the back of Sonic's thighs, opening his legs to stretch them into a wide straddle. Baring his teeth, Shadow pushed in until he bottomed out, reclaiming his former harsh pace in a mix of chagrin and outrage. As expected, Sonic's half-lidded eyes revealed his attempt to rile him up had turned out successful, if also taking his exhilarated smile into consideration.

As soon as Shadow's mighty thrusts became inconsistent, the round piece of land tilted backwards, acquiescing into the fervent pool while their connected bodies progressively slid down. Slanting to its edge, Sonic's head reached molten rock, obliging the yellow hedgehog to gather his powers and prevent himself from being engulfed. Heartless, Super Shadow never once stopped. The thundering harmony drove him insane. The irking heat made his figure sweat and aura ignite. Cum slithered down an eye ridge. Everything infuriated him so much that his hands closed around Sonic's neck, taking his breath away as thumbs brushed over his windpipe.

Startled, the hero gasped and caught his wrists with both hands, ruby eyes widening. To Shadow's perplexity, Sonic tried to unclench his inhibitor rings, gyrating them while demonstrating he was more than aroused at being choked. The platform sunk and melted, inciting the rivals to unswervingly hover sideways upon being in contact with the infernal sheets. Steam exuded from Sonic's limbs, hot and tingling as if he were done sunbathing on the beach. Shadow glowered after understanding what those moving lips formed, since a certain wish had been slowly mouthed. About to be strangled, the golden hedgehog laced his dare with a grin.

Destroy me.

He did want to destroy him. Actually, that was Shadow's goal: consume every ounce of Super Sonic's energy until he was blue like the ocean. Chase that glorious being he had on his mind and fuck him senseless. Give him all of himself and more. Twisting an inhibitor ring unhesitatingly, Shadow stopped, gaze openly fixated on that debauched face, and removed it. The other one came off afterwards. Coughing a little, his rival picked and secured the two golden rings around each thumb. Trimmed claws scratched and pierced through Shadow's back once he resumed his movements, baring his weight down while panting into the hero's mouth.

Surrounded by particles of fire, Shadow could only behold the man under him. Lava felt cold below his palms, so he sustained the position and screwed him harder, tearing cries that sounded about right in his eardrums. Way far gone, Sonic clung onto Shadow's buttocks, demanding him to stay inside, to go deeper, to raw him forever, even if his prostate was endlessly hit in an incomparable manner. No other dick or strap-on left the hero wordlessly begging for more like that. Together they moved, and just then, when starting to experience pleasure in its purest form after energy spurts overflowed from his body, Shadow gave into his utter strength and did it.

He allowed himself to feel it all.

Sonic chose that exact moment to kiss him. Hormones pumping all over the place, Shadow reciprocated the act hopelessly as golden legs wrapped themselves around his waist and thin arms held him whole. There was something almost chasmic in that kiss; as if Sonic's positive Chaos energy overwhelmed his own, extinguishing any trace of anger or desolation – negative emotions that would gradually weaken his Super state. It soothed him, leaving place to an unprompted reflection. At the risk of overexerting himself, Shadow felt everything tenfold, heart beating so fast he knew Sonic could discern it against his chest. Underneath his wrath, in regard of being ambushed by a cumshot, permeated the semblance of an odd feeling.

Yearning?

Shadow was flooded by different sensations. Some of them were strictly related to their current activities, others not so much. His main priority was making out with the golden hedgehog while their orgasm evenly built. Taking a breath, Shadow let out a series of loud groans, rivaling Sonic's, hips a blur and dick pulsating. Yet, he didn't cum, even if his mindblowing climax lingered so long his hole quivered, subtle contractions being a lot to handle. Opposed to his crimson eyes, which rolled back, Sonic's irises twinkled a green-ish yellow. Adorning a galvanic aura, Shadow kept thrusting forward with abandon. He also unheeded the involuntary edging and overstimulation, oblivious to the extreme amount of Chaos energy released from his palms to the now bubbling magma.

There was a high movement of lava below Shadow's fingers when craters exploded at every side of the chamber, causing rocks to cave in and platforms to shake. Prisoners danced faster as the ostinato got to its ending point. Within the calamity, Sonic and Shadow deluged in each other's presence till the last breath. The light-yellow hedgehog stroked his rival's member instinctively, matching his erratic motions, which were sensed like an earth tremor by the ravished hero. The intense energy swept through the entirety of the magma pit, compelling something to stir beyond the location.

"I'm a girl of many talents," Rouge traced a white crescent, lying on the altar beside a tired Knuckles, who had trouble breathing. The rumble had reached their elevated position at once. "An earthquake?!"

The massive volcano's terrain quaked, so it was fair to deduce a plate in the subduction zone of Angel Island began sinking under another, probably sited in Mystic Ruins itself, given the constant injection of molten rocks into the heated area, entering mostly from the cascade. Along with earthquake swarms, the emission of sulfur and other gases spread out, leaving an acrid smell in the now ashen air, courtesy of a blinding smoke that deliberately clouded the bright hue of the lava surplus.

More fuel was leaked, until Shadow changed his position, sitting on his heels with Sonic on his lap while hovering above the blazing sea. A guttural moan escaped their throats as they came, glistening eyes closed, holding one another in a tight, grounding hug. The agent's brimful load managed to drip around his shaft, coating Sonic's crack with glowy fluids. Still, the hero didn't care, since he had done a mess on his chest fur too. Breathing deeply against Shadow's shoulder, Sonic supposed his dick had softened at last. He was sated, and quite drained to say the least. The hedgehogs caressed each other's backs gently, both in gratitude and silent respect, lazing in the afterglow. Sonic held on to Shadow's inhibitor rings firmly during the singular gesture. He didn't want to let go of him. Of whatever they were sharing now. Not yet.

But he had to.

"Sonic?" Shadow called.

Said hedgehog opened his eyes and saw. The whole cave was pitch-black, covered by a suffocating haze that did them no harm. Earth tides brought him back to the real world, combined with the boiling lava that flowed wildly beneath them. Gulping, the hero straightened his posture, which made Shadow's fingers slip around his lithe form. As the only sources of light in the doomed location, Sonic and Shadow looked up slowly upon discovering a third one, as bright as them, illuminating their faces from the reddish sky through a vent attached to the surface. Centered in the dark clouds, the supermoon reflected on the duo's widening eyes. Shadow felt a drop of cum shed from an eyelash to his muzzle like a tear, acknowledging what exactly they had started: a volcanic eruption.

"Oh my god…" he uttered in distaste.

Knuckles and his big damn mouth, envisaging natural disasters out of nowhere.

"Pull it out, pull it out! We gotta get out of here!" Sonic writhed, trying to stand up after pushing Shadow's head down.

•••

At the party, Vector balanced himself by holding the edges of the sound mixer, while Espio searched for signs of a threat nearby. The Babylon Rogues stole a few beverages and snacks from the shaking tables aboard their Extreme Gear, escaping the area on a whim. Blaze had rushed to the Chao Garden, helping Amy and the others evacuate the cave through the minecart tracks, as Silver sustained a few rocks breaking apart from the ceiling with his psychokinesis. Mayhem arose, and Tails could only swear at having his finished board smashed by a heavy generator right before his eyes. First, Sonic had damaged his workshop's entrance. Now, the day of reckoning decided to come and raze his work. It definitely wasn't his night.

Inside the volcano, Shadow wiped his eye clean using his forearm and detached himself from Sonic, who achieved flight and soared towards the opening, albeit exhausted. Cursing, the agent wasn't about to lag behind, so up he went by the time melted rock was ejected, flying side by side with his rival to avoid being seared. The magmatic outbreak was rapidly catching up to the two rays of light, who contributed to everlasting destruction. Super Sonic and Super Shadow's ascent caused an extensive breakage around the vent, since their flaming bodies destroyed every obstacle in the pipe. Reaching the top of the crater, the explosive eruption split the sky along with the powerful duo, golden traces resembling light pillars that adorned the giant ash cloud.

"Holy fuck!" Knuckles put his hands on his head upon landing on a hill in Red Mountain's initial section, not quite believing the sight of pyroclastic flow and lava streaming down the sides of the faraway volcano. "No, no, no! Not in my island! Quick, help me save the animals!" he shouted at Rouge, flying overhead, and jumped to glide forward.

Avoiding volcanic bombs and a sequence of purple-ish lightning strikes, the hedgehogs circled the wreckage above the glowing avalanche. Sparkly blurs formed an infinity sign amidst the nightmarish smoke, before resuming their aligned route upwards and parting ways at last. Guided by his own light, Shadow flew to the left and got himself out of the smothery cloud, sliding into the darkness adamantly. Even if he had gone in the wrong direction, he'd face the course again, more than used to dealing with obscurity and its hazards. In fact, Shadow should be the one to be dreaded by an apocalyptic menace as that.

Unlike the agent, Sonic turned right, heading straight to the Altar of the Emeralds. Despite being lethargic and losing his power faster than habitual, the hero kept moving, blinking several times to refocus his watery vision. Shadow's body started draining ring energy quicker than Sonic, though he challenged its limits, mindful of his overall high endurance. Upon passing over an unidentified area, the platinum yellow hedgehog discovered the main reason for his fatigue, hovering in the thick air with an exasperated grimace on his face.

Sonic had retained his inhibitor rings.

Roaring furiously, Shadow turned back to confront the ominous cloud of ash, in order to find his stupid rival and get his rings back. Exposed to a big concentration of sulfur dioxide, which threatened to introduce the pour of acid rain in the location, Shadow evaded lightning bolts and tracked Sonic's distinct light, leading his weary form out of the disaster to enter a familiar mountain range. The golden hedgehog was overflying the region slower than him, meaning Shadow possibly wasn't the only one whose transformation had its seconds counted.

Above the stony ground, Rouge was aiding a couple of flickies escape from their nest, when two streams of light crossed the sinister atmosphere at high speed. Teal eyes widened upon catching the astronomical event in time. A meteor shower, perhaps?

"Knuckles, look!" she pointed upwards, but the fuming echidna ignored her. "A pair of shooting stars! Hurry up and make a wish!"

The guardian had a mole and a gorilla under his arms, parrots flying in circles over his head. "I wish for Sonic to never step on my island ever again!"

Unfortunately, his wish wouldn't be granted, since the aforementioned stars were Sonic and Shadow themselves, going straight to the treasure hunters' favorite wrestling zone. The outskirts of Mystic Ruins remained intact, clear sky and peaceful ambience a blatant contrast to Red Mountain's nebulous havoc. Strangely, dawn was nowhere close. Having his rival's inhibitor rings in one hand, Sonic began losing altitude, body turning around mid-air, destined to hit the Master Emerald. It wasn't much of a problem, since he wouldn't get badly hurt. On the verge of blacking out, Sonic felt his fur slowly return to its original color, from chest to limbs, so he stretched his arm as far as he could to give Shadow his rings back.

"Take them!" the hero yelled through the harsh wind at the approaching blur.

He was falling.

Sonic was falling.

It wasn't a question whether Shadow should do it or not. Baring his teeth, he dove toward his plummeting rival and outstretched his hand to retrieve his inhibitor rings, bright fingertips touching Sonic's as his Super state was brought to an end. The blue hedgehog closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact. Without thinking twice, Shadow wrapped his now black and red arms around his torso and switched their positions in one swift motion before the strike.

Cushioning Sonic's fall, he crashed against the Master Emerald on his back with a piercing scream. The collision was brutal enough to make the gemstone incline and rip the seven Chaos Emeralds out of their whacked bodies, scattering them to diverse corners of the planet. Rolling across the shrine, the rivals came to a halt next to its rugged edge. Frazzled, Sonic sighed in relief and eyed the sky, head on Shadow's heaving chest. It was nice that the other hadn't let go of him, holding his body tighter even after their ugly landing. The blue blur was about to pass out if it weren't for Shadow panting in a frantic manner, trembly hands scrambling to wear the golden rings around his wrists.

Spreading his arms out, Shadow tried to regulate his hitching breath and heart palpitations. He was virtually combusting. His hips burned due to relentless thrusting, his filled hole stung like a bitch, his head spun as if he were beaten up by a legion of Knuckles replicas. He was disgusting, itchy and reeking of sex. Reeking of Sonic. Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform, ruined in every sense of the word. Death was nothing in comparison. Tears built up in his eyes once a feverish sensation ran through his limbs, Chaos energy on the cusp of stabilization, healing his body in stages after the disastrous, yet predictable leak. What a fucked-up situation he got himself into, thanks to the blue cretin and his provocations.

As to escalate the tension, Sonic regarded his state with concern, massaging his chest in circular motions. Fingers combed through his fur softly, wary not to hurt him. Shadow could've sworn he had felt that same tingle Sonic's digits left in their wake before. The worst thing about said gesture was how the hero's hand managed to reassure and calm him down. They shared an unsure look when Shadow was able to, parted lips closing once inhaling through his nose was viable again. Clearly, he didn't like Sonic reaching into his heart and controlling its rate like that. Thus, after a moment's hesitation, Shadow waved his palm away, diverting his eyes from the other's examining gaze. Help wasn't needed when he could relax on his own.

"Are you okay?" Sonic asked quietly, giving him space.

"Yes, you fucking idiot," Shadow leaned on his forearms to drag himself towards the base of the Master Emerald, legs refusing to work jointly.

He didn't even know what to say. How to act. Therefore, Sonic didn't do much except lay down beside Shadow as the rotating, sloped gem showered them with its luminosity. He saw him recover his gloves from his head quills in silence, so he did the same, engaged in the process of wiping all fluids he could find off his matted fur. Curiously, both dried and fresh cum went back to their normal color and transparency, neon-lit aspects faded along with their Super form. Shadow scrubbed his groin using a stained glove, internally cursing himself for not leaving the place like he had planned earlier. His emerald was gone, so he'd be stuck on that island with Sonic until his energy levels were stable enough for him to depart in the old-fashioned way.

"That was tight," Shadow heard his rival say, making small talk. "Way too tight," he emphasized in a neutral voice.

The agent decided not to let Sonic's remark fall on deaf ears, inspecting his inner thighs to check if he had gotten everything. "Messy, but I've survived worse."

"Yeah, you did," Sonic concurred with a vaguely bittersweet smile, contemplating his abdomen to finish his task as best as he could.

Shadow tossed his dirty garments aside, closing his bent legs after the wind tickled his exposed member and tailhole. From the corner of his eye, he could see Sonic grunt and calculate his movements, discarding his gloves upon finding a comfortable position to settle down, seemingly not to worsen the unbearable pain in his rear. Indeed, Shadow had done a number on his rival, though he didn't regret it in the slightest. What the two of them had done inside that volcano was animalistic. Still, he was certain the other shared the sentiment.

"Azure Lake is not that far from here," Sonic mentioned. "We could bathe in there later if you like."

"Hmph. I won't bathe with you," Shadow placed an arm under his head, regarding Sonic with scorn. "You can go alone."

His blue counterpart rejoined with a grin, white fangs shining in the Master Emerald's vivid hue. "Sure, dude. I forgot we already took a lava shower together."

That reminder made Shadow growl and switch his gaze elsewhere. What a shot in the foot.

Behind the enormous gemstone, the two hedgehogs faintly heard the gang's ordering shouts as they reached the gateway to Red Mountain in the lawn.

"I can't believe we opened the gates of hell," Sonic stared blankly at the supermoon.

Shadow closed his eyes, mulling over the prior incident. "We have to stop doing this."

"Having risky sex or almost dying?" he mocked in a deadpan tone.

"Almost dying for having risky sex," Shadow played along, aware of his rival's serious demeanor.

Sonic evaluated the implication of his words. "Sorry, pal. I get off in danger," he stole a bored glimpse at Shadow and continued. "And... I hate to break it to you, but I'm not the only one. It doesn't depend entirely on me. It depends on us, so you probably know the answer for that."

Shadow opened his eyes and sighed. He did.

"There's nothing to stop when we have nothing going on. That's what I'm tryin' to say," Sonic took a quick glance at their warped reflection in the gem.

His statement earned a nod. Frowning slightly, the heroes resumed observing the celestial body in silence, as if they were alone. It went both ways. They couldn't hide themselves from the full moon, but they could easily hide from each other. Pretending the most recent events hadn't affected their judgment – or left some unanswered questions – would take them nowhere, though it was undoubtedly the safest option for now.

Stroking his chest fur idly, Shadow tried to understand why he had acted so recklessly that night, wasting his energy and splurging his rings to dabble with peril. For what? A dangerous fuck? Pheromones had to be the cause, together with the yellow hedgehog he kept envisioning. Come to think of it, the parallels to Shadow's predicament were uncanny. Were dreams powerful enough to mold and control one's behavior? He wasn't sure, considering the elements he recalled could either be a product of his unconscious mind or a prophecy. Sneaking a look at his thoughtful rival, Shadow attempted to rationalize the puzzling dream he had with his personal shooting star.

The last time he had personally seen Super Sonic in action was when he had defeated the Doctor on his birthday, crushing his plans to undo space and time somewhere Shadow didn't care about. Moreover, the striped hedgehog also pondered how switching places with Sonic during his fall had made him reminisce his own. With downcast eyes, Shadow stared at the inhibitor ring around his wrist. It stirred up something within him. He never forgot Sonic's determination in trying to save him that day, let alone his disposition in baring the truth out of his self at all costs in Casinopolis. It was like déjà vu, where past and future aligned once their roles got reversed.

So, was it indeed a premonition or did he just… seek for all that risk unconsciously?

There was a star twinkling above the supermoon. Forearm coming to rest over his face, Shadow hoped it wasn't the ARK orbiting the Earth. Watching over him and scrutinizing his dilemma. His thoughts rapidly drifted to how his fantasies had driven his body to the point of almost self-destruction. As a matter of fact, Shadow wanted to destroy something else. Maybe it was his idealized view of Super Sonic, whose imperfections were gladly embraced later on. Besides, Sonic's feeble-minded assumptions about his scruples were amusing, given the context. The transformation had been crucial for Shadow to grasp the wish of his heart. Legs and arms lowered, he acknowledged he had been tricked by himself. 'Be careful what you wish for' had never sounded so vicious in his ears until now. Just as Sonic had typed, he had to live, so he could learn.

Nothing felt like a mistake to him, so he could say he had learnt a few things.

Blue on the outside and golden on the inside. An interesting mix, one he'd love to picture in another canvas.

Shadow swerved his attention from the moon of atonement to look at his crotch. His flaccid cock's tip was almost touching Sonic's as their spent dicks rested out of their sheaths, facing one another's direction. Ready to cease whatever his mind had started to evoke at the sight, Shadow averted his red eyes from his blue counterpart's shaft and moved to lay on his side. He just wanted to take a nap and not dream. Unbeknownst to the agent, Sonic had turned his head to check the motion, being greeted by striped quills instead. His gaze lingered on Shadow's physique, studying the reason why he had gone too far. Staring at the sky once more, the hero realized his impulsive decisions had culminated in the devastation of a beautiful site. Perhaps choosing pleasure before business wasn't much of a great idea as Rouge had implied it to be.

Sonic glowered at the supermoon, its unwanted presence bothering his time perception. He shouldn't have gotten carried away. In his chase for something he couldn't even put a name on, the blue blur had put his friends in danger. It wasn't all: Tails' rings went to hell. His carefully gathered emeralds went to hell. Running a hand over his face, Sonic concluded that everything went to hell by the instant he and Shadow got practically expelled. And now, Knuckles was going to kill him. It was okay, but he couldn't help feeling a little guilty. Sonic knew his best friend was right from the beginning. Instead of selecting another race location, he let himself get caught up in the rush that Shadow provided him unknowingly. A walking challenge he didn't need, but one he surely enjoyed to partake in.

Gnashing his teeth, Sonic changed his position to lay much akin to Shadow. For real, he'd make sure to get tested soon after putting his ass on that foul seat in the prison cell. With an arm supporting his head, the blue hedgehog admired Shadow's dark fur in contact with the Master Emerald's blanket of light. His hand had moved on its own to caress his head quills, though Sonic recoiled it before probing fingertips even had the chance to touch them.

He acted like a hypocrite during his journey to get what he wanted. Right, Shadow wasn't a saint and, deep down, he still was a bit wary of his general intent. However, the way Sonic imagined that his rival should deal with the consequences of his actions made him think of his latest feats. Sonic had also put Shadow in danger, being selfish to the point that even the other's arrogance emanated politeness in comparison. The problem was that he knew he would do it all again, despite of how inelegant their night ended. In result, the blue hedgehog wondered if calling it quits should be better, because if they kept this up, there would be no going back.

Sonic decided to test his rival. See if he would be cool with being a go-to dude for some unpredicted fun. Furthermore, he sincerely would like to continue exploring their sexual freedom. As a guy who enjoyed having sex in clothing, Sonic entrusted Shadow to indulge in some of his shenanigans. Although he hadn't said a word yet, he was already daydreaming of himself donning a cheetah costume for him, or a red maid uniform he once wore as a disguise and kept it tucked inside a drawer ever since, or even the brand-new milkman outfit he bought, which included milk glasses and all. Mentally bursting his thought cloud, Sonic doubted they'd come to an agreement, but he was willing to try. In all honesty, insisting they won't fuck again after fucking again will be taken as an 'until the next time' in Shadow language from now on.

Scooting closer to the grumpy hedgehog, Sonic propped himself up on one elbow and flicked a black ear. No response. He did it one more time, before Shadow finally turned around with a threatening look and a clenched fist, raising an eye ridge in questioning.

"Don't make a face at me," Sonic teased with a smirk, green eyes falling half-lidded.

"Want me to throw you down the stairs?" Shadow asked grimly, mirroring the hero's position.

The blue blur snorted, shaking his head lightly. "No. I just wanna let you know that if we ever cross paths again and we're like, y'know," his gaze darted to their close groins, "you can count on me for everything," he disclosed in an impersonal tone. "In that department, I mean," making it clear, he presented the agent an extended hand. "Can I count on you?"

Shadow eyed his palm with disinterest. He was probably going to regret what he was about to do, but he owed Sonic the truth. Therefore, he clasped his hand and turned it, squeezing it resolutely in a bro handshake, elbows leaned against the base of the Master Emerald, decorated with ancient cyphers. Shadow's irises never left the other's face, holding his gaze in obstinacy. He remembered that gesture all too well, from a dream or a timeless adventure. It was fitting, since his genuine reply had an air of finality to it.

"For everything."

Taken aback, Sonic gaped like a fish, widening eyes fixated on their joined hands. He wasn't expecting that, so no wonder he got speechless. Before he knew, Shadow lowered their hands and pulled him into a kiss. It wasn't lecherous or anything of the sort, serving as a means to seal their pact in front of the supermoon, that witnessed the whole scene from the middle of the sky. The hero reciprocated it, deepening the sensuous exchange both of them understood wasn't an invitation for something else. Wasn't a distraction to an unsuspecting enemy. Much less a destabilizing weapon used as a last resort. They've never made out for the sake of just kissing before. One last peck and the duo parted to breathe, releasing each other's hands to shift and lay back down.

"Wha–"

"Your last kiss for the year," Shadow explained, leaving his forearm under his head quills as he regarded the vast space above them. "I don't want to see your face anytime soon after I head out."

"Oh," Sonic chuckled lowly, since it was summer. "Yeah, right."

The blue blur stayed close to his rival, turning to revel in his profile. Shadow didn't seem to care when a flexed leg rested on his thigh, nor when a spiky head found its way onto sprawled spines as fingers slightly caressed his abdomen. Sonic couldn't point out what had prompted him to ask a final question, guessing its response had to be of utmost importance for some reason.

"Shadow," he received a hum in return. "Those things you said down there. Did ya mean them?"

Sonic had picked that exact moment to leave a palm on his chest. The dark hedgehog raised a hand to catch his, though instead of taking it away from his body, he just held and kept it there. Detecting a slight frown in Sonic's relaxed expression, Shadow realized what the other was trying to do. He truly wanted to rip an answer out of him. Much to the clever hero's dismay, his steady heartbeat hadn't altered at all. Smirking, the agent stroked Sonic's knuckles in back-and-forth motions with his thumb. When having a sideways glance at his silent rival, he didn't miss his mouth curving upwards, just a smidge, along with digits fondling his chest fur under a heavy hand.

The rivals didn't notice a pink-ish light orb springing up from the Master Emerald.

What things, Shadow didn't ask. But his silence seemed to be answer enough for Sonic. After all, it was quite simple: he did. He meant every little syllable.

And every single word.

---

"Because your question searches for deep meaning, I shall explain in simple words." – Dante Alighieri

Author's Note 4: What a divine comedy, huh? Alright, it's time to put the bible aside now, my beloved. We initiated this story in the cold space and finished it inside an active volcano. Despite the blatant symbolism, analogies and religious imagery, did you realize that most elements in this act reflected situations we've already perceived in our ascension to Paradiso? With that in mind, what do you think is the answer to Shadow's predicament?

On another note, the tune that played in the dance contest is named Dangerous by Depeche Mode, in particular its Sensual mix. About the hedgehogs' descent to Red Mountain's underground cave, their initial fight and what comes after that, I recommend taking a listen to Hells Bells by AC/DC, Waking Up by SEGA, from the Shadow the Hedgehog official soundtrack, Pray for Me by The Weeknd and Very Good Bad Thing by Mother Mother. Lastly, for Super Sonic and Super Shadow's escape from the eruption, Almost Dead by SEGA, also from the aforementioned studio album, can be considered its theme song. They formed an interesting symbol when flying away, didn't they?

Did you enjoy the Boss Battle? That was Hard Mode for you! I hope you felt like Dante and Virgil witnessing the heroes' journey through Inferno. Let me know your analyses and interpretations on the ending scene, given how a certain Hint Orb shows itself during the Holy Trinity final shot. I'm dying to read your theories on this whole experience, since I've had a lot of fun writing it and hiding plenty of canon and other media references here and there.

Changing the subject, I'll be celebrating the first anniversary of the "Rivals with Benefits" series on December 25th, marking my debut as a writer for the Sonic fandom with the release of "Something in Between" in 2020. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the continuous support, kindness and interest. By the way, I can't lift you back to the surface. This story was a one-way ticket to Inferno, so you can go crawl your way back to land. The gates of hell are always open anyway!

Once more, you can message me on Tumblr (self-titled blog) or on Twitter (ask for my user privately!) if you want to know more about my thoughts on these characters or just talk to me in private. Favorites, alerts and reviews are much appreciated. Happy Holidays in advance! I'll see you next year. XOXO, galsgeneration.