A/N: I know what you're thinking: 'why in the houses of the holy does an English-language Sonic fic have a German title?' Well, to answer that: the answer will only be revealed later on in the story, so even if you use a translator service, the full context won't become immediately apparent to you.

Anyways, about the story itself: I originally started writing it back in September 2016, but because I got hung up on one part and because I felt the subject matter was becoming irrelevant, I put it on hold. However, since I've been having trouble coping with my feelings for the past month, I picked it back up again. Ordinarily, I tend to keep politics and current events out of my Sonic fics, but like I said, I've had trouble coping with my feelings, not to mention it's kinda hard for me to tell which way is up or which way is down in today's world. Besides, I'm no stranger to writing stories for the therapeutic value. Oh, and I thought it would be fun to explore Shadow's lifestyle between Sonic '06 and Sonic Forces.

That being said, read on!

There was him, that is Shadow the Hedgehog, and his two droogs, that is Rouge the Bat and E-123 Omega, and they sat in the living room of Rouge's mansion trying to make up their rassoodocks about what to do with Rouge's day off. Shadow was drinking Grape Fanta, Rouge was drinking A&W root beer, while Omega was drinking motor oil. These drinks were advertised as revitalizing one's spirit, yet were criticized as marginalizing the importance of good health. Nevertheless, all three knew the importance of good eating and drinking habits. Finally, Rouge put down her beverage on a glass coffee table and snapped her fingers.

"All right!" said Rouge. "Who wants to go to the movies?"

"That depends," said Shadow. "What movie are we going to see?"

"YES, I AGREE WITH SHADOW," said Omega.

Rouge stroked her chin. "Hmmm…how about The Miracle of Plantasia?"

"Good choice, Rouge." Shadow brushed his hands together. "I think it'll be a fun break from the Executioner movies."

Omega nodded. "MY ANALOGIC CIRCUITS INDICATE THAT THAT PARTICULAR MOTION PICTURE SERIES IS TASTELESS ANYWAYS."

"Omega, I'm in a good mood today, so I'm going to ignore your opinion."

"DO AS YOU WISH. MY EMOTIONAL CIRCUITS WILL NOT SUSTAIN ANY DAMAGE…OR THEY WOULD NOT IF I HAD ANY."

"Well, let's go already!" said Rouge.

And so, Team Dark made a beeline for Emerald City, located in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Mobius. Fortunately for them, they encountered no sandstorms in the Badlands located in the center of the country. As a matter of fact, in spite of it being the early summer, the weather was just right. Once they arrived in Emerald City, it didn't take long for them to find the Gemini Showcase in the Gordon Square neighborhood, which was just one of a number of theaters that would be playing the movie.

On the way, they stopped at the intersection of Griffith Street and Delaney Avenue, where they witnessed a most interesting spectacle: a traffic cop – a purple lion – was standing in the middle of the intersection not only directing traffic, but dancing around while doing it. Team Dark had plenty of time before the movie started, so they observed as the dancing cop executed a variety of spins, jumps and even a flip or two. Perhaps one of the more interesting moves in his repertoire was one where he bent his knees forward, balanced himself on his ankles and arched himself backwards. Overall, Team Dark just couldn't help but applaud at this little show. Even Shadow was unable to suppress a smile. For him, it was one of the few things that brought him joy ever since Maria's death.

Eventually, Team Dark had to get on their way, and so they did. At the theater, Rouge bought an extra-large popcorn for them to share, forgetting that Omega was unable to partake in such a treat. Nevertheless, the movie proved pleasing enough to his auditory and visual circuits that he forgave her for the misunderstanding. When the movie was over, Shadow, Rouge and Omega left the theater with smiles on their faces, or at least Omega would have, if he could smile.

"Thanks for taking us to the movie, Rouge," said Shadow. "It really was a nice break from the Executioner movies."

"Yeah, it would have been a nice break for me," said a red squirrel, "but it's too bad that stupid robot of yours got in my way."

"Really? Well, uh…" (What was it that Sonic would say? Oh yes!) "Up yours, jive turkey!"

"Well up yours, too!" The squirrel gave Shadow le bras d'honneur.

"You don't want to mess with me!"

"Maybe I do!"

"Fine, if you want it that way…" Shadow put up his fists.

Rouge put a hand on Shadow's shoulder. "Shaddy, it's not worth it. Let's just…"

Before Rouge could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by a loud bang. Everybody turned towards the direction of the sound. Across the street, a police officer making a traffic stop had shot the suspect involved. Rouge gasped when she saw the aftermath.

"Oh my…" Rouge activated her watch camera, recorded a video and wasted no time in sending it to Channel 7, the premier news station in Emerald City – if not the whole of Mobius.

In contrast, Shadow and Omega were unfazed by what went down.

Later that day, back at Rouge's mansion, Team Dark was having supper in the kitchen/dining room.

"ROUGE, YOU HAVE FAILED TO CONSUME A SINGLE ATOM OF FOOD," said Omega. "WHY IS THIS?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Rouge continued to poke her lemon pepper chicken with her fork.

"Don't lie to me," said Shadow. "I know you're bothered by what that police officer did."

Rouge slammed her fork down. "So maybe I am! I have a right to my emotions, you know!"

"How can you get so worked up over such an insignificant incident?

Rouge opened her arms up. "Insignificant!? Don't you see? That officer took somebody's life!"

"So? Police officers deal with potentially dangerous situations on a daily basis, as do you."

"That doesn't mean I want to deal with them!"

"Just stop with the emotional outbursts. Your behavior is disturbing me."

Rouge pointed at Shadow. "You know what's disturbing? The fact that you're so numb to this whole thing!"

Shadow crossed his arms. "I see no need to get involved. After all, I've kept my violent impulses under control ever since the Soleanna Incident."

"SHADOW IS CORRECT," said Omega. "WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS."

"Oh, shut up!"

"AS YOU WISH."

The rest of the meal proceeded in silence.

By the time bedtime rolled around, not much else had happened. Once Rouge had fallen asleep, Shadow pulled out a journal and a BiC pen from a drawer on his nightstand, and then began writing:

"Dear Journal: Today, Rouge took Omega and I to see the movie The Miracle of Plantasia. Far from being typical 'kiddy' fare, the movie was really well-done, and it seemed to me like it could easily have broad appeal to people of all generations. While I really love seeing Mack Bolan give criminals what they deserve in The Executioner movies, there is something to be said about a movie that can get a good point across without resorting to graphic violence. The only things I didn't like about the experience were: 1. Some dumbass complained about Omega blocking his view, and 2. Rouge got all worked up about some cop shooting somebody during a traffic stop. Seriously, this woman works in a profession where her life is often on the line and she gets up in arms about this!? I don't understand people sometimes. All I know is that I've been feeling good lately and I don't see much point in burdening myself with the news of the world."

Shadow put his journal and pen back. In the coming days, things would get rather…interesting, to say the least.

And there you have it: the first chapter in a unique Sonic fanfic odyssey that could either cause me to be widely venerated or horribly castrated. Whatever you think of this story, don't hesitate to leave a review! Just remember...

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.