Author note: Another to fast update! Hope you guys like it^^

Shadow pov

I stared at the hedgehog in despise, guests would usually ask nuisance questions and such but asking for a race..that's a new one. I could see his emerald eyes shine eagerly expecting me to join him in this "race". The guests turned their attention to us once again. I am aware that I can skate pretty fast but I didn't bother to test my limits. Speed wasn't in my territory I would fly any day than skate around, damn I missed my wings. But the hero didn't seem to care whenever I liked it or not. Sally suddenly nudged me telling me to do it, I gave her a frown and made up my mind.

"No." I said determined, I wasn't going to "play around" with the hero. The only thing I wanted was to sit down and finish my drink. Sonic chuckled as if he was unfazed with the answer. Sally suddenly pulled me aside and gave me a hard look.

"What are you doing Shadow the hedgehog?!" She hissed as if I was making the biggest mistake in my life. I frowned at her reaction as we were having some sort of discussion that nobody could be a part of. I shoved her away instead of answering the question, I needed a drink. Sally boiled in anger and I was not going to please her wishes, it's bad enough with this so called party. I heard fast steps follow me which I assumed was the hero. He got already an answer shouldn't he just give up and eat the chillidogs?

I took another drink hoping that it would calm down my nerves. But soon turned around to face the hero again who insisted to follow me across the room. Question was if I could be rude towards the cobalt hedgehog in front of me without causing a commotion. Last thing I want is media filled with rubbish of how I did this and that to the hero.

"What do you want hedgehog?" I forced out trying not to kill the speedster in front of me. It took all willpower to turn down the boiling chaos energy that was building.

"A race of course!"

"I already said no." I gritted my teeth together in frustration. If he wasn't "the hero" the hedgehog would be lying dead on the ground right now. It's not like I can ask G.U.N to terminate the blue annoyance.

"What did you say? Can't hear you let's go outside!" Sonic said and without warning grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the exit. I wasn't aware that the hedgehog was so strong! I struggle to get free from the grip and dig my heels into the floor trying to stop him. This however didn't do, so my quills turn upwards in its threatening manners. That hedgehog seriously had a death wish, and I would gladly do the honor.

The mortal hedgehog apparently took interest to my "abilities" but to go this far was outrageous. I stopped struggling as I realized first that I wouldn't get free without using harmful force, secondly that I didn't want to appear like a weakling in front of the crowd.

"Let go off me at once!" I growled lowly enough for the hero to hear. Oh so I wished I never invited that faker of a hedgehog.

"Can't do we are going to race."

I chuckled at his self-confidence and how naive he was. I smirked satisfied as I knew this was just a game I could easily win. He is still young and a fool on top of that.

"You have to let go of me if this is going to be considered a race." I said pointing out the obvious that I knew he couldn't disagree about. We faced the blinding lights of the cameras as we got out from the building. Great media…this is so coming on the news..

"Sonic and Shadow what a surprise to see you both out here together taking a walk?" A human asked and points the microphone of hers to us expecting an answer. I was just about to answer before Sonic took the microphone and smiled like a fool.

"No but we are going to race!" I face palmed in frustration hoping this was all a nightmare. If I was to reject the race now it would be a …bad image for my reputation. But I didn't want to be known as "Sonics new racing buddie yay" I could already see it in front of me! Mortals left to right betting money on who would win. Worst would be if I see ridiculous toys for toddlers that resembles me! I already have seen enough of Sonic for my past immortal life. I swear that every shop no matter what rubbish it sells have a little part of "Sonic" in it. Maybe it sells better that way sure why not but I am not going to put myself in a position as "Buy my inventions because I am shadow" that's just pathetic!

So now I had to gamble my decision whenever or not to reject the race. After having an inner argue for what felt like hours it was finally decided… I was going to race.

I will show that fool who he is messing with. I have revealed my powers before to the mortals…but nobody was alive to tell and I made sure of that. But in this era seemed to be more acceptable to have certain "powers" I assume I wouldn't have to hold back. Thankfully my golden bracelet or what I call them Inhibitor Rings kept my chaos energy in control. Which I must point out was one of my earlier inventions provided for me of course. So I shouldn't burst out enormous energy even if I am still new with the hovershoes.

I could hear the crowd of mortals getting excited by the news. Someone such as Shadow is going to race against the world known hero! They knew Sonic would go easy considering being the "fastest thing alive". Sonic had let me go at some point without my notice. I gave a look in the camera that could not be confused with anything other than frustration. Sally is so going to keep a tape about this and replay it on my hologram until she is in the grave.

"Fine if it's a race you want it's a race you will get." I stretched my arms and legs making sure they were ready exercise. I am going to give Sonic a race he never forgets.

"Now we are talking." Sonic gave me a thumb up as I finally had given in. And here I thought Sally was the most annoying mobian in the world I guess she will have to be in the second place now. The reporter waved over to the other humans that were holding another pair of cameras. How many cameras do you even need to tape two hedgehogs?! I tried to ignore the fact that we were surrounded by a massive crowd of mortals. It gave me headache since more than ten questions was blurted out within a millisecond.

"Let's just get this over with! Where are we racing?" I growled getting very impatient, if he didn't answer soon I would just take off.

"The first to touch the Statue of me in emerald hills wins!" He smiled as if it was a piece of cake. We were miles away! I know I can run fast but isn't race supposed to be you know..shorter or at least in a circle! Besides it was millions of different ways to get there!

"You serious?" I had to ask it was absurd! I gave him a grimace of disbelief who in the right mind would suggest that. This makes me wonder why on earth… does anyone stand this idiotic hedgehog.

"Dead serious." He replied making me groan knowing this would take a while. I still wasn't sure how fast I could get with the hover shoes or how much energy I should boost it up with. Maybe I should have taken Sally's advice and test them out a bit more before casually using them. Plus it would have been a worth sight to see her hit her head on the floor until she ends up in hospital. Damn I still have that hidden heart of an angel huh..

"Fine so be it, prepare to lose faker." I smirked enjoying the reaction of the hero who clearly didn't seem to keen being called a "fake"

"Oh I will make you eat up those words." He grinned before he returned his attention to the woman again.

"Here is your microphone Oh and could you count down for us please?" He asked polite almost taking me off guard. Sonic actually had some manners surprise surprise.

"Sure! In Go okay?" She said after she took the microphone in her hand. We nodded in agreement and took position while the mortals made room for us to run out, or skate in my case.

"One.."

"two"

"Three"

"Be ready to eat my dust shads." Sonic said sticking out his tongue causing me to frown.

"GO!"

I activated my hovershoes instantly but yelped surprised as faker took off with a Sonicboom. The wind had thrown me back because of the impact. I skid a halt after almost losing my footing completely in the progress. I coughed as I indeed inhaled the damn dust, I cursed before I finally I took off. I was going near speed of a Sonicboom, things was getting blurry but not impossible for me to see. I would need more practice to get used to this, but I wasn't sure if I even wanted to. I decided to put more energy into the shoes to get even faster. Suddenly everything was silent. I guessed I had reached above the speed of sound this made me smirk in success. Sonic is not the only one that is fast.

That hedgehog got an massive head start though I am doomed to lose…unless.. I smirked. I knew the city inside out and the roads all together I doubt the hero even bothered to take a fast route but the more common one. I could still win this, knowing that made me focus more on the speed I achieved. Wind brushed through my quills comfortable, who could have known. Seeing the speedster run didn't look a sightless appealing but I was starting to enjoy this.

I easily dodged the obstacles as if I was born to do this. My body was more flexible than I thought, being an angel had its advantages. I hadn't seen the hedgehog as I took a shortcut that would spare me at least ten minutes even at this speed.

It had gotten dark already and it lacked light in some places that almost made me crash into a tree. I couldn't hear myself pant but I sure was plus sweating in the progress. Damn I so was going to be muscle sore tomorrow.

But finally after an hour skating I could see the statue further away on the hill. Not only that but also that cocky faker who was closer to it than I. He noticed me and sure was surprised to see me. I smirked although I hadn't won yet but I am intending to. I forced more chaos energy into the shoes that I didn't know was at its limit and suddenly cracked.

My eyes widened as the hover shoes suddenly shut down without warning and I was going to crash down to the ground. I quickly curled into a ball ready for the fall and cried out as I crashed into something pointy and breaking it apart thanks to my quills. But I didn't stop there but continued to spin down the emerald hill in unknown velocity. I never thought it would end but I was soon caught by quick hands who tried to stop the spinning. Soon enough it did and I could uncurl from the ball feeling everything spin. Damn I am dizzy and what's up with the pain on the head and ears.

I gritted my teeth as I saw the damn blue hedgehog in front of me. He was sitting down and was..speaking to me? I could see his lips move even though everything seemed to spin. But I couldn't hear a thing. I felt some liquid trail down from my ears, blood huh I must have damaged both my eardrums going at that speed so suddenly. I flinched as Sonic leaned closer to me with an apologizing expression. He was hurt I could tell it was my own fault though for taking this challenge I wasn't quite prepared for.

Sonic tried to speak to me again or yell not that I could hear it but it still annoyed me.

"Shut up faker I can't hear you I have damaged my eardrums moron!" I yelled but couldn't hear my own voice. How weird that was and even more weird when sonic started to tremble. Did I scare him? I shrugged it off since my damages didn't concern me I would heal in no time even if it hurt like hell!

So my attention turned to the hovershoes, damn blasted things I will have to improve them. I took them off and inspected them. But that was soon interrupted as sonic gripped my jaw and pulled me up to look at him. Was he crying? And talking again great he is stubborn and stupid at the same time. I pulled away and gave him a death glare even though I should take more considerate to that he actually cared about my health.

"I am fine you idiot and no I don't need to go to the hospital I will heal soon enough. Let me work on the hover shoes I need to find the problem."

I was still panting from the extreme work out and sweat was covering my fur along with dirt. I bet I looked like a mess, I am so not going to return to the party. Not that I wanted to maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to race after all. Sonic sat down in front of me now with crossed legs and covered his face with his hands. It made me roll my eyes I know it's rude of me but it really was nothing. It's like someone would cry for a tiny scratch sue me for making fun of it.

I ignored the dramatic hedgehog and took a closer look to the shoes and soon found the problem. I facepalm as I realized my error, how could I have missed something so important. It would be easily fixed when I get back to my workspace.

My ears perked at the sound of sniffing I presumed was the hero, my eardrums had healed faster than I expected.

"Hedgehog stop crying I am fine. I can hear you again." I said but didn't look at the cobalt speedster who was now silent.

"I found the problem and I let you know that if it wasn't for that I would have won an-" I stopped as I was suddenly pulled in a embrace. What the hell? I didn't even have the energy to push away the trembling hedgehog. Had I really scared him that much? I was just a stranger to him why did it make him so upset? Was it because his little brother would be sad if I died? I never will understand mortals and here I was born to do so how amusing.

"I am sorry! I am so sorry." He repeated and buries his muzzle into my neck.

I was frozen in place I hadn't been in close contact like this before, it made me feel very uncomfortable. I sighed as I tried to relax and let my right hand pat Sonics back, this is what mortals do right? The hedgehog stopped trembling to my relief.

"Now could you be so kind and let go of me?" Something I know Sally would call "ruining the moment!"

The mortal finally pulled away and rubbed his tears away and gave me a small smile. I sighed again as I put on the shoes again, I could still walk with them after all.

"Hey I.." Sonic started and starched his head struggling to speak his mind.

"Out with it." I said quickly I was losing my patience at this point I was tired and needed to rest. Plus it was miles away from the town so this walk would take a while….

"I thought..Since we raced all this way and your skates is ruined.." He stopped again bloody hell…I really don't have time with this.

"Yes.."

"I don't live too far away and I would like to offer you to stay at my place so I can help you with that wounds of yours." I gave him an annoyed grimace as he pointed out my wounds again.

"I will heal don't bother."

"But…I am sure Tails have tools that could repair your skates." He said now making me interested.

"Lead the way." I said faster than I should. I wanted to get home and rest….but repair the skates first!

"Great! Follow me! It really isn't far I love this place so I decided to settle down here."

I looked around and indeed emerald hills were a breathtaking sight. I stood up and gave the hedgehog a curt nod and followed. The hero blurted out this and that but I didn't pay attention. I was still a bit dizzy but managed to walk straight. Before I knew it we were inside a mansion looking house. Fancy stuff ey..

He showed me around and told me to be quiet since Tails was sleeping he was after all only nine years old. This made me doubt that the kid had the tools I needed but to my surprise he had everything I required. Plus the workspace the kid had was far more impressive than my personal one why wasn't he already working for me? I could see familiar items I had developed making me smile for good choice of tools.

"Tails usually sit over there when he does his thing. I am sure he don't mind you using the table for your shoes.." Sonic said making me nod once more I didn't hesitate but picked up the things I needed and put it on the table.

"Could I give you something?"

It took me a while to understand the question, damn dizziness.

"Water would be nice."

And then I turned back to the shoes and put on the light to get better sight of the issue. I yawned loudly and could feel the energy completely leave me. I leaned forward until I rested my head and arms on the table. So nice and so still…..I closed my eyes and did a last yawn. I could take a little nap before fixing them…yeah that should be alright…And before I knew it I had fallen into deep slumber.