In this chapter's hijinks, we have waking up, Sonadow cuteness, extreme gear, and a really salty sword.

Enjoy!
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Marklin stretched awake, Jasper called out as he was decked in the face from the stretch. Jasper kicked Marklin, who kicked him back, sending Jasper to the floor. Meanwhile, Sonic woke up to a heavy feeling on his chest. He glanced down to see Shadow curled up, his head resting on the blue one’s chest. Sonic blushed, wondering how Shadow had moved from the other side of his bed to being directly beside him.

Marklin and Jasper stood and tried to stretch the kinks out of there backs, Jasper did to no avail, Marklin was fine after a loud crack barked from his back. Marklin looked over seeing Jasper fail.

“You need a back rub?” he asked, Jasper flopped forwards onto the bed.

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, Sonic was panicking, not knowing what to do because surely the hedgehog would kill him once he awoke. He tried wiggling out of the other’s grasp, but it failed.

Jasper purred happily as Marklin gently worked the muscles free in his back.

Sonic stared at the other, attempting to push him off, but the other had a vice grip. Luckily, he wasn’t waking up.

Marklin forced a conveyor of pops out of Jasper’s back, Jasper called out in a bit of relief.

Sonic’s ears twitched as he heard the call, wondering what the heck they were doing before panicking as Shadow’s eyes shot open.

Jasper rolled himself over, giving Marklin a gentle kiss as a thank you. Marklin flopped himself onto Jasper and kissed him back, snuggling into Jasper’s chest.

Shadow could feel his pillow breathing, which was weird, but he soon noticed the hedgehog he was snuggled up to, and he made sure to push the other off the bed.

“OW! Hey!”

Marklin and Jasper giggled a bit as they kissed and cuddled each other on the toddler bed. Shadow stood up, blushing greatly before grabbing the hedgehog by the back of his neck and walking out of the room.

“Hey! Put me down!”

When he did, it was in front of the human’s door. “The noise came from here.”

“Well, they deserve privacy, Shad-”

“No. What if they hurt themselves?”

“Alright fine.”

Shadow opened the door, without even knocking. “What was that noise?”

Jasper looked over from under Marklin, pushing the older male off slightly.

“Were we being that loud?” He asked.

Shadow crossed his arms as Sonic walked in. “They seem fine, Shadow. You shouldn’t have disturbed them.”

“Never underestimate a noise, Faker. I didn’t see G.U.N. coming when they killed Maria.” Shadow growled out, tearing up slightly.

Sonic went silent before laying a hand on Shadow’s shoulder. “Shadow, I’m sorry….”

“Don’t be.” The dark furred one looked to the humans. “I’ll make breakfast. How do you like your coffee?”

“Black,” Jasper said quickly.

“Cream and sugar,” Marklin added.

“How much?”

“Shadow, can I-”

“No.”

“Darn it! Tails won’t let me either….”

“There are reasons for that. Now, how much?”

“If he can chew on it you should put more in.” Jasper informed.

“Just like Shadow makes his!”

“How the hell do you know how I like my coffee?”

“No reason….”

Shadow just rolled his eyes and walked away.

Marklin and Jasper untangled themselves for each other and stood.

Sonic glanced to Shadow before following behind like a lost puppy.

Marklin looked down at his clothes and tried to smooth out his vest.

“I told you to take it off.” Jasper snapped.

Shadow walked to the kitchen and started to make coffee. While it was brewing, he got out eggs and bacon, getting out the pots and pans.

“I didn’t know you could cook.” Sonic commented as he sat at the small, two person table.

“You don’t know a lot of things about me.” The dark one replied back.

“Can you tell me more about you then?”

Marklin and Jasper walked in, Marklin having removed his vest and somewhat smoothed out his shirt underneath. Shadow noticed the two and went silent from what he was going to reply back to the blue furred hedgehog, just continuing to make breakfast. Sonic looked to them and smiled. Jasper and Marklin looked at the chair situation and sighed deeply. Marklin, mostly done with this size difference, plopped down on the floor, leaned against a wall. Jasper sat next to him and smiled as Marklin leaned into him.

“Sorry about that….” Sonic smiled. “We don’t usually have humans here….”

“I’ve noticed….” Marklin said tiredly.

Sonic smiled, a bit nervously as Shadow set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him. The dark hedgehog then handed the others their plates and coffee. After that was done, Shadow sat in the other seat, sipping what could only be melted sweets (but it was coffee). Sonic tilted his head.

“Aren't ya gonna eat, Shads?”

“I don't need to eat.”

Marklin and Jasper both quietly ate and drank.

Sonic continued. “Come one, Shads! You should still eat!”

“Why?”

“Because it’s healthy.”

“I can’t die from such material things as everyone else. You must’ve forgotten.”

“Of course I didn’t forget.” Sonic said. “Just take some of mine. Who knows, eating might make you feel less emo than you usually are.”

Shadow huffed, his muzzle tinted red.

Marklin and Jasper finished the small meal quickly. Sonic forced Shadow down and made him eat a few bites before finishing up his food himself. Marklin and Jasper sat comfortably in the floor. Shadow growled at Sonic as he drank his melted sweets- I mean coffee. Marklin put his plate next to him and leaned into Jasper, drinking his coffee gingerly. Sonic ignored the glare from his rival and looked to the humans.

“I guess Tails is sleeping in today, which is good. What would you guys like to do today?”

Marklin looked like he just ran face first into a brick wall. He looked at Jasper quietly, Jasper puffed a sigh out.

“Like what?”

“Well,” Sonic started, coming up with some insane and life threatening things in his mind.

“No.” Shadow interrupted his thoughts.

“But-”

“No. We are not risking their lives just so you can have fun.”

Sonic pouted, but Shadow ignored it, turning to the two. “We could race….”

Marklin looked at the two, with a blank, near horror. Shadow smirked. “With extreme gear.”

“Ooo! Great idea, Shads!” Sonic grinned.

Jasper stood, pulling up Marklin.

“That sound fun.” Jasper said quickly, ignoring Marklin’s horror.

“I’ll get the gear!” Sonic said, leaving quickly and coming back with four boards. He handed Shadow the black and red one and gave the two humans the spares he kept around. “Here you go!”

Marklin and Jasper awkwardly held the gear, not knowing what to do.

Sonic tilted his head. “Do you not have these in your world?”

“Of course they don’t.” Shadow said simply.

“Well check this out!” Sonic grinned before throwing the board up and hopping on top of it, it hovering over the floor.

Marklin and Jasper watched silently. Shadow rolled his eyes. “Get off that before you break something and get in trouble with Tails.”

Sonic crossed his arms and stuck his tongue out. “I don’t have to.”

Shadow walked towards the blue hedgehog and pulled him off, causing the board to fall.

“Ow! Hey!”

Marklin and Jasper both looked over the strange gear in there arms. Shadow crossed his arms, glaring at the idiot of a hedgehog, who was rubbing his lower back in slight pain.

“So, um, what are we to do exactly?” Marklin asked.

Sonic’s ears perked up as he grinned. Shadow picked him up by his arms, grabbed his board, and proceeded to walk outside, gesturing for the two to follow, so Sonic didn’t damage the kitchen.

Marklin and Jasper followed quickly, Marklin actually making sure to duck as he walked out the low door frame (congratulations Marklin!), Jasper smirked at him and Marklin rolled his eyes. Shadow set the blue hedgehog and his board on the ground, at which Sonic sprung up quickly and threw his board up, getting on it once more.

“It’s really easy!” He said. “You just stand on the board and it activates. You have to be very careful with balance though.”

Jaspers 90’s kid instincts kicked in as he quickly figured out how to get on the board. Marklin fumbled onto the board, it instantly slipping out from under him, faceplanting him into the ground. Shadow stuck out his hand to Marklin, wanting to help him up, but he was stubbornly turned away as he did so. Marklin stood on his own, brushing the dirt off, his own stubbornness also heeding progress. Shadow just shrugged, crossing his arms while standing on his own board. Sonic smiled at the attempt Shadow made to be nice, which did not go unnoticed by the dark hedgehog.

Marklin tried to get on the board again, this time instead of falling, Jasper half caught him, holding him in place and upright. Sonic waited, being an impatient bastard, and Shadow just stood on his board with his arms crossed. Jasper smiled as Marklin finally got his balance. Sonic did a small backflip out of pure excitement for the race, which the other Mobian was not impressed by.

“Okay, now just maintain balance and lean forward.” Shadow explained, doing as he said. Sonic, meanwhile, was racing circles around the three on his board.

Jasper started to move with ease, Marklin fell onto his face again. Jasper rolled his eyes tiredly.

“The kids are never getting skateboards.” Marklin growled as he stood. Jasper hopped off his board, and walked to Marklin, helping him up.

“Of course, meyls.” Jasper said tiredly, Marklin got on his and tried again, Jasper got on his again, and edging Marklin along as Marklin tried to find the right balance.

Shadow closed his eyes, still remaining in perfect balance as he let his mind wander to pointless daydreams. They were mostly of his old life with Maria, but there were a few that slipped in about a certain hedgehog who was poking him excitedly and asking for a quick race as Marklin got use to the board. Of course Shadow agreed, and they were off, not even telling the humans of their departure.

Jasper looked up and smiled, he let go of Marklin and started off after them. Marklin slowly started to follow them, wobbling as he went. Sonic and Shadow were gaining speed, sharing looks to each other, knowing where they were going just by those few looks. Marklin started to pick up pace. The two hedgehogs made a sharp turn to the right, dodging past a few trees. Jasper looked back seeing Marklin starting to get the hang of it, and rushed after the two hedgehogs. Marklin sputtered a bit when he hit the turn but was fine. Sonic glanced to Shadow and grinned, speeding up and doing a flip over the other hedgehog. Shadow just sighed, knowing the other was a massive show off. Marklin slowly actually caught up with Jasper, tho there was still a slight wobble in his riding. Finally, the two hedgehogs skidded to a stop a little after they both crossed their imaginary finish line.

“I won!” Sonic called happily.

“We tied.” the other grunted. “Again.”

Jasper stopped behind them, Marklin tried to stop and face planted into the ground at speed.

Sonic looked at the human on the ground. “Is he just prone to face planting?”

“In many ways.” Jasper informed, as Marklin stood, he gave a mini finger guns to Jasper.

“You enjoy it don’t you?” Marklin coughed, Jasper rolled his eyes.

“Faker’s prone to face planting from large heights.” Shadow crossed his arms and Sonic rubbed the back of his head, almost embarrassed.

“I fell from space once and suddenly it’s happening a lot….”

“I mean, once is pleasantly enough for anything.” Marklin said, standing and wiping dirt from himself.

Shadow nodded in agreement, but Sonic scoffed. “I’d do anything and everything multiple times! Especially if it’s fun!”

“You are too reckless, hedgehog….” Shadow sighed.

“He could always be a priss so you’re lucky there.” Jasper said darkly, Marklin glared at him.

“I am not prissy, I just care about my own health.” Marklin snapped back.

“There is nothing wrong with caring for your health.” The black and red one nodded. “Some certain hedgehogs should try it sometime.”

“Hey! I care enough! You’re just gonna be a spoil sport if you worry too much. Like a certain hedgehog I know.”

The two shared a glare.

Jasper hopped off his board, and straightened Marklin out a bit. Marklin grumbled as Jasper wiped off dirt and wiped his hair into place. Straightening Marklin’s bow tie as well.

Sonic just chuckled after the glaring session finished with Shadow looking away with a small “hmph.”

“Whatever, let’s just go somewhere else.”

“Where do you wanna go, Shads?”

Shadow simply shrugged, not really knowing any places to go.

“We could go some where normal.” Marklin snapped.

Sonic blinked. “Normal?”

“Yes, normal, as in regular, and or simple.”  Marklin hissed.

Sonic blinked again, mind drawing a blank. Shadow facepalmed. “To the library, then.”

“What!? That’s boring!” Sonic groaned.

“Books-”

“Mark, calm.” Jasper interjected.

Shadow raised his eyebrow. “Well, I’m going to the library. With or without you.”

“Shads, wait!” Sonic ran after Shadow as he was walking away.

Shadow stopped, and was instantly tackled by the blue furred hedgehog. He growled as his face met with grass. “Why must you-”

“Please don’t leave.” The hedgehog said, cheeks slightly tinted red. “It’s been fun hanging out with you, ya know?”

Shadow sighed into the dirt in front of his face. “Get off me, and I’ll consider it.”

Sonic couldn’t suppress his smirk. “You sure?”

“Yes! Now get off!” Shadow growled, blushing madly.

Sonic only chuckled as he got off the blushing hedgehog before turning to the two humans. “So, the library?”

Jasper stopped Marklin from replying. “Yes.” Jasper said calmly.

Sonic smiled. “Then, let’s go! I’m sure you guys can keep up on the boards if we run, right?”

“Of course,” Jasper peeped, he hoped back on his board. Marklin fumbled a bit but got on his fine.

Sonic smiled. “Way past cool! Let’s go, Shads.”

“Don’t ever say that again, hedgehog, or else I’ll rip out your vocal chords.”

“Aw, you love my voice to much for that.”

Shadow rolled his eyes and started off, Sonic right behind him, grinning wildly. Jasper and Marklin both started on after the two hedgehogs. The hedgehogs raced through the jungle, soon making it to a small town near Station Square. Marklin managed not to faceplant at this stop, but only because Jasper caught the back of his shirt. Shadow led them all to an old building, the word ‘library’ being etched into the top. He opened the door for the others. Jasper and Markin both entered quiety. Sonic followed in behind and Shadow closed the door, having a small smile as he smelled the air; he went there often. Marklin and Jasper looked around quietly, the old library filled to the brim with shelves, covered in books. Marklins lips turned up slightly. Sonic looked around curiously, and he ended up following Shadow around everywhere. Marklin quietly looked over the shelves, dragging his fingers over the spins of the books and he skimmed shelves, Jasper followed him quietly.

Suddenly, as Marklin picked up a book, something popped out from behind a shelf.

“Can’t a sword get some sleep.”

Sonic jumped, recognizing the voice. “Caliburn!?”

“Oh great, king Knave.” The sword said tiredly. Marklin and Jasper had both stepped back in slight fear, at the blade.

Sonic’s face heated up at the insult. “I thought you would quit that….”

“Sonic….” Shadow stared, slightly interested. “Why is there a talking sword in the library.”

Sonic just coughed awkwardly.

“Because the knave just left me here, after he forced me back to whatever this world is.” Caliburn snapped.

“Great, they have a history of just leaving alternate reality abductees in libraries.” Marklin growled, Jasper elbowed him.

Sonic looked to them. “Heh, it was by accident, I swear! And it’s not like I can just go back into the realm of King Arthur.”

“Wait….” Shadow tilted his head. “You mean you weren’t making that up?”

“I can assure you that even with the knaves stupidity, he isn’t that good of a liar, you should know Lancey-boy.” Caliburn clanged.

Shadow blinked. “Excuse me?” He looked to Sonic, who only glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Oh please, big bad Lancelot doesn't like his name miss-said, honestly.” Caliburn sliced, he huffed.

Shadow blinked again. “Sonic, why is he calling me Lancelot?” Sonic remained nervously silent.

“Honestly, it’s like opposite of knave.” Caliburn grunted, he circled Shadow. “He does seem a bit less, armoured.”

Shadow stared at Sonic, who finally piped up. “That isn’t Lancelot, Caliburn….”

“Well then what is he?” Caliburn clanged, lunging close to Sonic.

“Eh, this is Shadow. He’s not a knight, though his pride is exactly like Lance’s.”

“Tell me what’s going on so I can see if I should take offence to that, hedgehog.”

Sonic chuckled lightly. “Remember that day when Amy was chasing me with a hammer?”

“Which one?”

“Eh, the one when she called me a liar.”

“Again, which one.”

Sonic sighed, a sweat drop forming. “The one with the knight story that she thought I made up.”

“Didn’t you make that up?”

“Eh, not really…. You see, I was transported into the world of King Arthur, and I saved them, like I said. You were Sir Lancelot, so that’s where he made the mistake, I guess….”

Shadow went silent, glaring at the sword and the hedgehog.

“I can’t believe in this world of knaves they have as many doppelgangers of our finest knights, such a disgrace to them.”

Shadow growled. “Excuse me!? If anyone has the doppelgangers, it’s your world!”

“Shads, calm down….” Sonic tried, nervously.

“My world is one of actual grace and beauty, unlike the filth-”

“How dare you speak like that to the Ultimate Lifeform!?” Shadow was so mad, he was quite literally blazing red.

“Oh please, not like a knave like you scares me.”

“Ha! You haven’t even seen my full power, sword!”

“Shadow! Caliburn! Stop!” Sonic tried, yet again.

“Your full power! I am Caliburn the Sacred Sword!”

Shadow felt the gates open and the flood of Chaos surge through his veins and soul. “I am the Ultimate Lifeform! I could bend you without a second thought!”

“Shadow don’t blow up the library!” Sonic shouted quickly.

“You call that power you rodent!” Caliburn seethed.

Green fire arose in Shadow’s gloved hands, his eyes flaring in anger. “Oh, you wanna see pow-”

Sonic covered Shadow’s mouth, shouting. “Caliburn! Stop encouraging him!”

“I am defending my land from useless knaves who disgrace the world I’m from with their-”

Sonic basically threw himself on Shadow to try to stop him, but it was too late. The book in Marklin’s hands erupted into flames. Marklin screamed and threw the book, collapsing into a ball on the ground once it was out of his hands.

Sonic blinked. “How did you even do that?”

Jasper knelt next to Marklin. “Come on hun-”

“THEBLACKONEISEVENMOREANGRYANDTHESWORDTALKSANDEVERYONEISLOUDANDIHATETHISIWANTTOGOHOME!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!¿!?!?!?!?!?”

Sonic looked to Jasper and Marklin, still holding on tightly to Shadow. “Is he okay?”

“He will be.” Jasper cooed, petting Marklin gently.

Sonic nodded before turning his attention back to Shadow, who was still fuming. He then glanced back to Jasper and Marklin and wondered how he could calm the other down. Seeing what Jasper was doing, he gently placed one of his hands on top of Shadow’s head and started to gently pet him.

Jasper smiled seeing this. He sat on the ground, and pulled Marklin to his lap, consoling him gently. Sonic smiled, seeing Shadow calm down some, and he continued. Shadow was starting to get confused, but he accepted the touch without any resistance.

“Oh so now we’re going to-” Caliburn cut.

“Shut up.” Shadow growled out, but it sounded much more calm as Sonic started to scratch behind his ear. Caliburn huffed but quieted. Sonic smiled, hugging Shadow close.

“See how much better it is when you’re calm?”

Shadow made a noise that sounded slightly resentful, if purring hadn’t interrupted it.

“You ok now?” Jasper asked Marklin, Marklin nodded gently.

“Yeah.” Marklin however, stayed curled up in Jasper’s lap.

Soon, enough, Sonic reluctantly stopped, leaving Shadow to just look away with a blush and a “hmph.”

Marklin finally stood from Jasper’s lap. Jasper stood as well. Sonic looked to them with a smile. “Sorry….”

“Jeez, not even going to the library can be normal.” Marklin sighed.

Sonic just shrugged, saying “Sorry…” again.

“It’s fine.” Jasper told.

Sonic then turned to Caliburn. “Please apologize to Shadow.”

“Fine, sorry, fake knave, for mistaking you for someone actually worthy of my apology.” Caliburn sliced.

Shadow huffed. “Apology accepted.”

“And…?” Sonic looked to Shadow.

“And sorry for letting my anger get to me.”

“Fine.” Caliburn clacked. “I guess I’ll accept that.”

Sonic smiled. “Glad we settled this then.”

Suddenly, a panting fox burst through the door. “Sonic!”

“Tails? What’s up?” Sonic asked, surprised.

“I think I fixed it!”

“Ohh, the nice blacksmith, I wonder if I could get my blade sharpened.”

Tails blinked. “What?”

“Don’t tell me your world is a world of doppelgangers and imbeciles.”

Sonic’s quills flared up defensively. “Hey, that’s my little bro you’re talkin’ about.”

“What ever.” Caliburn swashed.

Sonic glared at Caliburn before turning to Tails. “You fixed it?”

Almost instantly, the foxes’ confusion turned to excitement. “Yeah!”

“Thank the high heavens!” Marklin called, an anguish lifting from him.

Tails smiled happily and quickly ran out. “Come on! Let’s get you guys home!”

Sonic smiled before grabbing on to Marklin and running off, grabbing Tails on his way past the young fox. Shadow sighed. Jasper shook his head as he heard Marklin call out in fear.

“You Knave, you’re not leaving me here again!” Caliburn called, giving chase.

“You aren’t going to catch him.” Shadow growled to the sword before turning to Jasper. “I presume we should follow after them?”

“Yeah.”

Shadow picked up Jasper and ran off after the blue hedgehog.

“Wait you knave.” With a quick motion Caliburn zinged after them.

Shadow ignored the sword, running faster and wanting to get away from the offending thing.

Jasper was calm with the speed, but Marklin still panicked and freaked out, despite this being the like, fifth time this happened. Sonic stopped in front of Tails’s house, Shadow stopping beside him soon after. Marklin faceplated of course, Jasper stumbled but was fine. Caliburn finally caught up.

“You just can't leave me in a building you don’t go to Knave!”

Sonic sighed. “I’m sorry, Caliburn. I’ve been trying to get you back to your world, really, but it’s hard….”

Caliburn clanked but was quiet.

Jasper helped Marklin up, and straighten himself up.

Tails, ignoring that there was a talking sword because that was at least a little bit normal, looked to the humans. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes.” Marklin hissed immediately.

“We would love to.” Jasper alliterated.

Tails smiled and gestured them to follow him inside. Shadow followed behind, not wanting to be in Caliburn’s presence any longer. He looked to Sonic, wanting him to follow, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was too busy with the sword. He sighed before finally walking in.

Marklin and Jasper followed on, arm in arm, as Marklin passed Sonic, after seeing Shadow’s reaction, bumped him lightly as he passed. Sonic looked to him and tilted his head. Caliburn noticed, and rolled his eyes, following on. Sonic followed, still wondering what was going on. Tails led them to the machine from before. Marklin leaned into Jasper, his lips turning up.

“Alright stand right there, just like before. I promise that it won’t electrocute you.” Tails said, confidently.

Marklin and Jasper went and stood in the spot, both preparing themselves to go home. Sonic and Shadow stood beside Tails, Sonic waving, and Shadow nodding his goodbye. Tails then flipped a switch and waved goodbye.

“Auf Wiedersehen!”

“Hwyl fawr!”

“Goodbye!”

“See ya!”

“Bye….”

Suddenly the whole room filled with light. The animals shielded their eyes, gasping.

Suddenly, Caliburn was alone. “I wonder what they have for knives here.” He zinged into the house