Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shadow’s head throbbed, a burning pain searing across his temples. He knitted his eyebrows together and tried to will away the ache. It didn’t feel like he was bleeding, and nothing was pounding on his head, so he lay trying to piece together the source of his misery.

What happened earlier that day? It seemed like a hazy dream, and Shadow vaguely remembered running somewhere with Maria. Gerald shouted at some point too, didn’t he? Perhaps Shadow was in the lab today, being poked and prodded for any signs of a cure for Maria. That surely could explain the woozy feeling and growing pain in his forehead. What was it called again- headache?

Where was Shadow anyway? His vision was a blur, and a painfully bright light shone in his eyes, making it all the more difficult to see anything. Maria must’ve fallen asleep, forgetting to turn her bedroom light off. She had done that a few times before, but it was always on the days when her sickness rendered her too tired to do anything else. Shadow would always find the blonde girl snoring softly in her sheets, unbothered by the lamps and lights. He would chuckle softly at the bizarre sleeping position she found herself in as he’d inserted her nasal cannula, a task my easier to commit while she was awake, but he would never complain, the poor girl needed her sleep.

A low groan escaped his lips as he tried to move his limbs. He was not supposed to fall asleep before Maria, not when she needed him. He had to look after her, make sure she would sleep safely and healthily. Then he’d have to turn off that painfully bright light. 

His disobedient limbs refused to cooperate. This wasn’t right. 

Maria’s bed was too solid; it wasn’t like the plush mattress she loved. It was strangely confining, like looming walls closing around him, threatening to squish him.

The black hedgehog’s ears twitched as muffled voices shouted and commanded the footsteps that thudded loudly. 

“Is that?”

“Not human.”

“Get him out.”

The voices were unfamiliar; these weren’t the usual scientists. Shadow would’ve been able to recognise them by their voices and footfalls, but these were new. He furrowed his brow. It wasn’t possible to get new scientists on the ARK; they were up in space and on a secret mission. What was going on?

It took a great amount of effort to force open his eyes, but his need to know was strong enough to push through. Shadow hated being left in the unknown; it meant he was defenceless, and if Gerald had taught him anything, it was that the smallest slip-up could mean the difference between life and death, and that he should always, no matter what, be aware of his surroundings. Red eyes tried to glance around, but the blaring light from above nearly rendered Shadow blind.

Shadow squinted, the sky wasn’t dark and filled with beautiful stars or a whirlwind of colours from the millions of galaxies. The sky seemed to be that blue canvas painted with clouds, just like the ones Maria would show him in her picture books about Earth.

Maria . Shadow shot up, knocking his head onto something hard. He winced in pain, grabbing his forehead and falling onto his back. Shadow glanced around frantically; he was trapped. The ultimate lifeform’s breathing grew laboured as he recognised his surroundings. It was one of the ARK’s escape pods, but that would mean he was actually on Earth; therefore, that should mean Maria would be with him, right?

Shadow pushed himself against the windows, looking frantically for Maria in amongst the tall grass and people, or perhaps even another escape pod. She had to be here. They ran to the escape pods together, it was only logical that she was here. 

Shadow had thrown them into the bay, locked the door behind them, so no one could reach them, good or bad. Those GUN agents tried to take him, tried to hurt both of them, but they were safe, finally out of reach. Then he woke up on Earth, disoriented and Maria missing.

The black hedgehog tried to cry out for his sister, sure that if he yelled, she’d follow his voice and come back, but the noise that came out was gravelly and strangled. He tried again, the same result. Shadow had to find her, make sure she was okay.

The escape pod creaked and cracked in protest as humanoid hands frantically pulled it apart, pressed buttons and tugged at the door. Shadow’s eyes narrowed and a growl escaped his chest as a cool breeze began to dance across his quills. Hands pulled back, hesitant to grow closer. Shadow pushed himself into the furthest wall, defensive yet, unprotected. Surrounded, yet alone.

The fresh wind was unfamiliar against his fur-covered body, the airflow on the ARK could never compare to this feeling. If only Maria made it out, she would’ve loved it. She would’ve loved the wisps of air and the way they’d flow through her golden hair. Golden hair stained with blood .

A little whisper floated into Shadow's ear and the growl building in his throat died with the speed of a bullet. His world stopped turning as his pupils shrank into pinpricks. Maria- she- Short, aborted breaths. Clammy skin and tingling arms. Maria wasn't here, she- she was never here. The pod, she- Her body-

The strangers took his moment of weakness as an opportunity to attack, hands dove into the pod, restraining some sort of contraption around his neck. Shadow, now realising what was happening, strained himself to just move. Anywhere away from them. He shoved the humanoid figures away from the pod opening, diving through the small space, his legs buckling under his weight, but a tumble to the ground wasn’t going to stop him so easily. Not when the people chasing him were agents of GUN.

A deep pain rattled throughout the black hedgehog’s body. It wasn’t a bruise or a pulled muscle; it was an intense shock, emanating from his neck. From the collar. Shadow fell to the ground again, earning himself a face full of dirt. 

A frustrated growl rumbled in Shadow’s chest as his body once more refused to cooperate with his commands and the sudden shock left a searing sensation. He fought to move - to crawl away from the agents chasing him down - but the numbness in his limbs left him able to do little else than slap them against the ground. Footsteps faded into range, and Shadow felt the dull prodding and poking of the agents as they assessed him. 

It wasn't long before one of them dared to pick him up.

Whoever held Shadow carried his limp form delicately, like a porcelain doll, as if he would break at any moment. Perhaps, they were more worried he’d blow up, he was dangerous after all. 

Everyone took one look at him and only saw an alien, a monster. Even the scientists on the ARK were afraid of him. He tried so hard to be good, to show them he wasn’t a danger, but that seemed to blow up in his face, he was the monster GUN wanted, the one they’d kill to capture.

A weak whimper escaped the black hedgehog as they shut him in a new pod, or at least what he thought was a pod. The space was smaller than his last, the lack of windows threw him into a suffocating darkness. A pained noise racked Shadow’s body and his captors didn’t even acknowledge his broken cries.

Chapter Text

Shadow could not remember much of his journey, stuck in the cramped cage. It was completely pitch black and the hard flooring hurt his tailbone. The cold, stale air stung his lungs and dried his throat as the vehicle began to move, rumbling his confinements. Shadows' weak limbs sunk to the floor and the lull of an engine tricked his mind into a slow, deep sleep. He was sure GUN was grateful that his unconsciousness made him compliant.

Waking up left Shadow’s head in a spin. Strangers hovered over him, looming like predators and their arms decorated with clipboards, pens and notes. They were studying him, watching him sleep. The black hedgehog was not unfamiliar to the pokings and proddings of scientists, but he was always awake. No one ever tried to scrutinise him in his sleep, that just felt… wrong.

Shadow’s body acted faster than his mind as he threw himself as far from the lab coats as possible, hissing as his still-weak limbs screamed in protest and exhaustion. He fought against his buckling knees and the cold tile floor that nipped at his bare feet. Clearly, his nap did nothing to heal him.

Figures cornered the smaller hedgehog, their GUN badges mocking him. Shadow clicked his heels to turn on his shoes, but fur hit fur and his toe pads stung from the icy floor. His eyes widened, he couldn’t speed away, they had stolen his shoes. 

Shadow cracked his knuckles menacingly, an attempt to intimidate the threat. Only to find his gloves missing too, he was naked . In a moment he knew, he would have to rely on quick-thinking, and likely that alone. Shadow was unsure of how much he could depend on strength, though he’d never admit this outloud. Something felt off, his limbs were lighter, yet felt feeble, like something was missing, something that would’ve assisted in winning this battle. Though he was not above biting, GUN surely deserved it. They deserved a whole lot more, with revenge sprinkled on top.

As the humans loomed closer, the sickening and sinking feeling in Shadow’s gut grew, it screamed at him to run, to hide, to do anything, but be in this situation. One particular scientist wore a look of sympathy as they scooted closer and closer. Likely a trick to capture him once more, hold him down and dissect him. No one who worked for GUN could be trusted. 

Thoughts raced back and forth, considering escape routes and plans of attack, as Shadow’s red eyes scanned wildly around the blinding white walls that trapped him. A deep growl erupted from his chest as a lab coat inched too close. They all looked so stupid, standing like they were trying to catch a wild cat. Shadow was anything but a cat; he was the danger none of them were prepared for. They had no weapons. Their plan was to try to scare him into submission.

Shadow did not fear them.

They took his sister, it was they who should fear him.

His hands curled into fists as he prepared to attack, claws digging into his tan palms. The black hedgehog launched at the closest figure, his fist making contact with the man's jaw. Shadow’s arm screamed from the sudden impact, but he continued, launching for the next as forceful shouts escaped his throat unbidden.

Shadow's exposed claws grazed against another scientist's shoulder, snagging a hair tie in its path and letting loose long blonde locks into the path of blood pouring through her coat. Shadow stopped and stared, horrified, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the girl - no, the woman - tripped over herself and fell to her knees with her hand gripping her chest - no, her shoulder - where the blood flowed from freely.

She was not Maria. She was not Maria. She was not Maria .

An electrifying pain shot through his body, taking advantage of his confusion and leaving him convulsing on the floor. Shadow grabbed at a thick collar around his neck. He shouted in frustration, this damn collar was going to be the bane of his existence.

The pain ceased as Shadow heard a heavy door shut and lock loudly. The shock came from his neck, just as it had when he was lying in the dirt. It left a tingling sensation throughout his body, all the way from his sharp quills to the tips of his toes. Did the door have something to do with the shock? It started as the door opened and stopped as the door closed. 

Shadow was left alone, lying weakly on the cool floor. At least the tiles' temperature no longer chilled him to the bone; it instead calmed his growing aches.

Shadow lay hopeless on the floor, he could feel a burning numbness fizzle though his nerves. There was no doubt moving his limbs in such a state would make his muscles cry for mercy. Not that it mattered, he couldn’t find the will in him to move anyway. He didn’t even bother to wipe his face as silent tears streamed down, he just lay there, the only indication that he was alive was the subtle rise and fall of his chest.

This was stupid. He should not be crying over a jolt of pain. He shouldn’t be crying at all. He did not have the right to cry. To even feel sorry for himself was out of the picture. Not when this was his fault. He was Shadow the Ultimate Lifeform. His entire purpose was to save Maria from an early death. Instead, he caused it, even more prematurely than if she had succumbed to her illness. She had a few years left. She wasn’t supposed to die yet.

A small sob left Shadow’s lips, he furrowed his brow, grimacing as more sobs followed. GUN killed her because they wanted him. GUN shocked him, using their machines to defend themselves against him, instead of fighting back. They shocked him because they wanted to escape him . They were cowards. Cowards who hid behind their weapons as a means of “defence”, destroying everything around them to stay safe. 

Shadow was the dangerous one, yet he was alive. Maria was defenceless and yet they killed her. She was nothing but an obstacle between him and them.

Chapter Text

It felt like days, months, years before Shadow decided to move, even more before he decided to explore his cage. The white walls mocked him, looming over his smaller, trapped form as their patterns morphed into malicious smiles. 

Flickering strobe lights lined the roof and small vents dotted along the walls. The door was easy to miss. if he hadn’t seen the GUN scientists exit, he figured it would’ve taken him days to discover it. The only indication that there was a door was the thin, nearly invisible lines that created a tall rectangle, with two smaller ones inside. The bottom one was to slide food in, and the top… Shadow hadn’t figured that out yet.

Everything was cold, unused and unspoiled. The bed was pressed against a corner and not even a single wrinkle plagued the sheets until Shadow had discovered, under a single touch, that it was as hard as rocks. Monitors littered the room too. There was no doubt the scientists assumed he’d just comply with their tests. Like they believed he was only an object who would bend to their will.

Shadow clenched his hands into fists, his claws digging painfully into the tan pads of his palms. He just wanted to hit something. No, he needed to hit something. It was a violent urge deep in his chest, yearning to destroy, to shout. To hurt those who hurt him. 

Before Shadow knew what he was doing, his fist collided with one of the monitors, knocking it loudly to the ground. He kicked and stomped it, the screen shattering and plastic casing bending. Shadow yelled, frustration coursing through his veins as he threw as many hits as he could on everything he could reach until his knuckles throbbed and nearly bled.

GUN thought they could keep him contained and that he would just comply. No. Shadow was going to escape and they were going to feel his pain, whether they liked it or not.

Naked hands ripped at the metal, tearing apart wire after wire in a frenzy with no recoil as sparks erupted and grazed fur. No one came to stop him, but he felt watched. Black fur prickled as wild eyes erratically searched the room for some sort of camera. Heavy pants filled the room, as Shadow stood in the centre of the mess.

“I know you’re watching me… I don’t fear you!” He growled to the destroyed room, 

A sudden clack made Shadow jump- so much for the tough act. A pair of bright green eyes stared at him from where the smallest rectangle had been. “Dude, I can hear you from the other side of this building- woah, I see why there was so much crashing.”

Shadow stared at the eyes, studying them; they were like hills of green singing a bittersweet promise of freedom. Flecks of light and an impish glint danced over the vibrant emerald green. He didn’t know why but whoever was behind that door annoyed him. 

“Who are you.” Not a question, but a demand.

“Jeez, I could ask the same ” Whoever was talking rolled their eyes “And maybe I will. Who are you? And why do you look like me?”

Shadow glared at him incredulously “Look like you? I can’t see you.”

“Avoiding the question, I see.”

“I’m done with this.” Shadow turned and kicked the broken machines. “Leave me alone.” 

It was quiet for a few moments. The black hedgehog almost believed that the eyes had left. He sighed deeply, crouching and poking the destruction around him, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. He really did make a mess, was he just giving GUN more proof of just how dangerous he was?

“So…” The stranger made popping sounds “You gonna just sit here and mope?”

Shadow growled “I’m not moping”

“Sure, sure, and I’m not blue.” The stranger’s tone was heavily laced with sarcasm and it was extremely annoying.

“Once again, I cannot see you.”

“Oh, right.” 

Shadow scoffed, “You don’t seem too bright. “For one you keep forgetting the obvious, and secondly, you’ve come to my cell.” Didn’t everyone in this godforsaken building know he was dangerous?

“What about your cell?" Sonic chuckled “It’s just like mine, but uh, more destroyed, so I guess… go you? Way to make it your own, I didn’t really decorate mine, I just broke out.”

“Broke out?” Shadow swung his head around and launched himself towards the door “How?”

“Woah jeez, I just broke out. I can get you out of here if you want.”

Out? Shadow hit his hands on the door as he tried to stabilise himself. He needed this out. But could he trust whoever lurked behind the door? They didn’t seem like a danger, just annoying. So, the real question would be, could he stand being in their debt and endure having them be a part of his master escape plan?

“Dude? Hello?” The voice waved his hand through the opening, nearly whacking Shadow’s tan muzzle. “Anyone there?”

There was an urge to bite their hand. Shadow was unashamed to admit that, but he held back, deciding it would not help him in any way. “I’m still here.”

“I thought you died or something. You went silent,” The voice chuckled. They actually chuckled . Did they think the idea of Shadow dying was funny? Shadow furrowed his brow. He should’ve bitten them. “Anyway, do you want out? Because it looks like you’re running out of things to destroy in here.”

What the hell, anything had to be better than his cell, and surely he’d be able to take the voice in a fight should things go south. So, Shadow nodded, accepting the stranger’s offer.

Chapter Text

The door loudly clicked open, swinging outwards, and Shadow’s heart dropped as he realised the outside looked almost exactly like his inside; blinding white walls filling a hallway and even more rooms. 

The voice stood, grinning proudly. They didn’t look like twins, but they looked alike, only one really was blue. Was he another lab experiment? Shadow was sure he was the only anthropomorphic hedgehog. Unease struck him as he thought what this could mean. Was GUN trying to clone him? Did they take his DNA?

The voice didn’t notice Shadow’s discomfort, he only stated smugly, “Door: unlocked.”

Red eyes roved the other hedgehog’s body, searching for a key, but he was about as naked as Shadow was. He had pale pads on his palms and messy, vibrant blue quills, but nothing to unlock a heavy security door. Or even a collar. Did Shadow only have one because he was a danger to everyone? 

“How did you-”

“Doesn’t matter.” The blue hedgehog interrupted “I’m Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog. Who are you, New Hedgehog?”

“Shadow Robotnik,” Shadow snarled. ‘The Hedgehog’ was not a last name, it was a title, and maybe Shadow was looking too deeply into it, but only someone with an embarrassing name, like Ogilvie or Maurice, would try to cover it up with a so-called “cool” title.

“Robotnik?” Sonic shuddered. “Interesting last name.”

One foot in front of the other, Shadow brushed past Sonic, striding down the long hallway. It was seemingly endless, the further he walked the further the end got. Shadow flinched as a bright flash of blue light zoomed around him. “What the-”

“Where are you going?”

“Out of here.” Shadow stood back defensively, Sonic didn’t have any air shoes; how was this speed possible? Whatever, he didn’t have the time, or the energy, to think about that.

“Oh, you can’t really do that.”

A frustrated growl rumbled through Shadow. Of course, he just traded his tiny prison for an even bigger one, and he wasn’t any closer to getting out. This blue pest probably didn’t want to let him out, he just needed entertainment. Why else would he offer to help? 

If only Maria was here, her cheery disposition and occasional snark, she’d make it easier to think, instead of the distracting jabbering spewing from the other hedgehog’s mouth. She knew how to calm Shadow, get him to stop and think, she’d run her fingers through his quills and relax him.

If he had healed Maria like he was supposed to, no one would see him as a monster and she would be safe.

If GUN hadn’t grown suspicious of Gerald, maybe he’d have been able to heal Maria.

If Gerald hadn’t taken Maria in the first place, she could’ve lived a happy life under the sun.

If Shadow was never made, she would’ve been safe. He was the monster, the common denominator in all of the equations. This was his fault.

Claws dug painfully into Shadow’s palms, and he grit his teeth. This was his fault. It was his fault-

“Dude, why’d you keep walking away? That hallway is not going to end.” Sonic snapped Shadow out of his thoughts. He had forgotten he was storming off to Gaia knows where. Shadow blinked, looking down both ends of the hallway. Neither could be seen. It really was endless.

“Why are you following me?” Shadow decided to snap, drawing the attention away from his -hopefully not obvious- spiral.

“I have nothing better to do.” Sonic shrugged, his hands tucked behind his quills. “So! What do you think of the lab so far?”

“I think nothing of this damned place.”

“Strong feelings, I get it, I get it.” 

“How do I get out?” Shadow was uninterested in conversation. Unless Sonic told him how to get out, he was not worth his time.

“Not yet.” Two words that made no sense. 

“Not yet? What is that supposed to mean?” 

“It means ‘not yet’, what? Are you really that eager to leave?” Sonic displayed an extremely fake pout and batted his surprisingly long eyelashes.

“Yes.”

“Wow, rude.” Sonic’s blue arms dropped to his sides and Shadow scoffed. “Anyway! Maybe I could show you around the lab, it’s like a maze in here though, I’m not sure how any of the scientists get around.”

When Shadow didn’t respond, he just kept talking, “There really isn’t much to do around here. I steal their speedometer thing every now and then to try and beat my personal record. I’m no scientist -or math person- but I’m pretty sure I’m rolling around at the speed of sound,”

It didn’t take long for Shadow to block out what Sonic was saying. All of his spewed words reached Shadow’s ears like white noise. He couldn’t think. Even if he wasn’t paying attention; the constant noise was a distraction.

“Sonic,” Shadow butt in suddenly, pointing in a general area, if he got the blue annoyance to shut up, he’d be able to finally think, and if he got him to look away, then he’d be able to ditch him, “What’s that over there?”

“What’s what?” Sonic sped over to where he pointed, searching for whatever had caught Shadow’s eye.

The black hedgehog took his opportunity to duck behind a corner. He flattened himself against a wall and waited for Sonic to go away. 

A minute. Two minutes. Three minutes passed. “Heh, idiot.”

Shadow turned and knocked straight into a scientist.

+++

Shadow was dragged and tossed back into his cell. All of his mess miraculously gone and the entire cell looked like nothing had even happened, all the machinery and his bed back where they were before. 

The collar around his neck had tazed him again at some point in the adventure, and the tingles still fizzed throughout his limbs. He found his spot on the floor again, shutting his eyes and grumbling at nothing, but also everything.

If only Maria was here, she’d make everything feel right. Maybe he’d be able to lie on his cell floor with him and smile. Maybe- THWAP

The black hedgehog flinched as a scrap piece of paper smacked Shadow’s face. He ripped his hands up to grab it and read the messy scrawl.

Nice job getting caught ;)

Might have to be faster next time, slow hedgehog

- Sonic

Chapter Text

The note had begun falling apart along creases after Shadow had folded and unfolded it more times than he could count.. The small square had been a million different things; a crane, a chatterbox, a flower. All of the origami crafts Maria had taught him. She loved stealing whatever paper she could find and trying to create new builds.

Maria was so creative, so full of life. She should’ve been on Earth, living under the blue sky. 

“Hey, Hot Topic,” Sonic’s voice floated through the door. Shadow swore he could feel his stupid smirk burn through the metal door and brand his mind.

“Hot Topic?” 

“You’ll get it one day. You moping again?” 

“Leave me alone,” said Shadow with his back turned to the door as he folded the crumbling paper once more.

“Ooh, is that a butterfly? Nice to know my note is entertaining you.” The blue blur stood above him, doing the exact opposite of leaving Shadow alone. Shadow didn’t even hear the door open.

Shadow rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”

“I’m bored,” Sonic whined, slumping his shoulders and groaning towards the ceiling. 

Shadow sighed deeply. “Again?”

“Yes again . There isn’t much to do here and I find you rather interesting, so…”

“And I find you annoying. Leave me alone,”

“Nah,” Sonic sat down next to Shadow, their knees touching, “I think we should go out again, it’ll be good for you. Something’s going through your head and moping won’t help much.”

“Not interested.” Two words, clearly telling Sonic to hurry up and buzz off, but somehow the blue hedgehog seemed to misunderstand. Instead of buzzing off, he pulled Shadow up by the arm, his touch faint and soft, and dragged him into the hallway.

“C’mon!” He grinned, running off and leaving behind his quickly fading blue trail before skidding back in front of Shadow, rubbing the back of his neck and chuckling. “My bad dude, I forgot you’re not as fast as me,”

“I can see how that would be hard to forget,” Shadow snarked. Sonic really was full of energy; he bounced a lot. He was almost like Maria… but way more annoying.

Sonic walked awkwardly, his pace alternating erratically. One second he’d speed forward too fast and end up way ahead of Shadow, the next he’d walk irritatingly slow, placing each foot down in slow motion like a sloth. Sonic sighed dramatically, dragging his hands down his face, before flopping them to his sides. “Can you walk faster?”

“I’m walking at a normal pace, I’m not the one bouncing- Hey!” Sonic abruptly grabbed Shadow’s arm, interrupting him, and slammed him against a wall. “What was that for?!”

“Shut up dude! Scientist,” Sonic hissed, covering Shadow’s mouth with a shushing finger. 

Shadow poked his head around the corner. It was the blonde scientist from before. His stomach churned as he recognised her as the girl he attacked. It was cruel just how much she looked like Maria. He could still see the look of terror on her face. The image imprinted itself on his mind. As Sonic’s grip loosened and he beckoned for his companion to follow, Shadow couldn’t move. Should he? What was he going to do if he ran? It wasn’t like he had a way out of this place.

Sonic dodged around Shadow to push him forward, eliciting shouts of protest from the black hedgehog as he shoved his companion into an open vent along the side of the hallway. Shadow reluctantly clambered in, albeit awkwardly due to his resistance. 

The vent was way less dusty than expected. It was almost too clean. The metal looked untouched, even my human hands. There were no fingerprints or smudge marks to indicate they had ever been touched. It was like they were brand new.

Sonic climbed in behind Shadow, herding the growling hedgehog further into the tunnel. Shadow, having nowhere else to do, moved along the narrow pathway. “Why the hell did you drag me in here?”

“To save your butt, now keep going!” Sonic hissed.

Shadow continued to crawl, unsure if he was going the right way. Sonic had not shouted any directions at him, only ‘forward’, but there were no diversions in the path so he supposed that Sonic knew where it ended. It was strange for a vent system to be a straight path; wasn’t it supposed to travel around the entire facility, not run along a single wall like a secret tunnel?

The vent was not as endless as the hallway, it ended in an area that seemed to be the size of a small room and stuffed with colourful and worn objects. It looked like the pillow forts Shadow and Maria would make, only metal. Shadow dropped into the space. There were stacks of comics in the corner, a dull red beanbag looked dangerously close to knocking the books over and half a ping-pong table rested against the wall on Shadow’s right. 

“Pretty sweet, right?” Sonic beamed proudly, rushing to retrieve a pair of beat-up nunchucks, and began to swing them around. “I’ve even got a state-of-the-art defence system-ouch!” Sonic stumbled as he whacked himself in the head, but shook it off quickly “See? Defence!”

Shadow continued snooping around. How did Sonic manage to get all of this? It was highly improbable for it to just be lying around in the GUN facility. Shadow’s curiosity peaked as he noticed a box in the corner of the room. Sonic nodded knowingly then picked it up and swung it onto the ping-pong table. 

“What’s in the box?” Shadow inquired, trying his best to sound disinterested.

“This box, my fine fellow,” Sonic announced like a game show host, “contains only the best things life can offer!”

Pausing for dramatic effect, Sonic took his sweet time revealing a hidden mess of items from underneath the box’s lid. There was whipped cream, fake bugs, whoopee cushions and a single plastic chicken.

Shadow stared quizzically at the random assortment of items, his brows furrowing as Sonic giggled like a school child over them. “Why are you so proud of these?”

“You’ll see.” Tan hands reached inside, pulling out the whipped cream and feathers. “C’mon, back to the vents!”

Reluctantly, Shadow followed Sonic back into the cramped vents, travelling up and down, left and right. He swore it was only a straight path to Sonic’s hideout, there were no divergences in the path. Sonic must’ve dragged him through a new vent. All of them looked the same, how was he to tell if this was the same as before? 

Sonic skidded to a halt. He pointed through a grate on the vent floor, and between the gaps, they could see a sleeping scientist sprawled on a couch. Shadow looked between the items in Sonic's hands, the evil smirk on his face and the sleeping man below.

“You’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do, right?”

“I’m going to do exactly what you’re thinking,”

“Sonic-”

“Too late!” The panel opened, and a blue blur zoomed down, running around the room, his cackles echoing as whipped cream appeared on the sleeping man’s hand, and a feather lay ready in Sonic’s hand. The blue hedgehog teetered on the edge of the couch, trying to suppress giggles, and he leaned in close and rubbed the feather against his victim’s nose.

WHACK . The man jolted awake as the white substance splattered all over his face. He shouted and tried to grab Sonic, but the hedgehog was too fast and zoomed away, back up the vent before the man could even touch him. 

Sonic keeled over laughing so hard that tears formed in his eyes, and Shadow watched him, confused, but a small chuckle escaped him with the help of Sonic's infectious laughter. “That was the most elementary prank. Why is it so funny to you?”

It took Sonic a few moments to be able to speak without bursting into laughter again. “The look on his face was priceless! It was hilarious!”

“You’re a child,” Shadow laughed incredulously, shaking his head.

“But, it made you laugh.” Sonic poked him softly, and Shadow stiffened. He shouldn’t be laughing, he didn’t deserve to. “You should try it.”

“What?”

“Yeah! It’ll be fun,” 

Shadow was unsure how Sonic managed to drag him into a break room or how Sonic managed to get him to actually try one of his pranks. But he found himself sneaking past tall figures, grumbling softly as Sonic giggled. He slipped past scientists, planting childish pranks around and hid in the shadows as he watched the chaos it ensued and the way Sonic’s green eyes lit up with mirth. 

He almost got caught three times and, each time, Sonic rescued him. Shadow would have felt grateful if he didn’t have to deal with Sonic laughing his ass off each time.

“Come on Shads, you gotta be faster than that if you don’t want to get caught!” Sonic said after scooping Shadow up and running away.

Shadow pushed himself out of Sonic’s arms and walked alongside his companion. “You’d be eating those words if I had my shoes. I’d be running laps around you.”

Chapter Text

Shadow rarely slept. He hated waking up and forgetting Maria was gone only for the reality to come crashing down on him as soon as he recognised his surroundings. Sometimes he’d find himself crashing instead into the rock hard bed, his body yielding to sleep and his brain yearning for dreams of his life before. 

Dreams where Maria laughed, full of life. She’d run around playing with Shadow and he’d pretend that he couldn’t keep up. She would roll her eyes as doctors told her to lie down, and she would protest that she was feeling fine. Shadow would let her do what she liked, but kept an eye out just in case she absolutely needed to stop. 

“Down on Earth, kids would look up at the stars and wish they could be among them,” she said as she ran up and down the length of a long window on the ARK, chasing a shooting star. “Woah look at those ones! They’re chasing each other and twisting and turning!”

She twirled, her blue skirt billowing. Not a care in the world as she smiled a kind, wide smile, just as Sonic had earlier the day before. The dream shifted and for a moment, Sonic and Maria were spinning together, laughing like school children. Shadow watched from a distance as Maria whispered to Sonic, a look of gratitude touching her young face.

Shadow blinked bleary eyed and tucked his ears down as Sonic burst into his cell, the loud noise echoing around them. Shadow sat up as he shrugged off the thin blanket.  He ran his fingers through his quills, smoothing them down in a repetitive motion. Perhaps if he did that, he could pretend Maria was still there for a few minutes longer. She’d always brush his quills as she hummed a soft tune.

“Okay, so! I have this genius prank!” Sonic ran around the cell, his blue trail reflecting against the white walls. 

Shadow ignored him, staring at the ground. He wasn’t in the mood to play games. His shoulders sagged and a weight rested over his chest. It seemed gravity had gripped his tired figure and was urging him to just melt into the floor and disappear. Sonic paused in front of him, crouching and tilting his face to look directly into Shadow’s.

“Shads?” 

The black hedgehog stood and dragged his feet out the door. He knew Sonic was going to pester him endlessly; the blue hedgehog grew bored so easily, just like Maria once did. If Shadow could walk far enough,  perhaps he’d be able to find something to preoccupy Sonic’s mind. Anything to take the focus off Shadow. He didn’t feel like playing or pranking anyone. Even more than that, he didn’t want Sonic’s pity. 

His mind was stuck in a raincloud. It was dark, gloomy, and uncomfortably wet. The cold sensation covered his fur and made an uncomfortable shiver run down his spine. Even after it disappeared he could still feel it, lingering between his shoulder blades.

“Where are you going?” Sonic called from the cell door.

Shadow thought for a moment. “I’m going to find my shoes. You think I’m slow and I’ve got to prove you wrong,” He doubted he’d be able to find them, this entire place was made up of a series of twists and turns. At least an endless goose chase would keep Sonic entertained.

Sonic’s eyes sparkled as he joined Shadow on his walk. Clearly he liked this idea. “Do you even know where your shoes are?”

Surely they could not be that hard to find, Shadow mused as he stalked down a narrow pathway. He didn’t need help, he needed something to distract himself, and what better way than a treasure hunt?

Shadow did not know how long he had been stuck in this damn facility, but surely he should have some idea how to get around by now. His feet carried him, passing through hallway after hallway and manuvering around precariously dumped boxes near some sort of shipping container. Shadow looked around the metal receptacle, words had once resided on the longer sides but it seemed someone had accidentally washed the paint away, leaving a blur of white on the blue container.

There were no signs of his shoes, so he continued to lead Sonic further into their hunt. They wandered, almost aimlessly because of how unsure Shadow was about where he was going. This whole laboratory was a damn maze and a confusing one at that. It was like the halls changed every time he walked down them. The more lost and frustrated he got, the less he felt sad. Anger had to be better than sadness, right?

Maria wouldn’t have said so. She scrunched up her nose every time Shadow scowled, teasing him for the simpliest of things. So what if he didn’t like waking up early in the morning? He could scowl over that if he truely wished, but each time Maria would scrunch up her nose. The small act always cracked a smile on his face. She really was too sweet for this world. With her comforting presence and sisterly teasings, Shadow loved Maria dearly. Back on the ARK, he could count on her being there with him after long days in the labs, but now? Now he was stuck in this nightmare with no sister to even talk to. 

At least Sonic was here, not that it mattered; Shadow was fine without him. It was just the comfort of having someone with him, truely the only reason he tolerated Sonic’s presence for so long. That was all. He couldn’t care less about him or his annoying voice.

The shipping container passed them again, the familiar boxes were strewn about the hedgehogs’ feet. Shadow, lost in his head, was leading them in circles. He let out a deep defeated sigh. Damn, he was not getting any closer to wherever his shoes were “I give up, where are they?”

Shadow mentally face palmed as Sonic turned around and began to lead them in the opposite direction. He had been going the wrong way entirely! Sonic rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced back at his companion. He chuckled at the exasperated expression on Shadows face. “I would’ve said something sooner but you didn’t seem totally open to suggestions.”

Quiet footfalls echoed in the hallway, growing faster as a storage room loomed closer. The outward facing door was made completely out of glass and reinforced with metal bars. Sonic zoomed ahead to squish his face against the window, bouncing like a child on christmas.

Shadow peered through next to Sonic, bumping shoulders with him as he leaned in. His shoes sat on a shelf, a spattering of dust speckling the clean curves, and shining next to them were four gold rings. His inhibitor rings. A breath caught in Shadow’s throat, he was supposed to be wearing those. Without them- He should’ve done way more damage to those scientists when he first woke up all those days ago.

He was a danger without them. How had he not noticed their absence? Why didn’t he feel it?

“Dude! Everything in here is so cool!” Sonic geeked from inside the room, grinning ear to ear.

“How- How did you?” Shadow blinked. Sonic was next to him five seconds ago and he was sure the door was locked. Not even GUN agents were stupid enough to leave it unlocked. Surely they knew what Sonic would do if he got his hands on anything on their shelves.

The blue hedgehog shrugged. “Unlocked the door. Anyway! These yours?”

He held out Shadow’s shoes, grinning proudly. Shadow zoomed through the opened door, ripping the shoes from Sonic’s grip and shoving them into his chest. They were his . Maria gave them to him. It was all he had left of her… the only proof of her existence on Earth.

“Woah! Alright, grabby,” Sonic held up his hands in surrender, already holding one of the golden inhibitor rings, he shook it slightly “What’s this?”

“Also not yours,” Shadow growled, snatching the heavy ring. He held down a sharp shiver as the cold metal bit into his palms. 

“Yeah, but what are they?” 

Shadow thought for a moment. There was nothing Sonic could do with such details, it was mere curiosity and Shadow didn’t have to tell him anything. “They limit my power.” 

Green eyes widened with awe. “Power?”

“Chaos control,” the black hedgehog elaborated. “The rings are supposed to suppress it, make me safe to be around. I don’t know why GUN took them away…”

“You seem pretty safe to me.” Out of bravery, or pure stupidity -Shadow believed the latter-  Sonic poked him in the arm, running his eyes over his victim’s black fur. 

Shadow felt his muzzle heat up as he pushed the prying hands off him. “Get off of me.”

Sonic had surely grown too comfortable around Shadow. He hadn’t hurt him yet, but there was always a chance. Everyday Gerald had instilled in him that he must always be aware of his power - the damage he could do. Stuck in his head, he hadn’t even registered the missing weight. He was a fool to forget he couldn’t have the luxury of not keeping his power in check and a damn idiot to put more people in harm’s way. What was scarier was Shadow could have injured Sonic beyond repair at any moment and he didn’t even realise it.

He was a monster. A danger. A threat. Maria didn’t see that. The young girl purposely overlooked it, and look where that got her. She was gone and it was all Shadow’s fault. He was supposed to be her protector, not her downfall.

“Okay, okay, but how about a race?” Sonic said, his face suddenly very close to Shadow’s, snapping Shadow out of his thoughts as he took a step back. Sonic didn’t notice, it seemed he was too preoccupied trying to hold back from bouncing off the walls.

Shadow stared at the shoes in his hands, the blackened soles, and the faint chips in the paint from when Gerald would test his speed. He turned them over. A little flower hid in plain sight, small enough to escape even Gerald’s watchful eye. Maria had designed his shoes and poured her heart and soul into the messy blueprints she gave her grandfather. It was only expected, her disappointment when Gerald built them, but removed her flower motif. So she did what any determined eight year old would do: she scribbled it on. For four years she would keep her eye on the flower, redrawing it with a mischievous glint in her eye every time it began to fade.

Shadow couldn’t race, not when he couldn’t even bring himself to put on the shoes. Should he have just left it? Gone to get them another day? But what if they were gone the next time? Destroyed like Maria by GUN? No, he would take them back, keep them close. That was all he could bear to do anyway.

“Later,” said Shadow softly, hugging the shoes, grabbing his rings and leaving Sonic in the doorway.

“You don’t want to?” Sonic cocked his head, curiously, walking alongside his friend.

Shadow moved quicker, his back to Sonic as his voice wavered. “How do we get back?”

The blue hedgehog’s voice softened. “Keep going straight ahead.”

Shadow hated his voice, the weakness it betrayed. Worthless tears formed in his eyes and he glared straight ahead, frustration prickling up his spine. Was he allowed to feel sad -to grieve- when this was all his fault?

Sonic guided Shadow through the twists and turns, following behind as quietly as he could. Why was he even still here? Shadow hurt the people close to him, Sonic should stay away… it would be safer that way.

But… Shadow didn’t want to be alone. It hurt . But surely this was  what he deserved. Sooner or later, Sonic could disappear too. At least if he left now, he wouldn’t get hurt. 

“Don’t think that Shads,” Sonic mumbled, too quietly for Shadow to hear.

Chapter Text

Maria’s laugh filled his ears, she was holding an acoustic guitar in her arms, trying to create her own song. She hummed a melody, then poked her tongue out as she tried to get the notes right.

“Can you feel life movin' through your mind? Ooh, looks like it came back for more, yeah.” Maria’s voice was soft. “What do you think of that lyric Shadow? I want this song to sound cool.”

Shadow smiled, echoing the melody she just played. “Very cool.”

She beamed. “And! I want to have a bit where it’s like this ‘Live and learn’, then I want to put in this pretty bit!” She strummed the guitar concentrating on her music.

“Wow!-” 

Gerald’s shouts drowned out Shadows' voice. Maria and Shadow looked at each other, then in the direction of the noise. Something was happening outside Maria’s bedroom. Gerald shouted at scientists sometimes when an experiment didn’t go the way he wanted, but it was never as loud, as angry, or as desperate as this. Shadow flinched, covering his ears, and Maria’s smile faltered. 

She put the guitar aside, picking up Shadow and hugging him softly, running her fingers through his quills. “I’m sure Grandfather’s just a little grumpy today, he’ll stop yelling soon,”

Only his shouts did not stop, they got louder, echoing around them, surrounding the young kids. A scientist rushed in, breathing heavily. “You two. Out. Now.”

“What?” Maria let out a small anxious chuckle.

“Escape pods, now .” They herded the two out the door, knocking the guitar aside. “They’re after Project Shadow, and I have direct orders. Run as quickly as you can, keep moving forward, don’t look back,”

The scientist ran in the opposite direction and Shadow felt his heart drop. Something was seriously wrong, someone was on this ship and they were after him. By the sounds of it, whoever wanted him was dangerous. Maria, she didn’t know how to react. She was chuckling in disbelief, shaking her hands as if she was trying to shake off her anxiety.

“We need to go.” Shadow held one of her hands firmly in his. He had to protect her, keep her alive. This was his mission. He spoke softly and firmly, afraid that if he spoke louder she’d be able to hear his nerves. “Come on, this way.”

So they ran, Shadow dragging the panting girl close behind him. Even as his fur prickled and his legs shook, he knew that if he had to, he’d sacrifice himself for his sister. He couldn't use his air shoes to ease the burden running placed on his body, not while Maria had to keep up. But what if he picked her up? No, they both stumbled too much whenever they tried, it wasn’t worth the risk of setting them back.

“Over there!” a booming voice called. Shadow glanced behind him at the soldiers, their uniforms branded with the letters G.U.N and his eyes widened as he noticed what they were holding. 

“Maria, keep moving!” Shadow shouted, his voice hoarse. Maria tried to glance behind her, but Shadow tugged at her hand, pleading “Don’t look back.”

BANG. Metal splintered at their feet. The soldiers were shooting at them. 

BANG. Sparks shot out of wires. Was Shadow the danger? Is that why they were shooting at them? The scientist said they wanted him, Shadow didn’t realise they meant they wanted him dead. Didn’t realise they would shoot others just to get him.

BANG. Maria whimpered and her grip on Shadow’s hand tightened painfully. 

Shadow tried to look back and check on her, but she spoke with a sternness he’d never heard before, the tone unfamiliar on her sweet voice. “Don’t look back, Shadow. Remember?”

The booming voice yelled again. “Aim for the monster! I don’t care how!”

“I-Ignore them Shadow!” Maria coughed, her breathing heavy. This running was too much for her illness. She was a strong girl, but she had her limits. “Turn the corner here!” 

Shadow threw them into the room, slamming the doors closed and rushing to the keypad to lock them. He pressed every button on the pad, turning on every level of security, then ran to the escape pod, to open and prep it for the two of them. The parachute was packed where it needed to be, no tangles in the rope. First aid kit, in the corner. Items for Maria- OOMPH

Shadow let out a cry of surprise as something pushed him hard. He scrambled to his feet to face his attacker as the door slammed shut. He was trapped.

“I’m sorry Shadow.” Maria smiled bittersweet on the other side of the glass, her hand gently pressed up against it and the other pressed tightly against her chest.

“Maria? What are you doing?” Shadow looked at her, panic stricken. She was on the wrong side of the glass. What was she doing?

“I’m saving you,” her soft voice cracked slightly, but she kept smiling.

“No, no! Maria!” Shadow banged against the glass. “They will hurt you! Absolutely not! You will open this door, I am the monster they want, you need to be safe!”

“No,” Maria winced, her tone firm. “You are not a monster, Shadow, please. It’ll be okay,”

“How can you say that!? It won’t be okay until you get in here-” Shadow looked at her chest, at the red that seeped through onto her fingers, her clothes and her golden hair. “Maria…”

She coughed again, panting in pain. “I’m okay Shadow, I was never going to live that long anyway.” Tears pricked her blue eyes.

“No! I am not leaving you here! They want me, I’ll hand myself over and we can heal you!”

She shook her head, dragging her feet to the control centre. Shadow shouted at her, pounding on the glass again. They wanted him. If she could just let him out, they’d leave. Take him away, not her. She just needed a doctor, a little bit of patching up. She was going to be fine if she would just let him out .

“You are not the monster you think you are.” Maria held her head high, “Bring hope to humanity and I beg of you please, do it for me,”

Do it for her? Why was she talking like it was her final words? This was not happening. It couldn’t be happening. This had to be a bad dream.

“For all the people on that planet.”

Shadow wasn’t going anywhere, especially not without her.

“Sayonara… Shadow the Hedgehog.”

“Maria! Please no!” Shadow pleaded, clawing at the walls of hte pod. He couldn’t breathe. This was wrong, all wrong. He cried out and Maria’s soft smile carried guilt as she pressed the key pad and Shadow was plunged into the darkness below.

+++

Shadow jolted awake. He clawed at his neck, pulling at the collar. He couldn’t breathe. The walls were closing in and he couldn’t breathe . Shadow tried to call out her name, but his voice was strangled. He wanted his sister, but she was gone.

“Shadow?” Sonic opened the cell door and ran to his friend’s side. “Shadow!”

The black hedgehog shook violently and his trembling hands could barely grip the collar properly. 

A weight on his chest made it hard to breathe. Any breath that managed to escape felt like it was being punched out of him. Was he dying? He had to be dying. He needed to get out. He needed fresh air. Could he find fresh air? Where’s the exit? Sonic left the cell door open. That’s an exit. But what if GUN agents catch him? Sonic. He’s talking. Shadow couldn’t hear him. A pouding echoed in his ears. Why couldn’t he movie? Why couldn’t he breathe? Shadow’s fur is uncomfortably wet. He must’ve sweat too much. His hands are shaking. Does Sonic see that he’s dying?

Sonic fretted beside him, pleading softly for Shadow to stop thrashing. “Shadow, look at me, please. I’m going to help you, but I need you to stop moving so much. Flailing around is only going to do the opposite. Please.”

Shadow panted, his head spinning. Something soft was shoved into Shadow’s chest and his claws instinctively dug themselves into the object. He could hear the fabric rip and his finger tips were greeted with the plush filling.

“There, good job. Now just one thing to do. Do you trust me Shadow?” 

Shadow rocked back and forth, his hands itching to claw at the collar. It was too constricting and his heart hammered as if believing its beats alone could loosen the damn thing. He need it off and there was no way that he’d be able to get it off in his state, he had almost no other choice than to nod and let out a soft affirming growl.

Tan hands reached up gently and got to work. Shadow flinched as something clicked by his neck every few seconds, his ears flattening. Sonic murmured soft words every time Shadow’s breathing hitched while he worked. 

As the collar hit Shadow’s tense shoulders, Sonic tossed it to the side. “All better, no more collar.”

“No more collar, no more collar…” Shadow echoed, his voice hoarse. He rocked back and forth, shaking his head.

Shadow’s breathing was still heavy, removing the collar lifted a suffocating weight off his neck, but he it was almost like he couldn’t get enough air. Not while his chest was rising and falling faster than a roller coaster and everything felt so damn out of control. Tears pricked his eyes and his hands travelled from the pillow to his quills, gripping them tightly.

“Hey, hey, let’s not do that,” Sonic spoke softly, a hint of desperation lining his voice as he slowly coaxed Shadow’s hands into his own. “Look at me, I need you to breathe. In and out ,”

Sonic inhaled, making a big show of his chest puffing up, then exhaled, blowing out of pursed lips. He did it again, squeezing Shadow’s hands encouragingly as he tried to guide his breathing.

Shadow followed his instructions. 

Breathe in and out, it wasn’t as simple as Sonic made it look.

Breathe in and out, he could do this.

Breathe in and out, just like normal.

“That’s better, right?” Sonic spoke softly, as if not to startle Shadow once he appeared less frantic. Shadow nodded slowly, still breathing deeply. In and out .

Shadow took back his hands and ran his fingers through his quills, focusing his attention on the sensation. He shut his eyes tightly, blocking out the whole world if only for a few moments. He felt heavy, his entire body crying out to lay down and return to sleep.

“My sister…” Shadow whimpered, finally looking up at Sonic. He kept his eyes forcibly open and suppressed a yawn, as if scared of falling back asleep. This was real epic; the Ultimate Lifeform, scared to death because of a nightmare.

“Maria…?” Sonic’s eyes widened, almost afraid to mention her name in case he would upset Shadow further.

Shadow nodded. He must have let her name slip at some point, he couldn’t think of any other reason as to why Sonic would even know it. “They hurt her.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Sonic shifted in his seat, his hands still brushing against Shadow’s knees. His voice was soft and his emerald eyes carried understanding. Shadow knew that if he asked Sonic to leave, he would listen, and if he asked him to stay…

“Not yet, but…” Shadow looked away, grumbling, “I don’t want to be alone.”

“No need to be embarrassed, Shads.” Sonic smiled softly and Shadow could tell he was holding back a tease. 

“Just lie down already, I want to sleep.”

Chapter Text

“Hey Shads,” Sonic gently poked Shadow’s arm, kneeling down beside the bed and smiling softly, attempting -and failing-  to suppress an air of excitement.

Shadow grumbled, rolling over. “What do you want?”

A few days had passed since Shadow had awoken suddenly in the night and felt like he was going to die, but he was fine now. He claimed this, just as any person in denial about their emotional state would.

He may not have been fine , but he was better . A good step towards fine.

Following the nightmare, Sonic had begun to sleep alongside Shadow. His presence was a warm reminder that someone was still there. He wasn’t as alone as he had once thought. 

As each day passed, Shadow felt less and less tired. It was like he was sharing a bed with Maria again: he could sleep through a full night, undisturbed. Should he have been this undisturbed in GUN’s labs? He couldn’t remember the last time a scientist came to inspect him. Shouldn’t they have come in to run tests on him? Wasn’t that why he was captured in the first place?

He shouldn’t complain, but after his nightmare, everything just seemed too peaceful, too calm. 

Sonic gently picked up Shadow’s shoes, holding them like precious jewels. “Are you ready?”

Shadow’s heart beat in his chest and his palms felt sweaty, he was nervous . But what was stronger, was a deep longing feeling, it pulled him towards the shoes and possessed him as he tentatively slipped them on. 

The soles were cold, but Shadow couldn’t care less. This felt right. He thought it was strange to miss an object, but he missed his shoes and the comforting feeling of familiarity they provided. A small smile broke out on his cheeks and he looked up at Sonic, who watched proudly. 

“Ready to go?”

“Ready to lose the race?” Shadow stretched, preparing himself to bolt.

“Oh, I see how it is.” Sonic ran on the spot, grinning smugly to Shadow. “I won’t go easy on you, since you bragged constantly about the speed those shoes give you.”

The black hedgehog rolled his shoulders back. “Oh, just you wait.”

Three. They settled into starting positions.

Two. Sonic chuckled, seemingly deciding that he already won.

One. They zoomed off, a blue trail chasing after Shadow’s yellow trail.

Sonic shouted in surprise and Shadow laughed loudly, gliding up ahead of Sonic and cutting through the still air. They followed a winding path, down the endless hallways, turning whenever they felt like it, the leader making their own course.

“Hurry up, slow hedgehog !” Shadow called back, he had never felt so smug in his life.

“Oh no, you don’t! That’s my line!” Sonic pulled ahead, laughing as he took the lead. Sonic hollered, laughing freely as he ran in circles around Shadow, the blue light filling Shadow’s vision as he continued to move forward. The black hedgehog didn’t even know where he was going, but he knew Sonic wasn’t cruel enough to lead him straight into a wall.

When Sonic finally zoomed ahead, he bounced, throwing his arms up in the air and shouting gleefully. The blue light cleared to reveal colour everywhere . Green grass, blue sky, white clouds. They were outside, out of the lab. They were free.

He was free. Fresh air filling his lungs, warm sunlight shining on his dark fur and a grinning Sonic watching his reaction.

“We made it out?” Shadow laughed incredulously, it felt unreal. This was earth, the real earth. The one from Maria’s picture books, the one she wanted him to see. “I can’t believe it.”

“Well you better believe it,” Sonic grinned proudly, “it was about time we left that dingy place.”

Sonic grabbed Shadow’s hand, pulling him into a run and dragging him around the endless field past flowers and trees. It was beautiful. 

They ran around, full of boundless excited energy. Sonic’s eyes sparkled as he pointed at every small little thing. Had Sonic ever been outside? He looked like a child exploring the world for the first time, everything was beautiful and an opportunity for adventure.

No doubt that Shadow looked the same. He marvelled over the things Maria would show him in her picture books. He still missed her, but Sonic carried so much of her excitement that it was like she was still there with him, at least in spirit. She’d be smiling so much to know Shadow was on earth.

They played for hours, managing to complete at least ten races, tackling one another at some point and Shadow fished a panicked Sonic out of ankle deep water. They panted heavily, grins etched into their faces as they laughed freely.

So they sat, lying in a patch of lavender with the calming scents enveloping them as the sun slowly set, turning the sky into stunning shades of orange and purple. Shadow watched it fall, eyes filled with wonder. Sunsets were even better than what Maria said, she was right when she said words could not describe it. He sighed deeply, sitting in the silence.

“Wanna talk about Maria yet?” 

Shadow sighed deeply, picking a piece of lavender and playing with it. “I don’t know.”

“C’mon Shads, it’s good to talk about stuff, helps you work through it or whatever.”

“Okay, okay I will.” Shadow flicked a bit of grass at his blue companion.

Sonic perched himself right up against Shadow, watching him. His green eyes were soft and comforting as he waited for Shadow to open himself to him.

Shadow started softly, his voice suddenly weak as he tried to explain what happened on the ARK, why his nightmare affected him so much and why he harboured so much anger when he first turned up at the GUN facility. Sonic listened intently, nodding and offering mumbled comments and little threats to GUN’s safety.

A weight had lived on Shadow’s chest since he lost Maria, it nuzzled itself over his heart, put up walls and felt nothing but anger, sadness and loneliness. As he spoke that weight didn’t disappear, but it lessened. He knew it would be a long while before it would go away, or perhaps it would never, perhaps it would always be there, in the back of his mind. But one day, he knew, he would learn to grow with it.

Sonic rubbed Shadow’s arm softly in an act of comfort as Shadow finished talking. They lay in silence, letting the story settle over them. It was a comfortable silence, they could just be , whole and together. Because Shadow had someone who seemed determined to not leave. Sonic wasn’t afraid of him -just as Maria wasn’t afraid of him- and perhaps this time, he’d stay.

Sonic was the first to break the silence.

“You know it’s time to wake up, right?” He watched Shadow with a small, sad smile.

“What do you mean?” Shadow asked, perplexed. “I am awake.”

“You know that’s not true, Shads.” Sonic rested his hand softly on Shadow's shoulder, chuckling gently.

Sonic was talking nonsense, how could he not be awake? This had to be real, Sonic had to be real. Shadow shook his head, this was crazy. Sonic was playing with him, pranking him. 

“It’s not a dream,” Shadow laughed, rolling his eyes

“Shadow…”

Shadow sat up, looking away and laughing still. Sonic was ridiculous, trying to convince him that he was living in a dream, that is the most basic plot twist in the book. Next thing, Sonic was going to tell him that he was really just some guy named Roger or something.

“Why would I be named Roger?” Sonic sat up too, watching Shadow, confused.

“How’d you-”

“Shadow… think about it: didn’t you notice anything that didn’t make sense?” Sonic said, a kind smile on his face. He knew he was giving world-shattering news, but he was trying so hard to soften the blow. 

The black hedgehog shook his head, he didn’t want to believe it. Sonic was right, there were things, but he always explained it away or forgot. Sonic could always unlock doors without ever using a key, the hallways were blurry messes, his room returning to the state it was before he destroyed it after mere minutes of being away. 

He gripped the inhibitor rings around his wrists. Did he dream that he didn’t have his powers? Did he dream that he was normal? No, because this wasn’t a dream.

“So what, things happen all the time that you can’t explain.” He crossed his arms.

“Shads, you know I’m right.”

He did, but he didn’t want to. This being a dream meant that Sonic wasn’t real and Sonic not being real meant that he really was alone. He only dreamt that someone could be as fearless and kind as Maria…

“Why did this happen?” Shadow’s voice cracked and Sonic pulled him into a gentle embrace. 

“Maybe you needed me.”

Shadow gripped onto Sonic, maybe if he didn’t let go this would all blow over. He could hold onto this dream. Who said he needed to wake up?

“I know you don’t want to Shads, but you’re going to have to wake up,” Sonic chuckled.

“But… I’ll be alone again.” Shadow pulled back, looking down like a child who just got caught red handed.

“No you won’t, I’ll always be with you,” Sonic poked Shadow’s chest lightly, “in there,”

“In my heart?” What a cheesy line. Shadow fought against the urge to roll his eyes.

“Nah, dude, your lungs,” Sonic chuckled, his small noise bursting into laughter as Shadow shoved him.

Shadow couldn’t help but laugh too, Sonic just had a way to make him do that… he was going to miss him. “Are you really sure I have to wake up?”

“I can’t keep you from the real world forever. Besides, there isn’t a lot to stay here for. It’s pretty much only the lab and this field, your mind doesn’t know what the rest of the world looks like, you need to explore, live a real life. Isn’t that what Maria wanted?”

Shadow slumped, Sonic was right, unfortunately. He didn’t protest as Sonic pulled him back into another hug, running his fingers through Shadow’s quills, comfortingly. Shadow didn’t want to wake up, not yet. He wanted to stay like this, warm and loved, he had a friend here. A friend who, real or not, cared for him. 

“No…” Shadow mumbled softly as his eyes began to droop closed. Not yet .

Sonic chuckled softly. “I’ll miss you too, Shads,”

Darkness washed over Shadow and he fell. Sonic’s warmth slowly faded away and soon Shadow couldn’t even feel him in his arms anymore. He felt weightless, floating and cold. He moved his hands slowly, each joint stiff as if they hadn’t been moved in fifty years.

Yells slowly came into range. Commanding and panicked voices.

“He’s waking up!”

“Get the stasis under control,”

“Is his pod broken?”

Shadow took a deep breath, curled his hands into fists.

And opened his eyes.

Chapter Text

GUN seemed to be everywhere on Earth. Shadow had perched himself up on a roof top when he had found another military machine. It was a strangely built machine with mechanical legs, missile pods, hover jets and a rotary machine gun. GUN really threw in every big thing they could think of to overcompensate for their cowardice, hiding behind a machine once more.

A flash of blue shot at the machine, flinging itself around repeatedly. Shadow swore he could hear a familiar smug chuckle, but instead he shook his head, closing his eyes tightly. His blue flash was a dream, this blue flash had to be something different.

The machinery cracked and creaked as an explosion of smoke erupted, the robotic legs giving out and the metal falling to the ground. 

“Chaos control,” Shadow muttered as he plunged himself into quick darkness and appeared on top of the machine. He stood steady, kicking and inspecting GUN’s newest piece of scrap metal.

“It all starts with this,” he held the glowing green chaos emerald, flaunting it to the machine under the moonlight, teasing GUN, “a jewel containing the ultimate power.”

Shadow had his power back, all GUN had were weak, pathetic means of defense.

“That’s the chaos emerald!” yelled a voice that made Shadows' smirk drop.

It couldn’t be him. This couldn’t be him . 

“Now I know what’s going on,” the voice yelled again, accusatorily. “The military has mistaken me for the likes of you!” 

Shadow took a deep breath before turning and facing the familiar green eyes. They looked anything but happy to see Shadow. Was he still dreaming? Did he wake up only to fall into a nightmare? 

Was this even his Sonic?

“So, where do you think you’re going with that emerald?” 

No, this was just a cruel twist of fate, this hedgehog had to be a fake, something GUN made to mess with him. Shadow rolled back his shoulders, ignoring the blue hedgehog.

“Say something! You fake hedgehog!” 

“Chaos control!” Shadow shouted. He was not the fake hedgehog, whatever was going on, he didn’t even know if he wanted to be involved. Shadow appeared alongside the blue hedgehog, running past him. Maybe some investigation wouldn’t hurt. He had all the same details of his Sonic, the blue body, the tan arms, muzzle and chest, he even had the same sparkling eyes. 

“Woah, he’s fast!” Sonic spun around blinking, confused. Trying to figure out how Shadow appeared and disappeared so quickly. He muttered to himself running and trying to keep up “It’s not his speed, he must be using the chaos emerald to warp.”

Shadow appeared back on his rooftop, staring down at the blue hedgehog. If he really worked for GUN, he’d let them know he had his emerald back. But if he didn’t, well it didn’t hurt to tell him who he was. Whether this was his Sonic or not, he definitely didn’t remember him. 

Shadow needed to know why Sonic was in his mind and why someone like him would just manifest in his fifty-year-long dream. 

He growled loudly. “My name is Shadow, I’m the world’s ultimate lifeform.”

GUN helicopters slowly loomed closer in the sky, sneaking up on them. The blue hedgehog either didn’t notice or refused to say anything. Shadow would have to investigate later. 

“There is no time for games… farewell.” Shadow ran way. This was pure strategy, the Ultimate lifeform was not afraid. 

The last thing he heard was loudspeakers blasting a commanding voice. “Don’t move! Stay where you are! Keep your hands up in the air!”

He laughed to himself as he remembered what was said to him what felt like a lifetime ago. He called over his shoulder for his own enjoyment,  “Nice job getting caught. Might have to be faster next time, slow hedgehog ”