Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The incessant lizard began its daily bout of whining. Little Shadow this, Little Shadow that. He would’ve killed the damn thing if it wasn’t so pitiful. Still, it tended to grate on his nerves.

Hungry, bored, play, when will Father return, hungry-

All were common phrases that the creature would repeat.

The Biolizard couldn’t speak, not in a traditional way. It was still just a dumb lizard. However, it was somewhat sentient. Somewhat. To communicate, it could create a link with a fellow user of chaos energy and from there it would be able to share its extremely simplistic thoughts and feelings.

Shadow was the only one around it could share its thoughts with. So it did.

Little Shadow- that's what the creature had named him. The hybrid wasn’t sure the reason behind it, whether it be his size compared to the lizard or whether it saw him as something of a younger sibling. 

As if on cue, he felt a faint pressure against his thoughts, a gentle nudge like a hand tapping his shoulder. It was the lizard preparing to convey its thoughts to him. Again.

“Little Shadow.” 

Speak of the devil.

The sapient’s eyes drifted towards the lizard. “What do you want?”

The larger creature in the room shifted slightly, its dull orange scales scraping against the metal of the floor as it placed its front talons out of the pool it resided in, dragging its massive body forward. Little Shadow is mad, but Little Shadow could never possibly be mad at Liza. Liza needs to know.

“Why is Little Shadow so angry?”  

It moved its head closer, blowing a puff of hot lizardy-breath into the hedgehog’s annoyed face.

He suppressed a gag at the smell, leaning back and tilting his nose away. Disgusting creature.

"You are... sad?"

The ebony hedgehog subconsciously curled his lips back, his face forming into a strange snarl. He doesn't get sad. He's the Ultimate Lifeform! (Weren't they both, at some point?)

Shadow's ears perked up as he heard the reptile shift, the liquid in the pool forming miniature waves before going still once more. The pressure in his mind slightly increased momentarily as the lizard attempted to pinpoint how exactly Shadow was feeling.

"Do not feel lonely. Father will return. With treats."

The sapient felt his eye twitch at the mention of 'Father.' One, he's not lonely. Two, he's not in the mood to listen to the lizard rant about how much it believes F̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ Gerald loves it.

“I can leave, you know.”

“Go where?”

He glared up at the Biolizard, who tilted its head.

“There are… other places.” A lie.

“Liar.”

The hybrid huffed, waving a clawed hand. “This isn’t the only room in the lower dock.”

“You’re not allowed. Stay.” It slid back into the pool, a low growl remaining from its throat.

“Not allowed to leave? Or not allowed in another room?”

It seemed to consider the question before it lifted its head and snorted. “...both.”

Shadow groaned, rubbing his face. Liza was pitiful, really. Perhaps he could entertain it for a while longer.

Chapter Text

“Play.”

At that moment, Shadow immediately regretted his decision to stand. He shifted his weight uncomfortably. Play with it? He doesn’t want to- to play with the Biolizard. How would one even do that in the first place?

…It would most likely throw a tantrum if he said no.

So instead, he asked-

 “Why?”

An awkward silence filled the chamber that lasted long enough for Shadow to ponder if it would just ignore the question.

“Father doesn’t play anymore,” the Biolizard said- (thought?) with a rumbling sigh.

The realization struck Shadow immediately. Right- all the attention had gone to him after he had been created. The Biolizard had quickly become a suppressed regret, and he was held as the new pride of the Ark.

The reptile suddenly stuck its head toward Shadow with uncharacteristic speed- was it going to attack him? The hedgehog quickly struck down that thought- it wouldn’t attack him for no reason- then again, it was the Biolizard, having been sealed away due to its uncontrollable attitude, perhaps it would get rid of it’s attention competitor right then and th-

“It isn’t Little Shadow’s fault.”

The sapient blinked. Before he could fully register the fact that the lizard was attempting to comfort him in its own unique way, the words fell out of his mouth.

“Isn’t it, though?”

The Biolizard poked its head even closer. “No. It is Liza’s. Liza was bad, so Father… put Liza away.”

He blinked once more. Was it feeling guilty? Was that possible? Once again, the massive reptile did not allow him to continue his thoughts.

“So… Liza is alone. Nobody to play with.”

The hybrid opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it. What is he supposed to say? I’m sorry that you threw a tantrum and got banished to a dark and gloomy room?

The pressure in his mind increased.

“That’s not nice.”

Did it just- “Stay out of my thoughts!” Shadow hissed, quickly focusing on dragging those thoughts out of the lizard’s claws. If it had heard that , what else had it heard?

The lizard leaned back, finally moving its snout away from Shadow’s face. 

The silence came back once more.

Shadow started to rub one of the inhibitor rings on his wrist. He shouldn’t really feel bad for the Biolizard. It had brought this upon itself. Then again, so had he. Perhaps it was in their nature. At least Shadow still had a purpose.

“So… play?”

He glanced up as the lizard snapped him out of his thoughts once more.

Did he… want to? How was he supposed to? 

“I don’t…” He trailed off, looking back down at his shoes.

Liza didn’t even give him the chance to pick his response back up, leaning forward and…

Lifting him up.

With its mouth.

Panic immediately surged through Shadow’s body with the force of a freight train as he felt the reptile’s teeth slowly sink into his quills as he was lifted from the ground. His quills, not his flesh. Yet. This thing was known for its tendency to lash out. Had he angered it? The hedgehog’s heart felt as if it was hammering against his ribcage.

His mind was screaming please don’t eat me please don’t eat me please don’t eat me while he quickly started to frantically (and quite pathetically) attempt to pry his quills out of the massive creature’s jaws. He could hear the deafening roar of his blood pounding in his ears- the sapient was too panicked to even attempt to use any kind of chaos powers in this situation.

Shadow had gotten too used to being the one in control. Too used to being strong, being feared.

And now an overgrown reptile on life support was going to put him in his place and he was going to die without ever seeing Maria again-

The Biolizard loosened its grip and went still.

“Little Shadow wouldn’t taste good.”

…So it wasn’t going to eat him, then? 

The Biolizard’s measly attempt at reassurance made his heart slow ever so slightly, but he could still feel himself shaking like a weak little kitten.

“Didn’t mean to… scare.”

His panic shifted into annoyance. He wasn’t scared , this was a natural response to being lifted by a fifteen foot tall monstrosity!

Liza huffed. It was laughing at him. Little Shadow had been terrified, it could feel the way his chaos energy immediately seemed to explode in all parts of his mind the second Liza’s teeth had made contact with his quills. Silly little critter. Liza doesn’t like to eat things that hurt its mouth.

Chapter Text

Shadow felt someone grip the back of his neck. The room tilted, objects blurring at the edges of his vision, a kaleidoscope of colors and distorted shapes. A heavy fog was settled over his consciousness, amplifying his confusion. How were they scruffing him past all of the quills? Surely their hand was getting all kinds of shredded. 

A quiet yelp escaped his mouth as his feet left the ground and he was hoisted into the air.
What was happening? Had he done something wrong? Was he being punished? Why couldn’t he move?

His ears were ringing. The hybrid could vaguely make out voices, but the words were jumbled. “...disgusting.” 

“...horrific.” 

“...terrifying.” 

“...satanic.”

Were they saying those things about him? 

Why? The question hung heavy in the air, unanswered.

The hedgehog managed to twist his head just enough so that crimson eyes could glance around the room. Metal walls. People. Medical equipment. Lab coats. Things he was used to. Around five faces turned to meet his gaze immediately, confused eyes suddenly shifting to that of terror.

A click.

Everyone in the room immediately started to move toward the source of the click. Someone was… yelling..?

“Don’t shoot him-” was what stuck out to him the most. Don’t shoot who? Was there a fight? He should report that to F̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ Gerald.

The ebony hedgehog inhaled through his nose. Disinfectant. Something… metallic that he wasn’t really used to smelling at this degree.

He lifted his arms slightly. Whoever was holding him immediately dropped him and stepped back with a sharp inhale of air. 

Ouch. Why did they do that?

Shadow wasn’t sure if he’s ever felt more confused in his life. He hated it. Slowly, he blinked away the heat burning in the back of his eyes. They didn’t want him to cry, he was supposed to be strong. Maria was sad when he cried.

Maria..?

Maria.

Where’s Maria?

The hybrid pushed his arms underneath himself and sat up. Where..?

He looked around once more, before his confused eyes settled on the person standing in front of him. They looked… scared. He could not read their badge. He couldn’t remember their name either for some reason, but he saw short brown hair and hazel eyes. They looked young. Shadow’s gaze drifted down to their arm. Blood was seeping through the white fabric of their lab coat.

They were hurt? That isn’t good. Where was the Professor?

They were pointing something at him.

It took the hybrid a few seconds to register the object as a handgun. His quills bristled, and the young scientist flinched.

They were scared of him. It wasn’t new. But they were… threatening him.

Shadow pushed himself up once more and attempted to stand. He stumbled. Everyone in the room stepped back. The sapient’s wide eyes scanned the room once more. Why… were they…

“DON’T MOVE!”

His head snapped toward the young scientist. The weapon was shaking in their hands. Someone was trying to tell him to put it down, that it would agitate Shadow more.

The weapon was slightly lowered.

Shadow wasn’t… agitated. He was confused. 

The ebony hedgehog flinched as the young scientist shouldered someone away and lifted the gun once again.

He didn’t know what to do. He had obviously done something wrong, but what? Why was nobody telling him? Where was the Professor? Where was Maria?

The hedgehog took a small step forward, and the young scientist flinched.

They yelled at him again.

Why wasn’t he allowed to move? It’s not like he really could anyway! What’s going on?

He suddenly registered a weight on his back. Was something… on him? His body was going numb. 

The sapient looked into the young scientist’s hazel eyes. They were scared. Shadow was too.

Shadow wanted to ask what he did wrong.

He took another step forward.

A loud bang.

Pain.
Screams that he wasn't sure were his or the other people in the room.

He fell backwards onto something. It hurt. Everything suddenly hurt. 

Shadow did not try to fight the exhaustion as it overcame him. Instead, he welcomed it with open arms. His vision faded, and his world went black.

                                                                             ═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Someone nudged him.

The pressure in his mind felt… overwhelming, at the moment. He wanted it gone. It was giving him a headache.

The pressure formed into an unfamiliar emotion that he was sure wasn’t his own before a voice cut into his thoughts.

“Little Shadow!”

Shadow jolted upright, his quills bristling. His eyes darted toward the orange scales in front of him.

He was with the Biolizard. Yes. Biolizard. He had been put in here until he was needed again. Gerald said he would come soon.

The second the name appeared in his mind, the massive reptile visibly perked up.

“Father? ”

When was soon?

He pivoted and turned away from the lizard.

Soon? Soon as in a few days, or soon as in a really long time?

How long would he be stuck here? He wanted out. He wanted to see Maria again. He wanted her to hold him and stroke his quills and promise she would never leave him ever ag-

Something like a whine came from the Biolizard, who lifted its claws and gripped on to the edge of the walkway around the pool it sat in, dragging itself closer to Shadow.

“Sad.”

HE’S NOT… he-

Shadow almost slapped his claws over his face as he felt his eyes start to water. He is not sad. He is not lonely. He does not miss anyone. They abandoned HIM! If anything, they should be missing HIM. 

A large scaly snout nudged him closer to the walkway’s edge. Closer to the Biolizard.

It was trying to comfort him, he realized. He didn’t need comforting. He was the Ultimate Lifeform. 

It was also, in a way.  

And at the same time, neither of them were.

They were both marked as nothing more than failed experiments.

The Biolizard was simply useless. It was aggressive and could not live without being on constant life support.

Shadow was also useless. They had attempted a blood transfusion with Maria. It had failed, and she was bedridden for some time. Shadow had been absolutely devastated. Many tears were shed that week. His blood could work on rats, but not on what mattered. He would be useful as a weapon. Gerald told him that was not his purpose.

If it wasn’t his purpose, why could he use chaos energy to the extent that he did? He could conquer the world if he wanted to.

He didn’t want to.

He just wanted to cure his sister.

His ears flicked as the Biolizard suddenly drooped.

The thought repeated. His… sister.

It drooped more.

The reptile nudged him closer.

“Little Shadow.”

Shadow did not respond. Liza did not continue.

The hedgehog found himself resting his hand on the lizard’s neck. Rock-solid, as always. But smooth. Like little pebbles. At least, what he assumed little pebbles would feel like. 

They were both failures.
Neither of them could serve the purpose they were intended for.

The two found some kind of twisted comfort in the fact that they had both failed. Together.

Chapter Text

Today was going to be a spectacular day.

Nobody was going to tell her otherwise.

She was going to see Shadow, and she was going to love him and cuddle him like she used to. 

Maria didn’t care if they said he was dangerous, because she knew her Shadow and she knew he would never hurt anyone.

Maria shoved down the memory of Dr. Arthur’s bloody arm, the deep gashes visible from the torn sleeve. The way the crimson had stood out from the pristine white coat.

It was in self-defense. 

They refused to tell her what happened. So she had figured it out on her own. Sneaking into her grandfather’s office had been surprisingly easy, since he was still trying to figure out what to do with Shadow at the time. She had punched in the code, snatched the journal and hid under a desk, just in case someone happened to enter. Doubtful.

The room was dark and filled with all kinds of knick-knacks and things she could only describe as junk. Scrap metal. Papers were stacked high on a desk opposite the side of the room she was in. Her and Shadow had hidden under that desk before, giggling as they prepared to pull an elaborate prank on her grandfather.

Pushing golden hair out of her eyes, the girl opened the book and flipped to the latest entries. Grandfather wouldn’t be updating this until they let Shadow out. Which will be soon! Very soon!

Her blue eyes drifted down the page until she found a page marked with the date of November twenty-seventh.

Something happened with Shadow. During one of the tests, he just… snapped.

It was so different from her grandfather’s usual style of writing. It was usually professional and neat, but this entry was a bit of a scribble.

A crude sketch of Shadow with those… awful things on his back. It didn’t match him at all. 

Those… wings, as we can only assume, are not supposed to exist. He isn’t supposed to be able to do that. Then again, Shadow continues to surprise us with his abilities. If it wasn’t odd enough, Shadow became extremely aggressive toward any personnel in his view. Snarling and hissing like he’d gone rabid. 

Maria had to stifle down a gasp, putting a hand over her mouth as she stared at the passage. The hedgehog wasn’t ever aggressive. Moody at times, yes, but not aggressive. 

They’d just agitated him. That was all. 

It was surely just a misunderstanding, there was no need to lock him away! He was probably sad and lonely down there in the dark.

The girl crawled out from under the desk and brushed her dress off, putting the journal right back where she’d found it.

She was going to see Shadow today. She was going to.

Chapter Text

The large scaled snout poked him in the shoulder once more, rocking him sideways. It was like it didn’t understand that he didn’t want to talk, he had heard something that sounded suspiciously like footsteps! Someone might be coming!

“Little Shadow.”

Shadow’s head snapped forward, a low growl rumbling in his chest, and his teeth flashed menacingly. He was hoping to ward it off so he could just listen-

Liza snorted, lifting its head before quickly lowering it once more.

“What are we listening for?”

The hedgehog shoved the lizard’s snout away before standing up and beginning to pick the dust out of his quills. “Footsteps,” he hissed, pulling an orange scale out of his fur. Wonder how that got there.

“Really? Father is coming?”

“That is NOT what I said,” the hedgehog snapped, flicking the scale at the lizard. “I don’t know if it is footsteps, it just sounded like it.”

The Biolizard tilted its head as the flicked scale rebounded off of its neck and into the water below. 

“I don’t hear anything.”

Shadow scoffed. “You wouldn’t,” he mumbled as he sloppily ran a hand through the quills on his left side.

The reptile snorted, slowly opening its mouth and leaning toward Shadow, who quickly backed away.

“Come here. Liza is going to bite your head off so you stop being mean.”

The hybrid sputtered, raising his hands and stepping closer to the edge of the walkway. “No- there’s no need. I might die , and if not, I already smell awful enough from the last time you slobbered all over-” he cut himself off with a yelp as the orange reptile stuck its jaws towards him with a speed that belied its size.

“Come back now .”

“NO-” Shadow yelped, quickly darting around the circular path, his shoes flickering to life.

“A game?” the voice yelped into his head, sounding pitifully excited.

“Not a game! I’m trying to get away from you!” 

Liza shuffled around in the pool, keeping its head at Shadow’s level. In its own way, it could be said it was smiling at him. “Get away? Is that what we’re playing?” 

A distressed yelp echoed through the chamber as a large reptilian tail slammed down in front of the hedgehog. “LIZA-” 

The voice let out a questioning hm? As the lizard lowered its tail back into the pool, the water splashing over the edge and coating the walkway in a layer of sunset orange.

“Little Shadow has never seen the sunset,” the Biolizard hissed, lifting its head once more.

“Stay out of my head.” A sigh left Shadow’s mouth. “And thanks for the reminder.” 

The reptile nodded. 

“No- I was being sarcastic. Sarcasm. Do you know what sarcasm is?”

Shadow lifted a hand to the lizard when it attempted to respond, ears swiveling towards the sealed door.

“There it is again.”

A snout appeared in his peripheral vision, much to his annoyance. “Back up, I can’t hear over your panting.”

The Biolizard huffed, sliding back into the pool. The hybrid grimaced as he felt the liquid splash against his shoes.

The hedgehog watched it leave before glancing around. It was dark in here- his night vision was great, yes, but it was as if a fog sat over the room itself, enveloping it in a misted ink around him. Something told him it was usually brighter in here- had the lights been dimmed?

“Liza thought you were listening for something.”

Shadow whipped back around to glare at the orange reptile, who lowered itself back into the pool.

…

His ears swiveled, searching for the sound.

Nothing.

Closing his eyes, he cut off the connection with the Biolizard and concentrated.

The pool. The lizard. His breathing. Some kind of humming sound farther back behind the lizard.

A little ticking sound- past the door, coming ever closer. A familiar noise.

Heels against hard floor.

…Maria?

The lizard lifted its head out of the water suddenly, breaking Shadow’s concentration.

The pressure in his head shoved itself forward, causing the hedgehog to lift a hand to his forehead and wince in pain.

“Little human!”

A growl escaped Shadow’s throat, his body twisting to stare at the pestering failure of life.

“SHUT UP, DAMN IT!” he snapped. How could he have ever felt pity for this creature? It wouldn't leave him alone. It was disgusting and he hated it and- “JUST CLOSE YOUR DISGUSTING SNOUT FOR FIVE MINUTES, WOULD YOU?”

The Biolizard leaned back away from him, tilting its head. It stayed quiet.

The ticking noise was increasing in volume. The footsteps were slow, stopping every once in a while. She was probably avoiding the adults- all this for him? Was he even worth that?
Maria wasn’t supposed to be down here. She doesn’t know about the lizard. It wasn’t sterile and pristine here, she would get sick and Shadow wouldn’t be allowed to help her, comfort her, be there for her or hold her hand or hug her-

A pressure similar to the Biolizard’s connection shifted to his shoulder blades. Similar to the connection, yet more painful- A familiar pressure, one he had felt once before, if only for a moment. The pressure during the events that made him been marked as a threat.

“Little Shadow is upset.”

Shadow slowly lowered his hands from his quills, opening his eyes to see orange and gray scales.

“I’m sorry.”

Inhaling slowly, he nodded his head. “I apologize as well. I didn’t mean to… to lash out at you.”

Liza lowered its head to stare at him with the mockery of eyes implanted in its face.

“Little Shadow was going to… get more upset.”

The hedgehog glanced upwards before turning away.

“I don’t know why-”

The door to the room slid open, and Shadow caught a glance of blue before his mind went blank.

Chapter Text

“Little Shadow!” 

“Shadow?”

A snarl, followed by the sound of a young girl’s gasp.

Shadow lifted a clawed hand to his head, rubbing away the spots from his vision.

Odd. He had never-

“SHADOW!”

Before he could react, before he could warn her about the giant beast oozing with jealousy, Maria hugged him hard, hoisting him into the air and snuggling her cheek against his fur.
“Maria? What are you doing here? It’s dangerous,” Shadow quickly said, reluctantly pulling away from her grasp. A look of hurt made its way over her face, but it was quickly replaced by a sweet smile.
“I missed you.”

The hybrid glanced up at her before glancing into the shadows of the room. He could hear the telltale sound of scales rubbing against the walkway. Liza was upset.

“Maria-” he started, but the girl cut him off.

“They said that you hurt somebody all of a sudden but I know you would never hurt anybody without a very good reason!”

“Maria.”

“I just know that they must’ve hurt you. I’m not sure how, but they did, didn’t they?” 

“No, they didn’t. Maria.”

The Biolizard’s presence was beginning to loom over Shadow, its chaos energy signature tinged with annoyance.

Reaching forward, the hybrid grasped the blonde’s hands in his own, causing her to kneel down to his level.
“Maria. You need to leave.”

The hurt look returned, more intense this time. “But Shadow, I-”

The charcoal-furred sapient shook his head, quills rustling. “I don’t want you down here.”

Wait. No. Wrong choice of words.

Before the hybrid got a chance to redeem himself, he saw the glistening look in Maria’s blue eyes.
She stood abruptly, crossing her arms. “Well, fine. If you want me gone so much, I’ll leave! And I won’t return.”
Both of them knew this was a lie, however, a shallow wave of panic still washed over Shadow.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Maria. I just do not want you to get sick. Or worse, injured. I do want to see you. Just not here.”
“Why not? Why not here? You’re stuck down here! I can’t see you anywhere else!”

“Fath- the Professor will release me eventually. You and I both know that he will not allow me to rot down here.”

“Well, I-”

A puff of air rustled Shadow’s fur just as a look of shock overtook Maria’s face. Whipping around, the hybrid quickly extended his arms to push the lizard’s snout away. “Maria, this is why-”

Hands wrapped around his sides and he was lifted once again.

Holding him at an arm’s length, Maria turned around and walked a few steps along the pathway before setting him down once more.

“Shadow.”

Oh. That’s Maria’s staying calm but internally freaking out voice.

“Yes, Maria?”

“What. Is that.”

The sapient’s head turned slightly to look up at the massive reptile, mentally willing it to stay still and not scare the girl away.

He turned back, his eyes meeting a very forced smile.

“...That’s… That’s Liza.”

Her smile remained unchanged, so the hybrid assumed she would stay quiet to process the information.

He assumed wrong.
Small hands launched forward to grab his cheeks and pull him closer to the girl’s somewhat frightening smile.

“I was having a good day today. Please, for the love of everything, do not lie to me or try to downplay this. There is a massive lizard with tubes for eyes sitting around on the Ark and I didn’t know? ”

A small smiler of a nervous nature reached Shadow’s own face. “To be fair, I wasn’t fully aware-”

“WHAT IS THAT.”

The ‘that’ in question snorted, moving its head forward to blow another puff of air onto the hedgehog.

He inhaled deeply, regretting it as the scent of the lizard’s breath reached his nose.

This was going to be a long talk.

Chapter Text

“So you mean to tell me that the salamander experiment that grew too big wasn’t… disposed of?”
“It was not.”
Maria nodded, looking back up at the lizard. Liza tilted its head downwards in return.

“The girl smells like father.”

Shadow shoved the lizard away once more. “I’ve told you. Will you leave now?”

Feigned shock overtook the girls face as she put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, you really do hate me, don’t you, Shadow?”

“Little Shadow hates the girl?”

He shook his head quickly. “That’s not something to joke about. Maria, you know I-”

“Yes, I know, I know.” Her eyes drifted down before looking back at the Black Arms soldier meant to overtake the-

What?

Shadow spared a glance into the darkness. That was… not his thought. The what soldier? Overtake what?

He ducked his head slightly when frail fingers scratched into the fur behind his ears. “Afraid of the dark now, are we?”

She smiled as he glanced up. He didn’t want her to go. But she had to.

“I’ll tell you what! If you aren’t out of here in THREE-” she held up the corresponding number of fingers- “days! Then I will come back here and we’re gonna storm out after Grandpa! Okay?”

The hybrid’s own face softened. A slow nod, even as he felt the unfamiliar stinging in his eyes.

Maria’s mouth upturned, but only slightly. Cupping his face in her hands, she knelt down and pressed her forehead into his own.

“Don’t go,” he wanted to say. “Stay with me. Don’t leave,” but he remained silent. She didn’t need to hear his voice crack like a child’s.

The warmth from her hands left as she finally turned and walked toward the door, disappearing before his very eyes.

…and then he felt the slobber as a massive lizard clamped its jaws around his quills and lifted him.

“Little Shadow is sad. Play.”

…

“Little Shadow.”

…

“...Little Shadow… cold? Shaking.”

Shadow forcefully pried his mind from the Biolizard’s link and pried his quills away from the beast. The enemy. The threat. Eradicate the-

The soldier? hit the ground, landing unceremoniously on his stomach. 

                                                                             ═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

“Maria! There you are!”

The girl in question whipped around, quietly letting out a sigh of relief when she spotted familiar short brown hair and matching eyes.

“...Doctor Laine,” Maria muttered, letting her lips curve upwards in an innocent smile.

The doctor jogged towards her, inspecting the girl like a fragile little puppy. “Maria, dear, where have you been? The professor’s been looking for you.”

Maria rolled her eyes internally. “Yes, yes, of course… where is he?”

“His office.”

She turned to walk away, but a hand grabbed her shoulder gently.
“You shouldn’t overexert yourself. If you need to rest-”
“I’m fine,” she snapped, but quickly bit her tongue. Calm down, Maria.

“...I know its… difficult. Without Shadow around, you must be so lonely.”

The girl huffed in response, pulling away and beginning to walk once more.
“Maria-”
“Not right now, please.”

They did not object.

Maria quickly walked through the halls, planting her heel and turning towards the dark office.
She had to squint her eyes to see- the older figure was hunched over the desk, mumbling to himself before sliding a stack of papers off the desk, sending them scattering.

One of them did a little twirl in the air, ending right at the girl’s feet.

As she kneeled down to pick it up, she paused.

…It was a sketch of something. Shadow, perhaps, but much scarier than she remembered.

With those… things on his back, stretched across the paper like branches of black and red.

She picked up the paper, her eyes drifting across the notes.

“It’s all going wrong.”

Chapter Text

before you ask, yes i can draw better its supposed to be sloppy

ig this is kinda the vibe im going for with the thing yknow yep 

Chapter Text

The beast wouldn’t let him go.
He’d even attempted to ask nicely, although he knew it wouldn’t work.

It had put its large head over his back and now he was… stuck.

Shadow had tried pushing it off, asking, waiting… 

None of it had worked.

Did he despise it with every fiber of his being?
No.

Did he enjoy it?

…Maybe? No? Probably not?

It was too warm, too heavy, too close… but not truly bad or upsetting.

The lizard exhaled harshly in what might’ve been a sigh, but he wasn’t exactly sure.

“Little Shadow?”

The hybrid’s eyes slowly drifted from the ground upwards, not that he could see anything, given his face-down, half-crushed predicament.

“Little Shadow… does…”
Liza paused, attempting to put her (quite simplistic) thoughts together.

“Little Shadow attacked… white coat.”

Shadow blinked, turning his face back to the ground.

“You’re digging around in my head,” he mumbled in annoyance.

“Yes.”

“Refrain from… ever doing that again.”

He felt the lizard shift against him, its head tilting, which only served to crush the right half of his body even more.

“Why?”

Clenching his fists to keep himself from snapping at Liza, Shadow muttered a response.

 “They’re my memories. I don’t want somebody poking around and looking at them. I do not like it.”

“Little Shadow has had his mermeries watched before?”

The ebony hedgehog paused. 

“No. Also, it’s pronounced memories .”

“Mermries.”

“Memories.”

“What is a mermrie?”

The weight finally lifted, allowing him to flip over to his back and look up at the creature.

“It’s… what you remember. From the past.”

“Father?”

Shadow tilted his own head, mimicking the lizard. 

“I suppose so, yes. The Professor would be someone from your past, but I’m talking about… moments.”

“Food.”

The hybrid snorted.

“Wrong?”

“No, I guess you’re right. Eating would be… a memory. Is that all you enjoy doing? Eating and playing?”

“Little Shadow.”

He sat up, shaking the drool out of his quills with a grimace. 

“Yes?”

“...Liza likes… Little Shadow.”

Shadow glanced upwards at the Biolizard. Its head was lowered towards him, and what might even be a smile was on its face, although reptiles did tend to always look like they were smiling.

“Is that so?”

Liza nodded slowly.

“Well.”

The hybrid rubbed his thumb across his palm and looked away, inhaling slowly.

“I think… I think Shadow likes Liza, too.”

Chapter Text

hey gang!!!
sorry that the chapter is taking so long, but my laptop wont let me login and i shit you not i am updating from my nintendo 3ds xl. so! i will come back as soon as i can bc this thing is super hard to type on

thanks for reading, be back soon

i'll put a pic of it when my laptop lets me login (hopefully later tonight)

Chapter Text

Shit gang im gonna be honest i have NO idea what to write

okay writing time

“We need to isolate him.”

Maria blinked. She took three steps forward, leaning over her grandfather’s desk to drop the papers she picked up.

“Why would we do that? Shadow’s already so lonely down there,” she stated with a slightly higher pitch than usual to hide how… truly upset she was that they’d locked Shadow in what could be considered the basement. Especially after learning about the big lizard which he could talk to but she couldn’t?? Weird??

When Gerald failed to respond, she asked another question. “Isn’t he already isolated down there?”

The old man lifted his hands and rubbed them down his face, sighing deeply.

“Yes, Maria. I meant… somewhere we can observe.”

The girl nodded once, smiling and doing a spin to puff out her dress.

“Or,” she started, brushing her bangs behind her ears, “we let him out, and he comes back to living with everyone instead of being locked up like an animal!”

Gerald sighed once more.

“I would love to. You know I would.”

“Then why don’t you?”

Turning to face his granddaughter, the scientist straightened his back and rolled his shoulders (these damn old bones, he’d say.)

“He attacked someone, Maria.”

Maria lowered her head.

“It was Mr. Laurel, right? Dr. Arthur? There’s been issues with him before. Shadow doesn’t like him.”

“That’s no excuse to bite him-”

“He’s mean to Shadow!”

Gerald planted his hands on Maria’s shoulders.

“Maria. I know. I know Shadow would not attack without cause. He doesn’t even attack half the time with cause. It… something scared him. He’s an animal. Animals bite when threatened.”

Maria quickly shook her head. “He’s not an animal.”

“Technically, he is.”

Gerald you did not just say that!! Take it back bro thats racist!

Im sorry guys i will edit this later and post the real chapter im just. Crazy writers block </3

im just crazy

i have autism

Chapter Text

“We need to isolate him.”

Maria blinked. She took three steps forward, leaning over her grandfather’s desk to drop the papers she picked up.

“Why would we do that? Shadow’s already so lonely down there,” she stated with a slightly higher pitch than usual to hide how… truly upset she was that they’d locked Shadow in what could be considered the basement. Especially after learning about the big lizard which he could talk to but she couldn’t?? Weird??

When Gerald failed to respond, she asked another question. “Isn’t he already isolated down there?”

The old man lifted his hands and rubbed them down his face, sighing deeply.

“Yes, Maria. I meant… somewhere we can observe.”

The girl nodded once, smiling and doing a spin to puff out her dress.

“Or,” she started, brushing her bangs behind her ears, “we let him out, and he comes back to living with everyone instead of being locked up like an animal!”

Gerald sighed once more.

“I would love to. You know I would.”

“Then why don’t you?”

Turning to face his granddaughter, the scientist straightened his back and rolled his shoulders (these damn old bones, he’d say.)

“He attacked someone, Maria.”

Maria lowered her head.

“It was Mr. Laurel, right? Dr. Arthur? There’s been issues with him before. Shadow doesn’t like him.”

“That’s no excuse to bite him-”

“He’s mean to Shadow!”

Gerald planted his hands on Maria’s shoulders.

“Maria. I know. I know Shadow would not attack without cause. He doesn’t even attack half the time with cause. It… something scared him. He’s an animal. Animals bite when they’re scared.”

Maria quickly shook her head. “He’s not an animal.”

“Technically, he is.”

She snorted.

“Well, yes, he’s a hedgehog. A very smart hedgehog! He’s just as much of a person as you or me, so I don’t see wh-”

“You think I don’t know that?”

The older man moved his hands away, turning so that he wouldn’t face the girl.

“I know he’s not just an animal, Maria. His- the- Mobians aren’t just mindless animals. I’m not the one in charge. You think I wanted to make him sit down there in the dark? You think I wanted this?” 

Gerald turned, rubbing his face and peeling off his glasses. “I’m not really the one in charge. You know this. We’ve talked about this, dear.”

Maria nodded slowly. “The ones who fund the project are the ones who run the project,” she mumbled.

The two settled in silence before Maria spoke again. “Can’t you tell them?”

“Tell them what?”

She wrung her hands for a moment. “That it was an accident. He didn’t mean to.”

Silence again.

“I’ve tried. He’s already on a short enough leash. The last incident, with the energy readings, we don’t know if he’s stable enough to-” Gerald cut himself off.

“Can you try again?”

Once more, the older man did not answer.

The Professor slid his glasses back on, mumbling to himself. “I am… sorry. I truly am. I’m trying to fix him, I really am. There's just…” he paused, sliding his glasses even further up his nose. “He’s different, Maria. When those… those things tore from his back, it was… terrifying. He shouldn’t be able to do that. I’m not even sure what they are.”

Maria looked away. She hadn’t been there, so she hadn’t… seen it. She had seen the aftermath. The bloodied arm, Shadow’s own blood as they dragged both him and a disturbed young scientist out of a room. They had shot Shadow. She had assumed that was the reason Shadow had attacked but was shocked to overhear that Shadow was the one to attack first. It was so… unlike him. He would never attack without reason. 

“Maria? Are you listening?”

She was snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head quickly. “No, I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

“...Could you leave?”

Maria felt her face scrunch up at the tone but nodded obediently.

“Good night, Grandfather.”

She turned and left when she didn’t receive a response.