[Mini Story : Natsu The Hedgehog: Part 1]
No one's POV
Sonic was sleeping on a tree next to Fairy Hills.
Chip: SONIC!!!
Startled, Sonic jumped and fell headfirst from the tree.
Sonic (rubbing his head): Can't you wake me up calmly?!
Chip: There's chaos at the guild!
Sonic: So what? They can handle it.
Chip got an idea.
Chip (lying): Wendy is in dang—
Before he could finish his sentence, Sonic had already grabbed him and dashed toward the guild at full speed.
Sonic: Why didn't you say so sooner?!
They entered the guild and saw everyone gathered around something on a table in the middle of the hall, laughing while a voice spoke—it was Natsu.
Sonic: Okay, I don't see any problem here. Natsu's doing his one-man show as usual.
Chip: You don't understand, come!
He pulled Sonic into the circle, and what he saw shocked him to the core. He saw a pink hedgehog with a scarf next to Happy. The weird thing was that it wasn't a hedgehog like Sonic—it was the kind of hedgehog you'd only see on Earth.
Sonic: Uh… what is that?
Happy (laughing): It's ahahaha it's Natsu ahahaha…
Sonic didn't just chuckle—he burst into laughter.
Natsu (angry): Hey! It's not funny! Turn me back to normal!
Sonic (wiping tears of laughter): Huh? But it's not my fault. And why are you so tiny?
Lucy: Huh? You've never seen this kind of hedgehog?
Sonic: I've never seen a hedgehog this small—it must be from your world.
Gray: So you're saying you didn't do this to him?
Sonic: Uh, no. But how did he end up like this?
Happy: We were training in the forest when Natsu saw a mushroom, ate it, and turned into this cute little ball of spikes.
Natsu (angry): Hey! I'm not cute!
Everyone: Awwww.
Natsu: Stop that! It's not funny!
Sonic (after flipping through a book on Earthland hedgehogs in seconds): So, hedgehogs here are omnivores and have a different diet from ours.
Sonic left the guild at full speed and returned with a bunch of insects.
The girls (disgusted): Sonic, what is that?!
They backed away as if a bomb were about to explode.
Sonic: Relax, just watch. Natsu, you're hungry, right?
Natsu (angry): And what makes you think I'm going to eat those horrors?!
He looked at the insects Sonic placed before him, hesitated, then dove in and ate them one by one.
Natsu: Mmm… actually, this isn't bad… kinda tastes like chicken…
Everyone except Sonic: What the heck?!
Sonic placed Natsu on his back and started scratching his belly.
Natsu (laughing): Stop ahahaha not the tickles ahahaha!
Sonic: Who's a cute little hedgehog? Huh? Who's the cutest?
Everyone: Awwww.
Happy: But wait, isn't there anything we can do to turn him back?
Gray: Honestly, he's better like this, don't you think?
Sonic: Until I find an antidote, let's run some experiments on our little pet hedgehog.
Natsu: Huh? Who?!
Sonic looked at him with a mischievous grin. Natsu gulped in fear, realizing what was about to happen.
[End of the Mini Story]
Shadow's POV
I opened a portal that led us to a snow-covered territory. We were about 20km from the city. To infiltrate more effectively, I created white versions of our outfits that change color based on temperature. With this cold, we could easily blend into the snow.
Chelia: This feels kinda weird—it's like we're soldiers about to attack an enemy base.
Me: That's exactly what we're doing.
I took out my binoculars and spotted the barrier ahead, the outpost, and the rows of robots waiting for us.
Me: By the way, how did you know about Princess Elise?
Chelia: Oh, well, the night we stayed at GUN, I couldn't sleep. So, I went to read some books in the lounge's small library and stumbled upon their research on Soleanna.
Me: That explains why I had the urge to swat something in my sleep.
Chelia (pouting): Are you calling me a fly?
Me: You said it yourself. By the way, how did you manage to use Chaos Control?
Chelia: Oh, um… I just figured it out…
Me: Are you kidding me? Sure, you had an emerald, but it doesn't make sense for you to pull it off in one go. Even the reader would say that's unrealistic.
Chelia: The reader?
Me: Don't change the subject!
Chelia: It must be thanks to love that I succeeded.
I facepalmed.
Chelia: So, what's the plan?
Me: I wanted to just charge in, but we don't know what's waiting for us. So here's how we'll do it.
I crouched so she could climb on my back. As soon as she did, I dashed through the snow toward the robots, which started firing. I weaved through them at high speed, causing explosions as I passed. I bounced off one robot, then another, and we ended up on the other side of the barrier. I put her down, and we hid to avoid a giant rotating searchlight illuminating the snow.
I activated the communicator on my ring.
Me: Shadow transmission to HQ—requesting authorization for Alpha Blast missile.
HQ: Authorization granted. Target confirmation in progress.
I cut the transmission. We needed to be in the right position to launch the missile.
Chelia: Were you talking to GUN's base?
Me: We can't rescue the princess and get out unscathed in this firefight. The best we can do is destroy all their weaponry. (I checked a holographic map of the base.) There's a computer that controls the door to the main base. We're going to split up.
Chelia: Got it.
Me: You'll sneak in and find the computer that unlocks the main base entrance.
Chelia (worried): And you?
Me: I'll take care of the searchlights that could expose us and jeopardize the mission.
She pulled up her hood and started crawling through the snow. Since she was wearing white, she was nearly invisible when still. I teleported above the first searchlight and destroyed it with a Chaos Spear, electrocuting the device before it shut down.
Meanwhile, Chelia was making her way toward the security room. She reached a hill and saw robots marching in single file through the snow. She decided to follow them. Shadow kept destroying lights, but the robots noticed them shutting down. They turned toward Chelia's position. Fortunately, she had already buried her face in the snow, making her invisible, but they were about to step on her.
Just when she was about to be discovered, an explosion went off to the right. The robots turned toward it. Looking up, she saw Shadow facepalming while she scratched her head sheepishly.
She continued and found a laser barrier blocking her path, along with a frozen surface that caught her attention. Beneath it was a switch. She broke the ice and activated the switch, deactivating the lasers.
She ran through the snow and entered the security room. She found the computer but was faced with a bigger problem.
Chelia's POV
Me: How do you disable security with all these buttons?!
Shadow: Wait, you've never hacked a computer before?!
I heard Shadow speaking to me through a microphone in the collar of my suit.
Me: I didn't know that by "turn off," you meant "hack"!!!
Shadow (sighing): You know what? Just press all the buttons. At least that way, we'll know where Elise is, even if the situation gets worse.
I looked at the glowing buttons everywhere, and suddenly, I had a stupid reflex—I let out a wind howl that destroyed the machine and opened up the other side of the wall. The alarm started blaring as the lights turned red.
Shadow: ...
Me: Yeah, I know, I didn't think. I'm sorry...
Shadow: Are you kidding? That was perfect! I never thought I'd say this, but well done, Blendy.
He encouraged me?? I'm so happy to hear him compliment me—too bad it didn't last long, as he used my name instead of my surname. He appeared and teleported us in front of the entrance to the main base. It was a vast open area that looked like an arena, with a balcony where we could see Dr. Eggman and Princess Elise, who was tied to a post.
Dr. Eggman: Took you long enough. My dog was already getting hungry.
He pressed a remote, and suddenly, a portal opened, revealing a giant robot shaped like a dog that slowly advanced toward us.
Shadow (smirking): So that's your dog? Alright, I'll play with it!
Other robots surrounded us, preparing to fire.
Shadow: Take care of the robots—I'll handle the giant one.
Me (pouting): I wanted to fight the big one...
Shadow: I already let you fight a fire god. This time, you're covering me.
Me (excited): You want me to have your back?
Shadow: Too bad it's just for this mission.
He rushed toward the robotic dog, which started running at him with its mouth wide open. Wait... Did he just say it's too bad I'm covering him only for this mission? Does that mean... he'll miss me?! Shadow, if only you knew how much I love you...
I wrapped my hands in wind, but instead of black wind, they had a pink hue. As the robots fired at me, I created a gust that lifted the snow and blinded them for a moment. They fired again, but I was already airborne, preparing a wind tornado in my right hand.
Me: This is the magic of my love for Shadow! Sky God Boreas !
Shadow (embarrassed): Huh?!
I created a massive pink tornado that swept away all the enemies from the arena in one blow. Did you see the power of my love for you, Shadow? I looked at him and saw that he had turned completely pale from shock. The robotic dog was paralyzed by one of Shadow's electric attacks.
Dr. Eggman: Shadow has a girlfriend? Are we talking about the same Shadow?
Elise: Uh... actually, she hasn't told him face-to-face yet...
Me: Say something! Why are you turning white?!
Shadow (dropping to all fours, disappointed): What did I do to deserve a love-crazed partner like this?
He teleported just before the robot could attack him again and appeared beside me.
Me: We should finish this with a Unison Raid!
Shadow looked at me with his serious gaze before sighing and nodding. The robot launched multiple missiles, but Shadow destroyed them with explosive orbs.
Shadow: Now!
Me Shadow: Roar of the Chaotic Dragon / Howl of the Sky God!
Our roars merged and rushed toward the robot, causing it to explode on impact. Only robot debris remained around us.
Me: You lost, Eggman! Now hand over Elise!
Dr. Eggman: You think I wouldn't have a Plan B?
He pressed his remote, and an explosion echoed through the area as a blue light spread across the zone.
Shadow's rings began emitting electricity, and we heard the voice of someone Shadow had been speaking to.
HQ: Target located. Locking onto target for firing.
Shadow: Oh no!
Dr. Eggman: Confirmed!
HQ: Alpha Blast missile launch initiated!
Me (worried): Shadow, what did he do?!
Shadow (angry): He took control of every electronic device in the area and hacked GUN's computer remotely, activating the missile I had prepared to destroy the base. (He looked at the target.) And now, we're the ones being targeted!
Eggman was preparing to escape with his Egg Mobile and Elise, but Shadow hurled an energy spear that struck the ship, causing Elise to fall into his arms... I was a little jealous because I wanted to fall into his arms.
Shadow: There's only one missile. We're three targets. It'll lock onto the least mobile one. Take Elise and get out of here.
Me (panicked): Are you insane?! I won't let you die again without being able to save you!
Shadow (angry): And I won't let you die because of some stupid mistake I made!
He set Elise down and teleported away from us.
Me (heartbroken): SHADOW, NO! COME BACK!!!
Elise held me back, stopping me from collapsing in despair. Shadow, why...
I grabbed Elise's hand and ran away from the area. We saw a shooting star in the sky, but upon closer look, it was actually a missile heading toward us. I pulled Elise into a snow-covered hiding spot, but then, in mid-air, the missile suddenly changed direction—toward the west. Shadow must have been there. I know I'm not fast, but I have to find him.
Me: Princess, you need to return to the palace. (I threw a ring I had picked up earlier, opening a portal to Soleanna.) If we don't meet again, I want to thank you for everything you've done for us...
She took my hands and smiled at me with tears in her eyes.
Elise: Don't mention it. You can come back whenever you want. Thank you for all the good times we shared.
She hugged me before stepping through the portal. I turned toward the direction where the missile was heading. Using my wind magic, I propelled myself high into the air.
I barely had time to see an explosion, snow lifting into the sky, and Shadow appearing further away, escaping the blast. I landed on the slope he was sliding down. As he saw me, he had a moment of shock before suddenly picking me up in a bridal carry, continuing his rush.
Shadow (angry): Are you crazy?! I told you to leave! I could've handled it!
Me (clinging to his neck): I couldn't abandon you—I care about you too much.
He kept accelerating, and I saw that we were outrunning a giant snowball rolling behind us. Shadow leaped over falling debris while speeding up, but the snowball was catching up. The entire base was exploding—there were blasts everywhere as if Eggman had activated its self-destruction.
An explosion separated me from Shadow, and we both rolled in the snow. I was about to fall off a cliff when suddenly, Shadow grabbed my hand. Looking down, all I saw was darkness, and I started to panic.
Shadow (firmly, forcing me to look into his eyes): Hold on! Don't panic! Look at me! Everything will be fine!
He pulled a portal ring from his pocket and tossed it into the void. The ring expanded, revealing Soleanna on the other side.
Shadow: I'm going to drop you straight into the portal, and then I'll jump too. Do you trust me?
Me: I've always trusted you!
He looked at me in shock. Just then, rocks started falling behind him, and we saw Eggman approaching, firing three missiles.
Shadow Me: WATCH OUT!!!
The falling rocks struck Shadow, pulling both of us down. He let go of my hand after the impact, and the missiles knocked me away from the portal. He was unconscious as he fell into the portal and disappeared—while I continued falling into the void...
Shadow's POV
I found myself in Soleanna once again. My back ached from the rocks that had fallen on me. I looked around, but I didn't see Chelia… Don't tell me… she fell off the cliff… That's impossible… She's not…
I walked slowly, not knowing where to go, constantly thinking about how I would explain to the others that I had let Chelia die. I realized I had arrived in front of the Royal Palace. Instead of entering normally, I teleported to the balcony of Elise's room and sat on the edge. She noticed my presence and came outside to meet me.
Elise (worried): Mr. Shadow, are you okay?
Me: I… am not okay…
I felt a void in my heart. I barely knew Chelia, yet I felt like I had lost someone dear… like Maria.
Elise: Where is Chelia?
Me: She… she is…
I still couldn't believe she had died from falling off a cliff. Even if she could regenerate, the fall had been fatal for her. I saw Elise hand me a tissue, and I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. This… this is impossible! The last time I cried was 50 years ago when Maria died. I took the tissue and wiped my tears. Elise led me to the room where Chelia and I had slept when we first arrived. I lay down but couldn't find sleep. There were four hours left before sunrise.
At sunrise, I got up and found Elise in her living room, having breakfast.
Elise: Good morning, Mr. Shadow.
Me: Good morning…
Elise: Sit down, we'll bring you something to eat.
Me: Thanks, but I won't stay long. I'm leaving.
I headed for the door.
Elise (worried): Do you even know where you're going?
Me: Is there an industrial area somewhere near Soleanna?
Elise: Uh, yes, there's one at Radical Train, in the west.
Me: Thanks…
I left the room and sped westward.
[I'm not going to describe the Radical Train gameplay, probably because it would be useless or I'm just lazy.]
After chasing a train that Eggman was in, I got off my motorcycle and entered the compartment where he was sitting.
Dr. Eggman (arms crossed): So, what do you want this time?
I took my human form and grabbed him by the neck, lifting his feet off the ground.
Me: What did you do?!
Dr. Eggman (choking): W-what?
Me: She was innocent and pure, why did you kill her?!
Dr. Eggman: S-Shadow, l-listen to me…
Me (tightening my grip): NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME! Let this be the first and last warning!
I pulled his mustached face closer to mine.
Me (Chaos Aura): Stay out of my way!
Dr. Eggman (turning blue from suffocation): M-Mephiles… kidnapped her…
I dropped the doctor, who passed out. Mephiles had kidnapped her… so she was alive… I left the train and sniffed the air around me, sensing her presence at a nearby beach. I activated a command that sent a hang glider, allowing me to fly to the location.
A Few Hours Later
I could sense Chelia, but instead, I saw Mephiles watching me approach. I landed directly in front of him and charged an energy spear at him, but he deflected it with a single hand.
Me (angry): Where is she?
Mephiles: You mean the god slayer ? Don't worry, she's safe with me. She'll help me defeat Iblis.
I lunged at him with a spinning kick, which he took without flinching. He was pushed 10 meters away from me. I prepared a Spin Dash, but he blocked the attack and pushed me back. Something felt off about him.
Me: You're a clone!
Mephiles (chuckling): Well, still as perceptive as ever.
I teleported in front of him and slammed him to the ground.
Me (Chaos Aura): Where are you??
Mephiles: I've found the perfect place for our final battle. Meet me in the desert south of Soleanna… if you make it there alive.
He laughed before melting like ice and disappearing into smoke. The desert… I had to hurry. Hang in there, Chelia!
One Hour Later
[After the final stage, Dusty Desert]
I arrived in a giant arena and walked to the center, where I saw Mephiles with Chelia severely wounded on the ground beside him.
Me: CHELIA! ANSWER ME, ARE YOU OKAY?!
Chelia (weakly opening her eyes): Shadow… you came…
Me (angry): Mephiles, why are you targeting her?! It's me you want!
Mephiles: Sorry, but I got bored waiting for you. I wanted to have some fun. I'll ask one last time—will you join me and help me rule this world?
Me: I'll say this one last time—I will never help you!
Mephiles: Such a pity, Shadow the Hedgehog. Truly a shame that you choose to stand against me!
He raised the green Chaos Emerald near Chelia, and the stone began to glow. I stepped far back out of caution, but I saw that the entire ground had turned into a viscous substance.
One battle like in Sonic 2006 later
Mephiles started melting before me. I took the chance to teleport next to Chelia.
Chelia: Shadow… thank you for coming for me…
Me: The fight isn't over yet. We need to finish this.
I picked her up bridal style and teleported in front of the liquid Mephiles.
Me: We need to seal him away!
Chelia (trying to stop me): How?
Me: Oh no, the vial!
I remembered that we hadn't taken the vial the day Mephiles was released in Kingdom Valley.
Mephiles: What a mistake on your part!
He regained his normal form and created a shockwave, pushing Chelia and me 10 meters back. He took the yellow Emerald that I had dropped, lifted both Emeralds, and summoned an army of clones that surrounded us.
Mephiles: Your way of life concerns me, Shadow. Why risk your life for those who will persecute you later?
Me (removing my inhibitor rings): If the world chooses to be my enemy, I will fight like I always have.
I grabbed Chelia's hand, and our energies combined—pink and yellow—creating an explosion that destroyed all the clones and Mephiles himself.
When I opened my eyes, I saw all the clones melting, and Mephiles screaming in pain as he also melted.
Mephiles: This… this is impossible!!! WHY?!
He disappeared into smoke in the sky. Finally, I could breathe. I was about to pass out when I felt someone catch me—it was Chelia, smiling at me.
Chelia: The great Shadow is tired?
Me: Removing my rings releases my true power, but only for a limited time.
Chelia: I see.
We walked slowly due to our injuries in silence until we reached another room I couldn't describe. She blushed along the way, and I noticed we were still holding hands. I quickly pulled mine away and broke the silence.
Me: Chelia, I'm sorry...
Chelia: Huh? Why?
Me: I let you fall off the cliff, and I didn't even think of going back... I thought... you were...
Chelia: Dead?
Me: ...
Chelia: I don't blame you. What matters is that you came back. I was so happy to see you fight for me.
Me (trying to tease her): I'm your prince charming, aren't I?
Chelia blushed at my words. We stopped walking when I noticed we had reached a dead end.
Chelia: Shadow... can you tell me what you think of me?
Me: Alright, you're someone extremely driven by love, a troublemaker, and a little pervert. When I see you, I just want to hit you, unhitt you, hit you again, and keep hitting you.
Chelia: ...
Me (blushing): But... that's what I like about you, Chelia...
She looked at me in shock, her gaze so intense that I turned my eyes away. I then noticed tears streaming down her face.
Me: Did I say something wrong?
Chelia (crying with joy): I'm so happy! You called me by my name... and you love me!
Me (embarrassed): Uh... I wouldn't go as far as love, but... it's true that... I care about you...
Cheloa (wanting to tease me): Oh? What did you say? I didn't quite hear that!
Me (hitting her on the head, making her crouch and rub the spot where I hit her): You heard me perfectly well!
Me: By the way, I wanted to ask you something...
She looked at me with a questioning face.
Me: Since GUN allows missions with teams of members from different guilds, I was wondering if...
Her stare became more intense.
Me: ...if you wanted to do more missions together sometime.
She started crying even more—was that really a sad proposal???
Chelia: Yes! I want to marry you!
Silence filled the air.
Me (red as a tomato): ARE YOU SURE YOU HEARD ME RIGHT???
Chelia (wiping her tears): Yes! You just proposed to me in a church!
Huh, what? Since when did I do that? And I never even mentioned marriage! I looked around again and realized we were in the middle of an ANCIENT CHURCH?! No wonder the path was a dead end.
Chelia: So, is Shalia happening?
Me: Shalia?
Chelia (shy): Our couple name!
Me: I never talked about a couple...
I sighed.
Me: If I accept, will you stop crying?
Chelia: Yes!
Me: Alright then... Let's go back!
Chelia: Huh?
Me: What now?
Chelia (pouting): You're supposed to kiss me to seal our union!
I facepalmed, but when I looked at her again, I saw Chelia standing there with her eyes closed, lips puckered, waiting for me to kiss her... Wait, is she serious?! Well, at this point...
To her great surprise, I kissed her on the right cheek before turning away so she wouldn't see my embarrassed face.
Me: You got what you wanted. Now let's go back!
Chelia: You're impossible!
She grabbed my hand from behind and forced me to turn around. Suddenly, I felt pressure on my lips—she was kissing me while wrapping her arms around my neck, preventing me from escaping. And worse... she slipped her tongue into my mouth...
To be honest, it actually felt really nice. But I needed to breathe! We had been kissing for five minutes now! I finally managed to break free from the endless kiss.
Me: Why did you... put... your tongue?
Chelia: First time, huh? Same for me, actually. Do you want more?
I threw a portal ring under her feet, making her fall into a random location.
Eventually, we returned to the GUN HQ, made our report, and each received 5 million jewels as a reward.
I regretted spending one last night with Chelia, who forced me to sleep with her... and made me lose my innocence.
Yes... I lost that too...
[Mini Story: Natsu The Hedgehog: Part 2]
No one's POV
In the guild's basement, Sonic, wearing a white lab coat, was mixing several potions in front of Natsu, who was trapped inside a hamster cage.
Natsu: Sonic, how long are you going to keep me like this?!
Sonic: It's not my fault you wanted to be like me.
Natsu: And the others?
Sonic: I asked them to look for the mushroom so I can make the antidote.
Natsu (angry): So what have you been doing this whole time?!
Sonic: Oh, just playing scientist!
Natsu: And you think that's funny?!
Sonic: If you keep complaining, I'll take away your insects.
Natsu: Hmph! As if I needed that disgusting stuff.
Sonic placed a jar full of insects in front of the cage. Natsu looked away, but after a minute, he started banging on the cage, trying to reach the jar.
The others soon joined them.
Sonic: So?
Lucy: We found it!
Happy: How's our little spiky ball doing?
Sonic: Oh, I studied his anatomy and his eating habits. Hedgehogs eat insects and sometimes... feces.
Erza: Feces?!
Sonic: Apparently, there are nutrients in them.
Everyone looked at Sonic and then at Natsu.
Sonic (realizing their thoughts): No way, I'm not doing that!
Gray: Well, to be fair, Natsu always talks crap, so it makes sense that he'd want to eat it.
Natsu (angry): Say that again, I dare you!
Sonic: Anyway, give me the mushroom!
They handed Sonic the mushroom, and he began mixing it with several colorful liquids.
5 minutes later...
Carla: Do you even know what you're doing?
Sonic: Nope.
Everyone: WHAT?!
Sonic: I'm a genius at tinkering, not science! Otherwise, I would've already figured out how to give myself a second front tail and penetrate Wendy from both sides.
Everyone: SONIC!?
Sonic (changing the subject) : Oh, look, it's ready!
The mixture suddenly began expanding, and everyone took a step back. But before they could react, the liquid exploded, filling the room with smoke.
Levy entered, blinded by the smoke, but when it cleared, she was shocked to see Natsu back to normal—completely naked—Sonic covered in green liquid, and the rest of Team Natsu transformed into hedgehogs of different colors.
Levy: Sonic, what did you do?!
Sonic: I turned Natsu back to normal! A little "thank you" would be nice.
Team Natsu: THANK YOU!?
Sonic (walking out of the room): You're welcome!
Levy stared in shock at her friends, now transformed into hedgehogs, while Natsu laughed at them.
Natsu (laughing): So, who's the cute little spiky ball now?
[End of the Mini Story]