Rotor: Here.
Rotor hands Shadow two round gold rings and Shadow puts them on his wrist.
Shadow: Thanks Rotor. And thank Ivo for me as well.
Rotor waves his hand dismissively.
Rotor: No problem Shadow. You need those inhibitor rings, and the boss asked me to whip some up. Wasn't too difficult.
Shadow: I see. Well, I thank you anyways. Felt weird without them on my wrists.
Rotor: I bet. Now go along, the others having been dying to show you the town.
Shadow smirks.
Shadow: And by others, you mean Sonic?
Rotor: Hehe, well he is an impatient hedgehog.
Shadow: True. Welp, I better get going. See ya Rotor.
Shadow walks out the base, waving a hand.
Rotor: Have a good time!
Shadow walks out the entrance and sees Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles all crowded around the Tornado.
Sonic: Sooooo, how high do you think we can get into the sky before we lose oxygen?
Tails: 20,000 ft.
Knuckles: Is that high?
Tails: Yes.
Knuckles: But.... the sky islands are so high though?
Sonic: Not that high Knux.
Knuckles: Oh... huh. Neat.
Shadow: Only you would think that floating islands would be neat Hothead.
The three turn to see Shadow walking up to them. Knuckles' face turns slightly red.
Knuckles: N-no!! I just thought the info was neat, not the act of floating islands itself Stripes!!
Shadow chuckles and shakes his head.
Shadow: So, we got any missions?
Sonic: Nah, doc said to just chill for a bit. He'll give us a mission when he has one. So, that leaves our afternoon free.
Shadow's face turns into a slightly disappointed look to it.
Shadow: Oh... ok. Hey, where's Nicole?
Tails: Probably with my aunt, they've been doing alot of upgrading to Nicole since we've been facing stronger and stronger foes.
Shadow nods.
Shadow: Makes sense. So, should we do some training for the rest of the day?
Sonic: Pffft, training?! C'mon Shadow, we can train some other time. You haven't seen all of Knothole yet, right?
Shadow: Yeah...?
Sonic: Sooooooo.... Let's go see it!! The four of us! Come on, you got to get out of this base and have some fun.
Shadow sighs and rolls his eyes as a slight smile forms on his face.
Shadow: Fine, let's go explore this stupid town.
Sonic raises a fist into the air with a huge smile on his face.
Sonic: Alright!! Let's gooo!!!
(Knothole)
Sonic, Shadow, Tails, and Knuckles are walking through the town. Sonic points towards the Chilemope stand.
Sonic: And over there is where Ducky sells Chilidogs, life's greatest creation.
Tails: Don't forget that he also sells lemonade.
Knuckles: And grapes, the actual best thing ever created.
Sonic: Ha! Good one Knux.
Knuckles: What is?
Shadow: Heh. So this really is just a nice little town huh?
Sonic smiles as he put his arms behind his head as he walks.
Sonic: *chuckles* Yeah, it really is. It has slowly started to feel like home to me, to us. And hopefully, it can feel like home to you too.
Shadow smiles solemnly.
Shadow: Yeah.... maybe. *sighs* So, what else are we gon-
???: Mr. Sonic!!
The group turn and see Cream and Cheese running towards them, carrying a basket of food. Sonic smiles and waves at them.
Sonic: Cream! Cheese! Long time no see. What brings you two to town?
Cream: Getting food. Mom needs some ingredients for dinner.
Cream looks at Shadow and smiles.
Cream: Hi there!
Shadow awkwardly waves at Cream. Sonic chuckles.
Sonic: Cream, this is Shadow. He's a new member of our team at Skyline.
Cream's eyes shine brightly and Cheese circles around Shadow's head.
Shadow: What is this creature?
Cream: No idea really. Mom calls him a Chao since all he says is Chao.
Cheese: Chao!
Cheese raises a stubby arm into the air in triumph. Shadow smirks slightly.
Shadow: Tough little guy huh? Bet you could be the echidna over there.
Knuckles: What?!
Knuckles pushes his head against Shadow's.
Knuckles: You think I'm weak or something?
Shadow grins, bearing his sharp fangs as he pushes his head against Knuckles' head.
Shadow: You said it, not me Dreads.
Knuckles: I can take you down Stripes, so does that make you weak?!
Shadow: In your dreams Dreads!!!
Sparks start flying as the two continue to stare down each other until Cream pushes the two away from each other.
Cream: Please don't fight!!! We're all friends right?
Shadow looks away as Knuckles scratches his hat.
Knuckles: Sorry Cream. You're right, no use in fighting someone so weak.
Shadow: Hmph, took the words right out of my mouth.
Tails and Sonic look at each other and both smirk and roll their eyes.
Sonic: Anyways, need any help with the food Cream? We'd be happy to help.
Cream: Really?!
Sonic: If that's alright with the rest of you guys?
Tails: We are on vacation, so we don't got anything else to do.
Knuckles grabs Cream and lifts her onto his shoulder.
Knuckles: Come now friends, to find us some grapes!!!
Cream chuckles as Knuckles walks towards the super market. Tails and Chees follow, and Sonic turns to Shadow.
Sonic: Come on Shads, let's catch up.
Sonic walks towards the others as Shadow sighs, smiles and follows from behind.
Shadow: Right behind you.
*A few hours later*
The gang walk towards a house carrying a bunch of baskets with a whole lot of food.
Cream: Thank you guys for helping me and Cheese! It really helps us.
Sonic: Welp, couldn't let you carry all this food by yourself now, could we guys?
Sonic looks back to see Tails hovering above carry a basket of apples, Knuckles carrying 3 crates of grapes on his shoulders, and Shadow using his spear to carry 4 baskets of bread.
Tails: Yep, happy to help.
Knuckles: Especially with all these grapes!!
Shadow rolls his eyes.
Shadow: Do you always turn dumb for grapes? Or are you just this dumb?
Knuckles: Huh?!
Cream: Mom!!!
Cream and Cheese rush towards the house as Vanilla exits the front door and smiles at her daughter.
Vanilla: Cream, Cheese!! You're back early?
Cream smiles brightly.
Cream: We had help!!
Vanilla looks up and sees Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow walk towards her.
Vanilla: Ah, why if it isn't the blue hedgehog who saved my little girl. Mr. Sonic correct?
Sonic does a two finger salute.
Sonic: Correct.
Tails lands onto the ground and smiles.
Tails: I'm Tails Ma'am
Knuckles tips his beanie down.
Knuckles: Name's Knuckles.
Shadow nods his head.
Shadow: And I'm Shadow.
Vanilla smiles warmly.
Vanilla: It is so nice to meet you all. Cream has told me some things about you. Now come on in, don't want you to keep carrying our food.
Cream: Hey Mom, can they stay over for dinner?
Sonic: Oh, I don't think we-
Vanilla: Nonsense, after what you did that day when those robots attacked, I couldn't let you go without repaying you in some way.
Sonic looks at the others.
Sonic: You guys good with this?
Tails: Sounds fine by me!!
Knuckles: I am getting a little hungry.
Shadow: .... Sure.
Sonic smiles and turns back to Vanilla.
Sonic: Sure thing Vanilla, we'll stay for dinner.
Vanilla smiles.
Vanilla: Then come on in.
*An hour later*
Shadow is outside and staring at the night sky filled with stars.
Shadow: *mutters* Wonder what you'd say about this view Maria.
Cream: Mr. Shadow?
Shadow turns to see Cream in the doorway.
Cream: Everything alright?
Shadow stares for a bit and sighs with a small smiles.
Shadow: In a way I guess. Just thinking about an old friend.
Cream: Old friend?
Shadow's smile falters slightly as he looks back up to the sky.
Shadow: She's um....... not with us anymore.
Cream: Oh...... do you miss her?
Shadow: Greatly. I don't think I'll never miss her.
Shadow feels something grip his hand and he looks down to see Cream grab his hand.
Cream: If it makes you feel better, I'll be your friend Mr. Shadow.
Shadow smiles and nods.
Shadow: I'd like that Cream. I'd really like that.
Cream smiles brightly.
Cream: Well, I just wanted to let you know that dinner is ready and the others are waiting for us.
Shadow stares at the night sky a little bit longer and nods.
Shadow: Alright, let's head on in.
----------------------
A new chapter!!!! Been awhile, and I'm sorry about that. Been busy with health reasons, my voice acting and moving back in with my parents. Also been DMing a dnd campaign with my friends, so that's been kinda consuming my mind in terms of story telling but have no fear, Sonic Skyline was never far from my mind. Btw, would love to know what people's opinions on the new cover for the series. I think it's a huge improvement from the last one. Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful life and I'll see you later. Bye.