Chapter Text
Maria’s gentle arms draped the blanket over Shadow’s form, his eyes already beginning to fall closed from exhaustion. The scientists had demanded a lot from him today. More than he was ready to give.
Shadow’s hand reached out, but it fell limply to the mattress. Maria took it in hers anyway.
“You can sleep now, Shadow,” she murmured softly. Her smile was warm at first, but the corners of her mouth dipped further with every weary breath Shadow drew. “I’ll talk to Pop-pop. I’ll convince them to go easier on you.”
She adjusted the blanket again, hugging Shadow through it and wrapping it snugly around his body. “I promise.”
These moments made everything worth it. The warmth, the weight, the gentle voice of his only friend lulling him to sleep after another day as a glorified lab rat. It was Shadow’s only reason for being. In her embrace, he slipped into a peaceful sleep, held close in her arms, and her heart.
It would have been an alright last memory. The layer of snow covering him now almost felt like her blanket, and the gentle howling of the wind reminded him of the lullabies Maria would hum when sleep wouldn’t come.
But this is not what she would have wanted.
Shadow sat up, every movement slow and heavy. His body ached in ways he could never have imagined. The pain was dull yet intense, like someone had punched him with the force of a mountain. A small price to pay for falling from orbit, he figured.
As he clambered to his feet, brushing the snow from his fur, he noticed the burn marks. Singed fur, charred skin, bald spots… all of it evidence of what transpired. Shadow only sighed at the sight. He’d been through worse.
The raging inferno of chaos energy that boiled in his core—the very force that saved him from nuclear immolation, plummeting through the atmosphere, and impacting the earth with enough force to form a crater…
It was a gentle simmer now. Barely enough to keep him alive, nowhere near enough to draw on.
He picked up his rings, fastening them as Gerald had shown him.
As he analyzed his surroundings, he saw nothing but wilderness. Snowy trees and powdered hills shrouded in moonlight stretched as far as the eye could see.
But there was something else. A pull, faint but unmistakable. The presence of chaos energy, far off in the distance.
Shadow’s forlorn expression brightened, if only slightly, with the faintest glimmer of hope.
Sonic.
He set one foot in front of the other, slowly relearning how to walk. Each step was unsteady, the lingering weakness in his muscles a stark reminder of his ordeal. He wasn’t particularly looking forward to seeing his cobalt counterpart, though not because of Sonic. Shadow had no right to ask anything of him. He had threatened everything Sonic cared about. He’d hurt him, hurt his friends, his family. Undoing what he had set in motion—it didn’t make what he did any less wrong.
But he followed the pull anyway. Because… where else would he go?
Shadow had nothing. No one. The last person he had called family… wanted to desecrate Maria’s memory, blinded by hatred and vengeance. The same hatred that consumed him and that he himself had nearly fallen victim to, were it not for… Sonic.
The pangs of guilt hit hard, intensifying as the hours dragged on. The cold of the night, the bite of the wind… None of it hurt more than being left alone with his own thoughts. The weight of his actions bore down on his shoulders, forcing him to his knees more than exhaustion ever could. His memories haunted him every step of the way.
But Shadow pressed on.
The sun rose, and set again. The moon, what remained of it, shone its light through the pines, serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of his actions.
At least it wasn’t much further now. The pull of chaos was stronger.
It was his gift, and his curse. This energy coursing through him… It had saved him from certain death, healed his wounds. But it was this power that allowed him to be used for destruction—a weapon to inflict pain on others.
As he battled with himself, the forest thinned. In the distance, Shadow could perceive the occasional whir of an engine as cars passed by. Before long, he reached the threshold of the treeline, standing across the road from his destination.
A house, suburban and welcoming, decorated with red and green streamers, illuminated by light strips in every primary color. It was nestled safely in an alcove of trees, some of which had shed their leaves, others evergreen and dusted in snow, just like the home itself. Warm orange light spilled from its windows, casting a glow on the yard out front. In it, five snowmen stood watch, each one carefully decorated with clothes, sticks, and pinecones, modeled unmistakably after Sonic and… his family.
Pain struck like a hammer. Hesitantly, Shadow peeked left and right, ensuring he was alone before crossing the road. He moved silently across the driveway, momentarily hiding behind the truck and perking his ears for any sounds or signs he’d been discovered. When the coast was clear, he darted across the property, pressing against the wooden siding. The moist wood was uncomfortable, but that didn’t matter. The living room window was so close now, he could hear muffled chatter inside. Sonic’s voice was among them, as cheery as he remembered. Shadow took a deep breath to collect himself. He reached for the windowsill and pulled himself up, peeking through the corner of the glass.
What he saw left him speechless. The five-headed Wachowski family sat beneath a towering pine, decorated immaculately to match the house. A shining star adorned its tip, and scattered beneath it were boxes of all shapes and sizes, wrapped in colorful paper. Everyone wore smiles as they talked, laughed, and hugged each other.
Tom, even with one arm cast in gypsum and secured in a sling, reached for one of the boxes and handed it to Sonic.
In that moment, Shadow’s doubts welled again. He had no business being here. Not after everything he’d done, after what he did to Tom. His eyes glossed over with guilt and self-hatred, but he couldn’t help catching another glimpse. The scene reminded him too much of what he once had, what he had lost.
His mind conjured images of himself, Maria, and Gerald. Sitting together under a tree just like this one, sharing stories, laughter, and love…
Being a family.
Shadow’s eyes screwed shut, a deep sorrow building in his chest. When he reopened them, his gaze landed on Sonic. The hedgehog’s tail wagged furiously as he tore the wrapping from his gift, revealing a sleek jukebox of sorts. Sonic’s excitement lit up the room as he threw his arms around Tom’s neck in a heartfelt embrace.
It hurt. Shadow’s longing surged, raw and desperate. He wanted to feel that kind of love again. To have a family. A place to call home. Someone to call friend.
But that ship had sailed. The world thinks he’s dead, and better off for it. If GUN found him, he’d be faced with an impossible choice. To do the unthinkable, or be forced back into that tube, never to wake up again. And the only person who might understand… was surrounded by people Shadow had hurt, who had every right to hate him, to be afraid of him.
Defeated, Shadow climbed down from the window. He trudged across the driveway, his thoughts dark and heavy. Perhaps he could settle in the woods. Find a cave. Live off berries or scraps. Stay close enough to pretend… Pretend that he still had someone. Anyone.
Shadow stopped dead in his tracks. The weight of the world, it finally proved too much. His knees gave, and he fell to his hands. The emotions poured from him in waves, his teeth crunching against each other, his fists clenching into tight balls as he fought for his life to hold back the tears.
Dark thoughts clouded his mind. They were the kind of thoughts Maria would not have approved of, the kind that left him scouring through all the possibilities. But Maria was gone, right? Why should she even care?
Shadow’s breath hitched. There was a hand on his shoulder, squeezing. Bleary crimson eyes glanced at the white glove, then over his shoulder at a furry blue arm. Sonic circled around, kneeling on the wet asphalt, emerald greens staring right into Shadow’s eyes with the most heartfelt of smiles on his face.
“Thought I saw something.”
Shadow tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Before he could find them, Sonic pulled him into a tight embrace, pressing his head into the crook of Shadow’s neck. His voice trembled, thick with emotion.
“I’m so glad you’re alive.”
Shadow clung to Sonic as if letting go would spell his end. The blue blur stood, offering his hand, his tone easy and gentle. “Come on, let’s get you inside. It’s freezing out here.”
Shadow’s ears perked, his eyes widening with disbelief. How could Sonic possibly invite him into his home? “I… I can’t come inside.”
“Nonsense you can’t. Up up,” Sonic insisted with a reassuring grin, waving his hand. “We were just about to eat. There’s room at the table for one more.”
Tentatively, Shadow accepted Sonic’s hand, and before he could second-guess himself, Sonic was pulling him to his feet and leading him to the front porch. As the chatter from inside grew louder, nervousness took hold. “Sonic, are you sure this is a good idea?”
The cobalt male stopped, eyeing Shadow curiously with a brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Shadow’s hand slipped from Sonic’s grasp as his shoulders sagged. His voice was laden with guilt. “Your family… They must hate me. After everything I did… How could they not hate me?”
“Shadow, nobody hates you,” Sonic said, his voice calm and reassuring. He placed a hand on Shadow’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “I told them about what happened to you. I don’t know the whole story, but I know enough. I’m speaking from experience here. We all understand your pain.”
Shadow searched Sonic’s face, finding only sincerity in his expression. “Tom was a bit harder to convince, but… He came around. He’s a big softie. You’ll like him.” Sonic underscored with a grin. “Come inside?”
Any remaining uncertainty was melted away by the warmth behind Sonic’s eyes. Shadow mustered a meager smile, the spark of hope igniting in the darkness of his mind. With a nod, he agreed, “Alright.”
He was not prepared for the love he was about to receive. After Sonic’s introduction, every member of the family greeted him with open arms. There was not a hint of fear or disdain—only acceptance. Knuckles even joked about getting back at him some time, asking for a spar in the morning.
Shadow was overwhelmed. It was like he’d known these people his whole life, like all the things he’d done simply never happened. At dinner, Maddie set the table for him, serving up a generous helping of her baked ham. It smelled divine—rich and aromatic. As everyone around him chatted and laughed, he couldn’t help but feel out of place. Maybe this wasn’t real at all. A figment of his mind—some side effect from a massive concussion. Or maybe he really was dead, and this was all a dream.
But Sonic’s hand on his arm felt real enough. “C’mon, Shadow. Eat up,” he encouraged before taking a bite himself. He grinned through a full mouth. “It’s so good.”
Tentatively, Shadow took a bite. It had been fifty years since he had a home-cooked meal. The first bite already triggered a flood of memories. He saw Maria in the kitchen teaching him to cook, her laughter bright and vivid. He remembered his first humble attempt, and how she pretended it was the most delicious meal she’d ever eaten.
As dinner progressed, Shadow began to relax. The Wachowskis made every effort to include him in their conversations, steering clear of painful subjects and focusing on lighter, happier topics. Slowly but surely, he found himself opening up.
After dessert, as the family dispersed and prepared for bed, Shadow was once again overcome with a sense of uncertainty.
He knew what he wanted, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. It was one thing to be invited for dinner by the very family he almost tore apart. It was another thing entirely to ask to be a part of it.
Tom’s voice broke through his turmoil, and it was then that he truly began to grasp the depth of Sonic’s offer. “Sonic, do you mind if Shadow crashes with you for a couple nights?” His gaze turned to Shadow, his unbroken hand settled nonchalantly on his hip. “I’m gonna need a few days to clear out the junk in the storage room and get it furnished for ya. Hope that’s not too much to ask, he can be a bit energetic.”
The weight of Tom’s offer hit Shadow like a tidal wave. “You… you want me to stay?” His voice trembled with emotion. “After what I did?”
Tom crouched to meet Shadow’s gaze, his expression soft but firm. “Sonic told me what you’ve been through. It’s the least I can do.” He smiled, breaking the tension with a lighthearted quip. “Besides, taking in alien hedgehogs is kinda my thing, right buddy?” He glanced at Sonic, who shot him a playful grin. “No more punching, though, alright? I need a good arm.”
He extended his hand. It was an offer to make amends, just like that, no strings attached. Forgive and forget. Shadow could hardly believe it as he took it, trembling with gratitude.
“Welcome to the family, Shadow,” Tom said warmly.
Those words hit him like a truck, only intensifying when Maddie uttered them again seconds later, followed by Tails, each time tearing a bigger hole into the emotional wall he’d built around himself.
Knuckles squeezed particularity tightly, stating proudly. “You will make a formidable ally in the battles to come! I am honored to count you among our ranks.”
Sonic was the last to approach, skipping formalities to envelop Shadow in a tight hug. The room filled with soft “awws” from the others. “Welcome to the family, Shadow,” Sonic said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
It was a hug Shadow was eager to return, his own arms wrapping securely around Sonic’s torso. It filled him with warmth he never thought he’d experience again, a distinct sheen covering the whites of his eyes.
“Thank you…” he muttered into Sonic’s fur, holding on to him like an anchor in turbulent waters. “Thank you so much…”
“Come on,” Sonic pulled away, tugging at Shadow’s arm. “Let’s make it official!”
Before Shadow could react, Sonic dragged him into the garden, where the glow from the house just barely illuminated the five snowmen. Sonic got to work, flashes of blue mingling with the warm orange as he dashed through the yard and collected snow, sculpting it with practiced motions. Shadow watched, his breath clouding in the crisp night air, until Sonic stepped back, revealing his creation.
The snowman was unmistakably Shadow. The sweeping quills, the confident stance—it was all there. But Sonic furrowed his brows. “Hmm… Something’s missing.” He gasped, then snapped his fingers. “Oh, I know! Wait just a sec!”
He disappeared in a flash, returning moments later with a red scarf. Carefully, he wrapped it around the snowman’s head, perfectly capturing the crimson highlights that adorned Shadow's ebony fur. Sonic turned to him, eyes sparkling with pride. “Ta-da! What do you think?”
Shadow studied the snowman, its presence among the others filling him with a quiet sense of belonging. A smile spread across his face, genuine and vulnerable. “It’s perfect.”
Sonic pulled him into another hug, the warmth of his body a stark contrast to the cold of the night. They shared no more words, their embrace more than a testament of all that could be said. Shadow gazed up at the star-filled sky, memories of nights spent in the observatory with Maria washing over him.
The light still shines, even when the star is gone.
The wall finally crumbled, and a single tear rolled down Shadow’s cheek. He broke their embrace, quickly wiping it away. His eyes met Sonic’s, the blue blur’s expression soft and sincere.
“I know I can never fix what happened to you. I lost someone close to me too, and… that pain never goes away.” Sonic took Shadow’s hands in his own, his grip grounding and warm. “But you don’t have to deal with it alone. We’re here for you. I… I’m here for you.”
In that moment, Shadow was met with kinship, and something deeper. Behind those gentle emerald eyes, there was the promise of a future. A family, a home, all he had thought lost, and more. It was all right there.
The light from a star.