A/N: Okay, so this one turned out to be a bit longer than the previous chapter. I kinda got carried away with this, but I felt it needed to be added to the story to help the brother's character development later in the chapter and the story.
Also, for those of you who have been following my 'Adventures' series, I have some good news after this chappie! :)
~Andi Rose
Chapter 2: Amy's House
"Shads," "you do realise that Station Square is a seven day journey from London after Tails flies us to Tokyo, right?"
"Yes. And that is why we're taking these." he opened the storage closet where the kit had showed him earlier the camping supplies would be, "Uhm, Tails? Do you have any tarp?"
"Yeah. Why – you need it?" he rummaged through the closet until he found the items he was looking for. He pulled out a cloth bundle and laid it in front of Shadow.
"Yes. We'll need it too make a lean-to for the nights we'll be travelling in Japan." he returned his attention to the closet where the kit was looking for stuff. He pulled out a backpack and tossed it to Sonic, "Here's some camping supplies. Go get some food for about two weeks."
"Hmph. I don't know why we need camping stuff. I just need my feet, some water, and food." he laughed, then grabbed his backpack and filled it with some basic camping supplies and food.
"Ready, Blue?" Shadow tied a blanket to his sleeping bag, then proceeded to slip it on over his shoulders.
"Yup! I'm ready." he too, slip his backpack on, and jogged to the door, "Let's go get this over with. The longer we sit around, the longer this trip across Japan will be."
"Sonic," the ebony hedgehog began, getting the attention of the other, "do you mind if we visit Mercia before we leave? I have someone I need to check on."
Sonic raised an eyebrow at this, wondering just who the lonesome hedgehog knew in Mercia, "Who're you checking on?"
"Rose." he stated dryly, "She's been dating the echidna for some time now and they...aren't really doing too well. They've been arguing a lot lately, and Rose said that some of their arguments have gotten a little violent. And you know – he has an attendency to be...short-tempered."
This surprised the cerulean hedgehog. He had assumed Amy wouldn't be dating anyone at all, but waiting patiently for the slightest interest that he would show in her, "Who? Knuckles? I didn't know they were dating."
"Heh...surprised me, too, when I found out."
Avalon, Wales, located in the Kingdom of Mercia...
"Knuckles! Just stop! STOP!" Sonic tried in desperation to reason with the echidna, but failed. It only made him angrier resulting in harder punches and more violence toward the pink hedgehog.
"Echidna, you're hurting her!" Shadow ran between the hedgehog and echidna, pushing Amy out of the way, and taking the blow from his punch. Amy's Piko Piko hammer was flung across the field as Shadow tumbled into the brush clutching Amy securely in his arms.
The echidna growled, fuming with rage, "This is not your business, hedgehogs! This is between me and Amy."
"This is our business if it involves hurting Amy." he leapt into the air, punching the echidna and pinning him to the ground, "Don't ever touch her again!" he said as he was flung in the direction of the other two hedgehogs.
Immediately, Sonic ran over to Amy and Shadow, "Guys, we gotta get outta here. That echidna isn't going to listen right now."
A little while later at Amy's house...
"Ames, it's okay..." Sonic held the small, pink hedgehog close to him while Shadow went off to find some bandages and medicine to help ease the pain, "I'm sorry, Amy," he ever so gently brushed his fingers across her bruised and bleeding wounds, "I should've been watching over you – regularly making sure you're okay."
"Here, Rose." Shadow laid a bag of ice on one of her bruises, and squirted some ointment into his hand which he used to apply to her bleeding wounds.
"Sha...Shadow." Amy gasped, watching the ebony hedgehog scoop her up from Sonic's arms and carried her back into her little apartment.
Once inside, he immediately carried her to her bedroom where he laid her down and helped her undress to change into her pajamas.
He turned to the cobalt hedgehog, "Look inside the dresser to find her pajamas."
"Will do." he opened the middle drawer, finding jeans and shorts. The next drawer he opened had bras, panties, and socks. His face immediately turned red as he shut the drawer and turned around swiftly, "Uhhh...I-I don't mean to..."
"It's in there." Amy mumbled loud enough to hear.
"O-oh..." he reluctantly reopened the drawer and began rummaging through the bras and panties until he came across a pair of soft pants, "Here's the pants." he tossed them to Shadow, who was helping the younger, pink hedgehog out of her ripped and dirty clothes, "Er...Shadow?"
"What?" he stammered, his face now turning red, "I'm just...I just –"
"Riiiigght." he let out a snicker at the show of his counterpart's red face. He glanced back into the drawer, "Here's the shirt."
"Thanks." he caught her as she fell backwards from the pain of her bruised body, "Whoa, there. C'mere." he turned to Amy, slipping her red and white dress off. He now noticed that she had nothing on underneath it – upon noticing the view, both male hedgehogs turned away, now stuttering with every word they said.
"Erhm...Ames, do you want us to...?"
"We don't mean to...look." he glanced back, only seeing part of the pink hedgehog, "I mean, we have to get you dressed." in response, the hedgehog girl nodded slightly, understanding the situation, "Sonic, I need you to support her a little."
Sonic did as he was told and sat behind Amy, allowing her to fall limp into his chest for a moment before pushing her back up and holding her by her back and shoulders to allow Shadow to slip the pajama shirt on.
"Now her legs." he proceeded to slip her pants off until he abruptly paused, turning away and carrying the pants to the hamper.
"Mmgh.." Amy leaned against the blue hero in pain, clutching her stomach.
"You okay, Rose?" he paused, "What's wrong?"
"No..." she started, her whole body was trembling now and she was crying from the pain, "It hurt where he punched me and...I'm on.."
Sonic pulled her closer, hugging her tightly as he suddenly realised why she could barely move and was clutching her lower stomach, "Shadow...I think I know what's wrong."
"What's that?" he sat on the bed beside the other two, gently caressing Amy's quills.
"She's..." he whispered, his voice hushed, "on her...you know." he hoped Shadow would take the hint when he gestured toward Amy's lower stomach.
"Aw–" he started, but stopped himself so Sonic wouldn't hear that. He looked at the pink hedgehog, now showing some sort of emotion – compassion for the female, "Amy..."
Sonic thought for a moment, noticing how the Ultimate Lifeform had sudden mood changes throughout the day. Everything from worry, to compassion, to sadness, to caring. He noticed this especially around the pink hedgehog. He knew that Shadow had always had a strong liking toward her...he motioned for his ebony counterpart to come closer and take Amy from his arms to hold in his.
"Shadow, hold her for a little bit while I go get some..stuff for her." he smiled a little bit as he transferred Amy's body weight gently over to Shadow, then walked around the bed to exit the room.
A little while later, Sonic returned with a few peanut butter sandwiches, water, aspirin, and a few tampons he had found in the bathroom. He stopped short when he approached the doorway. The two were now lying on the bed, fast asleep. Shadow had completely relaxed: his whole body was curled around Amy like most male hedgehogs do when they're protecting something. His face was buried into the back of her should in contentment and his arms were wrapped securely around her waist. The cobalt hedgehog hesitated for a moment before setting the tray of food on the dresser. He turned around to turn off the lights, then, he paused, looking back at the two and smiled. He had never seen Shadow in such a peaceful state as this. Sonic heard Shadow let out a contented sigh, and his lips curved into a small smile.
"Goodnight, guys." he whispered, quietly leaving the room.
The next morning, Sonic and Shadow took Amy to Tails's workshop, and spent the night there. Once again, Shadow stayed by Amy's side throughout the night...
"How's she doing?" he watched the ebony hedgehog slowly descend the staircase with a saddened and hurt look on his face, "Uhm...Cream and her mum are here. They'll take care of her until we get back." he motioned to the two rabbits sitting beside him on the couch, "Shads?" he noticed what looked to be tear stains running down his cheeks, "Bro.," he started, trying to lighten the mood and be more open to the thought that Shadow might actually be his blood-brother, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" he snapped, walking stoically toward the front door, "Let's just – let's get going!"
Sonic stiffened at Shadow's sudden lashing out toward him. He should have been used to it by now, but this time, it really bothered him...
A day later...
"I'll see you guys in a couple weeks, then." the fox kit started the engine of the X Tornado and prepared for his takeoff.
"Alright. See ya Tails!"
"Hey, and Sonic?"
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Is Shadow okay?"
"I...I'll tell ya later, bud."
And the two brothers were off on an adventure, and to seek the truth.
It had been nearly two days since they left Tails's workshop in Wales. Shadow had said absolutely nothing since he snapped at Sonic back at Tails's workshop. Sonic tried starting conversations every now and then, but failed everytime.
It was now nearing evening. The cool night air was rapidly approaching, and the sky was beginning to turn a violet.
"Shads," Sonic climbed atop a large boulder near a waterfall, trying to catch the water in his canteen, "I know you...were a little upset back at Tails's place..." he watched as Shadow's ear rotated toward him, listening this time instead of flattening against his skull like he had done several times before, "...especially when we left Amy."
Shadow looked in the opposite direction of Sonic. He was debating whether he wanted to stay or just leave for a little bit to think and calm down. He eventually decided on the latter.
"What the heck is wrong with you Shadow? First you start this shit about us being brothers, tell me my own mother isn't really my mother–"
"She's not even your – our – real mother, Sonic!" he screamed, becoming more frustrated than needed be.
Sonic fought the tears and bit back a choke, but failed miserably. He couldn't go on. The thing about his mother had hit him hard. He wasn't even sure of himself anymore.
Shadow turned around and watched him. He knew he had hurt Sonic, but he didn't realise he had hurt him that much... "Sonic...?"
Why was Shadow acting like this? He had a notion as to why but wasn't sure...especially if he were wrong and got reprimanded for suggesting it, "JUST SHUT UP! I'm tired of your shit!"
"Are you oka–"
"Leave me ALONE!"
Now, it was Shadow's turn to be taken aback by Sonic's behaviour. He was shocked, hurt. It all started when the kitsune said about them being brothers...and then Amy. That tore him up.
He didn't know what to do...
A little while later, Shadow returned. It was still daylight, and his brother had already started a fire and begun cooking some food. Sonic saw Shadow from the corner of his eye, but didn't make an attempt to look over at him.
Shadow sat beside him, still not saying a word. He kept his gaze toward the fire as Sonic dished out a single bowl of soup.
He passed him the bowl, still not looking directly at him, "I shouldn't have snapped at you..."
"It...it's okay." he hesitated, unsure of how to present his next few sentences, "And I...I'm sorry. I know it's a lot to sink in and I gave you all that information at once." Silence. "What I said about Aleena not being your mother...you grew up with her caring for you. She did become your mother in a way." he looked into Sonic's eyes, hoping to reconcile, "I on the other hand – I didn't grow up with parents and I didn't know that it was–"
"Shadow, stop. I understand what you're trying to say." he cracked a smile, "And I forgive you."
"Thanks." he whispered.
"You're welcome, bro." he nudged the ebony hedgehog a little, "Let's get some sleep. We gotta get up early tomorrow."
A/N: This chapter was incredibly fun to write! I enjoyed every moment of it! But I think I made Shadow a little out of character...a bit too much ^^; Sorry (not sorry! :P ) I thought it may be suitable since he's opening up to Sonic about them being related, and he actually wants to try to develop a close relationship with him, since, y'know, Sonic's basically mortal and Shadow's immortal, and they'll never see each other again after sonic goes...and that was kinda sad back there O.o
Soo...as I was saying, I have completed 'The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and the Mario Bros. 2.' It's time for the original story of the series to be done, and it's been 4-5 years since I began it. This one – I don't know why – has taken me a very long time to finish. Mainly, I lost time to work on chappies and eventually lost an interest. Now, my interest is finally renewed!
I am adding on to the series, but the stories are more of spin-offs. I don't think I'll go for another long story like those two for a loonngg while. I have 'A Scarlett Shadow' in the making, but that will progress slowly as I work on other stories as well ;)
Thanks for reading! And if you read, please review.
~Andi Rose