escordvi | [OPEN] Catch All Zone Act 1

[Shadow remains eerily calm as Sonic explains. The blue hedgehog saying "tried" means they did not succeed and returned with injuries to show for their failure.]

Were you still having stamina issues? [He never did get a follow up on that.]

Honestly, it was over so quick I don't think I had time to get worn out. Not my finest moment... Anyway, pretty sure someone else took care of him.

[Sonic sighs, giving Shadow a shrug. Shit's been weird, bro.]

Ah well. There's some pretty strong people around here, guess it was a good learning experience if nothing else.

I see. [Yes. Good. Great. Glad you learned something from that! Here's another lesson. The art of a fist to your damn face. And he did not hold back.]

What were you thinking?! How are you suppose to keep Eggman in check when you keep running recklessly into more trouble than you can handle?! Idiot! [Suddenly, he worked out the "favor" Sonic wanted from him. He's even more pissed than he already was with the stupid hedgehog.]

[WOW SHADOW, way to kick a guy when he's down!

Having not expected to get popped in the head all of a sudden, and thanks to Sonic's injuries slowing him down considerably, there's just no dodging Shadow's fist. It finds it's mark and Sonic finds himself on the floor, dazed and surprised for a moment until Shadow's words register. He sits up, trying not to wince too much. Between his leg, his ribs, and now his fucking FACE, he kind of hurts a lot bro???]

Are you kidding me right now!? After everything we've faced back home, a giant monkey seemed like pretty small beans! I had no way of knowing he was gonna be so strong, okay!?

[Good. Stay on the ground and think about your actions.]

This isn't home, Sonic! [They're dealing with forces outside of the norm.] Making those kinds of assumptions is reckless! Have you even learned how to swim yet? I bet you haven't, cause you think you can handle things like before.

[You come to MY HOUSE]

I haven't mastered it, but I have been working on it, yes! And yeah, I was being reckless, you're right! And I'm paying for it, you think I have this thing on my leg for fun!? But dude, he was gonna hurt people. He didn't make any secret outta that either. Are we supposed to just turn a blind eye to something like that now?

And should you get yourself killed, who are you helping then? [Know your damn limit.] Clearly, there was someone else more capable for the task since there's no roaming giant ape. And now your actions leave me to deal with Eggman. Is that the favor you're referring to? [Stupid. Idiot. He wants to just punch their stupid ass again. Nearly looked like he would with how he's taking one step closer to Sonic.]

[thanks Shadow just rub in that Sonic's not the top dog here like he is back home, real cool of you. Not wrong, though, and it does manage to stick in his stupid brain. He'll muddle over that once this dumb argument is over, though. He reaches for his crutch and uses it to start getting back on his feet, eyes narrowing when Shadow takes that very unnecessary step forward.]

I was going to ask if you could peek in on Eggman's little toyshop operation, but if that's just gonna piss you off more, forget it. I'll do it myself.

[No more calling Shadow for favors if he's just gonna end up getting punched in the head, GEEZ.]

You're not doing anything. [This idiot. Clearly their talk just now about not doing something stupid did not stick. There's an irritable growl, thinking about how precarious this has gotten now.] He knows. He figured out I can't tap into the chaos energy. I don't need him learning that your sorry ass is injured too. [Don't make it worse.]

[It stuck! Very sticky! He's just a little pissy right now, he'll wise up once he chills out. Which he starts to do once he realizes that Shadow's not just gonna keep punching his head. Also the situation's kind of worse now, time to focus up.

He takes a moment to take a deep breath and collect himself.]

Fair enough. Sounds like I'm gonna be staying out of sight until I'm recovered...

[Which means not going outside very often. And with his dumbass Radniks in circulation, Eggman's probably got eyes all over the place now. Normally he'd probably question how Shadow managed to let Eggman find out about his whole power nerf situation, but he really wasn't in the position to start being a little shit.]

Yeah, you're right. I really mucked this all up.

Not being able to run around is what you deserve after trying to be a hero, honestly. [Annoying as it is, maybe the blue hedgehog will take this time to reflect.

...

Who is he kidding?

He does not advance further, seeing the blue hedgehog finally get the point. Still...he takes out his shellphone, considering something for a moment before starting to text someone.]

Who tended to your injuries? [Who else knows? Unless Sonic actually tended to them himself. Doubtful with that cast on their leg.]

[The 'what you deserve' line hits harder than Shadow probably realizes. It was word for word what he'd said to Sonic after he'd been infected with the Metal Virus. Not that Shadow remembers that, but it's all coming back to kick Sonic in the butt right now. Back then it has pissed him off. This time it was hitting him right in the pride.

He tries not to let it show, but it's kind of hard not to look at least a little pathetic just given his current state.]

Just one of the local doctors. Don't remember their name, I was a little goofed up on pain killers at the time. They were a goose though, and I can tell you where I got patched up at.

[Alas, it was just a random NPC. But anyway, Sonic narrows his eyes a bit when Shadow starts texting someone. He's the one making a big stink over keeping Sonic's broken leg a big secret. He wouldn't be telling anyone about it, right?]

Why? Who's that?

Tell me. [He still wants to look into it. Keep the detail from leaking out too much. Without looking up from his phone, as he hits send on the message-]

Amy.

[And tell him Sonic does! Some clinic on Eltrut or something IDK MAN I'm just makin shit up

BUT THEN, Shadow namedrops Amy, and he's instantly panicking.]

Wh- why?! Not about this, right? Shadow, not about this, right!?

[Bullshit go!]

She'll be here shortly. [He pockets the shellphone. Worried, Sonic?] I got more important things to worry about than making sure you stay put. Like your little favor.

[PSH, of course he's not worried! ~~he's BIG worried~~

He grumbles, clearly annoyed, but ultimately let's it drop. Knowing Amy, she would have found out sooner or later anyway, but having it go down like this is like rubbing salt in the wound. Shadow's just being ruthless right now, damn.]

Fine, I can't argue with that. Y'still didn't have to punch me in the head, though.

You think so? [Just as he walks towards the door, he bonks the top of the blue hedgehog's head along the way. Not as hard as the last punch, but they're still going to feel it. That one is for being stuck with Eggman in that shitty maze.]

I think you weren't punched enough. [Just as the door opens, because Shadow didn't lock it-]

[ It's a really good thing that the door is open, because Amy did try to knock... but there wasn't an answer. So, she simply pushes the door open and peeks in. And what she sees is, in fact, Shadow bonking Sonic on the head, and Sonic on the damned floor with a cast on his leg.

She feels a small migraine already starting. She slips into the room and quietly shuts the door, flashing both hedgehogs a dry look. She points at Shadow first. ]

You did NOT just call me in here to watch you hit Sonic. [ A pause. ] At least tell me what he did to deserve that.

[ Now, her finger is pointed directly at the blue blur himself. ]

Why are you in a cast? What did you do?

[ She steps over to Sonic and kneels down next to him, worry replacing the look she'd had earlier. ]

Come on, let's get you off of the floor.

[It wasn't a hard bonk, not at all like when Shadow booped his snoot as hard as he could. Still annoying though! And Sonic glares in reply.

And then there's Amy suddenly appearing (props on the speed, naturally), coming over to help him finish getting off the floor. He's thankful for the assist, of course, but can't manage to look anything but miserable. Guys this is humiliating and he hates it???]

Fought a giant monkey.

[I mean he COULD elaborate, and probably will in a minute, he's just feeling salty right now.]

[He gives the blue hedgehog one "You deserved it" look and then glances in Amy's direction, crossing his arms.]

What he said. [Did that really explain anything? Nope. Not his problem, or embarrassing story to tell.] Make sure he stays put until he's better. I don't want Eggman finding out he's in this pathetic state.

[With Amy here now, he's going to try and take his leave.]

[ These two... she sighs as she helps Sonic up, reaching up to gently pat his cheek. ]

Of course you did.

[ She turns next to look at Shadow, nodding her head. ] No worries. I'll make sure he's safe and sound here. Go do what you need to do.

Edited 2025-03-17 00:23 (UTC)

[he just gives Amy the most deadpan look when she pats him on the cheek before glancing in Shadow's direction. He can't decide if he's more annoyed over being babysat by Amy or about Shadow being right, but either way he's too sore to have much fight in him over it.

With Shadow on his way out, Sonic huffs immaturely and crosses his arms, deciding to instead glare at the wall than either of the other two hedgehogs. He's not used to losing guys, this sucks.]

[ Amy watches as Shadow leaves, and she's quiet for a few moments. Finally, she turns her attention back on Sonic, her brow furrowing. ]

So, what happened, Sonic?

[ She looks concerned, because... she is. Because it ISN'T like Sonic to get injured like this, so, clearly, something must have gone very wrong during his fight with the giant monkey. ]

If you don't want to talk about it, I get it, but... are you okay? Other than the obvious, I mean.

[ You know, other than being gimpy! ]

[Now that Shadow's gone, Sonic relaxes and finally lets his guard down. He's not thrilled that Amy's seeing him like this now, but at least he knows she's less likely to punch him in the head.]

If I have to be honest, my pride's in worse shape than my leg.

[With an exhausted sigh, Sonic moves to sit on his bed, an action that takes far more seconds than he would like.]

I don't mind talkin' about it, though. Not that there's much to say, there was just a giant monkey dude raging out. I told him to chill before he hurt someone, he made it very clear that he wasn't interested, so I tried to stop him.

You can see how that went.

[ Amy's gaze follows Sonic as he trudges over to his bed and sits down, his expression a little more forlorn than she's used to seeing. ]

I'm so sorry you're hurt, Sonic. You were just trying to do the right thing, just like you always do.

[ She leans against the wall, folding her arms over her chest as she regards him. ]

But you know you're not alone here, right? If Shadow had known, I'm sure he would have come to help. [ ...pr...obably. ] And you know that I would have come, too. You don't have to take giant rampaging monkey dudes on all by yourself, you know.

[ Her gaze drops onto his cast covered leg, and she winces, because she knows it must be painful for him in more ways than one. He's not used to losing, and he's not used to having to take things into the slow lane, even if it's for a brief time. ]

Is it actually broken? How bad is the break?

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