...where our story is set, two five-year-old anthropomorphic animals are living together in an orphanage, causing trouble. One is a hedgehog named Shadow, with his friend Sticks, a badger. They've been friends since they were two years old and have been inseparable since. An hour passes and Shadow spots someone at the front desk, in front of the receptionist. The individual in question is a human-hedgehog hybrid named Sapphire, looking to adopt.
"Hello there, I'm looking to adopt a child or two." Sapphire greets
"Hello, miss Hawthorne, are you looking to adopt alone or with a partner?" The receptionist asks
"I'm looking to adopt alone; I'm not dating anyone, and I don't plan to."
"That's fine with us, follow me and have a look at who we have."
Sapphire follows the receptionist and looks around, to spot Shadow and Sticks.
"Who are these two?" Sapphire asks
"They're Shadow the Hedgehog and Sticks the Badger. For some reason, they never seem to get chosen." The receptionist answers
Shadow soon gently tugs Sapphire's trouser leg, with Sticks resting on his quills. The receptionist leaves and a child minder takes their place.
"Hi, who are you?" Shadow asks, curiously
Sapphire soon goes down to the children's level.
"Hey there, I'm Sapphire. Who are you two?" Sapphire responds, asking
"I'm Shadow the Hedgehog."
"I'm Sticks, Sticks the Badger. What are you; an alien?" Sticks responds, asking
Sapphire lets out a soft chuckle.
"No, but I am part Mobian."
Sticks soon gets off Shadow's quills, goes behind Sapphire and jumps on her quills, looking into her eyes upside down. After some observation, Sticks approves.
"I like you, Shadow's a bit emo-edgy though." Sticks says
"Hey!" Shadow shouts back
Knowing where this is headed, Sticks gets down and Shadow starts chasing her around the room. Shadow soon catches Sticks and starts tickling her.
"Hey, stop it!" Sticks shouts back, laughing
"You asked for it, sis." Shadow responds
Sapphire notices them getting on, smiling.
"Why don't they get chosen?" Sapphire asks
"Because of their bond and they're different species." The child minder answers, lowering their ears
Sapphire looks at them, saddened by the racism that they're both enduring and soon decides.
"I think I've found who I want to take with me."
"Who do you have in mind?"
"I'd love to take Shadow and Sticks home; I can't think of them being separated, not for a second."
"Alright, miss Hawthorne, if you come back through, I'll sort out your paperwork and you'll have Shadow and Sticks in your care."
Sapphire follows the child minder as Shadow and Sticks continue playing together. Sticks notices Sapphire absent.
"Hey, where's she gone?" Sticks asks
"I don't know, I hope we get picked." Shadow answers
"Me too, brother."
"Brother?"
"Yep, that'll never change."
Sticks hugs Shadow, for him to freeze; eventually returning the gesture. The child minder comes back in, for an announcement.
"Hello, Shadow and Sticks. Follow me, you're going to your new home." The child minder announces
Shadow and Sticks look at each other and start racing to the reception, to see Sapphire waiting for them.
"Shadow and Sticks meet your new mother. Sapphire, here they are."
Sapphire looks up, sees the two children running towards her and opens her arms, for them to jump and climb up. Shadow on Sapphire's quills and Sticks on Sapphire's shoulder. Sapphire giggles, proud of her achievement.
"Sapphire, just so you know, Shadow has Chaos powers and is good at using them." The receptionist informs
"Thanks for telling me and I think Shadow will be just fine, along with Sticks." Sapphire responds
Now with their new mother, Shadow and Sticks are ready to start their new lives.