Eternal Guardian

Shadow finally pushed himself to his feet, stumbled around a second, and eventually looked down at the other hedgehog. "You could have still given me some warning." He brooded and turned to look at the neglected Emeralds -- the red one he'd brought with him, and the huge Master Emerald. He weakly started toward the stairway, displaying a frown of annoyance.

Honestly, he wasn't sure what you did after something like that. He was still convinced that it wasn't the way things were supposed to work, but he wasn't sure if you were supposed to follow up with anything afterward. Shadow assumed that if there was anything he needed to do, Sonic would let him know. Otherwise, it just wasn't important enough to be bothered with.

He sat down on the bottom stair, leaning over and propping his elbows on his knees and placing his head in his hands. He rubbed up and down his face before he paused, prying his blistered hands away from his muzzle. He winced at the feeling of his palms being practically glued to his chin. "What the--?" If Shadow hadn't been disgusted before, he was now.


"Ya know, that's a good look for you." Teased the blue hedgehog. At some point on Shadow's journey towards the steps, Sonic sat up. It was hard to talk himself out of laying there all day. He wanted to but he knew he couldn't.

Instead he turned his attention back towards Shadow for the time being, wondering if whether or not he should leave. Honestly, he wasn't sure what to do after something like that either.

"Ugh," Shadow shuddered, looking now at the white stain on the pure black fur of his arm.

He glared up at Sonic, empty voice chilling the warm ocean air. "You know, you ask for an awful lot of trouble." He had half a mind to put Sonic in his place, but the other half told him to stay seated. Did Sonic think that he was all that funny, laughing over his misfortune? He felt the whole thing was his fault to begin with.

Watching Shadow, a strange amount of amusement and fondness entered in Sonic's eyes. Despite how intimidating the black hedgehog was, Sonic was once again undaunted. How could he be after what they just did? Although now they were left with somewhat of an awkward aura brewing between them.

Shadow stood quickly and walked along the stone pathway to the edge of the island, mind made up. "I'm getting a shower." After all, he did have two homes now.

As Shadow got up and announced these future plans, Sonic climbed to his feet as well. He supposed it was time to leave...and he could use a shower too.

Clearing his throat, he wandered towards the edge of the island, keeping some space between them. "I guess I'll see ya around then, eh? At least I know where to find you." He couldn't stray too far from the Master Emerald. He smirked, eying him from the corners of his eyes. Idly he wondered what the others would think about Shadow being the new guardian. Despite all the shit he said before, deep down Sonic knew it hadn't been a mistake.

Shadow scoffed, staring at the ground below. He didn't really feel up to it, but he knew that without Chaos Control - and he wasn't about to ask Sonic for any favors - he'd have to get down the hard way. He bared his teeth as he glanced back over at Sonic, then stepped back a few yards before taking off into a run, full blast. He crouched low as he glided over to the very edge, then kicked off with every bit of strength he could muster. His red-streaked arms flew back behind him and his legs spread in good form. Shadow twisted his spine unnaturally in midair and forced a flip, which led into a spin, halving the air resistance and doubling the effect of gravity.

He neared the shore below, and uncoiled, again fighting the inertia he'd put upon himself and falling evenly. His eyes widened as he realized he'd be getting a bath a whole lot sooner than he expected as he plummeted toward the open bay. "Ah." The crimson orbs narrowed. "Shit." He had a feeling this would hurt a lot worse than the ground, as water came at you from all sides, not just below.

Unlike Shadow, Sonic still had a Chaos Emerald. One of which he intended to use to get back down off of Angel Island. It wasn't very fun doing it the long way, and Shadow was about to give an example as to why.

"You can't even save yourself. What are you going to do when you have to protect the Master Emerald? Hm?" Sonic's voice suddenly rung in the other's furry ears. One second he was falling, the next they were on the ground. Sonic held Shadow bridal-style, an embarrassing position for the Ultimate Lifeform to be pictured in, no doubt. Indeed a Kodak moment. It happened before Shadow knew it, and he was angry.

Very. Very. Angry.

He shoved Sonic away as he stumbled, reclaiming his balance and struggling to regain his dignity. "What do you know, faker!" He swiped at the air between them viciously to make his point. "I don't need you!" He growled, a pink tint gradually rising to his face. For a moment, he almost regretted being so short with the hedgehog, but he wasn't some damsel in distress! 'How dare Sonic even...' He hissed, wiping the thoughts from his mind and returning to the present situation.

He kind of figured Shadow would react that way though. It didn't bug him too much but it was obvious their relationship hadn't changed much despite the actions they pursued back on Angel Island.

Sonic shrugged casually and turned his back to him. "I'll take that as a 'thanks.' Think you can make it home alright by yourself?" A toothy smile formed as he looked back at him over his shoulder, clutching the emerald tighter and showing it off; it was at this point he'd be able to leave Shadow in the dust; and once again rub his own superiority in his face. Ah, this was fun for the blue hedgehog. But he didn't take off just yet. Waiting for a response instead, one he was certain would be just as amusing as the last.

Shadow started with a smartassed come back, opening his mouth and leaning in slightly. He even began to growl, readying his voice for a good shouting.

Losing the moment, however, he blushed and turned his back to the hedgehog, crossing his arms. He owed the bastard nothing. Not even his attention. Not one bit. Guilt tugged at him gently, but he pushed it away and began to walk toward the cave entrance, striped quills bouncing lightly with the movement.

Well! Seeing as how Shadow didn't want his company for the walk home, Sonic made his dramatic exit. Taking the time out to deliver a sharp slap to Shadow's ass as he sped past.

"See ya later!" Sonic called, kicking up dust in his wake as he rocketed off, heading back to his own place to shower the remains of the night away.

Shadow was left with eyes widened in shock, and he choked, unable to say anything fast enough. He bared his teeth and grumbled furiously, threatening the other under his breath. He reached back and touched his sore bottom, gingerly rubbing it to ease the discomfort. He swallowed back his rage and sighed, not exactly sure what Sonic thought he was getting away with, but all the while plotting his various methods of revenge, none of which satisfied him. But he'd come up with one! You could bet on that.

And thus he began his long journey back to the apartment.

-------------------

Shadow was dog-tired by the time he finally got himself home. He'd walked all the way to the station, then run through the downtown area so that no one could stop and comment on how disgusting he was. He could only imagine what he would have felt like if he'd run the whole way - then again adrenaline might have worked to keep him awake. In any case, he didn't feel like he would be able to stay awake any longer - but he needed to get this crap out of his fur! He slipped out of his shoes at the door and fumbled around as he ripped off his sweaty socks on his way to the bathroom. Shadow honestly couldn't tell you a time when he felt less hygienic.

Socks went into the small hamper on the back of the door in the small room. He absently moved a hand to pick at the solid cluster of fur, and finding that it was even more cemented, threw a fist down into the bathroom counter, splintering the wood through the now bent vinyl cover. He cursed and peered over at himself in the mirror. "Nnn...dammit!" He growled at the mess, as if that would help anything, and closed his eyes miserably before turning to the bath.

He leaned in and cut the water on, setting the temperature a bit warmer than the usual cool showers he took. Perhaps it would ease his tired cramping muscles - he was tempted to put in on hot, full blast, to scald away the pleasant little gift Sonic left on him, but he knew that he couldn't tolerate so much heat all at once (he had been born on the ARK, after all). When he was satisfied with the temperature, he stepped into the rushing water. A few droplets rebounded off of him and onto the floor, but he certainly didn't care about that. Not today. There was a much bigger mess to deal with.

As the water ran over him, he closed his eyes instinctively, and leaned in towards the flow, the warmth filling him to his very core.

Shadow felt a jolt and opened his eyes wide, grabbing for the tile wall. He blinked a few times, trying to keep himself awake, and even tried shaking his head. When that just made him dizzy, he tried blinking harder. He sighed and snatched the shampoo up, popping the lid open as he tilted it into his hand. He hissed at the burning sensation that resulted when it made contact with his raw skin, but didn't rinse it away.

Instead, he began to scrub at the offensive spot on his forearm. He scowled at the texture, and how annoyingly difficult it was to break down and clean. When, finally, the fur on his arm was cleansed of Sonic's semen, he allowed water to run over the area while depositing more shampoo into his palm. This he used to remove the glue-like solid from his muzzle, which was much easier, before finally lathering and beginning to rinse his whole body.

He felt the room sink again and made a dive for the side of the tub as he slipped in and out of consciousness. He lowered himself defeatedly into a sitting position, continuing to let the water drain through his fur and spines. He closed his eyes as it drizzled over his brow and dripped from his nose. The blanket of warmth was getting harder and harder to fight off, and before Shadow knew it, he was resting his head on the cold, white porcelain, drifting away from awareness.

-------------------

He frowned over at the echidna. They'd been arguing forever. Shadow was right, and he knew it. "You told me that was everything. You didn't tell me any of this before! I shouldn't have to do anything else, and I won't!"

Violet eyes were skeptical. "You agreed to taking on the task at any cost. Besides, you're the one at fault!"

"I didn't make him come!"

Tikal, whom Shadow hadn't noticed standing there before, intervened, "You told him how to come, and you even told him how quickly to do so."

Shadow growled at both of them, not desiring to be bothered by any of this anymore.

"You don't get it, do you?" Knuckles snapped. "You changed the whole thing around! You screwed with the sacred ceremony! You brought a living being into our holy realm during a time when the only one there should have been you! You fucked--"

"Knuckles! Calm down!" Tikal touched his shoulder, then turned back to Shadow. "It was impure to bring him into the holy realm without express permission of a current Guardian or through his transformation."

"I'm the current Guardian."

Knuckles scoffed "You got that right. It doesn't matter, anyhow. You can't even do what you have to, to make up for your own mistakes. You can't handle the job. Choosing you was a mistake."

An icy chill penetrated his calm exterior. Shadow opened his mouth to argue. For some reason, nothing came out. He panicked, trying desperately to make his point. He wasn't the failure they were claiming he was. No! He was the Ultimate Life Form, Shadow! He could do whatever he had to, but he was undeserving of the overbearing tasks - not that he couldn't handle them! A shuddering gasp finally escaped his lips, and everything shifted. He couldn't quite describe it, but... Oh.

He was in the shower again, and he was freezing. He jerked awake and fumbled, ducking his head between his shoulders, turning the water off as quickly as he could manage. He panted, shivering and hugging his icy arms. A groan tumbled carelessly from his vocal chords as he clambered out of the tub and onto the tile. He slid the small door open to the towel closet, and grabbed the biggest, fluffiest towel he owned - courtesy of Rouge - and threw it about his trembling body.

How had he fallen asleep in the shower? Could he possibly be that weak? It seemed impossible, but he'd had a rough morning, perhaps... And that damned dream. What was that about? He couldn't remember everything, just that he'd done something wrong already. Was it leaving the Emerald? No... he shook his head to himself as he climbed to his feet and dragged his aching body into the bedroom. It was something different. His heart stopped a moment as he thought about his earlier actions with Sonic. Was that it? It couldn't be.

Exhausted with everything, including his own train of thought, he threw his dripping wet body onto the bed and snuggled underneath the over-sized towel that was almost bigger than himself. He grabbed the corner of a sheet and pulled it over his lower body before finally going into unconsciousness... the proper way.