"We're here." Sonic announced, as he opened up the front door to the house. A gust of warm air came through and onto them like a wave, tingling their noses and casting a pleasant sensation on their cold-numb faces.
The fox took off his coat and winter wear, looking around the place as his fur briftly ruffled up delightfully from the welcoming new conditions. "Wow, I didn't think the place will warm up that fast." He said. Then faced the black hedgehog who was now leaning against the doorframe. "Shadow, you might want to get yourself cleaned up. You after all had something spilled on you."
Sonic then sniffed the air near his rival at the mention of that, taking off his red scarf while doing so. His eyes wandering out to the ceiling while he thought of the scent, figuring out which to label it. "Hmm, something with cinnamon."
The dark hedgehog mumbled to himself, less than amused by the inferior's child-like ways, marching off into the building. Not bothering to take note of the structure, nor examine his surroundings.
"Shadow? Don't you need to know where the bathroom is at?" Nova asked, lowering her hoodie from her head. They've only recently arrived, and he's acting as if he owns the place.
"I can find it myself." He said, walking towards the right into the hallway, his hands clutched in tight fists by his sides.
Nova couldn't help but bring forth an unintentional smiled, tilting her ears to the side slightly and began to face the other direction. Carefully choosing the manner in which she would say her next statement. "That's not it..."
"I think I now know that!" He yelled, then marched off to the left.
Sonic smiled, closing the front door. Shadow was always annoyed or bother by something. If a leaf was to fall on his head for example, he would probably grumble and kick the tree. At least, that's how Sonic sees it. It was sometimes fun to mess around with him, even his friends agree... Most of the time. Though, he can't blame him; due to certain events that took place. There has been times, he wonders if only if it never happened, that Shadow would have actually been a fun guy to hang around. Almost like him.
Whoa, that would actually be pretty weird.
And... Creepy...
Overall he doesn't like talking about it. In fact, most of the time he treats it as if it never happened. Like if that part of his brain had shut down or something. He obviously moved on from it though, and nevertheless, no one mentions it. Perhaps, it was something the blue hero himself envied about him. "Alright then." He said, recollecting his mind. Wrapping his scarf around in his hands, about to go forth to put it away. "Tails, do you want to see what's up with Shadow as in terms of his condition? Maybe see what we are actually dealing with?"
The fox folded his arms, turning around as he stared at the hedgehog with one brow up. "Sonic, I'm a mechanic, an inventor. NOT a doctor. He's not a robot. I can't just fix him like some broken engine."
Tails then sighed, knowing that the hedgehog was going to object and continue to ask him until he'd agree. Raising his head as he looked off almost painfully to the side. "But I guess, I can still try to gather data from him. What's making him do unwanted chaos control.."
"Thanks buddy." Sonic said, patting his friend's shoulder. Smiling as the fox walked off, winning the argument without even trying. The child went to go grab whatever he needed to do what he must. Disappearing into the other rooms wth his two tails following him. Sonic then turned to face the female hedgehog. The girl fixing her posture and placed her hands together, knowing that she may be requested something.
"Is it okay if you can set up his room? There's extra blankets and pillows in the back."
"Okay." Nova nodded, then went to do as told.
The violet hedgehog went further in the house, walking down the hallway with a few doors lined on the parallel walls. As what he means in terms of 'in the back', she can't really say. Hating it when one will ask for her to retrieve, let's say for example, a white cup. Though in reality it was actually a very light-pink mug. You can't mistaken a cup for a mug, at least she can't, and the colors are totally different. Or when she has to go get the keys on the counter, but in fact it was on the table. There's a different between a table and a counter people. Then that person would become agitated, saying that it's the same thing. But actually, it wasn't. Her mom would get on her all the time about that.
"Back of what?" Nova mumbled to herself, hating that she sparked a memory, then swung open one of the doors in the hall in minor agitation.
When opened, a few pillows, towels, and a blanket fell on her in return. She looked down, seeing that this was what he meant. Going down to pick up all of the extra items to shove back into the closet. Keeping a mental note that she should come back later once everything was settled so that she could fix it properly.
"Well.. The back closet I guess." She confirmed.
...
...
Shadow closed the restroom door behind him, feeling a bit ditzy for a brief moment. Placing a hand on his head. Dealing with this has taken a toll on him, but he refuses to admit that. Maybe this could be his chance to finally make recovery. At least a successful one. To think that he would try relying on the Faker though.
No, that's not what he's doing. What is he saying? Trying to think of something else to ponder on, deciding now to look around at his surroundings. He hasn't exactly been inside the faker's house throughly. He thinks one year for Christmas maybe, or was that some other place? Doesn't matter, he remembers that they dragged him somewhere for the holidays. Then perhaps another scenario before. Other than that, he never really had business lurking through the place. The black and red hedgehog walked down the hallway. Noting that the place was surprisingly rather, homey. Smooth painted walls, some neatly hung photos of friends lining against them in what seems to be pricey frames. Near-silk hardwood flooring under him. His eyes catching something else now. A set of stairs, leading up into the second floor above.
"What the.." He said to himself, almost scoffing as he took sight of a miniature hallway just a story above. Then peaked his head out of the hall.
"When were you going to tell me that your place was a two-storied house?! And a nice one at that!" He yelled towards Sonic.
He heard some small laughter at the other side, no doubt from the blue rival. "You never asked! Besides, it's not like you want to go over to other people's houses anyway." Sonic responded. Shadow betting that the faker was probably smiling like an idiot right now too, grinning largely behind the wall. "What? You thought that Tails and I live in a dump or something?"
"Well I figured, as much messes that you caused." He replied. From the outside of the structure, it wasn't extremely obvious that the building was two-stories of living space. Perhaps a large attic if you've never visited, but it was a wonderous home for the blue hero and his friend. Heck, the stairs theirselves didn't even look tacky! Nice polished wood with a complementing railing, held up with practically gold bearings. He turned back around towards the hall after nearly lost in thought, almost bumping into Nova.
"Hold on!" She exclaimed, carrying stacks of pillows and folded assorted blankets. Stepping out of Shadow's path respectively after regaining her balance. "Just getting your bed items."
"Since when do I need that many pillows?" The dark hedgehog asked, having to raise his highlighted eyes to see the massive pile. Almost in astonishment rather.
"Your sick of course." She responded, walking into the guest room to set it all up. Then called back. "Besides, who doesn't like pillows? I think it would be very comfortable."
Shadow huffed, speaking up now with a noticeable clogged voice. "Well, you say that like if everyone thinks that way."
The violet hedgehog stretched the blanket across the bed after making a few battering waves with it in the air. "I had figured. But of course I don't think that EVERYONE thinks the same about everything. For pillows though, it's almost a proven fact. No one at least that I-"
She paused for a moment, stopping her own sentence as her focus was being reset to present day. Taking in a breath.
"HAD, known.. Would disagree. Almost as if, no one would agree that water wasn't a necessity."
"So your being smart on me?"
"No. Just saying." She said, a small forced smile occurring now.
Shadow was amused, approaching and stopped by the entrance to the room. Not fazed by her strange behavior. "Then consider me the first to differ. The pillows that is." He responded, making a discarded gesture with his right hand. "In fact, just place them off to the side. One will do."
Nova gave an uncertain look, pausing her current action of placing a good few of the pillows in a comfortable manner on the bed. "Are you sure? Maybe I can-"
"Just. ONE." The male repeated, making his point clear and final.
"Alright Shadow, I have the equipment on standby." Tails said, messing with a computer-like device that he had just set on the nightstand of the guest room. The hedgehog now walking into the room. The bed was ready, a large indigo patterned blanket with a single fluffed pillow. He didn't know whether she was trying to suffocate him or not before hand, there was even a huge stack of blankets at the side for just in case. The room was decent, he can tell it wasn't used for everyday purposes. But overall, decent.
He then faced the bed, a thought raised into his head. "You know I'm not helpless. I can take care of myself."
A sneezed soon occurred right after that, blitzing a few feet to the side in zapping light. The hedgehog stumbled a bit, but took back control with force.
"Tell that to the coffee..." The fox muttered under his breath. Shadow shot a look at him, which contained more than enough of a warning to not get on his bad side. His eyes darkly piercing through the small kid.
Tails hesitantly laughed. "Ha, ahh.. It's a nice day out isn't it?" He said, changing the subject.
"So Shadow, already trying to pick fights?" Sonic interfered, just entering the room. Then changed the tone within his next statement. "Seriously, if you do, don't mess up my house. Anyway, are you ready Tails?"
The yellow fox nodded, going up to his machine. "Okay Shadow, just lay in the bed please so we can start."
"You're making it seem that you're about to perform surgery on me." The dark hedgehog said, as he went ahead and laid down. His angular quills meshing against the mattress, he placed his hands together, which were resting on his stomach. Facing the ceiling, though kept the foreign machine in mind as its hums from the small motor was by his ears. "What exactly are you going to do anyway?"
Tails grabbed a smaller device with a screen on it, blank readings and graphs now appearing. "Nothing major, I'm just going to scan your body to see what's up. Then we can probably work from there." The fox stated, done with preparing the machine. Flipping a small switch.
Before anyone could say anything, the machine hummed, and rumbled a bit, as a white light projected from it. Scanning the hedgehog under its gridded rays. Soon the needed data collected on the screen, making a satisfied bing as it settled down.
Sonic blinked, surprised, staring at the device. Turning towards Tails. "When did you make this? You haven't told me anything, usually you do..."
Tails smiled, folding his arms proudly across his chest. "I've made lots of things. Just too many to keep up with." His ears tilted a bit, looking at the floor with an uncertain smile. "But just goes to show what one person can think of when they're bored."
...
And if you were paranoid enough to build one when you believed you accidentally swallowed a button cell battery when reaching over for a handful of chips on your desk while half asleep...
Shadow coughed a near fit, respectively in his arm as he sat up. Then looked up at the fox after he cleared his throat. "Well, what does it say?" He asked, sort of feeling tipsy at that moment.
Tails dropped his quirky gaze, going up to his device as he began to read the results at hand. He gave an astonished gasp, as the three others leaned in from their spots, trying to see what was wrong.
"Well Tails?" Sonic stated, walking up closer to see for himself.
The yellow fox put a hand to his head. "There's nothing here! No readings whatsoever! It's almost like if it didn't even scan him at all!" He exclaimed, now really was tinkering with it. Pressing buttons and swiped a few times on the screen itself, the readings shown as blank. Trying to find anything that came through successfully.
Nova looked at the small machine. "Are you sure it was set right?" She asked, but didn't want to say. All of Tails' gadgets and devices worked without fail just about every time, at least when they've already been tested.
"Yes. One hundred percent certain." The two-tailed fox replied. Then grew frustrated trying to see what was wrong, shutting down the machine completely with one lever on the side. He sighed with agitation in his voice, then pulled out a tool box from the side of the room.
"It'll take me a moment." He said, regaining his confidence. Grabbing a screwdriver as he faved his creation with determined eyes. "I'll just have to see what went wrong with the progra-
The machine exploded altogether. With pieces and parts flying everywhere and onto the floor. Some smoke emanated from what was left of the device, growing and now pouring into the air like a flood of blackness.
Tails stared shockingly at his creation, nearing dropping his item at hand. Until he clutched his head with both hands. "My machine!"
Sonic quickly opened the window, fanning the dark smoke out of the room. As Nova went ahead and grabbed one of the folded blankets and helped along with the fanning. Shadow leaped up from the bed, covering his mouth as he opened the door to get the remaining bit of the smoke out. "So much for that." He stated, looking around the room.
Nova placed the blanket down. "Sorry about your machine Tails." She said.
The fox shook his head, collecting all of the pieces from the ground. "It's fine, I suppose. I can always make another." He replied, though was upset still nonetheless.
Sonic dusted off himself. "At least the smoke didn't get everywhere, neither stained much."
"Yeah, but it smells like a sorry grillout in here." Shadow replied. "Not very appealing."
Nova patted down her small dress. "But why would Tails' machine do that? That's the real question." The hedgehog stated.
Tails shrugged disappointedly, facing back to his machine. "Who knows, some of these machines I have made are powered by stored chaos en- wait. I think that why!" He said as he gave a snap of his fingers along with his exclamation. Then nearly face palmed himself. "I'm such an idiot. Of course we can't scan Shadow, let alone do anything with him. Due to the fact that he is still carrying the emerald that had possibly caused this mess in the first place." He said. "The emerald he has effected the chaos energy along with it in the same way it altered Shadow's chaos control back at the shop. In which that left over chaos power in my device was trying to react in the same way, but it possibly couldn't because the machine isn't a form of organic life in which it can take the same outcome of the misguided 'chaos control' ability as-"
"Sooo..." Sonic spoken up, cutting his little pal off. "Basically the emerald exploded your machine because it has chaos power in it." He said, catching somewhat along to what his buddy stated.
Tails sighed. "Sure, yeah. You can say that." The fox said, tossing his tool down to the side.
The blue hedgehog folded his arms in response, eyeing his friend. "Okay then. So all we have to do to continue is to take the emerald from Shadow then. Fair enough."
The dark hedgehog's red eyes widen. Looking at his blue counterpart in surprise. "You expect me to just give you MY emerald?! Please, like if you will make me!"
"But Shadow." Nova spoken. "How else do you expect to get better? Surely you don't want to stay in this condition. Besides, Sonic is going to have to give you the emerald back anyhow. Right Sonic?" She asked, turning her face towards the cobalt mobian.
The blue hedgehog nodded. "Pretty much. It's not like I'm going to blackmail you or anything, I'm just going to hold it until then."
"Who's to say that you won't just run off with it, going Super Sayian in the sunset as you please?" Shadow grumbled annoyingly, folding his arms across his chest.
"I'm holding it temporarily." Sonic replied. Trying to break into his thick head. "ONLY temporary. And since when have I used the Super form as a toy? It's only for emergencies anyway."
"Your ongoing ego is one problem you have with it. You think every battle you have with a monster or the Doctor himself is some kind of an awesome ending to a fantasy story. Because everyone just adores how you defeat the bad guys and save the world in your glowing fancy banana suit. Then you make it some kind of big deal, then you mention it almost every half hour, saying: 'remember that one time when I saved a whole alien race. Or when I sliced straight through a monster's head. Or what about preventing a time paradox by teaming up with my younger self? Yup, not to mention that I'm the fastest thing alive. But I bet you knew that by now'. And you still ramble now you cocky blue-"
"Alright! So what if I have boasted here and there!? That doesn't mean I'm an absolute downright jerk!" Sonic stepped forward, gradually raising his voice. Poking an index finger in the other hedgehog's chest "And that 'banana suit' saved people's lives, even YOU went super! What!? You still have amnesia or something!? I'm surprised that you can forget everything else but still remember Maria somewhere in the back of your head!"
Shadow gritted his teeth. Eyes were fury of fire. "I'm going to KILL YOU!" He yelled, tackling Sonic as the two began to rumble right then and there.
Tails and Nova quickly ducked behind the other side of the bed, opposite of the two hedgehogs. They both watched as the brawl began, not sure what to do.
"So, do they normally do this type of thing?" Nova asked, a little fearfully.
Tails blinked, as Sonic threw the dark hedgehog down to the ground. "Sometimes, they have their moments, but I've never seen them like this before..."
Shadow then returned the favor, by kicking Sonic in the gut towards the wall.
The violet hedgehog flinched at both events, as Sonic quickly got up and punched Shadow in the face.
"We really have to stop them, their just hurting each other." She said. Not wanting to look anymore, but did because she wanted to make sure that they won't do anything in the category of murderous.
The fox moved his two tails. "I'm not even sure if there's anything we can do. At least without obtaining injuries for ourselves."
Shadow regained his balance, as Sonic was just about to send another blow. The black and red hedgehog grabbed his incoming arm, and threw Sonic at the wall behind him. Hitting the back of his head.
Nova and Tails saw and aghast, as Shadow summoned a chaos spear. Ready to throw it at the blue hedgehog. But Sonic had other plans, soon turning into a spinning blur on the floor, a spin dash on standby, ready to bring on the fight. They were both going head on.
"HEY! Stop it!" The girl shouted, standing up now from the side of the bed frame. Picking up a pillow. "You two are acting like idiots!" She yelled, and threw the pillow at Sonic, which was an interference with his charging spin dash. In result he staggered his spin, bumping into Shadow as they both fell and hit the floor.
The two hedgehogs both sat up after brief moans, rubbing their heads. Then looked up to see that they were on the floor. Giving each other an angered 'I hate you' face at each other. The pair now getting up and dusted theirselves off. Though were both tempted to knock the other person down, but they knew better. That will only get them back to fighting again.
Sonic stretched and held his left arm, which was a bit sore due to Shadow swinging him by it. "I said I was just going to HOLD IT! Jees Shadow, getting worked up over a little jem?"
"And putting it in YOUR hands!? I rather leave it to Rouge than the likes of you! Besides, I found this one myself, and I'm not going to allow an annoying blue pest to take it and flee."
"We're both the same species! You just called yourself a pest smarty!"
"I'm not blue genius. So far you're the only cobalt thing in the house. Here, let me help you add black and purple to the mixture."
"What? You're a painter now Picasso? Let me see you go and try!"
"I SAID STOP!" She yelled, now in toppled frustration. With a big commanding voice, filled with authority as she stood up straight. "You two are acting ridiculous! Now before I kick you both to the moon, prove to me that you can handle each other for the rest of the day WITHOUT trying to kill one another!" Nova exclaimed, eyeing them both to see if they dare to do anything stupid.
Sonic and Shadow both blinked. Surprised of her change of attitude. But with no other better choice, the two stopped.
The three hedgehogs looked over to Tails, in which he quickly placed his handheld device down under the bed, smiling.
"Were you recording the whole time?" Sonic asked, not fully recovered from his anger towards Shadow. Saying that sentence in an agitated tone.
"It's alright, it's gone now." Tails said, picking it back up and showed the screen side of the machinery. Proving his point further. The screen only had an empty light-blue void. Sonic nodded in response, as he looked around towards the black hedgehog.
"Eh, sorry there Shadow. Seriously, I'm not going to take it, I'm just going to hold it." Sonic said calmly. Looking dead-eye at the lifeform, meaning it in honesty.
Shadow folded his arms, looking away from the Faker's sorry gaze. "Even if you are still an idiot. However..." He trailed off as he looked around the room. "Isn't this place a mess."
They all scanned their surroundings, it was indeed a huge wreck. Having lost its resemblance to your average room; the walls were now cracked where Shadow had thrown Sonic, and the wood on the floor was damaged. The pillow that Nova had threw at Sonic was now in shreds because of his spin dash, and there was still pieces of machine parts laying around like if a child had left a whole tossed-over bin of toy parts on the floor after playtime. This room was pretty much now done for until they can fix it up.
"So.. I guess we have to clean up." Tails spoke in close disbelief. "Not to mention the possible rings we need to spend now to fix the wall."
"Don't even mention that..." Sonic moaned, putting his head on the broken wall. His statement earlier was overlooked he suppose. The hedgehog said to Shadow to not mess up the house, but he didn't actually consider that BOTH of them will be held responsible. He might as well start placing up DO NOT ENTER tape on the door.
Nova placed her hands in her coat pockets, moving her gaze off to the side. "I mean, I did tell you guys to stop. It could've been a lot worse."
The four friends froze for a moment, looking around the room. Waiting for a minute or so in silence. For something to happen.
Nothing.
"Oh, I guess nothing's going to happen." The yellow fox said in disbelief. Being the first to speak. "Well that's nice."
Sonic was relieved as well. Then came to mind on something, turning to Nova. Since coming here, she was seemingly always a soft-centered spirit. "I've never heard you yell like that."
She gave a small shrug, deeply wanting to apologize for it. "When you have two little brothers at hand, you're going to have to do what you must to keep the balance. Even... If that means getting as loud as them."
Shadow picked up the remains of the pillow, shredded and emptied of its fillings. When he did, some of the pieces flew into the air like thick dust. Exhaling a frustrated sigh. "I guess I'm no better, I can help you clean- uh, uff, UP!" He exclaimed with a huge sneeze. With that, he teleported again. The three heard a big thump in the closet after he disappeared in the light, followed by a few more smaller ones with rumbles of objects falling.
The door slowly opened, revealing the dark hedgehog sitting on the floor with hangers and other home necessities disorganized.
Sonic stood up straight from the wall. Looking at the life form. "Y-"
"Don't even bother." Shadow said, lifting his hand up in a halting manner. Proceeding to get up from the floor by himself.