Temporal Shadow: Brave New World - Chapter 04

CHAPTER 04:

Sonic sat on a rock overlooking the city. He stared out, his mind reeling with everything's he learned.

Shadow approached from behind. “...Sonic...?”

Sonic wouldn't even look at him. “...you shouldn't be here...”

Shadow frowned. “I just want to help-”

“NO.” Sonic whirled around, eyes glowing. “I mean you shouldn't be here! At all! Everything's changed because of YOU.”

Shadow was silent for a bit. “I...I thought that-”

“That what? That I'd just accept this? That my dad is some loser that left us at a drop of a hat? That's NOT my dad. My dad fought for us. And...just for a moment...” The lights in his eyes dimmed. “I thought that I would finally get to see him again. I...I was so ready for that. Now this stranger comes along and claims SHE is my mom?”
“Sonic...” Shadow sat beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Things happen....things we can't change...isn't that something you talked to the nanites about when you were roboticized?”

Sonic turned to look at him, a somewhat sad look across his robotic face. Shadow reached to cupped his cheek. “There are many things I wish I could take back. But we have to learn to accept that things happen, and work to make things better from that point. I'm sorry about your parents. But that woman out there? Her son is you now. She's probably just as upset about the changes. You're roboticized. But she's your mom now, and you're her son. We'll have to learn to accept the way things are, but keep your real dad in your memories.”

Sonic nodded, looking down. “Maybe you're right...but its just so hard...”

Shadow reached and took Sonic's hands, holding them. “I know. But...if you need someone...anyone...I'm here.”

Sonic looked up at Shadow, and if he could blush, he would. Even more so when Shadow lifted his hands and kissed them softly. He was almost surprised.

Almost.

“...Shadow....I...”

Shadow slowly pulled his hands away, blushing and looking away. “Sorry...I forgot you and Sally-”

“No.” Sonic grasped at Shadow's hands this time, holding them tight. “No, this is fine...this is...nice....”

Shadow looked back at him, still blushing. “Are...are you sure?”

Sonic peered closer into Shadow's face. “Now I know why you wanted so much to have a friendship with me.”

“I...I'm trying to move slow for you. I mean, I know you, but you don't know me...”

Sonic chuckled a bit. “Since when do I move slow? No, but really, I appreciate the restraint you're having. It must be hard for you.”

“More than you realize...” Shadow sighed.

The two were silent for a moment, just holding hands, before Sonic finally began to stand, helping Shadow to his feet. “What'd ya say we head back?”

Shadow gripped Sonic's hand and they began to run off together. “You got it.”

SOME TIME AFTER SUNSET

There seemed to be two separate camps set up. One for the Knothole Freedom Fighters, and one for the Robotropolis Freedom Fighters. In the Knothole camp, food was being prepared while Sally sat on a bench, looking at her computer. She sighed. “I hate to say to say it, Nicole, but the situation is hopeless. I feels we would be better off staying in Knothole and just building a life there then trying to claim Mobotropolis as ours.”

“I don't think you've fully explored your options, Sally,” Nicole responded.

“The mother box is right, luv,” a voice spoke from behind. Sally turned to see Geoffrey approach her. “There are always alternatives.”

“Geoffrey!”

Geoffrey smiled a bit. “At your service. In need of a friend tonight?”

Sally patted a spot next to her on the bench. “More than ever!”

“Well then-” Geoffrey sat down next to her, offering a small smile. “-I'm just your mate.”

Listening to his tone and looking at the way he was gazing at her, Sally frowned. “You'll always be a friend, Geoffrey...” She looked away. “...however, if you're implying beyond that...” She looked back at him. “...I'm afraid I can't accept.”

Geoffrey frowned at this. “...meaning...”

Sally sighed. “I know there's something between us, Geoffrey...but I also know that my heart belongs to Sonic. I can't go forward until I know what I have...”

Geoffrey heard a noise and looked behind him while Sally was still talking to him, noticing something. “-do you understand?”

“Are you so sure about that, luv?” Geoffrey asked, pointing Sally to the direction behind them.

“Huh?” Sally turned her head, and immediately began to stand up.

Walking through the camp, holding hands, was Sonic and Shadow. Sonic had changed back to his flesh form and was actually resting his head on Shadow's shoulder as they walked. It was hard to tell if Sonic was even quite aware of his surroundings at this point. He was more interested in holding Shadow's hand as they walked.

“What in the world...” Sally gaped. She knew Shadow was showing signs of having feelings for Sonic, but she expected Sonic to take care of himself and ward him away on his own. This was NOT what she was expecting.

Geoffrey leaned in to Sally. “You so sure he has the same feelings, luv?”

“NOT NOW,” Sally growled to him and began to march off, headed straight for the two hedgehogs. Geoffrey followed as Sally started calling out to them. “SONIC!”

Half the camp suddenly became aware of Sonic's presence in the area as he suddenly lifted his head from Shadow's shoulder and let go of his hand. He turned to face Sally. “Sally, wha-”

She marched up to him, drawing attention from the others as he waved her hand at the two. “What is this?”

“Um...” Sonic hesitated, looking down.

Shadow frowned, looking at Sally. “Princess-”

“DON'T,” Sally cut him off, looking at him. “I can't stop you from having feelings...” She turned on Sonic. “But you. I would of expected better of you, Sonic. I thought we were in a relationship?”

Sonic rubbed his arm, sighing. “I know Sally. But...I don't know. “ he sighed. “Things have changed, ever since Shadow showed up. He's different!”

“Oh, no one can argue that, mate. The fact that he swings for a different team would be a good indicator,” Geoffrey pointed out.

Sally rolled her eyes and sighed. “Now's not the-”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Sonic demanded, turning to Geoffrey.

“Sonic-”

People from both camps were starting to gather closer to their side as the two bickered.

“Well in case you haven't noticed, mate, he's not exactly a female,” Geoffrey said.

“Who cares if he's female?! I like him!”

Sally sighed. “Gee, thanks for that, Sonic.”

Sonic looked at her. “Not now, Sally!”

“Excuse me?” Sally spoke up, agitated now by all this. “You're the one who decided to veer off and hook up with a GUY of all people.”

“We were just holding hands!” Sonic retorted.

“And draping yourself all over him, Sonic! Do you think I'm stupid?!”

“Why not? You certainly think I am!” Sonic yelled.

Angry, Sally reached to slap Sonic across the face, only to have her wrist caught by Shadow, who glared daggers at her. “...lay a hand on him and I will make you pay, lady.”

“You threatening the princess, mate?!” Geffrey yelled, pulling out his crossbow to aim at Shadow.

Everyone gathered from the Robotropolis camp, including Shadow and Sonic raised their own weapons, pointing them at the other group. Everyone on the Knothole side grabbed weapons of their own to aim at the other group. It was a standoff as Sally glared angrily at Sonic, wrenching her wrist away, tears forming. Sonic glared back, muttering lowly. “Maybe its best that I stay with Mighty and the others tonight.”

“Yes...I think that would be best,” Sally said icily, before Mighty and the others slowly escorted Sonic and Shadow away.

In the distance, Shard frowned as he and Tails were observing the confrontation. He looked to Tails. “Look, I'm gonna go join up with Sonic and Shadow, what about you?”

Tails sighed. “I don't know. I really wanna stick with Sonic. Maybe I better stay in the Knothole camp until Aunt Sally calms down.”

Shard nodded and patted his back. “Good luck, kid.”

LATER THAT NIGHT

“-look, I just think if we had a chance to sit face to face to discuss this-”

“THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS!”

Queen Aleena jumped as she was talking to King Acorn via video communications in Sally's command tent. She had been trying to hold a civil conversation with the king and failing utterly as King Acorn was reacting volatility. “I will not let another come and take my kingdom from me after all we have fought for!”

Aleena frowned at this. “By all technicality, this is my kingdom, and we fought just as hard to free it. My son-”

“NO! I will not let this nonsense about changing timelines take everything away from myself OR my daughter! Now I suggest you and your so-called freedom fighters clear out of Mobotropolis. TONIGHT.”

Before Aleena could reply, Acorn hung up on her. She sighed and frustration and rubbed her temples. “Why oh why is he such a difficult man?”

“Unfortunately he's still sick...”

Aleena looked behind her to see Princess Sally come in, as she continued. “I think the crystallization of his body is affecting his mind. But seeing that he wants me to appear in charge, I think it would be better if I were to make the final call. And its not fair to just have you and the others kicked out of Mobotropolis without a fair discussion.”

Aleena sighed in relief. “I can only thank you. I was afraid the others would fight for their right to stay here if we were being forced to leave, and honestly, I'm not sure if I would of complied either.

“Cooler heads can prevail,” Sally said, sitting next to her. “I just wish I would of kept mine earlier.”

“Hmm, sounds genetic, judging from the way your father reacted. But I think it would be better if I asked what's upset you tonight,” Aleena laid a hand on her back.

Sally sighed and looked up to her. “I...saw Sonic holding hands with Shadow tonight. I was taken off guard because I didn't think Sonic would return those feelings to him. I thought he and I-”

“Ah, I see. “ Aleena nodded. “Well, it's hard for me to be able to offer advice there. And love is a complicated matter. All I can really say is, give Sonic time to figure out where his heart is. I'm sure that wherever it lies, he didn't mean to hurt you in the process. You two are young still. He's only 15, after all...” She paused. “...he...is 15 in your timeline, right?”

Sally cracked a wry smile. “...yeah, he's 15. But you're right, maybe I should just...back off and give him some room to figure things out.”

“There you go..” Aleena smiled softly, standing up. “I'm going to return to our side of the camp. We'll see you in the morning.”

Sally nodded, watching as Aleena left before she sighed, laying down on her cot and sighing. There was so much on her mind. What was she going to do now?