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“Long time no see Shadow!”
Shadow groaned internally, kicking a Badnik- causing it to practically snap in half. He turned around to look at where the familiar cheery voice was coming from to see Sonic overloading a Badnik via running around in a circle. “Sonic.” He greeted, kicking another robot out of the way as Sonic cheered excitedly. How one hedgehog could have that much energy he’ll never know.
Truth be told it hadn’t been that long since he had seen the infuriating blue hedgehog- Since the events of the Shatterverse they had… grown closer. In their rivalry of course. Shadow would rather shoot himself than admit to being friends with the blue idiot. But they had been hanging out one on one more often- talking about nothing and everything all at once.
They had talked about the events in the Shatterverse, and how they would go about their days now that it was over. Sonic had been having a hard time adjusting and for some chaos forsaken reason he chose Shadow as some form of comfort. He humoured him, just to get him off his back and go back to being normal Sonic of course. But even after Months passed the routine stuck. And now they were meeting up twice a week if not more. Yay for Shadow.
At the moment though- Eggman was being a nuisance. As usual.
Shadow was planning on staying in that day, maybe watching a movie with Rouge or spar with Omega if he felt so inclined but apparently life had other ideas for how Shadows Saturday morning should look. Sonic flashed him his usual smile before running off in a random direction to where the badniks were swarming. Shadow sighed, suppressing a smile as he spun a kick at another god forsaken egg robot.
The fight was short- Rouge flying in and landing a pretty impressive hit on a badnik that was sneaking up on Shadow while Omega shot others not too far away. Amy looked to be having a whale of a time hitting the robots with her hammer and Knuckles punching, exclaiming war cries. Sonic was protecting Tails while he did something on his Miles Electric, laughing with adrenaline the entire time. Just another usual battle.
When the Badniks stopped swarming and Eggman screamed his promises of revenge before scampering off, everyone gathered around Tails for an after-battle debriefing. Shadow used to never stick around for them, sulking off to the solitude of his room in Team Dark's house- but more things than just his relationship with Sonic had changed since the Shatterverse incident.
“It looks like Eggman was using an abandoned G.U.N base as his recent base of operations. Looks like we chased him off.” Tails informed the group, all standing around an old looking hatch in the ground- which was one of the openings to said G.U.N base. “We’ll have to loot it for anything valuable Eggman left behind.” The fox kit finished, placing his Miles Electric in his bag before pulling it over his shoulders.
“Consider it done little buddy.” Sonic grinned, giving his younger brother a thumbs up before jumping in the manhole, soon followed by everyone else at a much less enthusiastic pace. Standing in the entrance to the base it looked like it veered off into a few different hallways, the only light being from small bulbs Eggman had clearly installed as a replacement for the old busted ones he found before setting up his base of operations.
Sonic turned around to the group with a determined look. “Okay groups of two or more got it? We don’t know what Eggheads got down here incase of intruders.” Everyone nodded in response. Sonic had become a lot more thoughtful about his mission approaches since the Shatterverse, maturing in a way that almost made Shadow feel guilty. It had taken Sonic a while to get over his paranoia over his friend's safety- but at times like this where anything could happen, Sonic put on a brave face and actually stopped to think. Shadow was proud, but felt saddened at how the events in the Shatter Spaces had affected him. He shook his head to rid him of such thoughts.
“Knuckles, you go with Rouge. Tails and Amy go with Omega and I’ll go with Shadow. Pick a tunnel.” Sonic said, casting Knuckles a knowing smirk causing the Echidna to turn a bright red and growled at the blue blur. “Keep your communicators on and we’ll meet back here in about an hour or so.” He finished with a clap of his hands. Rouge immediately flew over to the red echidna with a flirtatious look, grabbing his arm and dragging him down a tunnel. “Guess you’re with me big boy.” She giggled, making Knuckles turn a bright red. Shadow sighed at the sight, already knowing in intense detail of Rouge's interest in the red idiot.
Amy gave Tails a high five as they went down the opposite tunnel, Omega stomping behind them. Shadow nodded at the pairing. It made sense- logically. Sonic paired Knuckles and Rouge, probably as a joke but they did work well together. Tails was smart but wasn’t as strong as Amy and Omega couldn’t really be killed. He made great protection for both his friends.
“Alright doom and gloom let's get started.” The blue hedgehog yawned, already walking down the only other available tunnel. He huffed in acknowledgement, following close behind. They walked leisurely down the hallway, peaking into different rooms, looking around for anything useful before leaving and heading to the next one. It was boring but it had to be done. The only things they found as of yet were a few scrapped projects, some blueprints which Shadow grabbed just, in case Tails wanted them for research on Robotnik's badniks, and a stale pizza that Sonic groaned about- saying it was such a waste.
The entire search Sonic kept anxiously fiddling with his communicator, checking it was on over and over again, double checking it in case a message came through and it didn’t notify him. Shadow huffed knowingly as Sonic glanced at it once again on their walk down the weirdly long hallway to the next room. “They’re fine, Hedgehog. They are all more than capable.” Shadow tried to comfort, watching as Sonic frowned at him doubtfully.
“I know. I know. I just.. Worry.” Sonic reasoned, forcing his hand to his sides as he stared ahead of him, his ears twitching anxiously. Shadow didn’t say anything in response, sparing Sonic one more glance before they entered the next room in the hallway.
This room looked the most untouched out of all of them, cobwebs and dust covering almost every inch of the room. On the left side of the room upon entering Shadow could see a row of desks, Old computers and chairs seated on different sections of the desks. In the corner of the room Shadow could see a TV and a VHS player on a wheeled shelf. He felt saddened at the sight- he and Maria had used a similar one on the ARC to watch different shows or play old recordings they made together.
On the right side of the room there was another door, above the frame was written `STORAGE’ in big bold letters. He looked at Sonic, they both nodded at each other before separating to examine the different rooms. Shadow walked over to the desks, his ears flicking at the sound of Sonic prying open the storage room door, the hinges creaking in protest. It was very clear this room hadn’t been used by Robotnik. But it couldn’t hurt to check just in case the infuriating egg head had hidden anything.
Shadow breathed out tiredly as he searched each desk, looking through old papers. This room had clearly been used to keep track of some sort of inventory, back when it was operating. He didn’t look too long at each document, only assuming they were inventory lists of weapons of something dangerous- knowing G.U.N. Sonic was probably looking through a storage of guns and turrets as he scanned documents and paperwork.
He was about to turn around and follow Sonic into the storage room, deeming his search unfruitful, when a clipboard on one of the desks caught his eye. He sighed, deciding to skim read one more before finding the infuriating blue hedgehog. He picked it up, reading the title of the document carefully.
`SPACE COLONY ARK SHIPMENTS.`
Shadow almost dropped the clipboard. This must have been the base that shipped all the supplies up to the Arc, all the food and necessities for the people living on the Arc as well as lab equipment and the small things Maria begged her Grandfather to send up for her to look at or entertain herself with. Skimming through the document it was as he expected, the list of the last things to be sent up to the Arc. Food, Water, Replacement lab equipment, replacement chemicals, some hygiene products. Just as he expected. He was about to put the damn clipboard down when he started reading the next document.
It listed the inventory of the things that had been.. Shipped off the Arc. He didn't know anything was being shipped back from the Arc to Earth.. Curiosity got to him and he started reading. Only one thing was listed on the document, attached to it was a small handwritten note. Clearly written by the person taking inventory.
`CARDBOARD BOX - CONTENTS CLASSIFIED.` - “Strictly informed not to open this box under any circumstances. Only to be collected by Professor Gerald Robotnik upon arrival back from the Ark. - personal notes on subject- The box is contained in one of the shipment crates. I believe it might be personal items from someone on the Arc and not anything of note. Don’t bother with it.”
Shadow had to read the words a few more times, in case he mis-read it. The shipment had been sent a month before G.U.N had infiltrated the Arc and killed.. He shook his head. It had been a long time since then, he had gotten over the pain that came with that memory. Instead choosing to live like Maria would have wanted, letting her memory live through him. He would not let this drive him down a path of bad thought as he did so long ago. Besides, the box probably didn’t contain anything he would deem sentimental. It probably didn’t even belong to Maria.
“Uh.. Shadow?” He tensed, placing the clipboard down as he turned to see Sonic peering out of the doorframe of the storage room. “What.” He snapped, still on edge. He hadn’t intended it to sound so harsh, but Sonic didn’t look too phased. His face was etched with an expression Shadow couldn’t place. “I think I found something you might wanna see..” He said shyly. Shadow felt his stomach twist at the statement. It could be anything, it could be something Eggman had left behind, it could be an old trap or weapon. But Shadow couldn’t stop the little- hopefully woeful voice that said it was the little box. The same voice that said it could be Maria’s. The same voice that still clung to any sign of her existence besides in his memories and dreams.
“What is it?” He asked, a scowl on his face as he walked over and into the storage room with Sonic. “Uhh.. I think I’d better show you- It might be nothing but.. I doubt it.” Sonic muttered, leading him down the middle row of the Storage room, which was lined with shelves and ladders for each shelf. About halfway down the middle row, there were a few opened crates left on the floor.
“I started opening ones in case Eggman had stashed something and..” Sonic trailed off, kneeling on the ground and pulling one of the opened crates towards them. Shadow hesitantly joined him on the floor, his ears twitching in anticipation. Sonic pushed the crate towards him, allowing him to look inside.
He sucked in a pained breath as he looked inside.
Inside, almost perfectly untouched. Lay a simple cardboard box, looked to be a shoebox of some description. But most strikingly, was the words that was written on the lid of the box in thick black marker.
`Maria and Shadow’s Stuff!`
Around the words were little stars and doodles that made Shadow's heart ache with longing of lost memories. He stared for a moment, that small hopeful voice screaming in pure joy and sorrow. It was something that belonged to her, but also to him. His name was on the box as well. He felt his heart beat faster as he stretched a hesitant hand towards this box that seemed too sacred to disturb. He wanted to open it, to see what was left for him and his sister that would never again see what was in this box. But he was frozen, hand outstretched, and he was painfully aware of how overwhelming it was. This was unmistakingly her handwriting, and her name and his was one this box. But he doesn’t remember ever seeing it before. It was clear to him that Maria had made this box, given it to her grandfather and asked for it to be sent to Earth. But Shadow was not included in this process. His name was on the box.. So he reasoned he wasn’t breaking any boundaries- even if Maria was gone, he would not want to invade her privacy by rummaging through her stuff. But it was also labeled his.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he grabbed the box as gently as he possibly could before pushing the crate that held it away. Sonic placed his- frankly way too bright- flashlight on the shelf beside them, casting a bright light around them so he could see the box clearly as it lay on the floor where he placed it. He took a few deep breaths, trying his hardest to ignore the fact Sonic was staring at him before gently lifting the lid of the box. He placed it to the side with as much care as if he was handling a dangerous chemical before looking into the box.
He felt his stomach flip uncomfortably once again upon seeing its contents. Placed into the box were three, individually labelled VHS tapes, alongside a small stack of papers all tied together in a ribbon. It looked too perfect. As if all the years of this box not being touched had never happened. He stared for another minute before picking up the first Vhs tape to read the label.
`Scientific research VOL #1 !!!`
He could nearly sob at the recognition of the tape, his sister's ever familiar handwriting and doodles covered the label. He remembered this tape, almost vividly now- he hadn’t realised he had forgotten. Maria saw her grandfather record his research- to keep a record in case anything went wrong or he forgot. And Maria decided it would be fun to do the same. She drew her own blueprints and designs, explaining them to that camera she gleefully set up in her room. She even dragged Shadow into a few of her experiments, helping to demonstrate different things she had made as “Models of what it would look like” out of craft supplies and metal scraps she had stolen. She really was a Robotnik with how smart she was so young.
Looking at the other two tapes, he saw one was labeled `Scientific research VOL #2`and `Shadow the Hedgehog (My Alien Baby Brother)`. He couldn’t help but smile sadly at the tapes. The memories of these recordings blaring in the front of his brain. The memories of Maria making him stand in front of the camera, feeling extremely awkward, before ignoring it in favour of messing with his older sister. He would give anything for those moments back. When the scientists finished their experiments for the day and let Shadow do whatever he wanted with Maria.
He gently placed the tapes back in the box before picking up the stack of papers, curiosity over all the contents of the box coming before the need to rewatch the tapes for the first time in over 50 years. With shaky hands (When had he started shaking?) He untied the ribbon that was holding all the papers together. He almost burst out crying right then and there when he read the first line of the first paper.
`Dear Shadow,`
These were letters. Upon examining all the letters he noted that most of them were for him, along with a few drawings that Shadow remembers doing with Maria on the Arc.
But one of the Letters was addressed
`Dear Future Me,`
He felt his heart snap in two at the words. He let out a strangled breath, almost akin to a sob as he lay the pages in his lap gently. She would never get to read this, there was no future Maria and there never would be. She had been so excited to see Earth, she had been so excited to be okay again. Future Maria never received this letter, because she didn’t exist. And that thought hurt more than the many letters Maria had addressed to him. It hurt more than seeing the drawings Maria had left in this box for him, it hurt more than knowing he’d never see her again.
He was soon jolted back to reality when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He snapped his head around with a glare, to see Sonic staring at him with such a desperate look. His expression is soft and understanding. No pity, just sad. Shadow dropped his glare immediately in favour of wiping his eyes. He had forgotten Sonic was there. Sonic didn’t say anything. He just sat there while Shadow collected himself silently. Shadow couldn’t possibly be more grateful for the silence, and even more his presence.
He took a shaky but determined breath, gently wrapping up the ribbon and neatening the stack of papers and placing them back in the box gently. He placed the lid back on top of it, picking it up and attempting to stand. His knees felt weak, he almost fell. Sonic helped him up, causing him to give him a look- though he wasn’t sure if he had the energy to glare, before strutting out of the storage room with a newfound purpose.
Sonic followed behind, finally keeping his damn mouth shut as they walked out of the storage room and towards the row of desks. Shadow made a b-line to the old VHS player, placing the box down on the floor beside him gently, kneeling down to blow the dust off the player. He double checked that everything was plugged in, shooting his Chaos energy through anything that needed it before sliding the tape labeled `Shadow the Hedgehog (My Alien Baby Brother)` into the player. That was the tape he remembered he had the most fun recording, but could barely remember what they had recorded.
His heart felt like it was being punched repeatedly as he pressed play on the recorder, stepping back and waiting patiently. He vaguely registered Sonic joining him in front of the TV screen, but he didn’t care. He just needed to know what his sister had left to remember her by.
The player whirred to life, the video flashing white before focusing. Shadow felt his knees go weak at the sight. Maria. She had a bright smile on her face as she sat back away from the camera.
“Hello! I am Maria Robotnik, recording from the Space Colony Ark.” Her voice sounded too good to be true. It was exactly how he remembered, soft but so full of joy and love for everything she did. He had started to worry he’d forget her voice. He couldn’t stop a sad smile creeping onto his face at the sight of her. He will always miss her, but the pain of her loss had dulled over time. If he had found this earlier on his healing journey he knows all he would feel would be pain. But now, after coping, after grieving. The happiness of having something to remember her by filled his heart where the dull ache of grief sat.
“This recording is dedicated to the research and documentation of Shadow the Hedgehog.” Maria continued, adjusting herself in her seat. Looking in the background of the recording Shadow could see himself- sitting on her bed reading a book. Shadow remembered that he wanted to listen in but not actually be in the recording- despite Maria’s protests. That sneaky girl still found a way to get him the shot. He couldn’t help but laugh wetly at that, his eyes moist and cheeks wet.
“Shadow was created by my grandfather to be my cure for my terminal illness. But as he grew he has become so much more than that! He’s his own person, he’s my best friend, he’s my little brother.” She giggled. Shadow saw his ears flick in the background of the video at that, a soft smile forming at the comment. He looked so relaxed.
Sonic stood beside Shadow, staring at Shadows face while he was enraptured by the video playing before him. He was smiling, tears streaming down his face silently. Sonic doesn’t think he’s ever seen Shadow smile like that, so soft, so genuine. His eyes were filled with grief and loss, but also a sparkle of hope. His ears were twitching everytime Maria spoke, his tail wagging lazily behind him. He was practically glowing in the soft light of the TV.
Sonic couldn’t help but stare. He had thought he’d seen every part of Shadow, every small expression that revealed his true emotions, he thought he finally knew Shadow. But this was something else. This was completely different to the soft caring expressions he had caught the ebony hedgehog throw his way, though it was similar. It was filled with grief, love and hope.
He smiled as well as he turned back to the recording. It had changed, Maria had the camera in her hands like she was taking a selfie- pointing it at Shadow with a smile. “Say hi Shadow!” She giggled, causing the hedgehog to blink shyly. “Hi.” He said simply.
Maria nodded, clearly pleased with herself before placing the camera back on the table and walking over to where Shadow was standing. He looked slightly uncomfortable, looking at his Air Shoes which looked squeaky clean and brand new on his feet.
“Air Shoes skates test number one!” Maria cheered, backing up to give Shadow some room. She gave him a thumbs up, which he shyly gave back before firing on his air shoes. He immediately flew up at a rabid speed, an adorable squeak of fear and surprise coming from the younger hedgehog as he fell backwards onto his butt. Maria let out a loud laugh as Shadow shook his head in an attempt to recover.
Sonic turned to look at Shadow, watching as Shadow laughed sadly at the scene, sniffling to himself as the younger version of him and his sister started laughing on the screen as well. Sonic couldn’t help but giggle himself, not taking his eyes off Shadows awestruck face.
The tape continued, flashing onto a different recording where Maria had the camera pointed at a sleeping Shadow, a small teddy in his grasp. Sonic thought it was absolutely adorable, he looked so much younger in these videos, even his voice was a bit higher- and less monotone of course. Maria giggled to the camera as she gave the sleeping Shadow a head pat.
“That jerk.” Shadow laughed sadly beside him, Sonic turned to see Shadows fists clenched at his side while he laughed- cried? He was crying, but a fond smile plastered on his face. Sonic couldn’t help but smile as well, stepping closer to Shadow as the recording showed Maria and Shadow arguing over what movie was the best. It was so domestic, Shadow looked so happy- despite his ticked off expression whenever Maria would tease him, sticking his little tongue out at her in retaliation. Maria ignored him in favour of grabbing his cheeks and cooing at him teasingly, causing the grumpy hedgehog to grumble in annoyance.
“She would always do that.” Shadow huffed in fond annoyance. “I hated it. She said my grumpy face was adorable.” Shadow sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as he wiped tears from his face. Sonic smiled, glad he wasn’t breaking down over this newfound discovery. Sonic wasn’t sure what he’d do if Shadow started sobbing and screaming in grief. Shadow was taking this really well. Sonic was proud of him. Proud of his progress.
“Well .. I mean it is.” Sonic found himself saying, causing Shadow to laugh. No sarcastic remarks. No growl or glare. He laughed. Actually laughed. Sonic’s heart skipped several beats at the sight, his heart beating way too fast even for him. Shadow sighed sadly, a soft smile still on his face as he turned back to the recording. It was him and Maria dancing.
“I thought everything regarding her was gone.” Shadow whispered, his smile fading as the recording played softly. Sonic stepped closer to him, wanting to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder, to grab his hand or something . But he knew Shadow didn’t like physical touch so he refrained. Instead opting for verbal comfort.
“You’re handling this really well.” He said truthfully, smiling softly at the ebony hedgehog.
“She would be so proud of you, Shadow.”
That seemed to break the darker hedgehog, a choked sob coming from his throat as he tried to cover his face in embarrassment. Sonic panicked, had he said the wrong thing? Shadow smiled at him between sobs- making Sonic’s heart twist painfully. He had never seen Shadow this vulnerable before. Well- he had gotten better at relaxing around Sonic and showing his softer side around him since the Shatterverse- Shadow even comforting him during panic attacks and after some particularly upsetting nightmares. But Sonic had never seen Shadow so full of emotion. Shadow had seen Sonic during his lowest moments. He supposed it was about time for him to see Shadows.
“I really hope she would be.” Shadow whispered, wiping his eyes with a sad smile. He continued to cry, a growl of frustration bubbling up in his throat as the tears didn’t stop. Sonic understood the feeling all too well. Shadow’s face was turning a bright green- clearly fluster or embarrassed. He stepped forward again, resting his hands gently on Shadow's elbows while Shadow tried desperately to scrub the tears off his face. He didn’t flinch away, he didn’t yell at him to go away. Nothing. He took that as a good sign and grabbed Shadows hands away from his face, holding both his hands in his own. Shadow didn’t make eye contact, his ears flicking anxiously.
“I know she would be.” Sonic confirmed, squeezing Shadows hand comfortingly as the other hedgehog smiled weakly through his tears. “You are the most brilliant person I have ever met. Despite how grumpy you can be- you care. And you care a lot. It's clear Maria saw exactly what I do in you.” Sonic rambled, hoping he was saying the right thing- hoping desperately that Shadow wouldn’t slap him, would rangle himself out of his grasp and insult him like he did all those years ago when his grief was still fresh.
“An incredibly edgy hedgehog with a huge heart, and is actually a giant softy.” Sonic jokes, silently congratulating himself when Shadow scoffed in amusement, smiling softly. Shadows' eyes glinted playfully as he smirked at Sonic. “Was that a compliment, faker?” He huffed, lacking any heat behind it as Sonic laughed in response.
“Obviously. Faker.” Sonic threw back, unable to control himself and wrapping his arms around Shadow’s neck in a tight hug. Shadow tensed- making Sonic worried he’d done the wrong thing before Shadow sighed in relief, wrapping his arms around Sonic’s torso, visibly relaxing into the hug. Sonic could feel his tail wagging at the speed of light as they sat like that. The recording had long since finished, left on a blank screen.
They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, Shadow sniffling as he composed himself and Sonic feeling extremely lucky he wasn’t dead at that moment. They soon separated, Shadow wiping his eyes for the final time, the tears finally stopped flowing before turning to the VHS player, taking the tap out and placing it neatly back into the cardboard box and placing the lid on top. He picked it up and turned back to Sonic.
“Thank you.” He said, catching Sonic off guard. He felt giddy with joy as he smiled at the darker hedgehog. “Of course.” He replied softly. They stood in silence, staring into each other's eyes for what felt like an eternity before Shadow looked away, his face burning a bright green, making Sonic burn a deep red in return.
“Let's keep searching, yeah?” Sonic smiled, earning one more soft small from the other hedgehog.
“Let's go then, Hegehog.”