*Shadow's POV*
He wasn't here.

He wasn't in line. He wasn't with his siblings. He wasn't with the fox. He wasn't at the table and he wasn't in class.

"Where is your brother?" I slammed my tray down at the table as I looked at Fakers siblings. They both tensed up and looked at me.

"How should we know? The guy hasn't answered our messages." Manic waved his hand as if dismissing me, only pissing me off even more.

"He didn't go to any of his classes after he got called to the principals office." The fox said as he sat down beside Fakers sister. "I've been trying to call him, and he hasn't answered me either." My ear twitched. I let go of the tray , grabbed my backpack, and then skated off towards the office.

"Shadow!" I heard Rouge call out for me, but I didn't stop. I didn't stop until I was in front of the office. "Just what do you think you're doing?" Rouge covered my mouth, then pulled me inside a classroom. "You know you can't be near him."

"Faker got called in this morning before classes, and he never returned." I explained. Rouge seemed surprised. Heck, I was surprised.

It's not like I cared. I just couldn't let the doctor take his energy. I don't know what he wants with it, but I couldn't let him have it.

"Fine. I'll go in." Rouge dropped her backpack. "But you wait here." She grabbed the door handle.

"Wait. I can do this alone." I stopped her, she turned to look at me.

"I know you can. It doesn't mean you have to, Hun." She smiled. "You're not alone, Shadow." She squeezed my hand. "You've got me, remember?"

_________
"You're not alone, Shadow." Maria said as she hugged me tightly. "You've got me, remember?"
__________

I gasped and quickly let go of her, Rouge took it as her sign and left. My heart was beating rapidly, trying to forget the flashback I just had. When I finally realized what happened, I gasped and looked out the door to see Rouge sneaking inside the office.

*Rouge's POV*
There was no one in Eggmans office. At least, that's what I thought until I opened the door and saw Sonic on the ground, unconscious. I pinned my ears down and quickly ran to him, taking a good look at my surroundings before picking him up.

"Blue. Blue wake up." I grunted. He was heavy, but I pulled through and got him out of the office. Shadow was watching, and when he saw us, he skated towards us and helped me.

"Not here." He said before we went inside the classroom. He picked up Sonic from my arms, carrying him bridal style. Sonic looked weak. He looked drained. Was he even alive? He wasn't reacting.

"Then where?" I asked concerned. "The bell is about to ring. If we are caught then -" He stopped me.

"Go to class. Make up an excuse for me. I'll take care of this." He passed me his backpack, and I nodded.

"Be careful, Shadow." I placed one hand on his shoulder, we nodded at each other, then I left.

I went to Shadows locker and placed his backpack there. When the bell rang, I took in a deep breath and acted as if nothing had happened. I am counting on Shadow to figure out what happened. Counting on him to make sure Sonic was okay. I can trust him. I know he will do the right thing.

"Rouge. Where were you? You didn't even eat anything." Knuckles walked up to me looking concerned. "Where's Shadow?"

"Aww, did you miss me, Knuckie~?" I scratched under his chin, making him tense up. He quickly looked away and crossed his arms.

"I'll buy you something to eat after school. Here, I have this for now. You need to eat something, little bat." He passed me a small bowl with blackberries. His nickname towards me always brought a smile to my face. He only ever said it when he was being protective of me.

"Thank you, baby~" I grabbed the bowl and started snacking on the food as he walked me to my class. I kissed him before he left to his own class, then walked in.

"Where is Shadow?" I looked up, my mind going blank for a second realizing that Vanilla was going to cover this class instead of our usual teacher.

I came up with an excuse on the spot and got closer to her. "He wasn't feeling so well. He was reminded of the accident, so he went home early." I knew bringing the accident would be the only way to convince Vanilla.

"Thank you, Rouge. Why don't you come over after school and make sure he's okay." She whispered back, and I nodded.

"I'll be there." I sat down on my desk and started taking notes, but my mind kept drifting off to what may have happened.

Had Eggman managed to steal Sonics energy? Was he dead? Alive? Was he okay? Did he still have his speed? What did he want Sonic for?

There are so many questions, yet no answers. I needed to talk to Shadow, but I had to wait until the end of the day.

*****
Short chapter. Sorry.