Sonic scratched under his chin. He couldn't begin to ponder the possibilities for this, so he could only offer one thing:

"Maybe it'll just go away. Like a cold!"

At least he had his optimism intact.

Either way, he could feel his needles bristling and the night winds readying for his hedgehog self's departure. He picked Shadow up as gently and quickly as he put him back down, standing up and taking a few steps back.