Chapter 14: A Walk in the Park
It was another lengthy walk to Black Doom's throne room and both hedgehogs were now seized by an air of eagerness. After three days of no success in finding that Emerald, getting close to the guy who had to have it was thrilling.
Shadow also noticed that Sonic now accepted the leash a lot easier and more natural, not straining against it anymore, even if the energy and cockiness he still radiated let the black hedgehog inwardly headdesk whenever another disapproving noble went past. A foot-tapping, humming, grinning, whistling slave that had a running commentary of how stupid everybody 'all dressed up like some drag queen' looked, did not give the impression desired.
When the door of their destination came in sight, though, Shadow's steps became more hesistant, until he finally stopped, thereby also forcing Sonic to hold, who cocked an eye ridge.
“Hey, what's up? Don't you wanna go inside?”
Shadow shook his head. “I think it's better if you wait outside.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because I'm not sure if it is such a good idea if Black Doom sees you like this, obviously unbroken. There is a good chance we get that Emerald right now, but if for some reason that doesn't work out, then I don't want him to take you away from me, because that would make everything so much harder. Killing the guards and all that.”
Sonic blinked for a moment, not sure whether Shadow had just made an actual quip. Then he grinned.
“Well...okay. But if there is some action starting up in there and you try to take the Emerald by force, then you shout, right? Cause I want a piece of a good fight right now.”
Shadow smirked lightly. “Deal. Even if I'm hoping that I can just Chaos Control out of there as soon as Doom lets me hold that Emerald, grab you, and go home.”
Sonic shrugged. “I hope not. Getting rescued is not really my style, I'm more of a DIY type, y'know?”
“We'll see about that,” Shadow simply finished their conversation, again tying Sonic to another ring in the wall opposite the doors leading into the throne room. “If you hear any shouts, tear loose. Otherwise, please behave. And I can't believe I'm saying this.”
The black hedgehog shook his head again, turning around and leaving Sonic, who was already sitting down in an attempt to get comfortable, behind.
xxx
“Ah, Shadow! I wanted to talk to you!”
“I am pleased to hear that...father.”
*Chaos*, this is awkward.
Trying not to let it show how much this weirded him out, Shadow nevertheless kept his face neutral and as friendly as he dared, hoping he was emulating the foreign Prince well enough. Black Doom was perched on his throne in a strange mixture of floating and sitting, but besides that, the huge hall, decorated with carpets on the walls similar to the robe the alien dictator wore and tiled with dark marble, was empty. There was also a smaller version of the jagged, tribal-like in its carvings, King's seat to his side and Shadow suddenly hoped with dread that his “father” didn't expect him to join him there for the day.
“Will you hear me out first, though?” the black hedgehog asked, wondering whether it was really worth the trouble and whether a direct assault might not be quicker and more successful.
“I shall. Speak, Shadow. Is it about your new pet?”
“Hmm? Oh no, Sonic is behaving perfectly,” the Ultimate Lifeform lied, hoping Lazar hadn't already contradicted that statement somewhat, “But I had heard of a strange gem being found in the dungeon. I am intrigued and was hoping I could see it.”
I am hoping an awful lot lately.
Black Doom was silent for a while and Shadow wondered whether he had imagined the slight narrowing of his three lava-like eyes, but then the booming voice of the alien King spoke again as if nothing had happened.
“So you have heard of that, have you? And an intriguing gem it is indeed – so intriguing that I have taken it to the city for inspection.”
You bloody fu-!
“Your Majesty? I'm terribly sorry, but the lady is getting impatient,” Greytail suddenly announced, speaking through a slit in the small side door he had just opened, interrupting Shadow's NC-17 thoughts for a moment.
Black Doom nodded absently, waving the cat away. “Yes. We shall be ready in a moment. That is what I wanted to talk to you about, Shadow.”
“Yes, father, but could you just tell me where you have sent the Em- the gem stone, I mean? I would like to know who in our kingdom can conduct such an investigation.”
Black Doom gave an odd grimace that might have been a twitch of the lips on a humanoid face. “So interested in that gem. Interesting. But I can not tell you, Shadow, for the information has to remain a secret. Who knows who might hear, otherwise? But now listen to me. If it sets you at ease, the stone will be in the castle again the day after tomorrow.”
Shadow nodded, frustrated but not showing it. A whole two days yet to spend in bizarro world...
“Shadow, it is time for you to procreate.”
The Ultimate Lifeform looked at the King. A little voice in his head reminded him that if Sonic had heard that bit just now, he would be rolling around on the floor laughing at the black hedgehog's expression. As it was, Shadow only managed to blink.
“...what?”
“We have talked about this before. I know you prefer to spend your time with your various bed slaves, but not only you will need a female to continue our line, but I will also not allow her to be of slave-stead.”
“Ah.”
“I have arranged a princess for you to meet. Even if you do not wish to make her your partner, you will not displease her in any way, as diplomatic alliances with Queen Blaze's realm are still needed...yet.”
“Ah.”
“Spend the day with her, take a walk in the garden or whatever you wish. Now let me introduce you to Lady Amy. Please meet my son Shadow, Princess of Queen Blaze's realm.”
“Ah-wha?”
At that moment the doors opened and Shadow took a reflexive step back. Out stepped none other than the pink female that in their dimension always claimed to be Sonic's girlfriend to the point where the blue hedgehog was more afraid of her than of Robotnik. She was dressed in a long, silver sating gown and adorned with all kinds of jewelery, but Shadow only cared for that in the respect that it hopefully would hinder her from chasing after him when he ran.
“I am pleased to meet you, my Prince.” She had a melodious voice, though and was clearly a bit more restrained and mature than the version he knew from Mobius. Royal upbringing must have helped a little, he supposed. She walked over to him in tiny, graceful steps and then extended her hand in a motion that let the black hedgehog's stomach turn over.
Oh please, not this.
But he could feel the gaze of Black Doom intensify ever so slightly on his shoulders and then, there was no choice. Gingerly, he took the proffered, silvery-gloved hand and brushed his lips over it ever so slightly, wishing that he had never, ever set foot into the throne room and instead ran away with Sonic on the very first day they came here.
“Shall we take a stroll on the grounds, perhaps?” Amy asked. “We could get to know each other better.” It was followed by a giggle that sounded exactly like her red-clothed counterpart, and it was then that Shadow knew there was no upbringing that could really cover a real Amy up.
“Yeah. Let's,” he managed without much enthusiasm and awkwardly took her hand, leading the pink hedgehog out of the throne room.
At least the look on a leashed Sonic's face when the doors opened was worth it.
xxx
"Hmm. And you're sure this isn't another ploy of Robotnik's?"
"And the doctor would have wanted a frightened Sonic on all fours pressing himself against Shadow's legs...why?"
Knuckles looked at Rouge when he asked that question, both of them having finally cornered the two runaway hedgehogs in an alley. When 'Shadow' snarled and set a foot on an unresisting Sonic's back, as if daring them to touch his property, the Guardian of Angel Island was just glad that Tails wasn't here and so would hopefully be saved from trauma.
xxx
“Oooooh, what is that?!” Amy squealed immediately, apparently not very royal anymore as soon as any adults were out of sight. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest, while Sonic had jumped up in panic, his back to the wall and breathing rapidly where the leash had hindered him from a sudden escape.
“That's...that's Sonic...” Shadow managed weakly, before adding a bit stronger, perhaps to settle to question of ownership before Amy got any ideas, "My slave.”
“He looks so cute! Where did you find a blue one like him?” the girl enquired giddily, reaching out to grasp Sonic's wrist and touch his shoulder where fawn turned to azure. It was just a little bit odd, but just as Amy had chosen to refer to Sonic as an object rather than a person, she obviously didn't find it necessary to ask him whether she could just start grabbing him.
Shadow stepped in. “My father imported him from Christmas Island. Please don't touch him, he's a bit shy.”
The following kick from a sneaker against his shin was so fast that Amy didn't see it, and Shadow masked any pain on his face so it went unnoticed.
“Can we take him for a walk in the garden, Prince Shadow? Please?”
"Uh...sure..."
Would it disturb royal alliances if I tied their princess up in a closet somewhere?
"Oh, he is beautiful..." the pink hedgehog whispered as Shadow untied a fidgety Sonic (who was now beginning to blush under her stare) from the ring, still unable to take her eyes off the supposed slave. The stand-in Prince couldn't help but notice that his unwilling pet now seemed more tempted to run than ever.
"He is indeed," Shadow agreed, and, hoping that the outside would maybe calm Sonic a bit, continued: "Don't you want to see him in daylight?", offering an arm to Amy at the same time. He was rather calculating on the fact that if he managed to make it a nice day for the girl, Black Doom might be a bit more amiable to his requests as well when he saw the "Prince" was making an effort for the kingdom.
"Can I hold him while we walk?"
However, Amy was pushing it.
Shadow's eyeridges went up just a bit when he glanced the horrified, wide-eyed stare of his blue-furred slave as soon as the words were uttered. Sonic hadn't spoken since the pink armageddon known as "Amy" had surprised them, but his current expression left all words unnecessary. Shadow hadn't yet seen Sonic plead for anything, but he was pretty sure this was a first.
Please don't give me to her. Please don't give me to her. Please don't-
"If you wish, mylady."
I hate you, Shadow. I really do.
xxx
They reached the grounds after only a short while, Shadow opening the door and standing aside so Amy could proceed through with Sonic in tow.
The hero of Mobius currently wished he could just die.
Sonic was mostly staring at the ground now, his face burning hotly in humiliation. He was the captive of Amy. This was like his worst nightmare come true. Sure, she wasn't doing anything to him like Lazar (or a certain dingo) had tried to, but he honestly didn't care. He just wanted to be as far away from this place as possible and the choker to which he'd gotten used to now felt as restrictive and uncomfortable as on the very first day. When he was dragged past Shadow holding the door open, Sonic shot his supposed Master a look and crimson eyes widened subtly. The glance from blazing emerald had been accusing, of course...but also disappointed and somehow...hurt?
It took the black hedgehog a few seconds to blink and recover from that passing gaze, and then he hurriedly stepped up next to Amy. Sonic at the moment looked utterly miserable. Ears drooping, feet dragging, his hands clutched behind his back and shoulders hunched up with his tail almost between his legs, he was the picture of a prisoner being led to his execution, rosebushes lining the pathway or not.
And Shadow felt guilty. Which was ridiculous, really. They were just playing their parts, and Sonic had been through much worse than that.
But she wants to own him, while he's MINE. And that's the problem.
...am I getting a trifle possessive?
Shadow wondered while falling into step with them again, Sonic now turning his nose up as he tried to walk next to him, like a cat insulted by their owner abandoning them for two weeks of holiday. Shadow gave an exasperated huff under his breath, but the blue hedgehog just reacted by changing sides with the restricted freedom that the leash allowed, so Amy was walking in between them again. Shadow noticed that his ears and tail had pricked up again, obviously showing that ego had once again won over hurt.
"So, where did your father purchase him exactly? And how has he been groomed, so far?"
"Errr..."
The next two hours of slow ambling through the park (that looked like it had been designed by Munch for a Halloween contest) was spent with increasingly curious questions by the princess and very imaginative story-telling on the Ultimate Lifeform's part, who tried to remember as much as he could from the ownership papers they'd studied and bridging the vast gaps with tales you'd usually only hear in a country pub after your conversation partner has had his fourth barrel of Lager.
"And the shoes?"
"Are red because I wanted them to match his collar but didn't desire him to have too much clothing. And you already asked that question." Shadow had trouble keeping the annoyance out of his voice. Amy had been doing nothing than enquiring about Sonic, who was now sitting rather morosely at their feet where they had alighted onto a bench that only offered space for two. He still had his back turned to Shadow, though.
"Oh yes, of course, silly me!" Amy giggled, jiggling the leash and the black hedgehog thought he could almost hear Sonic's eye twitch. There was no doubt that if it hadn't been a friend's double but a random stranger, the blue hero would have snapped hours ago. As it was, Sonic was fortunately used to be patient and long-suffering with Amy, so no blood had yet been shed and all pink quills were still where they belonged (instead of scattered in various parts of the park, a vision Shadow found increasingly enjoyable).
"But, say...I know you said he was shy, but can I pet him now? He should have gotten used to me, and after all he is a pleasure slave..."
The princess asked at that point, not waiting for an answer but already reaching out and burrowing her hand in a surprised and fliching Sonic's headfur, then suddenly yelping and yanking back her arm with an alarmed expression.
"OW! He cut me!" she wailed, holding up her index fingertip where a single drop of blood marred the sakura fur. Sonic had whirled around at her shriek, but calmed down again as he saw the damage was superficial.
"Yes. His spines are sharp," Shadow informed the girl currently suckling her finger and frowning.
"Then why on earth haven't you had them blunted yet?" she asked, looking at Shadow plaintively, apparently not noticing the slight widening of his eyes or the sucking intake of breath from Sonic.
Blunting of spines. The momentarily leashed hero of Mobius couldn't believe it. It was the most humiliating practice possible in hedgehog culture - similiar to a human "witch" being stripped and shaved of her head hair in medieval ages, or a public castration - and yet Amy was suggesting it with a non-chalance that could only mean it was commonly used on hedgehog slaves. Sonic shivered.
Living here is like watching a horror movie on a loop, only the thing getting worse. And there isn't even any popcorn.
Shadow merely smirked. "I like them that way."
Amy's mouth formed a very small, silent 'o'.
"But...isn't he gonna hurt you?"
The black hedgehog shrugged, before standing up. "He knows not to." The last bit was delivered with just a small, meaningful glance into emerald-green eyes, and an exaggerated look towards his knee, still sore from Sonic's kick the day before. The blue hedgehog merely retaliated with an offended glance of his own, directed at the leash Amy still held, and a crossing of arms before turning away again. Shadow frowned, before giving a quick, fake smile to Amy, hoping the Princess wasn't catching on just how 'obedient' the supposed slave really was. Luckily, her mind seemed to be elsewhere already.
"Do you want some chocolates?"
"No, thank you."
"Can I feed Sonic some chocolates?"
The black hedgehog rolled his eyes as the endless questioning began again when they were walking once more. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"
To his surprise, Amy gave another giggle, waving her hand in a jokingly dismissive manner. "Oh, Shadow! Stop fooling around with me - everybody knows slaves don't think, so how should I ask him anything?"
Sonic and Shadow exchanged a look. Then the blue hero rapidly turned his head away again as he remembered that he was supposed to be insulted and the Ultimate Lifeform had the serious urge to run his hand across his face. "Yes. Of course. What was I thinking?"
"Yes, indeed." Amy smiled and nodded. "So, does he eat chocolate? And can I hand-feed him?"
There was a brief moment of silence while that question sunk in. Sonic shot Shadow a look that was both a warning, a promise of another kick if the black hedgehog decided to give the wrong answer here, and a definite hint of panic.
And Shadow couldn't help but grin.
"Well, unfortunately, no..." - he waited until his supposed slave had relaxed the tiniest bit - "I'm afraid he only accepts hand-feeding from his Master."
"Oh, really? Then please, give it to him, I'm sure it will make an adorable picture!" Amy clapped her hands in delight, before thrusting her satin bag with the little chocolates out to the ostitious Prince. Shadow nodded, took one and held it out on a flat hand at chest height.
The expression of Sonic at this point was as incredulous as it was priceless.
"Come on. Eat it," Shadow smirked, looking straight into the eyes of his pretend slave, the chocolate sitting on his gloved hand like a challenge.
You snubbed me the entire day, hedgehog. Now come on and bow your head.
The narrowing emerald eyes of Sonic only made Shadow smirk more devilishly as the blue hedgehog made it clear he knew his dark counterpart wanted to humiliate him a bit for fun.
"Come here, now. Be a good pet."
Shadow didn't deny he rather enjoyed seeing Sonic forced to lower his head with reluctance.
If he had seen the sudden devious sparkle in his eyes, though, he probably wouldn't have been surprised when Sonic then proceeded to bite into his skin right after whisking away the chocolate.
Black eye ridges shot up at the sudden sharp pain, and Sonic twisted his head sideways ever so lazily, grinning up at his supposed Master where small hedgehog incisors held glove, skin and flesh still trapped between their points. Shadow pressed his lips together instead of hissing with the pain, making Sonic chuckle and releasing him, even when a crimson death glare was sent his way.
Shadow balled the injured fist to suppress the pain, his gaze trying to scorch Sonic on the spot, who just stared right back, and looking ever so smug. It rather amused Shadow on some other level, even if he refused to show it. A small, timid cough alerted them to the presence of the third hedgehog in the park. Amy looked rather taken aback.
"Did he just...bite you?"
Shadow merely shrugged. "He's not fully broken yet."
"Is...is that so?" The girl asked somewhat weakly at that, suddenly looking a bit uncomfortable around Sonic. "In that case...maybe you want to hold him again?" she offered, holding the leash out to Shadow, who took it without hesitation. "If you wish."
The moment the leash passed hands, Sonic felt rather strange. The awkward sensation seemed to be gone within a second - while being held by Amy had just given him the urge to run, being held by Shadow just felt...right. He couldn't word it any other way. He hadn't felt that way before, but after being led by somebody else, this was all he could think of now that it was Shadow again.
Strange, he mused, how much our relationship changed. The kind of playful teasing that had just been going on, when somehow Sonic knew even Shadow's glares were now different and much less serious than they had been before, the little battle of dominance that he didn't even mind losing at times - it was almost...affectionate.
And even while Amy wanted to end their walk rather quickly after finding out that Sonic was basically a half-tamed buzzsaw, the last look that both Master and slave exchanged, a small smug smile and a sarcastic snort, told both of them that they wouldn't have minded staying out longer at all.
To be continued...
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