Mirror Image

XIV - How to Control Chaos (and Influence People)

"It... it feels like it's a part of me," he said with astonishment, "like an extension of my mind. It's... incredible!" A great burden had lifted from his hand, which now felt completely relaxed. Sonic sighed as the feeling spread along his arm.

"It is a part of you, Sonic," said Shadow, "it's your raw Chaos energy given form, and some of mine too."

"Yours?" asked Sonic.

"I thought... you could use a boost," said Shadow, turning his head away. Sonic wondered if he didn't look slightly bashful, another first for Shadow if it was true. Sonic felt bashful as well, the idea of Shadow's energy... inside him brought a deep heat to his face that he found hard to shake off.

"Thanks, Shads," said Sonic, smiling warmly, "I've never felt anything like this before. It's so cool! What should I do now?"

"Okay, close your eyes again," Shadow said, "and picture something more complex, like the butterfly. Try to focus on something that makes you happy, and imagine that thing exists inside the sphere."

Sonic focused again, trying to think of something that would make him happy. When his mind settled on the perfect thing, he screwed up his face again, picturing it inside the sphere.

"I should have known," Shadow's voice rang drolly in his ears. Sonic opened his eyes. Floating above his hand a chilli dog made from pure blue energy sparkled in the dim light of the cabin.

"Sorry," said Sonic, grinning, "but it's been ages since I've had a real one." Shadow rolled his eyes.

"Just let yourself relax completely, and feel the energy leaving you."

Sonic felt his arm returning to normal, and the Chaos chilli dog dissipated into blue sparkling light as if caught by a gentle wind.

"That was just the coolest thing ever!" said Sonic.

"Aren't you glad I showed you now?" said Shadow.

"Yeah, I suppose I am. But why did you want to so badly?" Shadow sat with his arm still across Sonic's shoulder, looking into the fire in quiet contemplation.

"I want... no, I need to keep you strong Sonic. I need you to be the best you can be. This is part of that. If you're not, if you're faltering or doubting yourself, then I've failed."

"Failed? Failed at what?" Sonic said, "what are you trying to do?" Shadow turned to look at him, his red eyes shining in the light of the fire, and Sonic thought he saw a great sadness across his face.

"It's even worse now," he said, seeming to stare through Sonic's head, "now that I know how you feel about me." Sonic nearly fell backwards. He knew. How did he know? He was asleep when Sonic blurted it out. Sonic's heart began to race, and he felt himself sweating; this was the moment their barely-begun friendship came crashing down in an avalanche of awkwardness.

"Y-you know?" Sonic said, before adopting a painfully forced grin, "I mean, what are you talking about, buddy? I have absolutely no idea what you could possibly mean by that." He began to giggle manically, avoiding Shadow's gaze and rubbing the back of his head. Shadow smirked, fixing him with a solid stare.

"Funny thing about me, Faker," Shadow said, with particular emphasis on that word which he now saved for moments of irritation with Sonic, "I don't really sleep in the same way as normal Mobians. I enter a hibernation state to recharge myself from background Chaos radiation, but I remain fully aware of everything around me, in case I'm attacked."

"Fully aware?" Sonic gasped, "then that means-"

"That I heard everything you said."

"Shadow," said Sonic, his panic threatening to send his head launching into space, "listen, I was stressed out by this whole situation, I didn't really mean-"