1000 unspoken words

I'm so dizzy that I can't even make out where's the ground or sky anymore…is that a purple tree? I see green little people…

Sonic & Shadow: …

Woot! There's talking hedgehogs too, maybe I should get them some catfood (runs off to kitchen)

Sonic: do we look like cats?

Shadow: what kind of question is that? (glares at Sonic)

(comes back with cat food) here kitties kitties kitties, here kitties kitties kitties.

Shadow: (Whacks authoress behind the head)…you need rest…

(on the floor) I'm seeing stars…tinkle, twinkle little stars… 'Ow 'ah wonder what you…are…?

Sonic: … nice one Shad… (Glares at Shadow)

Shadow: (shrug) anyway since our dear authoress is screwed in the head, I and Sonic will take the privilege to continue the story she had wrote. Anyway she does not own me, Sonic or the sonic team only this story…

Sonic: is she going to be alright…?

Shadow: (shrug)

Chapter II: unthinkable joy

It felt like each day was getting longer and longer to pass, a minute became an hour long, emerald eyes continuously gazing out his window screen. Sonic no longer think he no longer had anything on his empty mind just like before, nothing had ever changed after that ARK incident he was nothing more than a void empty shell of the blue hero everyone once used to know.

He didn't felt dead he already died on the inside, the once shiny and it's glorious emerald eyes is now nothing more than old green pebbles. He was pale and weary yet none of this affected him, even his warm blood was all drained out from his body and being painted on a picture of despair. He was like a ghost watching as the stain glass wall was decorated with dripping blood, he couldn't do anything to stop this glass from being tainted or how to stop the blood from pouring out.

If he still had a heart that did not withered away years ago, it would weep tears of sorrow until he couldn't cry anymore. If he had anything left in himself, then it would only slowly become weak and fade away. Sonic was no longer Sonic he was no hero, if he was a hero none of these would ever had happened in the first place. Fate was a cruel thing it let the side of darkness won and defeated the light.

Every little movements he made his body aches, every thing he thinks his mind felt like they was about to burst, every time he cares his heart felt like it was going to explode out of his rib cage, and every often he take a breath in his lungs felt like they were on fire. He was weak and Sonic knew it, he was a pitifully weak creature…a dark thought came across his mind and mentally chuckled at it. He remembers he used said he had an unbreakable will to move on and the drive to survive…what of himself NOW?

Slowly dim green eyes made it way to look at his arms, they were full of slashes and cut he had conflicted upon himself. Those was the only thing that kept him back in this state, it was the only thing that kept him relief for the time being. The other didn't notice it luckily, but he didn't care now even though he knew if he keeps this up he won't last long.

Footsteps were heading upstairs, Sonic heard it but he ignored it. The steps were getting louder by each pace and eventually whoever it was stopped outside of his door.

"Sonic…?" the voice called out to the blue hedgehog, the deep voice belongs to Knuckles.

No responses.

"Sonic, may I come in?" Knuckles called out once again along with knocking on the wooden door.

Still there were no responses from the inside only sheer utterly silent.

Sighed the red echidna turned the knob and made his way inside; nothing had ever changed during those seven years really. Sonic remained dead and soundless to the world, he was no longer caring hedgehog like he once used to be. In a quiet pace Knuckles made his way standing next to the blue one's side. Knuckles were already used to the blue one's silent yet it still irritated him.

"Sonic…I need you to come with me," Knuckles quietly said.

There was no response or movement made by Sonic.

"Sonic, I need you to come with me…NOW!"

Sonic turns his head to face the red echidna and weakly nodded. Whilst at a snail's pace Sonic got off the bed and follow the echidna.

"I bet you're wondering why you had to come." Knuckles stated to the blue hedgehog without looking back.

Sonic however made no sound or lifted his head up, just had his whole body and head limp as if the transparent string attached to his arms and head to the wooden controller had snapped. Silently as he trailing behind the Echidna's footstep echoing through the corridor.

"Tails, he called me a moment ago…" Knuckles slowly explained. "He wanted the both of us to come to the Chaotix's place."

Silence…

"Hey don't ask me why, because he didn't even tell me the reason." Knuckles continued blabbing to the silent blue hedgehog behind him, despite he had figure he was more talking to himself but he also knew Sonic was listening or was he.

Once they made it outside just out of that front door, Knuckles turned around to see his blue friend has still not step out beyond the front door yet. Sonic just standing there shrouded in the door's shadow of the mansion, staring ever so vacantly at the echidna like he couldn't leave the place; as if there was a barrier that didn't let him leave or something was invisibly holding the blue one back.

"Well, are you coming or not?" Knuckles frowned. "We haven't got all day ya know."

No movements were made, no sound was voiced out.

Growling silently in his throat Knuckles stomped toward and then facing the blue paralyzed like hedgehog, and grabbing his peachy pale arm dragging him outside. Sonic didn't make a sound and obediently step by step walk outside beyond that door.

The wind was picking up and a noise buzzing through their ears, a blue aeroplane landed just a few meters up from them. Opening the capsule lid Tails waved to them…

"Hey Knuckles, Sonic…" Tails chirped. "Hurry up guys and get on."

"Alright…" Knuckles called out. "Come on, Sonic."

Knuckles dragged Sonic onto the plane and buckling up his seatbelt like he was a little child…but Sonic was far from a child, he was like an unanimated wooden dummy and Knuckles and Tails was the puppeteers.

The flight was sweet and short yet the blue fallen hero has yet to budge or felt any sort of emotion. Knuckles looked back at the blue hedgehog and a sadness formed on his face, he almost gave up but he didn't want to the red echidna did not want to leave his friend at this state.

"Tails, you sure this is going to work?" Knuckles mumbled. "I mean we already tried every tactics and nothing had ever changed…"

"Well not every tactics." Tails winked. "Anyway, we're here hope you enjoy the flight."

"Hm…what sort of tactic…" Knuckles quietly mused.

Upon getting off the team was then again greeted by the famous detectives…well for Tails at least twice.

"Knuckles, puckles, chuckles!" Charmy the bee chirped whilst buzzing around.

"What the hell…!" Knuckles yelled. "It's Knuckles you hear me, Knuckles! K-N-U-C-K-L-E-S, you stupid bee!"

"What's up Knucklehead," Vector waved, "And long time no see Sonic the hedgehog."

"ARE YOU PEOPLE STUPID OR WHAT?!" Knuckles growled. "IT'S KNUCKLES!"

Sonic remain silent.

"Calm down Chuckles Jones, I was kidding." Vector had his hands up in defence. "And what's wrong with Sonic?"

"WHY YOU WALKING PURUSE!" Knuckles had his veins popped out. "I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!"

"Helloooooooooo, is anyone at hoooooome?" Charmy waving his hands in Sonic's face, yet it did not faze to the blue hedgehog.

Tails sighed flattening his perky ears. "You can do that as many times as you want Charmy. It's not going to work…"

"What happened to him?" Espio finally asked.

"It's a long story…how to put it…" Tails was scratching his head. "Sonic is no longer Sonic, he won't even talk anymore."

"Uh? What's that supposed to mean? Did he turn green? Someone put a frog down his throat?" Charmy confusingly asked.

"Oh I know he's been abducted by ALIENS and they replaced him with their CLONE!" Vector was running around in circles. "Oh my God call the authorities! The FBI, THE AGENCY!"

"We ARE the agency you klutz," Espio had crossed his arm in annoyance. "And that's not what Tails meant."

"Then what…?" Vector finally had stopped running.

"You're a detective and you don't even know?" Espio was losing his cool. "Gah, I can't believe you!"

"Well all I can see over there is a blue puppet without its string attached!" Vector protested whilst pointing at Sonic who had never moved from the spot he was standing on.

"Vector, don't you think that's a bit harsh." Charmy stated and motion to Tails and Knuckles who had their heads facing to the ground.

"No, it's okay really…" Tails smiled sadly. "That's why we're here to see HIM."

"…HIM…?" Knuckles questioned.

"Anyway we leave that to you Espio," Vector patted on the purple chameleon's shoulder. "Escort our guests to the patient."

"Hey…why me…?" Espio asked dumbfounded.

"Because Charmy and I need to get back to our work, so have fun guys." Vector waved and followed closely by was Charmy.

"So, what's the surprise?" Knuckles asked once more.

"You'll see, come on follow me." Espio motioned to them to follow.

Entering the place there was the front desk with the phone on it, and the paper works were all over the place as if a tornado hit the whole room, Knuckles and Tails just paled at the sight of this place and mentally label it 'THE SEA OF DECAY' . Still they followed the purple chameleon upstairs, surprisingly it was clean as if the as if the dust bunnies never set foot up here before. Until they reached the door at the end the purple chameleon stepped aside to let Tails enter in first.

"If you need anything, just call me." Espio stated politely to them before leaving.

"What's wrong Tails?" Knuckles asked seeing the little stood still.

"I think we should let Sonic go in first…" Tails turns around and smiled as the echidna reluctantly nodded.

Once opening the door both Knuckles and Tails encourage the blue hedgehog to go first, Sonic just looked at them like he was staring into their souls before moving his feet inside. The room was spacious and walls were just plain creamy blue greenish, the translucent curtains flow with the gentle breeze as the wind was freely coming in, with the balcony door was wide open invitingly. There was a large bed and beside the bed were two chairs and a small table. On the table was a heart monitor and a long and thin like metallic hook that hung a water bag, the duvet was all white like those in a hospital. The heart monitor was quietly and taking it's time to let off a small 'beep'sound, and a soft respiration coming from the bed.

Gradually a flicker of curiosity reappeared in those emerald eyes, as if they were bit by bit coming back to life. Somewhat the making progress emerald eyes widening at the shoes places on the floor, it was a red black and white Hoover shoes. Eyes finally stare at who was lying on the bed, black fur contrasting toward the pure white duvet but that black fur was covered in heavy bandages, there was also streak of red on the arms, on their forehead and beside both eyes despite the eyes were closed and lastly on their black quills.

'Shadow...' Sonic mentally called out in his mind. 'He's alive…'a tear streamed down his cheek just looking at his once rival and his friend. Sonic then notice there was tubes coming out of the dark hedgehog's mouth, right wrist and arm also a patch on his chest connected to the heart monitor. A weak smile crept onto Sonic's face despite the condition the black hedgehog was in Sonic was somehow happy on the inside; he the ultimate life form was alive.

Weakly he placed a chair just beside the black unconscious hedgehog, and took his seat on it. Softly Sonic reach out his hand until it was tenderly placed onto the other's cheek, and gently caressing the black one's face so delicately and so much with care as if one bad move the ebony hedgehog would break, like delicate fragile glass. Sonic was just staring at the insentient dark being right before his emerald eyes, it was unbelievable yet here he was safely tucked under warm covers.

Sonic's mouth opened yet no word or voice came out, like his throat was dry and his vocal cords has snapped. Sullenness took over his gentle feature he thought he knew how to speak again or at least from his memory how it sounded, yet there was nothing there. His finger tracing the ebony hedgehog's jaw line, mapping out his mystifying features. Delicately the finger drawing down to the dark one's chest the pitch dark coloured fur of black beauty, and finally his finger stopped and his whole hand gently brushing the little white fur…this was Shadow alright with every beautiful complex yet mysterious feature.

Sonic had always admired this black being right before him, his raw brutal strength and unspeakable power, that burning stare he gave Sonic the first time they ever met, that superior body posture showing absolute control and those confused yet determined attitude so opposite of what Sonic used to be. Sonic had admired everything about the black hedgehog and he was once determined to be as strong as his counterpart.

Those playful fingers once again found themselves unable to break away from the black beauty in front of him, the fingers tenderly danced along his cheekbone, never leaving the figure lying there alone like if he did leave Shadow's feature for one minute, he would just disappear or if touched too hard he'll break into small little pieces. Index finger tracing over and over again the jaw line while emerald eyes slowly regaining their shine…a small smile form on the fall hero's lips.

'I missed you'Sonic mentally said thinking if his counterpart can read his mind as his vocal cords were tied together into a knot.'Please be okay…please…please Shadow…please wake up…'

Just by those gently yet careful movements just with those thoughts straying in his mind, Sonic felt as if his energy were strained from him, flapping his head down onto the bed side and gradually his eyes closed and falling into a slumber…with his hand now lay on top of the black hedgehog's hand, giving support, giving once more hope.

--0--

Outside patiently waiting…well Tails did but knuckles was beginning to lose his cool, pacing back and forth the ground threatening to leave a big whole in its wake.

"You wanna tell me now, who's in there?" Knuckles demanded more than asking.

"You can go in if you want…" Tails sighed heavily. "I think it is okay now…"

Knuckles nodded and slowly peered through the door, like a peeking tom putting his head in first cautiously seeing if it was all right. Once his instinct said it was okay he opened the door wide open, whilst the little two tailed fox entered as well. Purple eyes widened and choke on his voice finding himself speechless. Turning his state of shock head toward the little kit whilst pointing at the black figure on the white duvet, Tails said nothing but smiled warmly.

"He's alive…?" Knuckles quietly whispered to Tails as he already noticed his blue friendly rival has fallen asleep. "Since when…and how?"

"Well since yesterday…" Tails explained. "Charmy came to me after we hung up on the phone, telling me they found Shadow. I rushed to here yesterday and stayed overnight too."

The red echidna blinked a couple of times trying to absorbing everything in. "I see is he going to be okay…?"

"In the process his recovery is remarkable; he is healing fast…but…" Tails elucidated. "Despite his injuries which of many are fractured bones especially his ribs cage, he was also badly burnt probably from falling down onto earth, but the real problem is his strength, which already dissipated. In another word he's very weak and I'm not sure when he will ever wake up from this state."

"You mean there's a chance he WON'T make it?" Knuckles stared into shock.

"Not exactly, he was created to be immortal remember?" Tails said. "I just meant that since his strength is weak it will take him longer for him to heal, or to use that healing ability he got. But that's only my theory…"

"Correct me if I am wrong," Knuckles said in a stern voice. "You are just going to put all your hopes into this guy here so he can make Sonic all better?"

"That's the general idea…" Tails said sadly. "There's nothing else we can do, we already tried everything we got and I figure to ask Shadow to help out, it'll work out somehow."

"And what if it doesn't?" Knuckles sighed heavily, and rubbed the back of his head. "I doubt it will bring back the Sonic we know. And I doubt that Shadow will be WILLINGLY to help us out, so what then?"

Tails flapped his large orange ears down on his head, and tears threatening to pour out. "I-I…don't know…but I know it will, and I won't give up just yet until I try!"

Knuckles soften up his feature with a simple smile at Tails, the sight of the little fox's determination not to give up and all was sadly reminding him of the old time with Sonic. At then the blue hedgehog never gave up on anything despite if he was at disadvantage, he always wear that cocky smiles and that lively yet annoying attitude which pissed of the echidna to no ends. The smile from the echidna's lips commenced into a small line into a frown, now all of those times were just a distant memory that will gradually fade away with the wind.

"Knuckles…?" Tails peered as he notice the echidna's silent. "You okay…?"

"Yeah I'll be fine; I was just…hoping it will all work out." Knuckles then started shuffling on Tails' head. "Come on buddy let's get some refreshments."

"Alright…"

The two closed the door and heading down the stairs meeting with the purple chameleon, deciding to hit the hay and calling it a day…praying who's being watching over them, hoping in their heart, wishing the stars that everything will be okay soon…

TBC

Sonic: that's it for chapter 2…what happened to our dear authoress?

Shadow: She's still down there (points to unconscious authoress.)

Sonic: did you have to hit her that HARD?!

Shadow: she needed it…(shrug)

Tails: erm guys…I have something to tell you.

Sonic & Shadow: What?

Tails: well that she is really…a he…

Sonic& Shadow: (Eyes bugged out…)

Tails: I found this while looking through erm… 'His' stuff (Shows birth certificate.)

Sonic: What?! He lied to us!

Shadow: so he's name is Rain Asaki…? (raise a brow)

Sonic: wait until he wakes up…(grins evilly)

Shadow: (smirk evilly)

Tails: Well please don't mind those two, that's for chapter 2, please read and review…and hopefully our dear… 'Author' will wake up soon. If you have any comment or advice it is welcome, sayonara!