Chapter Three

Sonic softly moaned as he was waking up awake. He slowly picked himself up and got back onto his feet. He looked out of the kitchen window only to see the sun almost ready to set, telling him he was unconscious for a couple of hours. Sonic had a light coat off sweat and his breathing was a little laboured while trying to sort out what he just witnessed in his mind. He heart was pounding in his chest as the memory of whatever that was played inside of his head, not sparing him any details.

"Choose..." A voice called out to Sonic.

Sonic assumed it was his dead relative saying that as it sounded deep and definitely wasn't the soft voice he heard when in that forced into vision.

"So now you speak English." Sonic muttered with a small frown.

"I don't really know what to do. According to that vision or whatever that was, Shadow can't avoid it. He will succumb to those people, regardless on what I or anyone does to try and stop it. Maybe the best thing I can do is go see him and help catch these people before it is too late." Sonic said with determination in his voice.

"You chosen, see him." The deep whispered voice called out then all went silent.

"Yeah I'll go see him gramps but please stop trashing my home. Oh and thanks for his address." Sonic grinned as he had indeed decided, while also witnessing a piece of paper appear on his table with Shadows current home address written on it in cursive.

With Shadow...

"Just go away, I'm meditating!" Shadow called as he sat in the middle of his large double bed with legs crossed and eyes closed, trying to ignore the constant knocking on his bedroom door.

"Well tuff, I'm coming in!" Mephiles called through the door then barged inside.

"This better be important. You know I need to do this to keep my darker side at bay and to keep power in control." Shadow seriously said as he opened his glowing red eyes and glared at Mephiles with annoyance.

"Oh please, you know I wouldn't risk upsetting you during your meditation time, it isn't worth the fights, but I sense someone has already done the upsetting so don't take it out on me. Anyway we have a lead and getting ready to check it out, you want to come with?" Mephiles smirked as he crossed his arms and looked amused when Shadow growled at his calmly spoken words.

"No. I do not want to nor to I feel like going on yet another wild goose chase this evening. I just want to sit in my room and do my meditation in peace without being distributed." Shadow sighed with a shake of his head as he clamed himself down.

"Alright but don't blame me if you get lonely tonight for we will be gone until morning. On the off chance we are not back by nine then send out a search party." Mephiles seriously said as he frowned.

"You say that every time you go out without me, demon up and stop relying on me to save your ass." Shadow teased as he gave Mephiles a sly grin.

"Oh ha-ha funny. I have you know it was me doing the saving last time not you." Mephiles spoke back in a mocking way then turned around to leave.

"Just be careful and if it isn't a waste of time and you both actually found something then call me!" Shadow called out before Mephiles closed his bedroom door.

"Will do cuz, will do!" Mephiles called back from slightly down the hallway while walking away from Shadows room.

"Yeah he better or I'll kill him myself." Shadow muttered with a small frown then closed his eyes and once again got back into the swing of his meditation hour he not long started.

Twenty minutes later...

"Come on Shads open up!" Sonic bashed his fist again the front door to the house Shadow was currently living in, calling out at the top of his lungs as the sun was almost set.

The door was being unlocked and a chain being unhooked. Shadow opened the door and smiled at seeing Sonic standing there looking a little panicked.

"And what do I owe you for the pleasure of your unexpected visit? You better come in, the sun will be setting within the next ten minutes. I'm sure you do not want anyone seeing you transform." Shadow calmly said with his smile in place then stepped to one side to allow Sonic entry.

"Thanks, listen we seriously need to talk, you free?" Sonic said as he walked in then turned around to face Shadow, watching Shadow close and relock the front door, while he removed his shoes.

"I was in the middle of my meditation hour and I have to be honest, if it wasn't you bashing on my door I would have done something rather unfriendly." Shadow said as he motioned Sonic to follow him into the living room where there was plenty of open space.

"You meditate?" Sonic questioned with some surprise as he didn't think Shadow was the type to do that.

"I have to, don't really have a choice. So what brings you to my door?" Shadow casually said as he took a seat on the corner sofa, sitting right in the corner part of it.

"You lack a lot of furniture in here." Sonic commented as all there was, was the sofa, a TV on the wall and a small coffee table under the large TV.

"We don't plan to stay here long and only here until we can find that book and stop demons from being summoned out of hell. If you think this room lacks the necessities then you should check out the rest of this dump." Shadow said with a smirk and patted the seat space on his right.

"Maybe later or in the morning." Sonic replied as he took a seat and sat facing Shadow, his back against the armrest.

"So you plan to stay the night?" Shadow raised a brow as he could have sworn Sonic wanted nothing to do with him and was still puzzled as to why he was even here.

"Well that all depends on what you feel after our chat doesn't it." Sonic winked then grunted as he lent forward a little.

"Ok maybe I was a little off with the whole ten minutes until the sun sets thing. Do not worry the sofa can handle the extra weight so just relax and concentrate." Shadow smiled in an assuring way then watched as Sonic shut his eyes tightly and nodded to him.

Another grunted complaint and Sonic began to change. His fur got thicker and more ragged, his body grew bigger and muscular, his hands and feet grew and claws got longer with deadly sharp ends to them. His facial features became a little more wolf-like like, his teeth were razor sharp now and his tail got a little longer with it having more fur on it. When it was over Sonic was breathing heavily and panting like he had just ran for miles non-stop. He opened his eye expecting a horrified expression on Shadows face but never got one which made him happy inside.

"You look good by the way, nice and fluffy. I have the sudden urge to get a brush and maintain your fur with it." Shadow teased lightly with a playful smirk.

"You do that if you have to but I will not sit still long enough." Sonic grinned back with a hint of mischief in his green eyes.

"So tell me what is it that you want to talk about?" Shadow softly asked with his smile on his muzzle then listened as Sonic told him what happened in his kitchen minutes after everyone left.

It took just over twenty minutes to do so, as Sonic kept pausing to compose himself, and now Shadow was frowning with crossed arms. Shadow was not looking happy with finding all of this out and he hoped things can be changed so he wouldn't be facing that fate.

"Are you sure this is set in stone, that I'm going to be summoned by these people and tortured until obedience?" Shadow seriously asked as he and Sonic locked gazes.

"Yes I'm pretty sure no matter what path is walked down that will always be the result. I swear I'm going to do whatever I can to stop this from happening to you, regardless if I was told it's set in stone. There has to be a way to stop it before it is too late." Sonic said with his deep, slightly rough sounding, husky voice while giving Shadow a determined look.

"And why would you do that? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the offer and all but you told me to leave so I left. I got the impression you didn't want to see me again, was I mistaken?" Shadow asked with a slight tilt of his head, feeling a little confused now.

"I was in shock alright and wasn't thinking straight. I needed a little time to get it around my head that the guy I'm in love with is a demon that only appeared in town because of this book thing. It only occurred to me just how much you truly meant to me when I was forced into that vision and made to watch you suffer. It was only then I realised I didn't care what you are or why you're here, the only thing that matters is that I love you and never want to see you get hurt." Sonic said with a hopeful glint in his eyes as he watched Shadow's reaction.

"So it took a vision of my doomed future to make you realise how much I mean to you? Wow I'm glad that happened when it did and not in so many weeks time." Shadow smirked as he teased a little.

"This isn't a joke Shads, I'm being serious here and telling you I'm sorry and that I love you." Sonic semi growled as he was getting annoyed.

"Yeah I did the same and I was told I was a liar and made to leave. Now I wonder, what I could possibly say to you right now?" Shadow replied as he gave Sonic a flirtatious look.

"I'm sorry ok I really am very truly sorry. If I can take it all back then I would." Sonic desperately said with a begging expression for Shadow to forgive him.

"How about you make it up to me? How about spending the night with me in my room on my very comfortable and extremely sturdy bed?" Shadow gently said with a seductive smirk and half lidded eyes, moving out of that corner and approaching Sonic.

"Are you suggesting we, well you know, mate?" Sonic asked with a grin, watching Shadows every move and couldn't stop his tail from wagging with excitement.

"That I am, so what do you say, fancy giving me a lesson in obedience in the bedroom?" Shadow purrs as he moved so close to Sonic they were face to face and inches away.

"Oh I can see you really badly need those lessons babe and I do believe I'm the perfect one for the job." Sonic growled sexually as he replied then suddenly found himself being grabbed by Shadow and appearing on Shadow's sturdy double bed…

It was coming up to sun rise and the two lovers were still fast asleep after spending half the night at it. Shadow was amazed Sonic had the stamina to do as much as he did and didn't think he would suggest a third round. He of course did not deny the request and probably could have done another round after the third. Right now Shadow was being tightly spooned by Sonic and had a very content expression on his sleeping features. Sonic on the other hand was starting to wake up as he could sense the sun rising and his body getting ready for the change back.

"Oh great here it comes, I do hope Shadow doesn't get woken up by this." Sonic thought as he tensed up a little while also loosening his grip on Shadow's form.

Within a minute Sonic was back in his regular hedgehog form and panting slightly. Of course his wish wasn't answered as Shadow began to stir. He turned around and opened his eyes, seeing a panting Sonic in his day form.

"Aw I missed the change back, that just totally sucks." Shadow softly complained with a small pout.

"There will be other mornings love besides it's not as great as when I change into my night form." Sonic lightly chuckled as he gently guided a hand down Shadow's quills and along his back.

"Maybe, maybe not. So it's sun rise which means it's about six thirty in the morning. Want to stay here for a couple more hours or start the day?" Shadow said with a smile and really enjoying the strokes he was receiving on his quills and back.

Shadow soon gasped and let out a soft moan as Sonic grabbed his tail and began to twirl it around his finger, giving Shadow his nonverbal answer.

"Right hope you know it's my turn to play with you." Shadow smirked a little deviously then quickly moved on top of Sonic and pinned him down on the bed.

"I look forward to it babe." Sonic grinned as he watched Shadow lower his head towards his.

"Oh believe me I will have you squirming in immense pleasure, you will be begging for more when we are done. You will scream out for release and I will be all to happy to comply." Shadow whispered then connected their lips to begin their morning fun.

Two hours later...

"Man you weren't kidding babe, that was utterly amazing, you make me feel amazing." Sonic said as he dried his fur after getting out of their shared shower, now standing beside Shadow's bed.

"Yeah well I was simply returning the favour my love." Shadow warmly replied as he sat on the end of the now made, from a click of Shadows fingers, bed and watched Sonic dry himself roughly.

"So where are Silver and Mephiles? I would have thought they would be here with you." Sonic asked as he stopped drying himself and looked at Shadow.

"Probably in bed asleep after spending all night following a useless lead. Don't worry they would not have heard us for I made sure the room was sound proof." Shadow smirked with a wink at Sonic.

"Wouldn't care even if they did, I regret nothing." Sonic chuckled then walked away to put the used towel back into the inbuilt bathroom.

"Same here so want breakfast before you leave?" Shadow called out with a cheerful tone.

"You cooking or finger snapping our breakfast?" Sonic asked as he walked out of the bathroom and grinning playfully.

"The easy option of course. Come on let's get comfy in the kitchen and dig into whatever you fancy this morning." Shadow happily said as he jumped to his feet.

When they reached the kitchen they took a seat opposite each other and Shadow did some finger clicking after getting Sonic's order of a full cooked breakfast. Shadow had the same and soon they dug in.

"So does this mean Silver and Mephiles are demons too or just very closed friends of yours?" Sonic asked after swallowing some sausage.

"They are demons. Mephiles is my cousin and Silver is our very close friend, has been for almost two centuries now. They followed me here a week after I enrolled into the high school and insisted in helping me find that book. They convinced me their help will make things easier for me so I relented and said fine." Shadow answered with a smile then picked up his coffee and had a sip.

"Yeah I can now see the resemblance between you and Mephiles. Actually I have another question to ask ya. Where are your wings and why isn't your tail long? That picture I saw of you, you had wings with your tail being long, pointed at the end and sharp looking." Sonic asked then drank some of his coffee.

"Oh that well they appear when I demon up in this world and whenever I am in hell. It's a bit like you when you change form but I don't change that much. My wings appear and my claws get a little longer and sharper, my quills become more deadlier, my tails ends up long like how you saw it and finally my darker, more powerful, side is at full swing." Shadow explained with a smirk that had a slightly sinister edge to it.

"Your darker side? Is that like your demon powers or something?" Sonic asked as he was getting very interested in what his boyfriend was saying.

"Yeah sort of. It's my very essence and can be unstable, even in this form. That is why I need to meditate for an hour in the evening before the sun sets. It gets stronger during the night than it is during the day therefore a little harder to keep in check." Shadow answered with a small frown as he looked down at his half consumed food.

"Hey I know exactly how you feel babe, when I'm in my night form I constantly have to battle these strong urges to rampage and act like a dangerous wild animal. It's no fun and can take a lot out of ya, I slipped up once and had to move far away. Which is why I'm in this town actually and have been for almost a year now. My friends help me when I need it and they all have been so understanding and never judged me." Sonic said with a warm tone.

"Yeah it's no fun having this dark and dangerous thing inside is it. I'm glad you have been getting help and now I'm on the scene I can help too. When ever you feel drained of fighting just call and I will come." Shadow sighed softly and smiled at Sonic as he moved his head to look back at him.

"And the same goes with you too Shads, I do not care what time of day or night, you call me alright. Come straight over to mine and see me if you can't call. I will help ya in any way I can and that is a promise." Sonic softly said as he kept smiling.

"Ok Sonic, I will keep that in mind." Shadow said with a look of gratitude and appreciated the offer.

When breakfast was over it was getting on for nine thirty. Shadow had not long ago said good bye to Sonic at the front door and was now making his way to check on his cousin and close friend. He reached Silver's room first and knocked on the door gently.

"Hey Silver! You up?" Shadow called as he slowly opened the door.

"Huh? He must have crashed with Mephiles again after coming home or something." Shadow thought as the bed was still made and Silver wasn't in his room.

He closed the door and made his way to Mephiles' bedroom a little further up next to Silver's. He stood there and knocked on the door in the same manner he did to Silver's.

"You guys up or deeply sleeping the...hey guys you in here?" Shadow said as he opened the door, saw the bed was untouched then called out to them but never got an answer.

"Ok maybe they are on their way back and decided to crash at a hotel again. I'll give it an hour before I go looking for them." Shadow thought as he left Mephiles' room and closed the door shut.

An hour later...

"Come on pick up you damn phone Mephiles." Shadow growled as he paced up and down in the living room.

"Grrr damn voicemail. Mephiles, what is the point in having a phone when you never answer it? I'm growing concerned that you and Silver are not back and it is gone ten thirty in the morning. I'm giving it another half an hour then I'm hunting you both down and dragging your demon asses back home." Shadow seriously said then hung up.

"For their sake something better have happened to them or they are in so much trouble." Shadow muttered as he flopped onto the sofa, chuckled his mobile on one of the empty seats and clicked his fingers to turn the TV on.

Forty minutes later.

"Right you both better be kidnapped or something because once I find you I'm going to kick both your asses. Ring me back please so I know you are both safe. I'm worried and starting to get a little panicked." Shadow said then hung up after finishing that message on Mephiles' voicemail.

Shadow took in a few deep breaths then punched in Sonic's number. He put the phone to his ear as he stood out in the hallway and put his trenchcoat on.

"Hello?" Sonic said when he answered with question to who was calling him.

"Sonic I'm worried, Silver and Mephiles are not back yet and they always come back after following up on a lead without me. I'm heading out now to search for them. Could you do me a favour and keep an eye out for them when you are at the mall with your friends please." Shadow explained with slight panic in his voice then asked as he left his home and began to walk away from the house.

"Yeah sure thing, if I see them I'll kick their butts back home. You sure you are alright with looking for them by yourself? If you want I can help ya." Sonic said with concern for Shadow's safety, having a very bad vibe something has happened to Silver and Mephiles.

"Do not worry, you spend time with your friends and I will call you if and when I find their demon asses. Please take care and enjoy yourself. I'll talk to you later my love, bye." Shadow softly said with a smile as it seems Sonic's voice was able to claim him down a little.

"Alright just make sure you do call or I'll be on the hunt for you to kick your demon butt. Good bye and be careful." Sonic semi seriously said then hung up.

"You will kick my ass, I would love to see you try dear." Shadow thought as he pocketed his phone and walked a little faster, unsure if he was actually going in the right direction or not.

In fact he had no idea where he should start looking…

With Sonic...

"What's up with Shadow?" Tails asked with slight concern in his voice.

"Mephiles and Silver are missing and Shadow is panicked. They went out last night to follow up on a lead and have yet to return. I think something has happened to them but I'm not sure." Sonic said with worry as he and his friends were wondering the slightly busy area of the mall.

"I'm sure they are fine and just lost track of time. It happens right and I bet they are on their way back home right now." Amy assured as she could tell Sonic was getting worked up over this.

"Yeah maybe. I'm also worried about Shadow, he is out there looking for them and could end up getting kidnapped like in that vision I told you all about." Sonic said with a stressed out sigh.

"But didn't you say that was like weeks into the future?" Knuckles asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah but what if time has changed and it's going to happen now? I probably changed events when I told him of that vision or something. It will probably all play out differently now because of our knowledge of it or something." Sonic said with some panic in his tone.

"How about this, call Shadow back in a couple of hours and tell him we will help him track down Silver and Mephiles if they have not turned up. I reckon the more people out there searching then more ground can be covered, right?" Rouge said with an assuring smile, placing a hand on Sonics shoulder and gave it a brief slightly firm squeeze of reassurance.

"Yeah I'll do that, now that I have his number. Actually better save it now so I don't accidentally delete it thinking it's a nuisance number." Sonic said as he was calming down and did just that, saving Shadows number under the name Shads.

"You gave him yours and he didn't even give his to you?" Amy questioned with a raised brow.

"We didn't exchange numbers, he probably plucked my number out of my head or something." Sonic replied as he put his phone into his jacket pocket.

"Yep, I have a feeling your relationship with him is never going to be dull." Knuckles said with a hint of amusement.

"And you are ok with Shadow getting inside of your head, plucking out information?" Tails asked as he wouldn't be ok with this and hoped Shadow didn't do this with him.

"I am sure he doesn't go into my head and get information from it all the time or he would have known what I was." Sonic defended his boyfriends actions that he assumed Shadow did to get his number.

"I suppose, you cannot fake the way he reacted when he found out. Then again he is a demon and lying, as well as acting, are demon traits." Knuckles said with a small frown and did not like knowing Shadow can get into their heads whenever he liked all without anyone knowing about it.