Sonic Series ❯ Sonic Matrix 3 ❯ Another normal night ( Chapter 1 )

Shadow and Sonia settled on their couch, in front of the fireplace, after they put their twin daughters to bed.

 Sonia snuggled against Shadow’s chest. “So where are you taking me for our anniversary?”

 “What place did you want to see again?” Shadow asked.

 Sonia grinned. “You’re taking me to Mobius beach?”

 “For the whole weekend.” Shadow replied. “Sonic and Sally will watch the girls for us.”

 Sonia hugged Shadow. “You are so sweet.”

 Shadow kissed Sonia. “You’re the only one who’s allowed to say that about me.”

 Sonia giggled.

  Shadow stroked Sonia’s spines (which she had grown out and combed over the right side of her face) until she fell asleep. He picked her up and carried her back to their bed.

 Shadow laid Sonia on the bed and pulled the blankets over her. He kissed her forehead, then picked up his phone off of his nightstand  and left the room to get some water.

 He shuffled down the hall, scrolling through a long message from Sonic, who was complaining that Manic was still living with them and didn’t seem to be making any progress on finding a new home.

 Suddenly everything went black.

 Shadow groaned and opened his eyes. “What…?” He thought. He slowly got to his feet, staggering a bit. 

 He saw Sonia, lying lifelessly on the floor of their dimly lit hallway. 

 Shadow ran over and knelt down beside Sonia. He cradled her in his arms. “Sonia?”

 Sonia didn’t respond.

 Now, Shadow noticed the laser blast wound in her chest.

 Shadow blinked back tears. He gently laid Sonia on the ground again, then ran to the girls’ room. “Maria? Aleena?”

 “Daddy?” Aleena whimpered. 

 Shadow looked at the girls’ closet door.

 “Hush.” Maria whispered.

 Shadow opened the closet door.

 Aleena and Maria were huddled together, crying.

 Shadow knelt down. “It’s okay.” He said. “We’re gonna stay with your uncle Sonic, okay?”

 Maria and Aleena ran over and hugged Shadow.

 Shadow picked them up and started to leave the room. “Close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you to open them again.”

 “Dad?” Maria asked. “Where’s Mom?”

 Shadow winced. “I’ll explain when we get to Uncle Sonic’s.” He replied. “Just do what I say.”

 Shadow set the girls down and pounded on the door of Sonic and Sally’s home.

 Manic opened the door. “What’s wrong?” He asked. “Where’s Sonia?”

 “I’ll explain inside.” Shadow replied.

 Manic stepped aside.

 Shadow led the girls into the house.

 Sonic and Sally came out of their room.

 “Shadow? What happened to your spines?” Sally asked. “They’re burned.”

 “Must’ve been grazed by a blast.” Shadow replied.

 “Blast?” Sally asked. 

 Manic ran out of the house. 

 Shadow turned around and stuck his head out the door. “Don’t go over there, Manic!” He yelled. “Manic!”

 “Where’s Sonia?” Sonic asked.

 Shadow turned around. “Sit down.”

 Sonic and Sally sat on the couch while Shadow sat on the loveseat.

 Maria and Aleena crawled onto Shadow’s lap.

 “I don’t know what happened.” Shadow said, barely holding back tears. “Something knocked me out and, when I finally came to, I found… I found Sonia… I’m sorry. She’s… dead.”

 “She’s gone?!” Sonic screamed. “You didn’t do anything to protect her?”

 “I was unconscious, Sonic!” Shadow yelled. “By the time I woke up, she was gone. Whoever broke in had already left. I didn’t hear or see anyone at all. I don’t even know how they got into our house without us hearing them.”

 Sally grabbed Sonic by his shoulders. “Sonic, it’s not his fault.”

 Sonic turned away from Shadow.

 Sally hugged Sonic and stroked his spines. 

 Sonic hugged Sally. His shoulders shuddered as he drew shaky breaths.

 Manic came back in, wiping his eyes. “I already called in Tails and the medical team.” He said, voice shaking. He sat down in the recliner near the loveseat. 

 “Daddy?” Aleena asked. “What do you mean that Mama’s dead?”

 Shadow looked at Maria and Aleena, who were staring up at him. 

 “It’s bad, isn’t it?” Maria asked.

 “Do you want me to handle it?” Manic asked. 

 “No, but thanks.” Shadow replied.

 Manic got up. “I’ll wait outside for Tails.”