Eternal Guardian

Sonic crashed after he got home (shortly after taking a shower). He woke up some time a little after noon. Not even the smell of Tails making lunch could wake him up and this surprised the brownish gold fox who remained oblivious to the fact he hadn't been in his bed the entire night. He figured whatever the hedgehog had been up to lately must've really worn him out for him to still be asleep. So he didn't bother waking him at all. He left him something in the fridge to warm up later though considering he had skipped out on breakfast.

Sonic was just beginning to stir when Tails was starting to head out for some errands. All he could remember was the dream he had just dissolved out of which still played vividly inside his mind. It regarded something similar of what him and Shadow did last night.

Sonic's eyes widened as he focused and became more awake and aware of his surroundings. He couldn't help but notice how uncomfortably sticky it felt beneath him. When he raised up he realized why and his face grew red. What did you call those? Wet dreams?

"Sonic?" Came a soft, child-like voice from the doorway as none other than the kit was peeking into his bedroom, one last time to see if he was awake and wanted anything while he was out. He was glad to see the blue hedgehog finally up, and stepped on inside.

Sonic quickly grabbed a black blanket and pulled it around him, looking like a deer in headlights, a few sweatdrops forming alongside his head. "H-Hey, Tails." He cleared his throat and tried to seem normal. "What's up, buddy?"

The fox seemed oblivious to Sonic's awkwardness and smiled at him, twin tails twitching and curling up behind him. "I'm going to pick up some groceries. You want anything?"

"Nah, just...get whatever." He smiled something stupid and cheesy. It almost took Tails off guard; he was acting awfully strange and... For a second he thought he smelt something. He even started sniffing the air, increasing the sweat around Sonic's forehead.

"Okay then. I left something for ya in the fridge if you want to warm it up. I'll see ya around." Deciding it wasn't interesting enough to investigate (or afraid of what he might find in Sonic's less-than tidy room), Tails waved and turned, leaving without further incident. He had gotten used to his own growing independence as much as Sonic. Thus meaning he didn't bother asking about tagging along with him today either.

"See ya!" Sonic chirped, relaxing once he was out; a heavy sigh falling from his lips as his shoulders slumped. ...Now he needed another shower.

He was quicker than he was last night, mainly focusing some shampoo around his tummy and crotch. He was rather embarrassed at himself, not sure if it was such a good idea to get so caught up emotionally with such a 'emo' hedgehog. He had an urge to see him though but he hadn't intended doing so any time soon despite the annoying thought.

The hedgehog stumbled out of the shower and used a towel to dry his fur the best he could manage. He considered going for a run before taking Tails up on that meal he made him. Running was just as good as a hair dryer as far as he was concerned. It was a good way to stretch his legs too and he was feeling awfully good today. But after fetching his shoes and acquiring new socks - oh yes, don't forget the gloves - he put his sheets in the laundry. Now he was ready for a good run.

Stepping just outside the door, his chest rose as he inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air as a smile curved his lips. Without a hint of warning, his legs went into action; disappearing into a blur of cerulean blue.

Sonic yawned a little late in the day as his feet carried him past civilians and heated up concrete. It wasn't long before the wind did its job.

The hedgehog stopped on top of a building, randomly selected to give him a high perch. He had a great view of everything and it looked like it was going to be a really nice evening; no clouds littered the skies. He'd have the remaining day to himself. But unnaturally he was wondering Shadow's plans. As if he couldn't guess. The black hedgehog was the guardian of the Master Emerald now so he could only stay away from it for so long. Maybe he'd reconsider earlier thoughts and drop by on him later. Who wouldn't want Sonic's company?

He crossed his arms against a strong wind, looking as proud as ever as his eyes surveyed downtown's surroundings. As lovely as the day was, Sonic wasn't one to enjoy laying around, absorbing relaxation. He preferred excitement and adventure. It seemed there wasn't much of that lately...or there wouldn't have been if not for the interesting night last night provided with Shadow. With nothing to buy his time with, his mind was circling around what he was doing and if he was just as bored as he was. Maybe Shadow was thinking about him too?

Sonic shook his head and gave himself a disgusted look. Who the heck cared? It wasn't like him to engage himself so romantically. If you wanted to call it that. No, thoughts like these were just annoying - and about Shadow no less!

Huffing, his eyes narrowed and he rocketed off, leaving his perch and heading through the streets, using the passing cars as fun obstacles.

"Oh!" A girl gasped as her pink dress flew up from an unknown source of wind blown at her in a hurry. In fact it did it twice as if to steal another peak of the pink panties beneath her baby doll dress. How utterly suspicious.

Sonic came to a screeching halt at the end of the avenue and smirked to himself. A hand tossed an emerald idly into the air, up and down; who says he needs something drastic and chaotic to happen to have fun? He could make his own fun.

Wait a minute...!

Sonic grabbed the once vibrant glowing emerald in his palm and looked at it strangely. Something was different. But what?

"Hey." The thing wasn't quite its lively self anymore. His lips pursed together, pondering what could be the cause of this, and if it mattered at all. Surely the emerald still retained its power?

Sonic's eyes narrowed seriously. Time to test it. Holding the dull gem high above his head in a needless pose that just seemed cool to strike (and ignoring the wandering eyes around him) he initiated the power of the emerald, using his dramatic voice. "Chaos Control!"

And nothing happened.

"Chaos Control!" Sonic growled for the third time, growing flustered. Lowering his arm he looked at the emerald, thoroughly confused and inwardly rather concerned. What was going on?

"Just great." Grumbled the hedgehog, walking back the way he came, worried eyes reflected dully back at him through the emerald's surface. He thought and thought, trying to put together an idea of what could be the matter, but came up with nothing. The only one who might have a clue is...well...Shadow.

A reason to go looking for him. He actually felt almost kind of glad. However...getting to Angel Island was going to be a lot more difficult without the power of Chaos Control...

He didn't need it for the most part but it would have been a big help to give him a boost to the island's surface. Instead he was going to have to take a long way that made him wish he would have eaten before he began his journey; running on an empty stomach wasn't a very smart thing to do.

The hedgehog hit the route that led to a mountain near Angel Island. By the time it was all said and done, a little blue blur had landed on the edge, panting and looking utterly worn out. That was a big jump!

He sat on his knees, catching his breath before his eyes led up from the ground to the two figures present. He was somewhat surprised to see Rouge here.

Picking himself slowly off the ground, he gripped the Chaos Emerald in his hand again, and looked comically betrayed by the blasted thing. "It...doesn't...work."

Shadow had watched Sonic's bold feat from a distance, and, being patient, waited for Sonic to speak. He smirked, then checked to see if the skeptical Rouge was watching. She was, albeit with a lack of frustration, which disappointed the Guardian slightly. His fingers drummed folded arms idly and he treaded coolly to the breathless hedgehog. "Here." He held out the blue Emerald, confident expression never wavering. "Trade with me."

He didn't understand why it was happening now, but Shadow had heard from Knuckles a tale of something similar happening before. Of course, it was legend, and there had been no historical proof. As far as he could recall, legend told that, at the birth of the stones, the Master Emerald had been too weak to power the Chaos Emeralds at the peak of power.

If your heart shared similar values as the power of the individual gem, however, you could unlock and use the power.

Well, time to test the theory.

Sonic stared, confused as he looked between their emeralds, unsure why one seemed to be working and the other wasn't. He also didn't know why switching them would matter. "Um, okay..."

Reaching him his green emerald, he took the blue one. It continued to glow brilliantly in his grasp. But would this one work for him? He tested it immediately.

"Chaos Control!" And with a jolt of power and speed, the hedgehog could have done a hundred trips around the island in a matter of seconds. Instead he just sort of appeared and disappeared from one edge to the other. Winding up right behind Shadow, nice and close. "Hey, this works!" He chirped loudly as if it wasn't already obvious.

He expected Sonic would pull such a stunt, and therefore wasn't surprised when the blue hedgehog blurted in his ear. He frowned however, annoyed that Sonic would still try to get away with it, and calmly turned to face him. He allowed their closeness to sink in a minute before pulling his attention back to Rouge.

Sonic didn't move from his spot, seemingly unbothered by their closeness as Shadow looked back at him. The hedgehog just gave him a clueless look, appearing innocent to the stunt he pulled, and the previous loudness of his voice, letting himself be distracted only after the other turned away.

Shadow's fingers flexed around the jewel as he focused on it's return of power. Rouge plucked it out of his hand the second it began to glow and hissed angrily.

"How come HE gets the blue one?!" Honestly, she could care less - she still had the red one as well - it didn't matter to her what color it was. She simply would rather not give in to the exchange without an argument. "It matches my fetching blue eyes."

Shadow scoffed, pushing past her and striding back to the Master Emerald. He studied it carefully for a moment before plopping down on the stone landing. He crossed one leg under and bent the other upright, propping one elbow on his knee, the other resting on his lap. His eyes closed contemplatively.

Rouge considered this a good time to take her leave. With a wink and wave at Sonic, she spread her wings and flexed the powerful muscles, leading herself off toward the Ruins. Her lips played a maniacal grin - she had gotten away with both Emeralds, and Shadow was just sitting there, stupidly twiddling his thumbs. How perfect!

He watched Rouge take his green emerald and frowned a little, putting the blue one away for safe keeping. You'd think Shadow might want to keep it, and though he didn't trust Rouge entirely, he didn't do anything as she departed. Instead his attention wound back up on Shadow.

He approached him, lost as to what was going on, and why Rouge had even been here.

"Okay...so what was all of that about?"

Shadow peered at Sonic through one eye and paused. Making sure that Rouge was a comfortable distance away, he smirked and produced the red Emerald.

Sonic blinked, and couldn't help but find the act impressive, maybe a little charming. "Oh, smooth move." It wasn't often that bat got a taste of her own medicine. He doubted she'd be as amused as they were once she found out but who cares? He didn't.

"I guess Rouge isn't the only one around here with thieving tendencies." He extended his arm, allowing it to hover to its previous spot on one of the seven tallest pillars, then climbed to his feet, reconnecting his gaze with Sonic's.

He kept his cocky smile intact as he stood, a hand moving automatically to his hip. Offering a one-sided shrug, he nonchalantly said, "I just had a hunch."

Crossing his arms in his own casual manner, he looked Shadow over with that same air of confidence though didn't display it in a smile as the other hedgehog. Instead, he expressed curiosity. "So can you better explain why I couldn't use Chaos Control before?" It wasn't like the emerald to just stop working. How come his blue one was fine but the other wasn't? It didn't make sense.

Shadow turned away, staring at the single red jewel rotating upon its post. "Ever heard of 'Blue Justice' ?" He didn't give Sonic time to answer. "I'm sure you haven't."

He explained the basics of the story, about how the Emeralds were not always as powerful as they had been in recent times, with the Echidnas as Guardians, and that, in fact, the Echidna's seemed to have no basis to the tale, but kept it as a tribal record of the history of the gems. He explained about the individual powers having a connection with a certain type of soul, and how there were seven basic types.

" 'Blue Justice' was a saying or law they had, apparently, as it's depicted on many of the walls in the pyramids and ruins. So I went on a whim and guessed that you fit the bill." He smiled softer, holding his gaze with the Emerald. "It seems that Blue Justice was more than just a saying, but I haven't figured the rest of them out apart from you and Rouge. I don't know how I made the connection, but it's convenient that I did." He glanced over at Sonic, quoting Knuckles in a way that he knew would go unrecognized, "I guess the Master Emerald has ways of looking out for itself."

He assumed the logic was not distinguishable for Sonic to see his perspective, and much of it slipped by Shadow as well. He wasn't going to claim to have all the answers, but it made him more at peace when he had even some. He expected Sonic's next question would be about the symbolism in the green Emerald, and he had been saving this little nugget of information back special. Even if he wasn't asked now, he could wait - the question would eventually arise.

Sonic found it all a little hard to understand, and where it was coming from. Arms slipped down from his chest as he tried to piece it together in his mind, but lacked too many parts. It seemed rather random but apparently Shadow seemed to know what he was talking about. That just led to more questions on the hedgehog's part.

"So what does it mean? How come it's this emerald for me, that one for her, and why is this all happening now?" He was a little worried that he appeared to only be capable of using one emerald and not any of the others.

Shadow shook his head, "I can only hope it won't get any worse. I made a mistake when I became Guardian that I should have considered..." Shadow frowned, suddenly not sure he wanted to explain that it was perhaps partially due to the fact that Sonic was present during his 'initiation'.

After a pause, he said, "I'm not completely sure. But I think it has to do with a decision I made. In any case, the instability of the Chaos energy might only grow worse with time. After all, you did use it against me this morning." He seemed a bit disgusted with this fact, and had no problem displaying that fact on his facial expression. He tensed, as if half expecting Sonic to break into a myriad of Chaos-based attacks with just the memory.

His gaze slowly moved to the Emerald. He would definitely have to focus on learning how to use it better, and faster. The meditation route was NOT his cup of tea.