Chapter 33: A Horrifying Headline: Part 1:
I'm Shadow the Hedgehog! The Ultimate Life-Form!
Officially, I have completely rid myself of the inner anger and
negative thoughts that plagued me over all these years! I've
finally gotten married, and I don't regret that nor anything I've
done since that glorious day! Who knew that Rouge, someone
who I've gotten along with for a while, but still had my personal
issues with, would be the one for me?! And who knew that she was
the key to helping me become a better person? ...Uh, I mean hedgehog?
But yeah, I'm feeling great, and there's nothing that could bring me down
today! Nope...nothing at all...!
Rouge and Shadow had been happily married for two weeks now. It was 7:30am. Sunlight was shining in through the skylight above the canopy bed where the couple was. Looking through it, you could see a nightgown tossed onto the floor. Having been making out and cuddling for a long time, the couple disconnected their lips, and both lied down on their backs. Rouge let out a loud content sigh.
"Well, you were right. This was worth the wait." She said.
"What are you talking about? Remember the time when you hypnotized me into doing it before?" Shadow asked.
"Oh, that time I faked you out. I still wore a condom." Rouge replied.
"After the triple date?" Shadow continued.
"Pills." Rouge replied.
"The night when we went swimming?" Shadow continued.
"Male condom." Rouge replied.
"And when you got me drunk on cherry-whiskey?" Shadow continued.
"That wasn't sex at all, just cuddling." Rouge replied.
Shadow said nothing.
Feeling like she'd satisfied Shadow's question, Rouge donned a pink robe, which was hanging by her side of the bed.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm hitting the tub. Wouldn't want to turn these white sheets red, now would I?" She said.
She entered the bathroom and turned on the water, leaving Shadow alone in bed. He turned on the television, and began flipping through channels, looking for something to watch.
Without warning, Tails burst into the room as if he had just drank a whole six-pack of Red Echidna.
"Shadow!" He yelled.
"Geez, don't you know what 'privacy' means!?" Shadow replied.
"You've got to see this!" Tails said, holding out a folded newspaper.
Shadow snatched it from him and began to read, his jaw dropping at one of the featured articles.
"I just picked it up off the doorstep! It was so shocking, I dropped my coffee, which by the way I'd better clean up! Later!" Tails said, flying out of the room.
Shadow did not hesitate to quickly get up and lightly knock on the bathroom door. Rouge had a bubble-bath going, and was relaxing in it without a single care. She quickly sat up as she heard the knock on the bathroom door.
"Come in." She said, assuming it was Shadow.
To her relief, it was. Shadow walked over, holding the newspaper that Tails had given him.
"You might want to read this." He said, standing back from the tub, "I donkey-eared the page for you."
Nodding, Rouge opened to the marked page, with an article titled "ROUGE TELLS ALL AT BIG DAY". Beneath the title was a large full-color photograph of Rouge getting out of the limousine at the wedding. The area under her dress was visible, where a leopard-print thong could be seen. This part of the photo was enclosed in a red circle. After taking a rather short time to read through the article, Rouge was overtaken by a multitude of emotions; mostly worry. Would this event ruin Rouge's life forever? Would she be fired from GUN because of this scandal? Why did the paparazzi do such a thing? Would they keep doing this? And if so, when and where would they strike next? The questions endlessly went through her mind.
Meanwhile, everyone else, unaware of the issue at hand was enjoying a breakfast of crab-cake benedicts and belgium waffles in the kitchen, though Sonic Jr. was having applesauce since he didn't have teeth yet. Shadow was the last to enter the kitchen, just behind Tails. He pulled the yellow fox into the hall just as he was entering, and started speaking.
"Listen. Only you and I know about what happened earlier, plus Rouge. Don't tell anyone, you hear?" Shadow asked harshly.
"Um, OK." Tails replied.
With a nod, Shadow let Tails go and followed him into the kitchen for breakfast. Though they tried to act casually as they ate, it wasn't long before Sonic Jr. (of all people), noticed something wasn't right.
"Empty!" He said, pointing to the chair right next to Shadow's.
"Well aren't we just full of surprises? First steps around a month ago, and first words today." Sonic said, patting his son on the head; hedgehogs are able to start walking at just a few days old.
"No, he's right. Where's Rouge?" Amy asked.
Multiple pairs of eyes aimed at Shadow.
"Um, she's not feeling too well at the moment." He lied.
Thankfully, everyone shrugged, and continued eating. Shadow quietly let out a sigh of relief. After the meal, everyone left to go about their usual business. Almost immediately after everyone dispersed, the doorbell rang. Upon hearing it, Sonic Jr. began running over to it as fast as his young legs could carry him.
"Man. Some day, he's going to be faster than me." Sonic said, following him.
Cream was at the door.
"Hi. What can I do for you?" Sonic asked, watching as his son ran over and began looking up at Cream.
"Um, I think Cheese escaped into your Chao Garden again. Additionally, Amy called me over. We have some catching up to do." She replied.
Sonic let her in, where she made their way to Amy's room. Cheese came out from behind the house and began hovering around Sonic Jr. with curiosity. Jr. attempted to snatch him up, but missed. Cheese tickled him around the neck, making him laugh, and began flying around the house with Sonic Jr. following him. Sonic noticed this, but shrugged as he closed the front door.