*Sonic's POV *
"This is strange. I wasn't expecting this at all." I rubbed the back of my arm, feeling uncomfortable at the situation.

"You're the one that had to keep bugging me about wanting an answer." Shadow rolled his eyes as we stood outside the castle, hiding from the guards. I needed to tell my mother about all these spots. Anyone could break in if they were sneaky enough, and there weren't any guards around here.

"Well, yeah, from you, not Rouge. Plus, you're the one who actually told her , so honestly, this is your fault." I whispered and pushed his head down to go under a bush with me when I heard someone coming.

"You're the idiot that said yes to this." Shadow fought back.

"You said yes to this before I was even aware of what was going on!" I shouted/whispered back at him. He stayed quiet at that, his eyes meeting mine, and then he clicked his tongue and looked away.

"Whatever. This isn't going to work anyway. I am just trying to get Rouge off my back." Shadow rolled his eyes, something he did often specially with me around. "I didn't think you'd say yes. You're the one with your feelings on the line here, not me."

I chuckled at that and poked his chest. "Are you sure, Shadz? I'm a big guy, I think I can handle a rejection or a breakup, but can you?" I smiled at him then leaned closer to his face. He didn't move, but his ear twitched, signaling he was feeling something from me being this close. Was it anger? Nervousness? Annoyance? Who knew. "Even if this isn't real in a way, I won't hurt you. I care about you." I pulled away and got back up on my feet when I noticed we were alone again.

"Deep down, I know you care about me too." I said to Shadow, then I dashed off, climbing the wall and getting inside the castle grounds. Shadow took a bit, but he was soon beside me.

"This way." Shadow said as he started walking in the direction of one of the rooms. "That's his room, isn't it?" He asked me as he pointed up to the 3rd floor.

"If I remember correctly, yes." I nodded. I was getting nervous, I wondered if I had ever left anything there that would incriminate me.

"Let's go in." He said as he got closer. He was trying to save his energy in case we needed to leave in a rush.

"Throw me. I'll go look." I quickly said, I needed to start doing something, give Shadow something to take back to the commander so he doesn't get in trouble so I was going to go through my room to try and find anything. It's better than Shadow going and actually finding something.

"Watch your back." Shadow said as he grabbed my hands and launched me up in the air. I managed to grab hold of the balcony edge and climbed up and glanced down, giving a thumbs up to Shadow to let him know I was good.

"What are you doing?" I tensed up when I turned and saw Scourge laying down in my bed. My ears perked up, and I quickly dashed to him and put the mask on his face.

"What the hell are you doing in here? And keep the mask on!" I whispered. "Get the hell out of my room, I am here trying to 'finish the mission' with Shadow. Hurry out." I said, and he nodded, quietly opening the door and leaving.

I looked around my room, hoping to find something that would help Shadow and Rouge. Anything. Until I suddenly saw something, the picture frame holding the picture of my family and I. Over our heads were our initials. I was wearing my crown, suit, necklace, and my mask in the picture, and above my head, it said, "S.M."

Would it be too much to give them this? Or will they overlook me because I am helping with the mission? It was a risk I would have to take. I mean, with me and "Maurice" being in the same room at the same time, they shouldn't think it is me.

I grabbed the picture, and when I heard footsteps, I jumped out the balcony, landing beside Shadow. I knew I shouldn't be afraid, but how would I explain to Shadow if he saw me around guards and they weren't even trying to question me?

"Let's go." I quickly said, and he didn't waste a second before he finally chaos controlled us back to my home where Rouge was waiting for us.

"Did you find anything?" Shadow asked as he let go of my hand and leaned on the wall. "Whats that?"

"I found this. There wasn't anything else in that room that would help us, and I know this isn't much, but I assume those are initials." I handed the picture to Shadow.

"S.M." Rouge mumbled as she looked at it while standing beside Shadow.
"Was he at the castle?"

"I didn't see him in his room, so I don't know." I shrugged.

"I've heard rumors he's not really seen at the castle unless there's events going on." Shadow said as he handed the picture to Rouge.

"Does he not live there?" Rouge asked. My heart skipped a beat. "If he isn't around the castle nor in his room, then maybe he doesn't live there."

"I don't know. We are assuming this because we didn't see him this one time in his room?" I asked.

"What's that?" Rouge pointed at the picture.

"What?" I asked as I leaned forward to see what she was pointing at.

"The necklace he's wearing. Why is it glowing in the picture? His siblings have one, too." I was getting nervous. They were asking a lot of questions.

"I've heard about this." Shadow said as he pulled out his phone and looked something up online. A news article of when my siblings and I reunited with our mother. It explained the necklaces. Nowadays, they were locked in the castle and would glow if we would get close to them.

"If Maurice doesn't live in the castle, maybe we can find out who he is by using the necklace outside."

"Oh, and what are we going to do? Steal the necklace and run around the town until it glows for someone? It's ridiculous." I laughed, Shadow raised a brow at me.

"We have nothing else, Hedgehog." Shadow crossed his arms. "Unless you'd like to come up with something useful."

I stayed quiet. I need to do something before I get caught.