Chapter Text
A deep part of Shadow felt asking Tails for help was both against nature itself, but also the most intelligent thing to do. Mostly it was because the little guy was always the smartest, most valuable asset of Sonic's team, which made him Shadow's first target. Remove the brain, the entire body shuts down, after all. Now that time has past, Shadow wasn't enemies with them anymore, he had no reason to see Tails as a threat.
Hell, he took care of Tails when Sonic couldn't.
But his instincts and training both collaborated to bring out the worst in Shadow. He fought against his weaponry coding and, instead, greeting Tails with a nod and the boba when he and Sonic entered their house.
Tails had skipped class. Again. Normally, Shadow would see this as disrespectful but, well, Tails could outwit all those educators. The college couldn't handle a sixteen year old genius-prodigy. Plus, with how much money Sonic made from constantly saving the city, merch sales, and such, wasting the money wasn't a 100% lost. It was all formal for a degree in the end. A privilege in itself but, alas, Tails skipping worked in their favor today.
Shadow crossed his arms as Sonic presented the new book to Tails. At once, the fox raced to the garage and the two hedgehogs followed. Tails huffed and heaved until his newest creation was in view.
"Tada!" Tails said, grinning ear to ear.
"Woah, buddy, it looks so cool!" Sonic had stars in his eyes.
Easily impressed, Shadow teased in his mind. It was lighthearted, Shadow knew Sonic's talents lied in other fields. Robotics? Tails could have that.
"I thought about it and decided to make an analyzer for the books!" Tails picked up the King's Fallen Star and brought it to, what looked like, the mouth of an oven. He even opened it and placed the book on the tongue.
Sonic noticed too. "Went scavenging today instead of Computer Vision?"
"Maybe--" Tails waved his hand dismissively. "It's just transitioning from the summer programs to the fall semester, I can skip them!--"
"Uhuh. So, who's oven is that?"
Tails smiled innocently. "The old one in the basement we keep forgetting to throw out."
"Ill allowed it," Sonic made a finger-gun. "Continue."
Tails saluted and turned the dials in a very specific order. The glass window of the oven turned bright green as a scanner traced over the book. It took fifteen seconds before a loud ding foretold its conclusion. The oven spat the book out -- which Shadow thankfully caught -- and then printed out a file to also spit out. Thankfully, the papers merely spilled on the floor, which Sonic cleaned up.
"Here, buddy," Sonic handed them to Tails. "So, what does it tell us?"
"Thank you," Tails quickly organized the papers before reading through. "Okay, so I designed it to tell the genre, premise, origins, and everything that comes with it!"
"Nice work, Tails," Sonic tried peaking. "What does it say?"
"Well, it's a fantasy, biggest trope is soulmates, and it's about a lonely jungle king trying to defend his people against a big monster," Tails huffed, squinting. "Bad news is there's no known author or origins. Unlike your Bejeweled Beetle book, which originated about an old legend of a pharaoh and queen, this one has nothing."
Shadow hummed, examining the cover. "When we took the book off Sonic, his heart failed...why?"
Sonic frowned, giving the two apologetic eyes. In turn, Shadow offered comfort. It wasn't Sonic's fault, after all,.he couldn't have known.
"According to the analysis, it's genre dependant!" Tails sounded way too giddy about it. "Specifically the predominant genre. So, Bejeweled Beetle was mostly a romance, so it affected Sonic's heart. However, this book is mostly fantasy and, according to the machine, it'll affect the mind. Yknow, seizures and bad stuff."
"What about the Arthurian legends?" Sonic asked.
"I made a chart!" Tails grabbed a cord dangling from the ceiling and pulled it down. "So far, we have three genres of book. The Arthurian legends were, well, legends and folklore mixed with historical settings, so it affected the flesh. It's why Sonic had new scars after."
"Sick."
Shadow shook his head.
"Bejeweled Beetle was a romance first, historical-fiction second, so it affected the heart and, uh, we know what happened there," Tails quickly grabbed a marker and started writing. "Now we have a new fantasy, which affects the mind. I bet if we find more books, we can chart the genres accordingly!"
Shadow thought for a moment, glancing down at the book in his hand. "What happens when the story is finished?"
"It just becomes a regular book again," Tails answered. "And before you ask, no, I don't know if anyone can go in or if it's just Sonic."
Sonic groaned. "Oh come on, how many books do I gotta do?"
Shadow raised a brow. "You didn't seem to mind the last book."
"H-hey!" Sonic blushed. "It was...nice! But I cannot be sleeping for days on end."
"Oh right!" Tails looked through his documents again. "Yep! Thought so! It also says that how long you sleep is completely random but, this is the good part, it will never last more than a week at most."
"That's a relief," Sonic let out a breath. "Well, as long as it's no more than a week, I can survive that!"
Sonic reached out for the book but Shadow held it against his chest.
"Eh? Shadow? What's wrong?"
"I..." Truth be told, Shadow didn't know. "I do not want you to get hurt."
"Aaawww, Shads!" Sonic hugged Shadow, throwing hisnarms around Shadow's neck. "I'll be fine, big guy, promise. Who knows! Maybe I'll be a dragon rider!"
"In a jungle?"
"There's been stranger "
"...yes, but--"
"Ahem?" Tails pretended to cough in his hand. "Not to be completely rude but maybe we should set up first? Yknow, set up fluids, a comfy bed, snacks, tell Eggman we'll be busy for a week?"
Sonic pulled out his phone and checked his calender. "Good news, Eggman's vacation is this week. He'll be distracted with Piña Coladas and sand in his mustache to worry about us."
"Sweet, lemme set up your bed and an IV," Tails rushed out.
Shadow sighed softly, hugging the book tighter.
"What's on your mind, big guy?" Sonic asked.
"...it is unfair you have to do all this nonsense," Shadow said, sighing once more. "Perhaps I am... curious and would like to spare you an afternoon."
"Aaawwww," Sonic cooed. "Well, I guess if it works, you can go on an adventure this time! Go find the plot, advance the story, fall in love with a handsome blue hedgehog~"
Shadow blushed. "Would that be considered... cheating?"
"Do you want it to be?"
As if Shadow hadn't asked himself that question a million times over. Of course the thing with Sheut wouldn't count, that was before they were dating, but if they shared a face, had similar origins with explanations befitting their world, with personalities and goals to match, was it a different person or the same but in a new font?
On top of that, it was a story. Stories with a beginning, middle, and end; a plot that advances but also has plot points to reach. Once it was done, you came home.
Home to the real deal.
"...no," Shadow settled on. "As long as it's you."
"I won't see it as such either, as long as it's you I'm falling in love with over and over again," Sonic kissed Shadow's cheek. "But if you kiss someone like Jet, I'll hunt you for sport."
Shadow snorted, knowing Sonic was joking. "I'll start my own harem of storybook Sonics."
"Oohh, can I be the head spouse?"
"Fine. Since you asked so nicely."
"Yay! Thanks, Shadow."
"Don't push it."
When did I become so easy to talk with Sonic like this? To be entirely comfortable in an annoying, persistent presence that does nothing but ensure Shadow's happiness, to include him.
"Hey, you two ready?" Tails popped his head in. "IV and bed is!"
Sonic saluted. "Let's go!"
Shadow felt nervous -- nervous, him of all people -- as he followed Sonic to his bedroom. It was the same as always, only know it had a shelf dedicated to the magic books and Tails's additions.
"Do not stick that IV in me," Shadow said, sitting on the bed. "I will be fine."
"Just in case," Tails moved the IV to the otherside of the room. "You could be in there for days or weeks or literal years story-time. That could really affect your body, especially if you're not fed properly. I mean, you might not get a good diet in a jungle."
"I appreciate the concern," Shadow huffed. "But I will be fine. It is merely a story. I will be in and out in less than a second."
"Uhuh, because you can control that?" Sonic teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
Shadow gave Sonic a Look. "I do, deeply, adore you, Sonic, but as the Ultimate Lifeform, I have greater control than most."
"Uhuh, uhuh, how about you--" Sonic booped Shadow's nose. "--worry about reaching the end of the plot first. We will worry about the time."
"Tch... fine."
"And when you're out, we can try going on our first date again," Sonic smiled so gently it made Shadow relax in an instant. Accursed hedgehog and his genuine smile with his pretty lips. Must he make Shadow so weak. "Plus, look on the bright side, you at least know the plot and genre!"
"...I suppose it helps."
"All you gotta do is defeat that monster and then the tribe will be safe. Yay! Happy ending for all!"
"Uuuhhhh," Tails laughed nervously. "It might not be that simple--"
"Defeat the monster, save the tribe," Shadow repeated. "Defeat the monster, save the tribe."
"Guys?" Tails waved a hand. "Seriously, I don't think it's just taking down--"
"And you've fought against so much worse!" Sonic kissed Shadow's cheek -- he loves doing that, Shadow concluded, and he loves receiving them -- and then set the book in Shadow's lap. "It should be a piece of cake."
"I'm feeling very ignored right now--"
Shadow nodded. "Fine."
"Sonic? Shadow? Hello?"
"See you when you wake up!" Sonic stepped back.
"I give up," Tails huffed. "You'll be fine, Shadow, but remember that it's a story. My scans can only give genre, premise, tropes, and organize, but not the actual plot. You could come across something unexpected. Just be careful."
Shadow hummed, then looked at the book. He would be fine. Sure, the idea of being vulnerable for a week was terrifying, but Shadow would prefer if it was him instead of Sonic. Besides, it will only be a second.
So, with nothing left to do, Shadow opened the book and read the first line.
On a throne of wood and stone, the king of the jungle was left all alone...
Shadow's eyes rolled back and collapsed onto the pillow.
_______________________________________________________
And awoke in a crash site.
Shadow groaned as he sat up, rubbing his temples as the dizziness quickly subsided. He looked around and noticed that he had landed against a tilted tree, the ground had cushioned most of his fall, piled against the bark while the rest flew in every which direction. The roots of the tree curled around Shadow, as if they were the bones of a ribcage containing the heart.
So, he crashed landed and skidded to a sudden halt. Great. The problem is, he couldn't tell where or why he crashed. Honestly, Shadow compared it to the time he landed on Earth.
Shadow hissed as he tried to get up, his muscles aching in protest and forcing Shadow to collapse. He muttered a curse and stared up at the dark sky, the stars twinkling as if... apologizing? Shadow would laugh at that ridiculousness if it didn't hurt so much.
Alright, so he needed a moment. That was fine. He was alone so Shadow didn't need to save face. Just...rest. Let his body heal. In the meanwhile, he can take in his surroundings.
Jungle was accurate. Shadow recognized cocoa trees and strangler figs, clawing toward the heavens alongside rubber trees, the occasional mahogany, and the various fruit producers, mostly avacados and mangos. The underbrush reminded Shadow of dense fur, untamable yet individual in each strand, a hiding spot and a home. Other than Shadow's obvious crashing, the area was otherwise quiet and unbothered.
If Shadow didn't already know he was the threat, he'd find the dead silence eerie. No forest of any kind should ever be quiet. Only when something dangerous is around, that is when nature shuts it mouth. Thank the stars it was only Shadow.
Deep breath, a quick glance around, and Shadow forced himself to his feet. He put much of his weight against the cocoa tree he crashed into, hissing out his frustrations through his teeth. He should be okay by now. Something was stalling his healing ability and that something had to go.
Unless it was a result of the storybook. Sure, Sonic still had his speed in the last book, but his character had it too. Perhaps, since Shadow was borrowing a body to complete the story, his character didn't have such grandiose abilities.
This. Fucking. Sucked.
Shadow knew Sonic and Tails could read what was happening. He didn't want to seem weak to them, least of all to Sonic, so Shadow stood on his own. It was difficult but didn't last for long, as Shadow managed to stand upright without his knees buckling. Once up, Shadow dusted himself off, fluffed his quills, and tried to decide where to go.
Through the clearing between the trees, Shadow tried to study the stars and was disappointed. They were all patterned wrong with no recognizable shapes. So this book had its own star map. Great. And Shadow wasn't sure which hemisphere this jungle resided in, or he'd tried to find North using moss. It wasn't a surefire way but it'd help give him an idea. If it was day, at least Shadow could use the shadow-stick method. Not only because it had his name in it -- it was a bonus -- but because he could use the sun and the shadows to find his direction. But there's not even a moon he could visibly see.
"Need to get higher..." Shadow mumbled, taking note of each tree before deciding on the cocoa tree he crashed into.
It was then, as Shadow went to take off his gloves, he realized he wasn't wearing gloves. That and his inhibitor rings were replaced by little gold bracelets. They were small but fit nicely against his wrists, the only detail being the bright white star on each. Humming, Shadow looked down at his shoes and saw they were more akin to gladiator sandals, equally gold in color but leather in material, with white lace wrapping up his legs and tied off at his knees.
Shadow felt more exposed but figured it was the fashion of the book and sighed. It was fine. So he didn't have his airshoes, that is fine. He unsheathed his claws and started climbing. It barely took a moment before Shadow popped his head above the trees.
Stars, the night sky was beautiful. Even if Shadow couldn't recognize the patterns, there was no doubting the beauty of it. It was entrancing. Home. It called to Shadow. It begged him to come home.
Shadow tore his eyes away, shaking his head. He stood atop the highest branch and looked at each direction. Thankfully, he didnt have to look far; smoke infiltrated the sky in the far distance, piercing through the canopy a few times. There was multiple fires. Which meant civilization. Which meant that is where the plot had to be leading Shadow.
Memorizing the direction, Shadow climbed down and began walking. As long as he didn't stray, Shadow would be at the village in no time. He thought about running but Shadow thought better. If he ran, he'd had a higher chance of becoming lost.
No thank you.
So, Shadow started the long trek. It wouldn't be the end of the world but Shadow would feel better if he was impulsive, the type to foolishly take off. But, alas, he'd be fine if this was the slowest part of the journey.
...until he heard a crack.
Shadow froze in place, ears flicking high in alarm. He slowly shifting into a fighter's stance, fists clenched in anticipation as footsteps started running toward him. He is not being ambushed tonight. No way in Hell.
Shadow looked around before ducking into a bush. Once he curled his hands under his chest fur to hide the gold, Shadow blended into the darkness. Where the light parts of his fur hid behind the bush itself, the rest of him became the shade, and just in time too.
Three warriors raced into the clearing -- a feral badger, a purple swallow, and a pretty bat -- all holding their glowing weapons close. The three were on edge, the badger sniffing around with a twitching nose as her oversized, pink boomerrang scratched at the floor. The swallow and bat keeping a look out.
"Bleh," The badger hissed, pinching her nose. "Smells bitter!"
"Bitter?" The bat asked, swinging her throwing dagger around her finger. The blade glowed bright red, illuminating her painted features. Like the rest of the warriors, body paint swirled around her anatomy in specific patterns, but she also wore it around her eyes like eyeshadow. "It's rather pleasant."
The swallow sighed. "Focus, sisters, we were sent to investigate, not dawdle."
Shadow's ears tilted back. It was truly uncanny how the characters mimicked people from his real life. He recognized Rouge from anywhere, tribal attire or none, and Wave was recognizable period. However, he was unsure of who the badger girl was.
"There's something here!" She shouted. "I can smell it and my nose never lies!"
"This isn't the location," The Wave mimic chirped, evidently annoyed. "Whatever is here? Not worth it."
"I agree-" Rouge's mimic pointed to the distance, where Shadow came from. "That's our mark."
"But... but!--"
"Lets go."
"But--!"
The Rouge mimic grabbed the badger's hand and started running, Wave mimic following behind.
Shadow counted to twenty before crawling out of his hiding spot. He rolled his shoulders with a grunt, easing the ache. Stupid position, bringing strain to his shoulders when his healing is stalled.
Whatever, Shadow thought as he continued walking, avoid those crazies and get to the village. Then, I'll defeat the monster, save the tribe, and go home--
Before Shadow was ten feet out, he was tackled from behind. He didn't have a spare second before his hands were pinned against his back, properly held down. He should've been able to fight back, effortlessly kick whoever off of him, but Shadow merely struggled. He was too weak.
"A-HA!" Cheered the badger girl. "The nose never lies!"
Shadow growled as the bat girl and swallow walked in front of him. They examined him up and down, curiosity evident but unsure what to do with it. Shadow fully snarled when the bat girl knelt down. Rouge mimic or not, this was a character and not his friend. He will not be gawked at like an exotic pet.
"Hmm," The bat hummed, raising Shadow's chin with her dagger. She lit up, however, seeing Shadow's face. "He has star eyes..."
"King boy will want to see this," Said the swallow. "Twig, can you carry him back?"
...king boy?
"Me and Rose have this covered," The badger -- Twig? -- pulled out both her pigtails and used the twine to tie Shadow up. Her quills fell flat against her back as she hauled Shadow onto her shoulder. "See?"
"Yes, we see," The swallow chirped. "We need to hurry, lest the monster finds us in this position--"
"It won't, it's been far too quiet," The bat lead the way, the warriors rushing through all the brush and avoiding the light.
Shadow never stopped struggling, even when it proved pointless. Whatever twine the badger was using to hold her hair was stronger than any chains. It was embarrassing even so. Shadow should not be immobilized this easily.
...at the same time, Shadow realized the warriors were heading toward the smoke. He'd being led right to the plot. Perfect. They'll save Shadow a trip.
Reluctantly -- very, very reluctantly -- Shadow relaxed and played the part of captured prisoner. It'll be fine.
Perfectly, reasonably, fine.