Chapter 24: I Shouldn't Be Alive

Shadow laid his head on the mattress as he gently stroked the quills of his dead blue lover.

Ever since Doctor Jacob announced Sonic's death, the ebony hedgehog had been deeply depressed, refusing to leave his side even after the body had went cold.

His friends had tried to coax him out of the room to help them sign the proper papers while the hospital CNAs cleaned the body, but he refused, taking part in helping the CNAs bathe the hedgehog and change the sheets instead. He did not want to leave his lover's side unless he absolutely had to.

He couldn't help but feel like this was his fault.

From the very beginning, he has done nothing but harm the blue hedgehog. Sure, they had good moments together too, but most of their time was spent with fighting and racing… like the Commander had said. Since day 1, with their first meeting on Earth, there were times when Shadow had wished death upon Sonic.

Now that it had actually happened… Shadow more than ever wished for Silver's powers to travel back in time so he could smack his past self silly for thinking such awful things. More than anything… he wished that he could die too.

"I shouldn't be alive." Shadow sighed and he closed his eyes sadly, resting his hand against his lover's.

Unbeknownst to him, blue ears twitched to his voice as equally blue eyelids fluttered open, gazing down at the sad ebony. A smile came across the peach face as the hand attached to the body gently squeezed it's lover's.

"You… are such a stubborn hedgehog."

Shadow gasped when he heard that voice. Could it be? It's not possible!

But it is! Shadow's thoughts screamed as he stared tearfully into the bright, beautiful emerald green eyes. "Sonic?!"

It was a miracle! Sonic the Hedgehog was alive, looking as if he was never dead to begin with!

His eyes were bright and full of life, his skin back to the peach tone it was supposed to be, and his fur and quills shone with the beautiful azure color he once was!

"I'm back, Shads." He smiled brightly.

Shadow couldn't take it. In one quick motion, Shadow collapsed into Sonic's arms and cried his heart out, so happy that his love was alive. Sonic smiled warmly and wrapped his ebony love into a warm embrace, rocking him back and forth as he whispered shushed words of comfort.

"It's alright, Shadow. I'm here. I'm alive."

"But how? I don't understand." Shadow shook his head as he sat up. He sniffed, feverishly wiping his tears away to gaze once more at his beautiful miracle.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Sonic chuckled, bringing his hand up to wipe the remaining tears off his lover's face.

At that moment, an excited white dog came running into the room, barking her little canine head off. In one great big bountiful leap, Casew jumped onto Sonic's bed and started feverishly licking his face all over.

"OOF!" Sonic chuckled as the big white Labrador pup stepped all over him. "Now who is this pretty girl?"

"Heh, this is Casew." Shadow answered as he forced the dog to lay down so she wasn't stepping all over his boyfriend. "She's the one who saved our lives. She's the one who led us out of the jungle."

"Well, it's nice to meet you too, Casew." Sonic giggled as he lovingly flopped the dog's ears.

At that moment, Rouge and the others came running into the room, completely out of breath as they have been chasing the dog all around, finally tracking her back to the room.

"Sorry, Shadow." Tails panted, holding his beating heart. "We know you want to be alone right now with Sonic, but Casew just started going crazy, baeking her head off for no reason before dashing down the hall to this room."

"Honestly, we have no idea what has gotten into her." Silver shook his head with a woosh of air from his lungs.

"Uh, guys…"

At the familiar, but certainly most impossible voice, collective dramatic gasps came from the friends as they laid their eyes onto Sonic for the first time, completely bewildered that he was alive.

"Hey guys, looks like I'm still alive." Sonic smiled cheerfully.

"SONIC!"

Suddenly, the blue hedgehog was bombarded by hugs from all his friends, obviously glad, if not shocked, to see him alive again.

"How is this possible?" Tails questioned as they all let go, letting the hedgehog breathe again.

"Well…" Sonic said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as he sweatdropped. "Let's just say that I was stuck in Limbo for a bit before a couple of angels helped me find my way back."

As he said that, Sonic turned his gaze to Shadow with a knowing smile filled with love. Shadow didn't really know why he was looking at him like that, but as he began to ponder, he smiled back, having a pretty good idea on who the angels were.

"Man, Sonic," Knuckles chuckled as he shook his head, his arms crossed in amusement. "You're so stubborn, not even death can beat you."

"I don't think it was stubbornness, Knuckles." Amy sighed dreamily. "I think it was love. His love for Shadow."

"...Amy…" Sonic began guiltily, but Amy quickly cut him off.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Sonic." She smiled cheerfully. "I knew that there were only two things that were going to happen eventually. Either you were gonna finally cave in and get with me, or you were gonna get with somebody else. Still surprised that it's Shadow, but I don't mind. We can still be friends. And besides, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"Wow… thanks Amy." Sonic and Shadow both smiled with appreciation.

"Well, I think you're both wrong." Shadow shook his head with a smile. "I think the reason why Sonic is alive now is because of an equal amount of stubbornness, and an equal amount of love. … Stubborn Love."

Sonic chuckled and laid his forehead against Shadow's, gazing lovingly into his beautiful ruby red eyes.

"Same to you, Shadow… Stubborn Love."

"Hmmm, 'Stubborn Love'. What an interesting title... I love it!"

A new voice rang through the room, making everybody present jump. The group turned towards the door and were surprised to see a human man standing there, looking at the couple very confidently. Behind him, a man with a camera stood there, obviously waiting for his cue.

"Um…" Rouge frowned. "Who are you?"

"Ah! Yes, please, allow me to introduce myself." The man chuckled, walking up to the group. "I am Darlow Smithson, producer of I Shouldn't Be Alive currently aired on Animal Planet. I was hoping I could get a story from these two survivors of the Amazon Rainforest, and be permitted to turn it into an episode for the show. And I believe your little phrase, Stubborn Love may just be the prefect title for the episode."

The hedgehog lovers were stunned. This man… THE Darlow Smithson… wanted to know THEIR story, and make it an episode for the greatest show about the greatest survival stories ever told!

"Mr. Smithson, this is such an honor." Sonic gave a breath of a laugh, excited and nervous at the same time.

"But are you sure you can handle such a story?" Shadow challenged carefully.

"I've heard many survival stories in my day." Darlow nodded. "And I'm sure yours must be the most interesting one yet."

"Come to think of it." Silver frowned in curiosity. "I kinda want to know the story too."

"Yes, what happened to you two over the three weeks you were missing?" Blaze asked.

Sonic and Shadow looked around the room. Everybody was looking at them, curious and intent for a story of love and survival. Even the cameraman already had his camera out, waiting to start recording, but had his full attention on the hedgehogs nonetheless.

The two hedgehogs looked to each other and chuckled. If they wanted a story, they were gonna get one.

"I suggest you get comfortable, this is gonna be a long one." Sonic smiled.

"Yes, quite," Shadow nodded in agreement. "Well… it all started about three weeks ago, when the Commander of G.U.N decided to send Sonic and I on a mission…"

The End