Shadow the Hedgehog (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
limiterrings) wrote2025-02-25 05:42 pm
limiterrings) wrote2025-02-25 05:42 pm
(no subject)
OPEN POST
Catch-all and open post for Shadow! Text, brackets, prose, images! I'm fine with anything. I can take him from any canon point, send me a PM if you'd like to discuss or check out my info page!
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How do you figure it's not? I was brought here against my will. [He didn't ask to come here. There's still no explanation about what's going on between them. How is it the two of them are able to just...exist in the same space? If that even makes sense. And he still had questions about his other. If they are willing to deal with him.] I'm going with you. [In a rare moment, he speaks clearly what he desires.]
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You were.
[ but it feels personal, like someone chose shadow in particular because why no one else? why just himself... or a copy of himself, but there's always a chance that seven isn't who he is. he could be a plant that these aliens are using to watch over him, to keep him close to always know where he is.
why does shadow keep him knowing the danger it may bring? ]
As long as you don't get in my way.
[ he wants to add he can do whatever he wants, but even that seems like a double edged sword. ]
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In that case, could you explain what I did? I...just want better control over it. [He has become awfully aware that he tends to use his chaos powers with little regard of conserving it. If his tired body is any indication. Knowing the possible challenges to come, he has to rethink his approach. And in the long run, it would benefit his other to educate him, so that he is more efficient in his performance.]
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is that how he parsed it? to not be in his way, he'll have to learn certain techniques to understand them better? it makes sense, then again, why wouldn't he be interested in a unique skill that could freeze time? at first, shadow is quiet not in a way to keep him away from that knowledge, but only that the skill isn't used to his advantage in the way shadow uses it. ]
Hm... then explain to me, what was it like?
[ an answer.
all he waits for is that. ]
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...Like I was being pulled and suddenly put underwater. [A sensation he is familiar with, having adjusted between breathing air to liquid and back often, when still in the base. But it wasn't as rough of a transition, just a sudden tug and then he was fully acclimated. Like he's done this before.]
I felt the effected space like it was an extension of myself, and yet not. I could sense certain things in the space, how far it reached. It was...draining. Energy being taken to keep it maintained. [He must have created a large effected area on his first go. Because he didn't know what he was expecting. In that moment, he didn't think about anything, but doing everything he could so they could both escape.]
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With that, you can achieve ultimate power.
[ he sounds proud of himself, but why wouldn't he be? only specific individuals can tap into the power that the emeralds hold. before, he wouldn't have been able to believe anyone else could do the same as him, but he is smarter than what he was before.
since seven was able to use it, it means he's open to a wide range of skills, but some come at a heavier price. ]
Space and time, all at your control with a simple command.
[ his words are fact, crimson eyes falling into the ruby red gem in the other's gloved hand. shadow's own hand closes into a fist, the crunch of his glove audible in his ears as he emphasizes the control that belongs to him. ]
It stretches as far as you can will it. You weren't familiar with it once you came into existence?
[ small differences are unique differences. ]
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His other spoke how amazing it was to have such capabilities to use this power, but he isn't as thrilled about it as they were. It was only a moment, where his expression showed he was thinking about the possibilities, only to furrow his brows as he thinks about all the tests. All this power, just to be used for who knows what. The few experiments he was privy to did not...seem pleasant. Like what he used to completely wipe the military base off the map, or to power the Eclipse Cannon. He had to wonder why humans would want all that destructive power for.]
No, but I don't know what my life was before the humans found me. [His first memory was waking up in a tube full of some breathable liquid, with a bunch of humans in labcoats staring at him on the outside. There were soldiers among them, pointing their weapons after the meteor revealed his existence. Just a mildly stressful environment to wake up to.] After...I figured out I could manipulate the space around me. [Time was not a factor until now.]
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who are you, and why is he different?
he's quiet, pondering over the specific words used: "before the humans found me". that's not what it was for him, his stern gaze remains looking forward in the dark hall ahead of them where glass, paintings and even the walls are damaged with cracks and covered in dust. ]
Your circumstances sound troubling.
[ not scripted much like his own, but even then he was filled with pain and anger, he grieved in a way that brought destruction to those that hurt her. even if his beliefs were in the wrong place, at times, it felt right despite how wrong it was.
his own confusing beginning led to offering shadow a foundation, if he couldn't depend on anyone, that he had himself. seven, the one beside him, doesn't even seem like he could carry himself for long without breaking down.
metaphorically speaking, that is.]
...
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Sadden, that there's such a difference existing between them. The answers about himself, may not come from them in the end. His demeanor shifts ever so slightly, by his expression turning colder instead of softer.]
...Unless you plan to explain yourself, my circumstances doesn't have anything to do with what we're talking about.
[Or maybe it does. Whatever. He felt his other scrutinizing him and he hated it. He got plenty of that from the scientists. Doesn't need it from this guy with his face too.]
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shadow isn't helpful, he isn't kind, and even now if he wanted he could swipe the emerald from him and get rid of seven with ease. he doesn't understand that shadow allows him to come along, that shadow allows him to do what he's doing, that any of these possibilities are even within his reach because of him.
now, he isn't searching to be thanked or even seen as someone that the other can depend on, no, it's that shadow notices their differences, but even a child would get upset at not knowing their full potential. ]
Your circumstances have everything to do with it.
[ however, he seems unwilling to elaborate until his next string of words. ]
What do you want to know?
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But he's not there, his mind is focused on who is standing in front of him. He was given the platform to ask his other about them. He's been wanting to know since they first saw each other in that arena, but couldn't find the courage to press. Now he does.]
Where did you come from? [Why are you the way you are?]
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[ these words leave from between his lips as easy as anything else, there's nothing suggesting him lying and seems genuine in the way he answers without hesitation.
whether this means anything to the other doesn't matter to him, but the memories, the distant smell of chemicals, the closeness of the stars that could possibly fall into the palm of his hand, and her smile in the reflectiin of the glass when she'd look down at earth praying that one day she could view its wonders.
a place of nightmares, but memories he cherishes the most. ]
Both [ he turns his head not to look at seven, but to look behind him... past endeavors, past victories, that monster they faced. ] of us originated there.
[ he doesn't sound upset or angered by this concept, it's a truth to him, fact that will remain unchanged. as to why the biolizard or something just like it existed is a question still unanswered. ]
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He does not turn his head as his other looks passed him, understanding what they're referring to. A manner of keeping a connection between them? They've been through a lot of already together in such a short time, yet there's no clear answer to it all. What keeps them sticking together perhaps?
But space, that is where he came from. A small bit of familiarity. Was it the same for them? But it's...they said a space colony. An artificial location created for others to live on. Not a planet. Or did they also not know their true origins and their life only began there?
...No, they do know. It's the impression they give to him. He's thinking, eyes wandering as to what the other's answer implies. Thinking about how they responded to his own answers. Lack of an origin point, while they have one.] ...You did not come from another planet?
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I was created within the ARK in space, it overlooking planet Earth.
[ he is but a man-made organism created by a scientist, if anything, he should have never existed. him being born into this world is nothing as satisfying as properly coming into existence, there are those that play god, and he is just a sample of what humans are capable of. their progress and knowledge boiled into the extreme. ]
That question I cannot confirm or deny.
[ why is he answering him in the first place. ]
This blood that runs through my body is...
[ he grows silent as he realizes now is not the time, especially because he doesn't sense anything remotely close to that in this unknown location. ]
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If his other was created by humanity, he's already knows their cruelty. Where he was trained into whatever role they ask of him, his other was already created to meet their purpose, scripted. How his other would know all the things they did about themselves. The kinds of tests they must have put them through. His brows furrow, his grip tightening over the emerald. What good are humans, using others that aren't like them for their selfish needs? Why did he spare a planet that hasn't been so kind to him?
Cause it's wrong. She wouldn't have wanted that. There are no winners with revenge.
And thinking like that...would mean condemning the one who did not share in their cruelty. The only human who gave him any semblance of being just normal. She's still one of them. He closes his eyes for a moment, regaining composer.
Eventhough his other said they're a creation, they continue on as if there wasn't a clear answer. Talking about their blood. Tilting his head. Is that not an artificial construct as well...? He's starting to wonder about something after learning all of this. He doesn't know his life before landing on earth, so he doesn't actually know, if he was born naturally, or also a creation like his other. He stares at his other for a long moment, considering.]
...My memories start on Earth, when they found me inside a meteor. [Would saying that mean anything to them? Eitheway, he felt it was only fair to share that detail, after his other opened up about his origins.]
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the air around them goes cold, enough that it sinks under each their fur right to the skin and creeps deep onto their bones. it doesn't bother shadow any, the ultimate lifeform is immune to the constant changing weather, but this seems so sudden that it does call for his attention.
somehow, this hall has been going on for some time, but maybe this is the consequence of speaking about himself with someone who is also himself? though, his words grow distant as he speaks, seven mentions a comment, and shadow's eyes widen just a fraction, and there's a hitch in his breath as he turns to the younger one by hum.
he doesn't understand why, but one arm moves first to grab the wrist that holds the emerald, a few shards of small, broken glass in his glove. shadow holds onto him, eyes looking down with exhaustion and disbelief as meteors tend to be pieces of comets. remains.
leftover.
his hold grows a little tighter, the red of his quills light up in a small hum, but shadow clenches his teeth and shakes his head. no, that budding irritation that grows deep within him is something he has to hold back, it's not like that. it can't be. is it a trap, a fake-out, an... extension of? no, it can't be, because shadow doesn't sense anything in relation to him, unless... how could he tell when it's like looking into a reflection of himself.
it would feel... normal.
he releases seven as quick as he grabbed him, it's not that shadow isn't capable of keeping his composure, but if the others life had been so different, was that not altered as well? is there a chance that...
...
it's obvious that there's something, shadow knows something, and yet it ignites something deadly inside of him. at first, it was confusion and loss, he needed a guide, the second time, he had to get rid of him no matter what he lost along the way.
they say third times the charm, but maybe it's not like that. it's simply coincidence.
there's the sound of something laughing beside them, in a completely unbroken glass portrait where a group of scientists laugh underneath the black scratch outs. ]
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What are you-! [And just as quickly as they grabbed him, they let go. Shadow quickly backs himself towards the opposite wall, away from them, gripping the arm they held so tightly onto. That's going to leave a bruise. Blood had been drawn from where the glass had scraped against his flesh. He keeps his eyes on his other, glaring, wondering what he had done for them to suddenly assault him. They're usually calculating, meticulous in their actions. So maybe he shouldn't fault himself too much for not catching them.
But why though? And why does their uncharacteristic reaction fill him with such dread? How he came to Earth meant something to them. Something bad, if they would suddenly attack him. He doesn't have a chance to ask as the space around them starts to do something strange. Were his eyes playing tricks on him, or were the walls starting to look more distorted? The pictures in the frames don't even look right. There are new voices he didn't hear before. Whispers and laughter. The area shakes. Have they been discovered??
But then the walls behind them both will suddenly give away. They're given the sense of falling, but they're not moving, the world around them was. They fall not onto the floors below, but into darkness. And suddenly, they were back on solid ground once more, seemingly back underground. This one felt and looked different from the last time they were here though. There are no glass reflections, the walls were made of concrete and built like they were inside a tube-like tunnel. Pipes were also running through the area, occasionally hissing as they let out some pressure. There were piles of rubble scattered about, parts of the walls having collapsed due years of neglect it seems. Even the pipes were showing their age.
Shadow is still on his feet, pressing a hand against the nearest wall, getting his bearings after whatever just happened. Where are they now? He looks, searching for his other. Conern, or making sure they don't suddenly jump him.]
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if this is all a mind game, it sounds about right, but that isn't anything black doom is capable of doing. he's too straightforward, he makes it known what he wants from shadow, after all, his favorite pet project that he's trained has to be aware of his end. yet, there's no warning, nothing of the sort aside from the steam blocking out any other sound that his ears could pick up.
where is he? were they always here... how annoying, he realizes as he brings his hand away from his head, and the color in his quills loses its shine too.
without the other nearby, shadow figures that he can't stay where he is, and that he has to keep moving. one step after the other, he glances at the walls in search of anything familiar. nothing stands out to him which makes him even more wary, whatever's down here, or whoever has brought them here has some sort of idea of what they want. splitting them up for what reason? to catch them when they're not paying attention? or are they being forced to stumble across each other soon enough.
whatever it is, shadow turns around to look behind him in search of the past that they were previously on, but there's nothing.
...
he doesn't have the emerald either. it's left with that other version of him, or what he believes to be an extension of black doom himself. what happened, what went wrong, there are steps that don't add up compared to his own recollection of how he went to earth. can he do it, can he kill someone that may be in relation to him without knowing so? the confusion that was in their voice, how unsure they are of who they are, of who they want to be.
as impressionable shadow was during those times when he knew nothing. ]
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His ears twitch, hearing sounds of footsteps? His other? No, sounded like there were more than one set of footsteps. He looks up, there are pipes along the ceiling, he teleports above to keep out of sight.
Wait...these pipes, how they're laid out. That can't be right. He hears voices again, too far to make out what's being said. Following his gut, he starts to move among the pipes and walls. Retracing his steps as if he was back at the facility. If he's correct, then when goes into this room up ahead-]
-?! [This...was not the room he spent much of his time in, resting in a tube. In fact, the room's appearance looked drastically different from everything else.
His other will find evidence that wherever he is, this place had been lived in at one point. Papers and books scattered amongst the floor, all blank. Empty and beaten lockers along the wall. A pair of dusty roller skates. There are also voices that can be heard, but they are incomprehensible. Light dimly peeks into the passage from a room up ahead. Faint sounds of computers and other machines beeping coming from that room.
Upon entering, the beeping sounds will fade away. It was a room that looked like it was used for data keeping of some sort. Machines can be seen lined up along the wall that have long since been out of service. At it's center, shattered remains of what appeared to be a glass tube that once held something.]
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aside from dust on the ground and broken computer pieces scattered here and there with glass, there's paperwork dated, signed and information written down that makes no sense at a glance. off to the side is a casted away old, black journal that's hidden underneath the shadows, possibly hard to miss.
there's the sound of keyboards clicking and writing being scribbled, but if he moves at all, it'll stop. the sound never reappears and he can continue on to look at whatever interests him in this room. ]
Where... am I?
[ this location isn't anything familiar to him, no matter how many times he scan the room, he can't find anything like it. in the middle is a sort of culture tank, a large visible hole that he can see from what little light filters in the room. the place is overgrown with flora, as though it's been abandoned for years that he couldn't count on just both his hands.
slowly he lifts his head up to note how roots have penetrated through the ceiling and moonlight slips between the cracks to give the room an ethereal glow. despite the calmness of the area, it's hard to ignore the age and the frustration of things pushed around as though there was someone in a rush.
one foot after the other, he walks down the steps until his feet click against the concrete surface. kneeling down, he'll pick up one of the pieces of paper that's spread across the floor, walking with it to see if there's anything he can read on it. he doesn't have high hopes thinking the bugs have probably chewed away too much, or the ink and pencil has faded, but he'll give it a try. ]
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And wouldn't this put him in...space? A light flickers within his peripheral vision. Turning, he sees a computer still barely functioning. A bullet hole on the top corner, distorting what's on the screen. A frown. He's never used a computer before, but he knows they hold information. How does he access it though? He walks over to it, staring at the keys the humans would hit to make something happen. Should he though? What if he triggers something? But this place seems pretty beaten and long abandoned. Nothing should function anymore, right...?
He presses a key that hadn't been lost. Nothing. Another. The blue screen flickers and then goes white. A string of letters and numbers appear on the screen, all nonsense to Shadow. But it goes blank again, then showing only two words in large font.
"PROJECT SHADOW"
Information starts to scroll pass. Limitless energy, chaos emeralds, immortality, weapon advancement, cure. They would come up often. There were some blurred images among the information, one of them looked just like the monster they both fought in the arena.
"PROTOTYPE"
There was another photo, one of this very room, but not in it's current decrepit state. There was an awfully familiar looking old man in a labcoat with an impressive mustache, standing in front of the chamber. It actually had something occupying it. The other he presumes. And there...who was that? A dark spot beside the older man. It looked like someone had put an ink splotch over them, but he can see there's something, or someone hovering next to them. The computer suddenly flickers though and shuts off before he could really decipher it.
A disgruntle sound. Of course it would leave at a cliffhanger. Still, that computer provided quite a bit of information concerning his other. That monster from before, was what came before their creation. The purpose of his creation, well it seem to be for a a number of things. High expectations. What sort of demanding test they must have gone through to reach such things as "immortality" and a "cure"? Cure for what? He hears something, like a door sliding open. To the left of the empty chamber, a door had indeed appeared, almost beckoning him to go through it. Looking around, he doesn't see anything else he could glean from this room, deciding to take the bait. Moving forward is his only option.
Just as he reaches the door though, he notices a black book laying unassumingly on the floor. He hadn't notice with the room being as dark as it was. He goes to pick it up, slowly going through the pages. They're mostly blank or blacked out. One page wasn't. It was a page full of drawings, of their air shoes, the inhibitor rings. They...looked to be drawn by a child? His eyes widen at a realization. The old man in the photo, he looked familiar for a reason, and these drawings from a child. These can't be done by...if they are reflections of each other, then that would mean, it's possible there's a reflection of her. Maybe he already had an inkling for a while, but now the evidence is staring him in the face. It makes him anxious.]
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[ the contents of the paper in hand is what he reads aloud to himself, swallowing down the information begrudgingly. it's the meteor-like cocoon, the location that he's found himself in doesn't bode well because why would it when he takes a look at his surroundings? it talks about the unusual creature found within, an organism that they had bestowed the title of "ultimate lifeform". an alien from space that came to earth.
however, he doesn't let that stop him as he takes slower steps to continue reading what he can make out of this. ]
Chaos Energy has been documented...
[ he stops, his thumb brushing against the dust of one side to take out the smudged word hidden underneath. it's illegible where he stands, and rather than try to make out what he can't within the darkness, shadow moves to where the light filters through the ceiling to have a better look at the paper. ]
Open a path to humanity's new era.
[ that frightened, unsure, and lost individual was meant to progress the world, that is what they had in store for him. the examples written at the bottom of higher energy sources, space flight, and even weapons were meant to make the human population stronger, build them a future where they could change and influence what was around them. he can neither say if that's a good or bad thing when he reads it, humans tend to have too much power within their hands.
the crunch of glass underneath his shoes catches his attention, taking his attention away from the paperwork over to the wide tube in the middle. it seems like wherever he steps, he can hear the glass cracking, almost like it wants him to go that way. he doesn't reject the suggestion at all, slowly making his way over to it, his fingers following the cracked outline until his hand stops. ]
Project Shadow, you were meant to serve for a great purpose.
[ he mumbles this to himself as he figures if this is here then the tube in the middle must suggest that this must be where he was stabilized. in the dusty wreckage of the tank, he can see some of his reflection, but he notices something drawn on the surface too. a simple curve, but telling that something was there. looking down, he looks at the shards of glass to pick one up that has the same sort of marking, but no place to put it. shadow in his time on the ark would have no choice but to take part in experiments, but he learned along the way because if he excelled, then the chance to save her would as well.
even though he has immortality, even though he was meant to be a cure. that purpose never saw its use because even then, her death wasn't through her illness.
for a brief moment, his hand curls around the shard, but it punctures his glove causing it to push against his inner palm. it snaps him back, reminding him that he can't break what he has. kneeling down with a shake of his head, he puts the paperwork down in exchange for another shard to match up with the tank. it's no different from cutting open a body and stitching it back together, if he follows the lines properly then he's sure he can piece it back together. a clumsier hand would treat it like a puzzle, not minding the imperfection and setting it there to force it into place to see if it fits.
but no, he cannot do that with this. he needs a gentler touch, he will piece the shards one by one, setting them in place hoping that no breeze wafts by to undo his work. for once, even shadow holds his breath to prevent it from knocking over as he slots what he can in the proper area until the writing all comes together. what he had thought would be a string of words, or a number presents him with something different. unexpected.
in his face is a drawing, it reminds him of a child's work with how comical it appears. aside from the split cracks between the black line, the ridge of shadow's eye raise in confusion, realization, and then a click of his teeth as his hands curl into fists at the sight. it's almost like he's telling what's in front of him not to exist, that it's simply a fluke, but there's nothing around here that talks about medical science, he hadn't noticed one thing mentioning illnesses and cures.
he's quick to grab the paperwork again on the floor, flipping it over again but what he comes to is human advancement, the human life that could excel from the energy. no matter how many times he flips the sheet of paper wanting more, something else, the differences start to show themselves again. quickly looking back to the container, he can see his reflection where the drawing is somewhat, and his fist tightens around the paperwork before dropping it.
what's the meaning of this?
even the simplest breeze can cause destruction, the paper that sways back and forth and hits the ground triggers the glass on the culture tank to tremble, and shards falling towards the surface. shadow's on alert, rushing forward to grab them at the expense of what cuts through his gloves and pierces his claws. whether he did this because of what connection it has, or to prevent any sounds from echoing out the room, it's hard to tell on his face as he sets what he's caught onto the floor. warm, bright red blood has begun to stain through the white surface of his gloves yet again.
a slow exhale leaves from him as he walks away from the tank not wanting to cause any other issues, but there's a table that catches his interest. there's not much layered on top of it aside from one sheet of paper, the white color has turned a dingy yellow, and the edges frayed from the years passed. much like the other one, but this one seems to have a little more data. there's numbers, and a small blurb of text at the bottom that he can look into.
start from the top, search for the claim. ]
COULD CHAOS ENERGY GROW EVEN MORE IN YOUNG ORGANISM?
Chaos Energy, an unknown fuel resource found exerted from the organism, the Ultimate Lifeform. No matter how much is siphoned, the individual appears to be an endless fountain that would swell up one night, and rejuvenate by early morning. Endless possibilities could come from this creature, and even more so when it is older. They are a child, maybe around the age of 15, so what would come in 10 more years? â–“â–’? 35 years? A geyser of energy that's "supposed" to support mankind.
Data will be checked during testing phase.
QUERY: Can a child â–“â–’â–“â–’ and â–“â–’â–“â–’â–“â–’ us?
UPDATE HERE:
During the middle of testing, the subject had disappeared from the table, and in its place with a teddy bear with the electrodes stuck to the body. How unfortunate, there seems to be a fluctuation in the readings and would have been resourceful to know. Will look back into it once we find the project.
QUERY: Why does energy fluctuate?
UPDATE HERE:
Before QUERY of why does energy fluctuate?
Its energy appears to fluctuate reliant on what or who it is interacting with, with positive interactions displaying a favourable increase.
That thing scares me. There's something terrifying about dealing with a monster that can use that energy at will. Will this really save the human race or will it kill us all? It looks at me with those big eyes but I can't tell if it wants to threaten me or if it's scared of me. I'm the human! Why would I be the scary one! It can't be trusted.
The energy isn't the same when with us, it reacts better when it's with its bonded â–“â–’â–“â–’â–“.
Before QUERY of can a child save and evolve us:
No. I can't stand that damn monster. It'll slaughter us.
[ he can hear a door click unlock, the creak of it blowing open indicating that his time is done here.
whoever is leading him is showing shadow this information on purpose, had it showed him too much or is it trying to say he's been to harsh because the reality is that the living organism is nothing but a child. it would make sense why his abilities aren't as heightened as they should be. though, he's never really had a childhood himself, growing up as fast as he did and the years went by.
he wouldn't have been able to tell what a child version of him would have even looked like if it stared him in the face.
looking over to where the door has opened, there's another long and dark hallway, but he knows it'll lead him somewhere. he returns his attention back to the table, and the sheet of paper that was once there is gone, no longer available for him to read. ]
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Blood drips from the arm the other had grabbed, staining the sterile floor as he walks further into the hallway, taking in the sudden shift. The distant footsteps return, along with the voices. Sounds of people going about their business in this place. Some of their conversations, decipherable.
"The girl seems to be doing much better today."
"Are you certain she's really sick? She's always so full of energy and cheerful."
"You really think she's pretending when she's beridden? Really?"
"Ah, y-you're right...I just hope Professor Robotnik's 'Ultimate Lifeform' really stands up to their name and bring us results soon."
"Yes...the ARK would lose much of it's light without her. "
A girl. Sick. A cure.
He stops, their conversation still playing in his mind. Is she...not well, where his other comes from? Were they made for the purpose to save her? Something is caught in his throat, a creeping suspicion that he might already know the result. He wants to be wrong though. Wishing of all wishes, but it's probably pointless now. These events have already come to pass.
He keeps walking, all he can do to keep himself occupied. As he turns the corner, there was another room, more light coming through it. It seem more inviting than the first, but it could be a red herring. Eitherway, the passage seems to end with the room, so he has no other choice, but to enter. He is met with a room even larger than the first. It had large windowed panels on all sides, like an observatory. Outside, a view of space with the Earth below, lights dancing just above it.
---
Muffled music is playing somewhere in the distance once his other enters the hallway. Following the sound will take them into a room with a pillow fort at it's center, a record player propped near the wall where the source of the music was coming from. Light is flickering from within the pillow fort, the source from an old television that had been setup within. Currently it only shows static, with some old VHS tapes scattered around it. Unlike the previous room, this one did not seem have been worn down by time yet. It as if one has gone back to when the base was still in use.]
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stars twinkle, a hum-like pulse if he dares to look at them.
against the glass, he can see handprints make their way onto the surface, staining them as heat generates making the impression visible. they're small, they don't belong to an adult nor a creature like himself. out the corner of his eye in the reflection of the glass, was that a young girl he had saw or simply a trick of the light? all there is are those two handprints, and his own reflection looking back at him.
that is until one bigger, hesitant handprint settles onto the surface. it's fading away fast as though unsure of the action, but the two smaller handprints remain as if someone was enjoying the chance to look over the world below.
...
the same cannot be said of where he is now, there's a minimal amount of light that comes from lights strung upon sheets, and the static of the tv that isn't playing anything. his own hands still bleed from holding the shards of glass from the other room, but when he looks in this one, there doesn't seem to be anything dangerous. it's completely different from the last room he was in, this one giving off comfort and safety much like a child's room. he stays clear from the tent, instead his body walks over to where the sink and stove is. there's a pleasant smell that wafts from the area, not meant to dull his senses, but it's nothing he recognizes as a medicinal beverage. normally there's a strong smell, but this smells sweet and nothing like what shadow knows.
however, the tv hums softly, and there is one cassette on the ground for him to acknowledge, he understands. he kneels down, picking it up, there's a title written on the front "beware the alien freak!!!" his blood gets onto the cassette, but he's mindful as he slips underneath the tent where dolls are squished up against one another, a board game setting to the side where there's black and red coins, and even the occasional cards with various colors that looks a little different than normal gambling ones — the aroma of popcorn tickles his nose — as he pushes the video tape into the machine in front of him.
everything is so calm here, there's a sort of happiness underneath this tent that causes shadow's ears to fall back against his head. it's not a place that he's used to, somewhere he thinks he should be. it almost feels like he's mocking this location by even being here to insert this video.
yet, he has to. ]
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He comes up to the glass, staring up towards the stars. They shine so much more brightly up here. He couldn't help but think about her. She would've loved this. He then glances down at the Earth below, the lights dancing, mesmerizing. What are they...?
"The aurora borealis!"
Shadow drops the journal with a start when a voice suddenly breaks the silence. Looking around franctically, he saw no one. It is still just him, alone in this room, with that transciever noise still going, seemingly closer. He takes a moment, remembering to breath. The other reason it caught him off guard, was that it was a girl's voice he clearly heard. Not hers, but...for a moment, he thought he was about to see their reflection. She sounded...cheerful, excited to bring up what those lights were. Pressing a hand to his head, he leans down to pick up the journal. He stares, noticing a page was no longer blank. There were photos now, photos with the same girl in each one. The images were faded black and white images, but he can immediately imagine her with blond hair and a blue dress. Sometimes she was by herself, sitting in a wheelchair, other times with the same older man he saw in the last room. He's sure of it now, this old man is a reflection of Professor Gerald. And that would mean...the girl is...]
Maria. [He has never seen the girl, nor heard her name uttered in this supposed space that belonged to his other. But he feels certain, that is her name. There was one last photo on the page. A group photo of her, with Professor Gerald and his other. Together, all with smiles, blissfully unaware of the troubles unfolding around them. His thumb gently presses against the photo. A bloodstain forming over the photo as he had forgotten about his bleeding arm.
He looks up toward the glass, thinking he heard or saw someone run pass him. His eyes narrow, noticing something that wasn't there a moment ago. Two handprints. Small human handprints. He stares, but there's no one there, just him reflecting back. Another larger handprint starts to form, but it quickly fades. Like it had never happened. His expression softens. That hand never reached hers. He lifts his non bloodied hand, looking at it for a moment. Would it be intrusive...yet those handprints seem to be inviting company. Slowly, he presses his hand over the small handprints. Somehow, the spot felt warm, gentle. Spreading into his hand, and up his arm.
The room suddenly goes dark. Red lights start flashing as the an alarm starts blaring. Shadow quickly removes his hand from the glass in a panic, taking a step back as he looks around.]
What?! [Blinding white lights flash into the observatory from the outside.
"THIS IS THE GUARDIAN UNITS OF NATIONS! PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!"
His whole body went tenses, his eyes widen, a few sparks escaping his quills. Ships, a fleet of them outside, approaching his location. G.U.N. And just as quickly as they appeared, that everything suddenly went dark, even on the outside. It was someone had pulled the plug on the projector screen. Complete silence. All Shadow could hear, was his own heavy breathing, and the occasional sparks from his quills.
Light peeks into the room as a new door opens. Beckoning him to move forward once more.]
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