Chapter Text
Shadow watched the steam rise out of the mug. The black liquid within would usually bring a smile to the most grumpy of people. But a frown was etched onto his face. The chatter in the background faded out as he once again made his case to the person sitting on the opposite side of the booth. “I’m just saying. All I do for the world and this place won’t serve me just coffee beans. And it’s not like I’m not gonna pay for them. I mean, what’s the difference?” He, of course, knew what the difference was but he just liked complaining.
“Because it’s weird, Shadow. And it’s embarrassing. It makes me not want to go out with you cause who asks for coffee beans?” Maria, his human sister, sat opposite of him, and of opposite views of him.
“It shouldn’t matter if it’s weird. If I want coffee beans and if I can pay for them. Then I should be served them. After all, the customer is always right.”
“In matters of taste. In matters of taste. Not, wanting coffee beans to eat like it’s candy. And why do you even need coffee anyways? Isn’t your body immune to it?” She stirred some sugar packets into her own drink.
Shadow smirked at her, “What? Are you the coffee bean police? Also, by your logic, I don't see why you put makeup on since you're still be ugly.” Maria rolled her eyes.
“What are you, 13 years old? And you shouldn't be talking about looks. Mr. Been alive for 22 years and never had a girlfriend.” Shadow took a big sip of the coffee. The steaming liquid would be way too hot for most people but he's not like most people.
“Hmphf. I'll have you know that the fact I am single has nothing to do with my looks. In fact, if I wanted, I could have anyone I want.”
“You're absolutely correct. I forgot I was talking to the master of seduction. Please forgive me.” Shadow decided to ignore the sarcasm.
“I am the master of seduction. There have been plenty of missions where my ultimate power takes a break and I use a much more… delicate approach.” Shadow left out the fact that he hated when he had to do that. Only because he'd much rather blow things up. But he knew if he told Maria, she'd be like, ‘OH, of course.’
She held up her hands in mock surrender, “My bad.” Her hands suddenly fell and she got a predatory look in her eyes and Shadow knew he was not about to like what she would say next, “On these ‘missions’, how much action do you get.” Shadow tilted his head. That wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.
“Since I'm undercover, I try to use violence as a last resort, but I would say that I get a lot of action. Mostly because, between you and me. I purposely blow my cover when it gets too boring.” Maria looked a little confused, her face scrunched up before she made a O with mouth.
“Shadow, I'm not talking about that kind of action.”
“Then what kind of- oh.” She nodded at him like he was a little child that just figured out what 2+2 is. “That is hardly an appropriate discussion.”
“So none? Come on Shadow, I need you to get me some grandbabies.”
“You’re not even my mom for one. And two, I don’t want any children. They are loud and obnoxious, a distr-”
“So you two will get together fine then.” Maria interrupted him, rather rudley. “Fine. Will you at least get a girlfriend then? That Amy girl you work with is pretty sweet. And her pink fur will just go adorably with your own. You two will make the most precious babies.” Will?
“She is a coworker and nothing more. And I can't believe you're saying something when you're single.”
“That's not even my fault. Every time I meet a nice boy, you threaten them. Like, thanks for the concern but I can handle myself.” Shadow looked unconvinced.
“I wouldn't say I threaten them. I just let them know the risk of hurting you.” Maria cleared her throat before she did a terrible impersonation of him.
“‘If you so much as make a single one of her cells hurt. I will break off your leg and feed you your knee caps.’”
“That’s nowhere near vivid enough for the threats I make And you sound more like a dying parrot then the greatest hedgehog in the world.” Shadow refrained from asking Maria if her coffee was cool enough when she brought it to her lips. Though, it was a hard instinct to hold back, the instinct to protect.
“Greatest hedgehog in the world? When can I meet her?”
“You’re already looking at him. Also, there is no way any girl hedgehog can suppress my greatness.”
“It’s good to see that you keep your ego in check and remain humble.”
“Hmpf. Now that you mention it, I am pretty humble. I mean, I could go on for days and days about my exploits and the power I wield.” Maria looked unimpressed. Which Shadow didn’t take to heart. He’s known her since the day he was ‘born’. So his awe could fade away over all those years.
“All that ‘awesome power’ and you still can’t get laid. It’s okay though, I know that girls can be scary for your little hedgehog mind.” Shadow blushed first in embarrassment then in annoyance. He totally could if he wanted to.
“I just said that if I wanted to, I could do… that with whoever. And I’m not scared of anything. Especially not the opposite sex.” Maria raised a brow but didn’t say anything.
“Moving on from this wonderfully delightful conversation. What is happening at work? You catch any bad guys, stop any nukes, make any more friends?” There was a sarcastic inflection in her tone, yet she sat up straighter and leaned forward. Obviously intent on hearing what he had to say.
“If I told you. I would have to kill you.” She rolled her eyes, but Shadow didn’t know what else she was expecting. He always starts out with that when asked about work. “But for real. Nothing too serious. The streets have been quiet and the big players seem to be taking a break. Which is of course, more concerning then if they were robbing the store down the street.” That was easy, stopping them. Having a target to destroy.
Maria nodded quickly like she didn’t actually care about what he just said, “Okay, what about making any new friends? Any new workers?” Shadow doesn’t get her obsession with his social life. He had more than enough friends.
“If you must know. There haven’t been any new employees. And I remain having the same relationship with everyone at work as I did the last time we talked.”
“You know… You are allowed to have friends outside of work, right? You should try it. Maybe you’ll even find the special one for you.” Having contacts outside of work would only put them in danger. Something that he isn’t entirely sure Maria understands. For which he is grateful for that. She deserves the world and as many friends as she wants. Vetted by him, of course.
“A liability. I have enough social interaction at work as it is. No need for that at home.” Even if sometimes the quietness makes him feel all kinds of emotions on his chest. Not that he’ll ever tell anyone, of course.
“Just know you’re missing out. Oh! I almost forgot. Today is Tails birthday, did you get him anything?” The fox was a good coworker. Despite his younger age, he got on Shadow’s nerves the least. Maria looked away and kinda talked to herself, “I still can’t believe GUN lets him work. Isn’t he like 13?”
“14.” Shadow internally sighed as he realized his mistake.
“Aww. Look at you. You do care. I knew he turned 14 today and it looked like you did too.”
“There is a tactical advantage knowing the age of people I surround myself with. And if that includes knowing their birthday, then so be it.”
“Right… Did you get him any presents?” He did not.
“He doesn’t need any presents. He gets paid enough to buy whatever he wants. Though he’s technically not allowed to buy any of the stuff he wants… He’s smart. I’m sure he bypasses all that.”
“Don’t say that Shadow. Don’t think that I don’t know how much you enjoy getting presents. I still remember the first time I got you some and your tail was wagging like crazy.” Shadow looked away. He remembers that, and he also enjoys getting gifts. But he is also a man so can’t admit to liking stuff like that.
“You’re making the tail stuff up. That never happened. My tail does not wag like a puppy. And presents are… unnecessary.” He has lied about the tail thing countless times. But technically, he wouldn’t have to lie if Maria would just quit bringing it up so…
“Fine then. I guess I won’t get you anything for your birthday then.” She looked over his head. Shadow bit hit tongue. Was his pride worth not getting anything for his birthday?
“That would make you a bad sister if you didn’t get me anything. Just saying…”
“You literally just sai-” Maria quieted down and smiled as the server approached the table.
“How is everything? Can I get you anything else?” Before Shadow could open his mouth to voice out that, yes. She certainly could get him something else. Maria kicked him under the table.
“It's all delicious. And we're good.” The server nodded and walked to her next table. Shadow ‘glared’ at Maria.
“I don't know why you said that. It is not okay. And the coffee is subpar at best.” Actually, the coffee wasn't even that bad. He was just still upset they wouldn't serve him coffee beans. “And what if I wanted something else?”
“I’m sure you’ll live. And the coffee isn’t even bad. You just like being dramatic.” Shadow could just admit that she’s right, but where was the fun in that?
“What if I needed life saving cpr? And the server was the only one who could give it? Would you just let me asphyxiate?”
“I think that I would enjoy the silence with you not being able to talk and all.” That was certainly rude. Though, he would probably say the same thing if she said something like that so he can’t get upset.
“Fine. Now I know not to choke around you else it would be my last day on this planet.”
“You don’t even need oxygen. I’m sure you would be fine.”
“Actually, since you apparently don’t care enough about me to remember how my body works. I can go prolonged periods without breathing, but it requires substantial use of chaos energy.” He can honestly do a lot of things with chaos energy. Things that other mobians, even with an abundance of chaos energy in their body, cannot do. Of course, that can be attributed to the black arms and running through his body. He’s just really glad that the DNA didn’t affect his appearance too badly. Shadow would not want to look like one of those abominations.
“Sooo… I’m right. You don’t even need oxygen.”
“What if I got done teleporting a thousand nukes into space and was drained of chaos energy? Then I would need oxygen to breathe.”
“Are the thousand nukes in the building with us?”
Shadow pointed to himself, “Right here.” Maria raised a brow but didn’t say anything. Probably because she knew it was cold.
“Whatever.” She checked her watch, “Oh goodness. I need to head out, gonna be late for work.”
“You wouldn’t though. You literally own the lab.” A commendable effort by Maria. While he stopped the physical threats. Maria attacked the more un-blowup-able threats. Diseases, sickness, all the nasty little pathogens. Such that she almost fell victim to in her younger years. They were lucky since they managed to form a cure out of his blood, though it wasn’t without consequences, and it was impossible to replicate on the scale needed to heal the Earth. So Maria got to work. To find a cure to help all of the people on Earth.
“Yeah well, every minute that I’m not there is a minute that I don’t spend trying to help people.” Shadow thought about making a joke but Maria did get actually upset when he joked about her lab. So he didn’t.
“I’ve got to get to work too.” To be more exact, he had to be at work in three minutes. But he could teleport so Shadow isn’t worried. They paid for their drinks and made their leave from the diner. As he was walking Maria to her car, “I don’t see why you saw the need to drive this morning. I would have teleported us here.”
She reached down and tried to rub the top of his head but Shadow was not going to allow that in public. He side stepped her, “No offense, but your teleporting makes my insides chaotic. Besides, driving can be relaxing…” As soon as she finished saying that, a car screeched to a halt in front of a jewelry store down the street. The only reason he knew it was a jewelry store, was because of the countless times he was ‘forced’ to go there with Maria.
“Drive safely then, remb-” The car doors were opened and people in masks jumped out. From a quick glance, Shadow saw two humans, and two mobians. Each were carrying a firearm. People rushed around them and Shadow lost sight. “You should probably go now and beat the traffic. I have to take care of this.”
“Right… Well don’t kill them, but also don’t take it easy cause that’s my favorite jewelry store-” Shadow’s ears perked up at that. If he just lets them rob them then…”- Be careful. See you later. Oh! Wait!” Shadow watched Maria dig around in her purse and pulled out a little plush animal fox. “Here, will you give this to Tails from me?” As Shadow was reaching to grab it, Maria gave it a big ole kiss on the forehead. Shadow grimaced but didn’t say anything. She then got in the car then turned it on. Only then did he turn towards the jewelry store. He looked back and when he saw that Maria wasn’t looking, he wiped the kiss away and put the fox into his quills. Chaos energy cackled within him and through his fur. Orange and bright. The ultimate tool. He smiled before he teleported to the store. This was going to be way better than some coffee.
***
Project 01. Or Sonic, as he called himself, stared down the obstacle course and frowned. He hated this, well hate may be a too strong word. But there is a large amount of animosity swirling around within him. The scientists would make him do this dumb course multiple times a day like there would be different outcomes. He doesn’t even know what they’re looking for, but whatever it was. He was pretty sure they hadn't found it. But it’s not like he gets told anything, nope. Not at all. The scientist get all hush hush around him. They really only talk to him to tell him what to do or ask him the same questions everyday.
Sonic snapped back to attention when the lights flashed which signaled it was time to start. He thought about just walking through it since he already did this two times earlier today. But he didn’t want to disrespect Chuck. Chuck was the one scientist who seemed to care about him. Well, Chuck called him by his name, Sonic, when the other sciensenst still called him project 01. Even though he kept telling them that his name was Sonic. Chuck took the time to ask him about his day. Even though he didn’t have much to tell. His days, from what he could remember, have just been waking up, being left alone in a small white room to the point of tears. As there was absolutely nothing to do. And sometimes he did cry. To running these dumb obstacle courses. Then he would be brought to another room with lots of machines and the scientist would stab him and take his blood. Pull a quill out, which didn’t feel good at all. Take some fur. Hook him up to machines that made the oddest sounds. A not fun experience, they even made him pee in a cup. With zero privacy, which was super embarrassing, but Sonic supposes it isn’t that bad. From what he could remember, he was always under surveillance. At least, he thinks that the little things in the ceiling are cameras. But when he asks questions, he gets completely ignored! Except Chuck, but even then, he hesitates and sometimes doesn't answer some of his questions like, ‘where am I?’, ‘Why am I here?’. But the room isn’t too terrible, it is where he picked out his name.
Sonic made it to the first part, a small wall he had to climb. He put one hand and foot after the other. Slow and patient as he didn’t want to fall. Since falling did not feel good on the floor. He remembered that day. One of the scientists was talking about crazy things, like teleporting, chaos energy, stuff that he didn’t and still doesn’t know what it means. But he did mention something about ‘above supersonic speeds.’ And something about that stuck to him. He later asked Chuck about what ‘supersonic is’. And he was told that it was ‘faster than sound.’ Which didn’t seem to make sense. Cause how could something be faster than sound? And Sonic certainly hopes that they don’t expect him to go faster than sound, else he’ll be stuck here forever. But the idea stuck with him, if he was faster than sound, then he could leave this place and visit places that he only saw in his textbooks. So he named himself supersonic. But it was kinda mouthful so he shortened it to just Sonic.
His small, peach furrend arms trembled slightly as he hoisted himself over the edge and onto the platform. He stood up and his quills raised. He didn’t know why they did that or how to stop it. Though, he can’t blame them too much since he absolutely hated this part. Probably one of his most hated aspects of the course. There were a couple of small platforms that he had to jump too. Only, after the first one, the others were impossible to reach. They were like ten feet across! There was no way he could jump that far. However the scientist never made it shorter. And the reason he hated it so much, was at the bottom. Super cold water, like Sonic was surprised there wasn’t ice floating around it in. And he would have to fall into it. Multiple times a day. And it was terrible. He hated it so much. But no matter how much he complained, nothing was ever done about it. He jumped onto the first platform and looked over the edge at the water. His fur raised like it was warning him about it. And it could have been, but Sonic already knew about it, but he couldn't make his quills and fur relax. Whatever, he’ll just fall down with poofy fur and raised quills. They’ll be bogged down with water soon enough. He went to the far corner to get a running head start and jumped… And was short, about 7 feet.
Splash.
***
“And there have been no improvements?”
“...No sir.” Chuck answered his boss. He had a feeling in his gut that the outcome of this conversation would not be good.
“It has been a week. The project has shown no improvements, in a physical sense and biological test. There is zero chaos energy detected in its body… Do you know how much that quill cost?”
Chuck swallowed, “I-I know sir. We are trying… but Son- The project was taken out of the tube too early. He didn’t have enough time to develop. Both physically and mentally. We need more time.”
“You might think I’m scary, but the person who ordered this is worse than what you can possibly think of. He demands answers from me and all i can say is we have spent millions of his to create a useless organic lifeform… That we are a daycare at this point.” Despite being taller then his boss, Chuck felt smaller than ever.
“You have to understand. We are trying the hardest and quickest we can. There is a chance that the project didn’t inherit any of the genetic qualities of the ultimate lifeform. We did have to splice his DNA with another.” His boss was quiet… too quiet, before he spoke.
“It is known that under very stressful situations. Mobians that seemingly had none, to very little amount of chaos energy in their body, can suddenly find themselves in abundance of it.” This was beginning to go down a path that was moving on from the already dubious science they were doing.
“There’s only been 13 confirmed times that it happened. It is an anomaly that is more folklore than scientific. It is more likely that the project just didn’t inherit any of the chaos genes from the quill. There are thousands of cases where that is the case. Two parents with powers produce a child without.” Chuck tried to reason, but his boss seemed to already have his mind made up.
“Stress test will be done tomorrow.” His boss, Dr. Starline stared out the observation room window at Sonic. As the blue hedgehog pulled himself up and shook the water off himself, “It seems to have an aversion to water… We’ll start with drowning… Don’t worry, I know you seemed to form an unscientific bond with it. But after tomorrow, we’ll either have the sellable product, or we’ll have to start again. So it won’t have the chance to feel betrayal at you.” Starline walked out the door but paused before leaving, “I’ll have directions sent for all the preparations to be made. I expect them all to be done without delay.” The door closed with a soft hiss and Chuck was left alone with his thoughts. At least, until Sonic was done with the course and had to be brought back to his room.
Chuck stood in the room between the main building and the room where the course was. It was about thirty minutes later and Sonic had just finished the obstacle course. A course that was supposed to be completed in under three seconds. He stared at the one way window. He let Sonic have a minute to himself before he walked over and opened the door. The blue hedgehog instantly perked up when he realized who was bringing him back tonight. Sonic rushed over to him, quills bristling in excitement and his little blue tail swaying back and forth. And the guilt blossomed so fast that it hurt. He was just a child, kinda, he was just about a week old. And he should still be in the tube right now, growing. Not on his deathbed. Chuck didn’t have high hopes for tomorrow. Even if, by some impossible odds, Sonic makes a 14th confirmed test, he’ll never be the same. And there’s no telling who Starlines boss is and what they want with Sonic.
“Hey Chuck!” Sonic covered his mouth and his ears folded down. Chuck knew why, of course. Sonic would always get reprimanded for not saying Dr, and/or yelling. However he didn’t have the heart to correct him.
“Hey kid…” Sonic slowly pulled his hands away from his mouth and he tilted his head. A slight questionable look on his face as he obviously expected to be corrected. When he wasn’t.
“How many more times do I have to do this? It’s not fun at all.” Sonic shook his head, to emphasize. He just smiled sad;y at the hedgehog.
“This may be the final one.” It felt wrong, but just a little bit of happiness Sonic could feel before he went through hell tomorrow.
“Really?” His eyes widened to impossible length, and his tail moved at a blurring speed. “You mean it? I won’t have to do this dumb thing anymore?”
“Yeah…” He turned and started to walk, Sonic was hot on his trail. He took a left which led to Sonic’s room. Which was unusual because after the training, Sonic would go to the lab to get readings and test done. But Chuck didn’t see a point in it today.
“Wait… Aren’t we supposed to go to the room?”
“Since you’ve been extra good so far. I decided that we can skip it tonight.” The guilt consumed him whole.
“Woowww… Does this mean that I can leave soon? I want to visit… Florida! And look at the palm trees! Oh! I also want to visit New York and see that giant apple they have. I don’t know how they grow fruit that big!” Just keep walking.
“Uhm. Maybe, it’ll be over soon.” They couldn’t have made it to Sonic’s room quick enough. Chuck opened the door and right after, he felt two furry small arms wrap around him as Sonic hugged his waist.
“Thank you! You were definitely my favorite. But I can't wait to explore the world! Don’t worry, I won’t forget what you did for me.” Chuck couldn't bring himself to hug back. Tears pricked at the corner of his eyes and he knew. He knew he couldn’t be scientific about this.
“Of course…” He should just go ahead and forget about it. After tomorrow, this life would be snuffed out. He shouldn’t risk his own life to try and save someone who’s only been alive for a week. Someone that came from a tube. But as he looked at the green eyes, as he closed the door. They had a spark of life in them, and he did not know if he could go on if he didn’t do anything to try and stop what would come.