Chapter 4: Dark Intermission

Sonic raced backstage to see his sister fixing her quills and drinking from a water bottle. The sound of his excited footsteps brought her attention to him as she turned with a smile, quickly putting the bottle down to welcome him with open arms.

"Star!" Sonic laughed, nearly jumping on top of her to hug her tightly to him. "That was amazing, sis!"

"Oh please, that was nothing." Star laughed with a slight blush. "That was only five songs, and they weren't even that good."

"Are you kidding?! They were wonderful! Especially the old lullaby. I didn't think you still remembered it."

"I could say the same about you." Star smirked knowingly. "I saw you trying not to fall asleep in the crowd. It still works on you, huh little bro?"

"Again, only 15 minutes."

The twins couldn't help but laugh at the old joke. Sonic always got so triggered about the slight age difference, it was honestly hilarious, but at the same time adorable.

Of course they were never mean about it, it was all just fun and games. Sonic had long ago learned to accept that even though they are the same age, he is still the younger brother who was born second, 15 minutes after Star was born.

"So, what songs are you gonna sing next?" Amy asked once the laughter between the two had died down.

"Well the next songs are pretty much a mixture of pop and rock." Star chuckled. "Although, I'm saving the best for last."

"What's the best song?" Cream asked.

"That's a surprise." Star took a knowing glance at Sonic. "Though, Sonic may recognize it."

As his sister said that, Sonic started to think. He thought back to their childhood, trying to remember the many original songs he would often hear her singing, but he couldn't guess which one she was referring to.

Probably for the best, as it was supposed to be a surprise after all.

"Well, whichever song it is, I can't wait to hear it." He finally said with an excited smile.

"Wow, you two really ARE identical twins."

At the new voice, everybody turned to see a female white bat standing by the exit, hands on her hips as she observed the scene before her.

"Rouge?" Sonic frowned in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, believe it or not Big Blue, I actually came to enjoy the concert myself." The bat chuckled. "I'm actually a pretty big fan of Star's music as well. Although, I had no idea she was your sister, let alone that you're twins." She shrugged. "Course I've actually never seen what Star looks like."

"It's almost horrifying how identical you two look."

Sonic gave a low growl, immediately recognizing the familiar gruff voice as he turned to the source of it.

Out of the shadows, just like his namesake, stepped Shadow the Hedgehog, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at his rival and the twin beside him. "Seriously, if the Faker were to look into a mirror that alternated genders, this is what he'd see."

"Oh, hardy har har, Shadow. Very funny." Sonic rolled his eyes. "What are you, out of all people, doing here? I mean, I understand Rouge being here, but you don't seem like a concert-going person."

"Oh believe me, I'm not here by choice." Shadow scoffed. "Rouge dragged me here."

"I only did so to get you out of the house." Rouge crossed her arms, glaring at the black and red hedgehog. "You are such a recluse."

"So? I like being a recluse."

"But it's not healthy." Rouge sighed, shaking her head. "Come on, hun. Being at a concert is not gonna kill you."

"... I guess the songs aren't really that bad." Shadow admitted with a shrug. "A little cliche with the same message, but they're good I guess."

Star smiled at the newcomers. "Well I'm happy to hear you two are enjoying the show. And I appreciate the criticism." She turned to Sonic. "More friends of yours, I suppose?"

"Not exactly." Sonic shook his head. "Rouge is more of an occasional ally than a friend."

"Oh, you flatter me, Blue." Rouge smirked, batting her eyelashes in a flirtatious manner, causing Sonic to roll his eyes before he continued with the introduction of his rival.

"And Shadow is a rival of mine that occasionally works for Eggman."

"Oh?" Star looked at Shadow a bit curiously.

"I wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with this Faker as friends." Shadow spat, pointing at Sonic.

"You're the Faker, you bioengineered bastard!" Sonic growled.

"Sonic!" Star gasped, shocked by her brother's language.

"You wanna say that again, hedgehog?!" Shadow challenged back, getting into a fighting stance.

"Bring it on!"

"Enough!" Star commanded harshly, her voice booming a bit, which caused the two fighting hedgehogs to jump in surprise before turning their attention back to her. "I will not have any violence of any kind at my concert, or you can find both of yourselves escorted out by security."

"But sis…"

"No buts, Sonic." Star said firmly. "You must behave yourself and let words slide off of your shoulders like water. It doesn't matter what others think of you. You're better than that, brother."

Sonic's ears dropped as he looked down in shame, sighing a bit. "You're right, sis. I'm sorry."

"It's ok." Star kissed Sonic's cheek, earning a little purr at the affection. "Besides, intermission is just about over, and you all need to get back to your spots. I wouldn't want you all to miss the second half of my show over a little fight."

"Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to miss it." Sonic grinned. "Especially your little surprise."

"I could live without it." Shadow grumbled under his breath.

Star chuckled and ruffled Sonic's quills. "Why don't you go ahead and head back out there, and then we'll end this show with a bang."

"Ok!" Sonic smiled excitedly, running back into the crowd with his tail wagging behind him.

"It's so cute seeing him this way." Amy giggled.

"I agree." Cream smiled.

"More like revolting." Shadow rolled his eyes as he reluctantly followed everybody back out. Rouge was about to follow them when Star stopped her.

"Hey, Rouge was it?"

"Yes? What is it, hun?"

"I'm sorry if this is a weird thing to ask but…" She blushed and shook her head. "Nevermind, it's nothing."

Rouge smirked. "You were gonna ask if Shadow is single, weren't you?"

Star's eyes widened. "What makes you think that?"

"Oh please, I saw the way you were looking at him. He is quite the handsome fella, isn't he?" The bat chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about your little crush… And yes… he's single. But if you're really planning on asking him out, good luck. You're gonna need it if you wanna get anywhere with him, especially when you look just like the very thing he hates the most."

Star chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure he isn't that shallow that he would let something as small as being identical to my brother get in the way of a relationship."

Rouge shrugged. "Don't say I didn't warn ya'."

"What's the story between those two anyway? Why do they hate each other so much? It can't be just because Shadow works with Eggman, right?"

Rouge hummed in thought for a moment. "No… No, that's about it. Also it doesn't help that Shadow framed Sonic a couple times the first time he was awoken."

"Awoken?" Star frowned in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"There's a reason Sonic called him a bioengineered bastard." Rouge looked at her watch. "But, we don't have time to explain all that. I should get back to them, and you should get ready for your next performance." And with that, she opened her wings and took off back to the audience, leaving Star very confused, and very curious.