#eggman answer

No I’m not!

*A rumbling sounds as Sonic and Shadow cross a narrow bridge, and Sonic turns to see an enormous rock rolling towards them*

You have got to be kidding me!

Move!

What do you think I’m doing?

*Shadow huffs and scoops Sonic up and blips out of the way of the rock…which pauses and begins to roll back towards them*

Motherfucker!

*Sonic and Shadow make their way across the uneven terrain and traps, never able to get up to full speed. Badniks and egg pawns try to slow them down but eventually the door to the bunker appears at the end of the path and the hedgehogs dive through it. The rock slams into the doorframe, too large to fit through, and the sound reverberates around the bunker*

Well. That was something!

*Shadow is staring down at the floor in the living room* There’s water on the floor.

Hm? *Sonic joins him as the door to the arena closes*

Water. Look.

That’s weird. Must be from earlier, right?

Wouldn’t the cleanbots have been through by now, though?

Maybe not. Eggman probably diverted power away from here to run his obstacle course.

Maybe.

Congratulations, hedgehogs! You survived again. Let’s hope you’re so lucky tomorrow!

Aw, man! More stuff? It’s Christmas!

Why would I save it for after Christmas? I’m getting so many views!

*Sonic and Shadow are in separate treadmill wheels, both of them crackling with energy as they run. The drawbridge they are supposed to be working together to lower trembles as it falls. A surge of energy shoots down the cables connecting the treadmills to the drawbridge and the lights in the arena flicker. A few drops of water drip from the ceiling onto the floor but neither hedgehog notices as they slow to a stop*

Nice!

Did you see the lights flicker?

Yeah. Figured we overloaded the system or something.

It’s not ruined! It’s improved! This is quality Christmas entertainment!

*Shadow’s eyes are unfocused as Sonic quickly lays him down on the clearest part of the floor he can find. He presses his hands to the wound to try and stem the flow of blood, but there’s so much that he can’t even see the wound*

Why would you-? Shadow, please.

S-nic.

I’m here.

B-hind…you.

*Sonic turns in time to see the badnik swinging its sword for them. He grabs Shadow’s sword from his limp grip, and parries the swing so forcefully the badnik is knocked back a step. Sonic presses Shadow’s hands to the bleeding wound and holds his gaze*

You keep pressure on that. Don’t you die on me. Not before…don’t die.

*The fight with the badnik quickly turns in Sonic’s favour. He attacks with all the rage and fear he has; moving erratically but with clear intent. Every blow he deals to his foe crumples metal beneath his sword. There is no cocky grin or even feral smile on his face, only grim determination. Something darker is behind his eyes, which are wet with tears. There is blood on his hands, his face and his chest. The badnik spends most of its time trying to parry Sonic’s deadly precision, but it is no match for his anger. With a flick of his wrist Sonic sends its sword flying, and in the next second he’s lopped its head of. He doesn’t even wait for it to finish falling before speeding back to Shadow’s side and resuming pressure on the wound. Shadow’s eyes are closed*

Shadow?

M’here.

Why would you-?

*Shadow forces an eye open and manages to focus on Sonic’s face*

Said I’d…protect you.

You don’t have to die for me!

‘M’not g’na die.

Well it sure looks like you are!

This is very touching and all, but you need to get out now. I need to wash this place down. You know. Because of all the blood. You can stay, if you want. But I am going to fill it with water.

*The door to the bunker opens at the top of the slope. Sonic shoots a glare at the nearest camera*

Shadow, I’m so sorry. This is really gonna hurt.

*Sonic slides his hands under Shadow’s knees and back, trying to lift him gently into his arms. Shadow gasps in pain and grits his teeth*

I know, I know. I’m so sorry.

*Once Shadow is settled in his arms, Sonic dashes as steadily as he can back to the bunker without jostling Shadow too much. Shadow rests his head against Sonic’s shoulder and tries to take deep breaths. Sonic settles him down on the sofa as gently as possible and runs for the first aid kit*

I don’t…where do I start? Uh, ok. I’ve gotta clean it, right?

S’nic.

I mean, that sword could have had anything on it.

Sonic.

Oh Gaia am I gonna have to stitch you up?

Sonic.

Sorry. Yes?

Just pack it…with some gauze. I’ll heal.

You can heal that!?

I…have had worse.

Worse than being shish kebabed!?

Yes.

*Shadow grimaces as Sonic does as he instructed; padding the wound with gauze and securing it with medical tape. Sonic’s hands are shaking and he’s still crying, he doesn’t even notice until Shadow cups his cheek and swipes a tear away*

Don’t cry for me, Sonic. I’ll be fine.

You…you almost died. For me.

But I didn’t die.

That’s not the point! Why would you do that for me!? I’m not…I’m not worth that!

You are worth that and more. I couldn’t live in a world without you in it. You are the sun. You…are my new star. Without you I have no direction.

Shadow…

Sonic, I… *Shadow searches Sonic’s gaze, trying to figure out if this will go well or not. Sonic’s gaze softens, though he’s still crying*

I will give you my life savings!!!

It does, doesn’t it? They are suitably distracted…

*Slam*

*Sonic’s head whips around to see the door covering the sunroom doorway again*

Oh, no. Oh no no no no no, please no. *He presses his hands and forehead to the metal.* Please not again.

*Shadow, who had been meditating, jumps at the sound and winces at the sight of the door. He jumps up and puts a palm on the door, sighing in frustration*

Hey, wait! Stop that! Orbot…Cubot…Cuborbot? Whatever you are! Kill that feed!

Oh, wow. That’s…*Sonic clears his throat, his voice comes out stronger but not quite as teasing as usual* That’s quite a look for you, Eggy!

-🍫

Alright, alright! I’ll open the door. Hopefully the hedgehog isn’t dead. That would be no good for ratings.

*The door rumbles as it slides open. Shadow, who had been dozing leaning against it, startles and jumps to his feet. He expects to find Sonic waiting on the other side, probably tired and sad, but Sonic is passed out on the floor*

Sonic!

*Shadow squeezes through the gap and skids to his knees beside his unconscious boyfriend, pressing his ear to his chest and breathing out a small sigh of relief*

What happened? *He scoops Sonic up carefully and goes to put him on the sofa, but notices how the room has been destroyed; the TV has been replaced but all of the games consoles are smashed and the sofa has been torn to shreds. There are the remains of a punching bag on the floor and even the coffee table has been cracked in two. Shadow stares for a moment before taking Sonic through to the (thankfully not destroyed) bedroom and carefully placing him in the nest*

How do I-? We do not have an IV kit in here for fluids. Sonic? *Shadow shakes Sonic’s shoulder* Love? Can you wake up?