Chapter 4: The Party

Nearly an hour had passed when Silver noticed him. In the middle of spinning Blaze he happened to look toward the glass doors leading outside. Leaning there was a hedgehog he'd never seen before but was still somehow familiar. More startling was the blurry look to the hedgehog's outline. There was only one thing that could be.

"We aren't alone in here," he said once Blaze was back in his arms.

"What do you mean?" Blaze asked.

"Shadow's here."

"He is?" Blaze looked around. "I don't see him."

"That's because he's a ghost."

"How can you see him?"

"Psychic powers, remember?" Silver laughed. He looked to where Shadow was but saw that the ghost was gone.

"Why do you think he was watching us?" Blaze asked her husband.

"It has been a long time since people were staying here." Silver smiled. "Maybe it has something to do with wanting some company."

"Maybe you could try talking to him."

"What if he doesn't want to talk?"

Blaze shrugged. "Not sure. He seems lonely, really. It would be good for him to get to know us."

"I'll see what I can do."

They walked out of the ballroom, but Silver stopped when he heard a voice. "So...you can see me."

Silver whirled around to see Shadow floating in front of him. "My name's Silver."

"I'm Shadow."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Same here. It's been a while since I've had company...how is it you're able to see me?"

"I'm a psychic."

"A psychic?" Shadow asked. "Interesting..."

Silver smiled. "Ever meet one before?"

"I knew a few psychics when I was alive," Shadow said.

"What were they like then?"

"Mysterious. They mostly kept to themselves. What are psychics like now?" Shadow asked.

"Most of them keep their powers to themselves."

"What are your powers like?"

"Mine? I can sense stuff, I guess. See the souls of people who haven't properly passed and interact with them. Stuff like that."

"I heard that you have other powers too. Telekinesis and possession?"

Silver blinked. "Uh, yeah... How do you know that?"

"I overheard your conversation with Sonic."

"Of course."

Shadow smiled. "I'll talk to you later," he said, and faded away.

"He seems nice," Silver said.

"What did you two talk about?" Blaze asked.

"Psychics."

"Has he encountered any before?"

"A few times. He said when he was alive they mostly kept to themselves though."

"What else did he say?"

"Not much else."

"He seems like an interesting person. Why do you think he stayed a ghost instead of moving on?"

Silver shrugged. "I'd have to ask, but I haven't known him long enough for that."

A few minutes later they walked into the mail hall and saw Sonic sitting in a chair, reading a book. Sonic looked up when he heard their footsteps.

"Enjoy your time in the ballroom?" He asked.

"We did," Silver said. "What are you reading?"

"Nothing Special."

Silver took a seat beside Sonic. "I saw Shadow in the ballroom."

Sonic put the book down and glanced at Silver, intrigued. "What happened?"

"Not much. He watched us, and I talked to him afterwards."

"What do you think about him?"

"He's an interesting person," Silver said. "But I think he's lonely."

"Being by himself here for so long, he probably is." Sonic smiled. "I'll just have to make sure I'm the best friend I can be."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that."

"You think so?"

"I know so," the psychic said. "I can tell that Shadow needs a friend. He's been alone in this castle for centuries."

Sonic smiled at Silver. "If that what he needs, I'll be happy to provide it for him."

"You mentioned you wanted to have a party here at the end of the week?"

"Yeah."

"Who are you going to invite?" Silver asked.

"All my friends."

"Sounds great."

Sonic smiled. "Will the two of you be here too?"

"Yeah, we will," Silver said.

"Awesome."

"Do you like it here?"

"Yeah. It's a great castle."

Silver smiled and finished eating. He hoped the party would be great.

Everyone was gathered in the ballroom of Sonic's castle for his party. Some, like Amy and Rouge, had dressed up for the occasion. Vector had control of the music, trying to include everyone's taste rather than stick to one genre.

"Thanks for holding this party, Sonic," Tails said.

"I had to let my friends see my castle."

"It's an amazing castle."

Sonic grinned. "Thanks."

"How did you find it?"

"Oh, you know me. I was out, doing my thing. Came across it and got lucky."

Silver was dancing with Blaze and heard a voice.

"So...this is what parties are like nowadays."

"Not all of them," Silver looked to the side as he addressed Shadow.

Shadow covered his ears. "What is that loud noise? I can't stand it."

"Music."

"Music? It's terrible."

Silver laughed as he continued dancing with Blaze, turning away from the ghost in the process.

"It's just not what you're used to," Silver said.

Shadow shrugged and looked around. He saw Sonic and flew up to him. "This is what music's like these days?"

Sonic looked around for Shadow. He could hear his voice but couldn't see him. "Yeah. What do you think?"

"How can you stand listening to it?"

I grew up listening to rock music, so I'm used to it. I take it you don't like it?"

"It'll take some getting used to."

"Hey Vector!" Sonic yelled. "Can you play some other type of music?"

"Sure thing!" The music changed a few moments later.

"What's this?" Shadow asked.

"Pop music," Sonic told him.

Shadow made a face. "I suppose I should learn what people call music in this day and age."

"What kind of music do you like?"

"Music." Shadow looked away from Sonic with a scowl. It was harder than necessary to answer that question. Shadow stared at him, then shrugged and looked around. "I don't think I like this party very much. Too many people, music's too loud..."

"You have been alone for a really long time," Sonic said.

"I was never very social as a kid. Mostly shy."

"Oh. Guess you've never really liked parties then."

Shadow nodded. Before he could speak again, he heard a voice and turned to see a two tailed fox.

"Who are you talking to, Sonic?"The fox asked.

Sonic looked at Tails. "Shadow."

Tails looked confused. "Who's Shadow?"

"A ghost living here with me."

"A ghost? Cool!"

"He's pretty cool."

"How'd he become a ghost?"

"No idea."

"Interesting," Tails said. "I've never encountered a ghost before."

"Maybe sometime you could meet him."

"Really? That would be cool!"

Sonic laughed at Tails' excitement. "I didn't know you were so interested in ghosts."

"Well, I've never seen one before."

"I'm sure Shadow wouldn't mind meeting you."

Tails smiled. "I'd love to meet him."

"How long are you staying here?"

"How long do you want me to stay?"

"As long as you want."

"I think I'll stay for a few days," Tails said.

"Great." Sonic smiled. The party lasted for a few more hours. Afterwards, one person walked up to Sonic. She was a red female fox. "Hi," Sonic said. "Who are you?"

"Fiona," she said.

"It's nice to meet you. I assume you came for the party?"

"I did. Great party by the way."

"Thank you," Sonic said. "Do you live around here?"

"I do."

"How long have you lived here?"

"All my life."

"Well, thank you for coming."

Fiona smiled and left to go home.

"I don't trust her," Silver said, walking up beside Sonic. "Something felt...off...about her."

"Off how?"

"I'm not really sure...her aura just seems...evil."

"Evil? Never thought I'd hear you describe someone as evil."

Silver shrugged. "Never had the need to."

"Well, I'll watch out for her. Can't be too careful."

"Be careful."

"I just said I would be." Sonic smiled at Silver.

Silver smiled back. "Blaze and I are going to leave tomorrow."

"What time?"

"Around noon."

"So I'll have time to say bye."

Silver smiled and yawned. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning, Sonic!"

"See you then."

Sonic went up to his own room and fell asleep.