Chapter Text
Shadow couldn’t comprehend this level of torture to come from Gerald. The other scientists, sure, but him? This was cruel and unusual, and he couldn’t even think of what he’d done wrong to deserve it. Shadow sat there, barely breathing, as they grew closer to their destination. Ordinarily, a peaceful car ride could be an enjoyable experience. He didn’t get out much, for obvious reasons, so getting to see the scenery pass-by while not laser focused on a G.U.N mission could be a nice experience. But the man had been secretive since the moment he returned to Oklahoma, briefly free of his G.U.N duties. He’d been promptly shoved in the car, then a plane, then back in a car with no indication of where they were going. Only now he did know. The Professor had taken a brief break at a rest stop to stretch out and buy some food. Shadow, meanwhile, took the opportunity to hop into the front seat and check Gerald’s GPS. He quickly used a tiny spark of chaos energy to get the device turned on and checked the last address entered. His heart plummeted when he realized where they were going. It was very tempting to sneak out of the car and run back to G.U.N.
He was also tempted to start begging, but that would simply confirm he’d spied. His pride also wouldn’t let him, nor would it let him run. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t pull his gaze away from the window and curl his entire body into a hedgehog ball. Out of sight, out of mind.
Or so he wished.
Finally, the car stopped, and still being in hyper-alert mode, he caught the Professor putting the car in park.
“All right, we’re here Shadow.”
He stayed curled up in a ball. Maybe he could feign sleep. His G.U.N duties were exhausting afterall.
A few moments passed before Gerald let out a hum. He opened his door and exited the car. When a moment passed and nothing happened, Shadow let out a brief sigh of relief. That was until he was abruptly disturbed when his own door opened. Arms rapidly curled around his ball form and he was lifted from the seat with no warning. An extremely indignant squeak that he would forever deny left his lips at the sudden movement. “Sneaky tike, aren’t you?”
Sneaky?? He was the one being forced into this against his will!
A sudden jostle rattled his unfortunately upside down head. “You know, even with the energy from your quills, I’m not getting any younger. You’re heavy.”
Finally. Finally. The movement ceased as he was placed down on something solid. Ha. Gerald couldn’t force him to go inside. That thought was abruptly cut off by the sound of a doorbell ringing, followed by sudden rushed footsteps heading away -
He froze.
Did Gerald just ding-dong-dash?
And he was still curled up - obviously near the door!
“Coming!”
THAT snapped him out of it and he immediately uncurled and stood up. Quickly taking stock of his surroundings - he was on a porch - their porch! He needed to teleport NOw -
The door opened.
The man clearly didn’t notice his ‘deer in headlights’ expression, because he simply greeted him, “Hey! Shadow right?”
Shadow stood there silent for what was definitely an awkward amount of time before finally snapping out of it and responding, “y-yes!” His voice cracked, actually cracked. He hadn’t felt this awkward talking to anyone in decades. It helped that he always knew where he stood with new people. But not this man. Part of him actually wanted this man to like him. He cleared his throat and tried again. Maybe formal would be the best approach. “Yes, Mr. Wachowski.” He offered a hand. “Shadow Robotnik.”
Professor - count your test tubes tonight. He would have his revenge!
The man cringed a little at the last name, but quickly recovered and returned the hand shake. “Why don’t you come inside and join us for lunch? It’s freezing out here.”
Not in a million years. “Yes, sir.” Gerald would undoubtedly only force him again if he walked away there. And it would be extremely hard to answer why he had knocked, and said hello, only to leave.
The man laughed. “Please, call me Tom.” He gestured to something near the door. “Feel free to hang your coat -” The man did a double take. “How are you not wearing a coat? You could get frostbite.”
He shrugged. “The cold doesn’t bother me.” But he did remove the scarf he’d forgotten he was wearing. It was lucky they were in the cold season. After wearing G.U.N’s collar for decades, there was a foreign sensation that filled him at its loss. He didn’t miss the damn thing, but his throat felt awkwardly bare without it. So he was wearing a scarf to adjust.
Tom gave him an incredulous stare, but didn’t argue. Instead he turned to the approaching footsteps and saw his wife. “Hey Mads, how do you feel about hosting a guest?”
When she’d heard the knocking at the door, she assumed it was Wade. Or maybe someone with an animal emergency. But seeing the fourth of the aliens suddenly pop in was a welcome surprise. “It’s good to see you again, Shadow. You’re more than welcome to join us anytime.” Besides, it was absolutely in their interest. Sonic would not shut up about the other hedgehog. It’d been months since the Emerald incident and everyone had finally started settling in, especially after Knuckles and Wade’s bowling fiasco. And time had only proven one thing- three was plenty. They’d manage a fourth, but certainly weren’t going to go looking for it if this one already had a home. “Please leave your shoes at the door and lunch will be ready in just a couple minutes.”
Shadow’s quills bristled at that, but he forced them down. He tried to at least. She didn’t mean that the same way G.U.N did.
Tom didn’t miss the reaction, already used to it from their own kid. “Something wrong kid?” Maddie turned around and looked back too.
Shadow hesitated at their expectant looks. He really didn’t want to say anything, but it was sort of ‘public’ knowledge at G.U.N. At least it was only a weakness an enemy could take advantage of after they’d managed to capture him. Which wasn’t likely. And these people weren’t his enemies. He sighed. “I can’t walk without my shoes.”
Maddie approached him with an analytical look. “The boys often complain that their paws are sensitive. We can get you a pair of slippers if that would be more comfortable.
With a grimace, he looked away and clenched his fists. He clarified, “that won’t help. I - I struggle with balance. As in, I struggle to take more than a few steps without my custom shoes, or I just fall over.” He shrugged. “There’s no medical reason why, I haven’t been able to for as long as I can remember.” It was one of the main reasons he never escaped G.U.N in his early days. Before the Professor made his shoes and before he learned to teleport, he’d been terrifyingly helpless.
“Thats- ” Maddie gave him a very sympathetic look. “That’s fine. You can leave them on, we definitely don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t know what else to say.
And, great, the awkwardness was back.
Fortunately, Maddie broke it with a sudden clap. “All right, I’m going to finish the food. Tom, can you get the boys?”
The man quickly obliged the request and went upstairs while his wife headed to the kitchen. “On it!”
That left him alone in the entryway. Taking a deep breath, he finally took a moment to actually analyze the home. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it looked shockingly human for what was 3/5ths an ‘alien abode’. The living room looked like something out of a movie. It had the typical warm colors, fireplace, television, and photo wall. The only thing a little out of place were the seats. There was a single massive couch, but then also a mismatched loveseat and a beanbag chair. All together, it could comfortably fit eight. Evidently, they were no strangers to guests.
Before he could even so much as glance towards the kitchen, a sudden blob crashed into him. At least with his reflexes, he was able to stay standing despite the arms wrapping around him, threatening to be stabbed by his quills- “SHADOW!” His ears went back at the volume.
“Hello, Sonic.” He was trying to be polite, though he did shove Sonic off.
Not that Sonic seemed at all phased by it. “Where have you been?! We expected you months ago and now you just show up without any warning?” The chatterbox stopped for a moment. “Actually, you know what? That fits perfectly with the mysterious vibe you’ve got going on. But, well, since you’re here.. Welcome to casa de la Wachowski!”
Sonic finished off his introduction with a flourish. Which admittedly worked well with his brothers’ timing, both just making it down the stairs. Tails offered a gentle giggle and a wave. “It’s good to see you again, Shadow.”
Knuckles nodded. “Indeed, this is a welcome surprise, more impressive hedgehog.”
Sonic gasped. “Excuse me? More impressive? I’m standing right here!”
Much to Sonic’s dismay, Knuckles would use the nickname for quite a while. “When you show the same mastery over the Master Emerald, perhaps you’ll be a better match. Until then, train harder! Or you know, at all.”
Sonic groaned. Unfortunately for him, any further argument was cut off by Maddie calling all of them for lunch.
Meanwhile, Shadow sighed. You will pay for this Gerald.
… Maria would love them.