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Shadow stared at his canvas, feeling clean, filtered, pristine air fill his lungs as he breathed.
He hadn’t realized air had a taste before. Even in the most expensive and highest penthouse, a taste of smog and corruption tainted the air.
Not here though. Not here.
The air is clean, he can see the stars, the hospitals are pristine, his bed is cold, and there’s so… so much blue.
Shadow stares at his canvas.
There is the beginning of a sketch on it, the shape of… of something.
The lightest of fuzz on cheeks, the slight tilt of the head, the curve of a crooked smile, the way his teeth seemed to gleam in the fluorescent nights of the city, the shape of his relaxed quills resting over his shoulders, his glittering eyes-
His eyes.
Shadow couldn’t get them right.
Not the shape. Not the color. Not the shading. He drew them again and again, notebooks full of thousands of eyes and yet none of them looked right.
Shadow had no reference to draw from, no pictures, no nothing.
The last time he saw Sonic was over two weeks ago.
Sonic had looked very different but Shadow guessed he couldn’t expect Sonic to be relaxed when he was cuffed and muzzled.
He looked so scared… quills sharp and on edge, eyes wild and crazed, frightened, hurt, scared.
Shadow had wanted to call out to him, assure him that the cuffs and muzzle were momentary, a prop for public security and not a real threat against him.
But Gerald had been right there, hand firmly gripping Shadow's shoulder as bright camera lights flashed.
Maybe that's why Shadow's pencil refused to sketch out Sonic's eyes, because all Shadow could remember was the panic.
He took another deep breath, missing the taste of the putrid air below the Ark.
Maria was safe, her treatment assured.
Shouldn't Shadow be happy? He'd done what needed to be done and Sonic was surely fine, right? Right.
Sonic would understand. Wouldn't he do the same if the roles were reversed?
No. No, he wouldn't.
Fuck.
Shadow just hoped he was okay.
“Hello, Shadow,” Maria greeted as Shadow walked into her hospital room, notebook tucked under his arm.
“Maria,” Shadow said, feeling a part of him relax. The tubes coming in and out of his sister were still worrying but it had been weeks since she’d had an attack and the tubes were small, a mask for oxygen, a IV, practically standard stuff.
It was the best Shadow had ever seen her.
“Oh, did you draw some new stuff?” Maria leaned forward excitedly.
“Unless you want to see more drawings of eyes, no,” Shadow sighed as he sat at her bedside, handing the notebook over to her.
“Of course, I do!” Maria said, taking the notebook and flipping it open. “I always wanna see what you enjoy!”
The start of the notebook just had casual scribbles, flowers and random faces, shapes and color swatches.
The middle area was filled with scribbles of…
Of Sonic.
Like every time, Maria pauses on a page of Sonic laughing and gives Shadow a sly look.
“Finally gonna tell me who this is?” Maria asks and Shadow flushes, partially from embarrassment and partially from… “fine, keep your secrets.”
She resumes flipping and it transitions to Sonic but unfinished, usually without eyes, and, finally, to just eyes, eyes, and eyes.
“Still haven’t found it yet?” Maria asked, aware of Shadow’s search, even if she didn’t know everything. Shadow shook his head.
“They all just look…” Shadow paused. “Wrong. Just, just wrong. I don’t know how else to say it.”
“You’ll find it,” Maria said, passing the notebook back. “I’m glad you found something to be passionate about again. Well, not that you ever really cared about dancing.”
Shadow swallowed around a lump in his throat.
It was true; dance was a way to connect with Maria when he was first adopted, but as she lost the strength to do so and Gerald more or less weaponized Shadow’s skill, Shadow grew to hate it more and more.
The only thing that made it fun anymore was…
Shadow had had a performance two days ago and it had gone… not well but not near the quality Gerald expected. Shadow was… exhausted. He didn’t even have his anger to fall back on because how could he be angry at Gerald when he had helped Gerald?
“Grandfather always cared more,” Maria sighed, frowning. “Shadow.”
“Yes, Maria?” Shadow looked up, caught off guard by her serious tone.
“If Grandfather ever tries to make you choose between what you love and what he wants, don’t hesitate to chase what you love,” Maria said sternly. Shadow’s blood ran cold. “Even if it’s your art or someone you love, don’t let him take it from you. Promise me that, Shadow.”
Shadow’s eyes looked down at his notebook.
“I-” Shadow stuttered before closing his eyes. “I can’t make that promise, Maria.”
“What?” Maria exclaimed, even more confused when Shadow abruptly stood up, turning and walking away. “Wait, Shadow, I didn’t mean to upset you!”
Shadow hastily walked out of the room, clutching his notebook to his chest.
“Shadow, come back! I’m sorry!” Maria called out, Shadow deaf to her pleas.
Shadow lay in his pure white bed, staring up at the ceiling.
The Ark was a versatile paradise. The world’s tastiest food, the world’s comfiest bed.
And Shadow’s ticket had been bought by a covered up smile and a traitorous kiss to the cheek.
It tainted the air in a completely flavorless way and Shadow was starting to miss the smog and the smoke of the world below.
He’s…
Shadow’s sure Sonic’s fine. Sonic’s crimes were more theoretical than actual. He probably just got a few hours of juvenile hall and community service and he was back on the street.
Right?
Probably.
The hum of the air purifiers cover up the noise of Shadow’s own thoughts.
The city-ship touches down to restock on provisions in two days. It stays grounded for about 36 hours.
That’s more than enough time to find Sonic and check up on him. Maybe even apologize.
He’d understand.
God, Shadow hopes Sonic understands.
Shadow stares at the fox kit, crumpled piece of paper in hand.
The fox kit stared back.
A glance at his backside revealed two identical tails, whipping back and forth, just as on edge as the kit that owned them.
“Shadow Robotnik,” the kit said, less of a question or a greeting as a confirmation to himself. Shadow nodded regardless.
“You must be Tails,” Shadow said, feeling awkward and too clean in the junkyard. “Is Sonic home?”
Tails’ eyes narrowed and Shadow had just enough time to realize that kit had tensed before he was leaping at Shadow, nearly clawing Shadow’s face off.
“It’s your fault! It’s all your fault!” the child howled, teeth barred. “If it wasn’t for you, he would still be here!”
“What are you talking about?!” Shadow exclaimed, forcing the kit off of him and stepping back.
“You know what I’m talking about!” Tails screamed, looking barely seconds away from launching himself at Shadow again. “You were there when he was taken away, you posed while they took fucking pictures!”
Shadow winced.
“But that… that was just for show, he should be out of juvie by now,” Shadow gnawed at his lip.
“Juvie? Juvie?!” Tails screamed, tears budding in his eyes. “Are you fucking kidding me?! People like me, like him, we don’t get sent to juvie! That’s for rich bastards like you, who are too busy being other people’s pawns to go to jail!”
Shadow flinched at the insult and frowned.
“But Gerald told me-” Shadow tried to say but the kid was not having it.
“He lied! Or you’re lying! Either way, now, I can’t even stay here because you’re going to rat me out!” Tails sniffled, turning and storming back inside the broken down van.
Shadow felt sick.
Sonic wasn’t here.
He hadn’t gone to juvie.
No. no, that was the only reason-
He thought Sonic would be okay!
It shouldn’t- it’s- no.
No.
“Wait, Tails!” Shadow called out. “Do you need help finding him?
Maria opened her eyes to the door opening, the light of the moon illuminating the majority of her hospital room.
She’s glad she insisted on a window, it’s the only reason she didn’t panic when Shadow stepped in.
“Shadow?” Maria mumbles, not feeling up to sitting up so late. “What are you doing here? It’s… it’s way past visiting hours.”
“I know,” Shadow said. “Do you… do you remember what you asked me to promise?”
“Yes, I do,” Maria frowned. “Shadow, what’s going on?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, just… I’m going to do what you asked. I’m going to make the right choice now,” Shadow said, looking strangely determined. “You just focus on getting better in the meantime, okay? Please.”
“Oh… okay,” Maria yawned. “I’m glad, just… be safe.”
“I’ll try,” Shadow nodded. “I’m gonna be gone for a while though. If you hear about me, I don’t think it’ll be anything good.”
“Then make doubly sure to stay safe!” Maria forced herself up into a sitting position. “You do the right thing
and
stay safe!”
“I will, I will, but please lay back down,” Shadow winced, hurriedly moving to tuck her back in.
“Shadow, stop fussing, I’m fine,” Maria huffed but allowed herself to be bullied back into a sleeping position. “I’m… I’m serious though. I know you can do both so… please, for my peace of mind at least.”
Shadow sighed and nodded.
“I love you, Maria,” Shadow said softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
“See you at home, Shadow,” Maria whispered as Shadow crept back out the door.
“Be on your best behavior, I'm not actual resistance so I’m really dead if you cause problems,” Tails hissed. Shadow nodded, trying his best to look approachable. “Okay, don’t try that hard, you look like you’re going to explode.”
“Right,” Shadow sighed.
“They’ll be especially mad to see you, Sonic was originally asked to kidnap you,” Tails grumbled. Shadow startled. “Not that he would, or ever did. Stupid idiot, trusting some rich bastard with a somewhat decent face.”
“I can hear you, you know,” Shadow deadpanned.
“Good,” Tails said shortly. “Okay, we’re here.”
“Here?” Shadow asked, looking around. To him, it just looked like another junkyard. “Are you-”
“Shut up,” Tails grumbled, before bending down. He strained as he struggled to lift a sewer lid and Shadow stepped in to help.
When it was lifted, a dark tunnel was revealed, rungs leading down it.
Shadow hesitated, Tails already starting the climb down.
“Are you coming or what?” Tails called out and Shadow sighed, lowering the sewer lid down over his head as he climbed down after Tails.
They climbed for a few seconds before landing on solid ground.
A slight dripping sound was heard, echoing through the pipes.
“C’mon,” Tails said, barely visible in the dark. Shadow frowned but followed his slight silhouette through the dark.
Eventually, a light came into view, the two approaching it.
“I just wish I knew what Sonic saw in you,” Tails suddenly said. “He told me but… the person he told me about wouldn’t have done that to him.”
“I just wanted to protect my sister,” Shadow admitted. “I didn’t know what they’d do to him.”
“That doesn’t make it better,” Tails said and then said, louder, so other people could hear. “We’re here.”
The resistance was very different from how Shadow expected.
He’d always imagined a ragtag group, filthy and unorganized, too old or too young to be reasonable. It was an unfair view but it was the first that came to mind. Even his best visualization of the resistance was still rather… insulting.
But this was so much more organized, separate departments, supplies stacked orderly, diverse groups of people casually chatting while others hurried about them, doing tasks.
“Tails,” someone called out and Shadow turned his attention back to his young guide. An echidna ran up to the two of them, a hopeful look in his eyes disappearing as he looked at Shadow. “What’s he doing here?”
“He’s helping me find Sonic,” Tails said dismissively. “Had a change of heart.”
Shadow held his tongue, almost insisting that he had been misled, but he didn’t want to make a bad first impression.
“I hope I can be of some assistance,” Shadow said, offering his hand forward.
The echidna stared at him, boiling fury rising up in his gaze. He stared at Shadow’s clean glove like Shadow was flipping him off.
Despite all of this, Shadow was still surprised to get punched in the face, knocked to the dirty ground.
With a scoff, the echidna turned around, storming off.
“That was Knuckles,” Tails said, uncaring for Shadow. “Sonic’s best friend.”
Ah. That explained it.
“Well, no matter who it is,” someone said, her voice deceptively sweet as she more or less forced Shadow to his feet. “It’s good to have the help.”
After Shadow was standing, she released him, circling around to face him.
The pink hedgehog was smiling but her fists were flexing, as if she wanted to land a hit of her own. She was wearing overalls, flecks of paint and color staining the denim material. Spray paint. Interesting.
“Amy,” Tails said and the so named hedgehog’s face softened as she faced Tails. “Any leads?”
“Just one and it’s more a rumor than anything,” she said. “I’ll fill you, both of you, in as we walk.”
She paused, turning another tense smile to Shadow.
“Welcome to the resistance, Shadow Robotnik,” she said and took Shadow’s hand, shaking it in a far too tight grip. “I hope you don’t regret this.”
The rumor went as follows; in one of the governments’ many death pits (“Death pits?!” “Ugh, rich people.”), an up and coming prisoner was described as a blue hedgehog, albeit with clipped blue quills.
The resistance leaders were a bit hesitant with directly attacking a death pit but Amy was quite the powerful speaker, convincing them of how it’d demonstrate not just the power of the resistance but the seriousness of their intentions.
“The thing I’m worried about is Eggman,” Amy admits to Knuckles, Shadow sitting not so far away.
“The old bastard’s been quiet for the last few days,” Knuckles grumbled. “Think he had a heart attack and died?”
“More like he tripped down the stairs and broke his hip,” Amy joked back before sombering. “But seriously, we have to be aware. He said he was planning on showing off a new performer soon.”
“Another robot?” Knuckles guessed.
“He didn’t say but Robotniks can’t help but be repetitive,” Amy shrugged.
Ivo ‘Eggman’ Robotnik. The man was Maria’s cousin and Gerald's other grandson.
Well, disgraced grandson.
While most Robotniks were more sly and sneaky with their underhanded tactics, hiding it from even each other, Eggman was bold and open.
So bold, that Gerald had to disown and banish him, unable to keep public approval and keep the absolute wildcard the man was.
Not that that kept Eggman away. He just stopped running for office and started blowing offices up.
Shadow had to admit; the idea grew more and more appealing by the minute.
They attacked the following week, breaking in during a match.
Viewers, in fine and clean clothes, fled the scene, dropping binoculars and masks as they went.
As Shadow and Tails ran, unlocking cells as they went, Shadow got a view of the two combatants.
The fight was already over, one person lying motionless. The curious thing was the victor, hunched over the loser, shoulders shaking, as if crying.
Shadow paused.
This is a form of entertainment to people? To Gerald?
“Shadow!” Tails snapped. “Hurry up!”
Shadow didn’t hesitate, running after the kit.
“They said he’d be in cell #564!” Tails reminded Shadow. “Which should be right… here!”
The two skidded to a stop, turning to the aforementioned cell.
The cells around it had occupants, slumped and injured, staring off into the distance, the only sign of life being the slight rising and lowering of their chests.
Cell #564 was empty but there was dried old blood on the almost clay like floor, claw marks left in the wall.
It was such a small cell. Shadow couldn’t imagine Sonic possibly fitting in it without looking pained.
“He’s gone,” Tails said, voice small.
Blood. Small. Claw marks.
Shadow killed Sonic. Shadow was too late. Oh, god, what had Shadow done?
Tails turns with a scream, pouncing on Shadow.
Shadow goes down, hard, head ringing from where he was forced to the ground.
Shadow just knew his fine coat was no doubt stained with dirt and clay but it was a detail his mind latched onto to ignore the dried blood in Sonic’s cell.
Tails raised his claws, sharp and untrimmed, eyes full of tears.
Shadow just squeezed his eyes shut, tight. He deserved this. He wouldn’t flinch.
“Stop looking so sad!” Tails’ voice broke on the last word. “You didn’t care about him! You didn’t love him! You don’t send people you love to places like this!”
Shadow didn’t feel like defending himself this time.
“I’m sorry,” Shadow said. “I know it doesn’t matter. If he was here, I’d say it to him but…”
He’s not here. He can’t be here.
Blood. Small. Claw marks.
Shadow killed Sonic.
Tails didn’t claw Shadow’s throat out. However, if Shadow had to wager a guess, he imagined if Tails had, not many people would have minded.
Blood. Small. Claw marks.
Shadow killed Sonic. Shadow can’t undo that.
But he can prevent it happening to others. There’s a whole world of cruelty going on, a world Shadow had no idea of but was taking part of just by existing, a world Shadow must help destroy.
He’s liked, he’s respected.
It won’t last much longer, not with his actions, but Shadow can at least use it while he can, help the resistance any way he can.
Gerald calls and Shadow’s phone rings and rings and rings until Shadow takes a hammer to it.
Shadow’s fingers itch for pen and paper but he knows what shape that itch will take on the paper and he’s too afraid of getting the eyes still wrong.
He’s afraid of forgetting their shape. The worst part is he thinks he already did.
Shadow can get them into places and, as Shadow shepherds Tails and a few other tech guys into the database for at least twenty banks, the whole building shakes.
“What was that?” one asks, turning to Shadow.
“I don’t know,” Shadow replies, right before the place shakes even harder.
A metallic arm, long and stretchy, with a claw at the end, breaks through the wall, grabbing a hold of three of the databases.
Wires snap as the arm tears the databases out, throwing them out to the street below.
"Hey, we were stealing those!" Tails exclaims, running over to where the robotic arm was tearing out the databases and more or less throwing them away.
Shadow follows Tails, the two peering through the newly made hole in the wall.
The robot is almost arachnid in nature; four long legs attached to one big round body. A metallic mustache with a big nose reveals the creator of the destructive creature but that's not where Shadow's or Tails' eyes go.
Hanging to the outside of the robot, clutching a pole that seems to be stuck there for that exact purpose, was Sonic.
"Attention, good people!" Eggman's voice echoed from speakers. "Apologies for interrupting your oh so busy lives!"
Shadow wasn't listening.
Sonic looked so… different. His quills were short and on edge, a single almost black Dahlia carefully tucked in them.
"But I'd like to welcome you all to the Crimson Theater!" Eggman went on. "I'll be your host for the next… oh, however long a hostile takeover takes."
He was wearing a long scarlet coat, it looked soft and fluffy and covered most of his body.
"Days, months, years," Eggman was saying. "It doesn't matter how long it takes or how many people die but I think it's time for a change in leadership, don't you? Change requires sacrifice!"
His legs were visible, dark red dance shoes laced up his legs. Shadow couldn't see them well from here but he almost wanted to say they were ballet shoes. But Sonic didn't know ballet, did he? He had never mentioned it before.
"But don't worry! We're called the Crimson Theater for a reason!" Eggman laughed. "I will assure you're entertained for every part of it! Welcome to the stage, my dear associate, Sonic!"
Sonic was looking right at him.
Cold green eyes, glinting like emeralds in the city lights, hard and cold and sharp.
There was a fury behind them, held back by something Shadow didn't know.
His lips turned up in something of a parody of his usual smile and he bowed, still keeping ahold of the robot.
"Hello, darling," Sonic's voice made the pet name sour and cruddle in Shadow's ears, like month old milk. His voice was as clear as if he was standing face to face with Shadow or maybe that was the pound of Shadow's heart deafening everything but Sonic's words. "Did you miss me?"