Shadow The Black Cat

Shadow was once a proud Hedgehog since forever and that was state of things until one day Black Doom decided to curse him and turn him into regular cat all because he thought that it was funny that he turned into such little create that he thought he was harmless until he scratched his only eye leaving him alone without telling how to undo this.

That left him in peculiar state as trying to adjust to be something that he never was and as time moved on, his time as a black feline was full with struggled. Other cats despised him and chased him away from any gangs, humans and mobians usually seen him as bringer of curse and chased him away.

So he usually roamed streets alone in search of food and shelter which were scarce, usually hunting for mice or small birds and if things were desperate rummaging through trash. However as a literal bringer of bad luck, his own also run out since he thought that rummaging through the trash of mansion would leave some good leftovers, only to be chased away by very round fat man with moustache that wasn’t very pleased about his presence and him being some kind of scientist shot him with high energy beans.

He has managed to escape but unfortunately he got hit in rear left leg and every time he tried to step it down, agony soared through him. This effectively crippled his abilities to hunt so he was only left to rummage through trash but even that got near impossible since he couldn’t climb and always made too much noise so he got always chased off.

Days without any food turned into weeks and he was starving so his only option was begging others for food which was always rejected, even when he barely managed to get into suburban area inhabited mostly by mobians everyone chased him away or shut the door instantly no matter what he did.

It was now raining storm and out of desperation he tried to go through trash once again but blue hedgehog came out to check out the noise and shouted at him to go away which he did instantly. He heard him cursing as he had to go out to the rain to chase off some “stupid stray” out. Meanwhile Shadow was at his limit, barely able to move, drenched wet and being completely tired.

He saw yet another home, filled around with garden filled with various exotic plants that even in this terrible weather looked beautiful. If he has to die out of starvation and disease, he at least want to look at one beautiful thing before his life snuffs out. He got under a small roof right before the door and laid down looking at the pristine white lilies swaying from wind and rain. He knew he couldn’t get up anymore, he accepted his fate and closed his eyes at least being glad that soon this nightmare will be over.

When he woke up, he expected to be in hell for what he has done and fooled around but he got surprised when instead he was covered in towel while laying on the table. That’s strange, someone took him? He couldn’t move at all because all his energy is gone from not being able to eat anything or even call out displeasure and confusion. Who would even bother? He’s lost cause anyway, breath away from death.

Soon he heard someone come to the room he was in and to his surprise it was a pink hedgehog with beautiful jade eyes and very unkempt quills. She failed to notice that he was barely awake but after roomaging through kitchen she came to him and noticed that he got his eyes open. She sighed in very loud relief and lowered herself to him to meet eye to eye.

“Hey there little buddy, I’m glad you are awake because I thought you were gone” and she gently lowered her hand onto his head, he couldn’t really resist that but he would 100% hiss at her, scratch her and run away if he could but she continued “it’s actually quite silly, I was doing tarot card reading and the result were quite confusing for me so I wanted to go out to refresh a bit when I noticed you on my doormat half dead.

He’s here due to sheer luck? Ridiculous, she denied him long awaited passing. Then she lowered herself to grab something and it was small bowl filled with chopped chicken breasts. The bowl was placed right before his own mouth. He would salivate and throw himself at this and devour everything but he really couldn’t move, his muscles refused to listen. Girl look at him confused as to why he would refuse to eat, so she took the bowl away and went to kitchen.

This was it, she now understood that her efforts were futile and that he was just bad luck itself, how she will kick him out so he can finally pass out, only for that to be completely dashed as he heard her using mixer doing god knows what. In a while she returned with a syringe filled with meat mush. She placed it directly into his mouth and pushed in not too much of it, good thing that he still could swallow it because in any other case he would just choke on it.

Using this opportunity, she also checked around his body, being so thin that nearly every bone in it was visible but it was blessing since it could be easily seen the very poor state of his leg that has been left to rot for weeks without any way to heal, so using the fact that he couldn’t really protest she washed it, disinfected it and bandaged tightly so it couldn’t move even if he tried. As a reward of being good patient she once again gave him bits of mush so he could begin process of healing.

This pattern followed for 3 more days, feeding him small bits until he readjusted to food and gathered enough strength never going over. It felt good to regain control over his muscles and body, he started to twitch around more and on the fourth day he felt that he could speak again so in the morning he tried his best to call her out.

“Meeeowr” (Are you there?)

And as if she understood him, hedgehog rushed to him and was gleaming with happiness to see him more alive than ever. Seeing such progress was truly astounding considering what showed up few days ago, so further recovery was matter of time “I’m glad you feel better little kitty, think you can eat on your own?”

He thought he could, he gathered all of his strength to stand up for the very first time, he fumbled once, then again and again. As she was about to just prepare him another tub, he concentrated once again on how it feels with legs again even if one is out of service and pushing through it, he managed to stand upright to which he proudly said “Meeow!” (Look! I can stand again!)

So now he could eat and drink from bowls instead, but still walking was out of option since his legs felt like jelly and that mysterious person couldn’t be around every time since she was always leaving around 9 am and came back around 4 pm so he spent most of the time lying down, sleeping and contemplating his life so far, if he does deserve this weird kindness he gets.

Few days later he felt a whole lot better, he started to walk around a bit. He knows that he shouldn’t but he was getting really bored from lying in that makeshift bed made of cardboard and blanket. But maybe it was a good thing he get to stretch his legs because he didn’t feel that much pain anymore in his rear left leg and during one of the checkups she did, she was quite amazed “Your leg is almost completely healed up, so it means we can go for stage two which I wanted for a long time”

“Meow?” (what stage two?)

She picked him up but at this point this was a norm and got used to it. She carried him to the bathroom and closed the door. What is she planning? She turned on the faucet in bathtub and he realized that she wants to wash him so he erratically scratched and tried to push the door open. Soon she picked him up again and he begun trashing wildly and hissing.

„Come on, it’s bath time”

He would have none of it and decided to turn to scratching „Hissss!” (Put me down or you will feel my wrath!) but she trudged on and explained to him „You stink! It has to be done!”

She begun lowering him and now more desperate he tried to bite her hands and screamed in desperation „MEEOOW!” (I will curse your entire bloodline you unworthy food giver)

When he landed in the bathtub, he immediately tried to run away but with his paws wet he had no friction and was just wildly running in the place and splashing water everywhere. This upset pink hedgehog which grabbed him firmly with one hand and demanded „Stay put for once it’s not that bad!”

Before he could protest any further she scooped up bit of water and splashed it onto his head and to his surprise the water was… warm and that felt somehow good? Water always made him shiver in cold like in that night when he thought he would perish but that was somehow relaxing.

When she noticed that he calmed down she just had to rub it in „What was the all the fuss about, do you have anything to say?” but he was immersed in the experience and he only responded with „Purrrrrr” (keep doing it).

After soaking him up, applying soap and washing him again, she took Shadow off to dry him up with towel and groomed him a bit with spare brush she had. After they left the bathroom she put him down on the chair while she finally noticed few scratches on her hands. She went to bandage them and when she returned she was not happy.

„Before I scold you, I should give you proper name other than ‚cat’ or ‚kitty’ so I can address you properly” she now had to think hard about proper name for that walking disaster and few names came to her mind but all sounded wrong on him. During the thinking she accidentally turned off the light and it was like he entirely disappeared. Light, there he is waiting patiently for whatever may come, no light, there is nothing. She just got it, turning on the lamp once again she proclaimed „I am going to name you Shadow, because you really blend into them!”

He got surprised, she got his real name right, so he immediately confirmed it „Meeeow?” (How on earth did you guess my name on first try?) but she interpreted it as „Well if you are curious, my name is Amy, Amy Rose” and that was beautiful name fitting for such beautiful person with pure soul, until 5 seconds later.

„And YOU Shadow behaved like complete asshole! I can tolerate many things, not knowing where to poop, constantly begging for some food when I am making for myself or when you scratch the leg of table” well he can’t help himself with that, but she continued „What I cannot tolerate however is you truly to scratch and bite me when I try to help you and if you ended up biting me I would have to rush to hospital because I don’t know if you carry rabies or not!” he in all honesty didn’t think of that, he was sure he was healthy but she had no way of knowing, so whatever fate awaits he accepts because he screwed up badly.

„You are in luck that I am willing to give others second chance at proving that they can behave themselves so I am not kicking you out but we are definitely going for a checkup soon” fine, if going to the vet was the punishment he accepts. So as apology he raised his paw as indicating a handshake. She understands and they shook in agreement.

The visit to the vet went without much fuss, and indeed it got confirmed that he is healthy and not carrying any dangerous diseases other than giving death stare to anyone who isn’t Amy.

For next week things were peacefully and calm. He didn’t try to create much of mess around or annoy her, until one day he heard that she arrived with someone. Curiosity got better of him and decided to check it out. When he arrived he asked „Meeow?” (Who are you with?).

And then he saw the guest, a blue hedgehog, the same one that kicked him out before he ended up at Amy’s. Without a thought he lunged himself at his face and tried to bite and scratch whatever he could. The male panicked „What is that! Get that thing off me!” while failing to remove Shadow until Amy intervened and pulled him away.

She now held him firmly and brushed loose quills off her friend’s face „I’m so sorry Sonic I don’t know why he did that, he is usually such a sweetheart” yeah he is going to eat his heart out and it’s going to be sweet! After a while, Sonic finally asked „I didn’t know you brought in a cat to your house, little heads up would be advised” then he could take a proper look and he recognized him from somewhere, in the storm when he had to get out… oh no THAT cat?!

With disgust he said „Why did you bring THAT thing into your house, he tried to steal my garbage” and Amy was shocked at this revelation „Wait, you saw him and didn’t help him? I found him half dead at my doorstep starving!” she then pouted at him and screamed „How could you do that?!”

Sonic defended himself „Amy just look at him, he looks like is about to attack anything and probably brings bad luck and diseases everywhere” to which he angrily responded „Mewrrrr…” (watch your mouth you stinky lazy hedgehog…) and Amy said „What? He is cutest fella that I have ever met” and when she looked at him, he looked like he would melt anyone’s heart from cuteness. Then she turned him towards Sonic and proudly say „Just look at him!”

To which Shadow changed his entire personality around, looked like he came from 5th circle of hell and let out loud „HIIISSSSS!” (I will gouge your eyes out and feed them to the pigeons you unworthy scum!) and blue menace jumped back and pointed finger at him „Demon, DEMON!” and she just took him and held firmly „Whatever, he is cute fella and that’s how it is”

Not wanting to argue further, Sonic admitted defeat „Allright, he is cutest fella, but please don’t tell me you are going to replace me with him” to which Shadow smirked and with bit of arrogance said „Meow” (this woman is mine you peasant, you lost) and awaited confirmation because he behaved himself well for some time.

„Oh don’t worry, I’m going tomorrow with him to animal shelter so they can actually find someone that can properly give him attention, with the very tight university schedule he is here all by himself most of the time” this shocked Shadow because he didn’t anticipate such betrayal „Meowl?” (What?) this has to be a joke to get rid of that unwanted guest, it couldn’t be.

He bought it and with deep sigh he responded „Good to know, anyway we have a date next week right?” Amy nodded and he continued „Good, see you there, gotta go!” and run off in a flash. Now Shadow looked deeply at Amy begging to say this is not happening but she just looked at him sadly and said „It’s true, with the vet I got documents for you and they are willing to accept you so we go tomorrow morning”.

She put him down and went of bed. He tried to chase her to get answers but she shut off the door to her bedroom. We went back to his makeshift bedding and tried his best to not think about it, but that night he simply couldn’t sleep.

The drive to the animal shelter was tense, she didn’t say anything, she refused to acknowledge him in the container, she just drove to it. Shadow hoped that she would change her mind because he didn’t want to leave her but the car had finally stopped and she grabbed him and went into the building.

They went into the reception, Amy had shown his documents and talked to the blonde human girl in blue dress about the legal process about it, filled out all forms and all that was left was her signature. She grabbed pen once again but before she sealed the transfer, Shadow begged „Meeooow” (please don’t leave me) and looked at her as he was about to cry. She hesitated for a bit, but she got priorities, she barely could afford her own food and he put her budged to massive strain. She closed her eyes and signed it. Shelter worker saw her unease, and reassured her „Don’t worry, we will take good care of him”

She took the Shadow deep into the corridor and Any only heard one last desperate plea „Meeeeooooooww!” (Amy please I beg you, I want to be with you). She remained in place, frozen. When worker returned and asked if everything was alright she nearly run off. She just had to forget about it, she has done good deed, that’s it. She couldn’t keep him, she knew it.

Rest of her day went as she expected, lectures, table classes, laboratories. It was a busy day but it kept her mind busy. Once she returned to her home she greeted „Shadow I’m home!” but there was no response, no rapid running, no meowing, silence. She forgot that she just gave him away, it will go away soon.

She made herself supper of french toasts with some bacon to top it off. But it turned out to be a bit too much for her and could barely eat anything so she decided that cat could get some leftovers. She went to his bowl and placed some bacon stripes and was about to call him out until she remembered… he is no longer here, just let go.

She needed to keep herself busy, she decided to have long proper bath to wash all the filth on her, but no matter how much she applied soap, she felt that it wasn’t enough. After being in bathroom for an hour, she left for her bedroom. She expected that someone will walk up to her to have final pat in the head before the bed, but nobody showed up.

Amy closed the door, and laid down. She kept repeating herself the same lies she created, to have any justification about her decision, but the truth is that he trusted her and she just gave him up. She felt like absolutely worst monster, a traitor and worst of all very missed him. That night she cried for hours and getting only hour of sleep.

Next day she felt barely alive and barely paid any attention to anything. Every her friend got concerned about what happened to her, but she couldn’t bring it out because how could she have done that?

Day after she couldn’t take it anymore, she abruptly woke up, took her car keys and drove to the animal shelter. She hoped that it wasn’t too late and her cat would forgive her. It seemed that she got before it even was open and she had to anxiously wait until the same worker came to open the door and was very surprised to see her.

„Is Shadow still here? Please tell me nobody took him yet, I need him back!” tears prickled at the edge of her eyes and the girl reassured her „Yes, he is still here. I was about to call you because he has not been well” she signaled to Amy to follow her and as they went to him she explained „He probably got severe case of depression and refuses to eat and drink anything, every time he gives us the same betrayed look. No matter what we tried, toys, plushies, mine companion even other friendly cats but no reaction” as she was looking for her key into the cage room she continued „he formed deep connection with you and I thought it would be hard to ask you after you explained your situation 2 days ago but it seems you realized it too”

When the door was opened, she noticed many animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, even one beaver behind the cage. Some of them were asleep but most of them were barking, meowing and making various other noises. The walked forward and she noticed him, in the cage near the corner there he was laying lifelessly just like in the day she met him. His black form with some red markings around the eyes, head and paws looked so uninterested in anything. She rapidly rushed to him „Shadow! Hey look at me, I’m here!”

Cat immediately recognized the voice of Amy, and when he looked up, there she was with tears flowing out of her eyes „Meoow!” (You came back!) and he for the first time in days got up and rushed to the cage door trying to reach her out. The girl excused them both as she needed to open his cage and when she did both of them rushed for embrace. Hedgehog was crying out as she held him tightly afraid to let go again „I’m so sorry Shadow, pl-please forgive me, it was stupid of me to do it. W-will you come back with me?” and Shadow couldn’t be anymore happier to see her back „Meow!” (Let’s get out of here) and snoozed up near her chin.

Pinkette laughed at the affection the cat was giving her, their own moment got interrupted by the worker that watched scene unfold „I always hear people say that black cats are bringers of death and black luck and automatically reject them in favor of those who look fluffier or more calm” human lowered herself to carefully pat the cat on the head „but the truth is, if you get to know those cats, if you give them a chance, they are the most loving and the most loyal cats one can have in their life” Shadow that would usually hiss or pat away any hand that would reach out to him, instead let it happen when that hand joined.

Amy looked at the girl besides her, with gratitude she says „Thank you, thank you so much miss…” as if picking up clue, she continued „Maria, and really that’s nothing, I always enjoy helping out both animals and owners when they struggle”

That day, she didn’t care about anything else in the world, she bought him proper bed, good quality cat food and best of all a nice comfortable red collar with „Shadow” engraved on it. That day, she officially owned her cat and she couldn’t be happier.

It has been few days of the honeymoon and Shadow was roaming around the home impatiently. Amy took longer than usual to come back. Maybe it was the date she was supposed to have with that blue rat. He didn’t want to worry but when clock turned 10 P.M. he got quite nervous and decided to wait directly before the door. It wasn’t until one hour later when he fell asleep on the shoe rack he heard door open and her pink mobian entered but instead of greeting him, she took down her shoes, threw her coat on the floor and rushed to her own bedroom.

He has never seen in such a mood, especially when she even forgot to close the door to her room behind her and he heard she was crying out. He decided to enter the room and with concern he asked „Meow?” (Why are you crying?) and she without stopping sobbing, she just told „Could you imagine, weeks of planning, reserving tables, choosing best dresses and saving up money just to get text message hour late that he isn’t coming!” that blue bastard! Death would be least of his worry, he will summon black doom again, convince him to turn him into rat and give his dead body to her.

But is it that she really needs right now? Blind violent vengeance at this injustice, or the comfort of someone being there? Old him would probably do the first, but for the past month he discovered the power of compassion, and what she needs now most is to someone say „you are not alone”. So he jumped to her bed and licked away her own tears from the face because she should never have those ruining her beautiful face. It was his way of saying „I am here and I will take care if you”.

After a while Amy calmed down and also petted his head, being glad that there was someone to comfort her at the worst. She was tired from this disaster of a day, so she couldn’t stop him „Allright you can stay in my bed for the night” Shadow reacted by looking at her, then snuzzling at her neck and saying „Meeowrrrrr” (I will be with you during the night and protect you from fools). The smiled at that, and said „I love you Shadow” and panted kiss at the top of her head.

Soon both of them have fallen asleep with Amy holding her cat just right beside her, both contempt in their own comfort.

By the morning, Amy felt a massive weight on her chest. She was to deeply asleep to notice anything during the night, her cat probably relocated to her chest. She reached out with her free hand to check out on him, and met some claws earlier than expected and they were bigger, so was his paws… and hand that went on and on… something wasn’t adding up so she decided to open a bit her eyes and after some adjustment there was indeed Shadow, a full grown mobian hedgehog was cuddling right beside her.

Wait a minute…

WHAT

MOBIAN HEDGEHOG???

She fully opened her eyes and deep blush creeped up her cheeks from seeing a man she has never seen in her life in her own bed!

She screamed her lungs out and jumped out of the bed and that startled mobian hedgehog who also immediately awakened himself. Amy quickly rummaged through the stuff she had and it so happened she had picko hammer she won in Twinkle Park. She was about to strike him down until that foreigner spoke up „Amy wait!” and she froze in place… he knows her name? HE MUST BE STALKER!

She attacked him and demanded „WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE, IN MY OWN BED!!!???” while Shadow struggled to dodge one strike and got pinned down in the floor, he pleaded the case „Amy it’s me, Shadow. I was your cat for a month so please, let me try to explain because I don’t know what exactly happened either” she was at complete lack of words, what on earth is happening right now… should she hammer him right now or hammer him later? She lifted her hammer from him „10 seconds before I beat shit out of you”.

He wasted no time „3 years ago I thought it would be funny to summon a devil, but he didn’t think that way and decided to punish me by turning me into the cat but he never has told me how to undo it” as Amy didn’t make any aggressive moves, he stood up carefully to not antagonize her further and he came to conclusion why „but now I think why this curse has been undone” he closed carefully distance between them, lowered her hammer down and looked at her asking for permission. Amy still was confused what happened but decided against better judgment. She closed her eyes and their lips met each other in gentle and careful kiss.

Shadow broke the kiss after a moment because he had to continue „I thought I was doomed to be unwanted, unloved, hated but you shown me that isn’t the case. Even if this is temporary, I will say this: I love you my Rose for saving me” and this time, Amy fully let herself loose, being the first one to deepen the kiss and tightly hugging themselves letting themselves loose in this moment completely ignoring time and sounds that surrounded them. All other questions can be answered later.

The end