Sonic Boom
Mobius
Hedgehog Village
Rated M
Season 3
Episode 3: Gift Basket
SHADOW
Shadow returned home just before the sky started to wake up. He closed every door, window, curtain and any potential risks to allowing anything inside. He was considering a salt line to keep out spirits.
His hands were raw with blisters where the Chaos energy and mountain rock had exacted revenge. He showered quickly to avoid irritating the wounds further and bandaged them carefully. Was the Contract that restrictive? It wasn't allowed to finish off Eggman and restore a sense of order and normalcy?
Shadow's fist hit the table as he remembered Sonic's words. All two of them. It drove him mad that Sonic could exercise that much control. It made him look like a fool that would cower at Sonic's command. He put his face in his hands trying to collect himself. He would make sure Eggman didn't bother him again. He didn't like the idea of regular battles with no purpose save for entertainment. Contrary to popular belief, Shadow didn't like fighting without a reason. He didn't seek out destruction. It had a habit of finding him. Whatever his role was supposed to be was unclear and unwelcome. He was not a hero, anti hero, or villain. He was the product of someone's attempt to control all life. He was a weapon.
For a long time he thought that was his purpose. He had been created with ultimate power in order to use it. He was the weapon to counter Sonic. He was the weapon to use against the enemy. Then he started thinking for himself. There was a reason that weapons weren't supposed to have feelings.
He had come no closer to finding his answer from earlier that night. He knew what he didn't want. It seemed like a good enough place to start.
SONIC
"Oh, Sonic! How do you feel?!" Amy was at his side the second he opened his eyes.
"Ugh," Sonic groaned, "Like I had the shit beaten out of me."
"Here, try this," Amy shoved a cup of tea under his nose, "It will help with the pain."
"It smells like something died," Sonic grimaced.
"Just drink it." Amy ordered him.
He drank it as quickly as he could to get it over with as quickly as possible. After his gag reflex gave up, he did have to admit that it made him feel a little better. He hoped Eggman wouldn't feel up to attacking the village today. "I'm going to go home Ames. I'm going to sleep in my hammock for a week."
"Are you sure? I don't know if you should be alone." The care in her eyes was touching but felt like a very tight bandage.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I've got my communicator. I just sleep better at home." Sonic got up feeling a little weak on his feet but able to walk. "I'll check in later." He left, much to Amy's displeasure, and walked carefully home.
His hammock had never felt so comfortable. He knew he'd be fine after some sleep; his body didn't stay injured for long. He hadn't expected Shadow to react so viciously. Should he be surprised by it? Where had Shadow been living before? He laughed to himself thinking of Shadow living in a cave somewhere. He'd probably prefer that to Hedgehog Village. He had been gone a long time. It had been at least a year and a half. The last time Shadow was in town was because Eggman tricked him into helping with a ridiculous plan. Why did Shadow fall for that in the first place? And twice. He'd have to talk—
Sonic groaned loudly. He did have to talk to Shadow but certainly not about his health and welfare for the last year. He needed to clarify the rules of the contract in order to keep peace. If the rules were defied, their existence would be erased. Not even a reverse polarizer could put it back together.
The next couple of days went by calmly. Sonic had slept through most of it. Eggman hadn't attacked them. He did have a lot of machines to rebuild. Especially his Egg Mobile. That loss must have hurt. Sonic was greeted at Amy's by his friends and a giant pile of food. He eagerly started in on Meh Burger, enjoying the library paste more than usual.
"Glad you're feeling better Sonic," Sticks said, "Want to dig through garbage later?"
"Mm," Sonic thought, "I was thinking of going for a run."
"What about Jungle Predator?!" Tails said excitedly.
"That sounds fun!" he agreed.
"Are you sure you're up for it?" Amy asked affectionately.
"Pfft, of course I am. Sleep and food has cured me!" Sonic inhaled another burger, "Let's go!"
EGGMAN
"This should work!" Eggman declared triumphantly, "Who doesn't love a bigger, better more dangerous gift basket?" The basket was full of hand grenades, small rockets, homing missiles, loofah sponges, Eggman Industries bubble bath, lotion and several types of chocolate. It was wrapped with black and gold cellophane and topped with an over-large bow featuring his logo. "It's my best yet!" He threw it at Cubot, "Here. You carry this."
Cubot fumbled with it and nearly fell over, "Looks great boss!"
"Don't drop it you bird brain," Eggman threatened, "It has to be perfect when we deliver it to Shadow!" Eggman squealed, "I can't wait!"
They wasted no time in arriving at Shadow's front door. Eggman knocked politely.
No answer.
He knocked again. Again, no answer.
"Hm, maybe he didn't hear me?" Eggman knocked louder, cleared his throat and said in a sing-songy voice, "Oh, Shadow! Are you home? I've brought a gift!"
Nothing.
Eggman pounded on the door. "If you won't open it, I'll break it down!"
The door finally opened. The look on Shadow's face sent thrills of fear down Eggman's spine. He laughed shakily and barely concealed his glee, "I'd like to apologize for how we met last time. I hope we can be friends! Maybe work together to take down Sonic?"
Shadow stared at him, blinked twice, turned around and slammed the door in his face. Eggman heard several locks click into place. "Hmm… that didn't go the way I wanted. Cubot, leave the basket here and I'll think of something else. Something more… evil!" He laughed to himself as they sped off in the Egg Mobile.
SHADOW
Shadow hated every second he spent here. He begrudgingly retrieved the gift basket from the porch and looked through it. What the…? Who was Eggman? A loofah? He did have to admit that Eggman put a lot of effort into it. There was only one way to deal with it.
Shadow ran the basket over to Eggman's fortress, lit one of the grenades, and left as the blast destroyed the front door. He wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. How many more attempts would there be? Something cold and vile settled in the bottom of his stomach. The attempts wouldn't stop. He needed to do something and fast.
TAILS
"Aaa!" Tails screamed, dropping his arm full of batteries. Shadow had just appeared in the door to his workshop. "Sh-sh-shadow! What are you doing here?" His eyes went to his communicator.
"Calm down. I'm here…" Shadow swallowed, "for your help."
"My help?" Tails asked half terrified, half curious.
"I need security for my house. Eggman decided to leave me a gift basket and it's just a matter of time before you idiots try to invite yourselves over." Shadow's voice was strained like he was forcing the words out.
"Oh…" Tails let out a breath, "Um… yeah. I can help. But, why me?"
Shadow glared, "I'm not going to ask a fanboy to help me keep him out."
"That's a good point," Tails agreed, "What do you need?"
"Everything."
Tails's brain clicked as he remembered something, "I've always wanted to do these!" he dug through a drawer full of sketch books and notes. He came back up with one that was bound in leather, had several satanic seals, and was splashed with blood. "I came up with these while I was turned evil in the a couple years ago. I couldn't bring myself to throw them out." Tails opened the book, feeling a chill of wind. "What do you think?"
Shadow was flipping through the pages, "It's perfect."
