#projectlightfox

“Considering how long its been for both of us, does that ‘bit’ really matter?” Chortling a little to himself before being winded almost as the pup tackled herself into him, in response the demon-hog would scoop Harmony up into his arms where some long overdue nuzzles were promptly given.

“Heh, hello to you too Harmony, you’ve grown haven’t you? And you know me....I’ve been hiding all over more or less.” Choosing not to go into any particular details for the time being, there’d be a better moment for that than his reunion with the pair. “I hoped you like the chocolates, I wasn’t sure what to get you so I thought those rings would be enough to fetch you something nice you wanted.”

Nothing made sense anymore. Everything was just a frantic, jumbled blur in her mind as she tried desperately to pick out the more rational thoughts. But nothing was working, nothing was helping. Her chest grew tighter and tighter, and she whimpered, curling in on herself tighter as she struggled to breathe.

What was wrong with her? Why did she feel like this around him? It couldn’t be love, could it? She was just fussing over nothing, right??

Chaos, how she wished she couldn’t feel anymore...

Stella couldn’t even relax as the reason for her troubled mind took a seat next to her, flinching as she felt his fingers against her arm. The touch was so gentle, so concerned, but while her body loved it, her mind was panicking. She was barely able to listen to his words, and kept her head buried behind her arms, too afraid to look at him. If she looked at him, she’d get that wonderful but terrifying feeling again... why was she like this?! Why couldn’t she just look at him and have a proper conversation with him about this like any other Mobian?!

She did, however, manage to peek out at him slightly as he spoke about how she made him feel. She... surely she couldn’t have that kind of effect on anyone, could she? She was just a silly little girl, right? And nobody would ever want to be with her because of how childish and helpless she was, right?

Clearly, Volt didn’t agree with that train of thought, even if he couldn’t see it chugging.

And then... the bombshell. The last thing Stella had expected to hear from any Mobian’s mouth. As soon as those three small but powerful words reached her ears, her head immediately snapped up, staring at the hybrid in... in... she couldn’t even tell anymore. So many emotions were flying to the forefront at the confession - joy, excitement, and hope... but also terror, dread and confusion. And unfortunately, because of her damaged mind, the negatives were rapidly outweighing the positives.

He... he was just saying that, right? Just to make her feel better? There was no way he could mean it, no way. But, as she read his face, she realised slowly that he was telling the truth. She knew how to spot a liar, having been raised by someone who lied like there was no tomorrow. And she could tell... he wasn’t lying. He truly meant every word of it. He loved her. Volt loved her.

Her thoughts and emotions had become a hurricane, leaving her unable to pick one to focus on. So... she reacted in the only way that made sense to her in her current state.

          In hindsight, it was a solid plan. Use Syntax’s ability to use Chaos Control and get the three of them, he, Volt, and Harmony, into Neo’s prisoner ship so that he could get Jayce and Stella out of there - but what of the backup plan? What if things go wrong? How will they escape? How will they escape unscathed? The amount of flaws it has under its belt could potentially put the two of them at risk of dying, but...

          They seemed determined enough. A short, accepting nod is all Syntax needed to confirm they were absolutely sure about going through with this. This isn’t exactly how he pictured his first time getting close to Neo was going to be - teleporting them in and then simply teleporting out. He knew that if he was quick enough, Neo wouldn’t be able to trace his movements, giving Volt and Harmony enough time to do their thing while he leaves to find safety. He’d stay, but the possibility of losing the emerald to Neo is too great, and he fears for what may happen if that emerald gets back in his possession...

          No, no time to worry about the possibilities. He needs to do this now. Maybe, if he’s lucky enough, Volt and Harmony will actually do more harm to Neo’s plans than he thinks. Nodding to the hybrids, Syntax steps forward and places his hands on both of their shoulders.

| ᑕᕼᗩOS... ᑕOᑎTᖇOᒪ ! |

          In a flash of light, the three of them are instantly teleported into a metallic hallway, a corridor inside of one of Neo’s massive airships. Syntax glances down both ends of the hallway, confirming no one was watching them, then gives them one final nod.

| GOOᗪ ᒪᑌᑕK, ᗷOTᕼ Oᖴ YOᑌ. ᗰᕮᕮT ᗰᕮ ᗷᗩᑕK ᗩT Tᕼᕮ ᑕᗩᐯᕮ ᗯᕼᕮᑎ YOᑌ ᗩᖇᕮ ᗪOᑎᕮ. |

                 He almost said ‘if you come out of this alive.’ No. Have to stay positive.

          With a final parting nod, Syntax teleports out of Neo’s ship, back to his sanctuary. 

Now all that’s left is for Volt and Harmony to find out where the twins are cooped up. They were given the access codes for Neo’s chambers, hopefully they’ll remember it!

A lovely commission of Dominic “Shadow” Robotnik, done by the amazing @familylightfox ( @projectlightfox )!!

Please. Commission. this. man!! He does just wicked work, and he communicates wonderfully. Very first commission I’ve ever done, and I will definitely be commissioning him again.

As for the commission itself? Look at it!! I love the work he put into getting Dominic’s eye right ( the scarred left side )!! He was also very thorough, asking me about little details ( like how worn Dominic’s shoes are [ since he hasn’t changed them ]; how his gloves are worn out and discoloured due to the fighting / blood; how Dominic’s scars are done, the colour of Dominic’s skin [ I prefer a darker tone ala the original SA2 model ]!! )~.

Just. Amazing. Wicked. Work!!

“Nah, I would bee to afraid you would fry my phone, although that’s probably useful in emergencies. I always wondered what having chaos powers would feel like. A lot of what people consider somewhat of a super power that have is more of my biology I assume. My antennas sense all sorts of things, but mainly sounds and people really. Guess you can call it a sixth sense of sorts...It’s strange though when I’m around Knuckles’ Master Emerald. I can feel the chaos energy irradiating from the giant gemstone now, where as when I was younger I couldn’t. Maybe it’s just expose from everyone using chaos powers or the emeralds, except me of course.”

*Charmy would then stop to ponder for a moment.*

Shadow likes kids. But he’s also a little afraid of them (and them of him), what with his callous exterior. And he’s never unsure how to interact with them, and when they cry it’s frustrating, and he doesn’t know how to make them laugh, and...well, you get the idea.

“Pass,” he calls down from his trusty perch. It was more interesting to observe, anyways.

Shadow sits down on the pillar, brings a knee to his chest, and drapes an arm over it lazily. At first he had been wary, coming across two strangers out here. But it feels his wariness was unnecessary. Just a family passing through.

❥: I was trying to keep myself occupied at work so I decided to draw some headshots of OCs that I’m familiar with!