He hated those stupid emeralds. Hated, hated, hated them.
They were more trouble than they were worth, in the blue hedgehog's honest opinion.
On nights when things were quiet for once and sleep didn't even look his way, Sonic wondered why they existed, how many civilizations the mystical jewels had caused to crumble, how many would, if they had always been, if they had been created, if they tasted like pop rocks. He had many questions but no one to give him answers. The history of the Chaos Emeralds had washed away with the echidnas of ancient times, as a recent adventure had revealed.
…….All those people he couldn't save, because he was too busy keeping his mind in one piece and fighting a water god-
But that was in the past and the is no point dwelling on the past.
After all, he had plenty to worry about in the present, the list including but not limited to; identity theft, Eggman (again), a space station, and the possibility of Moubis being blown to kingdom come. Yeah, just a normal day being himself.
Sonic eyed the emeralds and Shadow as the miraculous gems swirled around them inside the false shrine. The glow of the emeralds were a comfort to many but, like sonic said early, they provided no such relief to him. He tried not to visibly flinch as the chaos energy was forced into him, the single voice in his head going from whispering to a demon's choir screeching. He gasped softly, raising a single hand to his head helplessly. He could tell Shadow was giving him a strange look and he glanced at the other.
Shadow seemed to be in his element, the chaos in his veins doing nothing but strengthen him. Sonic felt a pang of jealousy. It wasn't fair. Why was he the only one who had to deal with…..drawbacks? Sonic quickly smothered the emotion as the duo flew into the black void of space. They were equals, he reminded the more negative part of his mind sternly, and they were going to save the world together. He had never had an equal like this before, someone who had Chaos running through their veins. It was...nice, not being completely alone for once.
It was hard, keeping an eye on Shadow and the ARK and his mental state, but Sonic was used to multitasking so he did his best. But the battle cries, the inhuman screaming, the terrified but encouraging shouts of his friends? Gaia, he didn't know how much he could take?
The ARK was falling. THE ARK WAS FALLING. They had to stop, he had to stop it, he-
Were those rings?
Sonic turned and stared at Shadow, the other's golden and silver glow renewed as two golden rings floated away from him, red eyes burning in new vigor. Sonic couldn't help but stare in awe. Was that what everyone else saw when he saved the day? Was Shadow the hero they saw?
Shadow's moment of glory and strength came to an end shortly after. It took a lot of energy to use Chaos Control, so much that, for a moment, Sonic worried it wouldn't be enough.
It was.
Barely.
His head was pounding and his body ached. He could practically feel the gold draining from his body and-
Where was Shadow?
Sonic looked around frantically for the darker hedgehog, feeling more exhausted by the minute. They had to get back inside NOW.
Then he spotted him. Silver and gold had long since left him for dusty black fur, and Shadow's ruby red eyes were dull as gravity slowly pulled him down.
"Shadow!" Sonic cried out, ignoring the fact he probably wasn't much better condition and dove for the other. He grabbed Shadow and in that single moment, Sonic looked away, Sonic let go. And while his world went black, Shadow's turned a violent red and gold.
Sonic wonders what Shadow saw in those moments. Did he see an ally turned enemy? Did he see a grin filled with razor sharp teeth? Did he see claws digging into his hands?
Did he see red tornadoes in his eyes? Did he see chaos and death and destruction?
Did Shadow see Fleetway?
Sonic stood before the others. Friends, Allies, Enemies.
He fell. His hands formed the half truth while Sonic screamed at the voice in his head. I tried to grab him but there was nothing I could do.
He handed Rouge the golden ring, taking care to avoid her teary eyes. She didn't ask why he gave her Shadow's ring. He didn't ask why she wanted it.
He waited til they were all gone, staring at the planet below, golden ring gripped in his unworthy hands.
Sonic waited and waited, praying that he'd hear the airlock open and metallic shoes clink against the iron floors to either kill him or demand answers.
He waited a long time for something he knew wouldn't happen.
And when Sonic knew he was alone, alone except for the murderer tied to his soul, alone except for another ghost haunting him, he fell apart.
He wailed, in that metallic graveyard for forgiveness and a freedom he would never be given.