Shadows of a Broken Future

Sonic's POV:

My feet pound the ground as I narrow the distance between me and Shadow. My mind's still racing, trying to piece things together. I dodge around debris and fallen rocks, but my thoughts keep drifting back to the battle. I can't help it. The way Shadow threw himself in front of me, taking the hit instead of letting me face it... It's bugging me. But there's something else I don't get.

I catch up to Shadow just as he mutters something under his breath about Eggman. The air around us feels heavy. I tilt my head and glace at him from the corner of my eye, trying to read his expression.

"So," I start, trying to keep my tone casual. "What was all that back there? Why were you so mad? I mean, it is Eggman but you were all like-" I make a growling noise, punching the air and clawing my hands for emphasis, "-raging out of nowhere. What's up with that?"

I watch as his steps don't falter, his pace steady and unreadable. He doesn't even glance my way.

"It's nothing," he mutters, his voice colder now. "Don't worry about it."

I'm not buying it. I keep walking, matching his pace, my mind still spinning. "No, seriously man. You were acting like he killed your cat infront of you or something. What's going on?" I press, narrowing my eyes. "Like what's really going on with you? You've been weird ever since you woke up earlier."

Shadow's jaw tightens, but he doesn't respond. For a long moment, neither of us says anything. The silence between us starts to feel like it's stretching out forever.

Finally, I exhale, forcing myself to push past it. "Look forget it" I say, throwing my hands up in the air. "Anyway, thanks. For saving me back there. You took that hit for me, so I owe you. I'd be a hedgehog pancake if it wasn't for you."

Shadow hums, his voice low, but he still doesn't look at me. "Don't mention it."

I can't help the small sigh that escapes me. It's just like him. Always so guarded. But I'm not about to let it get under my skin. It's not like I expected him to change all of a sudden just because we're starting to be...friends. I smile to myself, feeling something strange flutter in my chest, but I brush it off, telling myself it's nothing.

Just as I'm about to turn my attention back to the path we were walking, I spot someone up ahead. A flash of silver fur.

"Silver?" I call out, blinking in surprise. What's he doing here?

He turns and gives a small wave. "Hey, Sonic, Shadow."

I slow my pace, a grin spreading across my face. "What's up Silv! Didn't expect to see you out here!"

Silver rubs the back of his head awkwardly. "I was actually on my way to see you all. I needed to talk to everyone."

I raise an eyebrow. "What's going on bud?"

Silver hesitates for a moment, then sighs. "I kinda got kicked out of my timeline I guess? Me and Blaze... We were trying to fix something, but now we can't go back. Something's wrong with it."

I glance over at Shadow, as I catch a faint whisper under his breath. "As if it doesn't exist anymore."

"Huh?" I ask, wondering if I heard him right, but Shadow waves it off quickly.

"It's nothing," he mutters, brushing it aside. Before turning to me.

"Faker" he says, his bright ruby eyes locking with mine. "Go back to Tails' house with the others. I'll meet you there. I need to talk to Silver about something."

I feel a cold pang in my chest at his words, a mix of confusion and hurt rise up inside me. "What?" I say, glaring at him. "Why? What's so important that you can't tell me?" Why is he sending me away? It's like a punch to the gut. Something about it makes me feel... I don't know it just makes me feel all weird! The thought of him pushing me away and choosing to talk to Silver over me stings more than I want to admit.