never letting go // sonadow

"Just because I'm referred to as a doctor doesn't mean I'm a medical doctor!!" Eggman was yelling faintly. "You animals know nothing!"

"Ugh ..." Sonic groaned weakly. He opened his eyes, but his vision was too blurry for him to see. "What ...?"

His backside felt really cold, like he was laying on something hard and metallic. A lab table?

"Just do something already, you lazy egg!" Knuckles shouted back. "You got us into this mess in the first place. If it weren't for you, Sonic would be fine."

"This is all your fault, Eggman!" Amy screamed, her voice shaky. "First you brainwash Sonic, and then you try to drown him?! You're despicable!"

Sonic felt a hand on his forehead. "Eggman, all we need is an oxygen tank and mask," Tails spoke up calmly beside him. "That's it. Get us what we need and we'll leave you alone. We just want our friend alive."

Eggman groaned in exasperation. "Alright, look, you hogs. I'm not going to save someone who thwarts my evil plans everyday for fun. This is your guys' fault for trying to take my Chaos Emeralds!"

Knuckles scoffed. "Uh, our fault?! As if we'll believe that! It was Shadow who took your emeralds, not us!"

Everyone erupted. All Sonic could hear was yelling coming from both his friends and Eggman alike, and the blue hedgehog's ears were ringing from the loud volume.

Someone cocked their gun, and everyone in the room instantly fell silent.

"Give us the oxygen tank and mask or I'll blow your fucking brains out."

Sonic could recognize that voice anywhere.

Shadow.

Sonic opened his eyes and his vision was much more clear. He saw Shadow a few feet away pointing a gun at Eggman, whose arms were up in the air.

"Sonic, you're alright!" Tails cried, relieved. He grabbed his best friend's hand. "We're going to get you help. It's gonna be okay; everything's gonna be okay."

"Sonic?" Amy gasped and sprinted over to him. "Don't worry, Sonic! I'm here now."

Sonic groaned, because Amy was blocking his view of Shadow.

Eggman cackled. "You've grown weak, Shadow. You're supposed to be the 'Ultimate Lifeform.' And here you are, stooping down to their -" the doctor spat in Sonic's direction - "level!"

Shadow fired his gun, causing Eggman to scream in fear. The bullet barely missed Eggman's neck by just a few hairs.

"Get the oxygen equipment now!" Shadow's hands began to shake angrily. This was his final warning.

"Alright, fine!" Eggman surrendered. "I should have the equipment; I - I just have to go look for it. I haven't needed to use any of it in so long."

Shadow narrowed his eyes and turned to Knuckles, holding out his gun for him to take. "You, red guy." The dark hedgehog gestured towards Eggman leaving the room. "Follow him and make sure he's doing what he's supposed to be doing."

Knuckles growled. "I don't need the gun. I have my fists." He marched out of the room after Eggman, awaiting the moment when he could punch Eggman's face.

Shadow immediately stormed towards the lab table that Sonic was resting on and shoved Amy out of the way, who yelped in surprise.

Sonic coughed weakly and gently patted Shadow's hand. "Don't worry about me," he croaked. "I'm okay." He gazed longingly into the dark hedgehog's ruby eyes.