#shadowsega

Sonic's POV

"Tailsss," I spin around in the chair next to him, kicking my feet up on the counter. "Hey, buddyy."

"Yes, Sonic?" He doesn't even glance up, totally focused on whatever gizmo he's working on. Classic Tails. Always tinkering, always light-years ahead of the rest of us. Honestly, sometimes I wish I had even half his focus.

Last time we were out collecting rings, I got distracted by some fancy-looking laser lights and smashed face-first into a pillar.

Good times.

"What're you working on?"

He snorts softly, like he's amused I even asked. "You really wanna know? Sure it won't fry your brain?"

"Wow, rude," I elbow him lightly. "EXCuSE me for not having an IQ of a million."

"Sonic, it's not-"

"Yeah, yeah, just spill already. C'mon, I've been sittin' here for hours."

"It's been... twenty minutes," he says with a small sigh, finally pointing to some shiny circular component in front of him. "See this? It's going to be an advanced battery-super efficient, super lightweight. Once I work out the last bug, it'll power just about anything."

"A battery, huh? Riveting stuff, bud. Here I thought you were building a teleportation chair or, like, a chili-dog racer or something actually cool."

Tails smirks. "Battery not good enough for Sonic the Hedgehog? Shocking."

I laugh softly, shaking my head. I'm kidding, of course. I'm proud of Tails and everything he builds, even if I don't always get it. I know this battery is probably going to change lives-or at least power some epicc machine.

I try to sit still and keep him company. He deserves the quiet to focus, and I want to be here for him. But sitting still? Definitely not my thing. After a while, I can't take it anymore. I spin in my chair a few times before hopping up to wander around the workshop.

Tails doesn't stop me, but I can feel his eyes flick toward me every so often, like he's half-expecting me to do something dumb.

Pff like I need babysitti-

"Shoot!" I accidentally knock over a stack of parts, sending them clattering to the floor.

"Sonic!" Tails yelps, whipping around to see the mess. "Those were organized for a reason!"

"Ah, sorry, sorry!" I crouch down to help, but he waves me off with a sigh.

"It's fine, I've got it. Just-be careful, okay?" His voice is sharper than usual, but it softens quickly. "You don't have to go or anything. Just... maybe sit still for once?"

For once.

I rub the back of my head, forcing a small laugh. "Yeah, well, you know me. Sitting still isn't really my thing." I give him a big, cheerful grin as I head for the door. "I'll get outta your fur. See ya later, buddy!"

By the time I'm a mile away, the grin's long gone.

It's better this way. Better if I'm not there to mess something else up.

"Ugh..." I sigh, letting my face relax into something more honest.

There's this tightness in my chest, like a weight pressing down. I don't know what to call it, but I know how to make it stop.

Running.

When I'm running, everything blurs. It's like I've got my own little world, one where nothing can catch me. Nothing can hurt me. No one can keep up.

So I take off.

Maybe if I keep running, I'll leave the feeling behind too. Maybe this time, I'll outrun it for good.

--------------------------

Shadow's POV

He really let me out of the room.

At first, I didn't believe it, waiting for the mockery to hit. I thought the second I caught a glimpse of the outside, I'd be shoved back. But it didn't happen. The door stayed open, and I stepped through, as the commander stayed silent.

I imagine he was not overjoyed by the fact I was about to walk around his grounds. GUN grounds. People who I resent ever since that day, ever since they came and ruined Maria's home. My home. The place where I was needed. Maria needed me, and I didn't mind all the tests, even when they hurt.

I knew it was all to find a cure. That was what I was created for, after all. Maybe if GUN didn't attack, that purpose would have been fulfilled. Maria could finally see the Earth, like she always wanted, without her sickness holding her back.

My teeth ground together, and I forced the thoughts down. Showing weakness could jeopardize everything. I couldn't afford that. Maria is still out there, and I will find her. I will save her.

"Don't mistake this for friendliness. You will be kept an eye on," the commander's voice cut through the fog overtaking my mind.

"Hmph." I stepped forward, ignoring him completely. I needed to look around, see the layout, see the threats. And about that mission... when would they deign to share the details with me?

The commander left, no doubt heading to his office. I stayed on my path, walking down the corridor.

The halls were pretty lifeless, sterile. As they were on ARK. Well, unless Maria had something to do with it. Her room was decorated with all sorts of things. I shouldn't think about this-just focus.

The other agents gave me a wide berth as I walked. I could feel their stares. Some looked at me with fear, like I might lunge at them at any moment. Others with disgust, muttering under their breath or sneering as if I couldn't hear them.

"Robotnik's hybrid freak."

Their looks reminded me of the researchers who assisted Professor. They too would give me such eyes, and I wouldn't understand why at first. But after some time... I came to know why. I am just a monster.

I sighed and decided to ignore everyone as I walked through the facility. Judging by the way some of them stiffened when I passed, I'd bet the commander gave them strict orders not to engage me directly. A few of them looked like they'd shoot me on sight.

You love doing that, don't you, GUN?

I clenched my jaw and kept walking, but my mind wouldn't let it go. The memories clawed at the edges of my thoughts, threatening to drag me down. I needed to focus, to push it aside, but the harder I tried, the more it crept in.

Stop thinking about it.

I gritted my teeth.

Stop. Just...

My breathing hitched, unsteady. My fists tightened at my sides as I came to a stop, willing the rising heat in my chest to go away.

Am I seriously about to cry?

I froze, the thought jolting me. I haven't cried since they pulled me out of cryo. Not once. I can't afford to. Not until she's safe.

Feelings won't help her. Emotions won't save her.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

I can't let them get in the way. Maria's depending on me.

She's all I have.

Shadow's POV

They promise me she's alive.

I know it's just words - might as well be lies, since no real evidence has yet been presented to me. But I still can not dismiss it so easily.

I know what happened - I saw it. And I keep seeing it, be it in my dreams or just memories.

I saw her die.

I still can't wrap my head around her words. 

"Live, Shadow. Be happy."

Was I not happy? I was alive—truly alive—when you were there with me. Watching the stars, feeling the vastness of it all, with my best friend beside me. Now... everything feels hollow.

"Sayonara, Shadow... the Hedgehog"

I'd be better off dying that day instead.

"What do you think it's like on Earth?"

There was never any life outside of the ARK for me. My purpose, my entire reason for existing, healing her- ended as soon as the station got destroyed -

But. They promise me she is still alive. Maybe she really did survive that bullet? Maybe they'll let me see her. Maybe everything will be like it was before. I can hug her and say how I missed her. How glad I am that she's alright, that at least she is alright. How I wish it had been me instead. I failed you. Over and over, I failed.

And failed.

And failed.

And failed.

We can read those astronomy books before bed again. It's difficult to fall asleep without. That's the reason I'm still up right now.

I give up on sleep, turning to stare at the wall. Rest won't come, and if it does, the nightmares will follow. They always do. Too real, too vivid. Though since they are a mere replay of the event, I imagine that is to be expected. I'd prefer not to face those.

I sigh and then turn to almost fully hide my face in the pillow. It wasn't very soft, only barely, but it didn't bother me that much. The bed itself was much smaller than the one I had on the ARK. I can't believe it was just a few weeks ago that I last woke up on it.

A few weeks...

The soft hiss of the opening doors broke through my thoughts. I sat up quickly, glancing at the entrance, already certain who it would be.

"Project Shadow,"

I remained quiet, waiting for the commander to continue. That, and I resented the name he'd use for me. That I'd keep hearing these days. I knew it was technically correct, but back on the ARK, no one called me that. It felt foreign, unnatural.

Regarding not being accustomed to things - Not being around Maria in so long did not feel... right. Even when she'd be bedridden - when her sickness made her too weak to walk around and explain astronomy - I stayed by her side. I always had.

"I would like to discuss something with you."

Lost in spiralling thoughts, it felt as though I were sinking into a cold, raging sea. The commander's voice was a sharp tether, pulling me back to the surface. I gathered myself and prepared to speak.

"What is it?" I snapped, sitting up straighter, wary of his intentions. No matter what, I did not trust a single individual I encountered here. Let alone him.

"After careful consideration, we've decided to grant you more freedom. You'll be allowed to move around the facility - and, in time, even leave GUN grounds."

"..." I didn't reply, sensing there was a follow up to that statement, something that would justify the sudden freedom that was being offered to me on a plate. He must have seen through my silence, quickly furrowing his eyes in what I can only guess was irritation before continuing.

"On one condition: you accept a mission."

"You want me to work- for you?"

"For GUN. For humanity. For the safety of the planet. Call it what you like. But we both know those aren't your priorities. You want something else—don't you? Or am I mistaken? Perhaps you don't care for her after all."

"You—" I bit back my words, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn't risk angering him, not with so much at stake.

Staring at the floor, I relented. "What do you need me to do?"