Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Framed ❯ A quiet evening or so it seems ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Shadow sipped coffee in the living room of his cottage on Emerald island. He enjoyed the quiet moments in his home, but did miss Sonia when she wasn’t around.

 At the moment, she was on tour with her brothers.

 Shadow would’ve gone along this time, but it was his turn to pet-sit Sonic’s elderly dog Muttski.

 Muttski was lying by the fireplace near Shadow’s feet. He kicked his feet and wagged his tail in his sleep.

 Someone knocked on the door.

 Muttski woke up and looked at the door, then laid down again.

 Shadow got up. “Coming.” He called as he walked to the door. He opened the door.

 His neighbor, Maria Robotnik, was standing there with a box in her hands.

 “Hi, Shadow.” Maria said, smiling. She handed the box to Shadow. “I brought the supplies.”

 “Thanks.” Shadow replied. He set the box down on a nearby chair.

 “Is Sonia home?” Maria asked.

 “She’s in Dresden at the moment.” Shadow replied. “I’m babysitting her brother’s dog Muttski.”

 Maria looked at Muttski, who was wagging his tail at her. “Aww, he’s cute.” She squealed. “Can I pet him?”

 Maria walked in.

 Shadow chuckled. “Yeah, go ahead.”

 Maria walked over and knelt down beside Muttski and petted him.

 Muttski laid his head on Maria’s lap and wagged his tail.

 Maria giggled. “Such a good boy.” She said, scratching Muttski’s ears.

 “So how’s your grandfather?” Shadow asked.

 “He’s doing great.” Maria replied. “So he said he worked with you. I’m sure you have some interesting stories and I thought you might be lonely.”

 “Not really.” Shadow said. “Doesn’t your grandfather need you back or do you have school?”

 “Fall break.” Maria replied. “He said I could visit while he’s busy working on a presentation and a video conference.”

 Shadow sighed. “I see.”

 Maria laughed. “You could use some work on your hospitality skills.”

 Shadow sat on his chair. “I’m not exactly fond of talking about my past.”

 “Well, if it’s too difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.” Maria replied.

 “No, it’s fine.” Shadow said. “Well….”

 Shadow’s phone rang. 

 “That’s either Sonia or Sonic to check on his dog.” Shadow said, picking up his phone. He answered the phone. “Hello?”

 “Hi, handsome.” Rouge said.

 “You know that annoys Sonia, right?” Shadow asked.

 “That’s why I do it.” Rouge replied. “Anyway, we have a concerning situation.”

 “There’s a concerning situation and you’re being a smart aleck.” Shadow said.

 Maria looked up.

 “Sorry.” Rouge replied. “Anyway, I don’t know who you ticked off, but someone in GUN altered your files and they’re after you now.”

 “Why?” Shadow asked.

 “I don’t know, but we had a briefing and they’re listing you and Sonic as rogues.” Rouge replied. “Something shady is going on. Knux and I are gonna head your way now. Stay safe.”

 “Yeah, I gotta make some calls and maybe take Maria home.” Shadow said. “See you.”

 Shadow hung up, then started calling Aleena.

 “What happened?” Maria asked.

 “Something’s going on.” Shadow replied.

 Aleena finally picked up. “Hello?”

 “I need you to pick up Muttski.” Shadow said. “He’s fine, but Sonic and I are in trouble.”

 “What did he do this time?” Aleena asked.

 “Not him, GUN.” Shadow replied. 

 “Okay, I’ll tell him and get Muttski in a minute.” Aleena said. She hung up.

 “GUN is framing us for some reason.” Shadow said.

 A ring portal appeared in the living room.

 Sonic and Aleena stepped through it.

 Sonic sat down near Muttski and petted him. “Hey, buddy, how are ya?” He asked. “You’re gonna stay with grandma, alright?”

 Aleena picked up Muttski.

 Sonic tossed a ring into the air.

 Aleena, carrying Muttski, stepped through the portal as soon as it opened.

 “Okay, what’s going on?” Sonic asked.

 “Hi, Sonic.” Maria replied.

 “Oh, hey, Maria.” Sonic said, looking at Maria.

 “Rouge called and said that GUN has branded us as rogues.” Shadow said. “Don’t know why. She and Knux will be here as soon as she can.”

*

 An hour later, Rouge and Knuckles still hadn’t arrived.

 “Guess they’re out of rings.” Sonic said, checking his watch.

 “Something’s not right.” Shadow said, walking to the window. He peered out the window. “There’s boats at Gerald’s place.”

 Maria pulled her phone out. 

 “Don’t call, he may have to hide.” Shadow said.

 “I’m checking the cameras.” Maria replied. She looked at her phone, then screamed.

 Sonic and Shadow looked at Maria.

 Sonic ran over and knelt down beside Maria. “What’s wrong?”

 “They killed him.” Maria sobbed.

 “Sit with her, I’ll be right back.” Shadow said, racing to his and Sonia’s bedroom. He got his guns, backpack, and bag of rings before running back over to Sonic and Maria.

 “We’ll go to Dresden.” Shadow said. 

 Sonic pulled a ring out of his hoodie pocket and tossed it into the air. He helped Maria through the portal.

 Shadow stepped through the portal as well.