Work Text:
The sound of the crowds and chime of crossing the finish line was still ringing in the hedgehogs ears.
He had taken first place, as expected to him and the audience. Him easily taking the competition around him once again in all three rounds.
Yet…this time it felt slightly different to the hedgehog.
A swirling wind of thoughts in his head that clouded his usual confidence, as he drove back to his garage and ignoring all the noise from his losing competitors.
Something was still on his mind.
Or more like it was someone.
Normally in these races he would be facing the same old foes to him. Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and even Jet to some extent.
They all acted the same to him, the same matches and races would occur. With Shadow normally coming out on top of them, him disregarding the times he did not win.
But this time it was different.
He wasn’t up against the usual this time.
His main opponent for the race was the fuchsia chameleon from the Chaotix Detective Agency. Someone he had rarely seen or spoken to in quite some time. Someone he had even brushed off as simply not worthy of his time due to his own view of the “detective work” they had done.
He had said as much on the track to the chameleon.
“I barely know who you are. Don't bore me out there, and I might bother to learn your name.”
His words ringing back into his head, after the chameleon had said something to him before that.
What did he say? Shadow couldn’t recall what he had said.
He could however, recall the events in the race that had transpired.
The chameleon had proven to be a different foe than the rest, being able to steal the lead away from Shadow multiple times. With him even coming extremely close at the end of the last race in mere seconds.
He had also reacted differently than to what Shadow was used to.
Shadow had been used to constant banter, the likes of the blue hedgehog named Sonic, fully known for teasing and prodding at the dark hedgehog when in a match.
Shadow was expecting the chameleon to act the same way.
But he didn’t.
The chameleon was more calm and quiet, his ability to prioritize strategies and calculations being show to Shadow clear as day. As many times the dark hedgehog would blink and find the chameleon tailing from behind when he had thought he lost him.
He was quiet, stealthy, and strategic. Everything Shadow was not used to. He didn’t shout or yell, the chameleon waited in the silence of the shadows.
Before taking his time to strike when Shadow didn’t expect it.
Shadow had thought he could predict the chameleon, since he was well acquainted with a spy who was also rather stealthy.
But even Rouge offered some kind of banter.
The chameleon didn’t, no matter how much he pushed and pulled at him. The amount of times he threw projectile after projectile at him.
The chameleon wouldn’t take the bait.
Instead he would wait and retaliate when the moment was right. Catching Shadow off guard each time he did.
It was..different to Shadow, it was endearing to the hedgehog. It wouldn’t leave his mind in the slightest, the events of the race playing through his mind over and over again.
It was the first time he encountered such a foe that acted in such a way before.
With him remembering how even when the chameleon lost, coming in second place by a few seconds behind him. He still stood on the platform clapping and standing tall and proud.
Even congratulated the hedgehog, with not a hint of banter or jealousy.
Just him genuine congratulating Shadow on his win, even giving him a nod of approval.
Shadow had left after that.
It was so different to him, once again he was expecting some sort of banter or even salty expression of loss. Just something to indicate the chameleon being salty to losing to him.
Shadow hadn’t gotten that, he had just received the most genuine congratulations ever.
He wasn’t able to handle such sincerity and kindness.
Even others before him had never stifled such a reaction to the hedgehog, not even the rose pink hedgehog named Amy Rose did.
And she was much more loud and obvious with her kindness and being a fair sport.
But the chameleon? He was quiet and calm, he simply gave a soft “Congratulations Shadow.” while looking up at the dark hedgehog with his warm topaz eyes.
Why had such a gesture rattled Shadow so much? It was a simple gesture of being a good sport, and yet Shadow couldn’t get that moment out of his head.
It repeating over and over again like a disc on an old record player, the images nonexistent and blurry to him. But the audio clear as day and filled with unexpected life and emotion.
It was a simple gesture, a simple gesture that should’ve meant nothing to Shadow. That simply should’ve been forgotten in mere seconds after he encountered it.
Yet Shadows mind was still hanging onto it, as well as hanging onto the entire race in his memories as well. As if there was something keeping the memories planted firmly in the front of his mind.
The chameleon was not what he expected.
Was that perhaps why Shadow was suddenly so interested in him?
Despite never before this point ever having much of a strong opinion about the chameleon, previously blowing his presence off due to his view of the detective agency he aligned himself with.
But now…it was different.
Shadow turned his head towards where he could view the leader board to the last race, the bright blue hologram lighting up with a single hand motion in the garage. A list of names with the places they came in appearing immediately on the screen.
His crimson eyes landing on the second place name that was just under his.
“Espio...” Shadow read aloud, the name of the chameleon dissolving on his tongue like a sweet and velvety cup of tea.
He had heard his name before, vaguely, preferably from Rouge or Silver on rare occasions. Maybe even heard it from Amy while in the HQ once or twice.
He never thought the chameleons name to be that sentimental to him, nothing about it before had given him reason to remember it.
Yet now it was all the hedgehog could think of in that pressing moment.
Shadow gave a soft chuckle underneath his breath, before waving his hand to make the hologram dissipate.
“Well Espio…it seems you have entertained me quite well to leave such an impact on my mind..” he spoke aloud to himself, his tone taking on a hint of what seems to be intrigue and even…amusement.
“I look forward to learning more about you than just your name, Espio.”
The last word he spoke with same velvety tone as before, with him turning around and climbing back into his car. Revving up his engine, he then sped off to find the next race he could participate in.
Silently hoping that Espio would be in the lineup so that he could face him again.
For his name was worth learning after all.