FicWad

Sonic, Sonia, and Sally sat on the couch in Sonic and Sally’s section of the castle.

Sonic groaned as he dropped his phone on the couch. “Why couldn’t I be wrong about this?”

Sally sipped her coffee. “What did Manic and the others do this time?”

“Robbed the museum and national guard armory in Anaise.” Sonic said. “They’re getting bold. Shadow let himself be seen, according to the eyewitnesses’ description, and he’s calling himself Terios now.”

“Sounds like they’re working up to something big if they’re robbing the armory.” Sally replied.

“I think they’re working up to break into the prison to kill Ivo.” Sonic said.

Sonia sighed. “I spoke to Shadow a couple of months ago.” She said, pulling her knees to her chest. “He’s not the hedgehog he was when he left. I think he doesn’t care about anything or anyone now.”

“Not even you?” Sonic asked.

Sonia sighed. “I don’t know.” She replied. “We broke up the last time I talked to him. He didn’t seem to like it, but he accepted it.”

Sally set her cup down on the coffee table, then slid closer to Sonia. “Why didn’t you tell us he called?”

Sonia started crying. “I keep telling myself that I dreamed all of this.”

Sally hugged Sonia. “Aww, I’m sorry.”

“Why do I still love him?” Sonia sobbed.

“Hard to say.” Sally said softly.

After several minutes, Sonic handed Sonia a tissue. “Sonia? Have you spoken to Manic?”

Sonia took the tissue and wiped her eyes. “No, not at all. Have you?”

“He screamed at me, calling me a traitor and a bunch of other hateful stuff.” Sonic said. “I haven’t actually spoken to him in over a year. Shadow has filled his head with garbage. Manic wasn’t exactly the type to use strong language like that, but Shadow was and Manic sounded a lot like him that day.”

“It sounds like he locked onto him as a father or older brother figure.” Sally said, letting Sonia go.

Sonia nodded.

“Maybe Manic will come around soon.” Sally said, rubbing Sonic’s shoulders.

“What about Shadow?” Sonia asked.

Sally bit her lip. “I don’t know.”

*

Manic laughed as he and Shadow dragged in the last of their haul. “Oh, man, that was awesome!”

Shadow shook his head. “You gotta stop getting this excited after a heist.”

“Hey, it’s not like I blab it on the internet.” Manic said. “Oh, and congrats to our new team member Rouge. Kit, order our usuals from Takosushi. Get dessert this time.”

Kit tapped a few buttons on his phone.

Surge patted Rouge on the back. “I’m glad we got someone to handle being the distraction.”

Rouge laughed. “I’m glad I got an easy job.”

Shadow smirked.

Everyone sat down in the living room.

Surge snuggled against Manic as he turned the tv on.

Manic played with Surge’s spines. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling great, Babe.”

“It’s fine.” Surge muttered.

Rouge sat down beside Shadow and started playing with Shadow’s chest fur. “Hard to believe you’re not seeing anyone, handsome.”

Shadow eased away and got up. “Not really.” He said. He headed to the kitchen.

Rouge glanced at Shadow, then to Manic.

“He’s not gonna admit it, but he’s hung up on my sister.” Manic said. “He took the breakup hard.”

Rouge frowned. “Poor guy.”

*

Shadow got himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. He sighed. “It’s better this way.” He said under his breath. “I don't need her.”

Shadow groaned, then pulled his phone out of his trench coat’s pocket and texted Sonia, asking her to meet him at the coffee shop in Mobodoon.

*

Sonia stared at the message for a moment. “Shadow texted me, asking me to meet him at the coffee shop in Mobodoon.”

Sonic sat up. “Sweet, we can bust him and get Manic away from him.”

“But he’s saying he loves me and misses me.” Sonia said.

“I know, but he’s hurting Mobians.” Sonic replied. “He might’ve not intentionally tried to kill those security guards with a power blast, but he almost did and at least one of those guys still might die from the injuries. Those families need justice and he needs help. More importantly, I want our little brother away from him.”

“Alright, I’ll tell him I’ll meet him.” Sonia said, typing up a message.

Sonic got up. “I’ll have the army ready.” He replied. He walked away.

Sonia sighed. “I hate that it has to be this way, Shadow.” She said softly. “It’s not how I hoped things would be.”

*

Manic glanced at Shadow as he grabbed his trenchcoat. “Where ya going?” He asked. “Kit will be back soon with the food. ”

“I’m meeting someone.” Shadow said, putting his coat on.

“By that, you mean my sister?” Manic asked. “Dude, that’s not a good idea.”

“You need to move on, handsome.” Rouge said. “She could turn you in.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Shadow replied. “You know the contingency plans.”

Shadow left the house.

Manic shook his head. “He’s gonna bring this whole operation down because he can’t get over her.”

“Didn’t think he was the sentimental type.” Rouge said, propping her head up with her hand.

“Sonia’s the exception.” Manic replied. “I think she’s the only one on Mobius he cares about. I feel like we’re only here to serve his purposes sometimes.”

“Wanna leave then?” Sure asked. “We got the money. I think we lost sight of the point to all of this a long time ago.”

“Where will we go?” Manic asked. “We burned our bridges down.”

Surge and Kit shrugged.

“Guess we’ll all go down with the ship.” Rouge muttered.