Chapter 5

Shadow nervously sat in a chair down in Tails' basement lab. Tails was scurrying about the lab, checking wires, fuses, and connections. It had been about a month and a half since Shadow's arrival. Tails had been on overdrive to get a working prototype of his amnesia-curing machine completed. Now that had finally been accomplished and it was time to test it. Shadow took a moment to look at the young fox. His fur was messy, unkept, and dirty. His eyes were rimmed with red and bags hung beneath them. Even the kit-sune's movements suggested fatigue as he shuffled over to Shadow with his tails dragging the ground and ears drooping. Tails drew in a breath, "Are you ready for the test Shadow?" The black hedgehog rose with a nod. He followed Tails the corner where the machine had been built. It was a strange apparatus. There was a large dome like structure with several wires hanging from the inside. Shadow looked quizzical so Tails asked, "Would you like me to explain how it works?"

Shadow replied "Yes, if it's not too much trouble."

Tails cleared his throat and said, "Ok. You see, the brain and the mind are two separate things. Your brain is what controls bodily functions. Your mind however, is what controls things like your memories, dreams, and things like that. Now think of your mind as a multipurpose disk and you are the disc player. As time goes on, that disk get scratches and the player can't read a bit of data. That data could be a piece of knowledge or a memory that is now 'forgotten'. It's still there but it can't be accessed. This machine copies the piece of data, fixes it, and rewrites it on top of the old one. Does that make sense?"

Shadow nodded, "I understand. So when do we start?"

Tails replied, "Right now. Grab that chair from my desk and bring it over here while I boot up the system." Shadow did as he was asked while Tails went on, "I'm going to attach those hanging wires to the sides of your head in order to connect you to the machine." Shadow sat down under the raised dome structure. Tails carefully attached the wires, "When you're in the machine and I start it, a lot of bright lights will start flashing. At that point you need to close your eyes so they aren't hurt. After that, focus on that void that forms when you try to remember your past. It makes it easier on the machine."

Shadow nodded once more, "Ok. Let's do this." Tails nodded back, his tired face creasing into a serious expression. He went to the machine's control box and pulled a lever. The dome lowered and Shadow was shrouded in darkness down to his waist. Tails pressed a large button and immediately the machine began to hum. Inside, lights flashed. Shadow snapped his eyes shut and began to focus on the gaping hole in his memory.

Tails reached for a switch and stopped, "You ready Shadow?"

"Ready!" came the reply.

Tails threw the switch, "Beginning retrieval sequence!" Shadow winced as he felt a slight sting in his head. Tails watched a screen on the control box become staticy. He stared at it fiercely, Come on work. An image briefly flickered and disappeared. Tails blinked, unsure if he had seen what he had. The image came again and stayed for a few seconds before vanishing. "Yes! That's it!" cried Tails as the image appeared and remained on the screen. It was blurry at first but was quickly sharpening as the machine copied it. But just before Tails could get a good look at it, the image was devoured by static and sparks began to fly from the control box. A second later a pained cry came from under the dome.

The little sting Shadow had felt when they had begun was back with a vengeance as it stabbed him in his mind. Tails shoved the lever upwards and the dome rose up to reveal Shadow clutching his head with a pained grimace on his face. Tails detached Shadow from the machine then sprinted to the back and yanked the plug from the wall. The machine and its control box ceased sparking. Tails ran back to Shadow who now seemed calmer. He asked, "Tails, what happened?"

Tails, who looked frightenly pale and haggard, replied, "It didn't work. Something… went… wrong…" Tails began to shake and sway on his feet.

Shadow stood up, "Tails! Are you alright?" The young fox's eyes seemed distant and glazed over as he began to appear faint. Shadow lunged forward as Tails' knees buckled and he collapsed into Shadow's arms. Shadow shook him, "Tails? Tails!" Getting no response, he scooped him up and dashed up the stairs. Shadow got into the hallway and shouted, "Sonic! Sonic, something is wrong with Tails!" There was a clatter in a room down the hall.

In a split-second Sonic was skidding to a stop in front of Shadow, panic etched into his face, "What happened?!"

Shadow replied, "I don't know! We were testing the machine and something went wrong. Than he passed out." Sonic gave Tails a once over before giving a slightly relived sigh. He still looked worried, but less so.

With a shake of his head, Sonic said, "Oh man, Tails worked himself to exhaustion again. He does it whenever he really wants to complete a project. I hate it when he does that. Let's take him to his room."

Shadow followed Sonic to Tails' room. Shadow laid Tails on his bed and Sonic tucked him in. The two left the room. Shadow lingered by the door, "Are you sure that he will be ok?"

Sonic leaned against the wall and smirked, "Shadow the Hedgehog. Am I hearing concern from you?" Shadow's ears went straight up and his face flushed, but with an elaborate toss of his head and a fold of his arms, he quickly reverted to his trademark lack of emotion.

Although Shadow had managed to eliminate the color in his muzzle, his ears were still erect, "What are you talking about?"

Sonic's smirk widened, "Well it just seems that you seem awful worried about Tails."Feeling as if he was being made fun of, Shadow turned to his natural defense, cold cruelty.

Shadow frowned, "My only worry is that with Tails out of commission, the machine will not be completed and I will not be able to get my memory back. I don't care about him and I think he's an idiot for exceeding his limits and pushing himself to the edge." Sonic's smirk vanished at Shadow's hard tone and at the insult to Tails he flattened his ears to the side of his head.

With a voice that was no more a growl, Sonic replied, "You better check yourself Shadow. Tails did this to himself to help you. Remember that." Sonic turned and left Shadow in the hall alone with his thoughts.

Shadow sat on his hill under the oak tree. There was a slight breeze, rustling the grass and the leaves. Shadow pulled his knees up to his chest and stared up at the clouds. It had been two days since Tails had collapsed into a deep sleep. Since then he only awakened for the briefest of moments in which Sonic would attempt to give him bites of food or sips of water. As Shadow watched the clouds slowly travel in the breeze, he recalled his harsh words to Sonic two days prior and partially lowered his head. Why does that gnaw at me? Why should I care? Am I feeling guilt? Perhaps Sonic was right. Perhaps I do care about Tails. Shadow lowered his head further so it rested on his knees. Maria… I'm so confused. Why do I feel this way? I don't understand. Shadow thought about the first test of the machine. Before things went awry, Shadow had heard Tails shout excitingly. He recalled hearing the elation in Tails' voice and a smile came to his face. Then he remembered when Tails fainted and he felt sick inside. Shadow laid back and attempted to clear his head. But peace of mind did not come easy. Shadow was finding his place of solitude and relaxation was losing its comfort.

Sonic and Knuckles were sitting at the kitchen table with bowls of pasta salad in front of them. Neither one was eating. Tails was still asleep and Shadow had left earlier in the day, yet had not returned. Sonic rubbed his temples as a headache formed while Knuckles picked at his food. Sonic, his nature demanding that he lighten the mood, looked up at Knuckles and said, "Well Knuckles, I never thought I would live to see the day when you didn't clean your plate."

Knuckles looked up and said, "Whatever. You know I hate pasta salad."

Sonic retorted, "Then why did you make it for dinner?" Knuckles was silent until Sonic smiled and chuckled causing Knuckles to laugh as well. It was getting to be late and still no word from Shadow.

Knuckles sighed and said, "This is gonna sound crazy but… I'm actually a little worried about Shadow."

Sonic cocked his head and his ears, "Really? And here I thought I was the only one besides Tails."

Knuckles replied, "No I'm serious. It's weird but somehow that emo has grown on me."

Sonic nodded and stood, "I'm going to go out and find him." He went to the front door area and began to strap on his sneakers as the door knob turned.

He stepped back as Shadow entered. The black hedgehog appeared to have what Sonic could only interpret as stress written on his face. But before he could ask about it, Shadow spoke, "Listen Sonic, about what I said two days ago…" Sonic looked at him, with a questioning expression that prompted him to go on. Shadow took a deep breath, "I'm… I'm… I'm sorry." Sonic was unable to prevent surprise from flooding his face as his eyes widened and even his quills seemed to spike out ward in shock. Shadow continued, "What I said was unnecessarily cruel and uncalled for. I apologize." Sonic recovered from his initial shock and smiled. It was different from his normal smile though. Instead of mocking or cocky, it was soft and kind.

He extended his hand, "It's cool." Shadow took Sonic's hand and shook it. The two went to the kitchen and sat down at the table. Knuckles was eating while attempting to act like he had not been listening to hedgehogs' conversation but it was obvious he had been eavesdropping. Sonic said, "Hey Shadow, while you were gone, Knux was worried something bad had happened to you."

Knuckles' face flushed with anger and embarrassment, "What?! That is not true! And don't call me Knux!"

Shadow chuckled, "How sweet of you to be concerned on my behalf. I'm touched, honest."

Knuckles stood up, "I was NOT! Sonic's lying!"

Sonic jumped up too, faking his anger, "You're the liar Knux!" Shadow burst out laughing as Knuckles took a swing at Sonic who dodged with ease. Sonic stuck out his tongue at Knuckles who came at him once more. Sonic jumped out of the way. Before Knuckles could stop himself, he punched Shadow in the jaw. Knuckles appeared mortified, remembering Shadow's temper was more volatile than his own. However, instead of exploding, Shadow punched Knuckles back, laughing as he did so. Sonic began to laugh as well until Knuckles socked him in the gut. Sonic kicked back in retaliation. In no time, all three of them were running about the house roughhousing, shouting taunts, and laughing. After two hours, they were lying on the living room floor panting and covered in bruises and scratches. Exhausted, they fell asleep next to each other. As Shadow drifted off, he couldn't help but sleep with a grin on his face.

So this is what it's like to be a part of a family.

Author's Note: I am loving this story. It may seem boastful cause it's my story but it's true! I still can't stop thanking all of you for the amazing reviews I received for the last chapter of this story. Every time I read them it makes me smile. Anyways, please read, review, but most importantly, enjoy. P.S. You all know what tomorrow is so, Happy 4th Of July (1 day early)! Try not to blow your fingers off with fireworks!