#let alone sonic 1 and 2

[magiccath]

5 times the Doctor loved you, and one time he actually did something about it

tenth doctor x GN!reader

Summary: as it says on the tin!

1.

The Doctor slammed the door behind you, the booming footsteps of the Cybermen closing in. 

“What’s the plan?” You asked, slightly breathless from running. 

The Doctor didn’t know what to say. He didn’t have a plan. He couldn’t think of a single way out of this situation. 

He had told you traveling with him was dangerous, but you always insisted on coming. The only thing he could do was promise to keep you safe. To keep you alive, no matter the cost. 

As the footsteps neared, he began to fear he couldn’t keep his promise. 

“Doctor?”

He hoped his eyes didn’t show the panic he was feeling inside. 

“Do we have a plan?”

He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. A small part of him hoped it might shut everything out. 

The Cybermen neared your hideout, their metal fists banging on the wooden doors. Between the thick wood and the metal lock, the two of you had minutes at best. 

“The Cybermen are all connected through a network, correct?”

The Doctor opened his eyes, looking at you in confusion. 

“And if I can get into that network…” you scanned the room quickly, your eyes instantly settling on a computer. 

“It’ll be practically impossible,” the Doctor argued.

“They could have it under lock and key, and there would still be a way to break into it.” You smiled. “You just have to know what you’re doing.”

The Doctor watched in awe as your fingers danced across the keyboard, typing endless strings of characters that he couldn’t understand. 

“See, I already hacked into the database,” you leaned closer to the computer, absentmindedly chewing on your bottom lip. The Doctor tried not to let his eyes linger on your lips too much. 

“I just need to hack into the executive level.” You turned to look at the Doctor. 

He couldn’t think what you would need him for. You knew how computers worked, he didn’t really. 

Silently, you held out your hand. 

Confused, the Doctor took it. He wasn’t complaining. Your hands were soft and warm. He’d make any excuse to hold them. 

You laughed, the sound like music to his ears.

“No, silly.”

The Doctor blushed, but he didn’t remove his hand from yours. 

“I need the sonic,” you explained. 

Embarrassed, he slid the object into your hands. 

You handled the sonic with expertise. The Doctor didn’t think you had been listening all of those times he rambled on about the machine. 

Sure enough, you flicked to the correct settings in a matter of seconds. Using it appeared to be second nature to you. 

“Done!” You clapped your hands excitedly. Sure enough, the commotion outside the door halted, silence settling between the two of you. 

The Doctor’s eyes darted between the door and you, trying to process what had just happened. 

Once he did, he wasted no time scooping you into his arms. 

You laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck happily. 

The Doctor was practically buzzing with joy. He swung you gently from side to side as he hugged you, your feet dangling from the ground.

He didn’t want to let you go. 

“Brilliant!” He grinned, “You’re brilliant!” 

He pulled back slightly, planting a firm kiss on your forehead. 

In the end, you didn’t need him to save you. You could more than do that yourself. 

2. 

The Doctor was plagued with thoughts. Endless, troublesome thoughts swirled about his head. 

Almost nothing was certain. Except for one truth the Doctor held close to his heart. At the end of the day, it was just him. 

The last of the Time Lords. Floating through time and space, alone. 

Always alone. 

In his head, it was only a matter of time before you left. No one ever really stayed. Be it sickness, life, love, or fear, his companions always left him. 

He raked his hands across his face, hoping the action could silence the incessant chatter in his head. 

Truthfully, he didn’t have the strength to fight it off today. Why even bother? 

You bounded into the control room, a smile plastered across your face. You had a way of bringing light into any room. Most days, it was impossible for the Doctor to be upset in your presence. Today it was just too much for the alien to handle on his own. 

He tried to hide his hurt, plastering a sad smile on his own face. 

“What’s wrong?” You asked, catching on instantly. 

“I’m fine,” he lied. 

You frowned, not falling for his lie. 

His hands clutched the console, his knuckles white from the force. Gently, you ghosted your fingers across his hand. Convinced he wasn’t going to run away, you placed your hands over his. Almost instantly they eased up, suddenly aware of the force in which he was clutching the console. 

“What’s going on up there?” you asked, your gentle hands moving to cup his face. You gave his head a light wiggle, the action causing the corners of the Doctor’s mouth to curve upwards. 

“How long are you going to stay with me?” He whispered, almost too scared to say the words aloud. 

You furrowed your brows, not out of anger, but rather confusion. 

“I’m not going anywhere.” You smiled, your thumbs rubbing circles against his cheeks softly. 

The Doctor didn’t really believe you. They never wanted to leave, until they did. Perhaps you were happy at the moment, but that wasn’t going to last. 

He forced himself to pull away from your grip. The sooner he let you go, the less it was going to hurt. At least, that’s what he told himself. 

“Doctor?” 

You grabbed the sleeve of his coat, tugging lightly. The Doctor closed his eyes, trying to demonstrate some level of self-restraint. You weren’t making it easy. 

Without warning, you wrapped your arms firmly around the man. Your grip was unwavering, your hands clutching at his clothes desperately. 

The Doctor was taken aback at first, unsure what to do. Eventually, he relaxed into the hug. Giving in, he allowed his arms to wrap around you, pulling you closer to him. If he had it his way, he would stay like this forever. 

“I don’t ever want to leave,” you gasped, your breath hot against his neck. You buried your face in his shoulder, attempting to get as close as possible. 

For a second, the Doctor allowed himself to think that you might feel even a fraction of the way he felt about you. 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah,” you beamed, pulling back to look at the Doctor. 

Your eyes were mesmerizing up close. Their color glistened in the TARDIS light, and he found it impossible to look away. 

“You can’t get rid of me that easy, Spaceman,” you laughed. 

3.

“The name’s Captain Jack Harkness,” The dashing man in front of you smiled, holding out his hand confidently. 

You took it warily, exchanging your own name awkwardly. You didn’t exactly share the Captain’s confidence. His smile clearly had you flabbergasted, a scarlet flush creeping onto your cheeks.

He flashed you an overly cocky grin, his hold on your hand unwavering. 

“Stop it,” the Doctor growled from behind you. 

“I’m just saying hello,” Jack said innocently, practically batting his eyelashes.

“It’s never just hello with you,” the Doctor continued groaning. He was used to Jack’s antics, the man flirted with anything that moved. He usually had no issue with it. That was, until the flirting was directed at you. 

“I don’t mind,” you grinned, looking up at the Captain sheepishly. You seemed to get lost in his eyes. From the Doctor’s point of view, you practically had heart eyes bursting from your head. 

Jack smiled back, charming as ever. His eyes traveled across your face, taking in each and every feature. 

“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered. 

You let out a nervous giggle, clearly taken aback by the compliment. Had the Doctor never called you that before? He was almost certain he had. You had never reacted that way when he did.

“T-thank you,” you stammered. It was clear to just about anyone that you were interested in the Captain. Between the way you looked at him and the bright red of your face, you were practically screaming it. 

It drove the Doctor crazy. He couldn’t express how badly he wanted you to look at him like that. Yet here you were, ogling over none other than Captain Jack Harkness. 

“Do you want to grab coffee?” Jack asked, his words pulling the Doctor from his thoughts. 

The Doctor had to suppress a scoff. Of course, the captain was asking you out at a time like this. The world could be crumbling and he would shag the nearest complying individual. 

The Doctor didn’t want to think about you and Jack together. In fact, he didn’t like to think about you with anyone but him. Maybe it was selfish, but a small part of him wanted you all to himself. 

He didn’t stick around to hear your answer. It would only break his heart more to hear you say yes. 

Unfortunately, the Doctor didn’t know that you never said yes to the Captain. If he had stuck around, he would have found that out. 

4. 

Rage. 

That was the only thing coursing through the Doctor’s mind as he pointed the gun at the woman in front of him. Pure, unbridled rage. 

His hands shook as he cocked the gun, fully preparing himself to pull the trigger. He could do it. He had every means to take the woman’s life. 

“Doctor?” 

He didn’t need to move his gaze to know you were by his side. He could feel the gentle pull of your fingers on his coat. 

“Go back to the TARDIS,” he growled. 

“Doctor,” you repeated, hurt riddling your voice. 

He couldn’t bring himself to lower the gun, but at the same time, he couldn’t fire it either. 

The woman before him was an awful person. She had killed hundreds and didn't even feel a shred of remorse. Even further, he had killed your friend. He should kill her. You should want him to. But you didn't. 

“Doctor.” Your hand crept towards his. 

He shook his head. He wanted to scream, he wanted to cry. But instead, he just stood there. 

“She doesn't deserve this,” you pleaded, your hand closing around his own. 

“Yes she does,” he said, shakily. He wasn’t sure if he fully believed himself. 

“If you kill her, are you any better than her?” You asked, guiding the hand holding the gun away from the woman. 

The Doctor didn’t stop you, but he didn’t agree either. His eyes remained trained on the woman at his feet. 

You eased the gun from his hand and disarmed it before throwing it across the room. 

You took his face in your hands gently, pulling his gaze towards you. 

“You are better than this,” you reminded him. 

The Doctor was fighting back tears. It was all he could do to shake his head no. 

“Yes, you are,” you reiterated, resting your forehead against his. 

5. 

The TARDIS was cold. Realistically, it was the Doctor’s fault for breaking the heater. In his defense, he didn’t intend to. 

It wasn’t an issue for the Time Lord, temperature wasn’t really an issue for him. He could wear a suit in the desert or shorts in the winter, it didn’t really matter. 

You, however, were obviously cold. 

“Are you going to fix the heating?” you asked, clutching your arms for warmth. 

It wasn’t that he wanted you to suffer. Quite the contrary. He couldn’t figure out how to fix the heater. He just didn’t want to admit it. 

“If you go up the stairs and to the left, you’ll find yourself in the TARDIS closet,” he explained. 

“I hardly think an 18th-century dress that smells of mothballs is going to fix the heating.” 

The Doctor chuckled. 

“No, but there are sweaters and other normal clothes in there.”

While you went searching for something warm, the Doctor continued his banging under the TARDIS console. It shouldn’t be this hard to figure out. 

He sat cross-legged on the floor, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He ducked his head downwards so he could read the book that lay open on the floor. 

“How to fix your spaceship at home!” wasn’t much help at the moment. He slammed the book shut and resumed his pointless banging. He was probably doing more harm than good, but he figured if he hit enough stuff the ship would fix itself. 

The TARDIS groaned in protest. 

“I think this will work,” you interrupted, walking back into the control room. 

You were rolling the sleeves of a green sweater up so you could use your hands. 

His green sweater. 

“It doesn’t smell like mothballs!” You jested. 

The Doctor turned his gaze away from you, hoping you wouldn’t notice the bright red color creeping into his cheeks. 

“It actually smells a bit like leather and sweets,” you continued, smelling the sleeve.

“That used to be mine.” 

“Yours?” You asked, almost as if you were shocked. 

“Well, it didn’t belong to this face,” he shrugged. 

“But it was yours.” 

“Yeah.” The red was taking over his face now. There was no way you hadn’t noticed. 

“You can have it back,” you said, interpreting his silence for displeasure. 

“No! I don’t wear stuff like that anymore. You can have it,” he rambled, scratching the back of his head anxiously. He wanted to say so many other things. How you looked infinitely better in it than he ever did and how happy it made him to see you in his sweater. 

“Thank you!” you grinned before bounding back down the hallway. 

The Doctor smiled to himself. He’d completely forgotten about the heating. All he could think about was how much he liked you in his clothes. 

The one time he did something about it.

You threw the doors of the TARDIS open, rushing into the open field. 

“It’s beautiful!” You laughed as you danced through the tall sapphire grass. You stopped to examine every strange and new plant littered throughout the meadow, encountering each with a new kind of enthusiasm.

The biome in front of him could be the most magnificent thing ever, and he would still be looking at you. Especially when you were this happy. 

You bounced around the meadow, picking up flowers you liked as the Doctor followed behind you. 

You rambled on about your day happily as you moved about. You were more than content to just be in the Doctor’s company without an imminent threat looming over you. 

He stopped your ramblings suddenly with an utterance of your name. 

“Yes?” You asked, wide-eyed. 

“I love you,” he whispered. He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Wide-eyed, you blinked at him. 

“Please say something,” he said, pained.

You remained silent, still processing the Time Lord’s words. 

The Doctor began to panic. Thoughts tumbled about his head, doubt seeping into his mind. 

Then, without warning, you dropped your flowers and threw yourself into the Doctor’s arms. 

He fell over from the force, landing in the cushion of the plush foliage. 

“I’m sorry,” you laughed, a grin taking over your face. 

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

The Doctor brushed a stay strand of hair from your face, tucking it gently behind your ear. Color flushed into your cheeks from the simple action.

His eyes darted between your eyes and your mouth, silently asking permission to kiss him. You nodded your head lightly, inviting him to do so. 

Slowly, he brought his lips to yours. You smiled against his kiss, relishing in the warmth. 

When he pulled away, you pulled him back. Plastering a series of kisses against his mouth, you demanded his attention. 

This made the Doctor laugh, his arms snaking comfortably around your waist, truly securing you against himself. 

You drifted from his lips to his cheek, planting one final kiss there. 

“You love me!” you laughed, poking him playfully. 

“I do,” He laughed, resting his hand against your cheek.  You leaned into his touch, closing your eyes in tranquility. 

“I love you too,” you whispered against his palm, your breath warm on his hand. 

Truthfully, that was all the Doctor could have ever asked for.

[smartie-chan]

Long rambling incoming in 3,2,1...

I know that I'm not really any kind of big celebrity in the Stobotnik world. The only thing I've got going for myself is the fact that I've been there since the very beginning, with my one 'I'm so proud of this community' Meme getting a like or two every full moon or so. It's also been a hot second since I've written a Stobotnik Fic, and yet, I've never really left the fandom. Far from it.

So boooooy, when that trailer dropped, let's just say, I've been going wild! That being said, I have calmed down a tiny bit and woud like to share my two cents with you all.

Especially since, considering how gay the trailer was, I've noticed people kind of leaning into either of two camps.

Team 1: They might actually make it canon y'all. This is not a drill!!!!

or

Team 2: This is the most intense queerbaiting I've ever seen, but fuck it, take my money!

Now, I will tell you where I'm standing at the end of things, but let's talk facts before I do, shall we?

I know Jim & Lee were having fun on set during Movie 1, but I doubt either of them expected us all to get quite this feral over these two evil man. In fact, I'm not sure what their plans were for Agent Stone in general. I'd love to believe that they saw us freaking the fuck out and decided to make Stone a big part of the sequels because of that. But then I look at the Robotnik Mushroom Planet scene and think: They gave this man an actual stone to hold onto, going so far as to carve Stone's face into said stone, just so he could pretend he wasn't alone and Stone was still with him. Clearly, Robotinik was never willing to admit that he cared, admit that there could be someone who he had allowed to get close, given that there had never been anyone before who had cared enough about HIM, so why should HE make the mistake of caring about someone else either. Cause, you know, it's easier to pretend there's noone than admit that there could be, just to realise that you were wrong actually. And yet. Despite all that he held onto Stone the stone, like his life depended on it. I love that scene because it's hella gay, but I love it even more because it's amazing writing, giving us the payoff for the forshadwed "I won't miss you when you're gone" scene from way back when. They didn't have to do that. And yet they made that choice. Included that moment for a reason. So I'd love to think that even back then, they were very willing to play with the dynamic of them going forward.

Clearly things and plans changed After Movie 1 , after we saw these two and made Stobotnik as big as it is. I'll talk about movie 2 in a hot second, but let's return to the way they promoted 2 first. Cause THAT was CLEARLY queerbaiting ... or was it... ? For you see, they knew what they were doing, they knew how to get us all excited , posting this on Valentine, letting Sonic make a heart, drawing the whole thing in a romantic light, going so far as to include bi-lighting in the trailer. On top of the latte art that was designed to get us queers to show up. I saw that art, freaked out and showed it to all of my friends. One friend, let's call her Barbara, smiled at me, like you smile at somone who still believes in the Easter Bunny and told me she hoped I knew they were playing with me. In fact, she was kind of dissapointed I allowed them to get to me so much. And I KNEW. I knew they were trying to bait me. I'm not stupid. This isn't the first time I've been queerbaited after all. And it won't be the last time, that's for sure. And yet, I didn't care because I loved that they acknowledged us. Loved that they were willing to give us something, even if it wasn't actually real and they were clearly NEVER going to include actual ship latte art of Stone & Robotnik together. Cause that would be gay. Haha. And those two totally weren't gay. Ain't I right? :)) Queer rep has gotten more common and yet, so has queerbaiting. Cause nowadays the chance that something could be actually made canon is way more likely than it was, let's say, 15 years ago. So companies love to use that, love playing into that even more. Like, do I have to remind you all what they were doing for the Deadpool & Wolverine movie marketing ??? Just saying.

As much as I love Lee and as much as we're loosing our marbels every time he as much as winks in our direction, I'll not be using any of his posts as evidence for the points I'm about to make further down. Cause, you know, at the end of the day, he's just one of us as well. Another shipper. A hella supportive shipper who may or may not have had a hand in the way he portrayed Stone, but still. Love you Lee. Thank you for having our back!

So now. Movie 2. And the godforsaken Maid Dress Scene. I hope we are all proud of ourselves. Cause that scene was our doing. I promise you, promise you!!! they didn't have that planned before the fandom happend. They saw us and were like "You can have this. As a treat :3". Personally I didn't freak out as much as the rest of you all, but I'm glad you guys had fun. It was a gift to us after all, so I guess it's fine if we enjoyed it. Jokes aside though, let's get back to what movie 2 did, even though they may or may not have realised it at the time. As in: They made Stobotnik canon. What do you mean by canon, Smartie?????, you might ask. And I'll answer, cause it's simple: I mean canon, as in canon. Yes, that's right. Stobotnik has been canon for a while... or... at least 50% of it. Let's get back to the Latte, shall we? Back then I thought they were making fun of us. Queerbaiting at it's finest. And then the movie happend and Stone confessed his love right then and there for the world to see, basically drawing fanart into Robotnik's caffe for who knows how long and Robotnik? That stupid -3000 IQ genius knew. He fucking knew!! Has always known and was either unwilling to read between the lines or mistook the affection for simple loyalty. Not-Spoiler: It's the later by the way, because we have that deleted scene. That beautiful deleted scene. But let's get back to the art for a second. Because I was basically dying in my seat. And I didn't think people were talking about it enough, cause it was the proof, not that stupid maid outfit that was simply put in as a joke that audiences were supposed to laugh at. But this. This! The whole scene were Stone was lovesick and heartbroken, drawing art of his lost non-lover, the way the life returned to his eyes the second said man returned, on top of literally all of him for the rest of the movie prooved one thing to me: Agent Stone was in love with Dr. Robotnik. It's clear he's never said so out loud, and for a good reason, but he didn't have to. It was so obvious anyone with an IQ lower than 299 could have seen. Just a shame that that one 300 IQ guy couldn't. So now, deleted scene time. Woopwoop. :P Recall how they had planned to make Stone even more in love and heart-eyed - JESUS CHRIST MY GUY - but went for an alternative scene instead? In case you aren't familiar with the scene, it's basically Stone telling Robotnik how he's followed his guide-lines, making the Stone Comic Canon, how he's made sure noone touched his babies, how he's known he'd return, how he's waited for him all this time cause he knew KNEW he'd come back and for a second there Robotnik doesn't know what to say. He looks that man in the eyes and for a split second he wonders, questions, and then... then he's scared. Scared of what that could mean. Scared that he could actually mean something to someone and he panics and decides to use violence to laugh it off, to refelect, to pretend that in that moment, he didn't actually feel something. That Stone didn't make him feel ... vulnerable. Because at that point, he cares too. He's not ready to admit it, at least not without having to joke about it. But he does. He does!! And the thought of it being mutual scares him. Probably more than anything ever has. Because if he allows this, this feeling to settle and bloom, he's got to admit that this, whatever it is, has the power to destroy and hurt him. And he can't do that. Maybe not again. Maybe not ever. Not now. Not now that he's what... 40? and has found peace with the fact that he'll die alone.

I know they were leaning into Stobotnik a lot, but they also... kind of didn't, following the natural consequences of the stuff they had set up in the prior movie, allowing Robotnik to go through an actual character arc. It's subtle, and he's still and asshole - always wil be - but that doesn't change the fact that his arc still exists and is actually very well done. Stone doesn't really have that obvious of an arc. Because it's not really much of an arc, we're just learning more about him, fleshing out his character. The only thing we know for certain is, that he adores and loves Robotnik and that he's willing to betray everyone and everything for him. Even if Robotnik never loves him back. He's accepted that, as long as he's alowed a place at his side.

And now, my fellow shippers, movie 3. Or rather, pre-movie 3. And the much discussed question: Are we getting queerbaited? Well, that depends how you define queerbaiting, doesn't it? Is it queerbaiting if it's unrequited love? Cause that's our current standpoint. Stone has found his doctor, nursed him back to health, lived with him, been by his side for months (years) and the only thing that is standing in their way now is: Robotnik's feelings. They have great build-up, put this man on a path, shown us how he's grown and now all that's left is to see, how they'll decide to finish his story. If I look at all that's happend up to this point, from a writing/writer stand-point, I'd say, that it would make sense for Robotnik to admit, that he cares. Cause that has been his arc, his journey. To admit that yes: He doesn't care about humanity, but he does care about Stone. Has for a very long while in fact. Be that platonic, or romantic. Doing literally anything else would not make sense at that point and would actually be an insult to their own work. And their writing has been pretty solid, so I'm confident we will get something. Especially since... I HAVE seen the leaks. Now, storyboards are just that. Something from early development, something that could change. Which is why I'd normally ignore them.... iiiiiiiif it weren't for that one line from the trailer. That one. fucking. line. That made me realise: Holy shit, those mad lads are doing it. They are finishing Robotnik's arc. That's when I understood why Team 1 was loosing their marbels. Because,

SPOILER!!!!! he is going to admi it. He is going to admit it to himself, and he's gonna do something so wild and crazy it scares me more than you understand. The only question is. Will he surive to tell the tale? And if he does, will he be brave enough to share that admission with Stone?

END OF SPOILER

I don't have links to the storyboard. In retrospect, I should have saved them. But what's done is done. Not that I cod delete the knowledge of what I've seen even if I tried. People seem hesitant to tell people all they have seen, cause those of us who have, and know the Sonic 2 story seem to have a good understanding of what and when that spoiler is taking place. And especially what outcome it seems to be leading into. But, if anyone asks, I am willing to share what it was I saw. If you really wanna know. If you are truly sure.

That being said. How do I feel about Stobotnik? I don't think we're getting a kiss. But I think (and hope) we're gonna get a moment. A moment of Robotnik being open, of him sharing that Stone means somethig to him. They even have the potential to include a joke here, of Stone perhaps attempting to hug Robotnik, for him to allow it for 3 seconds or so, only for him to punch Stone and say something along the lines of: "Okay, that's enough." You know, something close to the High Five moment, just THIS TIME they actually do the high five (or hug). You can have the feels and the joke. It's still Robotnik after all. It's what I'm hoping for, actually, cause I don't think Robotnik is ready for THAT admission quite yet. A hug though? That I could see.

I know we still have to fight against being exploited and played with, but that being said, I don't think love confessions have to always be that huge thing, that clashing of tongues and body parts. They can also be soft and quite. A moment of vulnerability and trust. Of openness. In fact, if Robotnik were to allow Stone a hug, it would be even more impactful than a kiss could ever be. He's hugging Gerald in the trailer, so they have shown me that they are not afraid to make this man hug.

It gives me hope. And it - and the leaks - are the reason why I'm Team 1. I think we could actually get canon Stobotnik you all. And I'm so hyped you don't understand. Let's see what Stobotnik marketing they are going to feed us over the next few months. I, for one, am looking forward to it. ^-^

Live long and prosper 🥚🖤🪨

[tenebraevesper]

Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Final Conclusion)

''It's been a long, rough road and I'm finally here. I move an inch forward, feels like a year. Everything I feel seems so unreal. Is it true? Is it true? I take one step forward and two steps back. Got a hundred thousand pounds sitting on my back. Up, down, all around, don't know quite what to do to get through. Well, I'm on my way...''

(Never Turn Back, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005))

Welcome to the Final Conclusion of my Shadow the Hedgehog's character analysis! It has been a long, rough road for me, but now I'm here to give you my final thoughts on Shadow the Hedgehog as a character in Sonic Prime.

So, shall we dive in for one last time?

I started this character analysis with the statement that ''Prime!Shadow is peak Shadow'', making it my mission to re-watch every episode of Sonic Prime to back up my argument, and I believe that I have succeeded.

When I had learned that Sonic Prime would have Shadow in it, I made sure to keep a close eye on him, as we know all too well just how tight SEGA's mandates around Shadow's character are, having seen him at his worst in the Sonic IDW comics. I had been hoping that Sonic Prime would let Shadow have more room as a character, let him breathe a little. He doesn't have to be just the grim Vegeta-type Stock Shonen Rival to Sonic, but he can also be a hero on his own.

So I waited and I hoped, and, oh boy, did Sonic Prime deliver!

With the placement of Sonic Prime in the mainline canon being deliberately vague (aside from obviously being set after Sonic Advance 3) we only had the knowledge of Shadow's backstory to figure out how his character might be utilized in the show, and let me assure you, I did not expect that Shadow as a character would actually go back to his roots.

As TV Tropes puts it, Shadow is the composite character of ''the intelligent, perceptive, and pragmatic (with good intentions) of Sonic 06'' self ''with the wrathful but good intentioned disposistion of Sonic Battle'' self.

In short, he is exactly the Shadow people wanted to see for so long, ever since Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), which is considered to be the peak of his character (not counting Sonic Adventure 2). He is the grim rival to Sonic, but has a kind heart and the will to protect the world regardless of how people see him. He is not above using violent methods to achieve his goals, but has primarily good intentions, and will clash and work together with Sonic depending on the situation.

That alone is very impressive, but what makes Prime!Shadow stand out even above his Sonic 06 self is the fact that he actually undergoes through subtle, but legitimate character development.

As I had stated in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 1), Shadow starts out as a loner who prefers to stop Sonic from causing the end of world by fighting him instead of talking to him. This is kind of understandable, since Sonic also sucks at communication and listening to other people, including his friends, which is how the whole Shatterverse event starts in the first place, and gets punched by Shadow for causing this whole mess.

In Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 2), I had been pointing out how, after both Shadow got all the frustration he felt towards Sonic out of his system in the first half of Episode 09: Avoid the Void, he manages to convey to Sonic just how much damage he had caused by breaking the Paradox Prism, leading to the two to actually start communicating properly. Of course, it is not perfect, and Shadow certainly gets annoyed by Sonic over the course of the episode, but he is willing to talk rather than to fight.

However, it takes until the second half of the same episode, aka what I covered in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 3) for Shadow to finally realize that he needs Sonic if he wants to fix reality. But before that, we have a good old fashioned rival fight, where Shadow decides to save the world on his own, showing us that, even if the world is at stake, he won't miss a chance to enjoy his fight with Sonic. However, upon his failure to enter the Shatterspaces, he understands that he won't be able to do this without Sonic's help, as he's stuck in The Void. Of course, this is just the beginning of their attempts at proper teamwork and they still won't miss a chance to banter with each other.

Speaking of bantering, we slowly start get more and more of those, as covered in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 4), with Shadow snarking at Sonic while also trying to keep him on track. Not only that, but Shadow also plays a role in stalling the Chaos Council, showing that even if he cannot travel through the Shatterverse, he can still support Sonic in his own way.

When the Chaos Council arrives at Ghost Hill to take the Prism Shards, we finally see what it looks like when Shadow and Sonic team up and it's glorious. Even if their relationship hasn't started out well, you can see how they slowly become better and better as a team, protecting each other and coming up with plans to protect the Shards.

One thing that gets pointed out, however, is Shadow's distrust of other people. In Sonic Prime, Shadow has no friends, which is something Sonic teases him about when Shadow shows clear distrust of Nine. Shadow is right to be distrustful of Nine, pointing out to Sonic how he's not the same as Tails, especially due to how Sonic is projecting Tails onto Nine and treating him as if they were the same person.

However, Sonic is not wrong either in regards to his statement how Shadow needs to learn to trust people, and rest assured, it appears that Shadow actually takes this to heart, as he begins to trust Sonic.

This is seen in the first half of Episode 17: Grim Tidings, which I covered in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 5). Not only does Shadow not blame Sonic for losing the Shards to Nine, but he also keeps reaching out for Sonic, who is grieving the loss of Ghost Hill and his friends, protecting him from danger, reassuring him that they will get the Shards back and comforting him by complimenting him. It's incredibly sweet to see that side of him, a kinder, softer side which he appears to show only around Sonic.

This extends into the second half of the episode, covered in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 6), where Shadow keeps up with his mission to protect Sonic as they try to recover the Paradox Prism from Nine. Not only has their teamwork significantly improved, with both being incredibly in sync, but the moment Shadow realizes that Nine is after Sonic, he abandons the Paradox Prism and instead focuses on saving Sonic from Nine, eventually throwing him out of The Grim and basically sacrificing his own life for Sonic.

I absolutely loved seeing this protective side of Shadow, showing just how much he cares about Sonic and how much he has grown to appreciate him.

(Also, note how Shadow once again has beef with Tails, having fought him in Sonic X and Sonic Boom before).

What follows next is the battle against Nine, covered in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 7), which shows us Shadow and Sonic's contrasting personalities and ideals bouncing off of each other, while working perfectly together. They have now reached a new level of trust, respect and understanding, with Shadow showing complete loyalty towards Sonic, even if their initial methods of reaching their goals clash with each other.

Also, Sonic introduces Shadow as his boyfriend to his Shatterverse friends.

''Probably gonna regret that.'' ''I heart you too, Shadow.''

Oh, did you really think I wouldn't talk about the blatant Sonadow subtext in Sonic Prime? There is a reason why fans nicknamed the show Sonadow Prime.

These two dorks have so much chemistry in this show that it is hard not to ship them together, even if all instances of them working together as a couple were unintentional. Sonic Prime definitely shows the appeal of the Sonadow ship, and if you go by The Sonadow Special Bumblekast Interview with Ian Flynn, these two are probably one confession away from dating each other (even if the ship will never become canon, because SEGA says ''No'' to romance in their Sonic media - a wise decision).

Why am I saying this? Well, Ian says that, in order for Sonadow to be executed, there would have to be an understood vulnerability to Shadow, and he would have to open up to be more accessible at a personal level. He notes how it doesn't take much for it to happen, and that it just has to become established to build that bridge, especially with Sonic being so casual and accepting enough as he is, and he would allow Shadow to be who he is, which is kinda prickly and stand-offish. They would have the occasional moment where Shadow let's his guard down and is more empathetic and emotionally available, but otherwise, they would play it fairly cool and aloof.

Also, how would it be made official that they're together? Ian says how they're so cool and aloof in their own way that he cannot see either of them making some dramatic declaration or turn all mushy and lovey-dovey, as that's not who they are.

''[...] The adventure concludes, and they're standing side by side on the hillside looking at the sunset and the wreckage, and they share, y'know, a compliment, and instead of like, a fist bump or a 'See ya next time', and one of them runs off; maybe they throw arms around each other or something, just kinda stand there. [...] I see them just being very chill about it all.''

So, let me ask you something - in Sonic Prime, which character is starting to show his more vulnerable side, letting his guard down and and reaching out for Sonic, either to comfort him or to protect him?

Yeah, a simple screenshot speaks more than a thousand words.

Also, if you don't care about what Ian Flynn said, just take note of how affectionate Sonic is towards Shadow and Shadow in turn just let's him do whatever he wants. Sonic hugs him, and Shadow doesn't push him back. It's absolutely adorable and it gets even better when we get to the finale!

Episode 23: From the Top (covered in its full form in Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Prime, Character Analysis - Part 8)) concludes the battle against Nine, with the whole Shatterverse being reduced to nothing. Sonic decides to sacrifice his life to restore the Paradox Prism, and we see Shadow completely heartbroken when he sees that Sonic isn't moving, probably believing that he is dead. I don't think Shadow had ever shown an expression like this in any media.

Fortunately, Sonic is still alive, but barely holding on, leading up to a race against time, where Shadow carries a dying Sonic towards Green Hill.

''I never knew you were a hugger.'' ''Do you want me to save you or not?''

*shouting from the back* Just kiss already!

Hey, I mean, it isn't them throwing arms around each other, but we do have Sonic flirting with Shadow and Shadow responding before the sense of panic sets in when Sonic goes limp.

Fortunately, the day is saved, with Sonic and Shadow retaining their memories of what had happened and remembering what their learned from each other during their adventure (with the Shatterverse probably being wiped out because Sonic doesn't shatter the Paradox Prism).

''I am the Ultimate Lifeform. I go wherever I want.'' ''Wh-huh?'' ''CHAOS CONTROL!''

One thing I don't believe I had mentioned is how there is three times when Shadow declares his status as The Ultimate Lifeform. The first time is a response to Nine's comment about him and Sonic being twins, with Shadow pointing out his uniqueness. The second time he states it is when Nine is shocked to see him defeat Grim Alpha Sonic, with Sonic quipping how he's ''modest too'', showing off that he is adept to battling and will win the fight no matter the odds. And lastly, he states it once again before he teleports the Paradox Prism, noting how he can go wherever he wants, which I believe is him declaring his won freedom to not be tied to anything (like a certain promise) and doing things his way (not to mention the fact that he spent a good chunk of the show floating in The Void, unable to go anywhere).

Unfortunately, as I said before, the ending kinda feels like it's missing something, and while people might point out how it's either perfect the way it is or list a bunch of flaws or seek signs of an nonexistent sequel, the one thing I wanted to see is for Sonic and Shadow to have at least one more conversation.

''If knowing you has taught me anything, there is always another way.'' 'Wait, was that a compliment?''

I wanted them to meet up again and reflect on their adventure, as well as talk how much they have grown closer as a team, with Sonic even offering Shadow to join him and his friends at the beach for a couple of chili dogs. I'd have Shadow be reluctant for a moment, before accepting.

Maybe have Sonic ask Shadow what happened to the Paradox Prism and Shadow assure him that it's in a safe space. Perhaps they could also ponder on what happened to the Shatterverse, and whether it's gone or it still exists. As for Sonic's friends, they would probably wonder since when Sonic and Shadow are now close buddies, with Sonic about to tell them about their adventure in the Shatterverse before Dr. Eggman returns with another scheme and the adventure continues.

I really wanted some kind of finality to show their newly formed bond. After all, there is so much to talk about, like the fact that Sonic definitely had a traumatic flashback to Sonic Adventure 2.

Or have Shadow admit that he doesn't want to lose Sonic by just telling him not to get so reckless again when around another world-shattering stone.

*sighs dreamily*

Oh well, being a writer, I guess I might as well write this alternate ending by myself then. I might let these two have their moment, showing appreciation for each other in their own way.

Also, Shadow is a hugger. That's definitely canon now.

One last thing to mention before I finish this is - what did Shadow do with the Paradox Prism? Well, I have an idea for how this adventure might continue, albeit in a different universe:

Sonic Boom Shatterverse (Sonic Prime/Sonic Boom)

So, does anyone want to see how Boom!Shadow and Boom!Sonic handle their own universe shattering into pieces? Coz I do!

#Sonic the Hedgehog Analyzer (Masterlist)

[couch-house]

sonic get hug dot ms paint

[full transcript under the cut]

Page 1:

Sonic and Knuckles stand on a hill overlooking Angel Island.

Knuckles folds his arms and leans back.

Knuckles: Y'know. You never told any of us what it felt like in your cybercage.

Sonic: What!! Man, you can't just ask a guy what his cybercage is like!

K: Well we all told you about ours. It's only fair.

S: Yeah but--!

K: Plus I'm worried about you. It's not good to keep these things bottled up.

S: What's this? I thought Amy was supposed to be the emotionally mature one. Don't tell me you've been paying attention to what she tells you?

K: Maybe I have been! I can be emotionally mature too, y'know. If you talk about what's bothering you, it can help you deal with it better. And you seem pretty bothered by what happened in cyberspace.

Knuckles playfully punches Sonic on the arm.

Sonic looks down in thought, scratching his chin.

K: So TALK, YOU!!

S: haha, Okay, okay!

Knuckles looks frustrated by this answer.

S: Hmm... It was kind of like what Amy described--numb, disorienting. Everything was fragmented and dreamy. But it mostly felt empty. Huge and empty. Freaked me out (haha...). Felt like I was in danger for some whatever reason. Just like a bad dream is all.

And I was completely alone.

Wasn't too bad, all things considered. Your experience definitely sounded worse.

Page 2:

Knuckles grabs a startled Sonic by the upper arms.

K: Listen to me, Sonic.

A wide shot of the two of them on the hill as Knuckles speaks.

Knuckles holds Sonic in eye contact.

K: I've spent most of my life alone. Sure, I had the island. The chao, the animals make a difference. But I know what it's like to be alone. And I probably would have stayed that way if you and Eggman had never showed up.

I know what you went through was awful. But I also know that's something you saved me from. And it's not something I'll let happen to you.

K: You were the first friend I ever had. Not counting Eggman, obviously. You are my first friend. And my best friend. I'm not going anywhere.

Sonic shakes and holds back tears. He turns away sniffing and coughing to wipe his eyes.

Page 3:

K: S-shit! Sorry, I wasn't trying to upset you, I was---!

S: No, no. It's cool man. I appreciate it.

Sonic calms down, still facing away.

S: heh...

Sonic whirls around pulls Knuckles into a hug.

S: Thanks, Knux. It's not that I didn't already know that. It's just nice to hear aloud I guess.

Sonic pushes Knuckles away.

Sonic turns away and stretches his arms behind his head.

K: Is that... something I should be saying more often?

S: Nah, once is enough for me.

S: Anyway! That's enough emotional vulnerability for one day. Want to hit each other with sticks?

Sonic races off down the hill as Knuckles enthusiastically grabs a big branch off the ground.

K: Hah! You say that like you could handle a single hit from me!

S: You'll have to catch me first, knucklehead!

[writingtraumaforever]

Courtship: Chapter 1

Notes: This is Post-Sonic 3 Mini-Series!! I’m making this because I’m obsessed with the movie-verse for these two and wanted to make a little something before the movie came out. Movie assumptions to make for this fic: 1.) Shadow tried to kill Tom because a Wachowski shot Maria. 2.) Shadow doesn’t fall from space because Sonic saves him. 3.) Shadow goes into isolation and hiding at the end of the movie out of guilt.

Summary: Sonic wants Shadow to know he doesn’t have to be alone.. Misunderstandings ensue.

Rating: G

Chapter Select: Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Link to my AO3!

Start:

‘That'd better be a licensed toy or I will freak out.’

“That’s totally him!! I’d know that voice anywhere!”

“I don’t think so, Sonic. He sounds more like Dane Dehaan,” Tails argue quietly, scratching his head as he looks up from his tablet at the movie on the screen.

They’re watching Superpets for the first time on family movie night. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are each sprawled on their respective beanbags in the middle of the floor while Maddie and Tom take the couch behind them. Ozzie is rested beside Sonic’s bag, Sonic mindlessly scratching behind the dog’s ear.

“Dane De— no. Absolutely not. That’s my Keanu, I know it! The man is a—“

“National treasure, we know,” they all groan in unison, Sonic just nodding like it’s a fact.

“Exactly! I’d know that sweet boy’s voice anywhere!”

“Why do you not just court the man if he is so sweet to you??” Knuckles questions, a confused furrow in his brow.

“Okay, first of all,” Sonic holds up a finger, “Ew. I’m a minor, Knuckles.”

“A minor what??—“

“Second of all,” another finger, “He’s a celebrity. We’re from two different worlds! Both literally and metaphorically.”

Knuckles just looks even more confused now, “Do you mean to say he thinks he’s of higher standards than you??? Ha! You are the Blue Justice of earth! Do not let a puny human convince you that you are not worthy of his affections!”

“Aw gee, Knucks, that’s almost sweet—“

“We shall kidnap this national treasure and force him to court you!”

“Yeah- see? You’ve ruined it, Knucks,” Sonic groans with a roll of his eyes.

“You’re both ruining the movie with your yapping,” Tom points out behind them.

“And Batman is, in fact, Keanu,” Maddie adds, holding up her phone to show them all her Google search.

“Ha! See?? Told ya I know my man!”

“How is he yours if you do not court him—“

The microwave beeps in the kitchen, interrupting their repetitive conversation with the popcorn Maddie had prepared for them.

“Saved by the bell!” Sonic grins before dashing into the kitchen to retrieve their snack.

Hopping up on the counter, Sonic opens the microwave and pulls out the bag of popcorn. Emptying it into a bowl and adding extra salt and some cheese powder, he hops down and carries it back into the living room.

Pausing in the doorway, he looks at his family all huddled in front of the screen watching contentedly and can’t help but sigh. 

It’s nice for things to be settling down again. 

After the ARK incident, Sonic wasn’t sure things would ever be the same.

He has lost his family and world once before with Longclaw and the echidnas, and he almost had to watch it happen again with the ARK nearly smashing into earth.

Not to mention Tom almost being murdered for something his great grandfather had done..

It’s been three months since that. 

Sonic hasn’t seen that hedgehog since..

He had only narrowly saved him from falling to earth from space. And even then, Shadow had tried to fight Sonic’s hold on him off.. insisting he deserved this fate after what he’s done.

But Sonic wouldn’t let him go.. wouldn’t let him die like that. 

Even after everything Shadow had put him through, all he could see was a lost soul that was alone and scared and confused. Everything Sonic has been before..

Once they were back on earth, Shadow had ran off. Disappeared. No one even saw him go.

Sonic thought about him often.

Sometimes he’d secretly leave a plate of leftovers out in the woods near their home in hopes Shadow would be somewhere near. He always returned to an empty plate waiting on him the next day, but never any sign it was Shadow and not just some wild animal eating it.

He left a blanket once, too.

And a second pair of thicker gloves and warmer socks for cold weather.

They disappeared, too. No signs of Shadow.

Still.. Sonic liked to believe he was close. He was safe. He was okay..

Sitting the bowl of popcorn down between himself and Tails, Knuckles immediately began complaining that he couldn’t reach the bowl.

“Hey! What about me???”

“What about you??” Sonic questions coyly with a little smirk.

“I want some, too!” 

“Go get a bowl of grapes or somethin’.”

“Grapes are sweet. I crave salty.”

“And I crave Keanu Reeves, so hush so I can hear him—“

Their interrupted by Ozzie suddenly jumping up from his spot on the floor and barking, everyone flinching in surprise at the sudden loud noise. Knuckles immediately covers his ears and growls at the dog,

“Hush up, dog! There’s no need to shout!”

“What on earth has gotten into him??” Maddie questions with a knit in her brow, sitting up to try and reach for Ozzie’s collar to calm him.

Sonic’s eyes are locked on the window behind Tom and Maddie, though. The window Ozzie is barking at. The window he swears he just saw two red eyes staring through before disappearing.

“Uhh— he probably just has to potty,” Sonic quickly says, dashing to the coat hanger by the door and snatching Ozzie’s leash off it before appearing back in the living room to clip it to the dog’s collar, “I’ll take him out real quick!”

“Are you sure??” Maddie asks, looking at Sonic a bit suspiciously, “You said watching him potty was violating and disturbing.”

“It is,” Sonic deadpans before quickly adding, “But I’ve gotta pull my weight around here! So I’ll do it. No worries.”

He’s already walking Ozzie to the door, “I’ll be right back— Knuckles, don’t touch my popcorn.”

He’s not even out the door yet, and the echidna is already reaching to grab a few handfuls only to have his hand swatted by Tails who doesn’t even look away from his tablet.

Shutting the door behind him, Sonic is met with the cold air of the night. He shivers a bit at the change in temperature before looking over at the window he had sworn he saw the eyes in..

No one is there.

Sonic walks around the yard a moment, Ozzie sniffing like crazy at the ground. Emerald eyes searching everywhere but spotting nothing. He frowns a bit, sighing as he walks where Ozzie leads him towards the edge of the treeline.

He tries not to be too disappointed.

Maddie has already assured him that when Shadow is ready to be found, he’ll be found. Still, it’s in Sonic’s nature to want everyone safe and together. And he just wants Shadow to be okay..

Ozzie suddenly jerks Sonic forward, the hedgehog stumbling with a “woah” before regaining his composure when the pup stops under a tree. He’s sniffing with his nose straight up, one paw on the tree as he whines.

Sonic blinks at the dog then slowly looks up.

Red eyes stare wide back down at him.

Sonic feels his breath leave him with a little gasp, staring right back at Shadow with wide emerald eyes.

They stay like that, frozen for a long moment before Sonic eventually shakes himself from his daze and clears his throat,

“Uh— you can come down. He doesn’t bite.”

Shadow doesn’t respond. Just keeps staring like a deer stuck in headlights.

Sonic purses his lips and then gives a little tug on Ozzie’s leash to pull the dog back to his side. Ozzie stays whining and sniffing up towards Shadow, but sits obediently on Sonic’s left.

Shadow watches with intrigue, his head tilting just slightly as he seems to relax some. Not much, though.

“…Does he obey you?”

“Huh? Oh- well, for the most part, yeah. Though, he’s not quite gotten down the idea of not eating the food off the countertops when no one is looking,” Sonic snickers back with a little shrug, never looking away from Shadow.

Shadow just stays quiet, observing the two as if silently debating his actions..

And then he starts to climb down.

Sonic can’t help but smile the closer Shadow gets to the ground, practically beaming by the time Shadow’s is close enough to hop down with a grunt and turn and face him.

“…I didn’t mean to disturb your family,” Shadow says after a long moment of silence, uncomfortable with the way Sonic is just staring and smiling.

“Oh- no worries. I’ve read spoilers online, so I’m not missing much,” Sonic shrugs, Shadow just staring at him with a blank expression.

“I have no idea what that means.”

“Right, um-.. just don’t worry about it,” Sonic reiterates with a wave of his hand. Ozzie’s whining is getting a bit more persistent now with Shadow standing before them, tugging slightly at his leach but Sonic keeps him in place. 

“It’s nice to see you again,” Sonic smiles earnestly, “…I’ve worried.”

“You shouldn’t,” Shadow mutters quietly, eyes looking away a bit shamefully. It makes Sonic’s chest ache.

“Well, I have. And so has Mom—“

“Mom?” Shadow questions with a raised brow before he seems to remember, “Right.. you call the humans your parents.”

“They are my parents,” Sonic corrects with conviction, tightening his grip on the leash before sighing and relaxing some.

Shadow doesn’t mean offense. He just doesn’t understand.

“Sorry..,” Shadow mutters, taking a small step back as he rubs his arm awkwardly.

Sonic shakes his head and offers a small smile, “It’s cool, dude.. no worries.”

Shadow hums at that, looking back to Sonic after a moment and then to the home behind him. They can still see the bright screen playing the movie from here, the silhouettes of the Wachowski’s inside enjoying their movie night.

“..You.. could come in..?”

Shadow flinches at that.

“If you wanted,” Sonic quickly adds, not trying to scare Shadow off, “They wouldn’t try and hurt your or anything—“

“I don’t belong here.”

Sonic frowns a bit at that, “Right..”

Another pause of silence.

“…You could belong here—“

“I should go.”

Sonic’s ears droop back at this, immediately wanting to reach and grab the hedgehog before he disappears again.

“Wait!”

Shadow pauses, already halfway turned around to leave.

He doesn’t look at Sonic, but his ears are pointed to show he’s listening.

“I—,” Sonic stumbles on his words, unsure what to say but knowing he needs to say something or he’ll lose him all over again—

“You wanna race??”

Shadow blinks, turning his head to properly look at Sonic now with a raised brow, “..race??”

“Y-yeah! No one can keep up with me like you.. it could be fun!— W-well, I can’t tonight, of course, because it’s movie night. But I can tomorrow!.. if.. if you want..?” Sonic’s brows knit, his emerald eyes earnest and hopeful.

Shadow looks at him for a long moment, pondering his offer in silence and leaving Sonic practically on edge..

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“Yes.”

“Yes,”  Sonic grins like the sun, unable to stop his tail from wagging. He bounces on his toes excitedly. 

“We’ll meet at the Green Hills sign.”

“Yeah. Yeah, that’s perfect. Cool.”

“Cool,” Shadow nods, looking at Sonic a moment and then at the dog. Then Sonic again.

“…I’m leaving now.”

“Okay,” Sonic says, still smiling and unable to stop, “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Alright..”

Another awkward silence of Sonic just beaming, and Shadow looking at him like he’s the oddest thing he’s ever seen..

And then Shadow’s gone with a gust of wind, leaving Sonic standing there with his dog.

Sonic giggles immediately, jumping in the air with a fist pump and then holding a hand up to Ozzie for a high paw— which Ozzie promptly gives thanks to Sonic’s training.

He turns and leads Ozzie back inside, heart still pounding with nervous excitement as he opens the door and unleashes the pup to let him trot back into the living room.

Sonic follows after him with a dazed look that everyone seems to immediately notice.

“That took a minute,” Maddie points out, eyeing her blue boy suspiciously, “You okay??”

“Huh??” Sonic looks at her before blinking and, “Oh yeah! Yeah. I’m cool. Just a little chilly from the wind.”

“Well come here and cuddle with momma,” Maddie babies, her arms spreading wide and her fingers curling to beckon him into her hug. Sonic doesn’t think twice before he dashes right over, never one to pass up on cuddles.

Maddie immediately wraps him up between her and Tom in their blanket, petting Sonic’s head as Tom chuckles and readjusts to have his arm behind the both of them.

Sonic sighs and melts into the cushions between the two of them, eyes on the screen but mind on tomorrow..

Knuckles takes advantage of his distractedness and eats all the popcorn.

[lazorbeanz]

Late night

Unbreakable Bond

Headcanons #2

🔵 Tails: “Sonic I’m home! I- why are there 2 dozen carrots hanging from the ceiling-

Sonic: 🎶24 CARROTS IN THE AIIIIIIRRRRRRRR!!!!!!🎶

🟠 Team Sonic at the dinner table:

Tails: *happily is chewing food*

Knuckles: “dude, stop chewing yo food so fkn loud”

Tails: :(

Sonic: “LEAVE THE LIL GUY ALONE”

🔵 In their free time, Sonic takes Tails out to do an escape room together, just to let his little brother go flat out detective mode…he takes them very seriously (he’ll even dress up to fit the occasion).

Sonic doesn’t really know what to do 99% of the time, he just enjoys seeing the kit having so much fun cracking codes and solving riddles and puzzles. He usually stands back so not to interfere with the young Sherlock Holmes, but he constantly insists he be his sidekick, saying how “every detective needs their sidekick”…oh how the roles have reversed

They usually complete them within 20 minutes (tho no doubt he could get them done much faster if he wanted too)..but the joy painted on Tails’ face after..a sign of accomplishment he was feeling. Sonic could tell he felt like the happiest fox in the world…and he probably was!

🟠 An angry Tails storming into the living room where Sonic is sitting: “TELL ME WHY-“

Sonic: 🎶ain’t nothin’ but a heartacheeee🎶

🔵 Despite being a spikeball himself, Sonic hates needles

🟠 Sonic takes Tails with him to hot regions because he’s a perfect portable fan

🔵 Sonic skids n slides around on tiled floors in his socks. If unlucky, he’ll end up hurling himself into a wall at rapid speed.

(CONCUSSION 👏)

Tails will hear the commotion and start hollering from wherever he’s at,

“DOWN!”

“..1”

“..2”

“..3…”

Counting up like in the M&S Olympic game boxing matches lmao

Then screams “KNOCKOUT!!” If he’s not up once he’s counted to 10

[flightyalrighty]

Dont want this to be a waste of time but I'm gonna yell it out for most of these people bothering you lately

ITS A 17+ HORROR COMIC. Not expecting Gore or gruesome deaths is actually some crazy level of ignorance someone could have (trust me I've seen a lot of it) so if you hate with a passion your character dying, I got advice

1. Leave the comic alone

2. Write your own

3. Watch the actual source material if you hate characters dying for a story, trust me Sega would not let your fav character die

4. Don't bother the creator they have better things to do, its good to critic it but thats why theres a comment (notes) section, instead of bothering them with the literal ASK option.

And 5. this being a horror comic, and you finding out Sonic's best friend is dead, expect it to have a purpose in the story way beyond just "shock value"

Ever heard of the phrase "Let them cook" think and use it and trust me it will turn out great for ya when reading :)

All good points, all good points, though I will also contest your fourth point a bit: I think critiques should only be given to people actually asking for them. My goal right now isn't to practice and improve my art/storytelling, my primary objective here is to just tell the story. There will be other times for the former -- And the same idea can be extended, of course, to literally any other creator.

Anyway, yeah, as you said and as I've said before: Tails Was Not Killed For Shock Value. There Is A Purpose.

[adobe-outdesign]

Kung Fu Panda 4 Thoughts/Liveblog Thing

Just caught this at the theater for a grand total of five whole dollars, so I thought I'd do some quick opinions while it's fresh.

Non-spoiler opinion: It was Okay(TM), but the movies were considerably stronger as a trilogy. It's worth seeing one (1) time if you're a KFP fan (and really, who isn't), but I wouldn't bother paying full price for it or anything

SPOILERS FOR ALL 4 MOVIES UNDER THE CUT:

A list of things that slap:

The animation is stunning and fast-paced. Really loved the use of Chinese-style paint brush strokes to accentuate the action

Also I'll talk about the 5 later but I also really liked the animation change when describing where they are—all KFP movies have at least one animation shift and I'm glad this one kept up with it

Some of the fight scenes were super good, I liked the one that uses the tilting bar on a cliff in particular

(side note: the Missing Link did something similar, just on a ship. Go watch the Missing Link)

The Chameleon served straight cunt the entire time she was on screen and I kind of loved (almost) everything about her. Character design was incredible, voice was perfect, palace design was amazing, abilities were sick

Also the way she rides up chilling in a golden tree branch of all things? Fellas, we have no choice but to stan

Also I just appreciate the choice to both do a female villain for a change and to get a reptile in here after having only mammals and one (1) bird as villains previously

Speaking of character design there were a few really good ones in there, like a pangolin that moves Sonic the Hedgehog-style, a cool looking female boar, and a bunch of Komodo dragon henchmen. Good stuff

The jokes were a very mixed bag for me, some hit and some didn't. I will say that Zhen just going "that's great for you" in response to Shifu stating he's a red panda got me for some reason

If anyone hurts Po's gay dads I'm killing everyone in this room and then myself

Jack Black's cover of Baby One (1) More Time is unironically better than the original

A list of things that Do Not Slap:

Pacing/Plot:

This movie lacked a color scheme? KFP 1 was blue (also some gold), KFP 2 was red, KFP 3 was green. These colors weren't subtle either, there are entire scenes in each movie drenched in these colors and it was really obviously missing here

The whole first half the movie feels really breathless and too fast-paced. Apparently it was a studio mandate to have it not go over an hour and a half which is A) stupid and B) hurts the pacing

As much as I love Po's two gay dads we REALLY should not have been wasting time on their journey when the runtime is so tight

Also them tagging along felt off? Mr. Ping was worried sick about Po in KFP 2 but he doesn't tag alone because obviously he needs to let his son have his space. It's more in-character with Li Shan but it doesn't come across like he's talking Mr. Ping into it or something

In general there are so many plot points in this movie that feel under-developed. You could've made an entire movie out of the previous villains returning, Zhen and the Chameleon's relationship (see below), etc.

Po's Character:

People not knowing Po is the dragon warrior is weird, I'm pretty sure he would've been more well known than that

The entire thing with Po needing to give up his role as the Dragon Warrior doesn't really make sense? The Dragon Warrior is literally a made-up title. There's no need to have a Dragon Warrior because there is no such thing technically, it's why Oogway denied Tai Lung the title and then waited years and years to give it to Po. Like it's not a role that needs to be passed down, that's missing the entire point of the Everything

Also Po's only been like Dragon Warrior for a few years? I don't think we're ever given a time scale but it wasn't that long

The jokes about Shifu and Po having trouble with inner peace/mediating feels off given that was the entire plot of the second movie

It felt like Po regressed a bit character wise. He acts like he has no idea how to be a teacher in this movie but he already was a teacher by the end of the third, that was the entire point??

Also he seemed like he was more gullible in this movie but I could be wrong

Why is Po so impressed with Juniper city. He literally spent most of KFP 2 in Gongmen hello?? I think(?) Juniper is bigger but he shouldn't be acting like he has no idea what a city is

Zhen/Chameleon:

Zhen's character design doesn't match anything else, which is weird because most of the new characters in this film keep the distinct style in some form or another

Her wanted poster shows her with the bold markings KFP is known for and it looks SO much better

The plot twist with Zhen working for the villain was so obvious I did not realize it was supposed to be a twist at first

Also, the entire thing with Zhen was entirely unneeded? The Chameleon could've just just stood up and announced her plan to take over and Po would've shown up on her doorstep with the staff

I guess the idea is that Po needed to hand over the staff willingly for it to work? But if that's the case the Chameleon could've just impersonated Tigress or something and gotten it that way in like 1/3 of the time

Originally she was supposed to have kidnapped Shifu which would've been a much better plot point as it would've given Po extra motivation

The other problem with treating Zhen as a plot twist is that it hampers the relationship she has with the Chameleon effectively being her mom, which is FASCINATING. They had some really interesting chemistry together (the whole "stand up straight" thing as one example) and I could've seen it as a Mother Gospel from Tangled kind of deal, but we barely get any interaction between the two and it's like AAAAAAA

Fanfic writers fix this shit. I believe in you

I'll have to chew on it more but my pacing thought would actually be to start with Po finding out about the Chameleon's "take over everything" plan very early due to Shifu's kidnapping. He breaks into the lair like at the 1/3 mark or earlier and he meets Zhen inside which then leads into why she's doing what she's doing and the mother angle, etc etc blah blah

The Chameleon needed to just straight-up murder someone, comically shoving them down the stairs isn't good enough. I know stairs are Po's greatest enemy but I don't think that applies to everyone

Shen was allowed to stab someone on-screen so I think the Chameleon should be a allowed to strangle someone or something. as a treat

If violence was the concern just keep it off-screen like Master Rhino's death in KFP 2

The shapeshifter turning into a giant monster trope is overrated and I'm glad it was just used briefly here and not even for her defeat

Also the Chameleon's thing with her being rejected from Kung Fu because she's too small makes no sense b/c Mantis, which I'm pretty sure everyone's pointed out already. She does say "lowly" I think but was she ever poor? Could make a very interested parallel to Zhen if that was the case but it was never brought up again

I've heard some argue body image parallels w/ Po in KFP 1 but if that was the intent it's not explored, like, at all, which is a shame because it could've been an interesting angle

Also If they wanted a better excuse related to body image just say she was too frail instead of too small. I haven't owned chameleons but I've heard from people who have that they are very frail and very hard to keep alive, which would be a much better reason to turn her away

Cameos:

Yes I'm devoting an entire section to five second cameos don't judge me

I have mixed feelings on the Five not being present (save for the end cameos). On the one hand they are sorely missed but on the other hand they would've just made the plot bloat even worse

Lack of speaking was also bothersome. Part of me is glad they weren't recast with cheaper VAs because it's disrespectful to interchange them, but on the other hand that might've been better than just not having them speak and not paying anyone anyway

Tai Lung had all the best lines and was also the best used out of all the cameos, even if it would've been nice to have him on screen for longer. Also if they stuck with Shifu being kidnapped those two could've had some much-needed dialogue

Side note, while I don't think it contradicts anything from KFP 3 the spirit world having only kung fu masters in it feels off? It makes it seem so small and limited

Kai being there is weird. He's like. dead dead. Deader than dead. I guess you could argue that you can't kill something that's already dead but there's nothing even acknowledging this

Trying to take Shen's kung fu is really weird because the entire point of the fight with Master Rhino in KFP 2 is that he is not? a master?? like he's GOOD but he's not amazing, like if a master is like a 10/10 he's like an 8/10.

"The Chameleon has the powers of all my old nemesises!" WHAT'S SHEN'S POWER EXACTLY. HIS ONLY POWERS ARE GUN AND MOMMY/DADDY ISSUES

She does summon him way later than Tai Lung and Kai so maybe she was just camp spawning every single person she could think of regardless of skill level? she also uses his wings at one point so maybe she just wanted those, I don't think(?) there were other birds summoned

Though speaking of which she claimed she was using his wings but very clearly wasn't? not only were they black but they were raggedy and lacked the five longer feathers on the tips

Also Shen's model was super off, it looked way too fluffy and like an entire row of eyespots were missing from the edge of the train (which might have been a clipping error? unsure) it's been said the new models were made out of glue and popsical sticks and I believe it

Tai Lung has a habit of just like Grabbing anyone that's smaller than him and it amuses me

It's honestly really weird that everyone would just agree to go back into the spirit world willingly?

Like I think it works for Tai Lung because he's a noble person who just goes into a disassociative state and commits atrocities. Like I think he'd be willing to accept his death

Also it checks out for Shen because he killed himself and given his "dead belong in the past" mentality I can't imagine him wanting to stick around, he'd probably think it was unnatural

But Kai?? Kai was FURIOUS at being dragged back into the spirit world at the end of 3, like hell he'd just go quietly

Also I can see Tai Lung maybe respecting Po enough to bow to him but everyone else is pushing it unless they have therapists in the spirit world. Po offered Shen some nice advice at the end of KFP 2 and his response was to kill himself on the spot, I don't think him or Kai would be bowing

All of them were definitely in the middle of a mahjong match and were experiencing the equivalent of being woken up in the middle of a nap so they were just going along with things

Chameleon: I'm going to steal your kung fu

Everyone:

Misc:

I did like some of the more subtle callbacks. Stuff like Po seeing his reflection in the blade the way Shifu did or the "I can't even beat you to the stairs" scene were nice and not overly overt or in-your-face

If Po actively refers to himself as the "Kung Fu Panda" one more time I'm going to end it all

anyway that was not supposed to be a 12 page essay but it's too late now, goodbye

[essycogany]

Why I Ship Sonic The Hedgehog and Amy Rose?

Hi! I’ve been a Sonic fan since 2022 and wanted to give insight on a beloved pairing from someone who’s only FRESH in this fandom. So I could give a somewhat recent perspective on something others might’ve grown up with.

Disclaimer: This is just my merriment of cartoon madness. Done for fun. It has my everywhere all at once speculations, and opinions. Spat into one big MESS. No problem if you disagree. I wish you all the best in whatever you create with your preferred take on these characters.

I take 0 credit for anything displayed in visuals.

Now, let’s get started!

Reason 1: What Got Me Into Sonamy

I want to recommend people who not only helped me understand the dynamic better, but did so while giving good insight on Amy’s character. Which is one of the most inconsistent in the ENTIRE franchise. Here they are! In no particular order.

Why Amy is a “Strong Female Character” [Sonic The Hedgehog Video Essay]

Channel: Taro Marshmallow on YouTube.

She helped me understand Amy’s character as a whole. I believe it’s important for people to comprehend Amy’s character in order for them to understand or like Sonamy. No one has to, but it sure was eye-opening for me. So, do of it what you will. I advise people to give it a watch for the AMAZING character analysis alone.

Molinaskies: On Tumblr, this person goes into serious analysis on Sonic’s emotional characterization, and Sonamy too. Words can’t describe how much I appreciate this ship the more I read about their dynamic from someone I can tell has fun doing it.

Sherrydoodlez: This person is the reason I became a Sonic and Sonamy fan at the same time. Once I saw her videos, I was HOOKED. She makes cute, fun, and outstanding Sonamy content on her YouTube channel. It’s mostly Boom!Sonamy animations with voice actors on some occasions. She makes other random Sonic animations as well. It’s a feel good channel you can watch to calm yourself as you head into a romantic cafe of servings you never knew you needed. Give her content a watch. It’s a jolly ride.

IDW (Specifically Issue #2 Page 21): I believe this is the statement which changed Sonic’s view about Amy. At the beginning, the blue blur was still on the run when Amy came around. But after fighting robots together and helping the villagers, Sonic admitted having fun. It could mean he grew more comfortable. Or just loves to fight robots regardless of who’s joining him.

Afterwards, Amy realized their negotiation about Sonic coming back to the resistance was a loss. She happily accepted it and accepted Sonic for who he is. Which made the feelings mutual on Sonic’s part in my opinion. He was even bashful while offering her to join him. Showing he didn’t mind having Amy around a bit longer. I know someone else stated this better, but I hope you get the point.

Sonamy is also the one ship that gets the most hints and jokes. From official writers, voice actors, (ESPECIALLY in Japan. Sonic and Amy’s VAs literally sung a love song IN CHARACTER for crying out loud.) X, Boom, Prime, artist, some of the games, and Sega themselves with their marketing.

Fact check me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure in Japan, Amy’s been called Sonic’s “Girlfriend,” plenty of times and some even theorize they're already together in the Japanese version of Sonic Frontiers.

(Which I’m positive is very intentional)

Can’t forget the creator of the characters Naoto Oshima stated on twitter, “Sonic has the eternal heart of a boy, but were he to one day mature, he’d choose Amy.” I believe if any ship in this franchise at least makes the most since, it’s Sonamy. I’m only scratching the surface, but we’d be here forever if I continued.

Reason 2: The Dynamic

I believe Sonamy works romantically and platonically. Sonic and Amy are best friends so their bond is already close in that regard. I think in times of peace they hang out. Which has been shown in IDW in the retail incentive covers of issue 1, 5th Anniversary.

The reason I think Amy’s the best choice for Sonic is because she can always keep up with him. She understands him and reads him like a book.

(Sonic doesn’t express himself very well, so that’d be a huge benefit.)

She brings an array of emotion out of him, and accepts him for who he is.

Amy wouldn’t slow him down because they’re relationship wouldn’t change at all. She’s always just as down for going out and exploring as he is. Being a hot-head, she’s not adverse for a bit of head busting with her hammer. Amy allows Sonic for a chance at a relationship he couldn’t get inattentive or tired in.

They’d go on their usual adventurers and might only tell a few friends about their relationship.

(Or keep it a secret)

After that, they’d travel together or Amy would leave Sonic to whatever he needed to do. In Sonic’s case, he would appreciate Amy’s understanding and return the favor by giving her flowers. Maybe even show minimal affection.

Like in Sonic X when he gives Amy a rose in episode 52. X also had moments where Sonic constantly protects/holds onto her. Not to mention willingly laid on a pile of hey next to Amy. And kept the bracelet she made him in episode 9.

Sonic X isn’t canon, but IDW has moments of Sonic hanging out or fighting alongside Amy too. Point is, the couple would be an updated version of their friendship. A “POWER COUPLE,” to be specific.

Romance doesn’t always mean you have to be lovey-dovey. You can treat your partner like a best friend as well. Sonic and Amy have a unique relationship because they’re subtle about it.

Reason 3: Why?

I believe it’s important to get this out of the way since these are my weird BIGGIES when it comes to shipping. Why Sonic might have a crush on Amy and why Amy loves Sonic?

Sonic’s (Alleged) Reasons: Amy doesn’t want to change him. She can keep up with him. She’s super compassionate and energetic.

(Sonic stated she was “sweet’ before.)

He respects and might even values her ways of thinking. In TMOSTH, he said:

In Prime he admits she’s, “Pretty great.”

And, he said in IDW Issue #58:

These can be seen as platonic compliments, but it’s the “Accepting Sonic for who he is” thing that homes in the mutual romantic feelings head-canon.

I’d even argue ever since Unleashed/Black Night he had a little crush on her, but felt unsure of it. That is, until IDW. He might still have no clue what to do next.

Sonic lines in Frontiers : “Amy, I should’ve made up my mind sooner.” and “Wish we were sharing an umbrella, Amy.” are huge examples of that and his reciprocated feelings.

Fun Fact: Sharing an umbrella as a couple in Japan is considered a romantic expression, and teens often draw an umbrella with their name and the name of their crush, the way one would in a heart. A very old tradition.

Sharing an umbrella has been seen as a romantic thing in a few American movies as well.

Here’s another detail I find hilarious. I LOVE in instances like Amy being, “The Lady Of The Lake” in Black Night. The time she ran away from Sonic in Unleashed, and became split versions of herself in Prime. The blue buffoon acts as if he grew more fond and I’d even suggest “attracted” to her. He either flirts with her or gets disappointed. To me, it’s a check on the, “Bringing a wide range of emotion out of him,” point.

In issue #2 of IDW it’s similar. Sonic asked Amy to join him. Then she admits being away from the resistance for too long. I’d say it’s a weirdly consistent thing. The times Sonic acts ready to “open up,” he and Amy end up having to save the world and go off to do their own thing.

(That panel in The Metal Virus with Sonic reaching to Amy while she’s freaking out, still hurts.)

Is this a sign they may need to take their time? Fortunately, we have additional content with them interacting outside those situations. I guess the hedgies are allowing each other to be their own person before committing to anything.

Like a “when they know, they’ll know,” situation.

Last thing. Sonic hugs Amy in both IDW and Frontiers. Never happened in official canon before, so his feelings must’ve changed into something.

Amy’s Reasons: He’s her inspiration and motive for loving adventures. Sonic gives Amy an excuse to show off her skills. And she admires his personality.

By the way, can we just appreciate how Amy loves Sonic for the right reasons? Not looks, popularity, or fortune. He always and forever will be her number one.

Reason 4: Conclusion

This isn’t everything, but I’m sure new content will give me new reasons to love this pair. I just wanted to take MOST of what’s already established and use it for a basic understanding.

As basic as overwhelmingly extra can be.

I don’t know whether or not Sonamy will be canon and that’s fine. To me, it’s semi cannon already and there’s a bunch of talented people who create Sonamy stories.

In actual media, their relationships grows stronger and stronger. Which I’ll dub, “Untouched reciprocation,” which is common in videos game ships.

I see Amy and Sonic as best friends with crushes on each other and find that very fascinating. The hedgehogs can just be.

Though on twitter in February 2023, someone asked about Sonic and Amy’s relationship. Then Mario Kishimoto (The director of Sonic Frontiers ) answered, “Sonic is single. But what about a lover? What about Amy? I’m also looking forward to seeing what kind of love Sonic will have in the future.”

Doesn’t prove much, but it could mean Sonic Team is interested in developing this relationship more. Whatever that indicates, I’m intrigued.

All in all this is why I love Sonamy. Hope you enjoyed my over analyzed essay

Stay Creative! 💙💖

[weirdozjunkary]

I need to share my two cents on Prime!Sonic because I feel that he’s getting unnecessary hate from people (mild spoilers for season 2)

First off, I get it if you don’t like him for your own reasons. How he talks, how he acts, what he looks like, ETC. I am in no way judging you for your own opinion

What I hate about this is people saying that he is ‘not sonic’. He doesn’t act like how sonic would be. I’ve seen people say he rude or selfish, and I feel that they’re comparing him too much with his other selves.

Sonic Prime isn’t game sonic; despite the creators saying it’s ‘as close to cannon as it gets’. Sonic Prime isn’t the same as Cannon Sonic. The only reason why the series is ‘close to cannon’ is the fact that we have badniks, rings, power ups, ETC; things from the games. That’s the only thing that is like cannon in the story

But for Prime!Sonic’s character… he IS not sonic, not the one like his game counter part. BUT I think he is not far off from the original. Yes, he doesn’t act like his cannon self, but I think that’s kind of the point? I am a little biased, I love a characterization like this on him, I love me a little bastard. But to me, Prime!Sonic is more of a parody than the real deal. Similar to how Sonic Boom was. An over exaggeration of his character.

Now, yes, I agree that how he acts is… weird. He doesn’t listen to his friends, he messes things up greatly, he causes a lot of problems for himself and others. But I think that this kind of characterization is sort of a… reset of his character? At least for the story. It’s a character arc, the whole show is a character arc for him. We’re seeing a version of sonic grow from start to finish.

This idea is most prevalent in the episode ‘double trouble’, he says in response to Chaos Sonic annoying him: “Ugh. If I’m half as annoying as this guy, I really need to make some changes.”

And while I know that he does come off as selfish and rude, I think those words are a little harsh for him.

He isn’t selfish and rude, he’s dumb and impulsive. He leaps before he looks and assumes by only what he sees in front of him. Even in the final episode he assumes that Nine would be even just a smidge like his Tails, the ‘real’ Tails, but he ISNT Tails, he is Nine.

But the whole thing about all of this, is that he is learning. Shadow calls him out on trusting the fox to much, Rebel- heck- everyone says he comes to cause trouble, and they’re right, he does.

From what I’ve seen from the start of season 1 to the end of season 2, I have seen this hedgehog learn through his mistakes, even just slightly. Remember, each season is like 8 episodes. Pretty much right after his tussle with Chaos Sonic, you can see him become a little less annoying and a little more serious. He’s still a little shit, but he’s working to lessen that so things like this doesn’t happen again.

And for his actions towards people. One prevalent example I’ve heard people complain about is that he goes in for affection, when cannon sonic doesn’t do that. And while they are right, I think him going in for his hug with Shadow and Nine make sense for the story.

During the events of Prime, Sonic has been more or less alone, not truly alone, but alone. He has his friends stripped from him, distorted into alternate versions of themselves that have no idea who he is. And this, seeing all of this, it’s hurting him. He wants his friends back, he wants them to be fixed and everything to be back to normal. But right now they aren’t, and it’s getting harder for him to let go of that (proof with his thoughts on Nine).

When he sees Shadow again, he thinks he’s like the others, some other version of him that somehow came into the void with him through one of the Shatter spaces. But when he realizes that he remembers him, that he is the real shadow, he is absolutely ecstatic. FINALLY someone who hasn’t changed, someone who isn’t split into three or more other versions of himself, finally he has the real deal.

I view him hugging shadow out of pure joy and impulse, grabbing onto him and hugging him because finally he has someone who remembers their world before it was broken. Plus, I think Sonic is a tiny bit more physical with Shadow anyways (mostly through violence). I think he’d straight out hug whoever else was in shadows position if they also were the ‘original’ version of themselves.

In conclusion; I think that this little dumb fucker is getting too much hate and too much comparison to his cannon counterpart when he isn’t his cannon counterpart, mostly because the creators said that this show is very cannon accurate, when there’s only a few things to be cannon.

Criticize him all you want, I know I do. But don’t shit on him just cause he does things OOC when (at least I think) that’s not the point of him in the show.

Damn, that was a lot of writing. I just really like this dork

[your-dandy-king]

A Domestic Disturbance

( 1 , 2 )

The path back from Soult's camp to Duroc's domain is not a straight line. The spirit paths and leylines between worlds and dimensions rarely are. Ney rides Bessiere's turbulent wake as he pushes the limits of his endurance. This path takes them over soaring mountaintops covered with glaciers and snow, before plunging deep into abyssal underground caverns and through the artificial canyons between massive towers and minarets of a golden city in a vast desert.

Bessières barely notices it though. His mind is playing what he saw when Helene shared her memories over and over again.

He violated my home. He violated my child.

I will find him. And I will destroy him.

It will not be soon, but he can be patient. Very patient.

He senses his destination is soon, and casts himself off the leyline, exiting it with a forceful punch that echos a sonic boom. Below him is a familiar lake and familiar woods. And there by the shoreline, is a familiar house. But it's a house that suddenly doesn't feel like a home, not any more.

He lets Ney drop from his wake and zips downward towards the house. He steps onto the green before the house, his form once more corporeal and solid. And he hears the faint attenuations in the air, the slight vibration. Duroc isn’t alone in the house.

What is this? he thinks.

And he'll walk in, to find his husband, his beloved @askgeraudduroc and @commandant-des-traitres seated at the same table he's shared with his loves and his daughter. They seem to be sharing a meal at a table with so many good memories for Bessières, and now it’s been violated and despoiled by another unwanted invasion of their house that was no longer a home.

"You," he spits with frosty calm at Marmont. Joachim told him about what Marmont has done, but Geraud pleaded with him. He’d given into Geraud’s pleas with extreme misgivings and reluctance. But he agreed so long as Marmont stayed away from the house. "Why are you here." It's distinctly not framed as a question, as his hand goes to his sword's hilt.

@le-brave-des-braves @murillo-enthusiast @askgeraudduroc @commandant-des-traitres

[neolynne]

I would like to read your theories about the second season or what you think they should show us in the series👀🌚💌

Gladly !

Let star with an analysis/commentary of the pilot (and let's keep in mind that it's the pilot, not the official trailer, they didn't have the script at the time)

-> Starting with Winner getting punched in the face....good start !

-> We can deduce that all this happens 1 year after the end of season 1 (first anniversary of the death of Way). However, the discussion between Kenta and Winner suggests that they have not been together in prison for a very long time. This idea is reinforced by what Dean says "The alumni are here together". Why say it if they were in the same place from the beginning?

-> I think someone has arranged to bring them together -> the mysterious person who comes to see them?

-> Now let's look at their face : choc, surprise and for Dean, I would add fear

-> So, who is this person ? His wearing a plain black suit and seems quite tall (at least taller than the prison guard). Tony ? not convinced.....a new characters ? Maybe, but then why would all three be so shocked? Besides Tony and the X-hunter team, who else could they have in common?.......3rd option, Pete.......right now i'm 50/50 on Pete/a new characters (I will come back on my opinion about adding new characters later)

->Now to the dream sequence + CharlieBabe :

the transformation : Charlie become Way. And in Babes dream, Way seems more powerful

And i don't know how to explain it, but something feels off about Way

And of course we have Tony....

This is not Babe previous bedroom ->

I think they moved. And while I would have loved them to move in with Alan, that not happening. So there are two options, either they refurbish Babe’s childhood home or it is a new house. But why the change of residence? To escape from Tony? For them, he’s dead To get closer to Alan’s house? Maybe Or (and it’s nothing but a wishful thinking on my part) they moved because, let’s not lie to each other, the old house of Babe was clearly not made to accommodate a child.

5. Yes, I’m one of the people who wants a pregnant Babe. And I think there’s a possibility that it will happen. First of all, everything Pavel could said about season 2. And even in the trailer, at no time we have a clear vision of Babe’s lower abdomen. Moreover, Babe is radiant (pregnancies glow?) and that short moment when we see him put his hand on his lower abdomen, while having a pained expression and Charlie turning to look at him?

-> Then we have AlanJeff, still together, still cute

-> North, with two bouquets of flowers. Him and Kim seems closer now. We learn that Sonic left and is now in fashion ??? Maybe i was right in my commentary on ep9, about him making "get ready with me" video XD And North trying to play it cool...And of course, Sonic being his beautiful self.

-> the hug!!!! and Kim soft smile and then the group hug

-> Note that only Babe and Pete are dressed in all black

-> i wasn't ready for Dean being the passager princess......or Kenta being in the backseat

->And they are all three in their respective colors

-> Now, the part that makes me ask myself the most questions, the presence of Way and Tony. For Charlie, we know that it is Jeff, alone, who organized "the funeral" of him But for Way, the only people who could have organized them were Alan and Babe with the help of the other members of the team + Pete. So if Way survived, they would have know, given that they prepared the funeral…. Same with Tony, where I think Pete took care of it. He would have known, if he was still alive…….

And again, something fell off about "Way".

So what are my theories for season 2 and what would I like to see?

I don’t think it’s Way, or at least not the Way of season 1. Maybe he is being manipulated by someone or a new character who has the power to change his face? I have a weakness for this theory, because it would be possible to introduce a new character without necessarily having an additional actor. It allows me to talk about a topic mentioned quickly by Pavel and P'Chod, new characters. We already have a main cast with 12 actors, which is huge. Already in season 1 some had very little time on the screen. For example, Lee/Dean and even Benz/Kim. And in this context, they also want to integrate new important characters and therefore actors ? I much prefer the idea of having new roles played by actors already present.

Other than that :

Charlie and Babe having a baby

No break up please, it's 2024 we have overcome the need to have a break to bring drama

More racing

More detective Kim

NorthSonic, NorthSonicKim, KentaKim, NorthSonicKentaKim !!!! (what can i say, Kenta need all the love in the world)

Alan and Dean having a talk

If we have a "fake" or "manipulated" Way, i want all the angst for Pete, who knows that this is not his Way, but who desperately seeks to find him

A "forgive but not forget" storyline between Babe and Way (if it's the real one)

Tony drowning in a septic tank, please and thank you

And of course WinnerDean !!!! (i will never let them go)

Some characters growth for Winner (still a jeck)

Happy ending, no more death (i mean only Tony)

I don’t see what else to add for the moment. I really hope we get to have some more news on the 17th .

Feel free to comment your own theories or idea on season 2 !

[n-odditty]

[Sonic Heroes: Star System]

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Within the Star System lies mysteries many have failed to comprehend, let alone acknowledge. Powers far more ancient than the wonders which have been prominent in all our lives. So, when leaders from four notable teams, Sonic, Shadow, Blaze, and Silver, are brought into the spotlight with the rest of their friends against four new threats to the peace of their worlds, reality as they know it will be anything but the same. Will these 12 heroes from different walks of life be able to meet eye to eye, work as one, and end the growing threats that ebb away the fundamentals in which helps make their lives go round? Teams Primary, Monochrome, Paramount, and Absolution will make the pieces fall back into their rightful places.

Within the great expanse of space lies many secrets that the worlds which reside in the mysterious void have so little grasp on. Mysteries that hold great importance on how all came to be and how all came to prevail. Some of those mysteries reside within those very planets, holding onto hope that one day, once more, the wonders will connect the great expanse of knowledge and power to those who are best fit to wield it and lead all into a better tomorrow...following the course it was always meant to follow The era for a better new, life that pours out wonder, power, hope, and order will once again rise and shine greater tomorrows. How long may it take to get there? Those in the great beyond wait patiently for the answer. So too do those who have always lurked within the dark.

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Aw yeah! This is happening! I finally can post this story that I have been very passionate about for months now! [And also worrying like crazy over! ;u;] But now, it's time for it to see the world and the world to see it! I do hope you guys enjoy!

But while I am still being anxious over my work, I know you all will absolutely adore the beautiful pieces of art 2 awesome artists made for me through the Sonic the Hedgehog Big Bang 2024 event! I was blessed to have such cool artist work with me and bring some life to my writing! Give it up for @itslawless77 [Their Twitter: @7aw7ess] and @momotarotea! [Their twitter goes by the same handle!] You both are so awesome! Both your pieces are great and it was an honor getting both of them for my silly fic ^^! Send them lots of love guys! And thank you @sthbigbang for organizing this event and making all these opportunities possible! Had lots of fun! [Despite my anxieties ;U;]. I hope to see another one of these events in the future! Please send the team lots of love guys!

Now without further ado, I introduce my fic! Please enjoy!

Sonic Heroes: Star System - Chapter 1 - MissOdditty - Sonic the Hedgehog (Video Games) [Archive of Our Own]

[wubbowrites]

how to get over your feelings for that stupid blue hedgehog

Fandom: Sonic the Hedgehog

Relationship: Sonic/Shadow

Rating: General Audience

Warnings: none!

AO3 Link

A step-by-step guide for ultimate lifeforms.

—

(1) Wake up at exactly 6am.

(2) Go to the kitchen to have breakfast. You won’t want to eat so early, but your roommate’s voice in your head will tell you to. Take the bag of loose coffee beans out from the cupboard to snack on while you make toast, an egg, or some other food.

(3) Don’t think about what you would make if he was here with you.

(1) Wake up at exactly 6am.

(2) Go to the kitchen to have breakfast. You won’t want to eat so early, but your roommate’s voice in your head will tell you to. Take the bag of loose coffee beans out from the cupboard to snack on while you make toast, an egg, or some other food.

(3) Don’t think about what you would make if he was here with you. Pretend you don’t care what he likes for breakfast. Pretend you don’t already know that he likes blueberry pancakes, or cold leftover pizza.

(4) Check the living room. If your roommate left a mess from the night before, tidy it up. You don’t usually clean up her messes, but you can’t stand living in a cluttered home. It’s unnatural to you. So make this exception.

(5) If your roommate is not asleep in her room, check your phone. You don’t like using your phone, because it has too many apps on it that you barely know how to use, but check it anyway. You will likely have a text from her with a selfie, where the background will only vaguely reveal where she’s conducting her latest heist. Send her confirmation that you’ve seen it — a thumbs up emoticon or an “Ok.” will do, even if she teases you about your choice later.

(6) Shower. If you get caught up in your thoughts, put on your classic rock playlist to ease them. If you catch yourself thinking of him, blast your heavy metal playlist at full volume so you can’t think at all.

(7) Put on your clothes. If your shoes have visible dirt, quickly polish them up. Don’t forget your inhibitor rings. You never have, but still make a point to remind yourself not to. Don’t take that risk.

(8) Leave the apartment. Go down the stairs, cross through Club Rouge, and exit the building out the back door. Fill the food and water bowls you keep out for the local stray cats.

(9) Don’t give any stray cats you see a name, because you can’t let yourself get too attached to them. Contemplate taking one in anyway.

(10) Run any errands for the day now so you don’t have to later. Shopping early in empty stores relaxes you, while shopping afternoons and evenings in crowded stores irritates you. If there are no errands to be done, go back into the apartment and find something to read for a few hours.

(11) In the late morning, you will likely be contacted by someone asking for your assistance. It might by someone from the Restoration. It might be the one of the detectives trying to follow up on a lead. It could be any number of things. Whether or not you decide you’re above helping them will depend on your mood that day. Except when the request is to watch a young rabbit while her mother is out of the house. That you cannot deny unless you have a damn good reason.

(12) Don’t hold hope in the back of your brain that he will reach out for your help too. Don’t admit that if he made the smallest request, you would fulfill it, even if you sighed and glared and grit your teeth the whole time.

(13) At midday, get lunch. Keep the apartment’s fridge stocked with easy meals in case you need to decompress there. If you need to keep moving instead, there are plenty of restaurants to go to on the way to your favorite forest spot. Pick something up from one of those and head there.

(14) Eat alone again. Spend some time staring out at the beautiful scenery. Think through anything you need to (it’s not brooding, no matter what anyone says).

(15) Find somewhere to train for the afternoon. Stay in the forest, or go to Club Rouge’s basement, or visit a gym. It doesn’t matter where you go, so long as there is somewhere to run, or something to hit. Somewhere empty is still preferable to somewhere crowded so you don’t get distracted. Theoretically.

(16) Theoretically, because wherever you choose, no matter how quiet or remote, he will somehow turn up. He always seems to know where you’re heading for this — like he can read your mind. Act as if that frustrates you.

(16) He’ll challenge you to a race, or to a fight. Try to deny him. Try to remain alone. Try to ignore the way his emerald eyes stare at you, fond and competitive. Fail.

(17) Have some of the most fun you’ve ever had. Even though you’ve given in to it so many times, letting off steam with him will never stop being the most fun you’ve ever had. It will seem better every time. Pretend it’s an imposition. Pretend that you’re glad to be rid of him when he finally prepares to leave, even though you will want to grab his arm and beg him for another challenge. Pretend that being alone again is a relief. Pretend until you almost believe it yourself.

(18) Reject his invitation to dinner and go right back to the apartment. Your roommate should be home by this time, unless her heist is particularly treacherous. She will likely suggest getting takeout, because she doesn’t care to cook. You can try to suggest where, but she’ll probably decide on her own anyway. She knows what’s good, though, so don’t get too annoyed about it.

(19) Eat with your roommate if she gives you space. Eat alone in your room if she asks too many questions, or pesters you about when you’re going to say something to him. She won’t take “never” as an answer, so it’s not worth the trouble.

(20) Don’t wish that you’d accepted his invitation to eat.

(21) Take time to truly unwind before bed. Finish your book, or rewatch that anime you like, or stare up at the ceiling and let yourself zone out. Go for a walk with your roommate, if she hasn’t been a pain.

(22) Don’t waste your final few hours of the day wondering how he’s spending his.

(23) Once the clock hits 11pm, go straight to bed. Fall asleep in a timely manner.

(24) Don’t notice the silence. Don’t fill the silence with your mind. Don’t think about him. Don’t think about him.

(25) Tell yourself that these feelings are a fluke. Tell yourself they’ll fade over time. Try to forget that they haven’t faded since you discovered them months ago. Try to forget that the feelings probably started way back when, on your second fall to Earth.

(26) Convince yourself that tomorrow will be the day you deal with it, once and for all. Don’t imagine what you might do to “deal with it”, because you really don’t know, but you know it must be done.

(27) Fall asleep.

.

.

.

(1) Wake up at exactly 6am.

(2) Go to the kitchen to have breakfast. Take the bag of loose coffee beans out from the cupboard to snack on while you make blueberry pancakes.

[inkedkoi]

Hold On To “What If”: Overanalyzing and Rewriting Sonic Prime

aka Masterpost & References: Part One

💬 “But, Koi, Prime finished months ago…”

Hmm. What do you think I should do, Shadow?

Shadow: "Determine your own destiny, just as I have."

Well, you heard the hedgehog. What better way to celebrate the Year of Shadow than by talking about the show where he had the best characterization: Sonic Prime. I may have my own bias towards the show due to a personal connection, but overall I think the show is pretty good. Animation, voice-acting, music/sound, editing, they were amazing. The writing, aside from Shadow’s character, is ok. There are definitely some good lines but there were “eh” moments as well. (We’ll get back to that.)

I thought I would give an insight into what I thought about Sonic Prime, from overanalyzing every single frame to rewriting Season 3, and finally explain whatever the hell I had on my bingo card (the one I made before Season 3 was released).

Due to the image limit, this will be the masterpost for all of the sections:

References: [this post] // 2 // 3 Plot Holes (x) Connections: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 Bingo Card: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 Rewrite 1 // 2 // 3 Remaining Questions & Final Thoughts (x)

(also available in the "🌻 hold on to what if" tag down below)

⚠️ Spoilers for the whole series, all media here belong to their respective creators. ⚠️

✨//🌻//✨

Before we get into it…

As the internet is, I want to clarify some things:

1. I’m not a die-hard Sonic fan so some things may not be 100% accurate. I honestly entered into the fandom when Sonic Frontiers was announced. My first exposure to Sonic at all was the Sonic Unleashed Animated short film, “Night of the Werehog”, when I was like 14 so I caught myself up with Sonic lore in between releases of each season of Prime. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about anything.

2. There's this whole debacle on whether or not Prime is part of the canon. News has recently been brought up that the Prime Team didn't acknowledge the comments made by Ian and the lore team about inconsistencies. It didn't surprise me at all. The show wasn't going to be part of the canon to begin with, which was abundantly clear by the show's writing. It feels like the writers copied from a wiki. There were so many scenes where instead of taking the moment to breathe and have character development, they put fighting scenes, more so in season three.

💬 "What about the references, Shadow's characterization, etc?"

Actually, we wouldn't have them if not for some of the crew fighting SO hard to get that into the show. The animators, storyboard artists, voice actors, editors, and many others — some are legit Sonic fans and others wanted to please the fandom. They have done such a great service to the fans with what they could, so could we just give a round of applause to the creative crew behind this? 👏👏👏 To the crew, you did what you could for us, and we can’t thank you enough.

Back to the whole "canon" thing, for this essay, we'll treat Prime as a stand-alone thing unless we absolutely have to affiliate it with canon.

3. Netflix did the weird thing of splitting up all the episodes of the series and called them “seasons”. I personally call them “batches” and I know there are some people who do the same, but for our sakes, they’ll be referred to as seasons, just so we don’t get confused. Okay? Cool!

Finally, this is for funsies, don’t take this too seriously. I want to establish that I have nothing against the people behind Prime or anyone else.

So grab your snacks, and get comfy. Now, let’s lock in, chat!

References: Part One

Here’s a list of references to other Sonic media I picked up in Prime. Some of them on the list are from Felipe Sonic Hacks YT video I saw while drafting my bingo card predictions, so you can check it out (Link). Whether or not these are intentional, that’s up for interpretation unless said otherwise.

Chilidogs (EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.)

"Gotta Go Fast" (just an iconic Sonic line)

Sonic’s iconic gestures: waiting stance (S1 EP3), finger-wagging (S1 EP6) and nose-rub (S1 EP6 + S2 EP5)

look at this lil' guy :)

[S1 EP1]

Eggman’s Badniks — the usual (designs primarily the same ones from the game Sonic the Hedgehog 1)

Sonic’s super peel-out animation — a reference to Sonic the Hedgehog CD (and other games beyond)

“...sonic boom of a headache” — a reference(???) to the Sonic Boom show

New Yoke City — a design reference to Eggman Land, he wasn’t wrong about the neon (seen in the game: Sonic Unleashed)

Sonic balancing on the edge — a reference to Sonic’s balancing sprite animation from Sonic Games (matches perfectly with one in Sonic the Hedgehog 2)

Sonic’s breakdancing — a reference to Sonic’s S Rank victory animation from Sonic Generations

I mean, Sonic definitely is a breakdancer and incorporates it in his fighting style, prove me wrong.

Orbot and Cubot — returning characters from the franchise

Side note: I screamed in joy when I first saw them :)

1992 — the year of Tails’ first appearance (Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 2)

This whole scene explaining Tails' origin story — also a nod to the pixel games

Obstacle test — a reference(???) to Chemical Plant

[S1 EP 2]

Shadow’s hand back-spring in the first Sonic vs. Shadow fight — the same move done in Shadow the Hedgehog when Shadow encountered robot replicas of him

1998 — The year of Big the Cat’s first appearance (Game: Sonic Adventure 1)

[S1 EP 3]

Sonic’s free falling from an edge — similar move in Sonic Movie 2 (does that count as a reference???)

Rebel’s drill maneuver in beating the bots in the stairwell fight — same move Rouge uses in Sonic X (that I know of)

[S1 EP 4]

The Berries the Boscage Crew scavenged for — a nod to Chao Garden Fruits (confirmed to be intentional)

(right photo credits to ChaoProfessor on Twitter)

Sound FX when Sonic getting prickled by spikes — same sound FX from the games

To be continued...

Next Part

[writingtraumaforever]

Uncontrolled Chaos: Chapter 4

Notes: Okay. So this chapter might be more Knuxouge than anything. But it’s background building, okay?! I love those crazy two, and I like to think their dynamic when Knuckles leaves to go have his own adventures after Sonic Frontiers would be a bit conflicting and revolutionary for them. Plus, Rouge is worried about Shadow. They’re besties!

Summary: Rouge tries to get in contact with Sonic.

Chapter Select: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Support my Ao3!

Start:

This was all very stressful. Shadow was on the brink of losing his mind being held there at the GUN HQ. He didn’t trust these people. He didn’t know them, and yet they all seemed to know him far too well. It wouldn’t shock him since GUN has been watching both him and Sonic for years, but they talked as if they knew him on a personal, violating level..

Just how closely had they been watching him??

His ears twitch when he hears footsteps approaching the room they’ve had him resting in, turning his head to watch Rouge come in with a doctor in tow.

“Well, good news and bad news. Good news is the CT scan is showing no signs of head trauma, Agent Shadow,” the doctor smiles as they say this— a dark headed woman with darker skin. She seems nice, but Shadow isn’t going to let his guard down that easy.

“Bad news is we don’t know why the hell you seem to not remember certain things..,” Rouge adds, crossing her arms and leaning against the nearby wall as she looks at Shadow with a pondering expression.

Shadow, ignoring this, goes right back to asking what he’s been asking on repeat the past few hours, “Is Sonic here yet??”

“Sweetie, I told you, Big Blue wouldn’t touch GUN HQ with a ten foot pole,” Rouge frowns, her brow quirked at him, “Why do you need him here?? Has something happened?? You can tell me, Shadow, something is obviously up—“

“I just want to see Sonic..,” Shadow says quietly, his eyes shifting downward towards his gloved fingers twiddling with the blanket laid over him.

Rouge just sighs at this. Shadow seems different. He’s calmer.. She’s shocked he hasn’t lost his rocker and tried to break out of here yet. He doesn’t typically accept help so easily, let alone under the guise that he’s waiting for Sonic of all people to show up.

Rouge looks at the doctor and nods to dismiss them, the doctor nodding in return before excusing themself out the door to give them some privacy.

Rouge looks back to Shadow with pursed lips, chewing on the inside of her lower one in thought before giving with a little groan,

“I’ll call in a favor with Knuckles.. he owes me for keeping an eye on the Emerald when he disappeared to those weird islands. Maybe he can get ahold of Sonic..”

Shadow looks at Rouge a moment as if a bit thrown off by her words before he nods and, “Thank you..”

Rouge hums at that, pulling her phone out with a, “No problem, doll,” and little smirk before she walks out of the medical room to dial Knuckles’ number.

Holding the phone to her ear, she paces down the hall with a little frown and groaned, “He so owes me for calling this little—“

Call declined.

Rouge gasps, staring at her phone with disbelief a moment and then growling at the absolute audacity of that shithead.

She tries again.

Call declined.

Huffing, she texts him instead.

‘Pick up you Knucklehead! This is an emergency.’

She waits.

Sees it’s read.

The three bubbles popping up to show he’s typing. She rolls her eyes.

‘This the same kind of emergency as last time??’

She types back quickly with her thumbs nearly breaking her screen with how annoyed she is,

‘You wish it was~’

She waits.

Read.

Then her phone starts vibrating, Knuckles’ image popping up. It’s a picture of him laying in front of the Master Emerald, so if anyone asks, she’d say she just has it to look at the emerald itself.

Holding the phone back to her ear, she huffs,

“Took you long enough..”

“I’m sort of in the middle of something, Rouge..,” Knuckles says with a slightly apologetic tone, but Rouge doesn’t give a damn.

“Yes, yes, your grand solo adventure that’s too good for me to tag along on. I know.”

“Hey! You said you had work to think about and—“

“Not now!” Rouge interrupts, not wanting to have this conversation again, “I’ve got a problem.”

There’s a long pause.

Then Knuckles voice comes a bit quieter, “Are.. you okay??”

Rouge can’t help the slight smile that curls on her lips at that. He worries about her..

“I’m fine, Knuckie,” she coos, hearing a slight sigh of relief from Knuckles’ end.

“Then what’s the problem?? I’m low on signal out here, and I probably won’t be able to reach you much longer—“

“Shadow is needing Sonic.”

Another long pause.

“…Huh??”

“I know,” Rouge sighs, rolling her eyes and leaning against a nearby wall.

“Why does he need Sonic???“

“I don’t know,” she groans a bit, impatient with this whole situation, “He won’t talk to me..”

“Well that’s weird.. you’re the only person he does talk to. Outside that crazy robot—“

“Omega.”

“Right. Whatever. Either way, it’s weird.”

“That’s not it, Knuckles, he’s—… he’s different.”

“Different?? Like how??”

“He’s calmer. I mean— Shadow is relatively calm with Omega and I aside from his usual grumpy, gruff ways. But this is different. He’s been pretty chill with everyone here, but his eyes almost look scared. Like he’s hesitant to make a move or is just lost altogether..”

“Shadow doesn’t get scared..”

“I know. And that’s not it..,” she sighs and readjusts her phone, mumbling a bit quieter as to not be heard, “When he looks at me-… when he looks at me, it’s like he doesn’t even know me.“

“What do you mean??” Knuckles asks with a frown in his voice, Rouge hearing the crunching sound of gravel beneath his footsteps stopping on the other end of the phone.

“I mean he doesn’t trust me. It’s like I’m back to square one with him, but worse because I have no idea how to handle this new, vulnerable version of him..,” Rouge hugs herself a bit. She’s more concerned than she lets on.. “He’s really worrying me, Knuckles..”

Knuckles takes a deep breath and sighs it out on the other end, Rouge chewing on her lower lip as she listens.

“…Do I need to come back??”

“No!” Rouge answers immediately, brows knitting as she stands up a bit straighter.

“I’ve been debating on it anyway. It wouldn’t be a big—“

“No, Knuckles,” she insists, her voice softening uncharacteristically to show she’s sincere, “…You need this. Even if I can’t be there for it.”

Knuckles is quiet a long moment before he eventually hums and then, “Okay.. Then what do I need to do?”

“I just need a way to contact Sonic,” she says simply, rubbing her hand back through her hair with a tired sigh, “Heard from him lately??”

“Not since I left those islands,” Knuckles frowns, voice a bit gruff with annoyance at not being a better help. Then she hears him snap his fingers and, “But Amy did. She went and saw him before she took off on her girls trip with Sticks and Cream.”

Rouge huffs at that, grumbling quietly, “Everyone is taking off on trips without me, I see..”

Knuckles chuckles at that, “Well, you don’t exactly giving off inviting vibes, bat.”

“Whatever, you blockhead!” Rouge snaps, huffing with a scowl as she listens to Knuckles laugh more on the other end, “At least my best friend isn’t a rock!”

“Hey! I’ve got friends!” Knuckles snaps back, his laughter stopping.

“Yeah, yeah, and they like you enough to watch you run off on your own instead of going with ya!”

“They had their own journeys to take! And I needed the solitude after having you up my ass all the time!”

“You mean that literally or metaphorically~?” Rouge teases with a grin, knowing that’ll get to him.

She hears the familiar sound of Knuckles stumbling angrily over his words, knowing good and well his face is as red as his quills in both embarrassment and anger in that moment.

“METAPHORICALLY YOU DUMB BAT!!”

Rouge hums out a chuckle, shrugging with a, “Just checkin’..”

Knuckles growls a moment before it goes quiet between the two again..

She’s missed this..

She’s missed him.

Her smile softens from that knowing little shit-eating smile to something a bit sadder and longing, her head pressing to the wall beside her as she hugs herself a bit tighter, “..I should go.”

Knuckles is quiet a moment before he sighs and, “Yeah, me too..”

“..You stay safe, understand??”

“I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

“I know you can,” Rouge sighs with a small roll of her eyes, “…Just-.. stay safe.”

Another pause. Rouge can hear his smile when he speaks, though.

“I will.. you too. Keep me updated on the Shadow situation.”

“I will.”

“…I’ll talk to you again soon.”

“Answer my damn calls,” Rouge scolds before smirking and, “Bye, Knuckie~.”

She hears him grumbling again all flustered before she hangs up her phone and closes her eyes a moment. She's grown more attached to him than she’d care to admit,.. and him going away like this has just made that more obvious to her. Taking a deep breath, she sighs it out and look back to her phone.

Calling Amy Rose..

“Rouge!! It’s been so long!!”

“Hey kiddo, I need some info..”