Mirror Image

XIV - How to Control Chaos (and Influence People)

"Um... quite," said Shadow, obviously less impressed, "my point is, I can show you how to tame this ability. You've demonstrated you have the potential for it."

"I'm not sure about this, Shadow," said Sonic, "my super speed is quite enough for me, thanks." The dark hedgehog nodded curtly as if in understanding, before thrusting an open hand forward.

"Take my hand, Sonic," he said, "let me help you be the best you can. Don't be afraid of yourself."

Did he know? thought Sonic. Shadow had proven to be very perceptive lately, and Sonic wondered if this wasn't some kind of manipulation. If Shadow knew how he felt, he would know how desperate Sonic was to feel his touch at all times. Reluctantly he thrust his arm forward as well, taking Shadow's hand in a firm grip. The two boys sat facing each other in silence.

"Now," said Shadow in a soft whisper, "do you feel that?"

"There's sort of a tingle," said Sonic. His hand felt the pinpricks of tiny needles, slowly creeping up his fingers.

"I'm just getting a feel for your Chaos energy," said Shadow, taking on an almost clinical tone, as if he was checking Sonic's pulse, "there's definite potential here."

He shifted around, not letting go of Sonic's hand. The black hedgehog sat alongside Sonic, who felt a heat hotter than the roaring fire overtake his face. He's so close, he thought, his heart pounding, I can't take this. The urge to hold him again is too much. Sonic realised he was breathing rather loudly through his nose, and Shadow looked at him strangely. He turned his head away, blushing deeply.

"Now then," said Shadow, turning Sonic's hand face up and placing his palm underneath it, "just relax, and feel the energy flowing through you." Sonic could not have been more tense. Shadow's deep, smouldering voice in his ear, meant to calm him, instead seemed sensual and enticing. His hand began to tingle again, while the rest of his body quivered with a different sort of anticipation. His thoughts focused again when he noticed a blue glow surrounding his hand.

"Whoa," he said, transfixed, "am I doing that?" From the corner of his eye Shadow nodded.

"You're really tense," he said, "take it slowly, let yourself relax properly or else you'll-"

"Yow!" shouted Sonic, snapping his hand away as a blue flash filled the room, "that really hurt!"

"Of course it did, you lost control because you're as stiff as a board. Let's try this again, and this time, make sure you relax."

How can I relax when you're this close to me? thought Sonic, you're asking more than you know, Shadow.

Sonic offered his hand again, and Shadow placed his under it again. This time Shadow put his other hand on Sonic's shoulder, and the blue hedgehog's breath caught in his throat.

"Breathe," Shadow cooed, "slowly through your nose." Sonic obliged; determined not to let Shadow see how much he rattled him, he stared straight ahead, concentrating on the slow stream of air flowing into him. He felt his body unwind as he shifted his focus away from Shadow's touch to his own breathing.

"Good," said Shadow, "Now, concentrate on the palm of your hand. Focus all your mental energy at that point." Sonic felt like obeying Shadow's commands, as averse as he was to being told what to do, it would at least distract him from more unwanted feelings. Looking down at his tingling hand he saw it had begun to glow with cobalt light.

"Close your eyes," said Shadow, "visualise a sphere in your hand. Focus your energy into making that sphere a reality." Sonic screwed up his face as he focused on the shape. His hand tingled further, and a strange numbness enveloped it. Opening his eyes he beheld an orb of perfect cobalt light spinning above his hand. He couldn't help but gasp.