*Shadow's POV*
The way of his story was still fresh in my mind as I led Sonic to my house. He had faked his death and let his friends mourn his loss all to save them from the doctors twisted scheme. As much as I hated to admit it, he made the right choice.

After a while, Sonic broke the silence with his usual carefree tone. "So Shadz. How's it feel to live all alone? Bet it's boring without someone as awesome as me hanging around?"

"Quiet. Exactly how I like it." I answered coldly, not in the mood for chatting.

He snickered, but I noticed a certain edge to his voice that wasn’t there before. Maybe it was the fake death. Maybe it was knowing he was risking everything alone again. Whatever it was, something was different about him, and it made me more alert than usual. We continued walking in silence for a while, the city lights casting long shadows on the pavement. I could feel Sonic’s eyes on me occasionally, as if he was trying to figure me out, just like I was trying to figure him out.

"How long are you planning to play dead?" I asked when the silence started to get uncomfortable. 

"As long as it takes to stop Eggman’s machine." He responded, his tone unusually serious.

The idea of keeping this from his friends from his family, it made me feel uneasy. But I understood why he was doing this. Still, it didn't sit well with me.

"You realize this is reckless, right?” I said, my tone sharp. “If Eggman catches wind that you're alive, he’ll activate that weapon. And then it’s not just you who will suffer.”

Sonic shrugged, that casual grin back on his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m counting on you to make sure that doesn’t happen, Shadow. Besides, you love a challenge.”

I stopped walking, glaring at him as I poked his chest roughly. “This isn’t a game, Sonic. I made a promise to protect this world. I'll do whatever it takes to do so."

Sonic stopped walking too, his expression back to a more serious one like before. "I know, Shadow. I had to make him think I was out of the picture. It is the only way this will work." His voice softened, almost as if trying to convince himself as much as he was convincing me.

He was right. If Eggman thought he was dead, it would buy us time. I hated to admit this, but he did something right for once. Although I now will have to keep a secret from Rouge.

"Come on. Inside." I opened the door to my house, deep in the forest where no one would bother me. "I've been tracking Eggmans movements since your so-called death. He's gone quiet, which is unusual for him." I said while making my way into my office and opening my laptop.

"That's exactly what I am afraid of." Sonic muttered as he sat on my chair and spun around, taking a good look at the room we were in. "That machine, it's not just another robot. This is different. I think he is waiting for the right moment to strike."

I nodded. "Then we need to move fast. No more solo heroics, Hedgehog. We infiltrate his base together."

Sonic grinned. "I'll try to keep that in mind." I sighed at his response.

I turned to look back at my laptop, where I was looking at all the data I had collected of Eggman. I tried to come up with a plan in my head. This mission wasn't just about stopping Eggman. It was about keeping Sonic alive. Even I knew he had already sacrificed himself enough, and I wasn't going to allow for him to throw himself into another  suicidal situation. I needed to keep an eye on him at all times.

"Get some rest. I bet you haven't even slept in the week that's passed since your so-called death." I didn't bother to turn around and look at him. I had already seen how exhausted he looked when he took off his hoodie.

"Erm, not until you buy me -" I rolled my eyes and chaos controlled away, coming back with said chili dogs he was about to ask for. I went back to looking at my laptop, trying to come up with a plan and dropped the bag on my desk.

"Eat. Then go rest, Hedgehog." I could hear him grab the bag and start eating, I just wasn't expecting him to leave one in the bag and hand it to me. "They're all for you." I said, finally looking his way.

"Figured you haven't eaten either." He shrugged and stood up. "I'll take the couch." I watched as he walked out of my office in direction to my living room. Then heard as he flopped down on my couch, settling in for the night.

I stayed by my laptop, scanning through more data, piecing together what little information we had. My mind was racing with possibilities, with risks. I couldn't get Sonic out of my mind as I finally sat on my chair and scooted closer to my desk.

Sonic was risking everything again. But this time, I would make sure he didn't have to do it alone.

"Eggman won't know what hit him." I muttered under my breath, eyes narrowing. 

Sonic had faked his death to protect his friends. Now it was my turn to protect him.