Mobian Victini - Origins p26

Shadow had left Victini for a simple reason – he knew where she was coming from. All she wanted was some time to herself, to train and think about things away from the overbearing watch of Sonic and Sally. He had experienced these feelings himself, although far more concentrated. He felt no inclination to tell Sally of Victini's whereabouts – it was clear that she didn't want to be found, and she would return to Knothole eventually. After all, she had nowhere else to go.

As soon as he reentered the main clearing, Shadow saw Sally and Sonic talking, looking very concerned. The blue hedgehog's green eyes shot up to meet the approach of his darker comrade, and Sonic immediately zipped over to stand in front of Shadow. Shadow took a step back in distaste for the hedgehog's annoyingly close proximity.

"Shads! Sal told me you went to look for 'Tini. Any luck?"

"No."

Sonic snapped his finger. "Dangit. Where could she have gone?"

"Somewhere she doesn't want you to follow."

Sonic froze. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Explain that, please."

"I couldn't find her, and neither could you, even though you had pursued her as soon as she left the hut. It seems to me that she does not want to be found."

Sonic clenched his fists.

Sally sighed. "This is bad. I hope she hasn't deserted us."

Shadow turned to Sally, arms folded and pointedly ignoring the bristling Sonic. "I wouldn't concern myself with such a possibility. Where would she go? She hates Robotnik, and knows nothing of the world outside this village. A little street smarts of the forest isn't going to help her much beyond the borders of Knothole. Mark my words, she will come back."

Sonic threw his hands up in the air and stalked off.

Sally frowned. "…All right, if you're sure, Shadow. I just don't want her to get captured. I hate to think what danger she would be in if Robotnik managed to trap her again."

"Trust me – I don't think even Robotnik would dare tangle with her right now."

Sally looked at him, confused. She glanced in the direction where Sonic had run off, then back at Shadow. He could see the cogs turning in her head, trying to piece together his puzzling statements.

Shadow left before she could figure out that he had lied to Sonic about not knowing anything.