Chapter 1
Dark black fur shining in the warm sunlight, crimson streaked arms crossed over a chest full of white fluff, and equally dark and crimson streaked quills blowing gently in the breeze, Shadow the Hedgehog stood in Green Hill with his ruby eyes closed as he waited patiently for his blue counterparted rival to meet up with him.
The two had just finished a head to head battle hours ago when Dr. Eggman tried and failed once again to take over Mobias with one of his wacky machines. Ever since Shadow's awakening, he's witnessed the fat man lose to the blue hedgehog, Sonic, every single time. He sometimes wonders why he still works with him.
Anyway, it has become very common that every time there's a battle, the two hedgehogs would meet up on Green Hill and either race or spar with each other to prove who is the best. It's been a tie every single time, but Shadow honestly didn't mind it. It was better than going home and hearing the doctor rant for hours about his defeat and how he'll "get Sonic" next time.
Like clockwork, Shadow's ears twitched as he heard the unmistakable sound of speedy sneakers running up behind him. He opened his eyes and did a half turn, uncrossing his arms as Sonic approached him.
"Hey Shadow." The blue hedgehog greeted him cheerfully, sliding to a stop right beside the ebony hedgehog. "How about that battle today, huh?"
"I don't wanna talk about the battle, Faker." Shadow sighed. "I join you in these things so that I can forget about the battle, not to discuss it. I get enough of that at home through the doctor's bickering."
"Geez alright then, if you're that sore about it." Sonic held up his hands in surrender. "So what do you wanna do, Shads? Spar? Race? Or have you thought of something completely new?"
"A race sounds efficient." Shadow nodded. "How about the first one to reach the forest by the outskirts of Station Square?"
"You're on!" Sonic agreed quickly.
Shadow humphed and got into position, Sonic did the same right next to him.
"3"
"2"
"1"
"GO!"
And off they were, racing down the hill and into the overpopulated city, skillfully dodging traffic and pedestrians. The two hedgehogs have done this so often that the citizens of Station Square didn't even flinch when they saw the blue and yellow ribbon streaks fly pass them, followed by a rushing wind that nearly blew them back. It had become a routine, almost.
The fact kinda bummed Sonic out. He wanted to do something more with Shadow than to just spar and race with him. He wanted to be his friend, and to show him that it's ok to be yourself. He has seen the way Eggman treats the black hedgehog sometimes, and knows for a fact that Shadow doesn't like any of it. Heck, even Sonic himself doesn't like it. It was cruel. Eggman was like an overly strict dad to Shadow. The hedgehog was doing his best, but it was like all the fat man could see were all of Shadow's failures.
It simply wasn't fair.
Surely there has to be someplace where Shadow can be himself and not have to think about going home.
After a few minutes, the two hedgehogs finally made it to the forest. They saw a big tree and mentally agreed that that would be the finish line. Putting everything they got, Sonic and Shadow revved up their legs and ran as fast as they could, quickly reaching the tree. They outstretched their hands, whoever was to touch the tree first would be the winner of this race.
Faster and faster they ran, approaching the tree quickly, and then, they were right on top of it. Two separate gloves touched the tree at once, and the two hedgehogs groaned slightly.
It was a tie, as usual.
"Tied again, Shadow." Sonic smirked at his rival.
"Yes, unfortunately." Shadow sighed, crossing his arms again. "You wanna spar? I don't quite feel like going home yet."
"Shadow, you don't have to race or spar with me just to stay away from home." Sonic assured him gently.
"I know that, hedgehog, but it keeps the boredom away."
"We could always just hang out." Sonic shrugged, looking around the forest. "You know, I've never been in this part of the forest before. I wonder what's here."
Filled with curiosity, Sonic began walking away, deeper into the forest.
"Where are you going?" Shadow asked him, uncrossing his arms and quickly stepping to catch up.
"Exploring the forest, Shads." The blue one explained confidently. "This is a whole new area for me, and I bet for you too. Come on, let's explore for a bit. I betcha there's something really cool in here."
"It's just a forest, Faker, there's nothing here except for large trees, dead leaves, and pathetic animals."
"Oh yeah? Then what's that over there?"
Shadow looked over to where Sonic was pointing and couldn't help but tilt his head in curiosity.
Over a few feet ahead of them, there was a small ravine with a calm and still river rushing through it. A large tree stood beside the river with a fallen log next to it. A branch from the tree was hanging over the river, and attached to that branch was a rather strong line of rope with a large knot tied at the bottom.
It was obviously a swinging rope.
"Come on." Sonic giggled like a child and skipped up to the tree.
Shadow hesitantly followed behind and watched as Sonic found a large thin branch on the ground, which he used to reach the rope and pull it back to him.
"It's pretty sturdy." He commented once he had it in his hands. Holding onto the rope, the azure hedgehog went up to the fallen log and began climbing up it.
"What are you doing?" Shadow asked him.
"Getting up higher." Sonic told him, balancing on the log with the rope firmly in his hands.
The azure hedgehog then took a deep breath and jumped up onto the rope, wrapping his legs firmly above the knot. Away he went, swinging that rope over the river, the wind rushing through his quills, not like when he's running, but thrilling nonetheless, especially with the rope being directly above a river.
Almost all too soon, Sonic came back down. He reached his hand out and grabbed onto the log, stopping himself from swinging again. He looked up to Shadow and laughed.
"Shadow, you gotta try this, it's so much fun."
"I am not swinging on a dumb rope like a child, Faker." Shadow hissed at him.
"Come on," Sonic pleaded him. "At least give it one try, and if you don't like it, then you never have to do it again."
Shadow sighed, knowing Sonic wasn't gonna stop bugging him until he did it. Reluctantly, Shadow took the rope and began climbing up the log. Sonic quickly smiled and stepped away, giving the ebony plenty of room to swing off.
Taking a deep breath, Shadow held on tightly as he jumped onto the rope and swung over the river.
He had to admit, it was a rush, riding on that rope. It was never like this when he was running or sparing with Sonic. This made him feel… free.
All too soon, Shadow came back down and he grabbed onto the log.
"Whoa." He couldn't help but breathe out.
"Right?" Sonic chuckled, taking the rope again when Shadow offered.
This time, when Sonic swung on the rope, he leaned back and watched the clouds fly by him. It felt amazing!
"Try leaning your head back and watch the clouds." Sonic told Shadow when he came back down. "Feels like you're flying."
So that's what Shadow did.
An unmistakable grin came to his muzzle as Shadow swung back and forth on the rope, watching the clouds fly above him. He felt like a child again, but surprisingly, he didn't mind it. He hasn't felt this good in ages, he almost forgot what it was like to be happy.
Truly happy.
"Fun, right?" Sonic chuckled when Shadow finally stopped swinging.
"Yeah, it's incredible." Shadow admitted. "I haven't had this much fun since Maria died. I almost don't wanna go home."
"Well, who says you have to go home?" Sonic asked as he took the rope again.
"What do you mean?" Shadow asked curiously.
"Shads, we need a place. A place where we can just escape our everyday lives and be ourselves. With no Eggman or media, or constantly fighting each other just to prove ourselves. A place where we're free to do whatever we want without the judgement of others."
"But does such a place exist, hedgehog?" Shadow asked him. "I don't think so."
"Well, maybe there is. Over on the other side of the river. A magical place, just waiting to be discovered by two curious hedgehogs, looking for adventure away from the wreckage of the real world. And what if the only way to it, is to swing on this enchanted rope?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Faker, there's no such thing." Shadow growled. "You're just being childish, as usual."
Sonic shook his head and climbed onto the log once more. He jumped onto the rope and swung over the river, but this time, instead of coming back down, Sonic jumped off the rope and disappeared into the foliage over on the other side.
"Faker?!" Shadow called out as he grabbed onto the rope when it came back to him.
There was no sound from the blue hedgehog on the other side. Shadow groaned and climbed onto the log, deciding to go after him.
He jumped onto the rope and swung to the other side, disappearing into the foliage too when he jumped off to look for his childish rival.