Chapter Text
“I can’t lose you again.” Stone had told his boss over the phone as he flew up into space, far outside of Stone's reach.
But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he was fired and then the end of the world almost happened, but didn’t thanks to the doctor. Stone had finally gotten the recognition and appreciation he had always wanted from the doctor, but at what cost? He was alone, again. He would have rather weathered a dozen decades of brush offs and mean comments if it meant that the doctor would be alive and by his side once again.
Stone curled up further on the seat of the main console in the Crab Mech. He had returned to the machine after everything was over and cleaned the whole thing from top to bottom. The inside was a bit waterlogged, but luckily the doctor had invested in waterproof technologies so after drying it out a bit, the Crab Mech was once again fully operational.
Suddenly, a sensor blared to life on the screen and Stone saw the signature of something falling down from space. Stone quickly zoomed in on the screen to see what it was. However, the sensors couldn’t say for certain what it was, only that it was organic material. Stone gasped, considering for a moment that it could be the doctor, but no that was impossible. His body had likely been destroyed when the eclipse cannon had blown up. And if that really was the doctor falling to earth, then it would have been his corpse. A human would not be able to survive such a fall.
Whatever it was, it was falling fast, and looked like it would land in the ocean not too far from Stone’s current location. Stone swiftly grabbed the controls and maneuvered the Crab Mech closer to the projected impact cute. A moment later, something plunged into the water in front of Stone and the lights of the Crab Mech caught something red and black. With a start, Stone realized what it was that had just fell from space. Or rather who it was. It was Shadow, the hedgehog that had teamed up with the doctor's grandfather and whom he had briefly babysat just a few days ago. Stone was shocked to see him intact and from what the sensors were now picking up, alive.
Stone moved the Crab Mech’s claw to pick Shadow up and bring him inside. Once Shadow was safely aboard, Stone drove the Crab Mech away from the area at full speed. No doubt if his sensors had picked up Shadow’s fall, then other sensors had as well. Which meant that GUN would be fast to arrive at the scene.
Stone didn’t know everything that had happened to Shadow while he was with Gun, but he knew enough. No kid should have to go through that. He would not allow Shadow to fall into GUN’s hands once again.
As soon as they were a safe distance away and securely nestled in an underwater sea cave, Stone left the cockpit of the Crab Mech and opened the hatch to the airlock. Shadow was lying on the ground, soaking wet. Clutched tightly in his hands were the two rings that he had worn on his wrists. Stone approached the unconscious Shadow cautiously. Although still a child, Stone saw first hand just how formidable a fighter he was. When nothing happened after Stone nudged Shadow slightly, Stone lifted Shadow into his arms and carried him to the small infirmary. He gently laid Shadow down on the cot and checked him over for any injuries or broken bones. He was surprisingly intact, with only a few burns on his arms and legs. Stone fetched a towel from the laundry room, drying him off. He gently pried the golden rings from his grip and left them on the table by the cot. Then he got some burn ointment and spread them on the burns and then bandaged them. After he was done taking care of Shadow, Stone leaned back and thought about what he was going to do. He had gotten Shadow away from GUN for now, but what would happen when Shadow woke up. Would he want to stick around? Or would he immediately leave as soon as he was able? Was he still after revenge? The reality of his situation started to sink in once Stone had a moment to think. After being left all alone, when Shadow woke up… would Stone once again be left by himself? Stone found that he didn’t want that.