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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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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to him, that was at one point gerald's madness, his anger and sadness mixed together within the biolizard. in front of him, it looks like a playful and silly creature compared to the original, but the actors within the movie point and scream, it's terrifying to them. this version is the one that his double had spoken about where shadow couldn't tell if he was relieved or offended that something so frightening and so willing to kill could be portrayed in such a useless light.
now that he sees it, he thinks it's relieving to see it. much more so when he understands who could have been under here with him watching it. yes, if anything, he would never expose her to the horrors, he would never want her to know of the pain that the professor endured. those two people, good people, and maybe in this life too, wonderful, good individuals that should never have met the fate that they did. shadow's head tilts down as he listens to the tv play, the airhorn of a roar, and he chuckles wryly.
as many times as shadow has put that monster out of its misery, killed it so that it would no longer suffer — the creature was unable to learn, it couldn't adjust like shadow could, and those tubes and wires were only a sort of life support. what's before him is a simple movie, refreshing, something meant for children, to make them laugh. why is he here, what is he doing here, why must he be witness to a time that is without sickness or any visible pain. there's comfort and happiness that's neatly placed right underneath the roof of the constructed tent.
something hits him, he doesn't know what it is, but something small bounced against his chest and he can only look one way. of course, in the direction that it was thrown and where he sits, by his side he'll find a small picture frame that's completely in tact. this doesn't have the professor in it, this time, it is only both him and her, her and him, smiling and happy. in his hands, it feels warm, he can hear the sound of child-like laughter in the distance, but he knows if he looks up that no one will be there. all he has is this picture within its frame, but a small crack appears right over the heart of the hedgehog within the photo.
the crack spreads like an infection.
shadow doesn't know if he should drop it or keep it in his hand, but he finds that his hand hurts, his wrist actually. like something is telling him to come, that he needs to move. there's the sound of screaming, but he can't tell if its the television or something out there. returning his attention to the television shows a dated, box television that's filled with dust and the screen cracked. everything within the tent has little bugs running through the animals, board games broken in half or completely missing from what he saw before.
the fabric of the tent has been gnawed by moths, ripped down halfway, and in his hand is a dusty frame with an old picture with faded spots here and there. upon realization of what he saw is no longer there, life having been drained from the scene and now leaves him in a dark, dreary area swallowed by darkness. he gets up realizing that there's nothing left of what was, and even that sweet smell has switched to something bitter and dry much like what's left of this place. there's the distorted sound of guitar that plays, shadow shakes his head, and doors slam against one another as someone bursts in with controlled panic to their voice.
"kids! we have to go, now!"
shadow's brow raises at the individual before him, someone he hasn't seen, but that impressive moustache says it all. he swallows down the saliva in his throat, something so real found in a dilapidated place like this? he shouldn't be surprised, this entire event has been unbelievable, but... ]
Professor? No— you're not him, y—
[ alarms blare, shadow's ears fall against his head, the sound isn't something he enjoys, rather it instills a type of paranoia in him. it's his vulnerability showing, but there's that sensation of something, or someone pulling him along. he gets up, his eyes closed as he tries to block out the sound, the fear as he's pulled into a run. no, this is one thing he can't acknowledge, this place isn't real nor does it have power to influence him, and yet he can feel a small hand around his wrist.
his head tilted forward to look at the ground, and in the corner of his eyes he can see a blue dress, and fair-skinned legs and white socks do everything in their power to prevent tripping.
however, he won't look up. what is this, why is this happening. in his hand remains the portrait as he holds tightly onto it, blood dripping into the center of the picture, staining it more. yellow lights flush the hallway, illuminating their path as he's pulled along. there's the sound of heavy footsteps, the clicks of loaded guns, voices that carry down the hall. ]
no subject
"Hurry Shadow!"
His ears perk up, her voice again. But he is still alone, with only a door of light, tempting him to press on. He starts to walk, his feet feeling heavy. He did not want to keep going, he did not want to have to see what comes next.
Back into the hallway once more, still the same futuristic space tech and yet...there was something cold and unwelcoming about it. No alarms, no GUN in sight, but the lights were dimmer, some flickering. Signs of a lack of maintenance, some machines on the wall covered in some kind of tarp. There are voices again, hushed ones.
"It's only a matter of time. Are we any closer to finding the cure?"
"Forget about that, G.U.N. is on our asses to bring them results!"
"Who was in charge of watching the prototype? How did it get out of containment?!"
"They're coming. Once they find out what the Professor's done. It's over for us."
He felt something crimple under his shoe. A newspaper? He could see at a glance in big bold letters. FIRE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL! There was a picture, hidden beneath his shoe. He's hesitating for some reason to pick it up. Like a part of him was fighting against it. The same feeling of dread he felt when his other suddenly assaulted him. Leaning down, he slowly picks the paper from the ground. Flattening it out, he sees...a meteor? Or a comet? Smaller text underneath the big one. 50 Year Return of the Black Comet Eyes flicker for a moment, the Black Comet. In 50 Years. He presses his other hand against his head, his mind suddenly feeling like it was sending little jolts painful shocks. He had never heard of this comet up to this point, and yet his mind insisted this should be familiar to him.
"On the comet's return....."
These words suddenly pop into his mind, old, forgotten, lost to time. But where had he heard them? Who said that? Something....was clawing at his mind to be remembered.
A new door opens to another room ahead. The sounds of beeping from a machine, someone's heartbeat. The raise and fall of air being moved, another machine to keep supplying air to someone. The light from the door shown dimly into the hallway, threatening to go out at any moment. The feeling of death looming.
---
The lights continue to flash, but they turn from red to a more dull yellow. The level of urgency seemingly decreasing as his other gets dragged into the next room. Those he had been running with, like phantoms they are not there with him. He's been lead into a large circular room, with what looked like there was a track along the wall, with an observation tower at it's center that can be entered into. Yellow lights still continue to the flash, but the area takes on a more abandoned appearance.
When entering the tower, there's a small chamber attached to wires from above at it's center. Seemingly there to be used to siphon something into it. Among all the controls, there was a machine that seems to track seismic activity, a dusty sheet still left behind. There was also a few smaller monitoring televisions in this room. Static, but there seem to be scenes, trying to play on them, flipping between static and a new one.]
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being submerged underwater with how muted and distorted the sounds are, things move slow, his vision will blur and he'll feel a sort of grogginess take over. the double will feel that way, almost like he's drowning, that he's unable to breathe if he decides to go any closer to that door. despite the threat that looms, his body may feel as though there's no choice at all.
once he's close enough to the door, ready to walk inside, that uncomfortable feeling that wrapped around his throat will disappear like his head has finally found the surface.
...
it's exhausting, being dragged into another room where he stumbles and falls to his knees. it's not a good look on shadow, never has been, however the weight of the situation and triggered something inside of him that his body refuses to accept. he has to catch his breath, his body doesn't want to move, it's not a weakness, but the endless path of pain and suffering that he's unable to stop, like a nightmare he's unable to wake up from.
it eats away at him, mentally it warps his thoughts, physically it staggers his movements that he's unable to push himself up off the floor. his ears raise, swivel a bit, and he exhales as his eyes stare down at the ground. were they really there, why did it feel so real, and when will he wake up? the portrait still remains in his hand, blood having covered over top of the girl's image, but none having spread to where his double occupys the photograph.
there's no one dragging him so he can get up on his own time, the pressure of the area feels almost draining. one hand comes to his head, palm smoothing against quills to try and soothe the upcoming migraine. no matter what, he can't stop here, this isn't even his problem, these have nothing to do with him — but aren't all shadows meant to suffer the same way?
this underlying fear that they have of the past, their loss coming to light, it's complex but to watch them hurt, and then hurt themselves. it's such a beautiful sight, as long as they are unresponsive by the end, what more could a nightmare want?
shadow finally manages to take a look at the location that he's in, the building is a wide curve, there's something on the wall that looks more than just a design choice. he takes a step forward, but there's something holding him back. shadow turns his head, and in his hand where the frame is feels heavier, that he must let it go here.
this is but the last connection he has with her in essence. she is not his, but she is still a comfort, but maybe there's a reason why when he let's go, and he's able to move forward. he still has his strength in his legs, not looking back anymore as there's nothing to return to in hindsight. push forward, this place wants him to move in one direction towards the end?
he stops right in front of a tank, empty much like everything else within the room. there's nothing inside, but with them lined side by side tells him that they were stockpiling something. it doesn't come to him instantly just yet, he turns away from it to move to the machinery that's still attempting to stay on with what energy this place is able to give. his eyes glancing at the screen and then to the paper with marks stretched left and right, documenting the output of whatever they were testing proved worthwhile.
shadow looks back to the screen, watching to see when it'll flick back. he has a feeling that maybe something can be found in it, give him a clearer picture. ]
no subject
"You and grandfather, are doing your best."
Her voice, it comes through muffled, from inside that room.
"I'm just as happy to spend time with you here."
The warmth was still in her voice, but it sounded weak, distant. They push him to keep going until- You will wait here, until the promise day. Shadow grips the edge of the door frame, his breathing erratic, eyes unfocused. What was that? What were those words? They didn't come from her. It was...a mission. His objective? In his moment of confusion, he doesn't notice right away that the air no longer felt so oppressive. He could breath normally again, his blurred sight returning after he blinks a few times. Another glass window to the space outside, next to it, an empty hospital bed. The machines beside it still running despite having no occupents. Faintly, there were sounds of something being scribbled, but as far as he can see, there's no one else here. That strange bubbling sound can still faintly be heard.
With his senses slowly returning, he can start to take in the scene before him. Though his head continue to throb in the back, he fully enters the room, approaching the hospital bed. The bed sheets were undone, and there was still this warmth to it, like someone had just been laying there. Could he be imagining it, but he could hear someone triyng to breath...? His hand, hovers over the bed for a moment. There's...a faint presence, he could sense it.
There's a clipboard attached to the bed post before him, with a decent stack of paper clipped to it. The page in front has TEST #-- the number itself scratched out. At the bottom of the page, something stamped in big red ink. [INCONCLUSIVE] He reaches to take the clipboard, looking over the actual contents. It talked about documented testing with Project Shadow, solution #-- with Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome [NIDS]. Ending in failure. He felt himself tense, his stomach turning upon realizing what the other pages likely were about. Sure enough...and he wished he had been wrong. Flipping through the pages showed the different tests with Shadow to cure the illness that their Maria was inflicted with. All ending in failure. This guilt, to be unable to do what they were created for, must have weighed heavily on his other.
He felt a rush of wind all of the sudden. Like someone was running pass him. A new child voice echoes through the room and down the hall.
"Tell that freak to stay away from me!"
Silence. Being called a freak, a monster, all too familiar. There was a gurgling sound of fluids, bubbling louder. It sounded like it was actually in the room this time. Out of the corner of his right eye, there was a tank. It was not there just a moment ago. Something was inside. It was not him, or his other. His heart skips a beat. That feeling of dread creeping back up. He did not want to see it, but his feet start to move him. As he moved from the bed, there was this a sound like a long sigh, like someone was giving their last breath. Then nothing. The machines attached to the bed all stop.
A small creature was being preserved inside the tank, nothing like any animal or human. Alien. He stood there in silence, staring. A single eye on it's larval body, staring back. Words form in his mind. Black....Arms. This is his first encounter of such a creature, and yet why does he already know what it is? Why does he suddenly see a flash of multiple creatures like it in his mind? A hedgehog's back to him, standing amongst them. His other...himself? A hand presses to his head, pressure starting to push against it. The sight of this thing, the comet, why do they make his head hurt? What are these images and words that he keeps seeing?
"This is a death sentence for every human being on Earth."
Another voice, neither Maria or the child from before. Older, much older. A ceiling light flickers on in the room. Shadow presses his head against the glass of the tank, the creature inside, wiggling it's claw-like appendages at him. He can only turn his head so he could see what this room was presenting to him now. Gerald Robotnik, his other's Gerald, sitting beneath it the light, tied to a chair. He has seen better days. Just behind him...there was something there. Someone, looming in the darkness, out of sight.They fill Shadow with fear by just being a presence there. Who...?! Gerald continues to speak, with such despair and hatred in his voice. Not too far off from how the Gerald he knew had felt toward the end.
"All of you will be destroyed, along with your beloved planet Earth."]
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there's a black speck, he can't make out what it is, but he figures that with everything that was shown here that who else could it be? but by himself? out there? it's a somewhat empty field with all sorts of devices compiled in the middle, a few trees here and there, but not any living creatures in sight. shadow doesn't judge the scene just yet, if they're applauding, then there's something to see.
this happens so quick that if he had blinked he could have missed it, whatever foreign object was in his double's hand is filled with energy, possibly the same kind spoken about previously. it snaps and crackles from the visual until it's dropped onto the ground, and is still powered by the energy he directed into it. shadow crosses his arms, his eyes attached to the feed, and another uproar of cheers fill the room despite no one being here.
through some of the voices, he can pinpoint which cheer was the same scream from the previous room.
...
he focuses his attention back to the video, the object having expanded to a giant black hole — his eyes widen briefly, eyeridge furrowing at the sight as what's around the open plain, and the objects nearby starts to be pulled into an unknown entry. wherever it goes, it's unknown as they don't come from behind, instead it feeds and expands, eating more and more of the location.
the ground, the nearby trees, the objects in the center, and even the surveying drone shaking and tilting at the sight. the range of the ability is terrifying to some as they gasp at the visual starting to flicker, the world spins, and the drone yanked from the sky collides towards the black hole. how massive the creation has become from what it was simply at the start explains the testing so far, to some, it'd be impressive, and the watching the drone be swallowed up and connection disconnect once taken away leaves the screen filled with white noise. that's until it clicks twice, and another feed is replacing the previous one from an outside source far away in a zone of safety. there are some fingers that obscure the screen, but it's able to show how much the hole eats away at the surroundings, a living disaster that that pops with chaotic energy, and only devours itself once a great chunk of its surroundings has disappeared.
another round of gasps call out behind him, someone else claps, and a young man curiously asks what other power sources could steam from the ultimate lifeform, if he has that, then worlds outside their own is within their reach. shadow doesn't see that though, he remains staring at the screen searching for his double, trying to see what their thoughts are on this ability of theirs. it's not anything that shadow himself knows, a technique that's never been in his possession, but one highly valued by his double it seems with how the researches "ooh" and "aah".
aren't these the same ones who are terrified in the coming days? months? years?
though, what they think at the moment doesn't matter as shadow clenches his own fist, once again finding their differences. while it may not be an ability that he has, it almost feels particularly fitting for what they had envisioned for their project shadow. if he can do this, what more is he capable of, whereas shadow's own abilities instill confidence and power within him, he cannot say the same for his double. is he afraid of what he can do, if this was within the realm of his powers, why hadn't he used it when they fought.
shadow can't say he would have dodged it, he can't say he would have lived. as impressive as it is, there is a gap within their knowledge and abilities, and this is one he wouldn't have seen at all. there's more to him that the other isn't letting on, and shadow keeps his mind open to what else the other could be keeping from him.
there's a loud clap overhead, and the paperwork begins to print out from the machine he's standing in front of. the small pen that documents the wavelengths of the energy output clicks alive, and the room lights up almost blinding him as he steps back, one arm covering his eyes until he can adjust to what's in front of him. once the light dims down enough for him to see, it's the race track in the middle that begins to start up, illuminating the entire room.
he can hear the sound of a presence running in the circular dome, over and over, power circulating as the pen begins to twitch faster and faster on the sheet before him, even directly off the sheet to expose how powerful the output is. whether the energy that wafts through the air is real or not, it's enough to make the fur on shadow's body stand. his ears twitch from the noises that circulate around the room until the sound of scribbling is heard right next to him. ]
DATE: X/XX/XXXX
PROJECT SHADOW
Written by Researcher R.
A unique creature, today's data that has been gathered today shows complete control of a Black Hole. He really is a being from outer space, having those sorts of abilities, what other skills can he control that's only seen in space? A coworker said if only his skills had something to do with the Milky Way, he'd smell like raspberries and rum.
Re: Black Hole.
Wherever the drone has been taken, there's no way to regain it ever again. We'll ask if he can return it to its original state, but I believe that whatever goes through is never to come out. Fitting for someone with the title of Ultimate Lifeform, fitting and terrifying.
The amount of Chaos Energy that comes from his body is being circulated into the tank, we will begin dissecting and breaking down the molecules. This power will have many uses, it'll replace the fossil fuels where mankind can grow off this instead. However, how much energy can this one creature emit, and what to do if it's capable of dying? We'll harvest, make sure some is kept for later, but that shouldn't be an issue with how much has already been siphoned.
He doesn't seem bothered by it at all, and still continues on with his every day life. With his bonded human, it keeps him compliant with the testing as she is Professor's granddaughter. Today, we will put him through more rigorous testing. This time, we will use humans and animals to see if the Black Hole will accept those, building a mental barrier to the idea of death. After he circulates energy into the tank, we'll guide him to a room where there are various traps and hidden weapons within the walls, either he finds the exit or faces punishment when he finds a dead end. He needs critical thinking to avoid being electrocuted when entering the wrong room. We will test his survivability to see what skills he use, and to train his endurance.
The Professor's granddaughter won't be back until late, so that gives us three more hours to test the Ultimate Lifeform.
[ the writing stops, whoever had been analyzing the data so far seems to have something else better to do.
another sheet of paper is placed before shadow, a different handwriting from the previous researcher. the writing is slowly written onto the sheet as though someone is thinking, but their thoughts are formed which leaves an unsavory taste in shadow's mouth after the previous one. ]
DATE: X/XX/XXXX
PROJECT SHADOW: TRAINING
Written by Researcher 8
• Submerge test subject underwater, see how long it will last.
• Place test subject in box underground, see how long it takes for him to escape.
• Check pain receptors, apply heat, encourage electrotherapy, see how much his body can take.
• Starve test subject to see how well it holds up, send it into test field without being fed.
• Remove body parts
• Use
Maria (*fake)doll? as a[ the scrawl is then ripped in two, paper ripped in more than one way and begins to trickle onto the floor right by shadow's shoes. various dots of red stain the white paper, and in shadow's grasp is where a few torn sheets fall from. his breathing is heavier, the expression he wears is a twist of anger and irritation, and he can feel his fangs brush against his tongue. how much more can shadow endure, seeing her name, seeing what these humans wanted to perfect for their new era...
this is completely different from the testing shadow has ever endured, there's something that clicks in him, that sort of burning hatred he had once before. before, humans were selfish, some things were what they deserved, but as they write, as they speak their opinions, it's all starting to get underneath shadow's fur. but he has to remember, this isn't his problem, these are not his issues, but that child who huddled against him afraid within that small cave... did he ever learn hatred, animosity towards them.
...
shadow takes a step back, shaking his head. this is not his hatred to feel, he's not meant to be subjected to this and feel for others. all this is doing is getting into his head, making him feel anger and pain that isn't his own, and he finds himself growing irritable. his hand lifts, hitting against the machine causing it to split in two, electricity popping from the device before the stylus slowly stops moving and ceases all function. ]
no subject
BANG!
There was a sound of a gunshot, cutting through all the noise. Deafening, the world going silent for a moment. Small red lights, peeking through the darkness, visors, worn by G.U.N. agents, just out of sight, surrounding him.]
"I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down." [Professor Gerald was still monologing. As he does, the dark figure behind him becomes more solid, a form starting to take shape.] "She meant everything to me! And I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything! I had nothing more to live for! I went insane!! All I could think about, was to avenge her! Somehow, someway, I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about, was that I wanted it all to end. Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project; Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect, pure..."
"Our creation."
[A deep, menacing voice cuts through the monologue. His head starts to hurt again. This voice, not quite the same, but he feels this is the voice that's connected to the words he could not explain-] WHO ARE YOU?! [He screams into the darkness, hands pressing the sides of his head. He couldn't take it, his head, swimming in so many thoughts and images that he could not comprehend. No, that he somehow knew, but did not want to acknowledge them. This was...all of the other's past, isn't it?! So why does it effect him in this way? Why...did the black comet and that creature in the tank cause such agony for him? His eyes watch the darkness behind Gerald finally take on an appearance. His quills flare up, a mixture of anger and fear at the sight of them. Three glowing red eyes, horns, cloaked in darkness. Not human, alien.
Black...Doom. The name naturally comes to him.]
I will leave everything, to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the world..."
[The world starts rushing past him as he's suddenly ejected from the room wild inside the tube. Flying through space, heading towards Earth below, the sight of G.U.N fleets surrounding the ARK above.]
"Shadow...my greatest creation." [Shadow looks around, the Earth below, suddenly turning a decaying red. A shadow eclipses his small capsule. A large black comet appears where the ARK once was. Was this all actually there, or a part of Shadow's memories manifesting itself? His eyes widen, seeing more ominous creatures of different size and shapes around the comet. The meteor he came in, somehow he knew, was a part of this comet. The one he recognize as Black Doom, suddenly appears before his capsule. Looking at him, acknowledging his presence in this space. This was, no longer his other's memories.]
"You've gone beyond all my expectations in such a short existence. Our success rate in conquering planets have increased tenfold since you've led my troops. Rejoice, for you are the perfect soldier I had long envisioned." [He says to rejoice, but there's only a look of horror in Shadow's eyes. Images...his lost memories start to trickle back in, like a stream, then suddenly into a rushing rapid. A foreign planet on fire, destruction everywhere, the race on the planet screaming in despair. The black comet hovers omninously over it, large tendrils burrowing into the planet to drain it of it's resources. The Black Arms, taking organisms as prisoners to either be used to further perfect their own kind, or as fuel. Others deem undesirable, slaughtered without remorse. And him...with a spear in his bloodied hand, his expression cold, unfeeling and focused, standing in front and leading the charge. He didn't think he could actually make such a face until he was staring right at himself.]
"Your next task, I can only entrust to you. I will send you to our next target, Earth. Your mission is to infiltrate, assimilate before our arrival."
Understood. [He utters the words without prompt, automatic. His horrified expression not suited for his monotonus response. And just like that...the memories from before his time on Earth, came in like the flood. All he can do is scream, twisting inside the little capsule in space, where no one can hear him. He pulls at his fur and quills, sparks flying around him, tears streaming down his face. Spots of blood float around the capsule from his injured arm.] It's not true...it's can't be! They're lies! All of it!!
[They are all true.
The looks the scientist gave him. All those test where he unleashed his immense power. He was truly a monster in the end. And then, the world suddenly comes crashing to a halt. There was nothing, only darkness. Shadow, left lying on an unfamiliar floor.]
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shadow's eyes widen, the light in them barely there, as though it's hanging on for dear life in keeping him sane. that wild energy inside his body wanting to be set loose, wants to break free could expand and swallow all around him in destruction, but there's something holding him back. there's footsteps, there's the sound of gun's clicking, it's the same sounds from before shadow entered this room. he clenches his jaw, swallows down the saliva in his mouth and then there's that bright light illuminating the entire room, but this time it isn't from the race track.
it came from a gun shot, a whistle of fumes, energy expands — a burst of power that swallows everything in its path. him as well, but it feels like pressure, nothing as real as the past when everything goes up in flames. a child's scream follows after and the world is filled with smoke, a burning smell, broken down walls and pipes screaming with hot air. the scream sits in his ears for longer than it should, he's never heard her sound like that before. even in his last moments with her, all he could remember was her face and that bullet wound, a stark red to the pale blue of her attire — like an eye that stared at him.
for what reason would he be shown all of this, was it to trigger something inside of him — his hatred, his pain, telling him that no matter what life he leads the ending will always be the same. of course, that must be it because in this dark room is only him and his own thoughts.
why am i here?
what was i doing?
i hate them.
what was the point of saving humanity.
they will always betray me.
us.
no, that's not...
on cue, a light snaps on from above, two cones of light fall in two separate places. one is where that young girl lays in the debris, the professor holding her close as he calls her name. she's unmoving, blonde hair obscuring the look on her face from where he is. he turns his head to the other cone of light to see what's underneath, and as his eyes fall upon a familiar body that's not his but his double's. shadow brings a hand to his head, the pain growing ever more as he can feel something underneath his skin moving, adjusting, but not now.
such a sensation hasn't been available to him in quite some time, mostly because he ignores it, he doesn't need it. however, the hand on his head drips liquid in a different shade, as black as his fur, and what left of his heart within his chest skips a beat. his eyes move to the body of the dead girl, the drop of "blood" on the floor, and then to the body of his double who lays there unmoving. this isn't his past, in any scenario, he's sure that maria would want shadow to look after himself, take care of what's left, but no matter the end.
these are things he cannot change.
his legs move further and further away from the dead body of that double's maria where he comes to stand right above his copy. in shadow's eyes, all he can see are scars, blood, pieces removed, quills taken, some leftover. in his gloved hand is remnant of another where he had held, what must have been split from the explosion, the last touch of a connection... this is all that he sees, the light in his eyes practically gone to leave just a dull emptiness in his gaze which to the copy would be shadow just looking through him.
it's hard to ignore if the copy looks at him, and near his hands where some black substance seems to be slowly manifesting, even curling around his legs as though it's keeping him there. as if the body is trying to... acclimate to something he's been ignoring for quite some time.
... ]
He's unresponsive, ha ha ha. Now we can finalize our work.
[ within the darkness a loud voice echoes out, condescending to those around, nothing as proud as the deep, jarring voice that the double had heard before. this voice is smoother, menacing and confident to those who hear it.
within the darkness does something appear, a giant, silver fox-like mask. the left eye visible through a red visor, and the other completely hidden from what seems to be a black thunderbolt. the mask looks down at the two beings, one unmoving and the other laying against the floor. there's a chuckle, sounds as though the mask is impressed at what they see. ]
I can taste your terror, child. All that anxiety and doubt... it's delicious. I am amazed that you were able to break free from my mental constraints.
[ that wasn't supposed to happen, but it seems something else came into play. something much more delicious that the being finds it too good to pass up, to watch either of them crumble is all this mysterious being wants. ]
The same rules apply. Kill your opponent and you can go home. Look at that, he probably doesn't even realize you're there.
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His first planet, merely a soldier, wanting to prove to their master that they were capable of what they were created for. The second, rose in the ranks as captain of his own squad. Anyone who stood against him, foe or comrade, would meet their end. A nusiance, a threat to his rise in power. The third, the ultimate test as he took control of Doom's whole army. Everything he had learned up to that point, honed in for complete world domination in a manner of days. Now we come to the fourth, Earth. Where everything was lost and he was met with scuitiny from the scientists and soldiers who found and studied him. The girl who looked passed his appearance and saw another kid, who just wanted to be treated like one and have a friend.
But that was all a lie. He's no child, he was a created to kill, lead, conquer for his master. A betrayal to the girl who saw something brighter in him. His body shudders, gritting his teeth. It hurt. Everything he knows and done before his time on Earth, being weigh down by a single girl's love. He couldn't bear to live with this guilt, of what his true purpose was. Even if he hated what the humans have done to him, to her. Something...someone keeps telling him that isn't how it should be.
You always have a choice.
He starts to hear another voice taunting them with amusement, a voice outside his mindscape. It is unfamiliar to him, no information in the data banks. They demand one of them to kill the other. His other. The more they talked, the more he's getting the picture that the owner of this voice, while he doesn't know how, is the cause of everything that's been happening to the both of them.
He can't see his other, his back currently to them, but he had sensed their presence this whole time. As with his memories, a plethora of skills he had forgotten or partially only had pieces of, have become whole again. One being he could sense others like him, know where his comrades are at all times. There are some differences, but the blood that flows in the other, it is still the Black Arms at it's core. They were standing over him, he's sure of it. Were they finally going to finish the job...heh, now he understands their reaction in that hallway. Did this one manage to defect from Black Doom? The only explanation for how they behaved.
But nothing happens. Knowing them, they would've done it by now. He turns slightly, chancing a glance at them with tired eyes, stained from tears. His other eyes were on him, but they seem to be staring pass him, somewhere distant. There was some kind of black substance forming around them. Essence of the Black Arms. Leaking? Lost control?
Seeing it, he recognizes what he needs to do. He turns onto his back, staring at their hand, covered in that substance. He reaches to grasp it with his bloodied arm, his blood and that substance creates a bond, a mental connection with his other. Digging, searching to find them.]
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it's like wildfire in how it spreads, any common sense that shadow once had has immediately been burned away in favor of his hatred. the otherwise cool, collected and uninterested hedgehog would normally stand here, calculating a plan for the next few steps forward to handle the problem here.
however, with how things are now, with a connection of black doom that tries to sink into him — it raises an alarm in his head, something inside telling that invading connection to go away, that it's not wanted anywhere near him. that he can destroy and kill on his own without the reassurance of something that he can kill again. ]
I was hoping for a little more... bloodshed, but it seems you wish to waste time.
[ the voice from above realizes that maybe he should have taken advantage of this himself, perhaps he should drop this younger version of shadow in another pit of doom, watch him squirm. although, what pisses him off the most is how the other appears more capable than he was at the start of this.
what happened to that coward? ]
One wrong move and you might regret it. You have the chance to end him here, be the only one to escape. Why lose this chance?
[ even though shadow doesn't seem to be responsive physically, his body runs rampant inside where his blood boils, and his thoughts shift through the ways of every destructive choice that can be used on humans, and black doom alike. ]
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The torrent of raging emotions isn't all that different from what he sees in other members of the Black Arms. An incohesive mess. All of them are creations of Black Doom, nothing natural about their makeup. But there's always a code hidden somewhere among the mess, all programmed into them in case...certain actions need to be taken. Something tells him it'll be different with his other. Not a direct creation, but still has Black Doom's blood flowing in them. Perhaps why he struggles to get through.
Their rage was also personal. That hatred towards all of humanity, it runs deep. And he can't even be upset by it, because he shares in that sentiment. Humans are cruel and disgusting creatures. He's come to hate them, for what they've done to him, Maria, the glimpse he saw of his other's life. For a moment, he thought letting the Black Arms invade Earth is what they deserve. But no, he's been through this already, his other's feelings getting into his mind. Destroying Earth won't bring anyone back. None of those memories will return.
He could also feel animousity and hatred being directed at him, his connection to the Black Arms. Heh, he can't deny that either. He hates what he's learned about himself, wishing for those days when he was blissfully unaware, with Maria, being a kid. But he can't go back anymore. It was all just a fluke, a life he can never have. Now here he is, using a power bestowed by Black Doom to find his other. He hates it.
It's a strange contradiction from his other though, when Black Doom could easily annihilate all of humanity. They don't want that. They choose not to for some reason, holding all of this hatred inside of them instead.]
Tch. Having trouble recognizing who I am? Let me help you! [His other will feel a wave of emotions sent to combat theirs. Powerful, matching their torrent of emotions. Hate, anger, frustration, but also sadness, uncertainty and fear. Flashes of their fight with the bio lizard copy, escaping the cave-in, the question they ask each other.
"Who are you?"
They were all attached to these emotions. He will not be treated like another Black Arms minion, Doom or whatever. He is Shadow.]
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this shadow does a good job denying what's favourable for him, a helpful hand, a show of kindness, anything that he doesn't want. his willingness to go against black doom grows stronger with every second that they remain together, but because his copy's emotions of sadness, uncertainty, failure are as strong as shadow's hatred, some seeps though, small flashes of the previous memories leak through. drip by drip, those encounters make a story in shadow's head — some events with a look-alike that has led him here. despite the information sent to him, shadow still seems wary despite it all.
however, it's his own willingness that sends something back, a response. ]
You do not feel like who you said you were.
[ crimson eyes glow menacingly, brows furrowed, that link slightly shaky not because of anyone else intervening, but because shadow's so enraged by this that he'll cut the link depending on the wrong answer. this has been an issue with him, always leaving, fading away into the darkness. the depths of his mind is like a black pit, the endless tar not drowning him, but only keeping unwanted things at bay.
what's before him is an attachment to black doom trying to connect with him. so again, same practice as before. ]
Who are you?
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They are only focused on his nature, fixated on it, something he cannot hide. He's not going to try in front of his other. The question feels loaded. No matter how he answers, it will not end well for himself. No matter what, the Black Arm's blood flows in him, just like his other.]
...A monster like you. [Whatever comes from that response, he'll bear it. He refuses to leave until he brings back the other. If he gets killed in the process...well, so be it.] You're losing control. [He states the reason for his presence, but doesn't openly state to help. He's sure they would want to work through it themselves, but regardless the method, they need to come back. Who knows how long the owner of that other voice will wait before deciding to just take matters into their own hands.]
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of course, the mask above only watches in irritation — as the prophet, it would do no good allowing them to do nothing. there's people watching, disaster awaiting, death imminent, and it irritates the voice more and more to watch them in silence. whatever the younger one is doing, it seems to be lowering the hostility found in the older hedgehog.
these emotions: fear, pain, hatred, they're needed for what's to come. to throw a wrench into the plans of the younger one, the ground splits between them at a snap of a finger. having some control over the surroundings seems to work, better than he had expected because all it has to do is widen the gap. ]
You should hurry, I'm growing quite bored at you two staring at each other! I want to see you afraid, or will it hurt you more knowing he won't come back?
[ there's white noise next that the copy can hear, it buzzes into his ears but not from what's around him. no, it comes from the connection, he can hear the applause next of humans praising something, and then the scribbling on a sheet of paper and then the voice of a older woman considering what stress tests to do.
it becomes quiet. ]
You are not like me.
Because
...
I will. Kill them.
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Irritated, he stares up at the masked face above them. There are sparks in his other hand as something starts to form.] Enough talk. [He takes aim, a tiny ball of chaos energy had form as he fires it toward the face. He doesn't know if they're actually there or just an illusion. He know he's grown tired of their constant interruptions. Once that little orb reaches within vicinity of that head, it will suddenly expand into a black hole, blocking all light and pulling anything close by into it. It's much more controlled than what was shown in those testings, only threatening the space it was occupying and not expanding much further.
You are not like me.
His other voice rings in his ear. No, not just them. There's cheering...? He presses his free hand to the side of his head. These images...what's being written on that paper, even he doesn't recall being privvy to such a thing. But some of the tests listed there...he remembers going through a few of them. The last one, something with Maria? What? Why, was he seeing this? Why was his other seeing this? The other's remaining words reaching him. The implications are concerning.] Shadow?!
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his head hurts, his ears twitch at the sound of his name, and his body alerts him of what connection is still there. what moves through his body in an attempt to stay entwined with the other in some way.
slowly his hand curls, the sensation of nails pressing to the inside of his palm, and it's with just a little pestering that he blinks. at first, it's suspicious with the black ooze still around his body, but it recedes, sinking back into his body without trapping him in place. the floor shifts, shadow's side lowering only by an inch, but nothing to worry about.
they have to leave, that's all that is before it consumes them back below, and they've worked so hard to climb from where they were. if the beings of this world finds them then what's next? these aren't things shadow thinks about, but just this once he does move one foot forward.
the look in his eyes never meets his copy's, instead, they away from him completely. something in the darkness that only he can see, and whatever that is... he doesn't seem to comment on. shadow inhales, catching his breath as he turns his head to the side in a small coughing fit, a little raspy like an older person trying to recompose themselves. ]
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He moves to stand as his other takes a step. Their eyes seem distant, focused on something else. Ahead. He glances in the same direction as his other for a moment, unable to see whatever they're seeing. He looks back when they start to cough, remaining still. Quietly.] Shadow...? [Despite all he remembers, that softness about him never quite left him.]
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no one can tell if that's a good or bad thing, the copy was better off going alone, leaving shadow alone. no matter how many times the younger one calls to him, shadow never makes visual contact. his ears twitch registering that he's being called, but anything else about him seems distant.
hea probably working off instinct more than his common sense and intuition, that look in his eyes absent of that calculating look he normally wears when he's presented with a problem. everything that stands in his way can be torn down, that's the only thing that makes sense to him.
what trace of the copy that's still within shadow will immediately tell that shadow isn't completely there. that his need to get out of this world is there, but get out and do what exactly... there's no answer to it. ]
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He can't look into them right now. It is invaluable that he gets his other back to their senses first. They seem fixated on one point, ignoring everything else around them. He needs to make another connection that his blood cannot do alone. He reaches to gently grab their hand, avoiding any sudden movements and just let him be aware he's next to them.]
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that's because of him, isn't it? obviously this must have been something he experienced, it's because of those damned humans. he doesn't recall this maria requesting any happiness for them, why would she? the last thing he remembers are her screams, the explosion... the silence afterwards.
his fingers curl tightly around the hand that hold his, not for the reason his copy may think unless he can feel that something is still wrong.
all shadow has to do is find the source, kill the source, find her world... slaughter them all. easy enough, it can easily be done, all he has to do is find the source... ]
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It's still wrong.
A small voice, still pushing back. He's starting to wonder who that voice is, keeping him from falling into the pit several times now. Their hand squeezing his, but it doesn't give him reassurance.]
Don't. [That isn't their fight. They shouldn't be driven to burn his Earth. Why is he even defending it though? Certainly not for the reason he cares about anyone on his planet. Cause he's seen enough of it? Planets burning and die. Over and over. Newer memories conflicting with the old. His devotion toward his own creator, not as strong as before.]
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him?
that hatred, that pain, oh and the anger, the anger is so overwhelming that his body feels hot. like everything in him wants to combust to destroy all that's around him. however, those humans aren't here, that world seems so far away that he has to go alone to reach that place.
his irritation feels misplaced at times, there are unfamiliar faces that he doesn't recall, but he knows what he wants to do with them. that's right, the entire world could rot and then burn, something he is capable of because who would stop him? what could stop him? he should let go now, shadow has to let go because there are things that his companion cannot see. it may be the younger version of himself holding on, but to him... this maria lingers, reminding him why he should do it.
because these are his feelings of anger and hatred, and he has to follow these feelings because what else could he ever want?
that's why the copy will feel that grip loosen as though shadow has decided to let go, and he has. ]
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Shadow, listen. [Do they even hear him anymore? Doesn't matter, he has to try.] Someone is making you feel this way. Make us hurt. I saw them. [Why? He still doesn't know. He doesn't recognize that masked face. He just knows this is likely what they want, his other to fall into a trap.]
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