Tiny Shadow and Amy

September 26, 2022

Sonic stood there staring at the two toddlers staring back at him. "How long is it going to take to fix them?" Sonic pointed at them. 

The finger earned a growl from the tiny black and red hedgehog. The pink hedgehog clung to his arm as she glanced around looking like she would cry at any moment. 

"Okay," Sonic held up his hand as he backed away. "Okay. Mute the growl box buddy." 

The toddler Shadow bared his teeth as he stomped his foot. He then moved into a further corner of the kitchen with a toddler Amy before sitting down with her. 

Sonic thought it was oddly cute. Though he was sure canning Shadow cute would lead to pointy Chaos spears aimed at his face. 

"We're not sure." Aleena stated as she put two plates of food in the table. "Tails, Nicole, and Rotor are looking into it from a science perspective. Merlin is looking into it from a magic one. Hopefully we'll have a answer soon." She smiled at the children. "I made lunch. Do you two want to eat?"

Shadow looked between Aleena and the food as he contemplated it. Amy crawled more behind him as she squeezed his arm. 

"I kind of get Shadow, but Amy has never been so fearful." Aleena bit her lip. "Do you know what's causing it, Sonic?" 

Sonic shrugged. He met Amy on Little Big Planet when she was 8-ish. "Maybe it's because she doesn't know any of the adults here?" Sonic mused. 

Sonic sat on the floor and gave his best big brother smile. "Hey guys, I'm Sonic. What's your name?" When in doubt, meet kids on their level. 

The two stared at him. Tears pricked Amy's eyes as she curled up into Shadow's arm. Shadow, who had opened his mouth to answer, growled instead when he realized Amy was crying. He moved her into his lap and hissed more at Sonic. 

"Hey little guy," Sonic tried to reason with them. "I'm not going to hurt either of you. I just want to help." 

Shadow held Amy closer as he growled louder. 

Rouge walked into the kitchen holding a red chaos emerald. "I found Shadow's chaos emerald," she stated as she entered. She smirked as she took in the sight."I see you're still his least favorite person, Blue."

Sonic sighed. "Yep. And Amy isn't helping me."

"Perhaps you broke her heart one too many times " Rouge teased. 

"UGH!" Sonic threw his head back in frustration.

Rouge chuckled. "At least Shadow is being a good protective friend to Amy."

Sonic rolled his eyes. Sonic had noticed Shadow's crush on Amy a while ago. He pretended not to notice. But it was obvious to everyone when Shadow would arrive to every event Amy invited him to. Sonic felt bad for Shadow since Amy was clueless to his crush. Though Shadow wasn't attempting to woe her. "Shadow's always a good friend, isn't he?"

Shadow walked up to the two, Amy staying in the corner. 

"Hey buddy!" Sonic smiled. "You ready to stop growling?" 

Shadow glared at him before turning to Rouge. He pointed at the red chaos emerald in her hand. "Mine. Can I have back." He ordered.

Rouge shrugged as she handed the emerald over to him. "Just don't do anything dangerous with it, handsome."

Shadow nodded as he took the emerald. He marched back to the corner with Amy. Amy crawled into his lap. Shadow showing her the emerald. 

"Are you two not hungry?" Aleena gestured to the plates on the table. The two just looked at her. "Is there something else you'd like to have for lunch?" Aleena pleaded. The two hadn't yet eaten and toddlers constantly ate. The fact these two were refusing food was concerning. 

"Man, I hope they turn back soon." Sonic sighed. If they wouldn't warm up to his mom who was liked by most people, Sonic wasn't sure what they would do. 

"Chaos control!" Shadow yelled as he and Amy squeezed the red emerald. The two were engulfed in a bright light before disappearing.

Aleena began to panic. "Why is he able to chaos control?! Where'd they'd go?"

Sonic wrapped an arm around his mom as he tried to soothe her. "Don't worry. We'll find them. They can't have gotten far."

"I'll start the search for them." Rouge told Sonic as she left. Sonic nodded as he rubbed his mom's back in an attempt to comfort her. 

Manic was glad he decided on candles. They made the room smell nice, which was the main reason be had chosen them. But the light they emitted danced and played in every surface in a way that he hadn't known he liked until now. He wondered if Maria liked it as he leaned in for another set of kisses. Her breath was warm as it entered his lungs. He could take taste the cocktails she had drunk earlier. He clenched his hand around hers tighter. Everything about this felt right. It felt perfect, which Manic hadn’t felt much in his life was.

A bright flash of light made the two jump. Manic instinctively wrapped a blanket around Maria as she pressed herself against him.

They both stared in confusion as a toddler sized Shadow and Amy stood in their bedroom. Both equally confused. Amy ran up to the bed. She pointed at the blond hedgehog. 

“Maria!” Amy declared with a big smile. She began attempting to climb on the bed as Shadow joined her. “We missed you!” 

“You did?” Maria asked as Manic kept the blanket wrapped around them to cover them. “You were older last time I saw you. What happened?” 

The two kids paused, blinked then shrugged. “The odd lady who kept offering us food said some people were going to turn us back as soon as they found out how.” Shadow stated.

“Was the food good at least?” Maria asked, she needed whatever info she could get.

“Don’t accept food from strangers!” the two chanted, “It’s a rule Maria.” 

Maria chuckled. “It is. Uh…” She wasn’t sure what to do now.

“Hey kids, can we play a game?” Manic injected. The two nodded, waiting for instructions. “Good. It’s called cover your eyes while the adults get dressed game. The rules are very simple.” 

“We close our eyes until you’re dressed!” Amy giggled.

“Very good. If you both win, I’ll make you cookies.” 

“Chocolate?” Shadow tilted his head.

“Any kind you want.” Manic smiled. 

“Yes!” Shadow jumped.

“Alright. Start!” Manic chuckled at Shadow’s excitement. The two children covered their eyes while giggling. “Hurry. Their attention spans are small.” Manic whispered as he hoisted Maria out of the bed. Once her feet hit the floor, she ran to the closet. She pulled out a pair of pajama pants for each of them. Manic pulled out two tshirts. He slipped one over Maria as she was pulling up pants. He held her steady as he helped her put clothes on as he shimmied into the pants Maria gave him. Once Maria wasn’t in danger of tripping, Manic slid the shirt over his quills. The whole action took about two minutes. They checked each other over befosre turning to the kids. 

“Alright!” Manic called, “You two did great!”

“Cookies?” Shadow giggled as he shuffled his feet.

“Yes. And you two can open your eyes.” Manic smiled at the two.

The toddlers cheered as they dance around the room. Shadow paused after a moment and stared at Manic.

“Maria, whothis?” He pointed at Manic as he looked at the blond hedgehog.

“This is Manic.” Maria stated as she began checking them for injuries.

“Is he your husband?” Amy asked sweetly as she circled Manic.

“What makes you think that?” Manic mused as he watched Amy. 

“Because only married couples can be naked in bed together.”

The adults turned a bright red. It was let them believe a lie or have an awkward talk. Neighter wanted to have that talk. 

“Yes.” The two nodded in agreement.

“Congratulations!” Shadow cheered as he stumbled on the word. 

Maria tapped her fingers on the land line as the phone rang. It was still night time in her area, which meant day time in Rouge’s area. She hoped the night life loving bat would be awake. And have some answers.

“Hi Maria,” Rouge answered sounding tired.

“Hello Rouge,” Maria greeted. “I know you’re busy, but um… Shadow and Amy chaos controlled to my house. And they’re toddlers. Do you, by any chance, know why?”

Rouge sighed in relief. “We’ve been looking for those two. We’re not sure what turned them small. They were found earlier today that size wondering in a forest. All the brainiacs are looking for a solution.”

Maria nodded. “Well they’re safe with me. I’ll take care of them until a solution can be found.”

“Do you want me to send someone to give you a hand?” Rouge offered. Sonic wasn’t a good fit, but she was sure she could find someone to give Maria a hand.

“Thanks Rouge.” Maria assured her, “But I can handle two kids. Just keep me posted on that solution.”  They bid each other goodbye before she went to check on the sleeping toddlers. Maria wasn't as confident as she sounded with Rouge. But she was determined to try. 

Manic wondered how his parents handled triplets. Handling Shadow and Amy was a handful. And he was sure these two were better behaved then he and his twins were. Amy wanted to climb everything. Play with every craft she could. Manic was unsure if the carpet would ever be glitter free. 

Shadow was inquisitive. He wanted to know anything and everything. His line of junk food also moment that Shadow was constantly sneaking into the kitchen to eat. It was cute. Though Manic hated the mess left in the kitchen. 

Manic held Amy in a firm grip as he searched the kitchen for ingredients to make a healthy meal for two toddlers. Shadow was on his heels, a string of questions bubbling out after Manic answered one. They had pancake mix, flour, sugar, can peas, box Mac and cheese and spices in the cabinet. Manic noted as he went to the fridge. Oat milk, 3 eggs, two hot dogs, sliced cheese, a cup of yogurt, and some condiments. Manic b posted Shadow's head as he considered the options before him. They would need to go grocery shopping today. But hungry kids plus a store was a bad idea. 

Pancakes or Mac and cheese?

Manic debated as he looked at the children. They had eaten the last of the cereal for breakfast before causing mayhem. But it had been a struggle that they wanted to help cook every meal. 

Manic bent down and picked up Shadow, who giggled and hugged his neck. He put them in their seats at the table. "We're having Mac and cheese for lunch. Then we're going to the store for groceries."

The two nodded as they watched Manic pull out everything he needed. He let the toddlers go ham putting salt in the water before putting the pot on the stove to boil. 

Maria came in wiping sweat from her brow. "I found some kids clothes in the attic. Most of it is for girls though." 

"We also need to go grocery shopping so we'll get both at the same time." Manic strained the can of peas. 

"So what are you making?" Maria gestured to the pot on the stove.

"Mac and cheese," Manic answered. "With peas and hot dogs." 

Maria nodded as she pulled out a butter knife. "I'll do the cutting."

"Can I help?" Shadow asked with big round eyes. 

Maria felt herself faulter. 

"If Maria holds your hands, fine. But only with a butter knife," Manic put the cutting board on the table. 

Maria gulped as they drove up to the store. They had planned this trip. Double, triple checked. Went over it with the toddlers several times so they knew. But seeing the building, Maria felt anxious. What is they broke something? Her mind raced with all the possible chaos Shadow and Amy could cause. Manic held her hand as he parked the RV. They shared a knowing look. He was also anxious and that made her feel better.

Amy dangled her legs in the shopping cart. Shadow refused the cart kiddie seat, so Manic held him firmly. 

"I'll get the clothes with Shadow while you get the food," Manic confirmed before the two split.

"Why do we need clothes?" Shadow asked as Manic held a shirt up to him. 

"Because we don't have enough clothes for toddlers like you to wear." Manic answered.

Shadow nodded before sharing his head at the shirt Manic picked up. "I don't like that dinosaur." 

Manic nodded as he put it back. "What kind of style does our little man want to wear?"

Shadow hummed as he glanced around. He wiggled out of Manic's grasp and walked around looking at the clothes, but staying close to Manic. He paused at a shirt with a motorcycle on it. "I like this!"

Manic chuckled. "I should see about getting you and Amy a bike later."

"Really?! Like that one?" Shadow grinned brightly. 

"Not like that one. Engines and tiny tots like you are a bad mix." Manic stated. "A bike with pedals would be best." Shadow deflated a bit before perking back up.

"Will it look cool?" Shadow smiled.

"The coolest, Shadow." Manic patted Shadow's head. Luckily Shadow stuck close as he picked out clothes. Several ladies cooked and awed as they saw the duo. 

"Are you helping your daddy with the shopping?" An older woman beamed at Shadow. Shadow started at the woman before going to cling to Manic's leg and stare at get from afar. The woman chuckled. "Your son is such a cutie." She complimented Manic before going about her day. 

Shadow watched her leave before looking up at the green hedgehog. "Manic?"

"Yes buddy?" Manic looked down at the shy boy.

"What's a daddy?"

Manic pursed his lips as he picked up the small hedgehog. "A dad is a male parent. A parent….