Shadow stood in the branches of a tree, watching as a strange looking creature trudged through the forest along with a pink-ish flying rodent.

From observation, the creature looked like a large, wolf-hedgehog hybrid, which was a little off. Shadow narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist, leaping from the tree and immediately teleporting. He teleported right in front of the creature, catching it off guard. Before it could react, he kicked it square in the face and teleported himself safely onto the ground. The creature was sent hurtling backwards and collided with a tree.

The flying rodent cried out in fear and ducked behind a bush. Shadow grunted, he'd deal with whatever that thing was later - first he had to complete his mission. The creature was getting back up, clutching it's head in pain and looking slightly dazed. Shadow charged forwards, going into a spinball and knocking the creature to the ground once again.

After attacking the creature, he was knocked back, but managed to land on his own two feet and skidded backwards, tearing up some of the earth as he did so. Preparing to deal one final blow he charged again, pulling his fist back.

"Shadow wait!" It pleaded.

Shadow stopped dead in his tracks, his fist inches away from the creatures face. He stared, his eyes shifting as he examined the creature closer. His gaze fell upon the bright green eyes that he knew all too well "Sonic?" He blurted, lowering his fist. "Is that really you?" He asked.

"Yeah" Sonic replied, his voice strained.

Shadow reached out his hand and Sonic took it. "That's a good look for you" he joked.

"Funny" Sonic grunted, as Shadow proceeded to help him up.

"What happened to you?" He asked.

"It's a long story" Sonic replied "Basically I absorbed some of Dark Gaia's energy and now every night I turn into... Well, this" he said, gesturing at himself. "Why were you after me?" He questioned.

"There were some reports about a large beast roaming around at night coming from all over the world. GUN sent me to track you down and take you back for examination" Shadow explained. "Now that I know it's actually you I think we can rule out that idea".

The flying-rodent remerged from behind the bush and joined them "Is everything okay?" He asked worryingly.

"Who's this? Your sidekick?" Shadow asked, looking up at the odd thing.

"This is Chip. He's helping me find the Gaia temples and restore power to the master emeralds" Sonic told him "We're hoping that putting the planet back together will reverse this" he said, gesturing at himself once again.

Sonic turned his attention to his companion "Chip, this is Shadow. He's a friend"

"But he tried to hurt you" Chip commented.

"That was all just a big mistake, it's fine now" he assured him.

"If you say so Sonic" Chip replied, flying over to Shadow and resting on top of his head. Shadow grunted, but made no effort to shake him off.

"I'm sorry about before" Shadow apologised, turning his attention away from Chip, who was still perched on his head.

"Don't worry about it. Don't you think you should tell GUN it was me? I wouldn't want you get in trouble for holding information"

"Trust me, if they knew it was you, they'd want to examine you even more. I'll just tell them that you were stronger than I thought and you got away. They'll never know"

Shadow shook Chip off his head "I better head back, update them on the situation" he stated, turning away "Oh and if you ever have something like this happen to you again, at least let me know"

He was walking away when Sonic stretched out his arm to a freakishly long and pulled him back. "Hold on a second". His hand was much larger than Shadow had first thought, in fact he was being lifted off the ground. Sonic truly was strong in this form.

"Put me down, Sonic" he growled.

"Don't go yet, we have some catching up to do"

Shadow rolled his eyes "Fine, whatever. Now could you put me down?"

Sonic placed Shadow on the ground and the two walked together. "Hey, Chip, do you think you could leave us alone for a minute?" Sonic asked his friend.

"Sure thing, Sonic. I'll go see if there are any delicious berry bushes around" Chip replied, flying off into the wilderness.

After Chip left, they found themselves a ledge that had a view of the forest and the nearing sunrise in the distance. They sat down, Shadow hung his legs over the ledge and swung them gently. Sonic did the same.

"So what's it like?" Shadow asked.

"What do you mean?" Sonic answered with a question.

"The transformation, how does it feel?"

"Well, it kind of feels like all my speed has been transferred into muscle and size and..." He trailed off.

"Hair?"

"I wouldn't say hair but yeah, you're probably right" Sonic admitted. "You want to know the worse part though?"

"What's that?" Shadow questioned.

"I feel sad... Chip told me that I look scary, but I don't want people to be afraid of me. I just want to help" he paused "Are you scared of me when I'm like this?" He asked.

Shadow glanced at Sonic, studying his features. His large, pointed teeth and large claws, not to mention his shaggy coat and bulk structure "No" he stated simply.

"Why not?" Sonic questioned further.

"Because I know it's you" and with that, Shadow leaned in and kissed Sonic on the lips. Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow and pushed against him.

Meanwhile, on the horizon, the sun was coming up. With a flash of purple light, Sonic was returned to normal just as they were pulling away from each other. "Wow" Chip gasped in oar and wonder.

It took a moment for Sonic to register that Chip was there, and we he did notice, a look of surprise appeared on his face "Chip?! How long have you been standing there?"

Shadow glanced over at Chip, and then turned back to Sonic "It doesn't matter" he said, putting one hand behind Sonic's neck and pulling him in close for another kiss.

It was more of a quick peck, as he immediately pulled away and stood up "If you ever need any help, just let me know" he told him "I'll be in touch" he said, making a quick exit. He paused for a brief moment and glanced back "And Sonic, it doesn't matter what you look like to me, I'll always care about you" Shadow stated, before leaving indefinitely.

Chip fluttered over to Sonic "I've never seen something like that before. Or maybe I have and I just can't remember"

"You don't mind it, do you?" Sonic asked worriedly.

"No, not at all. It doesn't matter to me, after all you both love each other very much, that's pretty clear"

Sonic smiled "Thank you, Chip"