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Shadow was certain he'd destroyed all the Shadow Androids, but from his vantage point high above the city, he stood corrected.
Down below, speaking to Sonic of all people, was an android. It was one of the more convincing copies, with its red highlights and white scleras just like Shadow himself. He couldn't hear what the two fakes were saying to each other, but they seemed enthusiastic.
Shadow couldn't recall ever acting such a way, even before that fateful day on the ARK. Perhaps this copy wasn't as convincing as he'd first thought. The way it shifted its weight as it stood, the way it moved its hands as it spoke… it was nothing like him, the real Shadow.
I'm surprised Sonic hasn't caught on yet , Shadow mused to himself. For someone so perceptive, it's taking him an awfully long time to realize he's talking to a fake.
As Shadow watched from the rooftop, his curiosity slowly turned into a burning ache. That android seemed so much more genuine than he'd ever been. So much more alive. Perhaps he never shifted his weight because his legs were mechanical, and could never tire. Perhaps he never moved his hands when he talked because he was programmed to reserve energy. Perhaps…
Shadow took off one of his gloves.
Perhaps his digits were segmented not because he was the Ultimate Lifeform, but because he wasn't .
He stared at his bare hand, watching the two hedgehogs continue their conversation through his fingers. His metallic, robotic fingers.
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The Shadow Android put its glove back on as it walked away from the ledge, leaving Sonic and Shadow to continue their heart-to-heart. For they, unlike it, have hearts.