Months pass, times get sweeter

A few months pass, and Sapphire is feeling better with where she lives. Still remembering the only catch, she doesn't have much of a home. Shadow is at home and still coming to terms with having a friend to communicate with.

'Why am I still getting used to talking? I should be used to it, by now.' Shadow thinks to himself, confused and beginning to get agitated by his adaptation rate

Sapphire, however, soon begins to sense that something isn't right with Shadow. She goes to his shelter, knocks on the door, and waits for a response, which is a fast one.

"Who's there?" Shadow asks, sounding agitated

"It's Sapphire. Could you let me in?" Sapphire answers and asks

"Come on in. The door is open."

Sapphire enters, noticing mess again.

"Shadow, have you slept at all over these months?" Sapphire asks

"Yes, I've slept." Shadow answers, keeping his responses short

"Are you alright? You're not yourself."

"It's nothing. I'm still adapting to having you to talk to."

"Is there something else, or is that it?"

"That's it."

"I don't see it as much of a bad thing as it may seem, given how you're taking it. We all adjust to things at different rates. I mean, having a friend here is still new to me. So, I get your agitation."

"That's different. We've known each other for months. Bearing in mind that you're not me."

"I know that I'm not you. I also know that you're not usually like this. Your place is a mess and you're agitated. This usually happens when you haven't slept."

"I know. I'm dealing with it."

"Not alone, you're not. I've done the alone treatment before, and it never ends well. I'll stick around and help you out. That's what friends are for, looking out for each other."

"Are you sure you wanna stick around?"

"Yes, I'm certain. It feels right to help you out, as opposed to leaving you to your misery. I'm not like that."

'Whoa, she's worth my time... and patience. Why is she doing this to me?' Shadow thinks to himself

'He needs help, he won't admit it. Have I met this situation before, or am I fooling myself?' Sapphire thinks to herself

"I'll let you stick around. But I don't see how you can help." Shadow permits and points out

"Come with me and sit down. Let me try something." Sapphire instructs, sounding like she's come up with an idea

Shadow and Sapphire sit down in front of each other on the floor. Sapphire puts out her hand as to say, 'take hold of my hand'. Shadow begins holding his friend's hand, mystified by what Sapphire's intentions are.

"What do you intend on doing?" Shadow asks, in bewilderment

"Keep holding my hand. I don't intend on doing anything more. Now, tell me. What else is bothering you, besides your adaptation rate?" Sapphire instructs, admits, and asks keeping a calm tone

"I don't know what I'm bothered by. Nor do I know what I feel when you're not here... and when you are, for that matter."

"What do you think it is?"

"I think it's the one thing I don't like seeing."

"Love, romance… that kind of thing, right?"

"Yes, to put it mildly. I've always gone in alone. I've never served anyone. Not until you came along. It was involuntary and kept happening. Just to keep things brief."

"So, what are you saying?"

"The thing I don't normally like. It's happening to me, whether it's happening to you… I don't know, I can't read your mind."

"I can't say it isn't. Otherwise, I'd be lying. You're different, I've probably already said that. But you really are. I'm not gonna go into too much. I don't wanna sound weird."

"I didn't earlier on, when all this started. Now, it feels like the time's correct to admit it."

"Admit what?"

Shadow soon starts losing his composure. But calms down enough to regain it.

"I've fallen under your… let's say spell. That's all."

"That explains your sudden mood changes. Now, it's my turn to make my admission."

"Of which is…"

Sapphire soon breathes, to keep her cool.

"I've fallen under yours, to admit the truth. I can't stop my visits to your place, and I always want to know how you are. Unless it's part of the human side of my nature, or part of my Mobian side as well. It feels natural. Not to sound weird. Of course, bearing in mind that we're so physically different, and have a major mind-set difference."

"I see your point. That doesn't sound weird. I mean, coming from my mouth… I thought I sounded weirder."

"Okay, point made. So, now that we've admitted our truths, what do we actually do?"

"Think it over, from both ends. Talk a bit more, get to know each other a bit better. I don't know. That's for you to decide. I'd never be able to bring the words together."

"I think you'll be able to. You just need time, to become more comfortable with this whole 'friends and other stuff' thing. I still need to get used to it myself. So, we've both got the same thing to do."

"Together, if you're up for it."

"I thought you went in alone."

"This is different. We're finding more common ground. Besides, it's best-done side by side, as opposed to being done solo."

"That makes a rather good point."

"So, are you up for it?"

"Yeah, I don't see why not. Only one question, when?"

"That's a good question. I don't know. Soon, I guess."

'This is gonna be one long task…' Sapphire begins to think

The hours pass, and the pair are getting used to each other's differences, emotions, and similarities. Oh, and they're closer to one another psychologically, anyway. With still a long way to go, and it starting to get tedious, Sapphire and Shadow say their goodbyes, go out and part their ways, for now. Night falls, and Sapphire is wide awake, unable to sleep.

'Why can't I sleep? This isn't like me.' Sapphire thinks out loud

With Shadow fast asleep, she's alone facing her first sleepless night since her years in the city. Morning comes, and Sapphire hasn't slept, let alone not being able to move from her resting place. As for Shadow, he wakes up and realises that Sapphire hasn't arrived at his place, as that being her usual.

'Where's Sapphire? This isn't like her.' Shadow thinks out loud

Shadow goes about looking for Sapphire, given how close he is to her. He looks towards the waters, to find Sapphire in her resting place, not moving. He goes to her, concerned for Sapphire's lack of movement.

"Sapphire, are you alright?" Shadow asks, keeping a calm tone... sort of

"I haven't slept. Don't ask why, I'm panicked by why I haven't; not knowing, obviously." Sapphire says, trying to stick out of agitation, with no avail

"Do you actually want to move, or stay there?"

"It's not like I can move. I'm too tired to do just that."

"Sit up, then. That seems to be all you can do."

"Could you help me out?"

"Yes, certainly."

Shadow goes about helping Sapphire to sit up, realising how weak she is from not sleeping, even if it's only one night.

"Have you had sleepless nights before?" Shadow asks, being careful of what he says next

"Yes, plenty of them when I was living in the city with my mother. Since I was twelve, and then I kept getting weaker after each passing night. Having been kept out of school, and shut in at home, the sleepless nights kept on coming. The previous night here, is just one of my many sleepless nights that I've dealt with in the past. As the humans say, I was making deals with the devil every time it happened." Sapphire answers, still tired

"So, you've had it worse than I have."

"Yes, just to keep things short. All I can say is, recovery isn't easy. In fact, it's the hardest part of my sleepless nights. 'Cause I could still be just as weak now, in a few months. Then it happens again, a repeat of last time."

"So, my sleepless nights are nothing compared to yours, right?"

"I can't say that it's like that. I'd be telling a lie. Yours are bad, given how angered you get when you don't sleep."

Soon, a circle of flames begins to form around Sapphire, and Shadow moves quickly before he gets burned. Sapphire soon struggles to an upright standing position.

"Sapphire, what's happening?" Shadow asks, still in shock from his sudden movement

"I don't know. Why, do you know?!" Sapphire answers and asks, panicking

"Neither do I."

Some time passes, and the circle of flames turns into a dome, keeping Sapphire concealed within it. She soon notices hedgehog-like skin on her legs, in patches.

'Wait, is my Mobian identity coming through? Also, why this soon?' Sapphire thinks to herself

Sapphire soon checks her hands; there are small patches of this skin on her hands, palms and back. Some more time passes, and the dome of flames comes down, revealing her new appearance. With her strength still low, Sapphire falls to the ground, passing out at the same time. Shadow rushes to his shelter and puts on his gauntlets. He rushes back to Sapphire and takes her to his shelter. Fearing that Sapphire might not awaken, Shadow makes his area more accessible and starts waiting for any changes. A few hours pass, and Sapphire moves in her sleep. Shadow notices the patches of hedgehog-like skin on Sapphire's legs and hands.

'Wait, is she turning into a Mobian, or am I being fooled?' Shadow asks himself

Shadow takes off his gauntlets, goes to Sapphire and goes about pinching her skin, where it has changed. Sapphire soon awakens, with a painful burning sensation from where Shadow has pinched, and partial amnesia.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" Sapphire greets and asks, tired from her awakening

"Sorry about that. Does it hurt?" Shadow apologises and asks

"What do you mean, 'does it hurt'? Of course, it does. Not only that, but it also burns. Wait, what's happened? Why does my skin look and feel different? Was this you?"

"No, this was not me. I don't know what's happened. I don't understand why you don't either. You're the one it's happened to, not me."

"Yes, I know that. You're already a hedgehog. I wasn't born or made like you."

"I know you weren't."

"Does it look bad?"

"No, it doesn't. Have you looked at your face? The same has happened there."

Sapphire soon rushes to the waters and looks at her reflection. She notices that Shadow is right about her facial appearance; she has patches of hedgehog-like skin there, too, and soon makes attempts to hide it, with no avail.

"Why are you trying to hide it?" Shadow asks

"The most visible part is the face. I can't say that I like all this. I'd be telling a lie. Not to sound weak or anything. The point is, I don't get why it's all started now." Sapphire answers and says

"Me neither. But all I can admit is that you're a beautiful individual. Patchy or not."

"Wait, you really think so?"

"Yes. I've known you, and your beauty for months. I've not understood it. But it's existence is pure and special. To me, at least."

"Thanks, Shadow. I didn't know you really felt that way."

"Like I said, I can never get my words out. Especially, when it's about this."

"I think I know why you can't. You get nervous when we're together and can't say what you want to. You've fallen for me and can't understand why. I get it, because the same happens with me. I've fallen for you and can't admit it because I fear rejection. I'm guessing that you fear the same thing. That's all."

"Also, I've wanted to do this for a long time. I think now is the right time."

"To do, what?"

Shadow breathes and keeps his composure. He touches Sapphire's face with one hand, using the other to hold her hand. He leans in, and slowly puts his lips on hers. After some time doing what they're doing, they stop and begin talking again.

"Wait, so that's what you've wanted to do?" Sapphire asks, amazed by Shadow's manoeuvre

"Yes. Earlier on felt too soon, and it might've been awkward. That's all." Shadow answers

"I mean, coming from someone who's bad with her nerves. You've done it better than me. My nerves got over me."

"I've worked that out. Plus, it was kind of hard not to do so. This thing called love does that to you. I'm guessing that's cliché in the human world."

"It is a bit. But I'm used to it. Human to human, that is. Not this kind, but it's still the same. Am I getting boring?"

"No, you're not. Hold on, what's that on your wrist?"

"Wait…"

Sapphire notices some form of bracelet on her wrist. It sparkles in the light, beginning to do something. It soon shows a movement picture of her father.

"Hello, father. Is that you?" Sapphire greets and asks

"Geraldine, is that you? What's happened to your face?" Geraldine's father asks

"I'll explain that later. What's needed?"

"When are you coming again? Your mother's left me, alone, with my home and it feels strange."

"In what way?"

"Your essence has been left here, your mother hated it and left. It's that Mobian side of you. This is from my side. I apologise for that."

"It's all fine. What's happening?"

"I don't know. All I know is, that you're needed by the people at your school. That's where it all began."

"That's helpful. How do I change back to my human form?"

"Hold on, click your fingers from the hand you aren't using. There's something that'll help you with your request."

Sapphire lets go of Shadow's hand and clicks her fingers. Soon, a piece of paper with writing appears. It reads: 'To change back to your originality, say these words: Powers from another world, magic from another time. Turn me back, o wondrous lights'

"Wait, how do I change back to my new self, once I've done my duty?" Sapphire asks her father

"Click your fingers again."

Sapphire clicks her fingers again; another piece of paper appears. It reads 'Your new form is a simple set of words, to return to that state. They are: My duty is done, and my time has come to leave. Return me back, to my new state of body and mind'

'I'll need to remember these, for when I want to visit my father.' Sapphire thinks to herself

"Remember this, you need to be out of the city and near your homeland to change back. You can't do that in the city, it won't work." Sapphire's father says, in the form of a reminder

"Thank you, father. I'll be there shortly." Sapphire thanks and informs

"I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye for now, father."

Soon, her father's picture vanishes into the bracelet.

"That was unexpected." Shadow says, still slightly frozen from what's just happened

"I know it was, and from a bracelet too. Right, I need to get to the city. You on the other hand, need to distract the others so I can leave as my human self, without too much attention." Sapphire says and instructs

"Understood. I'll do that, you return back to your old self."

"Thank you. Now, go!"

Shadow rushes to the others and tries to find a diversion.

"Now, time for this chant thing. Let's go. Powers from another world, magic from another time. Turn me back, o wondrous lights."

Sapphire says the chant and returns to her original self. She soon quickly departs for the city, with Shadow distracting the others, just. Sapphire, with the same appearance and known as Geraldine, arrives at the city and her home. She knocks on the door, to see her father coming to the front door. Geraldine's father opens the door.

"Father, what's the emergency?" Geraldine asks

"Geraldine, thank goodness you're here. Some strange things are happening at your school. Come with me, and you'll see what I mean." Geraldine's father says and instructs

Geraldine and her father go to the school, in the car. Geraldine looks out of the window and notices something hovering over the school.

"Father, are we at the school? There's something hovering over it." Geraldine asks and informs

"Yes, we're here. Let me park, and you get out to sort it." Geraldine's father answers and instructs

Geraldine's father parks the car and Geraldine gets out to help her school.

"Hey, you! What are you, and what are you doing here?!"

After this is said, things make an even more dramatic change. Oblivious to what'll happen next, Geraldine stands still.