FicWad

Shadow squinted in the bright sunlight on earth. He waited for his eyes to adjust.

He was in the backyard of a little gray house.

A girl gasped.

Shadow froze as he stood face to face with two humans, one was a man who looked a little like an elderly version of Dr. Ivo Robotnik, and a blonde preteen girl wearing a pastel blue collared dress with a thin white sweater and knee socks along with canvas sneakers designed to look like black and white saddle shoes.

The girl’s blue eyes widened as she smiled. “Grandfather, look!” She exclaimed. “He’s the friend I prayed for.”

Gerald looked at the bewildered hedgehog, then to Maria. He grabbed her arm as she started to run over to Shadow. “Maria, wait.” He said. “We don’t know anything about him. He could be dangerous.”

Shadow held up his hands. “I’m not armed.” He said. “I’m not going to hurt anyone.”

Gerald flinched. “You speak English?” He asked. “What’s your name?”

Shadow gave them his real name.

Maria hurried over to Shadow. “Come now, I bet you’re hungry.”

Shadow let Maria lead him inside by the hand. He had nowhere better to go, so why not take advantage of this girl’s kindness? All he had to do was pretend to be her best friend, he had done that before with his gang, so it was nothing new.

“What are you?” Gerald asked.

Shadow furrowed his brow. “I’m a hedgehog.”

“It’s better than what I asked for.” Maria said, smiling. “Okay, I guess we can go out and buy you some insects or cat food.”

“I don’t eat either of those things.” Shadow said. “Do you have any coffee? Sushi?”

“Well, we have coffee, but we’d have to order sushi.” Maria replied. “We have leftover quesadillas and guacamole if you’d like that.”

“That’s fine.” Shadow said.

Maria got the ingredients out to make Shadow a chicken quesadilla out of the fridge. “After lunch, we can get ice cream if that’s okay with Grandfather.”

Gerald and Shadow sat down at the table.

“That… I suppose that’ll be fine if you’re feeling up to it.” Gerald said. “How old are you anyway, Shadow?”

Shadow glanced at Maria. “She looks twelve.” He thought.

Shadow looked at Gerald. “Thirteen.”

Gerald raised an eyebrow. “You sure don’t sound thirteen.”

“Early bloomer.” Shadow said.

“He’s not from earth, Grandfather.” Maria said, making Shadow his coffee and quesadilla. “He may age differently.”

“Of course.” Gerald replied.

“How do you like your coffee, Shadow?” Maria asked.

“Black with a side of coffee beans.” Shadow replied.

“A side of beans?” Gerald asked.

“I’m sorry, we don’t have coffee beans.” Maria said, pouring coffee into a black mug.

“Then just the black coffee.” Shadow replied.

Maria served Shadow his coffee and meal.

“Thanks, it looks good.” Shadow said.

Maria sat down. “You’re welcome.”

“Where am I anyway?” Shadow asked.

“Green Hills, Montana.” Maria replied. “It’s a great town.”

“I like it so far.” Shadow said.

“Where are you from?” Maria asked.

“Mobius.” Shadow replied. “I’m not sure how far it is from here without rings.”

“Rings?” Maria asked.

“It’s the travel tech my ex girlfriend’s uncle I knew invented.” Shadow replied. “He made my air shoes too.”

Gerald looked at Shadow’s shoes. “That’s incredible.” He said. “I’d like to have a look at them later. If you have a ring, I’d like to take a look at them too.”

Shadow nodded. “I’ll only give him one.” He thought. “But that’s all he’ll get. I may need them.”

Shadow pulled a ring out of the bag. “Be careful with it.”

Gerald got up. “Thank you.” He said. “Let me know when you get ready to leave, Maria.”

Gerald left the room.

Maria sat down across from Shadow with a glass of water.

*

Sonic and his team, along with Manic and his team, stood in Tails’ lab. They gathered around Tails, who was seated at his desk.

Tails held up his hand. “A few minutes please, talk amongst yourselves.” He muttered.

Sonic looked at Manic.

Manic looked away. “I’m sorry, bro.” He said. “Is… is it too late to start over?”

“No, it’s not.” Sonic replied. He hugged his siblings. “I missed you two.”

“We missed you, bro.” Sonia said, patting Manic on the back. “Glad you’re home.”

Tails turned to face the teams. “I hate to interrupt, but I need Shadow’s location now.”

“Earth.” Manic said. “Uh… it was green, there were mountains, and it was sunny.”

“Vague, but maybe I can lock on to him.” Tails replied. He turned back to the computer.

Sonic looked at Manic. “That’s all?”

Manic shrugged. “He said ‘Earth’. He never gave specifics.”

“This was probably why, hon.” Rouge said, looking up from filing her nails.

“I wouldn’t have snitched if he hadn’t double crossed us.” Manic replied.

Rouge laughed, then motioned to Surge with her nail file. “Her or Shads when it comes to deals, hon?”

“Surge.” Manic said.

“That was obvious.” Rouge replied.

Manic rolled his eyes upward.

Surge narrowed her eyes.

Tails typed on his computer and sighed. “Here’s the problem.”

“Too vague?” Manic asked.

“Either that or it can’t lock on his energy signature.” Tails replied. “That’s what the problem is. Any location suggestions?”

“Try Mexico.” Manic said.

“Too obvious, he’s not an idiot.” Surge replied.

“Right.” Manic said.

Sonic furrowed his brow. “Why there?”

Manic chuckled. “Long story and sis will be jealous.”

Sonia rolled her eyes. “Oh, I know about that.” She replied. “He won’t act on it.”

“So anyway, it’s gonna take me months to figure out his coordinates.” Tails said. “I can use my detector to track his energy signals, if it was finished. It will take longer to track him this way then it will to go to Earth and track him down with the detector once it’s ready.”

“A few weeks….” Surge muttered. “Maybe I can join the hunt by then.”

Manic sighed. “We’ve been over this.”

Surge glared at Manic. “I’m not sitting out of the action if I can help it.” She snapped. “I have a score to settle with him too.”

Surge stormed off.

Manic followed Surge. “Ah, Babe, I’m just concerned about you.” He said. “You know I want you around.”

Sonic, Sonia, and Tails watched as Manic and Surge left the room.

Kit looked away, pinning his ears back against his head while Rouge inspected her nails.

“What’s with them?” Sonic asked.

“Well, I guess I should tell you that you’re gonna be an uncle.” Sonia replied.

Sonic’s jaw dropped. He hugged Sonia. “Aw, congratulations, sis.”

Rouge, Tails, and Kit tried to stifle their laughter. Knuckles burst out laughing.

“Wha- No.” Sonia said, pushing Sonic away. “I was talking about Manic and Surge.”

“Oh.” Sonic replied. “How do you know? Why would he tell you over me?”

“Mother told me.” Sonia said. “The prison doctor figured it out when Surge was brought into the detention center.”

“We all kind of thought so.” Rouge said. “Shads hired me because he figured that would happen and he needed a distraction and master thief to fill in for her.”

Kit nodded. “Shadow won the bet.” He said. “He’s not getting a blessed dime from me.”

Rouge nodded in agreement.

“I hope they get help for their kid’s sake.” Sonic said.

“They have to.” Sonia replied. “It’s part of the plea deal.”

Tails turned to face everyone. “Well, that’s all for now.” He said. “I’ll get back to you all with updates. I don’t think you’ll enjoy watching me work.”

Sonic side hugged Tails. “Alright, little bro.” He replied. “We’ll catch ya later.”

Sonic led the group, except Tails, out.

*

Maria and Shadow skated down the streets of Downtown Green Hills to get ice cream at a coffee and ice cream shop. She smiled and waved at a police officer, who was walking to his car. “Hi, officer Tom!”

Shadow narrowed his eyes. “I could probably take that guy down if I had to.” He thought.

Tom stopped and flinched. “Hey, Maria. What… uh, cool costume, kid.”

“Oh, that’s not his costume.” Maria replied. “He’s an alien hedgehog and his name is Shadow. He just showed up an hour ago.”

Tom stepped back with an uneasy look. “Does… does your grandfather know about this?”

Maria nodded. “Yeah, he’s keeping an eye on him.”

“I’m not here to cause trouble.” Shadow said.

Tom shook Shadow’s hand. “Well, nice to meet you, Shadow.” He replied. He headed to his car. “I’ll see you kids later. The Johnsons’ cat is stuck in a pipe this time and they can’t reach him.”

Maria frowned. “Aw, the poor little guy.” She replied. “See you later.”

“Have fun, kids.” Tom said. He got in his car and drove off.

“He and his wife Maddie are great.” Maria said. “They’ve been friends with Grandfather and I for a while.”

Shadow nodded.

Maria folded the wheels into her shoes.

Shadow looked at the sign. “Coffee flavored ice cream?”

“They make it here in the shop.” Maria said. She looked at the sign. “Huh. No pets… you’re not a pet though.”

Maria opened the door. “Hey, Agent Stone.” She called. “Um, are alien hedgehogs welcome?”

Agent Stone looked up from cleaning the counter. “What- oh, I guess so.”

Maria walked Shadow inside the shop. “This is Agent Stone, Shadow.” She said, “He used to work for GUN, but retired and opened up this place. So I still call him an agent.”

Shadow nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Shadow.” Agent Stone said.

“Do you want to look at the flavors or do you know what you want?” Maria asked.

“Go ahead and order what you want first.” Shadow replied.

“Okay, I’d like a double scoop cup.” Maria said. “Strawberry.”

“Okay.” Agent Stone replied. He picked out a cup and scooped Maria’s ice cream. “And for you, Shadow?”

“Double scoop cup of coffee.” Shadow said.

Agent Stone scooped Shadow’s ice cream as Maria got her money ready.

“You’re not shocked?” Shadow asked.

“Gerald gave me a heads up.” Agent Stone replied. He rang up their purchases. “Nothing personal. Okay, that’s eight even.”

Maria paid Stone and left a tip. “Thanks, Agent Stone.” She said, picking up the ice creams.

“You’re welcome.” Agent Stone replied.

Maria handed Shadow his ice cream as they walked out.

“How do you like it?” Maria asked.

“It’s delicious.” Shadow replied.

“So do you want to walk around or would you like to rest?” Maria asked. “Grandfather may take us on a ride later if you just want to go home.”

“I think I’d rather go home and rest.” Shadow replied.

“Sounds good.” Maria said. “Grandfather wouldn’t want me to overexert myself. I have NIDS, but it’s managed.”

“I see.” Shadow replied. “Glad it’s managed.”

Maria and Shadow walked back to the house.

*

That night, Shadow followed Maria into a little guest room.

The room was painted light lavender with gray trim and curtains on the window. There was a gray beanbag chair in one corner and a small table across from the beanbag chair. On the coffee table was a handful of books. A small TV was mounted on the wall.

“Here’s your room.” Maria said, walking over to the little closet.

“Lovely.” Shadow replied.

“Sorry it’s a little small.” Maria said, pulling a thin mattress out of the closet of a little guest room. “But you’ll save room by folding the mattress up in the daytime. It’s a trick Grandfather learned from his time in Japan.”

“It’s fine.” Shadow replied.

“You don’t have to go to bed until you’re ready, just don’t leave the house without permission.” Maria said, unrolling the mattress. “We don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Where am I gonna go?” Shadow thought.

“Oh, you can watch tv.” Maria said, setting a blanket and pillow on the mattress. “Just plug the headphones into the remote if you do. They’re in a box under the coffee table. You can read some books too. Grandfather has plenty to choose from.”

“Thanks.” Shadow replied.

“Well, good night, Shadow.” Maria said. “See you in the morning.”

Shadow sat on the mattress as Maria left the room. “She’s a lot nicer to a stranger than I’d be.” He thought. He laid down and tried to decide if he wanted to read a book or watch tv.

Neither activity seemed appealing at the moment.

Instead, his mind drifted to his past. Now that he wasn’t planning schemes and was finally able to truly relax for the first time in his life, he could reflect on his life more so than he normally did at night.

Well, he did think about his actions, but he usually could fight those thoughts off better than he was doing tonight.

He could admit the crimes he committed as a teenager were, while well planned and executed, pointless.

None of it satisfied his need for justice. He couldn’t even call it revenge on those who wronged him when his victims weren’t anyone who had any part of Ivo’s schemes or the failed rescue searches.

He had rationalized it as practice runs to learn how to get by security before trying to break into the prison, but he realized it was an excuse. The fact it hadn’t occurred to him that they could’ve used his arrest as a way to get to Ivo only proved that point.

“Past me was an idiot.” Shadow muttered as he drifted off to sleep.

*

Gerald was wary of the newcomer, but said nothing.

GUN had authorized him to handle Shadow, since they didn’t want to cause panic over an unusual alien hedgehog that seemed to be harmless and it wouldn’t stress out a potentially hostile creature to be in a calmer environment.

Gerald wasn’t sure why they were taking a more relaxed approach, but assumed they had likely come across a being like Shadow before.

He hadn’t complained about this order as poor Maria was completely convinced this rather sinister looking hedgehog was an answer to her prayers and would be devastated if he had been dragged away to a GUN lab.

Though it was hard to argue that notion when the hedgehog and the golden portal he stepped out of appeared out of nowhere, he still didn’t trust the hedgehog.

Shadow had an unsettling death glare, the occasional electricity like sparks coming from his crimson irises didn’t help matters either. His demeanor seemed to go beyond simple introversion.

Gerald sensed Shadow was a bitter, angry hedgehog with a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Everest who was barely bottling up his emotions. Though Shadow was being kind to Maria and himself, he had no reason to confront the hedgehog.

“Perhaps, Maria saw something in Shadow that I don’t.” Gerald thought. “I certainly hope she’s right for everyone’s sake.”

He flinched as he heard a door open and close.

Gerald looked over his shoulder to see Shadow walking down the hall. “Can I help you, Shadow?”

Shadow stopped and stepped into the room. “Where’s your shower, sir?”

Gerald got up and walked over to Shadow. He motioned straight ahead. “Right there, towels are in the closet.” He said. “There’s some soap in the cabinet under the sink. There’s a new toothbrush beside the soap. Help yourself to some toothpaste.”

“Thanks.” Shadow replied. He headed to the bathroom.

“You’re welcome.” Gerald said. He headed back to his office. “Polite kid, I’ll give him that.”

*

Shadow exhaled slowly as he stepped into the warm shower. He turned his back to the shower head and let the warm water massage his tense shoulders.

It made him feel a little better after his nightmare, but he had a feeling he’d probably have nightmares and flashbacks for the rest of his life.

“Sonia was wrong.” Shadow said to himself. “There’s no fixing me.”

Shadow flinched as someone knocked on the door.

“You okay, Shadow?” Gerald asked. “You’ve been in there a while.”

“Yeah, just enjoying the shower.” Shadow replied. He poured some lavender and sandalwood soap onto a washcloth. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Alright, just checking on you.” Gerald said.

Shadow finished his shower and got out.