FicWad

Manic sighed as he wrote a long letter and stuck it on his dresser. He hung his head as he saw the picture of him and Surge that he’d taken just hours before the accident that took her away from him. “I’ll be with you in a few hours, babe.” He whispered. He left the room.

*

Manic parked his motorcycle at Shadow’s house. He got off the motorcycle, untied his toolbox and hoverboard from the back of it, then carried them to Shadow’s garage where Shadow and Tails were working on Shadow’s motorcycle.

Shadow looked up. “Manic?”

“Hey, bro.” Tails said. “What’s up?”

Manic handed Tails the hoverboard and tools. “Can you hang onto these for me, lil bro?”

“Sure, but why?” Tails asked.

Manic ran his hand through his spines. “Ma’s on my case about my safety, y’know?”

Tails nodded. “Ah, yeah.”

“That’s why I’d like for you to hold onto my baby, Shadow.” Manic said, motioning to his motorcycle.

“I’ll take good care of it.” Shadow replied.

“Thanks, Shads.” Manic said, handing the keys to Shadow. “Anyway, I’ll see ya later. Got some stuff to do.”

“See you later.” Shadow and Tails replied.

Manic headed home on foot.

*

“Mom probably will freak out about me riding the hoverboard too.” Tails said. “She’s been on full worry mode since Surge was killed.”

Shadow nodded. “I can hold on to it for you.”

Tails handed Shadow the hover board. “I’ll see you later, Shadow.” He said. “Are you gonna join us at Amy’s house?”

“Maybe, depends on whether Mindy is available to get a manicure with Sonia.” Shadow replied.

“Well, maybe I’ll see you there.” Tails said. He flew off to Amy’s house.

*

Sonic and Sally arrived at Amy’s house.

Amy opened the door. “Hey, you two.” She said, smiling. “Knux, Tails, and Rouge just got here. Sticks is running late.”

Amy showed Sonic and Sally inside.

“We would’ve been here sooner, but Bunnie needed help delivering a cake to Kit’s house.” Sonic said.

Amy frowned. “Oh, it’s Surge’s birthday.”

“Is Manic gonna be okay?” Rouge asked.

“He’s been doing a lot better lately.” Sonic replied.

“Aleena’s on his case about getting rid of his motorcycle though.” Tails replied. “He sent it to Shadow to keep his eyes on it.”

Sonic winced and rubbed his head.

“What’s wrong?” Sally asked.

“I don’t know, just got a sharp pain for a minute.” Sonic replied.

A half hour later, the friends sat on the couch to play a board game.

Sonic’s phone rang.

Sonic answered his phone. “Hey, Mom, what’s-”

Aleena sobbed hysterically.

Sonic froze, nearly dropping his phone. “Mom?” He asked. “What happened?”

Aleena sobbed over the phone. “Manic… he’s gone, baby.” She cried. “He left a note.”

“What do you mean he’s gone?” Sonic asked.

Everyone glanced up.

“He’s dead.” Aleena cried.

Sonic dropped the phone.

“Sonic?” Sally asked.

Sonic got up and raced out of the house, past Shadow, who was walking up to the door.

Everyone looked at each other.

Shadow looked over at Sonic. “What was that about?”

Tails picked up the phone. “Mom?” He asked. “What happened?”

“Manic died.” Aleena sobbed.

Tails gasped. “Oh, no.” He said. “What… what happened?”

Aleena sobbed harder.

“We’ll be right over.” Tails said. He hung up. He turned to face everyone with tears streaming down his face. “I’m not sure what happened, but Manic died.”

Everyone was in shock.

Shadow ran off.

*

Shadow walked through Aleena’s open door.

Sonia and Aleena were in the living room, waiting for the ambulance to pick up Manic’s body.

Sonia got up and hugged Shadow.

“I’m sorry.” Shadow said, rubbing Sonia’s back.

Sonia sniffled. “I knew he was grieving, but… I… I thought he was okay.”

“So did I.” Shadow replied.

“Please go talk to Sonic.” Sonia said. “He’s in….”

Shadow nodded, then left for Manic’s room.

Sonic was cradling his little brother. “What were you thinking?” He cried. “Why?”

Shadow knelt down beside them. He carefully slid the gun away from them.

Manic was wearing the T-shirt with his late girlfriend Surge’s picture on it.

Manic’s phone was on, showing a video that had stopped. He had been playing his and Surge’s song.

Shadow realized it would’ve been Surge’s birthday today.

Sonic looked up. “He… he’s just unconscious, right?” He asked. “Like he’s in a coma and he’ll wake up?

One look at Manic said otherwise. He was already pale and had clearly lost a lot of blood.

Shadow checked for a pulse anyway and found none. “He’s been gone for a while. He’s already cold.”

Sonic looked at Manic. “Bro….”

Shadow heard Aleena talking to the EMTs. He carefully moved Sonic away.