#absolute moron**

Shadow had just finished helping Tails and Classic with their mission in the Chemical Plant. For the most part, he was playing the role of bodyguard. Simply keeping robots from getting at the fox while Classic kept an eye out for any incoming jackals. Fighting beforehand had never been this pain inducing, but he grit his teeth and bore it. Only letting himself show weakness once the duo had split back to headquarters. Hand over his mouth, the hedgehog coughed violently; his mind hazy from the lack of oxygen. It would end soon. That was his only consolation in this moment. Just knowing that there was an end in sight to how horribly his lungs burned, how painful it was to stand there and exist.

Just as the violent coughs racking his form seemed to quell, the echoed sound of a cough caught his ears. Ruby eyes, once squeezed shut against the agony, now scanned around him for anybody nearby. Only to land on that of a tall, blue-skinned… human? Clearly, they weren’t entirely human, but Shadow wasn’t quite sure what to call them. The taller being was leaned against an alley wall, small robotic thing hovering nearby. The sight was curious, mildly alien. The longer he surveyed the scene, the stranger it all seemed to be.

This human was dressed as if they were planning some grand journey. Cloaks over cloaks, scarf, thick tunic, bracers… A pistol seemed to be strapped to their hip, but he didn’t recognize what kind it could be. Visually, he could almost call it out as a flare gun. Lying at the stranger’s feet were what appeared to be several chunks of scrap technology as well. A few robotic pieces, a motherboard, and what seemed to be some high-tech containment device. Brows furrowing, he decided to take a gamble.

Guarded, the shorter of the two stepped into the mouth of the alleyway, getting a better look at the mess of wires and scattered metal strewn around. It looked like they had been taking the lost robot arm apart. For what purpose, he had no idea.

“You shouldn’t be out here.” it was easy to remind them of that. So very simple would it be to just tell them that they were being an idiot. Thankfully, he managed to refrain. “Any closer to the chemical plant and you’ll be attacked. Head back into the city.”