Shadows of a Broken Future

Sonic's POV:

I made my way back to Tails' house, feeling the weight of the past few hours hanging over me. Before I can even take two steps inside, Amy storms over from the livingroom where the others are waiting, her face flushed with anger. "Where were you guys?" she demands, hands on her hips. "You've been gone for hours!"

I'm about to answer, but she cuts me off, looking around. "Wait, where's Shadow?" she asks, her voice rising.

"Chill, Ames. We had a run-in with Eggface, that's all." I say with a sigh. "And as for Shads, he's hanging with his new best bud Silver" I grumble the last part quietly to myself, a bit bitter about how we finally just agreed we were friends, and now he's off spending time with him instead of me.

Blaze suddenly appears around the corner, her calm demeanor giving way to curiosity. "Wait, Silver was with you?" she asks.

"Oh hey Blaze!" I waved with a grin, trying to act like I wasn't just sulking just a moment ago.

"I AM ALSO HERE TOO" Omega's booming voice calls out as he walks in, most likely from Tails' workshop where he'd been charging. "WHEN IS SHADOW COMING BACK?" he asks, his robotic tone almost hopeful. "I HEARD FROM ROUGE THAT HE CRIED AND I WANT TO MAKE FUN OF HIM."

Rouge, who was trailing behind Omega, sighs heavily, her arms crossed as she stands at the entrance. "I didn't tell you that so you could harass him Omega."

"ULTIMATE CRY BABY" Omega taunts, his robotic voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Anyway," Blaze interjects smoothly, her tone a bit softer, "I'm glad you found Silver. He just sort of disappeared, almost like he was swallowed into the shadows."

I grumble under my breath, brushing off her concerns. "Nah, he's fine."

"Is Shadow alright now?" Rouge asks, her own concern slipping through her usually cool exterior.

"Yeah, he's..." I trail off, unsure how to explain. "It's just... he's been acting a bit different, you know? Kinda more moody then usual, and like...nicer? I guess. In his own weird Shadow-like-way,"

"Huh?" Rouge blinks, confused.

"Yeah I know its weird, but we're even friends now!" I say, a little too excitedly.

A beat of silence follows before everyone bursts out laughing. Knuckles doubles over, clutching his stomach as he cackles. "You really had us there man!" he says through his laughter, as he wipes away a stray tear.

"You and Shadow, friends?" Tails snorts, shaking his head.

"Oh Sonic, you're so funny" Amy adds, her laughter high-pitched.

"YOU AND SHADOW FRIENDS? NEXT YOU'LL BE TELLING US THAT EGGMAN'S ACTUALLY A HERO" Omega says sarcastically, his voice mocking.

"It's true!" I shoot back, trying to defend myself.

"Is it really that hard to believe that me and Shadow are friends?!" I ask, my frustration growing.

"Sonic how many times has Shadow rejected your offer of friendship?" Tails asks, still giggling.

"That's what I'm saying! He's not all 'grr, I'm Shadow the Ultimate Lifeform, I hate everything and everyone,'" I mimick his gruff voice, crossing my arms and slouching dramatically, doing my best Shadow impression. "I hate fun."

The room falls silent for a moment. But before I can question it, I hear a voice behind me.

"I don't sound like that."

I spin around so fast I almost snap my neck, only to find both Shadow and Silver standing in the doorway. Shadow raises an eyebrow, his expression one of clear disdain, and I can feel a warmth creep up my neck. Great.