Legend by Twenty One Pilots
~~

Sonic the Hedgehog had grown rather accustomed to the swarm of flashing cameras, waving microphones and background cheers. However, as he offered his answers to the mountain of questions thrown at him, his mind still occasionally settled on the unknown number of people surrounding him. He would chuckle, massage his scruff and fiddle with his ear to fill the pauses of his answers, yet he now stood still. Flabbergasted, he pulled at the cuff of his glove. His emerald eyes stared into the camera that was rudely shoved into his face, surely catching the nervous bead of sweat rolling down his head. It was a simple question really, but it still brought him into silence.

"After this surprising attack from Doctor Eggman, what are you plans to put a stop to his reign?"

Perhaps it was ridiculous that he was quiet. Surely he should have a plan to defeat the most notoriously intelligent man in the world, yet part of Sonic had hoped it would, well, never reach that point. Perhaps he could compromise with Eggman, or maybe succeed in meeting the good part of the scientist. It's not like this was the first time this question had been asked either, yet he knew his previous answers offered only did so much- the people always wanted more.

He cleared his throat, "I can promise you I've got this under control. Eggman won't win as long as I'm around!"

He grinned and gave a thumbs up, to which both soon faltered from the multitude of microphones inching towards his face.

"But what exactly are you planning?"

"How will you make sure the people of Mobius are safe?"

The blue hero swallowed, "Well I-."

"How can you assure us Eggman won't attack again?"

"I can't but-."

"Do you not have a plan to keep the world safe?"

Sonic's heart began to pound as he watched the panicked expressions painted on the crowds faces. "That's-."

"Can you promise us that our freedom is still secure?"

He glanced at the city around him, one in heavy disrepair and early construction. Seaside City (for the most part) had sadly faced the consequences for Eggman's latest attack, where Badniks attempted to pull the city apart and flatten it entirely. Although Sonic wasn't exactly sure why, he still showed on the scene and chased the scientist out.

"Sonic, do you have a definitive idea on what you're going to do with Doctor Eggman?"

"Huh?" The speedster returned his focus to the collective of reporters.

"If you can't give us a plan now, how can we sleep easily at night and continue with our days?"

"Rest assured, our top priority is to keep Mobius and it's citizens safe."

Sonic glanced at the hand now resting on his shoulder before turning to face a black and red hedgehog (okay so he may of had some help with Eggman-), one who eyed the reporters and cameras either coldly or carefully (Sonic wasn't always sure what his rival was feeling, never mind what the darker hedgehog wanted to show).

"We've succeeded thus far, so I promise we don't plan on failing anytime soon. And it wouldn't exactly be wise to deliver a plan on television would it?" Shadow had the hint of a smirk tracing his lips.

With a moment of rather uncomfortable silence, the Ultimate Lifeform continued, "If that's all we need to get going."

When there weren't any protests, Shadow nodded and sharply turned to leave. He guided Sonic through the crowds by the same shoulder and only spoke once they were a safe distance away from the crowds.

"The people are starting to panic." The dark hedgehog marched with crossed arms.

Sonic rubbed his face, "I know."

"Which means impatience."

"I know."

"So what are we going to do about that then?" Shadow stopped at a railing blocking direct access to the vast beach below, one that neighboured a line of docks.

"Catch him." Sonic shrugged and leaned his back against the metal bars, hands gripping it at his sides.

"That's your grand idea?"

"Well I dunno! Maybe-."

"Get you head in the game, Faker. For someone who faces Ivo almost daily it's shocking how you haven't thought of how this will end."

"I have...." Sonic trailed off and watched his shoes.

Shadow sighed and turned his head to his rival, "You know you can't reason with him."

"We don't know that."

"You're being naive."

"I like to think it's optimism." Sonic grinned at the other.

"It's stupidity." Shadow frowned.

The speedster huffed, "We don't even know his goal yet. Tails is still...trying to figure that out."

"Does it matter? We know it's nothing good, so we should put a stop to him whilst he won't suspect it."

The blue hero gave no response and instead turned to watch the beach, arms resting atop the railing. "Thanks for helping me back there, by the way."

Shadow hummed and observed the ocean. "Of course. But we really are wasting time."

"Ugh, I knowww."

From the corner of his eye, the Ultimate Lifeform peered at his rival who despite trying to look relaxed, came across as stiff with his sharp quills, raised shoulders and frown.

"Stop frowning, smiling looks much better on you." He grinned from his rival flinching and rubbing his scruff.

Shadow faced the other completely now, "Besides it's not like you're doing this alone. We'll figure it out together."

"Awww." Sonic smirked and straightened.

The darker hedgehog rolled his eyes, "Not me you buffoon. Now, if we're done here shall we go to Rouge's place?"

The blue speedster slung an arm around his now growling rival. "Asking me on a date, Shads?"

"You're insufferable." And in a golden flash, they were gone.

~~~

Scarlet Speedster by Wayfloe, Rhea Raj.
~~

At late sunset the pair now sat inside Club Rouge, where flashing lights and booming music flooded out the building. They were perched within a booth tucked away in the farthest corner from the DJ station. Opposite, a flamboyant bat dressed in a sparkly eggplant toned suit rested her head in her white gloved palm. Smirking at the two with cherry red lipstick, her black heel tapped lightly against the floor.

"Well don't keep a girl waiting boys. What's the reason you two showed? Surely not to just pay little old me a visit?"

"Why'd you assume there's anything else?" Sonic grinned back.

Shadow pinched his nose, "Because there is. We need you to do us a favour."

Rouge straightened, "And that is?"

"Tails is trying to hack into Eggman's tech. Again. To figure out what he's up to. Again." Sonic fiddled with his ear, the echo of a frown forming.

"And you need me to lend a helping hand?"

"You are a spy." Shadow countered. "Just offer us some intel. Where he is for example. If there's any inkling of his goals."

"Easy enough. But you and I both know GUN won't approve."

"Since when was that a concern for us?" Shadow smirked.

Rouge chuckled (but the Ultimate Lifeform felt it was a touch...odd- not completely authentic perhaps), "Touché Handsome. But what's in it for me?" She leaned forward, eyelids lowered with her chin resting on her interlocked hands.

"I'll look after the place whilst you're gone?" Shadow offered.

The bat sucked in some air, "I'm not sure you running the club is...good for business."

"Fair."

"Besides...." She trailed off, glancing at the stairs that led to a balcony directing towards her apartment.

Shadow's arms crossed as he frowned. "Trouble?"

"Sort of."

Sonic raised a brow in confusion, gazing at the bat's apartment door prior to scratching his head. "What trouble?"

Rouge flapped her hand in dismissal, "Don't worry yourself, Big Blue."

"She can run the place right?" Shadow redirected.

"Yeah, I don't know about that. She's not the most...stable."

"I could lend a hand?" Sonic chimed in, to which the bat snorted.

"I appreciate that hun, but this isn't exactly...your scene."

The blue hero watched the bar, then the DJ booth before acknowledging the collection of tables where many mobians sat with drinks and snacks. He fiddled with his ear again.

"Maybe not." He faced Rouge. "But I could at least come in and check on how...she's doing. Who is 'she' by the way?"

"Her." Rouge almost grumbled and gestured her head towards her opening apartment door.

Sonic's eyes widened without thought at the red vixen who sauntered down the stairs. Maroon hair bounced atop her head as she straightened her black blazer over her white shirt, one complete with gold accents (a matching skirt perfectly fitting her too). His ears twitched at her white heels clacking against the floor before a hand shook his arm that rested across the table.

"Hun?" Rouge snickered when the speedster jolted and faced her.

"I-I'm listening."

"Perhaps you should let her know you'll be working with her whilst I'm gone. She doesn't like surprises. We'll discuss the boring details."

Sonic opened and closed his mouth a few times prior to offering a thumbs up. Shadow rolled his eyes and watched his rival rather awkwardly (or something related) make his departure prior to facing Rouge with a deep frown.

"What?" She batted her eyelashes and leaned back with a shrug.

"Was that a good idea?"

The bat frowned and reflected her closest friends posture. "She's not a monster, Handsome. And Big Blue can look after himself."

A moment of silence passed before the Ultimate Lifeform pinched his nose, "Let's just discuss the plan shall we?"

"Let's."

Sonic muttered apologies to those that bumped into him as he manoeuvred through the club. He had located the vixen serving drinks at the bar, thus was grateful when he finally reached his destination. He exhaled and dropped himself onto a stall, beads of sweat forming on his forehead (Chaos did he feel out of place). His fingers drummed against the bars surface as he swallowed, stiff shoulders, sharp quills and straining ears doing nothing to make him feel 'one with the crowd.'

"Hey." A voice called over his internal panic.

He flinched (making him cringe at himself) before offering a smile to whoever greeted him. However, his smile faltered briefly for his eyes met with icy blue ones. The red vixen watched him with a smirk, head cocked to one side as her arms crossed over on the bars surface.

"You don't come to these sorts of places a lot do you?" She snickered.

"What gave it away?" He grinned, albeit a touch forced.

"Everything. You need a drink?"

"Ohno- I-I don't drink."

"Why? You underage? You probably shouldn't be here-."

"That's not it. Just not my scene."

The vixen shrugged, "Suit yourself. Eighteen then?" She picked up a glass and cloth to clean the former.

"Yeah, you ask a lot of questions don't you?" Sonic smirked, resting his head in his hand.

"Part of the job."

"Well then, my turn. Mind telling me your name?"

"...Fiona. Fiona fox."