Sonic's Ego Journey: The Neglected Subplot Of Sonic Unleashed

Sonic's Ego Journey: The Neglected Subplot of Sonic Unleashed

Ego (noun): a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance.

This game—this story—is so fucking important.

This is the game where Sonic learns that he’s the hero and not his abilities. This is the game where Sonic learns that Amy loves him for him and not for his status, heroism, or skills. This is the game where Sonic learns that his heart, dedication, optimism, selflessness, and humanity make him a much better hero than his speed ever could.

Let me tell you why.

Cold Open

In classic in medias res fashion, Sonic lands on Eggman’s space fleet and rips things to shreds the only way he knows how: quickly and with style. Eggman intervenes in his latest battle mech equipped with a minigun, missiles, and giant extendable arms that catch Sonic off-guard enough to capture him. In Eggman’s crushing grip, Sonic flashes a smile and uses his other name-brand skill, Chaos Energy, to transform into Super Sonic and escape, destroying most of Eggman’s space fleet along the way.

Eggman evades Sonic long enough to lead him back to his main base, where Eggman abuses Sonic’s good heart and pleads for his life, claiming to be a changed man. Even though Sonic doesn’t believe him, Eggman’s appeals to Sonic’s cockiness enough to trigger his master plan. With the trapping and forced removal of the Chaos Emeralds from Sonic, Eggman uses both Sonic’s and the emeralds’ power to fire his laser into the planet, breaking it open and awaking Dark Gaia.

But, you knew all this, though, right? Why go over it again?

I want Sonic’s key characteristics—his speed, flair, and confidence—to be fresh in mind, because this moment is when they’re ripped away from him. However, as the laser canon backfires and transforms Sonic into the werehog, Sonic loses another key characteristic that quickly adds to his discomfort: his approachability.

Establishment of the Ego

After Sonic faceplants in Apotos and meets Chip, he faces the first hurdle that this new form brings him. Chip runs away, scared to be eaten, and when Sonic asks him if he’s alright, we get the famous “Thanks for asking, Mr. Monster Guy!” line that throws Sonic for such a loop.

English: “Looks like things have gotten pretty ugly.”

Japanese: “Man… Looks like I’ve gotten in a real rut.”

Chip notices his amnesia, and Sonic offers to help him out of the goodness of his heart (and because he’s worried he caused the amnesia with his fall). Later in the day, with a plan established, Sonic fixates on his werehog appearance, and here, we learn just how much he cares about how he looks (in a vain/cheeky sort of way, surely—not to be taken seriously—but as we begin to talk with townspeople after dark, we see just how afraid/freaked out people are by Sonic as the werehog).

Embarrassment and Discomfort

Upon his first proper night-time transformation, Sonic solidifies that he’s clearly not a fan of the circumstances.

English:

Sonic: “So when the sun goes down… I turn into… this?”

Chip: “Are you okay, Sonic?”

Sonic: “I’m fine. I just need to be careful who sees me like this.”

Japanese:

Sonic: “Ohh… I get it. So when it turns to night… I become this form?”

Chip: “Are you okay, Sonic?”

Sonic: “Yeah. But I might stand out a little in the town…”

In both versions, Sonic’s tone is incredulous and frustrated as he recovers from the physical pain he endured during the transformation. What’s more, while Sonic, known to bush things off, spoke in a joking manner about his appearance before he knew what was happening to him, he’s a lot more worried now that he’s learned the truth.

We’ve established that Sonic finds himself physically attractive and that a lot of his confidence comes from that belief. However, there’s a part of him feels that it’s his body (both his overall physicality and his skills like speed, agility, combat, hyper-perception, et cetera) that makes him a hero—or rather, perhaps, is what enables him to be a hero—and without it, he’s lost a big part of his identity.

Despite all of this, Sonic leans right into the practicality of his new form once he discovers that his arms stretch and pack a punch, showcasing his ability to adapt, prioritize, and focus on the task at hand. He practices his new move set as he runs through Apotos, mutilates Dark Gaia’s monsters and Eggman’s robots, and rescues Tails. However, as Sonic fills Tails in on current events, he expresses anger at and regret of the situation.

English: “I need to find Eggman and make him fix this… and FAST.”

Japanese: “Well, sooner or later I’m gonna put the screws on that Dr. Eggman somehow.”

Something important to note is that, whether it’s out of a raw, comfortable bond or out of practical need, Sonic doesn’t seem to have any issues revealing himself to Tails. Despite his concerns about standing out or being seen, he doesn’t let his deeper insecurity show in front of Tails. Evidently, Tails isn’t someone Sonic needs to be careful about seeing, unlike…

Amy Rose

Unleashed presents Amy as the person, if not a metaphor for the public, that Sonic doesn’t want to see him as the werehog.

Amy is Sonic’s other best friend, right next to Tails, but in an entirely different way. By design, Sonic and Amy’s relationship is fundamentally different than Sonic and Tails’ relationship, a series-long fact spanning all continuities which I’ve touched upon in the past, but to summarize, Tails is the little brother whom Sonic wants to protect, while Amy is an equal whom Sonic trusts to handle herself and even him, when he needs. Not to say that Sonic looks down on Tails, but rather, he’s more comfortable putting up a front with him while he consistently finds himself at a loss with Amy.

Amy’s introduction to the game is actually important in establishing where Sonic tries to draw the line to save face. Entering from screen left (a classic gag of the time), Amy hugs Sonic, much to his shock. The camera deliberately focuses on Chip’s awe and amusement at the sight, important for the audience to see as this interaction shows Chip the nature of Sonic and Amy’s relationship—notice and remember that Chip made this connection right away, because it’ll come back later.

Soon, Amy “realizes” that she’s “not hugging Sonic,” and pushes him away.

English:

Amy: “W-Who are you?”

Sonic: “Uh…?”

Amy: “Oh my gosh, I am SO sorry!”

Japanese:

Amy: “Who are you?”

Sonic: “Huh?”

Amy: “Oh Man, I’m so sorry!”

As Amy talks to herself, in a detail I’ve only just noticed, Chip (via hand gestures) tries to question Sonic about who Amy is and prompts him to correct her, but Sonic’s entirely at a loss for words. As Amy offers a final apology and bids Sonic and Chip farewell, a stunned Sonic can only reach out to her retreating frame, wanting to say something, but at war with himself.

Sonic had multiple chances to correct Amy but seems to stop himself every time. His shrug to Chip and his reaction after Amy runs away shows that Sonic’s torn between telling his friend the truth and preserving her image/perception of him—his reputation, his finesse, his brand. Sonic knows how much Amy loves him, and if nothing else (even though I very clearly believe that there’s something else lol), he genuinely values her love, trust, devotion, and friendship.

This take isn’t all that original, but this is the first time in-canon that Sonic faces a possible road-block or “deal-breaker” for Amy’s feelings—well, in his mind, anyway. Sonic believes that Amy loves him because of his brand, and his ego wants to impress the person he knows to hold him so dear. However, without that brand, he’s in new territory.

Sonic’s fears are “confirmed” when Amy jumps back and doesn’t recognize him, mortified by her actions with this “stranger.” As she runs off and Chip reminds him of the claws and fangs and all that fear factor, Sonic realizes that he is no longer what Amy loves about him, and that hits him

h a r d.

Sonic draws a conclusion about not only his relationship with Amy but his relationship with the world: they like Sonic for his appearance; his skill; his power—not him. Without his brand, which he now believes is the driving force of his popularity and success, he’s lost the ability to gain the people’s trust.

So, when Chip says:

English: “You only look really scary, Sonic! Inside, you’re the same as ever! I guarantee it. Okay?”

Japanese: “Sonic, you look really scary on the outside, but I know you’re the same as ever on the inside! Right!?”

It doesn’t matter. Not Anymore.

Not long after this, Amy gets swept up in Dark Gaia’s dance party and Sonic comes to her rescue, which clues Amy in to the fact that Sonic is Sonic because, really, who the fuck else would get remotely close that that shitshow? Lmao.

Sonic wants to be her hero, but grimaces at the thought of scaring her; being seen; confronting her as he is because he’s not ready to reveal himself as someone other than, well, Sonic™️. He looks away from her and hesitates, ashamed before he runs off in a nervous panic—not a new response to how he copes with his feelings.

Chip, feeling that it’s not his place to say anything to Amy and in an understanding of Sonic and Amy’s relationship, deliberately doesn’t say his name when calling for him to “wait up!”

However, as we know, Professor Pickle updates Amy with the story, and before long, Sonic and Amy have yet another fated encounter. In a moment that I really, really wish was a cutscene to 1) incentivise the optional Amy subplot, and 2) prevent the never-ending incessant question of “Why is AMY here?????” by people who never speak to her in-game, Amy gives Sonic the key to the gate of endless possibilities:

He still a hero, he’s still her hero, and he’s still hers.

Sonamy pic creds to @latin-dr-robotnik, as always :)

Gaining New Confidence

A fun metaphor plays out between the increasingly complex level design and Sonic’s growing confidence in his new abilities and circumstances. He swings and tackles like the nighttime breeze, and he boosts the fuck around that clocktower.

Also, minor in the grand scheme of the story but b i g for their relationship, Sonic and Amy grow more comfortable with and fond of each other, showcasing the impact of Amy’s positive encouragement and flirting. Sonic formally warms up to her for the first time and learns to manage his nerves, and a foundation for what their relationship will be going forward (with a Pontacc and Graff ✨snafus✨ here and there) is born. However…

Feigned Acceptance

Sonic’s growing confidence comes as a result of Feigned Acceptance, or a surface-level, somewhat fragile belief and presentation of confidence. He’s pushing himself through the fear and insecurity for the cause, but it all comes to a head in No Reason.

(Besides the fact that I have this cutscene memorized and can recite the dialogue to musical cues, I knew that this scene would be important.)

As Chip tells the story of Light and Dark Gaia, forever fated to destroy and complete each other, Sonic listens intently, reeling from the information.

A side-note to the people who don’t believe that Sonic has a temper—just the mention of Eggman completely changes Sonic’s demeanour. It’s instant and ephemeral.

Also, go watch this scene twice. Focus on a different character each time. When I say that this is my favourite game of all time and the best in the series, this level of detail in every single facet of the game is why.

Sonic no longer winces when he transforms, which shows coping, adjustment, and a form of acceptance on his part. However, right before he transforms, a look of realization—of disappointment, even—settles on Sonic’s face, because…

English: “I’ll bet it’s thanks to you. […] Even at night, when I’m like this. I’m still myself, not like all the other people we’ve seen. You must have been protecting me this whole time.”

Japanese: “It must have been thanks to you, Chip. […] Even when it turns night and I become this form, my mind doesn’t change like the others. Is that because you were protecting me?”

While having been reassured by Amy and the general public, Sonic still questions why he’s been fine under the influence of Dark Gaia while others haven’t. He still doesn’t see himself as he used to; he still has this new darkness inside of him that he’s inherently uncomfortable with, and to an extent, he doesn’t trust himself. He never trusted himself like this, not really. His transformation every night reminds him of what’s inside, and this “realization” is the final emotional, ego setback that Sonic faces.

Chip, however, is completely shocked by this admission, because the true reason for Sonic’s resilience, to him and to everyone, is obvious.

English: “I haven’t done anything, Sonic. You’re the reason you haven’t changed at all. You’re too strong to lose yourself! […] You never doubt yourself, no matter what. You never give into the night, or the darkness inside your heart.”

Japanese: “Nope. I didn’t do anything. You don’t change thanks to the strength of your own heart, Sonic! […] No matter what happens, you never waver. Your heart doesn’t give into the night or the darkness’ temptations.”

True Acceptance

After Chip reassures him again, Sonic has reborn confidence in his new self and feels truly ready to accept this new life, no matter what happens. With rejuvenation, he dives head-first into the finale.

Here, we witness Sonic’s pure mastery and True Acceptance of his circumstances as, at this point, he doesn’t know if they’re reversible. Eggmanland represents the powerful reconciliation of Sonic’s new dichotomy; quick-paced flair, style, and speed marry intricate platforming and problem-solving in a mix of running, sliding, grinding, jumping, and swinging—a mix of day and night, unified and magical.

And then, as we face the Egg Dragoon, Sonic shines. This fight and the cutscene leading up to it are the climax of Sonic’s emotional journey as we finally witness Sonic’s reconciliation with the night and his conquering of the darkness. This moment is the first and only time where Sonic fights Eggman as the werehog, and he conquers this challenge with the level of grace and power we’ve always known him to have. Normally, as the werehog, it’s with organic Dark Gaia beings, beat-‘em-up style. With Eggman, however, we’re back to timing, agility, and strategic strength—nature versus technology, once more.

Eggman starts the adventure by mocking Sonic’s new “festive” look. Now, he cowers in fear at the “beast” he created… And it’s beautiful.

It’s beautiful, because now—truly—Eggman is the only one who sees a beast in those emerald eyes.

Why All This Matters

I heard someone recently say that Sonic Unleashed’s story was just “Sonic Adventure: Reskinned.” Do I see the comparison? Sure.

But while the story of Sonic Adventure revolves around Chaos and how he was wronged, abused, and healed, Dark Gaia is just a plot device. The story isn’t about him at all. What matters here is not only the special bond that forms between Sonic and Chip, but the emotional growth that Sonic experiences in the face of this new kind of adversity.

Sonic’s ego journey is a level of character development we hadn’t seen for Sonic in a long time, and it is so evident how much Sonic Team wanted to do better by him. And they did. Immensely.

This game is beautiful. This story is beautiful. This character is beautiful, and I love it all so fucking much.

your 12th emoji is how you'll die

☕️

Show's Over (AO3)

Fandom: Cookie Run

Relationship: Black Sapphire/Silverbell

Sent by Shadow Milk to plant a lie, Black Sapphire sneaks into the Faerie Kingdom, disguised as one of their own. He meets a certain silver knight, and in a moment of emotional weakness, diverts from the carefully constructed script he'd spent a considerable amount of time crafting for his lord to be allowed to go on this mission. Silverbell was not on the script. And Black Sapphire is tired of lying to him. (At the same time, he doesn't want to let him go.)

WC: 2,742 | M/M | Identity Reveal, Ambiguous/Open Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Mid-Canon, Not a Bad Ending, Pre-Canon

"Tell me it isn't true."

Silver moonlight beamed in scattered rays through the trees above. It fell over the two winged figures, both of them standing on a mossy silver bridge that overlooked a giant, silver tree. One was turned away from the other, posed by the edge with one hand on the railing. It was the perfect spotlight to deliver a well crafted speech, to perform, to entertain. The stage was set, the lighting perfect, the actors in place, the tension built, the drama just waiting, begging, to unfold.

He tightened his grip on the silver rail.

For once, Black Sapphire didn't feel like performing.

He turned his head away from the view of the Silver Tree. Silverbell stepped closer, silver lilyvine wings fluttering against his back, gentle chiming bells ringing softly through the air. Tremulous words fell from trembling lips.

"Please tell me it's not true," the faerie pleaded again. "Grapevine Faerie, please."

"And just what is it you're asking about?" Black Sapphire asked, flat and bored. It was a far cry from his usual showmanship. It made Silverbell balk, hesitate, something fragile in his eyes slowly unraveling.

"I heard," Silverbell started, "that you…"

The faerie trailed off, choked up, unable to get the words out.

Black Sapphire sighed. Maybe it was too cruel to make the other say it. He knew very well what Silverbell was talking about.

He'd spread the rumor himself.

"That I am a spy?" Black Sapphire said, the ugly truth hovering in the air between them. Silverbell flinched, and then, with the most imperceptible of movements, gave a tiny nod.

Black Sapphire turned away again, facing the Silver Tree that had once held his master captive. This was why he hated the truth. There was no meaningful flair, no dazzling pizzazz, no way to dress it up and make it sound sweet.

So he didn't.

"It's true," he stated. "I was sent here on behalf of my lord, Shadow Milk Cookie."

"But-" Silverbell made a low noise, pained and dismayed. "But you can't be- What about-? Why?"

The faerie took a step back, stricken with panic. Black Sapphire couldn't bring himself to look. The other had always looked close to tears, but he'd never actually seen the faerie cry, and he wasn't sure he ever wanted to.

"For my lord," he muttered, the words bittersweet on his tongue.

Again, the truth stained the air, stinking and foul. It was true. He'd only come to the faerie kingdom on orders to do so by Shadow Milk himself.

Falling in love with Silverbell had not been on the script.

"How could you-?" Silverbell stifled a sob, choked and strained. The faerie sniffled, and there was a soft rustle of fabric, before the other spoke again, his low, trembling, angry tone sending a chill through the night. "Was any of it real? Did I mean anything to you?"

Black Sapphire's faerie disguise melted away, slow and deliberate. This wasn't on the script either, an uncomfortable twitch rolling through his now exposed leather wings of black and purple. Soft nature, leaves and fruit were replaced by glittering gemstones and sleek black fabric. He turned his true face towards the other.

"You did," he said, the truth, once again, leaving his mouth. "You do. It was real."

Silverbell stared at him, the pale, silvery blue of his eyes darting across his form. Anger tightened the faerie's glare, bold and harsh, but it was fragile, shimmering in his eyes like thin glass.

"How do I know you're not lying about this too?" Silverbell accused, those delicate silver lilyvine wings twitching upward with the soft shimmer of bells. "Just to hurt me more?"

Black Sapphire stayed silent, still for a beat far too much longer than he meant to be.

If he told Silverbell the truth, it would only complicate things, as the truth was wont to do. It was better to lie, to insist that this love had only ever been a trick. The truth would hurt Silverbell more in the long run, knowing it had been real and that Black Sapphire had decided to betray him anyways. If the faerie believed he'd been played for a fool, perhaps he would fare better after Black Sapphire was gone from this place.

So, Black Sapphire lied.

"Congratulations!" he announced, pulling on his show host persona as quickly as he could. His voice, devastatingly, cracked. He cleared his throat, twirling his microphone staff and speaking into it. "You're right! It was a trick, all of it. We have a winner, folks!"

Silverbell flinched back, and the dam broke.

"Please, hold your applause now," he continued, trying to sweep himself away into the familiarity of showmanship, if only to avoid the consequences. "The show's not over yet-"

The tip of a silver arrow was shoved in his face, and he fell abruptly silent. Silverbell's face was streaked with glimmering tears, startlingly beautiful in the light of the moon.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn you in," the faerie snapped, the string of his bow drawn back and held by his cheek. Black Sapphire had forgotten, for a moment, that the other was a knight. "One good reason why I shouldn't… why I shouldn't…"

"You wouldn't want to ruin my big moment, would you?" Black Sapphire whispered, afraid that if he spoke any louder, his voice would crack open his chest and spill his heart out into some bloody mess on the mossy silver bridge. Carefully, he pushed the arrow away from his face, stepping aside. Silverbell let him go.

"That's not good enough," the faerie muttered, but let the arrow disappear in a soft chime of magic, the bowstring gently lowered to rest. "Grapevine Faerie… should I even call you that anymore? I feel like such a fool."

Silverbell's wings lowered in defeat. Black Sapphire leaned back against the silver rail of the bridge, watching emotions flit across the other's face.

"Why did you come here?" the silver knight asked, his delicate voice now demanding, but still soft with resignation.

Black Sapphire hesitated. "To cause chaos and sow confusion in the name of my master, of course," he finally settled on, sharp teeth bared in a grin.

"But why me?" Silverbell pressed, the distress in his pale moonlit eyes growing brighter by the second. "If- if that was really your goal this whole time, then why would you-… with me…?"

Black Sapphire stayed silent. Unbidden came memories of the knight's presence by his side, of a warm hand in his, of gentle chiming bells and the shyly stolen touch of soft lips lingering against his. He wanted to linger. He wanted so badly.

"For the drama, of course!" he all but purred instead. He pulled his sharp smile tight, bowing with a grand flourish. "The audience loves some good drama. Who doesn't? Ah, what a show!"

"But- but-" Silverbell stammered. Black Sapphire shook his head, tsking to himself and sighing.

"Show's over, Silverbell," he said, softer and fainter than he meant to say it, turning away from the faerie. "Go home."

He stepped away, bowing his head as he began to walk across the bridge. What a fool he'd been, what a joke. And now, he'd have to return to the spire a failure. If he'd just stuck to the script-

"No," Silverbell burst out. "No, this can't be right- I don't believe you!"

Hands landed on his shoulders. He stiffened up, yelping in an undignified manner when he was spun around and wrapped up close in the embrace of the faerie. Silverbell hugged him, close and firm, his delicate silver lilyvine wings fluttering up the way Black Sapphire knew they did when he was particularly determined about something.

"I don't believe you," Silverbell whispered, almost desperately. "You weren't faking it. You couldn't have been."

"Get off me," Black Sapphire almost growled, pushing half heartedly at Silverbell's chest. "Didn't you hear me? I said, show's over!"

"And I think you're not as good an actor as you think you are," Silverbell argued back. The words were like hot iron through the chest, but despite the hurt they caused, he knew their intentions weren't malicious. "You're lying to me, right now, which means-"

Black Sapphire's face twisted up. "I serve the master of deceit!" he cried, interrupting the faerie before the truth could be spoken. "You're a fool! Why would anything I do ever-?"

His throat closed up, suddenly tight with emotion. Silverbell said nothing, waiting quietly as he choked over intentions that had always been easy to get out.

"Why would anything I do ever be real?" Black Sapphire whispered, still tense and pushing weakly at the faerie. But Silverbell had him in his hold, and he finally slumped in the faerie's embrace, raising his arms to hug the other in return.

Silverbell pulled him closer, gentle and undemanding. The night breeze overhead disturbed the silver-bathed leaves above, the soft whirl and rustle the only sounds in this part of the Faerie Kingdom.

Black Sapphire pushed himself away, and Silverbell let him go. He straightened up, brushing out the wrinkles of his suit coat and adjusting the gem that pinned his cravat in place, all to give himself something to do while the possibilities of things he could say whirled through his mind.

He wiped discreetly at his eyes, sighing, composing himself.

"I suggest forgetting I ever existed," he muttered, unable to look at the face of the faerie. "It will be easier for us both."

"It… It may be easier," Silverbell agreed, before shaking his head. "But I… I don't think I can forget you."

"Silverbell-" Black Sapphire started to say, only to be cut off.

"I can't forget, but I can act like this never happened. I won't turn you in. I-I won't tell anybody you were here."

He looked up. Silverbell's soft face, carved out by moonlight and framed with gentle pale white hair, was hard with determination.

"And why wouldn't you do that?" Black Sapphire asked, baffled. "I- I handed you the perfect opportunity to-"

"Because I love you," Silverbell said, his cheeks darkening under the moonlight from the declaration. He twisted his hands together, averting his gaze. "And… I want to believe that you love me, too."

"I think your naivety is showing," Black Sapphire muttered, but didn't refute it. He wiped at his face again, hoping he at least didn't look like the mess he sounded like. "If you knew what was good for you, you'd turn me in. But hey! I'm not here to tell you what to do!"

"You wouldn't…" Silverbell hesitated. "If you didn't really love me, you wouldn't have told me who you really are. You wouldn't have tried to push me away like that. But you… did. And… maybe some of what was between us wasn't all real, but most of it was. I still… see you."

Black Sapphire's expression twisted up, his wings tense, fingers curling tightly around the staff of his microphone, recoiling from that surprisingly piercing gaze.

"I'll let you go, and I won't tell a soul," Silverbell offered, "if you promise to come back on your own terms someday."

Black Sapphire's wings fell slack with shock.

"That's it?" he asked, incredulous. The faerie nodded.

"That's it." Silverbell stayed standing there, eyes glimmering with hope. Another night breeze passed by, ruffling his pale hair and white knight clothes. The gentle chiming of soft silver bells rang through the air. "Because I want you to choose this time."

"That is a terrible idea," Black Sapphire protested, feeling almost lightheaded. "This is a terrible idea! You would really, truly, throw away the security of the kingdom you serve just to see me again? I am your enemy! I hate this place! I was sent here to tear it down!"

But Silverbell only shook his head.

"Do it or don't," the faerie said, turning away. The lilyvine silver wings on his back fluttered, flicking, nervous but set. "But you wouldn't be trying so hard to push me away for no reason. So… Goodbye, Grapevine Faerie. I… hope we get to see each other again."

"Black Sapphire."

His own name was hissed, spat between gritted teeth. Fury and grief welled up in him, contradicting each other and tearing him apart.

Silverbell glanced over his shoulder, before nodded in acknowledgement.

"Black Sapphire," Silverbell murmured, turning and beginning to walk away. "It suits you."

"Oooh, Black Sapphiiiire~!"

Hands landed on his shoulders, and the click of his heels on white, pale blue tile ceased.

"Greetings, my lord," the cookie said, careful to keep his voice steady and even. Shadow Milk peered over his shoulder with mismatched eyes and a sharp grin on his face.

"Did you do it?" the Beast almost purred. Were Black Sapphire not so focused on keeping himself so composed, he might have noticed or even become unnerved by his master's overly gleeful behavior. He'd never known the Beast to be the giddy type.

Black Sapphire shook his head. "There was… an unexpected complication in my mission," he reported, forcing himself not to tense when the Beast's claws dug into his shoulders. "But worry not my lord. Candy Apple is doing now what I was unable to. We should see results in a day or two."

"Ugh, finally!" Shadow Milk groaned, removing his hands from Black Sapphire's shoulders. The cookie had to force himself not to wilt in relief, the Beast successfully pacified for now. "I was wondering what was taking you so long! You were in the faerie kingdom for forever!"

"As I mentioned, my lord, it was an unexpected complication," Black Sapphire assured the Beast. "It won't happen again."

Shadow Milk hovered around to face him, a contemplative look on his face. He almost looked as though he wanted to crack something open, some kind of primal hunger in his eyes that always settled a deep pit of fear in Black Sapphire's chest whenever he saw it.

"You're omitting a crucial detail or two, Black Sapphire Cookie," Shadow Milk said bluntly, amusement flickering across his face. "Deceiving deceit?"

Cold dread pooled in Black Sapphire's stomach. "My lord," he tried, only barely managing to keep his voice composed before the Beast laughed in genuine glee. It made Black Sapphire stop, staring.

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around!" Shadow Milk giggled to himself, before reaching out and patting Black Sapphire's head like one would pet a dog. "Good boy!"

"Thank- thank you, my lord…?" Baffled by the praise, but not one to turn away from it, Black Sapphire enjoyed the touch, brief as it was.

The Beast's expression sharpened.

"You'd better hope Candy Apple's results are pleasing to me," Shadow Milk stated, all of the glee gone from his face.

Recognizing the threat for what it was, Black Sapphire bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."

"Because if they aren't, it won't be her fault. It'll be yours."

"Yes, my lord." Tentatively, he took a risk, opening his mouth to speak more, his faith in the Beast unwavering. "I have full faith in Candy Apple to plant the misinformation we need straight into that cookie's hands. It will be done."

Shadow Milk gave him a long look, one that narrowed into slits, sharp pupils raking over him and prying every last secret from the stitches of his dough. Then, the Beast smiled.

"Good!" he nearly sang, twirling around in midair with a whirl of flowing fabric. "Wouldn't want me to make a personal visit to the faerie kingdom to go see just what prevented you from doing what I asked you to, now would we?"

The dread rose, but Black Sapphire ignored it, bowing his head so that perhaps the Beast wouldn't see the incriminating expression on his face. "Whatever my lord desires."

"Ha!" Shadow Milk laughed, pretending to wipe a tear from his cyan eye. "Ahaha! You're funny. Let's hope it goes your way, mhm? I'm curious to see how exactly this'll play out."

Without giving Black Sapphire a chance to respond, the Beast melted into shadow, zipping away down the hall. Black Sapphire sighed, raising a hand to clutch at his heart.

Shadow Milk knew. Of course he knew. His master knew all, twisting everything into lies and deceit. He had been expecting to receive some kind of punishment upon his return to the spire, but this?

This was as good a blessing as any.

170 notes View Post