It may have taken twelve tries to teleport across the worlds to get here. But he did eventually make it. With a lack of energy and a thriving headache from the constant universe jumping. But whatever. He made it and he has a bone to pick. "HEY! What in GODS name did you do to your world? Twelve tries. It took me twelve tries to land here once. If you did not wish to see me you could have at least left me a note."
LOGICALLY, SONIC KNOWS SEVERAL THINGS.
Logically, Sonic knows Shadows in general are tough. Logically, Sonic knows Shadows were very specifically created to be tough. Sonic knows from very first hand experience what a serious punch Shadow packs, whether it be from standing by and watching the spectacle or getting one of said punches to the face. Sonic also knows they’re stubborn, that their silhouette isn’t the only thing they have in common, and if Sonic’s got a thick skull, then Shadow’s is in that general ballpark. Won’t go down without a fight, Sonic knows that, logically.
Logic also tells him that Ruby’s been through enough to not need backup. Logic shows him Ruby’s abilities and Ruby’s past escapades and, despite the fact that he sometime sfeels like a bomb waiting to go off, he’s still kicking, and was still kicking before Sonic could get on his case for treating a broken leg like a paper cut. Those two aren’t even remotely related, severity aside– c’mon, Ruby.
Logic says a lot of things, but Sonic may get the words, but not the message. Logically, he knows Ruby’s probably fine. Logically, he knows the war was self contained to his universe, but what logic can’t say for absolute certainty is that Ruby wasn’t somwhow caught in the crossfire. He was gone for six months, six months he can’t even remember– six months is a long time, enough time for something to happen, even to someone that powerful and crafty, right?
And logic keeps leaving out Mephiles, keeps tip-toeing around that pain on their sides. Six months is a lot of time for Eggman or Infinite to do something, and sox months is also ample time for Mephiles to get in on the action. There’s enemies on all sides, here at home and at Ruby’s home, and he’s more aware of that than he had ever been before. He feels their eyes sometimes, whether they be there or not– metaphorically, they always are. Mephiles, especially.
Logic doesn’t stop, becauseif logic wasn’t there, Sonic knows that would open some nasty floodgates, and logic says that worrying won’t do him any good. That he can try to get to Ruby’s other side, try to locate him, but thinking about it this much? Logic can’t explain that, logic can’t excuse that. Sonic’s logic specifically says it’s all about moving forward, it’s about fixing the things he wasn’t here to prevent, not spend his relaxed moments thinking about what Ruby could be doing, about what happenned to Ruby, about what Ruby would say if he found out how Sonic had been spending the last half year of his life.
Logic asks what’s the point, Heart says there doesn’t need to be one. It just misses, it worries, and it doesn’t need to be told it’s making sense.
Which is incredibly aggravating. You try differentiating Shadow voices to avoid getting your hopes up– which, even if he’s working on the whole ‘don’t be too harsh on how you feel’ thing, makes him feel pathetic. What is he, Amy when they were ten?
“You know I didn’t do anything, y’ grouch, I didn’t even touch the Phantom–”
His fingers twitch, locating himself back from his thoughts to the now, the Chaos Signature of the newcomer around him, the feeling of his heart suddenly in his throat.
Sonic turns around and stares, stumbling over the relief that he knows is dumb, of course he’s okay, of course he’s alive, what were you thinking, he said he wouldn’t leave, you dumbass–
A grin breaks unto his face, wide– so wide, so relieved it reaches his eyes. He doesn’t say anything, he’s too busy closing the distance between them and hugging Ruby, heart back where it belongs and drumming in his ears.
It took forever to find the Shadow alternate, as Sardonyx had been wandering amidst her zone all day, hoping he would pop by somewhere. The sentient clone didn’t bother going to his territory, for a demon had constantly been hunting him down there and she KNEW he wouldn’t approve her risking life like that.
When mind radar sensed Amos’s presence and rubies (dulled by a hurricane of tragedy) at long last spotted his familiar figure, it took all willpower not to tackle him in a relieved embrace. Luckily she restrained herself, for his worn-down sanity. However Sardonyx knew her next actions and discussions she planned on having would still seem a bit... unorthodox to him, but considering what that horrid entity Mephiles put the female hedgehog through options were scarce and excruciatingly limited. Taking a deep breath she then walked towards her friend with trembling, dubious steps.
“Amos...” she said just above a whisper, to forewarn him of her presence. Keeping eyes upon earth below, she then timidly neared him and wrapped shaking digits around his hand. “C-... can we talk? There’s... something I need to tell you.”
Gwen was outside the cafe that she worked at part-time she was handing out samples for people to try and ring up more customers. She walked over to a creature that went up to about her elbow. “Hello, sir. Would you like to try a sample?” She asks him.
Now this was definitely a Shadow alternate! He had almost mistook this one for his own Shadow, but the Chaos signature was different. Either way, he was happy.
“Yo! Nice to see another Stripes around here!” he called cheerfully, waving. “How’s life treatin’ ya, dude?”
He looks a bit too relieved when he sees Ruby peek out from his kitchen for him to excuse this all as some casual visit. Even if he’d been on his usual behavior, the heavy bleeding at his side would kinda ruin that. It doesn’t look like he’s very much aware of the wound, however. Upon laying his eyes ( with dilated that give away the fact he’s supercharged with adrenaline ) on Ruby, his quills lie down somewhat, and he breathes out a sigh as he ambles over to the other hedgehog.
━ ༄ “ There you are! Man, what a lucky break--- you usually aren’t in here most days. ”
Which is a blessing and a curse, because then his location would be all the more obvious to Mephiles. Still ignoring the blatant limp he’s got and the gash at his side, he grasps onto Ruby’s arm and starts to tug him out of the cottage.
