Chapter 5:

The next few weeks, the two had trained to their hearts content. Sonic always thinking he had to be on constant guard while Shadow just waited him out. Sonya and Manic had tried their best to help their brother out with tips and teaching Sonic the speed dash, homing attack and how to use his medallion (all with Eggman's approval). Shadow made Sonic run until he was barely able to move, which, for the hero that was known for his ability to run, was a surprisingly short amount of time. Eventually Sonic had let his impatience show, he was tired of being thrown into trees and rocks by his counterpart and pouted in the base for 3 days.

"Come on Sonic, it's not healthy for you to spend all your time in the base. Even Eggman comes out every once in awhile" Orbot had said.

"I can't figure it out Cubot! Everytime I try to sense him, he just waits until I put my guard down and then attacks me! I can't react fast enough and I end up in a tree!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Well if he attacks you as you put your guard down, just don't put it up" Cubot said.

"Don't put my guard up?" Sonic asked, sitting up from his bed fort.

"Yes, it might help. Remember when Doctor Eggman told you about his old nemesis?" Orbot asked.

Sonic nodded and jumped out of his bed.

"I'm gonna try again! I know what to do now!" Sonic exclaimed, running off. "Thanks Orbot! Thanks Cubot!"

As soon as he got back to Amy's house, he was bombarded with constant scolding from the pink hedgehog for being gone for so long. While he lowered his ears and apologized, the others that were in the room simply stared in shock. Sonya was the first to react and grabbed her brother's arm, leading him outside.

"Sonya wait! I'm not done!" Amy called.

"I think he's learned his lesson!" Sonya called back. "Shadow said to bring him to the backyard as soon as he got back"

Sonic stared at his sister with a look of admiration that she hadn't seen since they were kids. He hugged her and smiled.

"Thanks" He said as he turned and ran out to the backyard.

Sonya couldn't help but smile. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing with Sonic being how he is. Before he lost his memory, he was constantly cocky and never willing to let others take care of him, he'd always rely on his speed to get him out of whatever he put himself though. She sighed. But he was still her brother and he had no idea. Not even the slightest clue as to their childhood. Their time in Robotropolis, constant looking for their mom and fighting off the terrible doctor. She stared at the retreating form of her brother for a long time before she felt Manic set a hand on her shoulder. The two shared a look, both knowing what the other was feeling. Manic smiled slightly to cheer his sister up and lead her back toward the main room.

Meanwhile, Sonic was looking around for the black hedgehog.

"Shadow! Come out! I want to talk to you" He called, not bothering to raise his guard.

A small movement made him turn to see a glaring hedgehog standing behind him.

"You've been gone for 3 days. Explain" Shadow said, his glare not letting up.

"I'm sorry Shadow, I was frustrated with how I kept getting beat during training and didn't know what to do. I'm sorry."

On regular circumstances, Shadow would be surprised by Sonic's apology. But these weren't normal circumstances. He shook his head and gestured for the blue hedgehog to follow him. He started up his shoes and Sonic caught onto the idea that they were going to be running and followed as they took off. Their surroundings a blur, Sonic couldn't help but watch his trainer running ahead of him. He noticed the way that Shadow's quills kind of bounced in the wind and he couldn't help but smile slightly. The black hedgehog called something back to him but he didn't hear due to his daydreaming. He didn't even see that he was about to run into a tree until Shadow yanked him out of the way.

"Pay attention!" Shadow yelled.

Sonic nodded and put on a face that, with his effort, looked more silly than serious. After what felt like an eternity of running, they eventually got to a small lake. Sonic's eyes widened slightly at the sight of water but he tried his best not to show his fear. What would Shadow think if he were to find out that Sonic was afraid of water? Ivo used to tell him that fear of water was such a silly thing. He clenched his fists so tightly that if he hadn't been wear gloves, his knuckles would be white from the pure fear. Shadow gestured for the blue hedgehog to stand by him on the edge of the water.

"I'm aware that you have aquaphobia so this time, if you don't block me, you'll end up in the water." Shadow explained.

Sonic's eyes shrunk.

"W-What?"

GAH! I'm sorry it's so short! The next one will be longer!