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Chapter Text

Shadow's POV :

'' Maria had settled me on her bed while she rummaged for the perfect book to read before sleep. “Maria, I’m not tired,” I groaned between yawns, giving away my true exhaustion. Maria giggled as she finally pulled out a book, her excitement shining through. “Well, Mr. Not-Tired, I have just the right story for bedtime!” she said cheerfully, returning to the bed and sitting down with a satisfied grin.

I crawled closer to see what she had chosen. It was a fairy tale, the cover adorned with shimmering illustrations of castles and enchanted forests. Maria lounged against her pillow, patting the spot beside her. I nestled in next to her, feeling content in the cosy atmosphere. As she opened the book, her voice filled the room, smooth and melodic. “There once was a beautiful princess, her hair soft and fluffy, her eyes shining like diamonds, and her hands delicate and gentle, all on her way to find a handsome Prince...”

With each description, I couldn’t help but compare it to myself. I found myself lost in thought, admiring my quills, which were indeed soft and fluffy. People often said my eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and my paws were tender, perfect for gentle touches. Just then, I interrupted Maria, curiosity bubbling inside me. “Maria?”

“Yes, Shadow?” she replied, turning to look at me with her kind, affectionate eyes.

I hesitated for a moment, then asked timidly, “Do you... Do you think I’m a beautiful princess?”

Tears glistened in Maria's eyes as she sat up and enveloped me in a tight hug. “Shadow, you’re so adorable! You’re the most beautiful princess ever!” she exclaimed, her joy radiating around us. My ears perked up with joy, a warmth blooming in my chest. “Do you think I’ll find a handsome Prince?” I asked, nervously fidgeting with my paws, the thought both thrilling and daunting.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I can see it now! Shadow, the beautiful princess, with his charming Prince by his side!” The image danced in my mind, and I couldn't help but grin at the thought. “What would my Prince be like?” I pondered, my imagination igniting with adventure.

Maria tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well, he would be kind, brave, and have a great sense of humour! He’d love your adventurous spirit and all the cosy moments you share.” As she spoke, I could envision it, my perfect prince, with a heart full of laughter and warmth. My excitement grew as I imagined the stories we could create together, filled with excitement and camaraderie.

“Maybe we’ll go on quests to find hidden treasures! Or explore majestic forests filled with fantastic creatures!” I added, my mind racing with dreams of adventure. Maria laughed, her excitement matching mine. “Absolutely! You’d both overcome challenges and share the most fun stories around the campfire!”

Feeling comforted by her words, I snuggled closer to her, enjoying our shared dreams. After a moment of thought, I asked, “And what if we met a dragon? Or a wicked witch?”

Maria's eyes lit up with delight. “Oh, that would be thrilling! But I bet you, with your bravery, would convince the dragon to be your friend instead!”

As we wove tales together, the outside world faded away, replaced by our magical imaginary realm. “You really think I could be brave like that?” I probed softly, a flicker of doubt creeping into my heart.

“More than anyone I know, Shadow,” she assured me, gently ruffling my fur. “You have a heart full of courage and kindness. Those are the true qualities of a princess!”

Her words wrapped around me like a cosy blanket, easing my worries. I closed my eyes, dreaming of the adventures we would embark on together. With Maria by my side, I felt unstoppable. As I drifted off to sleep, I smiled, knowing I would always be her beautiful princess and she would always be my beloved sister, ready to dream up new adventures together. ''

Chapter Text

Shadow's POV :

'' “Shadow, I have the perfect idea of what we could do!!” Maria exclaimed, practically beaming with excitement. I watched as she gathered pillows and blankets from all over her room, rearranging them into a cosy little fort, even managing to pull a TV inside it. I was puzzled, perched on top of her vanity, as she suddenly dashed out of the room, leaving me alone with the odd pillow fortress.

After a short while, Maria returned, balancing a large bowl of popcorn and an unmarked CD in her mouth, her hands full. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her, juggling the items like a circus performer. She placed the popcorn down in front of the TV inside the fort and patted the spot next to her. I shuffled over and nestled beside her, feeling the warmth of the blankets wrapping around us.

As soon as I settled in, Maria popped the CD into the TV. When the movie began, it turned out to be yet another one of her mushy Spanish romance films. Curious, I cautiously asked her if she could switch the language to English so we could understand without reading captions. “Shadow, how dare you!” Maria replied with playful indignation, “If it’s not in Spanish, it’s not romantic!!” 

I chuckled softly, turning my attention back to the screen. The film opened with sweeping views of sun-kissed beaches and candlelit dinners under the stars, setting the perfect backdrop for my friend’s favourite genre. At one point, one of the male characters dramatically declared, “Si tuviera que elegirte a ti o a la luna, sería nocturno.” Maria nearly burst into tears, dramatically wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. I let out a soft laugh, earning me a playful glare from her. “It’s not very polite to laugh at a crying girl!” she admonished, though I couldn’t help but chuckle again, this time a little louder.

“Why are you crying anyway? What’s so romantic?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Shadow! How do you not see how romantic this is?” she gasped, her eyes sparkling with emotion. “He just said he would choose her over the moon!” 

I watched her as she animatedly debated the depth of the character’s love, her expressive hand gestures punctuating each point. It was amusing; no matter how many times we watched these films, she always found a way to pour her heart into the experience. By the end of the movie, though, Maria was bawling her eyes out, popcorn still stuffed in her cheeks, making her look like a chipmunk more than ever. Not sure what to do, I patted her back gently, unsure if the gesture would bring comfort or provoke more tears.

Suddenly, she pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing me as if I were a stuffed toy, making it a bit hard to breathe. “Shadow, promise me you’ll find an amazing lover like that romantic Spanish guy! Please!” she pleaded, a blend of playfulness and hopefulness in her voice.

“Yeah, yeah, Maria,” I managed to choke out between attempts to regain my breath. She was always so wrapped up in her dreams of love that it was contagious, even if I didn’t share her level of zeal. 

Maria pulled back to look at me, her eyes wide and serious. “I’m actually serious, Shadow! You deserve someone who sees you as more than just a friend! Someone who would choose you over anything!” Her sincerity startled me. 

“Okay, okay! I promise, but can we maybe tone down the Spanish movie marathons for a bit? My heart can only take so much,” I joked with a dramatic hand on my chest, hoping to lighten the atmosphere as I caught my breath. 

She laughed, the sound brightening the room even more than the string lights she had draped around her fort. “Fine, but next time, you’re picking the movie!” 

“Deal,” I replied, though I secretly wondered what I might subject her to. Perhaps an action flick or something with dragons? I grinned at the thought, and Maria nudged me playfully, already plotting her next cinematic adventure. ''

Chapter Text

Shadow's POV :

'' I was placed on a sterile counter while the scientists attached various wires to my arm, head, and torso. The cold metal sent a shiver down my spine as one of them inserted a needle into my arm, drawing out some of my blood. I winced in pain but remained composed, refusing to show weakness. Keeping my head down, I endured the tests, the sterile smell of the lab suffocating in its familiarity.

It was during one of these moments, as I focused on a spot on the floor, that I caught a glimpse of someone peeking from the other side of the counter, Maria. Her expressive eyes seemed to illuminate the otherwise sterile space. She smiled widely, tiptoeing over as if the very ground beneath her feet were a secret only we shared while the scientists were momentarily distracted by their machinery. Clutching a stuffed toy with frayed edges, she deftly peeled the wires and tubes off me, her small fingers working quickly and with purpose. With a determined look, she affixed them to the toy instead, a makeshift transfer of their invasive curiosity.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room, her grip a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos. Though confusion washed over me, I didn’t resist as she practically dragged me across the Ark, weaving through corridors that felt both familiar and foreign. The soft hum of machinery faded, and for a brief time, I could almost hear my own heart beating, a reminder that I was alive beyond the confines of their tests.

Maria led me to a special room she had pleaded with the Professor to create, a breathtaking space filled with blue flowers with white stems swaying gently in an unseen breeze. The ceiling was entirely glass, allowing the stars to twinkle overhead, their distant light spilling in and casting soft shadows around us. The moon shone brightly, illuminating her features and lending an ethereal quality to the moment.

She quickly grabbed a watering can and ushered me inside, carefully setting me on the bottom of a pillar as she tended to the flowers with the utmost love and care. The gentle clinking of the can against the plants rang softly in my ears. She moved with grace, and I couldn’t help but admire her determination and the joy she found in nurturing this small sanctuary, a precious escape from the Ark.

“Aren’t the flowers breathtaking, Shadow?” she asked, her warm smile lighting up her face. Each word felt like a beam of sunshine breaking through the dimness that often consumed my thoughts. I reached down, plucking one of the flowers and holding it close. “They’re…” I paused for a moment, trying to find the right words amidst all the emotions swirling inside me, “I love these flowers. Their blue colour is so beautiful.” I brought the delicate blossom to my nose, inhaling its faint lemony scent, which intertwined with the cool breeze that wafted through the glass ceiling.

We sat there together, a comfortable silence enveloping us as we gazed up at the stars and then down at the flowers, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace wash over us like a gentle tide. The world outside faded into obscurity; it was just the two of us in this magical place. Maria often said how the colour blue suited me perfectly, and in moments like this, I began to understand what she meant. The blue of the flowers mirrored the depths of my thoughts, and for once, I felt a sense of belonging.

“Do you think the stars know about us?” Maria asked, her head tilted back to admire the shimmering expanse above. I chuckled softly. “Maybe,” I replied, feeling the warmth of her presence beside me. “If they do, I hope they’re happy for us.” ''

Chapter Text

Shadow's POV :

'' Maria and I were sitting at a large window inside the Ark, her finger tracing constellations as she shared fascinating facts about the stars. Each twinkle in the vast universe seemed to dance in response to her animated voice, painting vivid pictures of celestial bodies that had captivated humanity for centuries. It was a serene moment, one where the worries of the world felt a million miles away, but that tranquillity shattered like glass when alarms blared loudly, slicing through Maria's words and bathing the room in frantic red flashes. Confusion gripped us as we exchanged worried glances. “What’s happening?” Maria asked, her voice tinged with concern, echoing my own rising panic.

Before we could comprehend the situation, one of the scientists sprinted toward us, urgency etched into every line of his face. “We need to evacuate the Ark immediately! It’s a breach!” he shouted, his voice crackling with anxiety. My heart raced as adrenaline surged through my veins, and I grabbed Maria’s wrist, pulling her to her feet. We bolted toward the escape pods located in the research centre, our breaths quick and shallow. The pounding of my heart matched the sound of heavy boots approaching, the unmistakable thud of G.U.N. soldiers closing in behind us, their intentions clear and menacing.

Finally, we reached the escape pods, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. But as we neared the entrance, Maria suddenly halted, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. Without warning, she pushed me into one of the pods, her grip firm and resolute. “Get in! You have to go!” she urged, urgency layering her tone. I couldn’t believe what was happening, the world around us appearing to warp with the gravity of the moment. Just as I turned to argue and pull her with me, Maria reached for the lever that would launch me to safety, but before she could grasp it, shots rang out, a sickening echo that froze time for just an instant.

“MARIA! PLEASE, WE CAN SAVE YOU TOO…” I begged, desperation flooding my words, panic coursing through my system as the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my heart. But she shook her head resolutely, a fierce glint in her eyes that spoke. 

“Shadow… I’ll survive and I promise I’ll find you,” she said, her expression a mixture of determination and sadness that pierced my soul. “Protect the world for my sake, and never forget me. Give everyone on Earth a chance to be happy… I’ll find you, Shadow,” she vowed, her voice steady despite the encroaching danger. With a final, bittersweet smile, she switched the lever, sending my pod hurtling down towards Earth while she remained behind, her silhouette framed against the chaos of G.U.N.

As the pod began its descent, I blacked out before it hit the ground, the last echoes of her words swirling in my mind. ''

Chapter Text

3rd person :

Shadow and Rouge were assigned a critical mission by G.U.N. They were instructed to have Sonic's team join them, and the two waited in the G.U.N. lobby for Sonic and his friends to arrive. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the kind that usually accompanied missions loaded with uncertainty. “Hey, Shads! Hey, Rouge!” a familiar voice called from the entrance. It was Sonic, his usual grin plastered on his face, a stark contrast to the seriousness of their task. “So, what's the mission?” he asked as he and his friends approached, casually strolling in as if it were just another day in the life of a hero.

“Hey, darling~,” Rouge replied, placing a hand on her hip, a charming smile blossoming on her face. “We picked up a strange signal from an old Eggman base.” The mention of Eggman sent a ripple of tension through the room. Shadow nodded, his expression hardening as the reality of being paired with Sonic and his friends settled in. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that this mission would be anything but straightforward.

“I detected the signal a few days ago while testing one of my new inventions,” Tails chimed in, pulling out a device that looked like a tablet with a large antenna sticking out of the top right. The excitement in Tails’ voice did little to lift Shadow’s mood. “We don’t need your dumb invention, Fox,” Shadow said, crossing his arms defiantly, making a point to avoid eye contact. He could hear the tiny whirrs and beeps of Tails’ gadget as it hummed with energy, but it only served to annoy him further.

Knuckles frowned, his fists clenching in frustration. “Who spit in your coffee?” he shot back, clearly annoyed. Tails looked between them, visibly uncomfortable, and Amy stepped forward, her voice cutting through the brewing tension like a knife.

“Boys! Can we go do the mission already?” Amy interjected, her tone firm as she stepped between the two of them, her hands on her hips. The air crackled with rivalry, but Amy’s presence provided a welcome distraction. For a moment, Shadow admired her tenacity, but he quickly shook the thought away. With that, Shadow and Rouge led the way out of G.U.N. HQ, their footsteps echoing in the corridor. As they left, Shadow noticed soldiers gearing up for something, their faces etched with determination, but he dismissed it; he had more pressing matters on his mind.

A few hours later, the group arrived at the old Eggman base. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the remnants of the once-menacing structure. The site looked like a pile of rubble, long abandoned, as if no one had been there for years. Vines crept through the cracks in the concrete, and the remnants of Eggman’s technology lay scattered like forgotten memories. Rusty gears and broken machinery jutted out from the half-collapsed walls, a stark reminder of the chaos Eggman had once unleashed.

“We should split up into teams to figure out what we're looking for,” Tails suggested, peering at his gadget, which was flashing erratically now, as if responding to their surroundings. The tension among the group was palpable; whispers of anxiety flitted around as they considered the unknown lurking within the crumbling walls. “Now the question is, who should pair up with who?”

“I'll stick with the fox,” Knuckles declared proudly, puffing out his chest. “I can protect the little guy with my muscle.” He smirked down at Tails, who rolled his eyes in response, a mix of exasperation and affection for his friend.

“Well, in that case, I guess Sonic and I can be a team!” Amy stammered, appearing eager but slightly nervous. Her expression was a mix of excitement and hesitation; a soft blush crept onto her cheeks as she looked at Sonic, who seemed not as eager to be stuck with Amy.

“Not so fast,” Rouge interjected sharply, cutting off Amy before she could get too settled into her enthusiasm. “Darling, you have to be part of my pair! Think of it as a girls' outing… Just in Eggman's base!” Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned widely at Amy, who looked caught between delight and discomfort.

“Well, that leaves me and you, Shads,” Sonic said, elbowing Shadow's side teasingly, his confidence unwavering.

“Shut up, hedgehog,” Shadow snapped back, trying to keep his cool despite the growing irritation. He could feel the familiar heat of competition rising between them, but he refused to let Sonic's antics get under his skin.

“Alright, let’s move,” Shadow commanded, finally breaking the silence. His tone pushed them into action. As they split up, he shot Sonic a sidelong glance. “Just don’t get in my way.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Shads,” Sonic replied, his grin never faltering as they headed deeper into the remnants of Eggman's territory. With the weight of an unfinished mission hanging in the air, Shadow felt a surge of determination. He couldn’t afford to dwell on his frustrations; there was work to be done.

As they advanced through the decaying hallways, the eerie silence was occasionally broken by the scurrying of unseen creatures. Dust flew past the fading light, creating an atmosphere that prompted Shadow’s senses to heighten. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he instinctively glanced over his shoulder.

“Stay alert,” he warned, his voice low and steady, as they approached a large chamber filled with tangled machinery and flickering monitors. “Something doesn’t feel right.” Sonic nodded, his expression turning serious, as he followed Shadow into the vast, dark room.

Inside the chamber, shadows loomed larger, stretching toward them as the flickering screens crackled to life, displaying static and fragmented images of Eggman's past experiments. “This place gives me the creeps,” Amy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. With each step, the echoes of their footsteps were swallowed by the oppressive silence. 

“Let’s focus on what we came here for. We need to locate the source of that signal,” Tails said, tapping his device, which continued to beep erratically. “If we can find the main control room, we might be able to determine what Eggman was working on before he abandoned this place.”

Knuckles shrugged. “I say we just smash stuff until we find something useful.” His stupidity made Shadow roll his eyes. 

“Brilliant strategy,” Shadow deadpanned. “Just try not to crumble the whole building down on us, will you?” 

As they moved deeper into the room, Sonic paused in front of a large, protective glass case that had shattered long ago. “Hey, check this out!” he called, bending down to examine what remained—scattered blueprints and half-melted gadgets lay strewn across the floor. “Looks like he had plans for some new kind of battle bot.”

“Typical Eggman,” Shadow muttered, crossing his arms. “Always plotting something. We need to find out what this base was used for.” Just then, Tails’ device went into overdrive, beeping incessantly, startling the rest of the team.

“It’s getting stronger! The signal is coming from…” he trailed off, staring wide-eyed at a nearby door that had been half-covered by debris. “That way!”

Sonic kicked away some of the rubble, revealing a set of reinforced doors that looked like they hadn't been opened in years. “Let’s go see what's behind door number one!” he exclaimed, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Stand back,” Knuckles said, ready to force the doors open with his sheer strength. Shadow watched as his friend positioned himself and prepared for a mighty blow. The door creaked and groaned as Knuckles slammed into it, the hinges protesting loudly. A moment later, it swung open with a resounding crash, revealing a dark, dimly lit corridor that seemed to beckon them forward.

As they stepped inside, Shadow couldn’t help but feel an intense sense of foreboding. The walls were lined with strange machinery, some still pulsating faintly with energy. “This has to be it,” Tails said, excitement bubbling in his voice. “If Eggman was working on something big, it’s likely hidden down here.”

“Let’s make it quick,” Shadow ordered, his instincts telling him to be cautious. “Stay close. There’s no telling what else is lurking in this dump.” He glanced back at Sonic, who was already inspecting the consoles, a determined look on his face. 

As they ventured into the corridor, shadows danced along the walls, and the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier. The silence thickened, broken only by the sound of their footsteps. The feeling of being watched became undeniable, and Shadow tightened his grip as they pressed on.

Chapter Text

As the group of Mobians ventured deeper down the corridor, the sounds of robotic machinery grew louder. Tension filled the air as everyone braced themselves for a potential confrontation while moving toward the source of the noise. When they finally reached the end of the corridor, they were suddenly blinded by a flood of light. Once their eyes adjusted, they froze at the sight before them.

“Dude…” Sonic mumbled, his gaze fixed on the numerous badniks trapped inside a large glass box. “Wow... Should we, like... save them or...?” Uncertainty crept into his voice as he trailed off, unsure how to handle the situation.

“Why would Eggman trap a bunch of his badniks in a large box inside an old base?” Tails thought aloud, scratching his head, the gears in his mind whirring with possibilities.

“Maybe he just forgot about them?” Knuckles suggested with a casual shrug, his tough demeanor slipping a bit in the face of confusion.

“Is this what’s causing the signal?” Amy asked, looking to Tails and Shadow for answers, her brows furrowed in concern.

“It’s likely, but I don’t understand why these things emit such a strong signal,” Shadow replied, crossing his arms over his chest in contemplation, the usual stoicism of his face deepening even further. “Normally, they don’t generate enough energy for this type of output.”

“Maybe they’re powered by the Chaos Emeralds?” Sonic proposed, a glimmer of hope lighting up his eyes.

“The signal my device detected wasn’t from the Chaos Emeralds’ energy,” Tails interjected, dismissing Sonic’s idea immediately with a shake of his head. “It’s something else entirely.”

“Okay, well, you never know!” Sonic shot back playfully, a hint of defiance in his tone, trying to lighten the mood that hung heavily over them.

“Guys, maybe we should just get rid of them. We don’t know why they’re here or why Eggman would have so many trapped,” Rouge suggested, flitting around the edge of the large glass box as she surveyed the scene, her instincts kicking in, ever the pragmatist.

“It might be a trap set up by Eggman—” Knuckles began, but was abruptly cut off when all the badniks suddenly exploded. The explosion sent a cloud of dust into the air, momentarily obscuring their vision. 

Once the dust cleared, they saw Eggman in his Eggmobile, accompanied by a large robot that towered over them. As the dust finally settled, Sonic squinted and took a step forward, his eyes locked on the Eggmobile hovering just above ground level.

“Welp. Should've known,” he muttered, a resigned yet determined expression crossing his face.

Eggman, smug as ever, sat inside, grinning like he’d already won. “You’re all so predictable,” he taunted, his voice crackling through the speaker, the confidence dripping from his tone. “I knew you’d follow the signal like moths to a flame. Say hello to my latest creation!” With a deep, metallic growl, the massive robot beside him came to life. Its red eyes lit up as it stomped forward, each step shaking the ground beneath the Mobians, a menacing giant of destruction.

“Oh great,” Knuckles grunted, cracking his knuckles at the sight. “Here we go again.”

“Guys, spread out!” Tails called, jumping into the air and activating his flight pack, the familiar buzz of energy sparking around him. Sonic was already gone in a blue blur, dashing around the bot and skidding up the wall to flip behind it, the thrill of battle igniting his speed. Amy gripped her hammer tightly, her eyes focused on the looming threat. “Let’s take this thing down fast!” 

The robot swung a giant arm, nearly clipping Rouge as she zipped out of the way midair, her agility saving her from a crushing blow. “Careful, big guy’s got reach!” she shouted, darting around to find a better vantage point.

Sonic zipped in close and landed a kick to its side. “Okay, metal’s tougher than it looks!” he called out as he bounced off, barely avoiding a retaliating blast of energy that singed the air where he’d just been. 

“Shadow!” Tails shouted, tossing him a ring-charged device. “Try using this to overload its core!”

Shadow caught it midair, nodded once, then teleported right onto the robot’s back, his form a flash of darkness against the metallic beast. “Distract it!” he commanded, taking a brief moment to analyze its structure.

“I got it!” Amy shouted, charging forward and slamming her hammer into one of its legs, a loud thud echoing in the chamber and sending vibrations through the ground. The robot stumbled, clearly unbalanced but still trying to recover. Knuckles followed up with a solid uppercut to the knee joint, the impact resonating through the metal. The robot roared, trying to swat Shadow off, but Sonic distracted it with a flurry of high-speed hits, zipping around its head in dizzying patterns.

Shadow planted the device and jumped off just as it sparked to life. “Now!” he shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

A burst of energy erupted from the robot’s back, causing it to lock up for a second, systems short-circuiting. “Tails, hit it with that signal scrambler… NOW!” Sonic yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. Tails flung the gadget, latching it onto the side of the bot, where it pulsed bright blue, showering the area in a flickering glow. The machine let out a distorted whir before its lights began flickering, sparks shooting from its joints, signaling its impending failure.

With a final hammer blow from Amy and a double punch from Knuckles, the robot collapsed to its knees, then face-planted into the ground with a loud crash. The Eggmobile shook slightly in the air before backing off, Eggman’s expression shifting from one of confidence to alarm.

“Tch. No matter. You’ve delayed me today—but next time, I won't be so generous!” Eggman shouted, his voice a mix of frustration and anger as he began to retreat.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sonic called out, brushing dust off his gloves with a casual flick. “Run along, egg-face! We’ve got better things to do!”

As Eggman sped off, the group gathered around the smoldering wreck of the robot. “Well… that escalated fast,” Rouge muttered, folding her arms and glancing at the remnants of the battle.

“You think he built that just to keep us away from something?” Amy pondered aloud, her brow still furrowed in curiosity, each word tinted with intrigue.

Shadow glanced at the shattered remains of the glass box. “Maybe…” he mumbled, deep in thought. 

Tails took out his gadget that originally gave him the signal and checked it, a frown crossing his face. “The energy signal is gone!” Tails suddenly announced, the revelation hitting him. “Wait, so this whole mumble jumble was just a trap for Eggman to try and kill us!?” Sonic asked incredulously, disbelief colouring his tone.

“The guy's desperate,” Rouge said, laughing softly, the tension of the battle dissipating as they processed the absurdity of Eggman’s scheme. 

“G.U.N thought the mission would take at least a day or two, so we were done early,” Shadow said, more directed at Rouge and himself than anyone else. 

“They might give you a hero cookie for being done so fast,” Sonic joked, nudging Shadow with his elbow. 

Shadow growled at Sonic before taking a step away.

“Let's just get back to G.U.N HQ and tell them it was a trap” Amy said before anyone else could say a word

Chapter Text

The wind was still.

The sky overhead was a dull grey, with streaks of orange light struggling to peek through the storm clouds. The air had that sharp smell of ozone and metal, remnants of the fight they had just walked away from. In the distance, smoke curled upward, looking almost like a question no one wanted to ask.

Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, Tails, Shadow, and Rouge were on their way back to G.U.N. HQ, each lost in their own thoughts. The road stretched out ahead, lonely and winding, flanked by broken fencing and the occasional overturned G.U.N. transport. The only sounds were the wind stirring up dust, the clinking of their gear, and the distant buzz of aerial crafts hidden somewhere beyond the clouds.

There was no celebration.

No jokes.

Technically, the mission had been a success. They had beaten Eggman and figured out the source of the signal, but something about it felt… off. Too well-organised. Too targeted. Like someone had set a trap but forgot to spring it.

Sonic kicked a pebble along the road, his hands behind his head. “Well, that was… something,” he said, his words barely reaching the others over the breeze.

Knuckles let out a frustrated breath. “I still don’t get why Eggman would trap a bunch of his robots inside a glass box just to blow it up. It didn’t feel like one of his setups at all.”

“Maybe it wasn’t,” Tails chimed in.

Shadow tagged along at the back, silent as ever. With his arms crossed and those red stripes on his quills barely flickering in the twilight, he hadn't said a word since the explosion, that strange signal, or the fight with Eggman.

Rouge walked next to him, sneaking occasional glances his way. “You alright?” she asked, her tone softer than usual. No sass, no edge.

No response.

Just the same steady march. Same tense jaw. Something was flickering behind those crimson eyes that Rouge couldn’t quite put her finger on. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t grief.

It was dreadful.

By the time they reached the HQ gates, the blast doors groaned as they opened. Hydraulic pistons hissed steam, casting a warm mist over the entrance. It felt like the base itself was exhaling nervously.

Sonic turned to the others, trying to muster up a grin but failing. “Alright, we’ll leave you two to it. Let us know if something gives off spooky energy signals again.”

Amy nodded quickly. “We’ll stick around in the city. Just… call us, okay?”

Tails added, “If you get another weird signal like before, I want to be the first to know.”

Shadow simply gave a curt nod and waved them off. “Go.”

One by one, Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails slipped through the side gate, their chatter fading until all that was left was the sound of their footsteps crunching on the ground.

Rouge glanced at Shadow and motioned toward the main entrance. “Let’s go.”

They walked in together.

And immediately felt it.

Something was off.

The front atrium was a frenzy. Soldiers, agents, and tech specialists were moving fast, looking panicked, shouting in clipped voices. One soldier dropped a crate of surveillance gear with a loud crash, and nobody stopped to pick it up.

Alarms weren’t blaring yet, but there was something unspoken hanging in the air. Tension. An emergency that hadn’t been officially declared, but it was definitely underway.

Rouge scanned the crowd. “Why is HQ in such a state?”

Shadow’s voice was rough. “We weren't informed of anything...”

They pushed deeper into the facility.

Everywhere they looked, people were running, carrying medical tools, data pads, and weapons. Officers were barking orders into comms, some glancing nervously toward the west wing. It struck Rouge as particularly wrong, no one seemed to acknowledge the two elite agents walking through the chaos. Shadow usually turned heads, and the fact that nobody seemed to stop them now suggested something far worse was happening.

They were almost to the main hall when a young soldier almost collided with them.

He looked up, saw Shadow, and froze like he’d seen a ghost.

“Y-You’re back?” the soldier stammered, looking pale.

Shadow stepped closer. “What’s happening?”

The soldier’s eyes darted around as if he wasn’t sure whether to speak. “They said, she woke up. The containment isn’t holding. But I didn’t believe it…”

Rouge narrowed her eyes. “Who?”

Before they could say more, the soldier turned and bolted away.

Shadow’s fists clenched at his sides.

Rouge shot him a sharp look. “Who do you think he…”

“I don’t know,” Shadow replied, cutting off Rouge, his jaw tight. “But we’re about to find out.”

They picked up their pace now, striding purposefully down the sterile tile floors. As they passed through more of the facility, the shouting grew louder and less organised. Officers were barking mixed orders, and the closer they got to the west wing, the more chaotic it became.

“Restrict access to the medical deck!”

“We don’t have confirmation, don’t engage unless she’s hostile!”

“Backup needed in corridor seven!”

The emergency lights kicked on, casting everything in a dim red glow that seemed to breathe life into the shadows. The slick white walls flickered, struggling to hold on to power. In the distance, glass shattered.

Shadow’s breath caught. Those red lights pulled him back to another time, another place. A corridor filled with alarms and the sound of metal bending. A girl crying, calling out his name.

Rouge shoved past a group of agents arguing by a locked door. “Move it.”

They didn’t hesitate. One look at Shadow, and they were gone.

His air shoes thudded against the hallway floor as they turned the final corner.

“She’s not stable, we can’t confirm her identity yet!”

“Let me go!” a voice cried out. Young, desperate, and unmistakably feminine.

Shadow froze.

That voice. He’d heard it echo in his dreams, through every memory, every regret. But never, not once, had he heard it in real life.

Rouge placed a hand on his shoulder. “Shadow?”

But he was already moving.

He charged down the hall and shoved open the door to his office—

And everything felt like it was on pause.

She stood with her back to them, bathed in the glow of the window. Outside, the city blinked like a distant memory. It felt surreal, almost like a still image.

Her blonde hair flowed down her back, curling at the ends just like he remembered.

She was wearing a dress, though not the one from his past, not entirely.

It was the same deep blue as the one from the ARK, but it had been changed. It was modified, too, more tactical. One sleeve gone, a single strap across her shoulder, with the G.U.N. insignia subtly stitched in.

This wasn't an outfit chosen for affection. It felt more like a uniform.

Repurposed.

“Maria…” Shadow whispered.

She turned slowly.

Her face…

It looked like hers.

And yet it didn’t.

The shape was the same, cheekbones, soft lips, the outline of her eyes, but her skin was too smooth, too flawless, almost artificial. Glimmering golden lines traced from her temples down to her neck, glowing faintly like a circuit board. Her eyes glowed softly beneath the surface, scanning everything, even him.

Shadow took a step back, feeling shaky.

“No…” he murmured.

Her expression shifted—hope mingled with pain and confusion. “It’s me,” she said, stepping forward.

He flinched.

She stopped.

“I remember everything,” she continued, her voice trembling. “The ARK. You. Grandfather. The lab. I remember the promise. I remember your voice. I—”

“Stop,” Shadow interrupted, shaking his head. “You… you died.”

Maria’s hands trembled by her sides. “They said you would say that. That you’d be scared. But Shadow, I’m not a trick. I’m not—”

She reached out.

He stepped back again, pressing against the wall.

Rouge stood by, frozen, her breath caught in her throat.

Then the tension shattered like glass.

“TARGET IN OFFICE 091! MOVE IN!”

The door burst open, and a squad of G.U.N. soldiers flooded in, weapons raised. Boots thudded against metal, armour clanked, and orders flew.

Maria’s eyes widened. “No, don’t!”

One soldier fired a restraint round, and it hit her in the chest, sending her tumbling.

“STAND DOWN!” a voice shouted. “DO NOT ENGAGE DIRECTLY!”

Another soldier lunged, tackling her before she could get up. She hit the floor hard. Her cry sounded human, filled with fear.

“Shadow!” she screamed, reaching for him as she was pinned.

Her hand shook. Small. Familiar. Laced with those glowing veins.

He stood frozen, his heart racing.

“Please!” Her voice broke. “Don’t let them take me!”

Rouge grabbed his arm. “We need to move.”

He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.

“Don’t leave me…” she pleaded, her voice breaking.

Rouge’s grip tightened. “Shadow.”

Finally, he turned.

As he stepped back, Maria jerked, another shot hit her side. A shock pulsed through her. Her eyes widened and then dimmed for a moment, flickering back to life. Even pinned down, she reached for him.

“Shad… ow…”

Her voice seemed to unravel.

And then they covered her completely.

The last thing he saw before turning away was her golden hair spilling across the floor, tangled around her face like a fallen halo.

The cold night air hit them like a slap as the HQ doors slid shut behind them.

Rouge was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. “Shadow… I…”

He just kept walking, eyes fixed on the ground, his expression like stone.

“That wasn’t her,” he muttered.

Rouge glanced at him, unsure. “Are you sure?”

He stopped and looked back.

“…Right?”

She didn’t answer.

She couldn’t.

And somewhere deep inside, he felt everything breaking apart.

Chapter Text

Rouge and Shadow walked briskly to Tails' house after realising G.U.N. soldiers had started tailing them, probably intending to talk to Shadow, something he absolutely wanted to avoid. Shadow couldn't tell whether the odd thing they’d encountered earlier was some elaborate prank or an actual robot designed to target him, and he wasn't in the mood to find out. Throughout the walk, Rouge kept trying to reason with him, reminding him pointedly that there was no way it could be Maria and urging him to forget about whatever that thing was before it had a chance to cause him further harm. "It's not worth it, Shadow," she insisted, walking a half-step ahead of him. "Don't let it get into your head."

As soon as they got to Tails’ house, Rouge knocked sharply on the door. There was a frantic scramble inside, some muffled thuds, and the faint clatter of something metallic hitting the floor. A moment later, Tails opened the door, fur sticking out every which way and a pan balanced on his head like some makeshift helmet. Behind him, Sonic skidded to a halt, half a chilli dog hanging out of his mouth, crumbs stuck to his muzzle, his head tilted as he peeked around Tails’ shoulder.

“Rouge? Shadow? Why are you two here?” Tails asked, blinking, his right ear twitching with suspicion. Rouge gave him a quick, subtle wave to signal if it was okay for them to go inside. Tails hesitated and then shuffled aside, gesturing them in. Rouge stepped past him with her usual confidence, Shadow following a step behind, visibly tense. Sonic, still chewing, lurked in the doorway for a second before clomping hurriedly after them, the chilli dog disappearing in one bite.

Tails led them to the living room, bright and cluttered with half-finished gadgets on every flat surface. Tails and Sonic collapsed onto one couch, Tails sitting on the very edge, Sonic sprawling comfortably. Rouge perched atop the opposite couch, carefully sweeping some scattered screwdrivers aside before sitting. Shadow hovered at the end of the couch before sitting stiffly next to her.

“So, will you tell us why you’re here?” Sonic asked, stretching his arms behind his head and leaning back with an easy grin.

“We were hoping we could stay for a bit,” Rouge replied, glancing at Shadow. The implication floated in the air.

Shadow’s head snapped in Rouge’s direction, annoyance clearly written on his face. “I didn’t agree to th-”

Rouge cut him off fast. “Well, would you rather go stay at your G.U.N. office tonight?” Shadow glared, arms and legs folding into a tight, defensive knot, but he didn’t protest further.

Tails, recovering from the initial surprise, offered hesitantly, “You two can stay, but there’s really only one guest bedroom. So, uh, one of you gets the couch.” He gestured vaguely down the hallway and then toward the couch Rouge and Shadow occupied.

Before Shadow could start to grumble, Rouge smirked. “I’ll take the bedroom. Can’t have a lady sleeping on a couch.”

Shadow looked like he wanted to protest, but for once thought better of it. Sonic chimed in with a carefree smile, “Shadow, you could crash in my bed. I’m used to the couch, plus, it’s close to the kitchen! Works out for midnight chilli dogs.”

An awkward pause blanketed the room before Tails’ curiosity got the better of him. He hunched forward, eager. “But, seriously, why do you want to stay over? Something happened? You look kind of… well, tense.”

Rouge, caught off guard, stalled, glancing at Shadow, knowing he definitely wasn’t about to explain anything. She began picking at the tip of her glove nervously. “It’s complicated…” she muttered. She avoided eye contact, ears flicking as she tried to come up with an answer.

Tails gave her a wary look. “We just saw you both a few hours ago, right after that G.U.N. mission. It’s not like you to just show up here.”

Before Rouge could muster a response, Sonic grinned lazily and waved a hand in the air. “C’mon, Tails, maybe some drama came up. They probably just want to chill out, it’s not like they’ll burn the place down.” Tails rolled his eyes so hard it looked like it hurt.

Sonic bounced on the couch, enthusiastic energy returning. “Oh! I could give you the grand tour! Tails totally reorganised the garage, plus, you gotta see Tails’ new workbench. He’s got this crazy soldering iron. It spits sparks everywhere!”

Shadow shot Sonic a dry look. “You’re a little too happy to have us here,” he muttered under his breath.

Rouge, however, found herself chuckling. Sonic’s over-the-top excitement and Shadow’s perpetual annoyance did make for good entertainment.