Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Birthday Party
Most people would look forward to a sunny celebration at the park, but Shadow wasn’t most people. It wasn’t just because he was the ultimate life form, a powerful being few could rival. No, Shadow simply had no taste for the things others found appealing: parties, loud music, and most of all, Sonic. Today was no exception. In fact, he was dreading it.
He scowled the moment he approached the spacious venue, a lush open park with green grass and large oak trees. The combination of obnoxious laughter and the scent of chili dogs was already grating on his nerves.
Chili dogs. Sonic's favorite. How fitting.
Gaudy balloons and garish party decorations had completely taken over the park. Picnic tables had been set out, covered in gifts, and food, topped off with a large banner reading, ‘Happy Birthday, Sonic.’
And in the middle of it all, stood Sonic, surrounded by his insufferable entourage. Shadow crossed his arms as he judged the rag-tag group.
There’s the blue loser, Sonic. And look, there’s Tails, Sonic’s little sidekick.
His crimson eyes darted to Knuckles, who was also among the group. The large red Ecinda's head was tilted back as he shook the contents of a bag of chips into his mouth.
Knuckles, the simpleton. I wonder if he has to remind himself to breathe.
He recognized a few others. Big the Cat, Vector, Cream, and more. He didn’t care much for Sonic’s so-called “team.” Sure, they’d worked together on a few missions, but most were liabilities. And none of them were worthy enough to fight someone as strong as him.
“Shadow? Is that you?”
He spotted Amy bent over a table, clutching a bag of icing. It looked like she was putting the finishing touches on a pink and blue birthday cake.
Amy Rose.
She was the one who mailed the handwritten invite to Sonic’s party.
He’d almost ignored it and thrown it in the trash. But something had stopped him. What, exactly? He wasn’t quite sure.
Within seconds, she had tossed the piping bag aside and rushed towards him, her head bobbing with excitement.
“Shadow, you’re here!” she threw her arms around his torso.
Chaos.
He stiffened as her hands pressed against his back. Amy was quick to give hugs. Everyone knew that. But physical touch wasn’t something he was used to, and he could feel the heat spreading up his neck and to his face.
It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy the affection. Quite the opposite. They were the rare moments when he felt warmth, like a blanket wrapped around him on a cold night. But that didn’t make it any less...overwhelming.
She stepped back, releasing him. “I’m so glad you came!” she exclaimed.
He cleared his throat and brushed invisible dust off of his chest. “Sonic’s birthday? I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he said sarcastically.
“Good. Then you have to try my cake!” she beamed. “It’s chocolate with strawberry frosting. I made it myself. Do you think Sonic will like it?”
“Hmph.” Shadow crossed his arms. "I wouldn’t know. I’m not a connoisseur of Sonic’s tastes.”
Amy giggled, her voice sounding like sweet syrup. “Ok, Mr. Grumpy, I'll be back to check on you. Just make sure you don't stand here in the corner brooding the whole time.”
With that, she skipped off, her red dress flowing behind her.
Shadow sighed and scanned the group.
May as well find something to do.
He searched for Rouge, who had promised to be there, but she was nowhere to be found. Strange considering Knuckles was here. Rouge had an obvious thing for the Ecinda warrior, and he couldn’t imagine her missing an opportunity to see him.
She must be working on another mission with GUN.
“Shadow, what are you doing here?” Sonic strode over, grinning cockily as always. Tails was right behind him, following like a lost puppy dog.
“Sonic,” Shadow smirked. “Surprised I came to celebrate your little trip around the sun?”
“Well, kind of,” Sonic ran a gloved hand through his blue quills. “I’m surprised because-”
“Because we didn’t invite you,” Tails finished.
That stupid little fur ball never did like me.
“Don’t you have some random gadget to tinker with?” Shadow asked.
Tails frowned, and for a moment, Shadow debated punting him, but Sonic quickly intervened.
“Hey, hey, let’s cool it!” Sonic stepped between the two. “I’m just glad everyone thought my birthday was important enough to show up for!”
“It’s not important, Sonic,” Shadow said, puffing up his chest. “Everyone has one.”
“I thought you didn’t have a birthday,” Tails grinned.
“Hmph,” Shadow looked away.
The yellow fox was right. Shadow wasn’t sure of the specifics of his birth. He supposed those kinds of parties were a luxury reserved for people with families. The closest he’d ever gotten to an actual celebration in his name was when Amy had tried to arrange one. He’d shut her down, of course, but the thought had been oddly kind.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re here,” Sonic said. “Because now I have some actual competition in the obstacle course!”
“Obstacle course?” Shadow lifted a brow. “What obstacle course?”
Sonic nudged behind him with his thumb. Off in the distance, Shadow spotted the track. It was set up with balance beams, hurdles, and spaces for combat.
“Perfect!” Knuckles joined the group raising his large fist in the air. “I was waiting for this party to get good.” He motioned to Sonic, “Your defeat will be swift and embarrassing!”
“You can try Knuckles,” Sonic grinned. “But if anyone can win a race, it’s me.”
Amy, who was sitting nearby with Cream, clapped her hands together. “You’re starting the games? How fun! everyone’s playing right?”
All heads turned to Shadow.
“Heh.” Shadow placed his hands on his hips. “Don't even think about it.” He was above such immature games.
“Come on Shadow,” Sonic grinned, “You're not afraid of a little competition are you?”
Shadow scowled. “Of course not. I don't have anything to prove to you.”
“You sure?” Sonic placed a hand on his shoulder. “Unless you’re scared to lose.”
Shadow grimaced and lifted Sonic’s hand off like it was covered in mud. He didn’t want to participate. Hell, he didn’t even want to be here. But everyone was staring. Waiting.
He sighed. “Fine.”
“That's the spirit!” Sonic beamed.
The crowd headed downhill where the obstacle course waited. Amy and a few others watched on the sidelines as Knuckles, Sonic, Shadow, and Tails, lined up on the track.
Cream raised a red flag in the air. “Alright, everyone, get ready! And... go!”
Shadow sprang forward, barreling past Tails, Knuckles, and even Sonic. He hadn't wanted to participate. But after Sonic's jab, he was determined to win.
Up ahead were several hurdles and walls which he jumped over with ease.
Too easy.
But it wasn’t just speed that would get him to the finish line. Around the corner, he spotted the combat section where Vector the crocodile waited. He was perched on top of a tall balance beam.
“You’re in my domain now, Shadow!” Vector roared as he pounded his fists together.
Shadow jumped up on top of the beam and ducked, narrowly missing Vector's punch. He kicked Vector's ankle and knocked him off the beam.
“Gahhh!” Vector yelped as he fell, landing on the ground with a heavy thud.
“Lucky shot, Shadow!” Vector groaned. But Shadow wasn't listening, he was focused on the finished line. He was ahead of everyone and victory was just within reach.
“Coming through!” Sonic blazed passed him.
What? How did he-
Sonic crossed the finish line, arms stretched out towards the sky.
I don't believe it!
Shadow finished just moments after, his feet screeching to a halt. Second place. It wasn’t good enough. Not when Sonic had beat him so effortlessly.
“Yes!” Sonic jumped in the air at his victory. “I'm still the fastest thing alive!”
“Great job Sonic!” Tails flew over him.
The others followed, crowding around Sonic like he was some god.
But not everyone was happy.
“I demand a rematch!” Knuckles demanded.
Sonic shifted his weight. “Why, so you can lose again?”
“Do not mock me Hedgehog,” Knuckles scowled.
Sonic chuckled and then turned towards Shadow.
“Don't worry Shadow,” Sonic grinned, “Second place isn’t bad.”
“You're insufferable,” Shadow said.
Shortly after, the group left the track and gathered around the picnic table. Sonic stood proudly in front of his birthday cake, and Amy carefully lit the candles.
But Shadow stayed apart, leaning against a nearby tree instead. He wasn’t in the mood to endure yet another chorus of praise for Sonic. It felt like Sonic had his own personal fan club, and Shadow was sick of it.
After everyone sang Happy Birthday, Sonic blew the candles out in one swift motion.
“Wow, thanks, everyone, for being here!” Sonic said. “It’s an honor to have my closest friends and...” He glanced at Shadow with a sly smirk, “Everyone else here.”
Shadow scoffed quietly. He wasn’t even sure what he was still doing here at this point. He'd lost the race, and now this?
He was about to leave when he spotted Amy headed his way with a plate of cake in her hand.
“Shadow, what are you doing over here?” she asked. “You haven’t tried the cake yet, have you?”
“I don’t want any,” Shadow said flatly.
“Oh, come on!” Amy protested, holding the plate closer to his face. “I made it myself!”
“I don’t want something Sonic spat on,” he muttered.
“Please...” she hummed.
“I said-”
Amy shoved a forkful of cake into his mouth. He coughed, tasting the sweetness of the frosting against the roof of his mouth. Chocolate... with a hint of strawberry.
“Well?” Amy asked.
Shadow scowled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “It’s... fine,” he admitted.
“You’re way too serious, you know,” she giggled.
“Hmph,” he crossed his arms tightly across his chest.
Amy is so insistent.
“Hey, everyone!” Tails called out from the tables. “Sonic’s about to open his presents!”
Shadow rolled his eyes as the crowd shifted toward the table piled high with brightly wrapped gifts.
“All this showmanship for him? Like he’s some hero,” he mumbled under his breath.
“He is a hero,” Amy said.
Shadow stiffened. He hadn’t meant for her to hear him. “Well...they act like no one else in the world can do what he does.”
“You’re just as capable as Sonic,” she said. “I’ve always thought so.”
His stomach tightened. Something about her words touched him. He wasn't sure why exactly.
“Anyways,” Amy set the plate aside and leaned in, her green eyes shining. “Do you want to hear a secret?”
“Do I have a choice?” he asked.
She pulled a small envelope from her pocket and whipped out two glossy tickets.
“Ta-da!” she shoved them in his face.
Shadow squinted. “The Hot Honeys,” he read. “What is that? A dessert?”
“Shadow!” She gasped. “You’re kidding, right? They’re only the hottest band around!”
Shadow was about to make some clever remark about his uninterest in pop culture or whatever people found hip and cool. But, before he could, Amy stepped closer and slid her arm through his. He nearly stumbled at the unexpected contact.
Holy Chaos, what is she doing?
“Uh...” he looked down at her. He didn't know why she was grabbing onto him like this. Had it been anyone else, he’d have flung them across the room. But with Amy, he could barely think. He just stood there, frozen like a statue.
“Oh Shadow, I’ve dreamed about this day,” she said.
What? What is she...
His heart fluttered. She was so close to him. He could even smell a faint sugary scent from her hair.
What is that? Perfume. Frosting?
Whatever it was made his heart beat faster than he’d ever like to admit.
Then it hit him. The concert. Was this her way of...inviting him?
He’d never imagined going to something like that. But if Amy wanted him to go then maybe…
She sighed, “Once me and Sonic go to the concert, he’ll finally realize how much he likes me.”
Oh.
He'd almost forgotten.
Her heart's still set on that blue fool.
He jerked his arm away.
“So that’s what those are? Sonic’s birthday gift?” he asked.
She nodded enthusiastically. “We never get any alone time together,” she said. “I just know once the timing’s right-”
“You think that’s going to happen?” he snapped.
“Of course!” she chirped. “I know Sonic doesn’t always show it. But deep down, he loves me.”
“I need some air,” Shadow muttered turning away.
“Oh, OK!” she jumped back. “See you later Shadow!”
As she walked back to the group Shadow stared, his fists clenched.
He felt like a fool for getting so flustered every time that pink hedgehog was near. And he couldn't take her public infatuation with Sonic, especially when it was obvious that Sonic didn't feel the same. Anyone with eyes could see it.
He left the party without saying goodbye, his mind still racing. He was confused. Why did he, the ultimate life form, care so much about who Amy liked? It wasn't his business, and it wasn't as if he cared who Rouge or anyone else liked, for that matter.
Perhaps Amy was too complicated for him to handle. Or perhaps it was just easier for Shadow to bury things inside. At least for now.