Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first snow layered the landscape. It began accumulating on the roof of the farmhouse, as well as the few barns and sheds that occupied the fields. Among them was the shed intended to become the new ‘HQ’ for Sonic and his teammates. Winter had finally set in.

The shed itself had tripled in size, new rooms added on both of its sides. It now resembled a small house, just boasting a steel exterior. It had yet to be painted and detailed–tasks that were to wait until everything melted and thawed in Spring, and the interior hadn’t yet been touched. But from the outside looking in, it appeared complete. The electronic and plumbing portions still needed to be addressed, the former of which Tails was excited to tackle. The latter required the hands of professionals. Another thing on the list that would wait until warmer weather.

What livestock still resided after the year’s business reluctantly emerged from their warm shelter. New cattle, birthed earlier that year, had long since been weaned from their mothers and were left to learn of the world around them. During the Winter months, there were no fowl to awaken the farm’s residents, no eggs to gather. Their season had ended, the birds long having been sold off for their meat. A harsh reality, when one stopped to think on it. But necessary when bills and temporary farm hands needed pay. Come Spring, new chicks would scamper around a fresh enclosure. For now, a blanket of white was all that filled the space.

What remained now was whatever crop still endured the oncoming Winter, as well as lumber to be sold from their connecting tree farm.

The rising sun was still enough to rouse one of the farm’s residing foxes from her slumber. Blinding morning light had only crested the distant hills, yet it hadn’t bested the orange and black-coated vixen standing on her home’s back porch. Visible breath expelled from her gray muzzle. Nestled atop her mane of brown fur and settled between her wide ears, her tan Western-styled hat sat, adorned now with a pale-yellow ribbon tied into a fancy bow. A matching ribbon was tied around her neck, the tails of its bow falling against the light-blue tank top she’d chosen to wear. Dark-gray jeans replaced the navy-blue ones she’d worn previously, but her fingerless gloves and boots remained unchanged.

Clawed hands were pressed to her lower back, one clutching the other, as their owner surveyed the land. Tonya was typically the first to rise, and the early-morning silence usually was her only company. The first she noticed upon dressing for the day and stepping outside was ‘Jack Frost’s’ early visitation. All that was here a few nights prior was a layer of frost, now a couple inches-deep blanket of snow. She hoped what remained in the orchard was still salvageable.

Her left ear twitched as she heard the oak door behind her open.

“Alright, how many times are we gonna have to do this?” her adoptive mother’s voice playfully nagged. “You’re out here without a coat, again.”

An observation Tonya merely smirked at. “I’m not cold, Mama. ‘Sides, my winter coat’s growin’ in. You can look forward to the sheddin’, come Spring.”

Her human guardian stepped out to join her, for now warmed by her fuzzy bathrobe and house slippers. “Was wonderin’ what caught your eye. Winter’s come a lil’ early this year,” she said, the small fox at her side simply nodding her head. “Here’s wishin’ the orchard’s held up. We were supposed to collect the last o’ the Autumn harvest today. I’m prayin’ the cold hasn’t ruined ‘em.”

“Me, too. Are, uh…are the elder brothers up an’ movin’?”

“Of course they are. At least when I’m up, they do.”

“Hm. How ‘bout the younger brothers?”

“Heh–no. You’d think after a month, they’d be used to early risin’ like the rest o’ us. Only two o’ us get a pass, an’ that’s only because they’re away from home, most o’ the time.”

“Comes with the territory o’ fillin’ the roles as our ‘spokesmen’,” Tonya confirmed. “Anyway, ya want me to get them up?”

“If you’d be a dear. I just woke your father. He’ll be pitchin' in with breakfast, this time.”

“Oh, joy~” the vixen teased as she followed her guardian back inside the house. Both of her elder brothers had already set the table and seated themselves, casually chatting with their father. The man hadn’t yet donned a vest, but was already garbed in one of his preferred striped shirts and slacks. Tonya swiftly bid them all a good morning as she passed them by, stopping just short of the bending stairway that led up to her loft. She cleared her throat as she leaned up against the wall, crossing her arms as she readied her best ‘Draco Malfoy’ impression.

“Late for Quidditch practice, Prower? Madam Hooch will be utterly disappointed when she finds out about this!”

A sly grin crossed her muzzle as she picked up on some frantic shuffling.

“No! I can’t be late! I have to make Team Captain!” came the yellow fox’s reply. The resulting ‘thud’ implied he’d fallen out of his hammock.

“It’ll be points from Ravenclaw house. Just wait till Father hears it~” she continued, trying her best not to laugh. The most she managed was to diminish it to a wheezing snicker as she stepped away from the stairs. She had to be quick in positioning herself between the foyer and the kitchen, her bushy tail flickering as she hunched down. Silently, she counted herself down.

“Four…three…two…”

Not a moment’s hesitation. She lunged forward just before a flash of blue filled the corner of her vision, her arms wrapping around the hedgehog’s abdomen and pinning him against her. “HA! Victory is mine!” she cheered, amazed with herself at her latest ‘capture’. Without giving Sonic a chance to complain, she carried him into the kitchen to show the others. “Look, Ma! Both hands~”

Each of the humans within earshot glanced to find the playfully-pouting hedgehog in the fox’s arms, his own crossed over his chest.

“Aha! I told ya!” Mak grinned as he lightly smacked the tabletop. “Time ya paid up, chum~” He held a palm out to Jake, said brother exaggerating a sigh as he withdrew fifty dollars from his wallet. “And I’d reckon that’s earned you some banana cakes,” added Mordecai with a playful smirk of his own.

“Yes!” Tonya beamed to herself, then cast a glance at her younger brother. “‘Fastest thing on Earth’, my fluff! I succeeded where Eggman failed. Tsk–amateur!”

Adjusting himself in his “sister’s” hold, Sonic returned a snarky glance of his own. “Hey, you only succeeded this ONE time! And besides, unlike Eggman, I trust you.”

The vixen’s ears lowered at his words, a touching smile upon her lips. “Awww…wrong choice!” Suppressed gremlin energy returned to her being as she locked an arm around him, freeing her other hand so its claws could “assault” his peach-toned stomach.

“Hey–no! STOP! QUIT IT!” her victim laughed, only able to struggle in her clutches for a short time before he’d fallen to the floor. It didn’t help him any, as he was just as immediately pinned down, the “ambush” continued. His flailing proving useless, he resorted to shielding his “weak spot” with his limbs–at least until he’d laughed himself to tears.

“An’ here, Eggman made this look so tough. Silly me~” Tonya played, ceasing her tickle attack to reach and tap her victim’s nose with the pad of a finger. “Boop~”

“Ack! AND I’ve been ‘booped’ too?! How merciless are you?!” Sonic played along as he tried to catch his breath. This only prompted the orange fox’s “vile laughter” until she noticed Knuckles and Tails enter the kitchen. The three of them exchanged looks. “Yeah, I defeated your leader. What’cha gonna do ‘bout it?” she challenged them, a padded hand gently pinning the hedgehog’s head down. Luckily, both teammates understood the game.

“Sonic’s been bested?! Whatever should we do now?” prompted Tails, peering at the echidna with a look of feigned worry.

“We avenge our fallen,” Knuckles stated with a smirk, playfully bumping his fists together. The grin on her face widening, Tonya leaped from off of Sonic to run to the back porch’s door. “You’ll never take me alive!” she proclaimed, throwing the door open to dash outside. Knuckles was the first behind her, Tails courteous enough to close the door behind them. They left a recovering Sonic to sit up on the floor.

“Are you alright, hun?” Josephine asked, once the “anthros at play” had gone outside. “Yeah, I’m fine,” the hedgehog confirmed, drying his eyes with the backs of his gloves. “We’re just playing, that’s all. They know not to hurt each other.” He happened a look through the nearest window, spotting the other three “at war” in the snow.

“So long as nobody gets hurt. Tonya can get to be a lil’ too much, for some. But I’m glad to see her gettin’ along with others o’ her own kind. It’s been…we’ll say, void from her life for quite some time.”

“And I’d say she needs it. Maybe we all did. Tails, especially. He seemed to take a shine to her considering him her brother. Given that she once had one by blood, it makes sense. Also…” Sonic stood and turned to his adoptive human brothers. “You guys placed a bet?”

Jake merely shrugged, feigning innocence. “Fifty bucks if TonTon managed to bag you. Ten bucks more for every week she failed,” Mak explained. At that, Jake objected, “Nah. She just lucked out, this time. Sonic LET her catch him, that’s all. Am I right?”

Sonic honestly hadn’t even thought of that. “Uh…y-yeah. Definitely!” he attempted to play off. “Won’t happen again, though. Count on it.” Plates of food were soon brought to the table, just as they heard the back door open once more. Although somewhat damp, the three other anthros returned, Knuckles carrying Tonya over his shoulder, her facing forward so her ‘look of defeat’ was on full display. “Well, I tried,” she excused. A knowing smirk from ‘Mama Josephine’ was sent the vixen’s way.

‘Lil’ Gremlin.’

“Alright, enough o’ the horseplay for now. Sonic, could ya be a darlin’ an’ fetch your siblin’s some towels? It’s time we be seated,” spoke the Lady of the House, she resuming control of the “children” and getting everyone settled for the first meal of the day.

It was a rather uneventful yet comfortable morning, as it had been for the past month. But all “good things” come to an end eventually, and today would be no exception…

Chapter Text

The early oncoming of Winter wasn’t entirely a bad thing, particularly when it came to Tonya’s combat training. A blanket of snow provided the vixen enough cushioning for every time she’d fallen or been knocked off the fencing of the then-unused corral. The past three weeks of lessons had focused on her agility and evasive abilities. This week’s had shifted to maintaining balance–hence why the both of them were engaged in combat along the thin platforming of the corral’s fence.

With it merely being novice training, Knuckles refrained from utilizing his full power. There was no sense in shattering the bones of his adoptive sibling when she, herself, was only beginning to learn the art of hand-to-hand combat. A punching mit was fastened to one of her arms, meant to block his restrained punches. Today’s lesson was only centered around her keeping her balance on “unsteady ground”, but she could return a strike of her own if she so inclined.

Another blow was blocked as her right boot readjusted itself on the fence behind her. She’d gotten better at holding her position since they’d started this lesson, six days ago. Granted, the muscles of her right arm were still aching from having blocked so many of the echidna’s punches, which was why she’d opted to switch arms. But oh, had she been WAITING for her chance to knock HIM off the fence, for once! Another four blows were blocked, their force causing her to take gradual steps backwards. Neither of them spoke during these lessons, preferring to spend the energy and focus on not taking any missteps and slipping off their platform.

Throughout the duration of the last six days, Tonya had made it a habit to begin counting the number of punches Knuckles threw between rounds. There was a pattern he followed, probably taught to him by his mentors. Although adept with both fists, he typically punched with his right. Made as much sense in the world to her, as it wasn’t called a “mean right hook” for nothing! In her focused silence, Tonya steadied herself as she readied for another onslaught, her fur lightly damp from her earlier impacts with the snow. Her hat was, for now, perched by the corral’s gate, unnecessary for their morning session.

She counted every strike, trying to decide when to retaliate.

One, two, three.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three…

AHA!

He alternated his strikes…

She just had to time this. Another four blocked, another two steps she took back–having to avoid tripping over a fence post in the process. Her right hand clenched as she prepared to count.

One, two, three…

THERE!

She struck with a timed accuracy, almost successful in hitting him square in the chest. The impact carried with it enough momentum and force to knock him off balance, finally seeing HIM dropped in the white blanket, below. The vixen nearly laughed in disbelief. “It’s about time ya ate powder, Knux!” Tonya grinned, catching herself on all fours as she held her ears level and peered down at him. The red-furred echidna merely shook off what snow clung to him as he stood. “All the proof I require to confirm that your timing is improving,” he responded with a faint smile. “Compared to your lessons from the previous three weeks, I can say I’m impressed with your swift learning.”

“Hey, you’re faster than ya look, okay? I can be honest when I say I’ve never had to dodge a tank at full speed, before. Besides, I caught your pattern this time: three strikes first, then a set o’ four, then another set o’ three.”

“Ah, good! You’re paying attention.”

She couldn’t help the wagging of her tail with his praise. A part of her enjoyed being told what a good job she’d done. It made her feel important, necessary. And in this case, it meant she wouldn’t be completely useless to the team. Should they ever require her aid, that is.

Yet, before Knuckles could scale the height of the fence and continue the lesson, they were both interrupted by the approaching sounds of Jake’s truck. They looked to see the vehicle pull to a stop close by the corral, Jake and Mak in the cabin, while Sonic and Tails were riding in the truck bed. “Sorry to cut your ‘daily spar’ short, but we’ll need to borrow your instructor for a lil’ bit,” Mak said from the passenger seat. “Yeah, we might need the extra muscle for the rest of HQ’s materials,” added Sonic, Tails politely nodding at his side.

Something “big sis” only smirked at. “Ah, fine. But ya’ll remember what Mama said: nothin’ flashy. Stick to the budget. An’ don’t be gone long; ya’ll still have lumber that needs splittin’,” Tonya replied, temporarily seated upon the fence as she set to removing the mit from her arm.

“An’ YOU agreed to help Mama an’ Granddad in the orchard. They’re waitin’ on ya, as we speak,” Jake piped in from the driver’s seat.

“I know, I know. I’m headin’ that way. We’ll resume the lessons tomorrow,” she sighed, briefly turning to Knuckles. They had only been at their session for an hour, but other duties were prioritized. The farm still needed tending to. “Eagerly awaiting our next opportunity,” Knuckles informed her as he made way to join his teammates in the back of the truck. Both of them helped him climb in as Tonya hopped down from off the corral’s fence. She waved them off as the truck pulled away, passing by the farmhouse on route to the main road into town.

The mit was dropped back in its crate by the corral gate, her hat recollected and donned. Then…she practically snickered at herself as she massaged the blossoming pain in her left arm’s muscles. Even when he held back, Knuckles’ punches were no joke! “Eh…no pain, no gain, I suppose,” she mumbled to herself. The glint of sunlight off the metallic ring around her left wrist caught her eye, once again planting a seed of somber emotion within her chest.

A somber emotion that her adoptive mother detected, even as the trio occupied themselves in harvesting what late-Autumn fruit still needed to be picked. Mordecai wasn’t around, likely in town for yet another meeting to establish business deals. Financial transactions wouldn’t fulfill themselves!

“Ya sure ya want to wear that, hun? Not afraid you’ll break it?” Josephine began, snapping Tonya to attention as the both of them filled their respective crates with produce. The inquiry confused the fox at first. Oh–the ring. Mama meant the ring. Tonya offered a saddened smile, “If this thing could survive whatever Shadow put it through, it can hold up through a lil’ farmwork.”

“The fella you’ve taken a shine to, eh? Your lil’ brothers told us the whole story.”

“...Yeah. I suppose I have. Er, not that it’ll mean anythin’, o’ course. We still don’t even know if he’s…y’know, if he’s still around.”

That much was, sadly, true. Rouge’s last contact mentioned G.U.N. having “found something” and acted to obtain it, but what the “something” was hadn’t yet been determined. The bat reassured her she’d look into it herself and report back in with her findings, but that had been a month ago. Tonya hadn’t heard anything since. Instead, she was left with a misery that spiked every time she caught a glance at her new accessory. It hurt to remember, but the thought of storing the ring out of sight tore her up inside.

Another of the salvaged apples was dropped in her crate.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss that feelin’, if I were you,” Josephine continued as she descended her ladder to deposit her armload of produce. Looked like she’d opted for a long-sleeved shirt and overalls, this time. “It’s a rare one these days, so it’s gotta mean somethin’. That’s especially so, in your case.”

“Tsk–only ‘cause my only other options are all too young for me. That, an’ they’re all now my new lil’ brothers. I mean…I DO hope that he’s still kickin’. He’s the only reason I even got to take my first breaths to begin with, even IF I still despise the fact that my birth was for a purpose so petty. ‘Fetch the fella some rocks’, then I’d be skinned. A ‘one an’ done’.”

“Not on THIS farmstead,” Josephine held firm. “I hate to hear that much on your behalf too, but I for one am glad Vee surrendered ya to us when she did. While I never asked for more children, I still firmly believe ya a blessin’ to this family. An’ if we can offer it to your lil’ brothers as well, then our home will always be their home. Regardless o’ whatever adventures they embark on, next.”

It was a comfort to acknowledge that. Tonya was certain the team knew that, too. The trio had admitted themselves homeless as they pursued Eggman, whose previous plan to dominate the world had led them on a chase around the globe. The three of them may have come to Earth by separate means and reasons, but they’d all come here for a purpose. The least the Maelstroms could do was provide them a sanctuary to retreat to between world-devastating disasters. Nothing else filled the emptiness that came with the knowledge of having no place safe to go.

Her dark-furred forearms came to rest upon the edges of her crate, her blue eyes fixated on her ring. “...Do ya think he remembers me?” the fox spoke up. “If he’s still alive, I mean?” She waited for her mother to stabilize herself on her ladder before proceeding to explain. “I get that we weren’t together for that long a time, an’ he just needed my ‘skills’ to accomplish his own goals. But…he an’ I both listened to those tapes. We both learned what we were supposed to mean to each other. He, the ‘weapon’. I, providin’ the ‘ammo’.”

And SHE had stayed back on Earth, facing a readied weapon HE intended to fire. Yet…he didn’t. Was it because of HER, or because of an alternate reason she knew nothing about? Sonic and Co had told the family all about what had happened up in space. They had THOUGHT the reason was because of HER decision. However, a seed of doubt in the back of her mind told her otherwise. There was a greater reason Shadow suddenly switched sides. There HAD to be.

“Hun…if I know anythin’ about livin’ here on Earth, it’s that there are three powerful forces keepin’ the world runnin’: gravity, love, an’ curiosity,” Josephine stated as she rested her crossed arms on one of her ladder’s steps. “Yes, it MAY be too soon to declare one o’ ‘em the drivin’ force for that fella o’ yours. But I’d be willin’ to bet good money curiosity’s been creepin’ into the far reaches o’ his mind. He’s met someone practically just like him, after all. If given another chance, I’ve no doubts he’d take that opportunity to satiate his curiosity revolvin’ ‘round you. After all, would YOU not do the same?”

Tonya stood in silence with her question. ABSOLUTELY, she’d do the same. What made Shadow so special in the humans’ eyes? Why was HE the core reason she was even created? Questions that not even the journal Rouge gave her provided all the answers for. Most of the entries had their key points scratched out in ink. The greatest factor Tonya dwelled on involved Shadow’s very creation. Gerald’s own words revealed he’d requested outside help in bringing the “ultimate lifeform” to life. Names and illustrations were long ruined…but she made out one fine detail. An insignia of sorts, perhaps a decorative emblem. Who, or what, did it symbolize?

The wind had picked up, something about it shifting the current mood. It was cold and grew in strength, as if a storm were brewing. Tonya’s animal instincts acknowledged the change, the breeze sweeping through the tufts of fur within her ears and causing them to perk. She noticed the sun’s reflection fading from the surface of her ring. Darkened clouds had taken its place. Swiftly, she turned and looked skyward.

Dense storm clouds had manifested in the distant sky, resembling nothing like a snowstorm or thunderstorm. They were dark and foreboding, their core appearing…red? The weather report declared no drastic change in the weather that day. Was this a natural phenomenon?

Or was this something else, entirely?

Chapter Text

“Whatever in the world…?” came her mother’s voice, the human accompanying her carefully descending the steps of her ladder. She had noticed the odd shift in the weather as well. In all the years the family had resided on the farm, they’d never experienced weather patterns like this before. Tonya felt her heart begin to pound. Was this the early sign of a tornado?

No. This wasn’t something of Earth’s making. The red lightning emanating from the clouds’ core told her so. It reminded her of the Chaos energy Shadow wielded. A part of her had to wonder if the lightning was the same thing: not electricity, but volts of Chaos energy? The Emerald shard buried in her grey matter wasn’t triggered, completely unresponsive, if this were the case. She nearly forgot about the ring’s purpose: it regulated Chaos energy. In her case, it suppressed the energy signals given off by the shard. A theory, but one she wasn’t willing to test. This much Chaos energy would easily drop her to the earth under her.

As the fox observed, the clouds above began to swirl in a circular formation. Not quite stretching downward as to form a tornado, but rather opening what resembled a portal. Something akin to Tails’ portal rings. Something was trying to come through!

Ears perked, Tonya glanced first to her mother, then to her grandfather. The former still had her gaze lifted to the sky, while the latter hadn’t acknowledged the change in weather. He was still preoccupied with loading up a stationary trailer with sealed crates of produce. Instinct again instructed the vixen on what to do.

“Ma…grab Granddad an’ get yourselves to the family barn,” Tonya ordered, aware that they were too far from the farmhouse to get there safely. Initially, the older woman simply stood by the fox’s side, perplexed by her adopted daughter’s instruction as she pinned her hat with a hand to prevent it from flying off her head. “What do ya mean, ‘get ourselves’? You’re comin’ with, aren’t you?” Josephine rebounded, refraining from insisting on changing her child’s mind. She knew what role the fox had played during her last “grand adventure” with the trio; she knew Tonya was more than capable.

That didn’t mean she was willing to see her daughter face any danger.

Tonya didn’t reply, catching sight of various limbed and winged creatures beginning to descend from the portal. Distant from their position, but their numbers were great. Disregarding her mother’s concerns for the time being, Tonya turned her grandfather’s way. “Granddad! Get Mama to the barn!”

Her hollering nabbed the older gentleman’s attention, he not needing to question her as he finally got an eyeful of the scene before them. “It’s unlocked! C’mon!” he yelled back, the three of them heading for shelter. At least, that had been the plan. Tonya was the last to fall in line, their harvest forgotten. But while both humans had made it to the barn door safely, something had collided into the vixen with a sharp screech. The impact knocked her off her feet. Struggling to regain her senses, Tonya narrowed her blue eyes at the thing that had struck her.

It was one of those winged creatures, its skin a distinct black and red, and its body limbless, save for its large bat-like wings. It sported few features, somewhat dragon-like in the face, but possessing large red eyes, something akin to an alien. It had spun around midair, observing the target it had successfully hit. The two locked eyes, Tonya’s own turning a dark gray as the drive to fight took hold. The creature screamed again, triggering the vixen to rip the whip from her belt. It looked vastly different than it originally did, a month prior. Under Tails’ inventive touch, it had since been fitted with a flexible electrical cable system, its handle packing a voltage battery. With the whip wrapped around a target, all it took was a button press to discharge that voltage into the unfortunate recipient. The battery was, essentially, a Chaos drive repurposed for combat.

A shocking feature at Tonya’s disposal, but for this, she wouldn’t require it. As the winged beast screeched its alert to the others of its kind, the whip’s owner lashed out at one of its wings. An accurate strike sliced the creature’s flesh, swiftly downing it. Tonya heard her mother cry out for her. “Get back in the barn! Seal the door!” she yelled, watching just long enough to see her family obey her commands. Mere seconds after, she heard several beings come to land around her. These new additions weren’t at all like the winged creature she’d downed, although they DID sport the same black and red flesh.

They were humanoid in stature, featuring reptilian skin and alien-like red eyes. Their limbs were bulky, meant to strengthen the swipes of their three-digit hands’ claws and the slashes of the oddly-shaped blades they carried. They stood heads taller than Tonya on two-toed clawed feet, quick to launch a strategized ambush on the vixen. She was, thankfully, just as fast on her own feet, able to dodge the onslaught and retaliate with a few whiplashes of her own. An unarmed creature was wrapped in the coils of her whip, wielded as a projectile as it was thrown into its brethren. Another with a sword was also caught, this one met with the electrifying force packed within the whip’s handle. The voltage ripped ungodly screams from its victim, the sword it had been wielding falling to the ground. What creatures her whip COULDN’T grab were met with her sharpened claws, her training with Knuckles proving effective as she relied on defensive maneuvers to fend off many of the smaller members of this unidentified species. Exactly what WERE they? Why were they invading HER farm?

A powerful force struck her from her right side, sending her sliding across the dirt path. Yanking her whip back to her hand, she fought to rise on all fours and find her bearings. Yet, this was halted by a large, rough hand landing upon her. A firm hold had her by her neck, her hat clinging to her back by its strings. As she was lifted, Tonya caught sight of the creature that had her captive. It resembled the humanoid ones, boasting the same colored skin and features of the sword-wielding ones, but this one was much taller and possessed a bulkier build. Its hands were massive, easily able to pin her arms as one closed around her. Instinct took over, her fangs bared as she snarled and snapped at her captor.

The larger invader didn’t acknowledge her feeble threats, instead speaking to the other members of its kind in a language the fox couldn’t understand. Those who received their orders spread out across the farmstead, some daring to depart to continue their rampage in town. Why they were here was unknown, but the one that had captured her wasn’t keen to let her find out. Another smaller portal opened up nearby, possessing similar ominous features as the storm clouds in the sky. Tonya was dragged through by the creature, unable to confirm her family’s safety, but praying to herself they had not been found…

**************************************************

A full-bodied chill swept over her, thankfully short-lived as she and her captor emerged on the portal’s other side. Gray eyes had reverted to their normal blue hue, previously shut tight to block out the blinding light that came with interdimensional travel. They were forced open as their owner struggled for breath…and the hallowed sensation she felt was something she could never explain.

This wasn’t like any environment she’d experienced before. The sky and atmosphere around them was filled with those angry red and black storm clouds–a stark contrast to the world she’d been brought to. She appeared to be tucked within a tall tower overlooking what seemed to be a stone city. The structures and buildings below were elaborately themed with bricks of white and gold, like something ripped from a fantasy world. She made out cathedral-esque structures and towers, all contrasting holy hues against the darkness of the sky.

They were also all…partially destroyed. No…this was no city. This was what remained of one.

Her captor eventually decided to release her, unceremoniously dropping her before itself. She caught herself on three of her four limbs, her left arm still clutching her whip. The moment she landed, she turned bared fangs to the creature who kidnapped her. It paid her no mind, its attention instead on something else in the tower with them.

Someone, rather.

“Project Obsidian…”

Her snarling ceased, exposed fangs clenching shut at the mention of her codename. Widened eyes kept their shade of blue as they shifted to the source of this new voice. It was some low-rumble combination of a sinister hiss and growl, something that was instantly understood as belonging to an entity of unbridled evil. Her ears perked as her brain fought to make sense of the creature standing–no, hovering before her.

“I was not expecting the professor’s companion experiment to be quite as…diminutive a specimen such as yourself. For a fabled detector of Chaos energy, you appear…less than underwhelming,” the voice continued, a trio of bright red eyes glaring from the darkness of the tower’s chamber. From what her brain could determine, she was looking at some eldritch being garbed in torn robes. It shared the same dark skin as the invaders, its spiked head bearing what resembled two long horns. Like the invaders, it possessed two three-digit hands, each tipped with pointed claws. But unlike the invaders, this being possessed no legs or lower body to speak of, it instead made up of an ominous mist that filtered out from under the tattered robes.

Whatever or whoever this being was, did he just…did he just INSULT her?!

“I don’t know how ya know that name, but I ditched it a long time ago. They call me ‘Tonya’ now. An’ anyway, who the fluff are YOU to rip me from my home?” the vixen spat back, rising to stand on her two feet. ‘Eldritch horror’ or not, she wasn’t about to turn tail from yet another threat. Not this time.

The three-eyed being merely laughed to himself in regards to her attempt to display bravery. “Still masking savagery under that unprepossessing coat, are you? Perhaps it still warrants some credibility to your name…”

“Ya care to answer a gal’s question?”

The being’s expressive ability may have been physically limited, but she despised the judgemental aura those crimson eyes held against her.

“...You may acknowledge me as the reigning warlord of the Dra’Karms race, ‘Black Doom’,” the entity finally revealed.

Something about this creature made the fur of her nape stand on end. Now who was this guy, and what did he want with HER?

Chapter Text

The name by which he called himself sounded nothing like anything Tonya was familiar with, nor the species he identified himself and his lackeys to be. What were the ‘Dra’Karms’? Why were they here–invading her home on top of it all? Why was SHE here now, in whatever pocket dimension this was?

“What did ya drag me here for?” flew from her mouth before her mind could process the words. The entity–Doom, she’d call him–provided ample time for a dismissive rumbling hum before he chose to humor her curiosity. “The humans specifically designed you for the purpose of sniffing out sources of Chaos energy. What I require are the seven Chaos Emeralds, objects you once sought previously. They were sworn to me in a covenant forged over fifty years ago. My intended means of collecting those Emeralds has insisted upon your participation,” Doom explained, his approach to close the distance between them slow.

Her whip still coiled in hand, Tonya took her respective steps back to maintain her distance. Defiance kept her ears pinned backwards as she glared up at the entity. “Whatever ‘covenant’ ya made, it’s got nothin’ to do with me. An’ I don’t care what they created me to do, I’ve already been there an’ done that. Found those flashy paperweights before, an’ they nearly got my home planet destroyed. They can remain lost, for all I care,” she all but spat back, smart enough not to turn away from this apparent new threat.

His gradual approach cast some light upon his own being, allowing the vixen to view him in greater detail. There was no visible mouth below his three crimson eyes, a hint that he likely spoke with his mind. Telepathy, it implied. His robes were decorated with jewel-bearing chains, the longest of which sported a peculiar emblem. Something Tonya had seen somewhere. Her head tilted as she stared at it. Now where…?

…Gerald’s journal!

Her ears instantly perked, recognition claiming her facial features as she pieced it all together. One of the pages within those old documents possessed an image of the professor himself, along with another being and a stasis capsule. This “other being” had long since been scratched out, impossible to identify. The same applied for any mentions of a name, scribbles taking their places. Yet, there remained but one indicator to hint at the mysterious benefactor: that one semi-jagged emblem that currently dangled from Doom’s prominent chain. Doom had been the “extra help” Gerald required during his creation of Shadow!

Aware of this, Doom knowingly laughed to himself. “I recognize that expression of realization. You are aware of ‘Project Shadow’ and the scientific mind that assisted in his creation. A project that you, yourself, were intended to serve. It was all a part of our arrangement: that he would serve my will in exchange for the genetic prowess of the Dra’Karms.”

Her exposed fur bristled at the mention of Shadow’s name. “You keep that name outta your non-existent mouth, ya hear? Don’t ya dare think to try an’ play me for a fool; I know what they’d told me. That he’d…he’d perished. Gave up his own life to save the rest o’ us. He was never found,” she scowled.

“Then it is either you’re a gullible one, or the humans lie to you. Provided that you currently don something intended for HIM…I assume it the latter,” Doom said, gesturing to the ring around her left wrist. Tonya defensively tucked the ring out of sight, a growl rising in the back of her throat. “Do not blindly believe their falsehood; my finest creation lives on. Tasked with hunting down the Emeralds long promised me, yet struggling to see it through,” Doom continued, one of his clawed hands rising to summon two of the Emeralds to his person. Green and Dark Blue, respectively. Their presence strangely did not set off the shard in her brain. Once again, this was prevented by the ring she wore.

That wasn’t important to her. Rather, it was the eldritch triclops’ claim that gave her pause. Shadow was ALIVE? “...H-how’d ya know to look for me?” Tonya softly muttered.

“I knew not of Gerald’s accomplices or their plan to birth their own hybrid…but the slip of a name was all I needed to uncover their secrets. YOUR name. It was declared that the core shard of the long-shattered Black Chaos Emerald was implanted within you, intended to respond to the presence of its remaining seven brethren. It was through you that they were discovered previously–and through you, they will be discovered once again,” the eldritch alien revealed.

“...You don’t even know me. You’re just assumin’ I’ll follow the scientists’ intended purpose for me like I’m some lost pup. I got stuck in a foul game o’ ‘Tug o’ War’ last time, an’ I don’t particularly care to do it again. Ya want those stones so bad, go find ‘em yourself…” the fox rejected.

A petty response the alien warlord found most amusing. “I’d my reservations you’d accept this opportunity…so I offer an exchange: your human family found unharmed, and you reunited with your experimental counterpart. In return, you assist in unveiling the locations of the remaining hidden Emeralds. My men will remain within the valley you call home, but so long as you comply, I will refrain from ordering them to lay it all to ruin. Now…what say you?”

She didn’t feel as though she were in a position to argue. Those of his “men” who dared to invade the valley intended to remain as a means of keeping HER on their master’s leash. It was unknown whether or not Doom knew of Sonic and Co’s presence back home, but in case he DIDN’T…she didn’t dare speak a word about them. They were more than capable of combating the alien menace. Her family would be safe, either way. But…sure. She could play nice.

“Where is he?” she asked next, needing not clarify whom she spoke of.

“Recently departed for the third Emerald, using a portal of my own summons. Accept my offer, and I shall send you there.”

…Fine. She could do as she was designed ONE last time. Her frown still stuck to her gray muzzle, Tonya set her whip back along her belt and reached to unfasten the ring from her wrist. An action she dreaded taking, as she’d gotten used to not experiencing those aggravating headaches. The moment the accessory was no longer touching her furry flesh, the shard in her brain ignited with an intense throb. Pain that Tonya resisted favoring, despite the pinning of her ears. Whether it was in response to the present Emeralds or the Chaos energy that made up this place, there was no way for her to confirm. Either way, she was taking the deal.

The ring was clicked shut and stuffed in a back pocket.

Pleased with her silent decision, Doom motioned with an arm to open up a shadowy portal along the grounds, below. It’s where he wanted her to go; no questions necessary. The fox cast him a bitter glance, reaching to set her hat upon her head before descending the tower. She could only hope he was being truthful with his claims as she reached the portal.

********************************************************

The scent of smoke met her nostrils as she emerged on the portal’s other side. Her means of transportation vanished at her back as she stood, blue eyes taking in the sight of a brick-made city under assault. Just about every building in sight was crafted of either brick or stone, the winding roads and various directive signs demolished. Burning roofs spewed dark smoke skyward.

There were no screams, no audible or visible signs to suggest the presence of the city’s inhabitants. All there was to occupy the burning city were more of Doom’s servants. The winged ones filled the sky, while the bipedal ones stormed the streets. Some of the bulky-bodied ones found entertainment by lifting and launching cars into the hopefully-abandoned houses and structures.

Tonya cautiously stepped forward, what sunlight pierced the sky’s reddened clouds shining upon a downed sign.

‘Greetings from Sunset Heights!’

There was no warm welcome, not for her. With no chirping in her right ear to guide her, Tonya could only press onward, utilizing her agility to clear the obstructions on the roads and her claws and whip to combat the extraterrestrial menace that had clearly taken the city by storm. Blocked passages needed to be bypassed, which was easily accomplished with her nimble ability to jump. Burning piles of rubble were cleared with the swinging usage of her whip on toppled streetlights. Even from her preferred perch up high on what buildings still stood, she couldn’t find Shadow anywhere. Some corner of her mind had its doubts that Doom was telling her the truth.

What if the hedgehog WAS gone, and the warlord was simply lying to her to keep her strung along?

The chirping blared in her eardrum, once again. Those awful thoughts could wait; she’d picked up on the next Emerald. One of the winged creatures was involuntarily used as a platform to cross between buildings, bringing the vixen to a landscape of smoldering rubble. Once buildings standing proudly, they were probably housing the Emerald when the invasion took place. Someone was unfortunate enough to find this one and chose to bring it back with them.

Tonya followed the increasing frequency of the chirping, led by the sound only she could hear. She felt the dying heat of the surrounding flames, glad to find the Emerald’s burial site was no longer ablaze. Her hands free, she took to digging through the rubble to find her treasure.

In time, the red Chaos Emerald shimmered its greeting. “You again…” she mumbled, taking hold of the gem and standing to dust it off. Her left ear caught the sound of a familiar noise. The spacial-ripping of Chaos energy being used to teleport. Both ears perked, the sounds in her right ear silencing, before both were gradually lowered. She felt her heart pounding. Yet, she’d force her expression to remain stoic. She turned, not yet aware of what she’d next say.

Standing on the other end of the burning landscape, flames slowly dying behind him, was the hedgehog, himself. Shadow.

Chapter Text

Neither made a motion to speak first. One side was gripped by sheer hesitance, the other struggling to identify the orange-furred creature standing before him. For the latter, this must have been an illusion. Some hallucination generated by Black Doom. How else would SHE have been there, when it was HIS task to find the Emeralds?

The fox expelled a breath through her nose, her frown still present as she looked from the hedgehog to the jewel in her hand. They were doing THIS again, were they? She forced her frown into a smile, once more facing her experimental counterpart.

“Howdy, stranger. Remember me?”

Her steps were slow and docile, not allowing her to get too close in case he in fact did NOT remember her. The familiarity of having done this before took hold. It wasn’t something Tonya chose to fight, but instead played along with. Her steps ceased as she thought back on the pose she’d assumed that fateful day, trying her best to replicate it. The red gem was shifted to the corresponding hand, and she gave it a gentle toss toward him.

Exactly as it had played out before, Shadow caught the jewel rather effortlessly. Deja Vu caught up to him, too. THIS was familiar. They weren’t alone last time, she having halted his threats against another fox. He’d demanded the Emerald from her, and after she’d complied…

She’d been standing in an open doorway, last time. Her outfit was similar, but color-coordination was different. She also hadn’t been wearing a hat. He remembered those eyes of hers. The fear in them was substantially decreased, less present than last time. He recalled their stare being the last of her he’d seen. A reminder of a promise he’d nearly broken. His angered brows relinquished their furrow, gaze barely softening. Of course he remembered her…!

“...Tonya,” he finally spoke.

Her smile widened with her confirmation, a dark-furred hand rising to tip her hat at him. “The one an’ only~”

His posture finally shifted, his hand still clutching the gemstone as his arms crossed over his chest. “I’d started to believe you just a figment of my imagination. A conjuration by Black Doom. Yet, here you are. What are you even doing here?”

Her smile faltered and her heart’s pounding eased. He wanted an explanation, did he? “Somebody took it upon themselves to sic your eldritch triclops after me. I was mindin’ my own business on the family farm, chattin’ up a storm with my folks. Next thing I knew, the sky opened up with an ominous LITERAL storm, an’ the farm’s flooded with alien creatures boastin’ YOUR color scheme. One o’ ‘em snatched me up an' dragged me through a portal leadin’ right up to their master’s front door. The fella mentioned your name, said I’d be reunited with ya an’ my folks would be left unharmed if I agreed to assist in your assigned treasure hunt. I didn’t necessarily have a choice in the matter.”

As she finished explaining, she noticed his lack of a ring on his left wrist. A missing accessory she had tucked in her pocket. “What I wanted to know was who exactly spilled my name, an’ why? An’ how’d this Doom fella know there was a history between the both o’ us?” She reached into her back pocket to withdraw his missing ring. Recognition claimed his expression. She noted this, her own expression softening.

“...It…was all they could recover after the incident. All I had to remember ya by,” she said, resuming her approach with intention to return his ring. She gently unlatched it, stopping short of him with an unspoken question for his permission. He just as silently lifted his arm, letting her clasp his belonging in its rightful place. Blue eyes habitually rose to meet his red ones.

There they were, again. The “rubies” she’d grown so fond of…

She caught herself staring rather early, quick to clear her throat and snap back to attention. “Anyway, Doom’s insisted upon leavin’ his minions to invade my valley, but assured me nothin’ would happen to my folks so long as I obeyed his orders. He somehow knows my initial designs an’ sent me to lend ya a hand. If I want my home returned to me the same way it was taken from me, I have to set aside my pride an’ beg at the master’s non-existent feet, if temporarily.”

Shadow briefly inspected his once-missing Inhibitor ring, confirming it to be legitimate. At her continued explanation, he softly grunted. “Ironic that he’d send you to assist in completing my mission, when it was you who helped foil my last one.”

Tonya’s tail flickered as she stepped away, her own arms crossed over her chest. “The only thing I did was prevent ya from makin’ a terrible mistake. I’d agreed to find those stones for ya. I said nothin’ ‘bout standin’ on the sidelines an’ watchin’ ya take both my home an’ my life from me. I know WHY you were bent on it, so I can’t necessarily blame ya for that. But it didn’t seem fair o’ ya to punish ME for somethin’ I wasn’t even guilty of. Shoot, I didn’t even EXIST at the time o’ the tragedy! So, no. I wouldn’t stand aside an’ let ya take a shot at my home–not without me standin’ between both sides. An’ considerin’ we’re both here now…you never took your shot.”

A shameful act Shadow couldn’t deny, his gaze momentarily falling to the ground under their feet. “...It wasn’t…what she would have wanted. You reminded me of her last wish, before all was lost.”

His claim robbed her stance of its defiant aura. What “she” would have wanted. “Her” last wish. Tonya knew of whom he spoke. That girl’s name had plagued most of her creators’ tapes, nearly all of the pages in Gerald’s journal. Funny how one little girl made such an enormous impact within the shared history of the two genetic experiments. If “she” hadn’t been ill, Shadow would never have come to be. And if HE’D never existed, there would have been no need for a living Emerald-tracker such as herself.

Again, Tonya couldn’t blame Shadow for his near-fatal mistake. At least there had still been time for him to redeem himself. He wasn’t evil, but simply misguided. He’d been brought into existence to satisfy the desires of three separate parties, left with no will to live for himself. He was either a cure and best friend for a sick girl, a weapon for the military, or a warrior meant to head a world invasion. It was no fault of his own that he was left confused and lost.

Perhaps she could use this opportunity to guide him on the right path? Make something positive out of a negative situation?

“What about you? How’d you end up here?” the fox questioned, gesturing to the smoldering ruins of a city around them.

The hedgehog was pulled from his somber state by her words, his eyes partially closed as he surveyed the rubble.

“You’ve been away for about a month,” Tonya addressed. “It never crossed your mind to, maybe…come find me? Or at least come an’ fetch your missin’ ring?”

He straightened his posture, wielding his own Chaos energy to absorb the Emerald into his person for the time being. “No. And I didn’t choose to on account of keeping you safe. G.U.N. caught wind of my crash-landing back on Earth. Rouge had attempted to intervene during my recapture, insistent on talking the Commander down on my behalf. It was then Black Doom appeared. When I next regained consciousness, I found myself here. Doom enlisted me to search for the Emeralds on the premise that I was promised to lead his army as part of a pact between him and the professor. A task I initially refused, as I’m certain you, yourself, have done.”

“But…?”

“...He chose to plunder my past life, digging up what he could use against me. He presented to me something from a past timeline. Something I couldn’t refuse. And like you, I had to obey his commands, if I wished to keep it.”

“Hm…so I guess we’re both in the same boat, huh? Was this ‘something’ the reason you’ve remained here for the last month?”

“Yes. I hadn’t pressed to return for you, wanting neither G.U.N. or Doom to find you. Unlike me, you had a life to live. A life I nearly took from you. I decided it best to leave you to live it, even if it meant you’d be left to ponder my fate. I apologize for worrying you, but I couldn’t risk you to a life akin to my own: forced to be a tool for a force’s own gain.”

“I can’t say I blame ya. But…even without me, you still have a fair chance at findin’ those rocks on your own. Was I just an excuse to get outta completin’ this mission o’ yours?”

“As I said, I didn’t want to get you involved. It was for the best that you remained out of the hands of both Black Doom and the military. I was in no hurry to see my mission complete, not just because I desired your safety, but because of the ‘something’ Doom presented to me. Something I wanted back just…for a little longer.”

The vixen had her suspicions of what this ‘something’ could be. After all, there was only so much that could drive the hedgehog to fulfill the demands of others. Yet, it would go unspoken. For now.

“Well…ya got me, either way. So I guess I’m in it for the long-haul, too. We have the Emerald from this zone. Where to, next?” Tonya replied, padded hands upon her hips. As if to answer her, another of Doom’s portals opened up behind Shadow.

“That remains to be seen,” the hedgehog stated, leading her through the portal back to the White Ruins.

Chapter Text

The reddened sky of the Ruins welcomed their return, unchanged from Tonya’s earlier departure. They appeared not in Doom’s tower, but in the heart of the ruins, themselves. A vast body of water carved its way through the ruins’ very grounds, separating the two from other landmarks. Distant sections of the ruins were masked by a deep-red fog. Shadow was unfazed by the status of the ruins. A rather curious Tonya, meanwhile, silently observed their environment. There seemed to be no other creature of sentience to join them, but that didn’t mean the ruins were empty.

On the contrary, it was plagued with the presence of Doom’s endless minions. Winged ones flew far above, while those bound to the earth scurried back to the safety of their appointed sanctuary. The bulky-bodied ones, some armed with bizarre artillery on their backs, stood along the upper floors and balconies of the surrounding buildings. They acted not to attack, but instead vouched to watch.

“Stay close, and they shouldn’t bother you,” Shadow instructed, already on the move to…somewhere. A refocused Tonya hurried to catch up with him. “What exactly are they?” she asked, peering up to catch their bug-like crimson eyes staring back at her. She had her hunch that they were alien by nature, that they were of a race Doom referred to as the “Dra’Karms”. Beyond that, she knew of little else. Yet, her question went unanswered for now. If anyone would educate her on these aliens, it wasn’t going to be him. This was partly due to shame.

If she knew…would she still view him the same way?

The creatures avoided the pair like a plague, ever-watchful from the shadows of the various structures. They seemed particularly interested in the vixen, but didn’t dare to wander close. Not after what had happened to their brethren!

“Is it me, or do they seem…afraid?” Tonya tried again, acknowledging their reluctance to approach. Red eyes stared blankly from the darkness.

“They know better now than to trifle with me,” the hedgehog stated simply. “It didn’t end well for them the last time they tried, and it won’t end well for them, should they try again.”

“An’ they’re starin’ at me because…?”

“They’re carnivorous.”

“They think I’m food.” A statement rather than a question.

“That's why I advised you to stay close. I’m not taking any chances with them.”

“Gotcha. So…where are we, what are they, an’ where are ya leadin’ me?”

He’d humor at least two of those. “Black Doom has pulled us into a pocket dimension of his own making. A place he’s established as the ‘White Ruins’. The Dra’Karms’ hub world while they’re not aboard the Black Comet.”

Now THAT, Tonya knew a little about. It was said to be a comet that passed by the planet once every fifty years, traveling in a perpetual cycle. But the “why” behind this was always unknown. Certainly, nobody expected it to be ferrying ALIENS through space!

“Black Doom called himself the ruler o’ the Dra’Karms, but I’m not entirely sure I know what they are. Besides carnivorous aliens. What do they have to do with you?” Tonya resumed, following the hedgehog through the connecting wide alleyways. This was met with more of his silent treatment. Something he had no desire to discuss. But he underestimated how determined his vixen counterpart could be. “...I saw an illustration o’ Doom’s insignia, that thing he’s got danglin’ off his chain. The professor had recorded it in his journal, as well as the mentions o’ your–” She was abruptly silenced as Shadow sharply turned to her, halting their progress. The hard glare he gave her caused her to assume a more submissive stance.

There at least was no malice in his voice. “...How’d you manage to get your hands on that?”

“I-it was given to me. Rouge said she’d found it while she was on the Ark. S-she thought it would benefit me the most. I was, uh, I was supposed to return it to her when I’d…finished…readin’ it.”

His glare barely eased.

“I don’t have it with me, if that helps ya feel better. I-it got left at home, an’...many o’ the fine details were etched out. Names an’ pictures, primarily. There was just…ONE image in particular. Gerald standin’ alongside a stasis pod with…I guess what was supposed to be Black Doom. The only thing I could make out among the scribbles was that insignia. The only conclusion I’ve got currently is…well…were YOU in that…?” She lacked the nerve to finish her inquiry. The fear of him HAD diminished, but it wasn’t fully extinguished yet. Especially if the mere mention of the journal could set him off like this.

Again, there was no answer. He thankfully picked up on her submission and dialed back on his aggression. She didn’t deserve it, after all. She was just as lost as he was, struggling to make sense of the scattered pieces of the puzzle that he ultimately was. But…the journal WAS a sensitive subject. Gerald had recorded EVERYTHING that occurred aboard the Ark in its pages. If what Tonya claimed was true, and most of the finer details had been inked out, then…

Perhaps she still didn’t know everything.

“I’m sorry,” he offered, his tense shoulders relaxing and glare fading.

Her bat-like ears remained lowered, but she returned a weak nod. “Didn’t mean to set ya off,” she muttered.

“No…don’t take blame. You didn’t know. And maybe it’s for the best that it remains that way.” His resuming of their walk was more casual this time, granting time to lighten the air between them. He hadn’t intended to frighten her, but…if she knew what he knew about himself, would that fear be justified?

Tonya thankfully didn’t prod further the remainder of their walk, the pair arriving at what the fox could only assume was an altar of sorts. It was oblong in shape and towered over them, flat and white in design. Its base bore a peculiar indention, shaped suspiciously like a–

The Chaos Emerald they’d found reappeared in Shadow’s hand. Accompanying his offering of it, a dark energy reached from within the indention to claim the gem, pulling it into place along the altar’s base. That same dark energy swallowed the jewel, and when it eventually vanished, so too had the Emerald. As if appeased by the offering, the oblong altar’s flat surface began to crack and split, bursting open with that same intense dark energy.

Unsuspecting of this, Tonya leaped backwards out of range of this energy field, the fur of her tail and nape standing on end. Shadow, on the other hand, remained where he stood, unfazed by the phenomenon as the energy surrounded him. A brief pain forced him to clutch his head, his eyes shut tight but for an instant. When they opened again, they flashed a red light. A mixed energy of orange and black gathered in one of his hands, crackling like electricity within the ghostly orb that formed. With a sharp cry, the hedgehog threw the orb towards the only targets in the immediate vicinity: more of Doom’s minions.

Its user and his companion clear of its range, the orb exploded into what was essentially a miniature black hole, dragging into it the creatures that were unfortunate enough to stand too closely. It remained open for a few seconds, eradicating four or five minions before closing in on itself. The ominous energy faded away along with it…and all resumed its calm.

Except for Tonya.

A shaking hand rose, held its place by her head for a moment, then pointed a claw at the empty space that was previously occupied. “The fluff was that?” Without granting grace to have her question answered, Tonya dropped her point to jab her other hand at the altar. “What was THAT?!”

She swore the faintest of smiles graced the hedgehog’s face. She also swore paranoia was obvious on hers.

“Ah, don’t blow your coat, TonTon~” came a third voice, feminine and familiar. Its owner came to land on the fox’s right side. Tonya looked to catch white fur and a pair of dark wings closing against their owner’s back.

“Shadow just obtained a new power, that’s all,” smiled Rouge.

Chapter Text

‘Obtained a new power’?

That’s what the ominous shadowy energy was for, just now?

Was this a new normal between them?

Tonya debated her next words as she peered between Shadow and Rouge. The latter had swapped her outfit since their last encounter, wearing a similar one to her heart-themed attire, but purple floral patterns adorned her boots and chest piece in the former’s place. Her blue eye shadow was also now a pastel pink.

“So…that was a natural occurrence for him? Does that usually happen?” the vixen finally muttered, deciding her chances for answers greater with Rouge than with the hedgehog.

“It took me some adjusting to as well, the first couple times I witnessed it. But it doesn’t seem to be affecting Shadow negatively. I would have thought he’d have taken it upon himself to tell you,” the bat replied, standing rather casually a few feet from the fox.

Tonya’s ears pinned back in slight annoyance. “Actually, nobody’s really told me much o’ anythin’ since my ‘arrival’. I was dragged here against my will an’ thrust upon the non-existent feet o’ these aliens’ leader. I dunno the first thing ‘bout what’s goin’ on or why I’m here, exactly. Unless YOU have all those answers?”

“Oh, I can fill you in on everything I’ve learned up to now~ Come on, let’s seek shelter back at the safehouse. We’ll talk along the way,” Rouge suggested, noting the growing number of eyes circling them. Shadow didn’t speak, but silently complied either way. By extension, Tonya was encouraged to follow them, content to stand in-between the two. “How much are you already familiar with?” Rouge continued as the trio walked. The hedgehog paid the ladies no mind, protective nature driving him to keep a watchful eye on the predatory creatures in the shadows. So long as they didn’t pull any sudden moves…

“Beyond the three-eyed Dementor bein’ these creatures’ leader an’ this bein’ their ‘White Ruins’? Not much,” admitted Tonya.

“Hm. So Shadow’s left quite the informative buffet on the table, has he? Alright. We have a few minutes. Firstly, I’m sure you’re wondering how I ended up here, myself. I understand it’s been a while since I last contacted you–something I would have already done, had I not been pulled into this dimension myself. If you recall, G.U.N. had found ‘something’ after the incident on the Ark. That ‘something’ in question turned out to be Shadow, barely conscious at the time. I had tried to reason with the commander to let him walk, but the man was insistent to put him back under lock and key. The next thing anyone knew, some octopus-like creature emerged, bringing with it a storm unlike anything on Earth. Monsters bearing black and red skin invaded shortly after, separating Shadow and me from the guardian unit. I just remember a blinding light, and…found the both of us here.”

“I take it Black Doom gave ya a ‘warm welcome’ too?”

“He claimed he only intended to bag Shadow, and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I volunteered to play ‘messenger’ for Shadow when he’d regained consciousness. Black Doom wouldn’t tell me much, beyond issuing commands to seek out the Chaos Emeralds for him. I’d gotten Shadow to safety until he’d reawakened. Thankfully, he retained his memories–at least of us and what occurred on the Ark. But he recalled nothing concerning Black Doom. The creep reassured Shadow all of his secrets would be revealed in due time, so long as he collected the Emeralds. What they’re needed for, I’m still trying to figure out for us. Apparently, my duty to play spy never ends.”

“An’ how have ya not been snacked upon by those beasties?”

“Fortunately in my case, only a certain variety of them can fly. And they’re not faster than me. So I’ve been using that and my stealth skills to my advantage, keeping a trained ear on Black Doom while undetected.”

“Where’s the brute stayin’ at?”

Rouge silently pointed behind them at the ruins’ tallest tower. Tonya glanced to find a horrendous sight: an enormous dark globe bearing burning red eyes floating above said tower. Those eyes scoured the landscape, as if to peg their location. For now, they weren’t seen. “THAT appears to be his hideaway. I had previously investigated it while its eyes were still closed. From what I could gather, it’s a pocket dimension within a pocket dimension. A sanctuary for Black Doom, while his minions litter these ruins.”

“Hidin’ away? In his own dimension?”

“I think it was more so to keep intruders like you and me out. I wasn’t meant to be here to begin with, but since I was with Shadow at the time of his capture…”

“An’ how did that get ME involved?”

Slight guilt blossomed on the bat-lady’s face. “I…might have slipped up during our search for the jewels. We managed to find two of them, but tracking them in THIS world is harder than it is on Earth. None of G.U.N.’s tech operates in this realm. I thought I could make it work the best that I could, but…I guess in my frustration, I unintentionally dropped your name.”

“Wha–you sold me out?”

“I didn’t stop to think that our ‘generous host’ might’ve been listening in. Clearly, he has ears everywhere. At least, he does in these ruins.”

“An’ the spooky power depot…?”

“I’ve taken to calling them ‘Chaos Altars’. If my hunch is on the money, there are meant to be seven of them, one for each Emerald. For every Emerald Shadow offers, he’s awarded a new ability. Perhaps another means of enticing him to find those gems? The first two we found before you got here granted him an upgrade to his ‘Chaos Spear’ and ‘Chaos Blast’ abilities. I’ve been assuming the responsibility of naming his new powers, myself. Ridiculous as it may sound.”

“What’cha got, thus far?”

“Well, if they’re Doom abilities…‘Doom Spear’ and ‘Doom Blast’, respectively.”

“Reasonable. The mini black hole, then?”

“Hm…I’m thinking ‘Doom Void’. It’s the only one that didn’t sound stupid in my head.”

“...Okay. So we’re stuck in a realm made by an alien spectre for the purpose o’ findin’ the Emeralds for him, HE opens portals to the Emeralds’ locations, an’ for every one Shadow trades in, he acquires some new alien ability. The ruins here are just for the minions to run amok, the giant orb o’ eyes up there is where Doom’s chillin’, an’ someplace among this white void…ya’ll have a safehouse. We dunno what purpose the Emeralds are gonna serve yet, an’ I’m only here because you grew flustered an’ let my name slip. Am I ‘bout up to speed?” Tonya listed off on her fingers.

“Pretty much sums it up, yes.”

“You’ve really been stuck here a month because ya’ll couldn’t find the stones on your own?”

The inquiry left Rouge shocked, as if she couldn’t believe her own ears. “I’m sorry, what? We’ve been here HOW long?”

“About a month. I…I take it time isn’t a concept, here?”

The bat sighed, “Not really. Granted, we DO experience Day and Night cycles, much like at home on Earth. But there’s no sense of time passing us by. It’s more like…like everything here is artificial. As if everything about this realm was conjured up by magic. Like it’s all nothing more than…than…”

“An illusion.”

“Right! Like one big magic show. What’s even more strange is, we haven’t really felt the need to eat or sleep, but we still do anyway. I tried testing this myself by not doing either for three lunar cycles. Not once did I ever feel hungry or tired. That’s what made me suspicious of the lack of present time.”

“Like it was all happenin’ in the span o’ a day?”

“For the lack of a better comparison, yes. No hunger, no thirst, no exhaustion. You start to question if this realm is even real. But…if it’s truly been a month, then…I should try to establish contact with Omega. See if I can send a message through him to the Commander.”

“My pardons? ‘Omega’?”

“My assigned partner under G.U.N.’s command. He’s quite literally a walking war machine. Before I left to find Shadow, Omega was assigned to stand watch over Eggman, preventing any measures of escape.”

“Eggman’s still caged, is he?”

“He DID threaten the entire planet with a military-issued weapon. Omega was ordered to terminate Eggman if he ever made it out of his cell. He and I were in contact with each other, remotely. But since none of my tech functions in this dimension, I haven’t been able to re-establish a linked connection to his server. I plan to send a message through to G.U.N., once I’m able.”

“...Anythin’ ELSE I should be made aware of?”

“Um…there…IS one other thing.”

Rouge paused there as the group neared what resembled a chapel, its previously open windows–void of any glass–were now blocked with metal bars. Intended to keep the aliens out. The chapel’s metallic door remained tightly shut, but as soon as Shadow neared it to announce his return, it heavily creaked open. The person who emerged from within made Tonya audibly gasp and freeze in her tracks. She felt Rouge’s hand upon her shoulder.

The long blonde hair and blue dress tipped off her identity as the young girl stood from her embrace of Shadow. Both sets of blue eyes–hers and Tonya’s–met for the first time. A foreboding chill filled the vixen’s ribcage. She suddenly felt she was intruding.

“Oh, fluff…”

Chapter Text

What was Tonya supposed to do in this moment? She KNEW who this girl was: someone said to be long deceased, lost to the sands of time. Someone written in the journal to have played a major role, made a huge impact on the lives of those who personally knew her.

Someone said to have been the only person the black-furred hedgehog opened up to.

And here she was, standing atop the stone stairs to the chapel, her hands on Shadow’s shoulders as she faced the two female Anthros.

The vixen’s bat-like ears drooped. A chill pooled in her stomach. Was she merely a disturbance to the reunited family? Should she pardon herself and give the sibling figures their space? Could she offer to stay someplace–

“Glad to see you guys back safely, Miss Rouge. Who’s your friend?” the girl spoke, interrupting the fox’s train of thought. Tonya didn’t introduce herself, which was quite unlike her usual. Mountain folk were typically among the friendliest, unless you counted their presence in horror films. But in this case? How were you supposed to engage someone once claimed to be dead? “We’ll explain everything once back inside. No need to chance revealing our sanctuary to the many eyes in the sky,” Rouge responded as she ascended the stairs. The two atop the steps allowed her passage into the chapel.

Tonya, meanwhile, remained frozen at the stairs’ base. Ears still down, she silently and shyly reached to tug her hat from off her head. ‘Meeting the family’ wasn’t on her Bingo card…

She caught the sound of gentle steps descending the stairs, stopping about halfway down. She looked to find the girl standing patiently before her, offering her a hand.

“Come on, it’s okay. You’re safe here.”

The fox’s shoulders hunched, blue eyes shifting from the girl’s extended hand to her politely-smiling face, then to the hedgehog still atop the stairs. It was as if her uneasy expression quietly sought his permission, as he just as silently nodded back to her. A dark-furred hand finally released its grip on her hat to reach for the girl’s, her body hesitantly moving almost on its own accord.

“I’m Maria. What’s your name?” the girl greeted, guiding the vixen up to the chapel’s entrance.

‘I know,’ was Tonya’s only thought. “Um…I’m, uh…I’m Tonya.”

“That’s a lovely name. It suits you!”

Shadow took it upon himself to close the door behind them, but not before reassuring himself that they hadn’t been followed…or found. Inside, Maria released Tonya’s hand, granting the newcomer some time to observe their temporary home. Where a typical chapel had two separate rows of pews leading up to an elevated podium for service, this one had been completely gutted. What occupied the space now were metal-frame beds to the left of the door, a seating area and makeshift kitchen to the right of the door, and–in the back of the chapel–what looked to be a portion of a laboratory. Between the living quarters and the lab were two smaller wooden doors. Likely once storage rooms, but now repurposed.

Hanging overhead were a number of candle-lit chandeliers, ever-burning and yet never-melting due to the manipulation of time. This “white void” dimension was…weird, to say the least.

“Y-yes…my, uh…my birth mother thought so, too. It was the last thing she gave me before we were separated,” Tonya eventually responded, still uncertain of what to say. Until someone could explain everything to her, she thought it best to monitor what words came out of her mouth.

The girl’s expression displayed her empathy. “You both were separated? Did that monster bring you here as well?”

“Hm…yes, on both accounts. But we weren’t separated because o’ the ‘monster’. We were separated long ago, when I was but a kit. Not really by choice, as she did it to save my life. The folks close to us, uh…didn’t exactly want me around, long-term. I had a purpose to fulfill, but that was all. Er, not to change subjects or anythin’, but…what’s all this?”

Maria thankfully took the hint and peered around the chapel, Shadow taking a seat in the living quarters, while Rouge proceeded to the laboratory portion of the safehouse. Someone else stood at the control panel of a computer monitor. What appeared to be an older man. “I guess you could call it our ‘home away from home’. My grandfather over there and Shadow both worked to set it all up. They thought it best that we had a safe place to rest and regroup, since…we don’t exactly know how we got here, how long we’re going to be here for, or how to get back. At least, not yet. Grandfather’s still trying to figure things out,” the girl explained, gaze falling upon the pair occupying the back-half of their shelter.

Tonya could barely make out their voices, but she was certain Rouge was asking the man about this ‘Omega’.

“Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I’ll go grab my grandfather so he can meet you,” Maria insisted, motioning the fox to join Shadow in their living quarters. The girl casually left the pair to themselves, leaving Tonya little choice but to take up a seat beside the hedgehog. No sooner had she sat down did she let her hat drop from her hands, freeing them so she could drag their padded fingertips over her face. She felt curious red eyes upon herself.

“I wasn’t prepared for the sucker punch that was ‘meetin’ your family’,” she explained after a pause, her voice kept low and her ears still down. “‘Specially since she was–THEY were both declared…” Another awkward pause. “Do they even know ‘bout me? Would…would they even like me?”

Shadow permitted another brief pause, perhaps unsure of what to say. When he finally did speak, he too kept his voice low. “I’m sorry I didn’t forewarn you. I wasn’t sure how to. How could I? After all, I wasn’t expecting to see them again after all this time. Maria, especially. The only conclusion I could assume was that…Black Doom had something to do with their resurrection. Perhaps…he’d ripped them from a point in time before the Ark’s tragedy.”

“So they wouldn’t know anythin’ ‘bout who or what I am.”

“No. You didn’t come to be until thirty years afterward, if what the tapes implied is correct. The professor theorized all of this a time anomaly of sorts. That Doom is manipulating the fabric of time, itself. That explains how they’re both here at the same time as you.”

“...Were they the ‘something’ keepin’ you here?”

“...Yes.”

She noted the lowering of his own ears. “I can’t say I blame ya. If it were MY family, I’d probably be convinced to stay, as well.”

His crossed arms were set in his lap, acting to keep him propped up as he leaned forward. “I also…may have lied about failing to find the Emeralds. I COULD have found them on my own, had I wanted to. But…”

“Ya didn’t want to leave your folks again, not after bein’ reunited with ‘em after a 50-year gap.”

“...Yes.”

“...Again, I can’t blame ya. Even if not hearin’ from ya hurt like a devil.”

“I apologize for leaving you to worry. But the concern is appreciated.”

“Well, how could I not be? Before ya came along, I was convinced I was the only one o’ my kind. Y’know…a freak among humans. People were frightened by me for a time–least until they got to know me. An’ I guess…I treated ya the same way, in the beginnin’. I was scared o’ you, too. I mean…talk about your dramatic entrances.”

The faintest of smiles graced Shadow’s muzzle. “For the record, I don’t think there’s a soul on Earth that wouldn’t be rendered terrified by an explosion.”

“OR by havin’ an unknown hedgehog-like lifeform pursue ‘em outta the blue. But I understand WHY ya did it, even if it wasn’t a good decision in the end.”

Speaking of ‘good decisions’...

“I must ask you to promise me something, Tonya.”

“For you? Anythin’.”

“The professor warned me against sharing any information regarding the Ark’s events, or what follows after. He said it might create a time paradox, or risk altering the flow of time altogether. Therefore, we can’t tell either him or Maria anything we shouldn’t. Nothing key about your creation or forewarning them about the assault on the Ark, for instance.”

“Okay, but what am I supposed to say if they question my origins? Make it the fluff up?”

“Exactly. Or at the very least, twist the truth a bit. Don’t make it plainly obvious you have a minute connection to them through your creators. Don’t tell them the reason you were made. I don’t want to chance the professor deducing your connections to me. If what I fear is true and they’ve been torn from their timeline, it’s for the best they remain convinced I’m the only project to stem from G.U.N. and their research on the Ark.”

“Eh, couple wrenches in those mental cogs, Shadow: G.U.N. knew nothin’ ‘bout me, since I was a secret project created under their noses. An’ how would Gerald dig up anythin’ on me? All o’ my files were erased by my donor before she sent me to live on the farm, in case Fitzgerald chose to spill the beans to the government an’ request their aid in huntin’ me down.”

“...You read the journal, didn’t you?”

“I did. Nearly finished it.”

“Then you and I both know better than to underestimate the professor. He’s far more clever than he’s given credit for.”

His stare, while far from harsh, held a level of urgency. He was expecting her NOT to take Gerald lightly. The man was brilliant in his own right, and she wasn’t to forget that. He DID, after all, create the planet-destroying weapon that was the Eclipse Cannon, as well as the “Ultimate Lifeform”, Shadow.

She relented. “Okay. Okay…I promise.”

His intense gaze eased. “Thank you.” Red eyes then rose from her to something behind her, hinting for her to turn around. Tonya did so, finding Maria had returned with the older gentleman at her side. The bushy white mustache the man possessed reminded her of Eggman’s. But this was NOT Eggman. She instinctively and politely straightened her posture in the man’s presence.

“Apologies for interrupting your conversation. I was merely made aware that we had company,” the man began, voice surprisingly gentle compared to the demanding tone of his grandson’s. “You may call me Gerald. Now then, with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

Chapter Text

‘Nothing that could link them all together’.

She had to remind herself of the promise she’d only just established. They couldn’t know anything. Why she was there, who made her, why she was made, none of it. In their eyes, Shadow and his prototype were the only biological experiments. It needed to remain that way.

“I’m, uh, I’m Tonya. Tonya Maelstrom, sir,” she introduced herself, politely standing to shake the scientist’s hand. “Suppose we’ll say I’m an acquaintance of Shadow’s. We’ve…met before.”

“Honestly?” returned the elder, seemingly surprised by her claim. “That begs the question of ‘when?’, but…I’d surmise that’s connected to the time anomaly. Perhaps it’s better not to press too many questions. Yet, I disdain being rude to a guest. I’ve not yet uncovered for how long we will be trapped in this dimension, so there’s no harm in getting acquainted. Certainly, there must be a few inquiries you seek answers for.” The elder scientist moved to see himself seated across from the Anthros, giving Tonya adequate time to observe him.

He looked a lot like Eggman, yet appeared kind and far less…angry. He also wasn’t wearing his lab coat, for now satisfied with wearing a burgundy long-sleeved shirt and dark pants. Like his grandson, he donned a small pair of dark glasses, which effectively shielded his eyes from view. Maria was content to sit beside him, apparently eager to know more about the fox that had come to join them.

“Well, it follows tradition to allow the women to go first, is it not? How about it, Miss Tonya?” the scientist prompted.

‘Nothing to link them together…’

“Ah…sure. It’s nothin’ as unique as livin’ up in space though, as Shadow has previously told me. I’m Earth-born an’ mountain-raised, a farmhand in the family business. The ‘middle child’ o’ six, yet was adopted by a welcomin’ family–as were my three younger brothers. As for how OUR paths crossed…” Tonya gestured to the hedgehog beside her. “I can only chalk it up to an ability I never knew I had. From my understandin’, I can sense the energy o’ Chaos Emeralds–or sources o’ Chaos energy in general. One o’ those stones had fallen along the perimeter o’ the farm, an’ I happened to detect it. That day, I guess Shadow was lookin’ for it, as well. But for what purpose, I was never told. With the fabric o’ time bein’ so fragile, it’s probably best I don’t ask.”

This was news to the Robotniks. At what point did Shadow visit Earth? Did they all go together? Was Gerald successful in finding a cure for his granddaughter?

“An intriguing concept: being able to sense Chaos energy. Is this a natural ability of yours?” the man wondered.

Well…no. But he couldn’t know that.

“Sort of. I DID acquire it at birth, just never knew how to get a grasp on it. It just kinda goes off like an alarm in my head, whenever I’m near a source. Those Emeralds an’...Shadow himself bein’ a couple examples,” Tonya explained, careful with her words.

The reveal of her friend being a trigger slightly concerned Maria. “Shadow triggers that special sense of yours? Is it painful?”

“Um…kinda? It’s like a naggin’ headache, but it’s only set off when he’s usin’ his Chaos abilities. It’s not affectin’ me right this moment though, so don’t worry ‘bout it. I’m peachy.”

That was SOME good news, at least. Enough to lift the girl’s worries. “Good. Because you mentioned coming from a farm. What’s that like? Do you tend to a lot of animals?”

“Naturally. Cattle, chickens, horses, hogs. We considered sheep an’ goats once, but a rival farm’s cornered the market on those. We thought it best not to butt heads with our neighbors. ‘What’s it like?’ Well, it’s got its perks. Fresh air, gettin’ to spend most mornin’s with the animals, providin’ the folks o’ the valley with vital resources. Valley’s beautiful at sunrise. But it’s also got its share o’ cons, as well. Namely havin’ to rise before the sun just to get the chores started. No sleepin’ in where I come from.”

“A farm in the mountains? Oh, I bet the wildflowers there are so pretty!”

That, they were.

“Rightfully so, particularly in the Spring. Ya wouldn’t believe the number o’ butterflies we get to see in those sprawlin’ fields.” Tonya couldn’t lie, she felt rather prideful in response to the growing excitement reflected in the girl’s eyes. A dream the kid likely would never see realized, but at least a dream got her mind off her illness.

“I’d love to visit and see it for myself, once I’m better. Could we visit sometime, Grandfather?” Maria excitedly tugged at the man’s sleeve. He returned a weary smile, but still tried to keep his granddaughter’s optimism fed, “We’ll see to it you’re made well, first. Then we’ll make a family trip of it, if your parents are permitting.”

Eh, satisfactory at best. At least it was a false hope keeping the child’s imagination going. But probably best to move on to other topics…

“Ah, enough about lil’ ol’ me. What about ya’ll? How’d ya end up here, of all places?” the fox shifted. “Hate to transition to somethin’ so gloomy, but whatever those things are out there, they’d invaded the farm to drag me off to this dimension. I’m just curious to know the full story. Why am I even here with ya’ll?”

A “gloomy” subject, indeed. Yet, the adults needed to discuss it if they were to make sense of it.

“‘They’ are members of an alien race known as the ‘Dra’Karms’, or ‘Black Arms’ in our tongue,” Gerald began to clarify. “Their leader, Black Doom, made contact with me midway through Shadow’s development. I was struggling to complete my project and desperate to find a cure for Maria’s condition. Housing her aboard the Ark was my best effort to control her illness, even if her family found the idea distasteful. Granted, the space colony was only intended for spacial exploration, but I found the low gravity kept her condition in remission. But because my own experiments were yielding such little promise…I couldn’t refuse Doom’s offer.”

Tonya didn’t mention it, but she noticed Shadow grow tense beside her.

“In exchange for a compromised deal, the details I’ll refrain from sharing for now, Doom provided his own DNA to assist in the development of Project Shadow. His…introduction to Shadow’s genetic structure resulted in the formation and growth of an organ unseen in any Earthly creature. It remains unnamed for now, but it naturally generates Chaos energy. Before the invention of his Inhibitor Rings, Shadow experienced difficulty regulating this energy. Overuse of it left him physically drained, nearly unconscious in a few cases. But any refusal to wield it left him in great pain. So…I took it upon myself to establish a ‘middle ground’. The rings he wears were my answer. By basing them off a number of Chaos Drives, another invention of my own making, I was able to design those rings to neutralize the negative effects the energy would otherwise have on his body. They also prevent the overuse of that energy, canceling it out if his reserves are low.”

Maria nodded along, innocently adding, “I made sure they were stylish, too. I helped Grandfather design them.”

The fox’s ears perked with her interest. “Did ya, now?”

“Mm-hm! His shoes, too. Grandfather said Shadow needed to burn off any extra energy, so we designed his shoes so that he could do that.”

So THAT’S what purpose the shoes served, not just their basic function. But…if the shoes had their own built-in exhaust ports, did that imply Shadow also had…?

Hm, she probably shouldn’t pry. They were only just getting to know one another, after all.

“Shadow had only recently awakened and was growing adjusted on the Ark, when all of this began,” Gerald resumed. “I can only theorize this is the same Shadow, but from a different point in time. Evidenced by yours and Miss Rouge’s presence, Miss Tonya. It begs the question of where it is you both originate from…but I shall refrain. It’s not worth jeopardizing the timeline. As for our current situation, I’m afraid Doom has decided to make claim over what he believes is rightfully his. Those ‘Chaos Altars’ as Rouge has called them? They’re a creation of Black Doom. In exchange for every Chaos Emerald that monster seeks, Shadow is granted a new power. Dormant segments of his genetic code are essentially awakened. What abilities lie in wait, even I could not inform you. Dra’Karms’ DNA persists to be a mystery, even for someone of my brilliance.”

The man turned to Tonya, once more. “As for why you were brought here, I believe Doom has somehow learned of your unique ability to detect raw Chaos energy. If Shadow was seeking it when the both of you met, it would not surprise me if Doom intended the same outcome. However, if what you’ve stated is truth, and you did not know of this ability, it has me questioning how Black Doom himself would have known–either of your ability or your existence. Hm…it is neither here nor there, I suppose. We’ve all been collected for one reason or another. Why Maria and I are here…I suspect we are merely the ‘bait’ to keep Shadow hooked to Doom’s demands. We were only fortunate enough to evade capture up to this point.”

Tonya hadn’t spoken, this entire gathering. NOW she knew why Shadow was reluctant to tell her anything upon her arrival. A connection to the three-eyed Dementor, was there? A curse he hadn’t asked for, she was aware. It was through no fault of his own. But that didn’t warrant a lack of teasing~

“...Alien DNA, huh?” she muttered, proceeding to set her hat back on her head and straighten her neck ribbon’s bow. Shadow kept his silent gaze on the floor, apparently too ashamed to confirm her prod.

But prodding was what the furry gremlin did best~

“Explains why you’re visibly breathtakin’~”

The pass was not lost on him, her words finally ripping his eyes from the floor to meet hers. They were equally as widened as they were perturbed, but that small glow among his muzzle told the vixen everything she needed to know.

“Too much?” she smirked, eyes partly lidded. “I mean, it’s gotta explain the shimmerin’ coat an’ unique fur patterns, ‘cause I know for a fact it played no hand in that level o’ cuteness you were apparently born wi–”

The blush blossoming on his snout was all she got to witness before he abruptly turned away from her, a gloved hand giving her shoulder a defiant shove. Point made: ‘Enough’. That didn’t stop her smirk from growing into a restrained smile as she held back her snickers. If he’d wanted to, he could have shoved her off the downed stone pillar they were seated upon.

The Robotniks didn’t seem bothered by their act of play, Maria appearing equally amused by it. Hey–Rouge DID tell the fox she’d “have to make first moves”. And until their next mission began to hunt down the next gem, why NOT indulge in some light-hearted teasing?

Tonya had no qualms in showing them all why she called herself a ‘gremlin in orange fur’~

Chapter Text

The next portal spat them out into a war zone.

They both found themselves standing on a rooftop overlooking the vast cityscape stretched out before them. The sensation in the air was familiar to the vixen. Heavy, laced with dread and unrestrained panic. It reminded her of the temporary dystopia that was plunged into cold fear by Eggman’s declaration of planetary destruction. Whatever else occurred beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, it had put an end to that nightmare.

But arguably, this one was much worse.

The sky above was much like the one above the Ruins: dark and surging with an angry energy. Smoke rose from ravaged buildings, the roads below cracked and dislodged, as if an earthquake had struck. An outbreak of flames filled every street and alley, cutting off access for the human military that had acted to cease the invasion.

Yes…there were MORE of those ‘Dra’Karm’ creatures. Like her family’s farm and Sunset Heights, they’d made their claim over their prey’s civilization. The winged ones dominated the air, while those acting as the “soldiers” engaged in combat against the opposing tanks and armed units. Gunfire and the blasts of advancing tanks were all present to fill the air around them.

Just how many of these alien critters WERE there?!

Tonya quietly stared at the hedgehog who accompanied her. He hadn’t bothered to look her way, attention nabbed by the sight that awaited them. “Where are we now?” she piped in, unfamiliar with their new surroundings.

He’d heard her, but barely knew how to answer her. The human forces resisting the alien invaders all belonged to G.U.N. They’d been present following his unplanned re-entry upon Earth’s surface, still seeking to have him recaptured and locked away. Undoubtedly, they’d suspect his involvement with these creatures if they were to proceed into the chaos.

However, with the two of them risking the safety of their respective families…could they chance not to?

“...Westopolis,” Shadow finally responded. “I had crash-landed not far from here. One of the Commander’s units had tracked me down, but Rouge stood up for me. Looks like they were left behind to oppose the Dra’Karms upon Black Doom’s encroachment.”

“Makes ya wonder how many make up their hive, doesn’t it?” Tonya spoke as she peered below at the onslaught of the fallen–G.U.N. soldiers and aliens alike. “Are we positive we’ve gotta drop down there? Ya know there’s a chance the military will be itchin’ to get their hands on you.”

“We risk too much by idly standing by. Besides…they’re preoccupied by greater matters, now.” From their perch above, Shadow happened to notice the existence of a red fog engulfing the streets. It saw its way into every building’s broken windows, all but swallowing up the impending victims unable to escape. He knew exactly what it was. All he needed to ensure was that Tonya kept herself out of its reach. Yet, before he could open his mouth to inform her, they were interrupted by the rapid movement of something dark and octopus-like. The instant recognition caused Shadow to instinctively step before the orange-furred vixen, forcing her to take refuge behind him.

This “thing” was Doom’s Eye, a semi-sentient spy for the alien warlord.

The star-shaped creature hovered high in the air before them, focusing on them with its one red eye. Its iris began to glow, projecting a transparent image of its master: Black Doom.

“You didn’t truly think you could mask yourselves from me forever, did you?” the projected monster briefly laughed. “You may have taken shelter in my realm…but here, I know your precise location at all times. From here on, my Eye shall follow and observe you on your quest for the remaining Emeralds. I expect more immediate results, now that you’ve the living energy-detector at your disposal. She WILL assist you, should she desire not to have my spawn feast upon the flesh of the fools who took her in. You have grown in power as well. Now is the time to put your acquired strengths to the test. A challenge awaits you before you may claim your prize…”

Failing to clarify any further, Doom’s projection vanished and the Eye supplying it flew off, leaving the pair to themselves.

Neither had spoken during Doom’s assessment, but at least with his departure, Shadow could ease from his defensive posture. “We shouldn’t delay any further,” he said, barely peering over his shoulder. “Do whatever you must, but remain above the red smoke. Don’t breathe it in.”

His companion didn’t inquire as to why. He knew the weaponry of these aliens better than she did. “You’re the boss,” she mumbled, the pair of them finally leaping from the rooftop to begin their mission.

********************************************************

The whole thing was a setup.

A trap.

Their “prize”, merely a lure to draw them closer.

The coveted jewel, the purple Chaos Emerald, had called Tonya to its contained position near the heart of the city. Tanks continued to uselessly blast their primary target, a great pair of dragon-like wings beating above the massive body they were attached to. At first, Shadow and Tonya paid the beast no mind, intent on their stealth mission to evade all opposing threats and sneak away with their treasure in hand.

The beast had other ideas.

Seemingly unguarded, the purple Emerald glimmered within the energy cage that contained it. Previously secured by G.U.N., but presumably abandoned in favor of combating the alien menace. Yet, before the hedgehog and fox could acquire the glowing stone, the great beast dropped itself upon the cage. A three-toed paw smashed the containment device to pieces, leaving the jewel inside exposed. A mighty devil-horned head lowered to snatch the treasure with the toothy mandibles covering the beast’s mouth. The thick scales of its hide began to glow with Chaos energy, easily deflecting any of the cannonfire from the resisting military.

What the duo faced now was a black-and-red, bulky-bodied, armor-scaled, grub-like creature boasting an enormous pair of wicked wings and a matching set of curving horns. Two stubby limbs helped to support its large body, aiding its movement when it wasn’t airborne. One large, green eye glared at its opposition, locking onto the tanks that fruitlessly continued their assault. A swing of its horns sent the tanks flying.

“Black Bull,” Shadow mentioned its name to be. A name that made the vixen’s ears twitch.

“‘Bull’, ya say?” she slyly repeated, a knowing smile creeping across her features as they stood distantly from the battle scene on shattered asphalt. She wouldn’t go jumping blindly into the scuffle, even if the beast was barely larger than the average bus.

“That look of yours is rather suspicious. Have you an idea?”

“Well…I’ve participated in my fair share o’ rodeos. An’ while the Emerald it gulped has made its hide invulnerable…I suspect it isn’t as invincible on the INSIDE.”

Sounded like a plan~

“You keep it occupied. I’ll find a tank,” was what Shadow instructed. Which led right up to the fox’s current activity, as she found herself latched dead-center of the Bull’s head, her whip wrapped around one of its horns to keep it from simply throwing her off. Even with its every attempt, she was able to swing herself right back into place. A newly-formed team, she and Shadow quickly mapped out their most effective strategy: she’d wear the beast down by luring it into smashing its body against the ruins of demolished buildings, keeping its attention fixated on her as it tried to rid itself of its “parasite”, buying the hedgehog time to find another tank and position it to fire down the monster’s throat.

This had worked twice, already. But with every shot it was forced to swallow, the angrier the winged “bull” became. It rampaged through the wrecked streets, desperate to remove the fuzzball from its head. Judging by its heavy breathing, Tonya could only assume the beast was tiring. One more go should do it!

Just as the previous two attempts, she held off on activating her whip’s special function until she could see Shadow’s “confiscated” tank ease into view from its shielded position around a building’s corner. She couldn’t let the beast wander too close, else it would lay waste to yet another functional tank. The last two attempts, Tonya merely set her whip to electrocute the “bull” by its horns, causing it to whip its head in the corresponding direction and let out a pained scream–its open maw being the ideal target.

This time, with the creature angry and rapidly losing stamina, it chose to ram itself head-first into what buildings stubbornly remained standing. Whatever it took to get the irritating orange fuzz off its body! However, thanks to a well-timed swing, the vixen managed to avoid the collision, content to hang from a horn by her whip. She looked for the aimed barrel of the tank, then…mashed the button on the whip’s handle.

Another ungodly scream, another disgusting display of wet flesh and slimy jagged teeth.

Another blast.

A dying roar.

A heavy body’s wings went still as it collapsed with a tremendous thud.

And a wave of deep purple blood gushed from its open maw, bringing with it the glowing gem it had swallowed.

The vixen had her whip release its hold and called it back to her hand, tan boots barely softening her landing as she descended from the beast’s corpse. Gray claws wrapped themselves around the stone with the seizing of her fingers.

She did not need to acknowledge the telltale sound of Shadow teleporting to her side. “Y’know…I’m beginnin’ to detest these things. Really, I am,” she somewhat joked, her free hand presenting their prize to her companion.

His red eyes and faint smirk reflected her sarcasm with his approach. A gloved hand took hold of the gemstone she offered.

“I know.”

Chapter Text

They hadn’t yet stopped by another of the Altars to deposit their treasure, the both of them having agreed to head straight back to their sanctuary upon return to Doom’s dimension.

Despite the “Dementor” tossing them back out in the open, his hope being that he could keep track of them long enough to draw out their hiding place, he frustratingly could do nothing about Shadow’s ability to teleport. Within the blink of an eye, or Doom’s three, the black hedgehog had grabbed up his orange-furred companion and vanished. Wherever in the vast landscape of the Ruins they had gone, the warlord would continue to struggle to discover. A thought had crossed his twisted mind to simply level the structures blocking his view of the land…

But then the hive would spiral into a frenzy. “Don’t poke the hornets’ nest”, as the humans had once put it. Doom knew well enough he hadn’t enough blood in his body to sacrifice for a whole new hive of minions. It had taken him thousands of years to build the number over which he currently ruled. He could only resign himself to the idea that his mindless creations would find that sanctuary on their own and demolish it.

Even his arsenal of floating eyes couldn’t be everywhere around the realm at one time–not if he needed them to spy on their human hostages on Earth. Once more, he chose to let them go.

This decision at least provided adequate time for the pair to recover from their ordeal in Westopolis. Shadow had sustained the worst of it, since Tonya had obediently followed his instructions to remain off ground-level. Streetlights and transformer posts were present in numerous quantities, giving the vixen plenty to latch her whip to and use to steer clear of the smoke. But her restriction to stay above ground meant the hedgehog had to endure the bulk of the invasion by himself. Whatever the smoke was, it didn’t seem to have any effect on him–or the Dra’Karms, for that matter. Ironically, the beating wings of Black Bull had driven most of the smoke from the battlefield, allowing the pair to take him down.

For the moment, they were enjoying the brief reprieve, aware they’d have to surrender the purple gemstone eventually. Shadow had once again seated himself in the living quarters, digging into canned rations with a spoon. Beside him was Maria, who had insisted upon tending to his wounds, even as minor as they were. Rouge had also gone to join them, enraptured by the stone she was temporarily allowed to hold onto. The both of them had convinced the hedgehog to tell them all about the last mission, of how he and Tonya managed to down the rampaging devil bull from outer space.

The vixen herself was not with them, having pardoned herself from the gathering to have a word with Gerald. She still had questions that required answers, but she didn’t see it fit to ask Shadow. Especially not while he was caught amidst “story time”.

Tonya’s wandering had halted in the midway in favor of her silent observation of the trio. Rouge sat with her back to the fox, equally enamored with Shadow’s tale as she was in the Emerald clutched in her palms. She seemed relieved to hear that her fellow agents’ lives were spared, thanks to Shadow’s efforts. Maria didn’t pay the fox any attention either, her focus divided between her best friend’s injuries and the story he told.

The fox’s blue eyes lingered on the dark hedgehog for a time. That light, fluttering sensation had riled up once more within the confines of her stomach. Something she only felt when it concerned Shadow. Maybe it was finally time to address that sensation. Just…not with Shadow. Not yet. She had questions, first. And who better to ask than the scientific mind that created him?

Booted feet continued to carry her across the expanse of the sanctuary, dark-furred hands rising to pull the hat from between her ears. The gentleman in particular had stationed himself by the monitors at the back of the chapel-like building. His back faced her, still lacking his trademark lab coat. Displayed on two of the screens before him were what appeared to be diagrams of two separate beings: one of Black Doom, the other of Shadow. Walls of text filled the spaces around the images, which was what the man was hyperfixated on.

“Uh…Professor?” came the fox’s meek voice.

The man emitted a sound of mixed disturbance and intrigue, turning to find the source of the interruption. “Oh, Miss Tonya. Please, just ‘Gerald’, if you will. Are you not partaking in lunch with the others? Maria had taken it upon herself to collect and ready it for you,” he began.

“Oh, uh…I will. I just had some questions I couldn’t ask you earlier. Figured now was probably best, while everyone’s occupied.”

The scientist politely gestured to a supply crate nearby. “I’d be happy to satiate your curiosity. Please, have a seat. Although regretfully, I don’t have better seating arrangements to offer, given our circumstances…”

Tonya did not complain as she hopped up on the crate and sat down. “It’s through no fault o’ your own, sir. Don’t worry ‘bout that,” she refused. Her eyes shifted to the screens. “But before the questions, I’m kinda curious as to what it is you’re researchin’, over here.”

Gerald patiently peered back at the monitors, his hands tucked at his back. “I was simply trying to understand the connections between the two, believing it to provide some insight into Doom’s plans. He’d provided my Project Shadow with samples of his own DNA, so I’m merely hoping to unravel the warlord’s motives. ‘Why does he require the Chaos Emeralds?’, for example. And ‘why is he providing Shadow special abilities in exchange?’. I’d thought I could better understand what the Dra’Karms’ DNA is capable of if I could digitally break it down.”

“But…?”

“I may as well be fiddling with an entanglement of wayward cables. Their DNA sequence is…ever-changing. Mutating. My previous hope was that the Inhibitor Rings Shadow wears might help stabilize his DNA, make it where I could easily decode it. But while they have helped significantly in regulating his otherworldly energy…I’m afraid they’ve done little to lock the DNA sequence in place.”

“What’s that mean in Shadow’s case?”

“...Whatever Black Doom desires to grant him in terms of ability or power, he can effortlessly manipulate his genetic code. Like putty in his hands.” The elder turned again to the vixen. “But you leave that worry to me. It is but another puzzle I’m plagued to solve. Now, how about those questions of yours?”

Reluctance made its resurgence. Was this really a good idea? “Well…I don’t wanna come off as selfish. They’re just…some personal inquiries I haven’t been able to answer on my own. Not really important, but…I dunno how else to go ‘bout findin’ answers, myself.” Her large ears were held level on either side of her maned head.

“There’s nothing wrong with a personal question, Miss Tonya. But I take it that it’s upon a level not yet accessible between the two of you?”

“You could say that.”

“Well, you’ve my utmost attention. I will not judge.”

Her body shifted with the intake of a breath. Her shoulders remained dropped, but tense. “Has…” The words were suddenly hesitant to come forth. It was quite embarrassing, now that she actually had to ask her question. Probably because of the weight that her question carried with it. But if she didn’t get the words out, how would she ever know the answer? She dropped her hat to anxiously grip at her knees. “Has…Shadow ever…I guess, expressed interest in…courtship before?”

Words that instantaneously got her heart pounding. Why was this so awkward?

Gerald thankfully kept his word and took a serious approach to the question presented. He’d softly hummed to himself as he thought it over. “...I recall he’d touched upon the subject once before, but it was years prior to now. And since there were no other individuals akin to him, he simply let it go. It…really wasn’t something I could explain in words. All I could offer him was the statement that it was a feeling that blossomed between two who were compatible. Two that were, well, NOT in fact of sibling status. He’s harbored a curiosity to know what the concept of ‘love’ is, what it’s like. But he’s been unable to further explore it.”

“So…does that imply he COULDN’T…um…?”

A gentle smirk crossed the man’s face. “Am I to understand that you’ve taken interest in him, Miss Tonya?”

Fluff.

“Um…! Well…for lack o’ a better explanation…I’d say so. Kinda. Yes. BUT! I didn’t wanna go tryin’ anythin’ if it would just be lost on him. I’ve been…I guess experiencin’ feelin’s I hadn’t before, but I don’t wanna chance it all blowin’ up in my face. I DO wanna delve into it, but I also wanna be careful. Just…needed some insight, is all.”

Another thoughtful hum. “While it IS true he’s mentioned it in passing, it was never intended in his grand final design. Shadow was unfortunately created to meet the greedy needs of separate parties. I had meant for him to fill the ‘experimental studies’ role as a means of discovering a cure for Maria’s illness. An entity of sentience that could consent to experimentation. G.U.N., on the other hand, provided the funding with the intentions of having me design Shadow for combat. As for Doom…well…he originally requested access to the ultimate warrior to head the next invasion.”

That much was explained in the journal, so his truth was at least consistent. It didn’t sound promising to the fox’s ears.

“And yet,” Gerald resumed, “while he was never intended to harbor softer emotions, there is no guarantee that would forever be the case. He HAS, after all, formed a bond with my granddaughter. A kinship. I would go as far as to theorize she may have cracked his mental outer shell, as it were. Compromised his emotional defenses, so to speak. If one such as yourself WERE to show him genuine interest…there’s really no telling for certain whether or not he’d reject it.”

“Rouge DID tell me I’d have to make first moves, if I’m serious ‘bout it. An’ he DID blush at my earlier lil’ tease.”

“I will admit it, Shadow IS vastly inexperienced when it comes to the subject of romance–or ‘courtship’, as you’ve put it. But I’d also deem it true that it would take but a mere spark to ignite his curiosity, once more. Prove your interest to him, make certain it’s genuine. He may be enticed to engage.”

“Sooo…it’s like I’m conductin’ my own experiment, eh?”

“In a matter. But I implore you, don’t mistreat him. He upholds an elevated but fragile level of trust. Once shattered, he may turn his back on you indefinitely. He displays a coarse exterior, but within?”

“Tender-hearted. Got it. But it never has been–nor will be–my intention to harm him, sir. He’s–”

‘Been through enough.’

She had to stop herself.

THAT hadn’t yet happened to these versions of Gerald and Maria. They didn’t know. They COULDN’T know.

“...He’s already got a lot on his plate,” she finished.

Gerald thankfully remained unaware, offering her another gentle smile. “I needn’t worry about that when it comes to you, Miss Tonya. You were raised by good people; you’ve a good heart. I can determine that much about you. With or without unique powers of your own.”

She accepted the compliment rather shyly. Words of courtesy to be passed on to her adoptive family, when she next saw them.

“That directs a question of my own,” Gerald stated next. “You mentioned your original maternal figure had no choice but to surrender you to spare your life. Would you care to elabor–”

The brief disturbance that was Shadow’s rift of time and space interrupted the pair as the hedgehog teleported himself from one end of the sanctuary to the other. His barely-gauzed form appeared from thin air beside them, effectively startling the seated vixen and causing her to lose balance. She took a short tumble off the crate, left on her back to stare with annoyance at the ceiling above. Her face persisted in holding that annoyed glare as she practically dragged herself from around the crate, eyes quickly locking on the culprit.

“You did that on purpose.”

She noted the gauze around his upper right arm. Shadow returned a smug smirk.

“Your presence was insisted upon for the next Altar. We’re prepared for departure when you are,” he said.

Chapter Text

‘We’? Who did this ‘we’ entail?

Why was HER presence so specifically requested? And by whom?

All to be answered in due time, as darkness fell while Tonya finally indulged in a meal. She’d a lot to think about, despite her welcome of Shadow’s interruption of Gerald’s question. The alien DNA-bearing black and red hedgehog was never created with the intention of developing emotional attachments–but his creator never said he COULDN’T.

His best friend and sibling figure WAS a 12-year-old human girl, after all. If “Shadow the Hedgehog” could develop a friendship that endured a 50-year time span, surely he was capable of a life-long commitment to a mate. Right?

Maybe the better question was, could SHE maintain that life-long commitment? Shadow was, by genetic design, immortal. Ageless, despite Gerald constructing him with an adult frame. While Shadow’s natural life never had a deadline, HERS did. She would eventually grow old and die, as any naturally-living creature would. Her creators, as far as she was aware, never made her with intent to grant her everlasting life. They had, in fact, decided to eliminate her when her designated duty was complete.

Something her donor mother had spared her from.

With that nugget of information, did she truly want to chance that eventual heartbreak? She knew the old saying: ‘Better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all.’ But she’d also been there to witness Shadow’s response to having lost Maria–even fifty years after the fact. He’d nearly doomed the world to a fiery demise, and that was just over a stolen FRIENDSHIP. How would he handle a lost ROMANCE? Would he jeopardize the universe?

…She shouldn’t be thinking like that. She knew that was wrong to assume. Shadow was no monster, no heartless beast. He deserved love just as much as anyone else. And even though HER lifespan was limited, that didn’t mean she couldn’t provide him a period of love. Who, after all, said she’d age like either human or bat-eared fox? What if her creators had chosen to slow the natural aging of her body, elongating her natural lifespan? She hadn’t looked into the structure of her own DNA, so there was no confirming yet whether or not this was–or wasn’t–the case.

Maybe she could request Gerald’s involvement in the matter? If anyone among them understood genetics, it was the mind behind the “ultimate lifeform”.

The ruins beyond their safehouse had practically turned pitch black by the time Tonya had emerged atop the stone steps, Gerald securing the door behind them. She’d expected Shadow, maybe Rouge as well, to be standing outside in wait. That much, she was proven correct: the pair of them were standing at the base of the stairs, their voices kept low as they spoke. “I’ll gather what intel I can on our ‘host’ for as long as nightfall permits me,” was what she’d caught Rouge speaking, before the bat took flight into the darkened sky.

What the vixen DIDN’T expect was to find MARIA of all people at the hedgehog’s side. Was it not far too dangerous to allow the terminally-ill child to accompany them into enemy territory?!

The kid had swapped her dress for an olive-green jacket and dark-blue pants, a pair of sneakers replacing her normal blue slip-ons. This much visible in thanks to the light of the realm’s moon and the select few torches scattered around the ruins, Tonya couldn’t mask the shock surfacing on her furry face. The words escaped her before she could reel them back.

“Shadow? Tell me ya aren’t allowin’ the kid to come along.”

Not that she held any disdain towards the girl, but the ruins WERE home to a number of CARNIVOROUS alien creatures. None of which the kid could defend herself from!

The hedgehog knew this too, as he returned a relenting shake of his head. “I had warned her against leaving the safehouse. I know it’s a risk. But…Maria insisted upon witnessing an activated Altar, at least once. That’s why your presence was requested.”

Tonya wished he had told her something in advance, as her whip had been left behind along with her hat. For a brief stealth mission, she didn’t think either would be needed. Sneak out, find the Altar, get Shadow his next ability, then run back for safety. Only Black Doom himself knew what horrors lurked in the darkness of his realm. Horrors that were no doubt relentlessly searching for their evasive fugitives.

The vixen couldn’t shake the unease upon her back as she descended the stairs. Her canine whimper made it a rather audible display.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be out here long. And I’ll be careful to stay out of the way,” Maria attempted to comfort her, the thrill of sneaking out of the safehouse making her all too eager. Anticipation drowning her fear, the girl somewhat bounced on anxious heels.

“Y-yeah, but…don’t ya…didn’t ya have a habit o’ faintin’? What if ya do so while we’re out here?” the fox returned.

“Grandfather gave me a small dose of a medicine he’s been developing. He says it probably won’t stop my fainting spells, but it should make them less frequent. I’ll stay hidden where I can so they’ll be less likely to happen, okay? I just…I really wanted to see one of those Altars for myself. And if we stay out of the light, we shouldn’t be seen by those aliens,” the girl tried again, refusing to be discouraged.

Although Tonya wasn’t convinced, it wasn’t HER responsibility to look after the kid. That was Shadow’s duty. And if HE was accepting of her insistence to tag along, they had to have faith he could protect her. But it felt like they’d wanted the vixen to accompany them as a back-up. Certainly, Tonya COULD defend the girl if need be, but…there was only one way she’d pull off that feat. Would it prove itself too frightening for Gerald’s granddaughter? Was she prepared to witness that?

“We shouldn’t stay out in the open. Come on. Stay out of sight,” Shadow softly told them, taking lead as the trio took shelter in the darkness.

Nobody uttered a word throughout the duration of their “stealth mission”, the hedgehog silently guided to their next destination by a sense neither of the accompanying females could detect. They moved only when Shadow moved, halting only when he did. Animal instinct not yet kicking in, Tonya allowed her thoughts to wander back to her conversation with the professor. It had only reinforced what Rouge had previously told her: she’d HAVE to make first moves.

But…HOW? When and where? A conjured realm filled with mindless flesh-eating aliens didn’t exactly scream itself a “romantic setting”.

The trio gradually halted by the location of the next Altar. It was perched atop an elevated platform, surrounded by a pool of a shimmering dark substance. It was no body of water, as it appeared to move in the moonlight with some semblance of life. Like a sentient trap just waiting for an unfortunate victim to fall in. Maria and Tonya both remained behind rather instinctively, content to watch Shadow ascend the platform alone. They watched as he lifted a gloved hand, the glow of the purple Emerald engulfing it as it was summoned.

Tonya at first glanced about them, spotting no aliens in the immediate vicinity. Yet, they WERE technically out in the open. The absence of enemies could change in a heartbeat. She noted the existence of stone towers nearby–forms of shelter Maria could take advantage of, if things turned against their favor. That all depended on what this new Altar had in store for them. The last one gave Shadow the ability to throw miniature black holes. But this one?

Something about this made her exposed fur stand on end. Was it the odd chill in the air? The peculiarity of the Altar’s location? The presence of the alien substance surrounding it? While Maria’s attention was fixated on Shadow, Tonya’s was lifted to the sky. The full moon, a bizarre shade of orange, was there to greet her. Her brows furrowed at it. Now WHY was that present, in a realm created and influenced by a warlord from outer space? Everything that existed in this pocket dimension served a purpose, so she doubted this odd moon was mere decoration. The way those dark clouds passed over it…it reminded her of an excerpt she’d heard way back when.

‘Even a man who is pure of heart…’

“Shadow? Do ya think we should maybe wait until AFTER the full moon to–” Tonya had attempted to suggest, silenced by the shattering of the Chaos Altar before them. Too late. All she and Maria could do was step back as the ominous darkness rushed forth from within to surround the hedgehog. Something was off about this go around. First one being that, instead of clutching at his head, Shadow grunted in pain and grasped at his chest. It was enough to drop him on his knees.

Secondly, the dark substance below him came to life, tendrils of black and red rising from the pool to wrap themselves around his limbs. Whatever the Altar was preparing to do, it was obscured by the ominous gusts that burst forth.

What Tonya fretted came to fruition. The resounding blast that signified the Altar’s activation drew the attention of any and all nearby Dra’Karms, the alerted vixen peering about to find numerous red and yellow eyes piercing the darkness around them. Had this been yet ANOTHER trap?

“Kid, take shelter in the tower, over there,” Tonya stated, simply yet urgently.

“But–” Maria meekly began.

The fox knew this was up to her now. “Take shelter! I’ll cover ya!” Blue eyes turned gray and her body dropped onto all fours as the girl obediently ran to take refuge. A toothy maw bearing six sharpened fangs was made bare in threat, daring any who lurked just out of sight to wander closer. There was an honest attempt to corner the helpless soul hiding in her tower, but the fox’s animal instincts and defensive behaviors put an abrupt stop to their advances. Like a savage beast, she rushed to all who tried, flashing sharp teeth before they and ten claws were buried in scaly black and red hide.

The temporarily-subdued hedgehog was rendered unable to act, no matter how he desired to. The pain he experienced had spread too rapidly, it and the tendrils locking his limbs in place. He felt himself changing, yet was unable to keep his eyes open to witness it. His body was growing, arms elongating as his limbs thickened with muscle and a more pronounced coat of fur. The familiar metallic taste of blood swept over his tongue as pain claimed the entirety of his muzzle, reshaping it to assume more canine qualities, such as a pointed snout and prominent fangs.

Fabric ripped, his gloves giving way to the growth of his hands. Hands that bore the same flesh tone as his muzzle, now sprouting sharpened black claws. The rings around his wrists and ankles, mysteriously, warped their size to align with the growth of his body. His uniquely-designed boots also remained unchanged and unaffected, but were harshly ground against the stone beneath them as the pain stretched the length of his spine to his tail. It grew longer and curved upward, bristling with a lengthening coat of black fur. Rounding off this full-bodied transformation, his ears widened and lengthened, assuming a more canine design as tufts of red fur sprouted within them.

The altered creature was left to heavily pant in recovery, the Chaos Altar falling dormant and the tendrils releasing their hold. Transparent saliva dripped from exposed fangs. The return of his auditory senses made his ears twitch and perk. Another canine entity was caught in the heat of combat, snarls and growls accompanying the thuds of falling bodies.

His returning sense of smell, now greatly enhanced, brought with it the scent of blood. A scent that awakened beastly instinct and forced him to open his eyes. Their irises remained unchanged, but his pupils narrowed to thin slits. Slowly rising onto all fours, the hybrid beast turned his equally furry-and-spiked head to the scents’ source.

Red eyes locked with gray ones, once more.

Chapter Text

There were far too many of them. Too many for the vixen to fend off, forever.

Bodies of the fallen Dra’Karms slowly melted away into a rising vapor as their deep purple blood oozed and ran from fatal injuries. Droplets of their life essence littered the vixen’s clothing. Yet the drive to fight rendered her incapable of caring about the potentially-ruined state of her outfit. The bow of her ribbon, equally as dirtied, was now tattered and torn. Results from her barely avoiding the clawed swipes of the approaching aliens.

They drew too close to the tower that hid Maria. The fox hadn’t yet checked to ensure her safety, but she was confident the kid was likely traumatized by the scene she witnessed. Necessary as it was to keep her protected from harm, this wasn’t something Tonya wanted her to see. Effective as her Feral side was, it wasn’t for the faint of heart. Her creators had intended it to serve her OWN protection as she hunted for the Chaos Emeralds. That’s why she bore claws and fangs designed to easily sever flesh.

“The closest thing to a werewolf.”

A statement, a claim, that had at one time been true. Now, no longer.

She fell another of the smaller bipeds, perched on all fours atop its body. Exposed fur and tail bristled, she’d let wild eyes search for the next target–only for them to lock with a familiar set of red ones. Feral nature nearly let its firm grip slip loose, allowing only her wide ears to perk. Was…was THAT Shadow? What had the Altar DONE to him?!

Her body moved as if with a mind of its own, leaping itself clear as the hybrid hedgehog launched himself into the fray. She refrained from continuing her assault, body still hunched on all fours as she placed herself between the entryway to the tower and the slaughter that was the apparent battlefield. She heard Maria’s shuffling at her back, the girl’s upset sobbing. Rationality told her this was going to make for an awkward aftermath. The kid just wanted to see one of those Altars in action. She hadn’t asked for one of them to turn her best friend and brother figure into a MONSTER.

The hybrid beast easily downed the remaining swarm, wielding his new claws and fangs as though he’d been born with them. Tonya’s having been silenced for now, his own snarls and growls sliced the still air. In little time, the threat that had been the encroaching Dra’Karms minions had dwindled to nothing, what stragglers that remained deeming it a losing battle and fleeing for their lives. The hybrid paused but long enough to confirm the initial threat was gone.

He then turned to the vixen.

She still stood firm between him and Maria, ears pinned back and dark-gray eyes observing him. Both of them steadied themselves on all fours, sizing one another up. Compared to Tonya, Shadow was massive. He was still shorter than Maria, but easily towered over the fox. The additional bulk of his combined muscle and thickened fur only added to this, resulting in Tonya’s hesitance to move first. For now, she’d remain on the defensive, separating him from the hiding young girl.

She silently noted his every altered detail, especially how his patch of white fluff had grown and spread to wrap around his neck. A natural shield defending a major weak spot. A puffed chest and long-furred abdomen meant he’d temporarily lost his soft underbelly. So how was she to counter him if he chose to attack HER next?

Well…perhaps if she managed to remain at his back and out of range of those claws…

Memory threw forth everything it recalled about Lycanthropy. Or at least, Hollywood’s version of it. “Werewolves were difficult to combat during a Full Moon–especially their first one,” she remembered it being said. “Feral nature overpowered their rational thought, making them unpredictable and uncontrollable.” Much like her own struggles with her own feral nature. But unlike werewolves, SHE could manage to keep her wild nature on a leash, unless it was called upon in the events of, say, keeping a child protected.

Or keeping its host out of harm’s way. But WAS Shadow a threat? Despite the baring of his teeth and his heavy panting, he’d yet to advance from his position on all fours. Perhaps he was simply waiting for Tonya to do the same?

One side needed to end the stand-off. Tonya wasn’t foolish; she wouldn’t act first. Not only was he larger than her, he was no doubt physically stronger than her, too. If memory served correctly, werewolves held no possession over supernatural powers, like vampires or witches. Instead, they were incredibly fast and strong, bearing sensory abilities that made losing their prey virtually impossible. If feral nature DID, in fact, still hold its grip tight over his mind, he’d be unable to resist physical challenge.

She wouldn’t strike first. She’d bait him, instead.

Gray claws scratched at the stone beneath her, wild eyes still fixed on him and her muzzle twitching in agitation. Her lips gradually pulled back to unsheath her readied fangs, orange coat still bristling. If beastly instinct still controlled him, she was the only thing separating him from Maria. Lycanthropy in itself was considered a “curse” for good reason.

She heard the girl’s broken voice whimper her name. She responded with a slight turn of her head to peer over a shoulder.

A mistake.

At least not a fatal one that she couldn’t correct.

The hybrid roared and launched toward her, snapping Tonya back to attention. She reacted by throwing herself against him, the collision packing enough force to shove him backwards into a bipedal stance. A swift repositioning of a hand’s claws allowed her to snag his fur, granting her grip enough purchase for her to latch herself to his back. It was all she could do to prevent herself from being tossed within range of his claws and fangs.

The young girl who the vixen was trying to protect could do no more than watch in horror. The scene before her was nothing short of terrifying: rapidly-decaying bodies of aliens turning to rising clouds of thick vapor, reducing the combating canine creatures to mere silhouettes. She could hear nothing beyond their cacophony of beastly snarls, the occasional high-pitched yip from Tonya all there was to inform Maria that she hadn’t yet been bested.

At least until Maria caught sight of Shadow’s aggressive motion to catch hold of the fox in one large hand and slam her down to the stone below. Fear had prevented her from drawing their attention, but she eventually had to convince herself to choke it down. This fight would not cease until one of them was rendered immobile. Or worse. And while he HAD been transformed by an alien power, this WAS still Shadow. Her best friend. Her brother.

And if she didn’t stop him soon, he’d kill his ally.

She saw his other arm lift, claws at the ready. Her legs carried her from within her refuge.

“Shadow, no!”

His ears perked. His body froze. Red eyes blinked. Once. Twice. Closed, then reopened. His narrowed pupils had rounded out, once more.

Maria?

Aggression was replaced by confusion as he turned the girl’s way. Why was she looking at him like that? She looked…she looked petrified. His confusion only intensified as he lowered his arm–only then catching sight of it. Where had this long fur come from? These claws? He glanced from Maria to the body under his other hand.

Tonya…!

Shadow quickly released and withdrew from her, a sense of fear beginning to blossom as he looked himself over.

“What’s…what’s HAPPENED to me?!” He hardly recognized his own voice, it too having been affected by the transformation. It sounded rather beastly, an ever-present growl in his every word. What had happened leading up to this point? He remembered offering up the Chaos Emerald, then…

Pain. And little else.

Now, a barely-conscious Tonya lay before him, and Maria stared at him with a shock-stricken gaze. Fear. Something he’d not once seen her display in his presence before. Not when they’d first met upon his awakening. Not when he’d lost control over his Chaos energy aboard the Ark. Not once. Not until now.

…He hated it. He hated how it made him feel. That was the look someone gave to a MONSTER. His ears lowered and he stepped away from his temporarily-downed ally in shame. He soon picked up the sound of approaching footsteps, and two hands set themselves on either side of his muzzle to lift his head. The weeping light-blue eyes he peered into made his body shiver, a sense of weakness and fear overpowering him.

He hadn’t felt like this since the first time he’d lost control of his Chaos abilities.

“Look at me. Look at me–it’s going to be okay. I’m still here–Tonya was just protecting me. Y-you lost control for a bit, that’s all. That’s not YOU. THIS isn’t you. We’ll get this all figured out, you’ll see.”

Maria was trying to be comforting…even when she, herself, needed that same comfort. He respected her for that. Even when he, himself, wasn’t sure whether he wanted to stay or run off in shame. He was too scared to stay, yet too confident in himself to run…

He resorted to hiding his face against her abdomen, letting her embrace him as she always did when he needed her comfort. Only when she felt he’d hold himself together for long enough did Maria briefly leave him to inspect Tonya. The fox’s dark eyelids had closed and she was unresponsive, but she still had a pulse and was still breathing. The girl brushed away her own tears and met Shadow’s gaze.

“She’s alive, just unconscious. We need to get somewhere safe. Somewhere they won’t find us. At least for a little while.” She carefully lifted Tonya in her arms.

Shadow silently frowned to himself in thought. They couldn’t simply return to the safehouse, not while Tonya was unresponsive and he was…like THIS. He needed to be sure he’d maintain control over this form first.

Luckily, there WAS a place they could go. A place out of sight from those on the surface. From the wretched eyes in the sky.

He forced his earlier darkened thoughts and emotions to the back of his mind, giving Maria a confirming nod. He would lead them there.

Chapter Text

A liquid chill slowly pulled Tonya from her mental darkness.

Dark-blue eyes eased open, taking in surroundings their owner wasn’t familiar with. They caught the formations of stone walls, of light being cast by lit torches. For a moment, she thought herself waking up in Eggman’s pyramid cell–that this whole thing had just been a dream and they were waiting for her to regain consciousness to send her after those glowing gems.

There were no depictions painted across the white stone, though. And she was at rest upon something softer than coarse sand.

She carefully turned her head to her right, the form of a blonde-haired girl replacing the sight of blank walls. The kid had braced the fox’s head with one hand, the other scooping something wet and cold from a metal pail at her side. Water, she realized. Where the pail had come from, she didn’t know. She didn’t bother to ask, either.

“She’s coming back around,” the girl said, addressing someone else in the chamber.

Tonya quickly regained feeling and bodily control, wincing as she made herself sit up. Her head throbbed, but she couldn’t tell if it was residual from impact against the ground or if it was from the shard within her brain.

“Slowly, now. We don’t yet know if you’ve been dealt any serious injuries,” Maria told her. She’d had the fox’s head at rest upon her lap, busying herself with the task of cleaning off as much of the aliens’ blood from her orange fur as she could. Most of it had been washed away. The dirtied state of her outfit remained, however. “Feels like I’ve been clocked by the Knight Bus,” Tonya groaned, favoring her head. “Someone told Ernie to ‘take it away’ a lil’ too soon.” Her gaze shifted from her dirtied clothes to the water pail. She didn’t need to ask, as Maria then scooped water for her to drink.

“I hope I wasn’t imposing. I was just trying to clean you up a bit,” the girl excused. Tonya silently shook her head, dismissing the idea as she sipped her water.

“Can you sit steady?”

“I think so, yeah.”

She bothered not with any questions as Maria shifted herself and the water pail around, the former planting herself where the vixen could see her. A hand withdrew something from her jacket’s pocket.

“Follow my pocket light with your eyes only.”

Was this a test? Something the kid knew to do because of her own neural experiences? Well…she would know more about brain function than Tonya did. The vixen obeyed, sensing no pain or visual disruption while doing so. Once satisfied, Maria clicked the small flashlight on, instructing Tonya to look in certain directions as she cast the light in her eyes. The light eventually clicked off.

“From what I can tell, you’ve only suffered a minor concussion. Just enough that you fell unconscious. Can you still move everything?”

Tonya just as silently tested response and movement in her limbs. Hands still functioned, as did her arms and legs. Yep, tail still flickered and wagged. She could still turn and lift her head, ears could still shift. “I think I’m all set,” the vixen confirmed, the ache in her brain fading. Pleased with the impromptu exam’s outcome, Maria stood and put her flashlight away before assisting the fox to her feet. Only then did Tonya fully observe their new location.

The layered white stone surrounded them from ceiling to floor, mapping out the shape of a large chamber. Based on the elevating platforms and curving floors, she thought the environment to be that of a skate park. Or perhaps…an unused sewer system. Maybe it was just an unfinished section of the ruins? “Where are we?” Tonya finally asked.

“The underground tunnels below the ruins,” a seemingly-agitated voice replied.

Perked ears were aimed in the voice’s direction. A still-transformed Shadow was perched atop one of the elevated platforms by the chamber’s entryway. The perfect position for an ambush, should something uninvited wander in. Smart. But that wasn’t what held the vixen’s attention.

“Holy Fluff…what happened to ya?” she nearly choked, noting his new features in the improved lighting. A question the hybrid hedgehog didn’t answer. Perhaps he, himself, still wasn’t sure?

“It resulted from that Altar’s activation, didn’t it?” Maria chimed in, far more curious now than petrified. “Grandfather told me they were linked to Black Doom’s power. You had said he was giving you new abilities for every Emerald you got for him.”

Something about THIS one bugged Tonya. “Yeah, but…why ‘werewolf’? It feels like a step back, compared to the other powers Shadow was gifted.” She crossed her arms in thought. Sure, the new form brought with it enhanced strength and agility, but if werewolf lore served her right, they had no access to supernatural powers. No energy spears, no teleportation, and very likely no ability to freeze time. She let deep-blue eyes rise to the hybrid. “Question: do ya still feel or sense any ties to your Chaos energy?”

Shadow’s altered ears perked at her suggestion, oddly enough taking it upon himself to mentally reach out and test his connection with his own energy flow. He did not feel it rush through his limbs at his command. “No,” he finally responded. “I can’t sense it at all in this form.”

That confirmed it!

“Doom’s taken a page outta MY book,” Tonya stated, drawing the attention of her two companions. “His spyin’ eye must’ve witnessed my combat abilities against his minions back there, an’ applied ‘em to Shadow’s genetic code. He was lookin’ at the enhanced strength an’ speed…but he forgot there’s a catch. ‘Werewolf imitations’ like me don’t have access to supernatural energies. We can’t fly, teleport, shoot energy beams, nothin’ o’ the sort. It’s a trade-off. Instead, we’re wicked fast an’ physically armed to the teeth, capable o’ gettin’ up close an’ personal before anyone can brace themselves.”

“It doesn’t make sense to transform Shadow into one, then. At the cost of his own Chaos powers?” Maria spoke as Shadow descended from his ambush point.

“Clearly, the Dementor wanna-be has somethin’ up his sleeve. Lycanthropy isn’t called a ‘curse’ for no reason. It’s typically dictated by the phases o’ the moon. Early transformations bring with ‘em a wild beast mentality. Somethin’ unpredictable an’ uncontrollable. Perhaps our ‘host’ thought it enough to wipe the two o’ us off his map? Would’ve been a foolish mistake, had he succeeded.”

They still had Emeralds to find, for one thing. For another, Maria was probably the only person who could keep Shadow calm, especially in his altered state. Black Doom would succeed at little more than angering his own creation, should anything happen to either of his companions.

“...But…if he meant for Shadow to be uncontrollable…why did he cease his attack when I told him to?” pondered Maria, the hybrid in particular quietly joining the two. A thought that Tonya could only smirk at. “Obviously, y’all’s bond is stronger than any level o’ Lycanthropy could hope to topple. The fella was THIS close to shreddin’ me like paper, yet he snapped to with your call. An’ in SOME werewolf stories, they don’t harm those they have deep connections with. There’s a theory it plays upon the werewolf’s innermost fear: havin’ somebody they care about witness the monstrous side o’ themselves,” she explained.

Well, THAT hit the nail on the head! Shadow appeared at odds with the new form he was given. Since he still resumed control over himself, there was a possibility it could prove itself useful to him. But on the other hand, if Doom could assume its control, would it NOT prove itself a weapon against them?

“In my own case, I’d been tryin’ to keep that nature suppressed. A sorta…‘Jekyll an’ Hyde’ situation. I retain all memory o’ havin’ gone feral, but instinct takes full helm. I know well enough who’s friend an’ who’s foe, but if anybody were to approach me incorrectly in that savage state…” Tonya paused, allowing her shoulders to sag. “It’s been an ongoin’ internal battle I kinda don’t wanna fight anymore. So I’d hate to think Doom’s plannin’ to put Shadow through that same mess. It’s NOT pretty!”

Ah, of course. The hedgehog had seen it a few times in the past. Hadn’t he once told her he could help her overcome it? Well…they were all underground, out of sight of Doom’s hovering eyes and his swarm of lackeys. If there was ever a better time to grab the reins over their respective “feral halves”, it was now. This far below, nobody could hear them. Nobody could see them. And with luck, nobody would find them to interrupt. As Tonya explained their respective situations, Shadow had casually stalked his way behind the vixen.

With slight hesitation, he stood upright to curl a hand into a fist–before using it to strike the fox in the back. It was enough to throw the startled canine hybrid on her stomach.

“Shadow!” Maria reprimanded, proceeding at first to assist the fallen fox. She was stopped by the advancing werehog.

“It surfaces when it senses her life may be in danger,” he informed, able to convince his sister figure to retreat behind him. With her safely out of the way, Shadow then addressed Tonya as she pushed herself from the ground. “If you recall, I’d offered to help you gain control over that side of you. And you won’t get through to it by keeping it locked up. It’s time to end this ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ charade. If what you’ve claimed is true, Maria can keep me grounded.”

Tonya’s ears pinned themselves back, but her eyes had not yet gone dark. “I don’t wanna risk hurtin’ either o’ you. I don’t wanna repeat what happened, up there,” she admitted, perched once more on all four limbs.

“We’re on equal levels while I’m like this. No accessibility to my energy reserves means I can’t simply teleport to evade or gain the upper hand. It needs to be bested by someone of equal strength and speed. ‘Put in its place’. In exchange, you show me what this form is capable of. Don’t hold it back.” Shadow had already steadied himself on all fours, as well.

Well…he knew best. And it WAS time to rip the bandage off.

Tonya’s posture hadn’t changed, but her facial features had. The snarl soon returned, baring pointed fangs. Her head barely angled itself over a shoulder, dark-gray eyes glaring back at him.

If he insisted.

Chapter Text

The lack of means to tell time rendered the trio unable to know for how long they’d been down here.

How long had they been at this “training”?

Apparently, long enough for Tonya to wear out. It was taking everything she had left to push back against the werehog, both of her hands fending his own off. Besides faint panting, Shadow didn’t appear as exhausted as his opponent. Perhaps he was simply built better for encounters like this?

Tonya’s own training, after all, had only begun a month prior. The small slice of combat knowledge allowed her to last longer against the lunar beast than she would have without it, but her stamina clearly needed work. ‘Last resorts’ tended to kick in the more her energy drained. The “Hyde” to her “Jekyll”, as it were. And THAT was what Shadow aimed to drag out. Thanks to Maria’s words, he’d refrained from using his claws and fangs against the smaller vixen, deciding instead to wield her own strength and speed against her. Restrained punches kept her at bay for every time her feral behaviors flared.

He needed to wear her down if they hoped to knock some sense into the “Hyde” half of her personality.

Black-tipped ears pinned back as bared fangs were desperately snapped at him. He easily withdrew from her reach, countering by clutching her wrists and tossing her across the chamber. She was able to catch herself on all fours, claws scraping the stone below her as she darted back to rapidly close the distance. Having learned basic quadrupedal movement from her, the werehog easily matched her, move for move. Reconfigured agility kept him a step ahead of the feral fox. Another restricted punch knocked the “orange gremlin” away, landing her on an elevated platform on the other end of the chamber. As if to remain on even grounds with her, Shadow perched himself on a high platform as well, waiting on her next move.

Both he and Maria noticed the vixen’s exhaustion taking effect. Bared fangs were parted and aimed at the platform under her, saliva dripping as her body shook with its panting. Dark eyelids had tightly shut.

“Would you please listen, this time?” Maria called out to her, hoping the eighth time would do the trick. Tonya’s gray eyes were opened only halfway, locking onto the human’s form. Parted jaws snapped shut, but her heavy breathing persisted.

“Don’t let your anger blind you, Tonya. Shadow’s not trying to hurt you; he’s trying to help you! These two halves of you should be working together, not against each other. Instinct can GUIDE you, but you shouldn’t let it control you. Not every encounter will mean life or death. If Shadow can manage it, so can you!”

The kid had been attempting the whole match to get her point across to the vixen. Yet, even in her feral state, Tonya couldn’t help but find it unfair to compare her wild nature to that of the “ultimate lifeform”. A selfish take, at first. She WAS a hybrid of human and bat-eared fox. Rationality and sentience crossed with survival instinct. Those were things she couldn’t control. That’s what she’d believed, anyway. But in her pause, she shifted her attention to the werehog.

HE was a hybrid as well, but of WHAT? What else was he comprised of, besides Dra’Karms DNA? Apparently a small percentage of “wolf” and “hedgehog”, unless they were products of gene manipulation. That was besides the point. Despite the Frankensteined genetic code that resulted in his creation, even HE had managed to maintain control over himself.

Maybe this was simply because a better-educated, well-informed scientist such as Gerald had headed his project. He’d been the only one to see to Shadow’s birth. Meanwhile, an entire TEAM of scientists had worked on hers, yet they’d done little to monitor and regulate her animalistic tendencies. They’d simply allowed it to develop on its own without the means of keeping it on a leash. Perhaps it, too, was influenced by the shard they’d stuck in her brain? It sat within the hemisphere that controlled the senses, after all.

Or maybe…Tonya was simply making excuses for all of it. A far-more lethal and genetically-altered experiment stood before her on the other side of the chamber, able to remain calm and collected by word of a young girl. Perhaps…Maria had a point.

‘She’s right,’ Tonya thought as she forced her ruffled coat to smooth itself. ‘I gotta get this thing under thumb. Look…I understand ya’ve been there to keep me alive an’ breathin’. That’ll never change; I’m always gonna need ya to cover my back. But ya’ve gotta give ME control in these situations. The kid’s right; not every scenario’s gonna risk our neck. In those cases, just grant ME the heightened senses. In disaster cases, YOU can take control.’

Her panting eased as she maneuvered herself to stand upright, her eyes still a dark gray. “Just…lemme try this time. Let’s see if this can work. Just this once,” she whispered to herself. “If it can’t…” She drew in a breath, forcing her heightened state calm. ‘If HE can do it, so can WE.’ Her senses remained alert, but the drive to fight to the death had diminished. ‘Fight or Flight’ had taken a back seat.

Her gaze fell from the werehog to land upon the raised edge of her platform. Huh…well, that was ironic. Said edge resembled a rail. Perhaps something she could grind on? She visually followed it to another raised platform near the chamber’s center. Something she could launch herself onto…or jump off of. “Let’s see if this works,” she quietly repeated to herself. ‘If HE can, WE can.’

Her focus returned to her opponent. He’d also met her gaze, ready for one last attempt. Relying on her senses but not allowing them complete control, she ran for the grind rail, using the build-up of speed and momentum to launch herself to the centered pillar. At the same time she moved, he did too–leaping from his cluster of platforms to meet her mid-jump. The vixen had caught the edge of the pillar with a clawed hand, using it as footing to launch herself into the air. Her angled approach allowed her to avoid his clawed grasp, her own clutching the thick fur of his back.

With the force of her upper-body strength, she spun the both of them mid-air, the momentum enabling her to throw the lunar hybrid to the stone, below. His landing kicked up a circle of dust, the impact briefly knocking the wind from his lungs. His opponent landed on all fours not far from him, her eyes still gray as she fought to catch her breath.

Once able to stand upright again, Tonya let her ears perk as she approached the downed hybrid. Their eyes met once more, the fox hunching down on bent knees. “You alright there, Moonlight?” she asked, eyes unchanged but her muzzle sporting a smirk. The dark-furred hybrid remained on his back for a moment longer, clawed hands at rest on his rising-and-falling chest. “It took you long enough…” he growled through a smirk of his own. “Glad to have you back.”

“I guess we needed the ‘extra encouragement’ to come to an understandin’,” she confessed, gentle in lifting him by his shoulders to help him back on his feet. “So…thanks for that.” The pair exchanged no further words as Maria neared to rejoin them, at first unsteady with her approach in case either of them were still possessed by sheer instinct. That fear quickly melted into a relieved smile when she discovered this was no longer the case.

“You think you’ve got a handle on it now?” the girl then asked Tonya.

“Hm, it might take some continuous trainin’ to keep it tame, but I think I’ve got a better grip now. But for the time bein’...ya’ll broke me in. I’m bushed! Lookin’ forward to some sleep, myself!” the fox replied, observing her own clawed hands before sparing a glance between the two of them. Their respective expressions said it all: sleep sounded wonderful! It was time to return to the safehouse.

Shadow led the way out, ever alert for the presence of an oncoming threat as they returned to the surface. The darkness of night had only begun to give way to the encroaching dawn. They’d need to move quickly to remain shielded from the eyes in the sky. Yet, before they could proceed, something came to land directly before them.

The unexpected movement ripped a startled cry from Maria, prompting Shadow to stand in defense of both her and Tonya. A false alarm, as the intrusion was revealed to be nothing more than Rouge.

“My apologies for the abrupt scare. I’ve been looking everywhere for you three,” the bat stated, soon dropping the sly smile she featured upon noticing Shadow’s condition. “Dare I ask what’s happened to HIM?”

“A cruel prank on Doom’s end,” Tonya spoke up, tone less than enthused. “We were headin’ back to the safehouse for some rest, maybe to see if THIS can be reversed.”

The rising sun should have been enough to revert Shadow. Yet, here it was…and it hadn’t. Doom hadn’t made the transformation permanent, had he?

Although Rouge understood the situation, her frown hadn’t relented. “On that same note, I don’t exactly bear good news for any of you. I may have pieced together Black Doom’s scheme…and it’s not looking bright for any of us.”

Chapter Text

“I am dumbfounded by your careless decision, Maria. I’m thankful Shadow was there with you, else there’d be no telling what could have become of you!”

“Please don’t be angry, Grandfather. They didn’t let anything happen to me. I-I just wanted to see one of those Altars for myself, that’s all!”

The trio of Anthros were silent as they waited on the second floor for the pair of humans to return. Shadow had been placed within a containment capsule, undergoing a physical examination of his altered state. Rouge hadn’t yet spilled the bad news to everyone, resigning to the background when a rather upset Gerald discovered his granddaughter had snuck out for the overnight escapade. Rather than argue over her absence, the scientist had opted to address his creation’s condition. Shadow had never been physically transformed before, so the question lingered in everyone’s minds: could he be changed back?

A drained Tonya and Rouge stood by him in the safehouse’s secondary floor, which contained more of Gerald’s lab. Here, full exams and experiments could be conducted. The contained hybrid had slumped down within the capsule, unable to provide much in Maria’s defense. She shouldn’t have gone. HE knew she shouldn’t have gone. HE should have insisted she stayed behind. He could have handled Tonya on his own. But he didn’t. He gave in to the girl’s desires instead. If not for his “werewolf condition”, he was certain he’d be enduring the same lecture as his sibling.

“And they had known better than to let you accompany them! It’s far too dangerous out there–for either you or I! If any of the Dra’Karms had gotten to you, I’d…I’d don’t know what I would have done! I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

“Shadow and Tonya did their best, Grandfather. Look–I’m okay! I’m just fine! Not a scratch on me. Besides, shouldn’t we be more worried about Shadow? What if he’s stuck like that?”

The bickering continued, a floor down. The only sounds keeping the animal trio company were from the machines monitoring Shadow. Sensory wires had been connected to him, his vitals visible on the corresponding computers. For now, all appeared stable. Audible steps ascending the out-of-view staircase informed them of the humans’ return. Gerald muttered something they couldn’t hear, the first of the two to emerge through the open doorway.

“Apologies for the delay, everyone. I simply needed to teach my somewhat rebellious granddaughter a lesson regarding sneaking out in such an unsafe environment. Despite being well aware that the three of you knew better than to allow her to go along, I’m extremely thankful of your efforts to keep her protected. But now, there’s the matter of reversing Black Doom’s influence over Shadow,” the elder spoke, sparing a glance to each of the room’s occupants before turning to the contained hybrid. The werehog’s altered ears perked in attention.

“You’ve stated before that this resulted from offering one of the Chaos Emeralds. That would imply Doom had awakened something within Shadow’s genetic code. Something I hadn’t known lay dormant within him. In this case, I will have to study his DNA structure further. Run some blood tests, if you will. Perhaps I can decipher a way to reverse the effects? BUT…I will need time. I shall remain and keep a close eye on Shadow, while those of you who need it seek rest in the living quarters. Should any developments rear themselves, I’ll inform you all straight away.”

Nobody objected to the scientist’s decision. It had been an exhausting night for all of them, and sleep sounded the most inviting. Maria insisted on staying with Gerald and Shadow however, leaving the two female Anthros to descend the stairs to the ground floor. Whatever terrible news Rouge had to share, it would have to wait for improved terms. Right now, everyone’s worry revolved around the hedgehog, and everyone was equally as exhausted–mentally AND physically.

Tonya hadn’t bothered with the state of her outfit, merely collapsing onto an available bed and drifting off into dreamless sleep.

**********************************************************

One door led up to the lab on the second floor. The other, Tonya soon found out, led into a makeshift bathroom. Fused pipes and metal scrap made up a shower head, sink, and toilet. Connected to them all was a network of pipes leading to and from the body of water that cut through the ruins. They lacked the means of WARMING said water, so cold showers sufficed.

It was preferable to being left sticky with residual alien blood…

Fur left cold and damp, but vastly cleaner, the vixen shut the shower off, animal nature driving her to shake the excess water from her body. The pads of her feet softened her steps as she gathered her soiled clothes and emerged from the bathroom. She’d no idea for how long she’d slept, but the aches had gone and she no longer felt drained. Rouge still slept, and Gerald and Shadow were still in the upstairs lab. Tonya THOUGHT she was alone.

At least until she’d left the bathroom to see about washing her clothes. Maria had taken to occupying the living space. Around her were open chests of clothes, which she’d busied herself rifling through. The vixen froze when the two noticed each other.

“Beggin’ ya pardons, Miss. I half expected ya to still be upstairs,” Tonya excused, shielding her body with her dirtied clothes.

“No, no–excuse me! I’d kinda overlooked the lack of privacy. I-I was just thinking you’d like some fresh clothes. I could wash your other ones in the meantime…since Grandfather doesn’t approve of my leaving the safehouse anymore. I could just…turn away while you change–” the girl nearly stuttered, visually uncertain of her next course of action.

Tonya merely shrugged, “I’m covered with fur; I’m not naked. Ya can’t see anythin’, anyway. Besides, ya don’t ever seem that modest ‘round Shadow–an’ the fella only wears gloves an’ shoes!”

Well…true. That was difficult to counter. It helped to calm the girl, even a tad.

“What’cha got to offer?” the vixen continued, approaching to take a peek within the chests.

“Oh! Um…not a plethora of options, I’m afraid. Plain shirts and pants, mostly. Spares, in case originals are dirtied during experiments. I figured they’d make do until your outfit was washed. Speaking of, um…I could take those for you?” Maria offered a hand to accept the garments from the fox. There were no objections as Tonya freed up her hands to dig through the limited variety of clothing. She settled on a white T-shirt and dark-brown pants, making use of whatever clothing fabric she could as makeshift undergarments. The shirt’s excess fabric was tied off at her stomach, while her claws shortened the length of her pant legs.

While the vixen took creative liberties to see herself redressed, Maria momentarily left to deposit the dirty laundry in a pail on the bathroom floor. She left it to soak, returning with something in her hands.

“I’m sorry about your ribbon. It was far too ruined to salvage, but I think I’ve found a decent replacement,” the girl explained, producing what appeared to be strips of blue satin. The shimmer of the fabric intrigued Tonya at first, but then suspicion kicked in.

“Wait–that’s not from your dress, is it?” The vixen narrowed her eyes.

“Well…one of them.”

“Kid–”

“Just one of them! I’ve got other dresses. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m still in a shirt and pants. I’ve got other clothing options. I just…I felt bad for having to throw away your belongings. Thought I could make up for it, this way.”

“Yeah, but…by ruinin’ your own?”

“That doesn’t matter now. Here…” Maria set to tying one strip around the fox’s neck, tying it off in a neat bow. “There. You look more like yourself, now. Um, I got you an extra one for your hat, just so they’d match again. It should still be hanging off your bed, along with your whip.”

Tonya followed the girl’s instructions, fetching it while Maria cleaned up the other discarded garments. As soon as the pair had reseated themselves, Maria offered the second strip of fabric, watching as Tonya removed the hat’s yellow ribbon and replaced it with the blue satin. The brief silence allowed for a comfortable transition into the next subject of discussion.

“Grandfather and I have been talking things over. When he WASN’T yelling at me, of course. There was something he said that…I felt I needed to ask you about.”

“All ears.” Tonya twitched her respective appendages in emphasis.

“Do you, um…it’s about Shadow. Grandfather said you’d told him you held interest in him. I was wondering if…that’s still true?”

Tonya’s hands paused their task, her perked ears lowering. She gently bit at her own lip in faint worry. There was no denying her own words. “Does that…bother ya?”

The girl seemed to think it over, taking her time before replying. “It’s…different. Nobody’s ever really expressed interest in Shadow before. Everyone I knew used to consider him a freak. A monster. Things that he’s not. And I’ve spent a long time trying to get others to see him in the same light that I do. Grandfather and I then somehow show up HERE, and…we meet you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but…do you really not view Shadow like that?”

“Not like what? A beastie?”

“Yeah…”

An ear flickered. Tonya shook her head. “Nah. Ya wouldn’t believe it, but I was treated a similar way where I come from. People were afraid o’ me. They were…convinced I’d give ‘em rabies or somethin’. I’ve had all my shots, by the way.” A light jab at herself, but it still resulted in slight smiles. “I thought him so different from me when we first met. Surprisin’ as it was to meet someone else like me, when I thought I was the only one. There’s interest, but…as badly as I wanna pursue it, I’m afraid he might not feel the same way back. Rejection’s…a scary beast in its own right.”

“...Well…I wouldn’t mind if you tried.”

Dark-blue eyes were widened toward Maria. “Pardon me?”

“I’m happy to know Shadow’s made friends for himself, even if I don’t know yet ‘how’. Or ‘when’. He means a lot to me. Like…the closest I’ll get to a brother. I’ve yet to meet my baby sister in person, so…I guess he’s sort of filling that void. But I wouldn’t want him to feel alone, forever. I can teach him friendship and trust, but…that’s it. I can’t teach him anything else, so…it’d be nice to have someone else he trusts show him the rest of the way.”

“Hm. DOES he trust me?”

“I’d like to think so. He’s gotten more comfortable around you than I’ve seen him around everyone on the Ark. He doesn’t even allow people to so much as touch him.”

“But he lets YOU hug him.”

“Well, because there’s trust. He knows I wouldn’t hurt him. I guess that helped me gather the courage to face him when he first transformed.”

“...I never did thank you for stoppin’ him.”

“You don’t need to. I feel there’s something unique about you that he’ll one day learn to appreciate and value. He just doesn’t see it, yet.”

“An’ ya WANT me to try?”

“Grandfather said you have a good heart, so I’ll choose to believe him. He can judge people better than I can. If he says you’re good in his eyes, you’re good in mine too. Just swear to me you’ll treat him right, okay? I’d hate to…how do you put it? ‘Tie a knot in your tail’?”

“Oh, fluff you!” Tonya grinned, chucking her balled ribbon in the girl’s face. Protective older sisters!

Chapter Text

A more refreshed and recollected trio gathered once more in the second-floor laboratory. Gerald had summoned them all back, having released Shadow from his capsule. The werehog still hadn’t been reverted to normal form, despite daylight having come. The failure to obey nocturnal and diurnal rule meant Black Doom continued to hold influence over Shadow.

But for what purpose? Keeping the hedgehog in this altered state prevented him from accessing his Chaos energy. Suspicion leaned towards allowing him to change back being a part of some grand “exchange”. Maybe their host was growing impatient? Maybe he’d enough of their leisurely progress concerning their mission? ‘Would change him back if they found the next Emerald’, or something. He DID have Tonya “at his disposal”, so their delay was inexcusable.

Or maybe…Doom had been hoping feral nature would have driven Shadow to slay those closest to him? A sick twist from a sickened mind. Why have his “bait” be wiped from existence by the claws of his prominent subject? Perhaps…that would have merely been entertainment for the warlord. Whatever it took to mentally break Shadow.

“I’m afraid I will require more time to decipher this bizarre puzzle,” Gerald confessed, after it was discovered he hadn’t reversed the transformation quite yet. “In the meantime, I doubt Black Doom would be content to allow the primary object of his attention to remain locked up in containment. If I stand correct, you have but three Emeralds left to track down.”

An ideal moment, Rouge felt, to step in and intervene.

“Although, I wouldn’t rush to finish this treasure hunt, if I were you,” she began.

Of course. She’d some “bad news” to share with the rest of the class.

“Foul news for the king, sly jester?” Tonya lightly prompted, arms loosely crossed over her chest. A light jab the bat made a point to ignore. “I won’t play along with the analogy…but unfortunately, yes,” Rouge replied. “Suppose we should count our blessings that our ‘host’ favors monologuing to himself. I was able to approach that strange orb in the sky, undetected. I didn’t see Black Doom himself, but I DID overhear his scheming. The Chaos Emeralds are but a means to an end. Doom apparently plans to use their combined power to transport the Black Comet directly to the Earth’s surface. I heard him state something about it being time for ‘harvest’.”

Tonya knew all too well what she meant by ‘harvest’, and it had nothing to do with crops. Not in the warlord’s case. Shadow had previously forewarned her that the Dra’Karms were a carnivorous species. And HUMANS were their preferred sustenance!

“There’s more,” Rouge continued, visually bothered by the plan she’d overheard. “He doesn’t plan to stop with an invasion of Earth and its processing. He’s…he’s also planning to wield the Emeralds’ power for a rebirth within Shadow. He desires to claim his form in its entirety for himself.”

Her words stunned those who listened, disturbing all but Shadow. Doom not only wished to claim Shadow as his ‘ultimate warrior’, but to essentially BECOME him as well?! Following what REASONING for this insanity?!

“All a part of Doom’s ploy, I fear,” Gerald contributed once more. “Half of our agreement was for me to create the ultimate warrior for his next invasion. Yet, I fret now he may have altered his course. Why command the ultimate weapon if one could simply become it? It makes better sense of the manipulation of Shadow’s genetic code. He may be trying to implement specific strengths and abilities as part of his ‘grand design’. If Shadow could master them, then HE could as well. The two of them are, sadly…linked by blood. If one grows in strength, so does the other.”

The vixen failed to decode the unsettled expressions on Maria and Rouge’s faces, the latter better able to mask it than the former. The news left Tonya with a sinking feeling in her gut. THAT was why Black Doom needed them to find the Emeralds as hurriedly as he desired. THAT was why she was here, why his minions had been sent to invade the farmstead.

“...Do ya think he’s gonna offer to revert Shadow’s form if we fetch the fifth stone for him?” Tonya dryly asked.

“It is…a strong possibility. But if Miss Rouge is on point, and she usually is, then I would suggest against meeting Doom’s pace to gather those that remain,” the scientist responded. “At least until I’ve had adequate time to develop the proper counters to his scheme. First one being to take back control over Shadow’s established new form. If Doom can no longer manipulate it, he’ll be left in no position to demand anything–not at the rate he so desires.”

“But he’s not in control of Shadow right now, Grandfather,” Maria pointed out. “Couldn’t he just…change himself back?”

“It isn’t that simple. While Shadow has successfully shaken Doom’s control over his mind, he hasn’t yet taken back control over his physical form. At least, not the means to will himself to normal stature. We would need to develop an alternative to rip said control from the warlord.”

Hm. Well…then it was perhaps a mistake on Black Doom’s behalf to have pulled the fox into the fray. SHE knew a thing or two when it boiled down to monster lore~

“...Well…ya’ll got any wolfsbane on hand, by chance?” Tonya suggested.

Something the elder scientist frowned at. “Unfortunate that I don’t, Miss Tonya. I’ve not had a need to keep it stocked. Why the inquiry?”

Tonya cast dark-blue eyes towards the werehog in question. “I-if there’s one thing I’ve learned ‘bout monster lore, it’s that they each have their own unique weaknesses. Silver’s known to down a werewolf, but…in terms o’ just weakenin’ them? I’ve heard it be said ‘bout a wolfsbane potion. Maybe you could…I dunno…”

“Recreate it in the form of a serum,” Gerald thought aloud. “Replicate it on a chemical level. Now, I do believe you may be on to something!”

“Does that mean you could change Shadow back to normal?” asked a rather hopeful Maria.

“In theory, perhaps. I will need to study the plant’s composition, see if I can chemically recreate its properties. Luckily, it should be recorded in the database. Until I’ve come up with our solution, I shall return Shadow to you. Best for us all that you don’t keep our captor waiting long.” The scientist nodded his confirmation the werehog’s way, before turning from them to begin typing at one of his computers.

The Anthro trio retreated downstairs, for now leaving the humans to their appointed task.

“So what’s our next move, then?” Tonya wondered as she hopped from the final step. “They need time to sort a remedy for Shadow, but we’ve also got an angry triclops watchin’ from over our heads. Do we go, or do we wait?”

Shadow, having been silent all this time, gave his transformed limbs another look. They were but three Emeralds away from fulfilling Doom’s demands. And if what Rouge said was true, it spelled a foul end for the hedgehog. They couldn’t go into the “end game” without a plan of their own. They needed a failsafe to halt the warlord’s scheme, should push come to shove. “Tonya and I will resume the search,” he decided. “One more should satiate him for a short time. While we’re away, I’ll be relying on you to assist the professor–and keep a close watch on Maria. Adventurous as she may want to be, it wouldn’t be wise to let her leave the sanctuary. Especially not if THIS gets any worse.”

A “next step” Rouge could agree with. “In that case, I’ll try to reach Omega again. See if he can transfer any data regarding Shadow’s bloodwork. Considering G.U.N. had him in stasis for fifty years, I’m certain they’ve kept records regarding maintaining his health. It may help the professor come up with something effective on a cellular level.”

“How ‘bout on a neural level, too? Whatever could be dug up to prevent Doom’s continued attempts to take hold of Shadow’s mind. We can’t risk him turnin’ feral again,” the fox implied.

“Hm…I’m not confident in the military keeping records of brain activity, but it couldn’t hurt to try. Maybe we can determine what neural frequencies the Dra’Karms utilize? That could aid in the development of a neural block,” the bat added, figuring it best not to leave any potential advantage off the table.

That wasn’t a terrible idea. How else could Black Doom instruct his countless minions at once? Block his frequency from penetrating Shadow’s mind, and they could effectively prevent this Lycanthropic form of his from turning beastly. Until then, there was no better counter than Tonya and her own feral nature. Everything finalized for the time being, Rouge made way for the vacant computer at the other end of the chapel.

“Suppose we should get movin’, too. Sooner we show ourselves to the pryin’ eyes in the sky, the sooner he’ll open the next portal for us,” Tonya said as she addressed the werehog, the both of them heading for the chapel doors. “We may wanna seize the opportunity to squeeze in a lil’ extra practice session. I kinda…MIGHT have held back one crucial ability most Lycanthropes have mastered, but I didn’t wanna scare the kid any further.”

Shadow tilted his head, mildly curious. “What’s that?” He took great caution in opening the door to peek out. None of the Dra’Karms appeared to be scouting the grounds.

“While ya may not have access to your Chaos reserves in this form, ya DO have access to the strongest weapon in a werewolf’s arsenal. But it’s gonna require ya to allow yourself to get enraged,” the vixen smirked. Her companion didn’t speak further, but his intrigued gaze and quirked brow hinted at his growing interest.

“Are ya familiar with Rampage?”

Chapter Text

The heavy door audibly shut at their backs following their departure. Maria thankfully did not tag along for this venture, her mind set on assisting Rouge and Gerald in their “cure” for Shadow. The mentioned werehog swept the both of them from the safehouse doors, distancing them from the group’s refuge. While there weren’t any Dra’Karms out on the prowl for them to see, Shadow wished to take no chances.

He’d kept his family out of Doom’s clutches for this long. He didn’t want to risk their safety.

Hat on her head and her whip at her belt, Tonya didn’t object to his quickened pace. Wherever it was they were to meet Doom’s Eye next, it was best not to scrap with any more of his starving servants. The ominous darkened red sky shed little light across the ruins, but it was enough to reveal gleaming eyes from the stone structures around them. The creatures still feared Shadow, despite his incapability to access his energy reserves.

The pair of them left their cluster of ruined buildings to cross a bridge they previously hadn’t gained access to. It carried them over a wide river, depositing them in a zone resembling a canyon. Rising cliffs halted their advance, if they cared not to scale them. Normally, Shadow would bypass the ascension by simply teleporting himself, but with his werewolf-esque form preventing the use of his Chaos energy? He’d little choice but to rely on Tonya’s teachings.

The vixen wordlessly stood by his side, sizing up the obstacle before them. Then, sparing him a smile, she gestured to his hands. His claws, more specifically. After making a short display of her own, she lowered herself on all fours and leapt at the wall of earth, her claws easily sinking in and granting her solid grip. Booted feet helped to push her along, her padded hands and pointed claws easily grasping at exposed stone. She stopped atop a ledge, patiently waiting for him to follow.

Trying to repeat her demonstration, Shadow cast another short look at his claws, at first uncertain that this method would work for him. Since he could normally teleport, he’d never actually attempted to wall-climb before. Yet, he had to have faith in Tonya. She knew better about being a “beast” than he did. Casting aside his doubts, he made his body crouch in preparation to jump. Claws were readied as he jumped for the wall, just as easily sinking in as they, too, found grip. A moment or two allowed him to find his footing, and he was soon approaching her perch.

A slight nod of approval was all she gave him upon his ascension. Then, up on several smaller ledges, she jumped and leaped, scaling the remainder of the cliff in a display that made it seem effortless. The fanged frown on the werehog’s face told her everything.

“You’re more agile than ya think in this form. C’mon, give it a go,” Tonya encouraged. “Just pretend we’re back underground. It isn’t that much different than the ramps an’ platforms.”

He didn’t reply, but did as she coaxed him to. The distribution of his body weight on four limbs surprisingly made the rest of his ascension a simple chore. Petty as it previously seemed, he sensed pride in himself for his accomplishment. This was especially so when he looked for his companion–finding her standing nearby and happily wagging her fluffy tail. He couldn’t explain it, as he knew that was something most animals with tails were capable of, but…there was something in knowing HE’D made her do it that pleased him.

Animals typically wagged their tails to display their joy, their state of happiness. HE made her happy. Simplistic, yet…charming. He barely registered the weak flickering of his own tail.

Red eyes shifted from the fox to the rock formation ahead of them. The manner of which the rock rose and stood…it felt like something was meant to exist there. As if it were intended to border something. A doorway, perhaps. Or a portal. Yet, before either of them could speak, a dark mass flew into view. Instinct drove Shadow to tug Tonya behind him, shielding her from whatever the intrusion was. Spread tentacles revealed it as nothing more than Doom’s Eye, at long last having found them. Said eye locked its menacing glance on Shadow, who merely returned a fanged snarl.

“Your evolution has been quite a sight to behold,” the warlord’s voice laughed from within the sea creature-esque entity. “You may have been successful in freeing yourself from my mind-control…but your DNA still bends to my will. You and I share the same blood; one in the same. Despite the deceiving form you were born to assume, you were made to be a warrior. A destroyer. A monster. You will come to realize this, in time.”

“Spare us your empty words,” Shadow growled, his fur rising in agitation. “If you want the next Emerald, you’ll open the next portal.”

The Eye observed the werehog’s lack of patience. Its gaze lingered, as if trying to peer through a mask that its subject had made for himself. It eventually drifted to Tonya, who silently peeked from behind her apparent guardian. Was it gauging something they, themselves, did not see? “Appreciate her usefulness while you can. It…is rapidly depleting…” the Eye forewarned, hovering out of range as their portal in question opened up for them in a dark, swirling vortex. No sooner had it opened wide like an awaiting maw did the Eye make its retreat, leaving the pair to their next mission. Unable to relax his agitated state, Shadow silently let his companion proceed ahead of him. Something about his negligent “master’s” words had gotten under his skin.

‘Monster’? Was THAT the point he’d tried to make in taking control of his beastly state? That as long as they existed in HIS realm, they’d never truly be safe?

“Hey…” Tonya gently called to him. Crimson eyes snapped up in her direction. The fox had paused in front of the portal, caught up in her concern for him. “Don’t let that outta-water Grindylow get to ya. You’ve got some fine folks in your corner who’ve got your back. Remember that.”

Her words hadn’t fully obliterated the sense of unease below his skin, but they HAD, for now, helped clear his thoughts. She was right. He wouldn’t voice his worries yet, instead choosing to return her a gentle nod. Satisfied, Tonya turned to hop through the portal. He wasn’t far behind her.

********************************************************

Their destination, this “Kingdom Valley”, was a sprawling canyon of deep lakes, elegant waterfalls, and the remnants of an enormous castle from centuries ago. Fragments of it made up their means of pathways and platforms. Their means of exploration and progression. Their advancement had brought them inside a castle tower, where they’d been temporarily stopped by an ambush of Doom’s legion.

An elegant stained-glass window shattered as one of the Dra’karms was pummeled through it, the werehog who had caused it softly panting his recovery from combat. From above, he caught his companion’s voice.

“Well, it’s no Hogwarts–that’s for sure. But it’s probably the closest I’ll ever get,” Tonya stated, slowly descending from above on the back of one of Doom’s winged pets. A ‘Black Hawk’, if the werehog recalled correctly. She’d successfully wrapped her whip around its neck, a hand securing the handle attached to it. Although the black and red dragon-like creature screeched in protest, it quickly silenced at another harsh tug of the whip. “You’ll listen to ME, now. Unless ya want another session o’ ‘shock therapy’,” its rider snapped back, thumb already posed to press the respective button on the handle.

The winged creature almost instantly fell submissive, once more.

“A professional when it comes to ‘tough love’, are you?” Shadow smirked up at her. The harsh glare she held for the Hawk eased as her attention was redirected. “This wouldn’t be my first rodeo, cowboy. If that’s what ya mean,” she confirmed with a slight tilt of her hat. “An’ ‘sides that, I’m gonna want to steer clear if we’re continuin’ your trainin’.”

Of course.

“What’s this ‘Rampage’ you spoke of?” Shadow asked, content to support himself on all fours in the exposed light of the now-broken window.

“Only the strongest move a werewolf–or ‘werehog’ in this case–can master. Intense emotion meets unleashed physical strength. Ya might not be able to wield your ‘Chaos Spears’ or teleport, but while you’re like this? Ya CAN convert that energy into a physical power boost. Ya just have to let your anger build, an’ rather than let it loose externally, ya focus it within yourself. Allow it to channel through ya, run through your arms an’ claws. I know–ya’d much rather remain cool an’ collected than let your rage gain the upper hand. But we’ll have to look at it the same way we looked at my feral half: there comes a time an’ place for unbridled strength, but you have to keep hold o’ the reins at all times.”

So…it presented a risk as well as an advantage. There was a chance he could lose control of himself–exactly what Black Doom wanted. Not quite the same as Tonya’s, as she didn’t have to fret about an alien warlord assuming control over her mind. But it was just the same lesson he and Maria had been attempting to teach her. If Doom was trying to weaken the werehog’s mental barrier through anger, then this was the best “training” at his disposal.

He readied himself, then stood upright and balled his hands into fists. “Stay close, but not within range,” he told his companion, content with her remaining airborne as he approached the sealed door blocking their path. A few well-placed punches and claw-swipes broke the obstruction to pieces, revealing a winding stone bridge that stretched the remainder of the valley, wrapping around more of those protruding towers. Between them and their “boss fight” stood numerous Dra’Karms forces, itching to test their master’s “favorite” under his command.

As Tonya “instructed” her steed to take to the sky, Shadow silently reflected on her words and reached within for his reserved power. It would not respond to form an energy spear, but…he DID feel it course through his muscles. He found himself dying to rip through enemy hide with his claws! Lucky thing two of the bulky-bodied brutes stood in his way, readying the bizarre weaponry equipped upon their backs.

A darkened grin crossed his snout as a red energy crackled through his fur.

Chapter Text

**WARNING: The upcoming fight sequence MAY be graphic for some readers. Proceed at your own discretion!**

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

The last of the aliens to stand in their way was knocked from the bridge to plummet into the rapids below. The hybrid beast responsible stood on all fours, peering over the side of his perch as he allowed himself to rest. There was a clear drawback to this ‘Rampage’ state. Naturally, it made him stronger, faster. It made for swift punches and claw-swipes, which packed enough force to throw enemies into the air.

But when ‘Rampage’ had run out?

His body felt as though he’d removed his Inhibitor rings: his energy felt drained.

Tonya, who had been providing verbal support from the back of her “borrowed” winged steed, acknowledged his weary state and slowly descended from the safety of the open sky. “You feelin’ alright, Moonlight?”

Wolfish ears flickered in reaction to her words. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I just require a moment’s rest,” he softly insisted.

A shy guilt consumed her facial expression and posture. “I guess I left out a crucial detail, huh? Rampage may be a beastie’s strongest weapon…but it also drains ‘em a lot faster. Bit o’ a glass cannon, I suppose we could say,” she admitted, her free hand adjusting the hat between her ears.

Soft pants slipped through parted fangs. Shadow eventually lifted his head from his previous stare upon the moss-covered bridge beneath him. “Is there a way to recover that energy any sooner?” he asked.

“...Uhh…yes. But I dunno if you’re gonna like it.”

“It’s best I know everything that you do.”

“...Right. Well, you’ll need to use more than your strength an’ claws, if ya catch my drift.”

“...I need to resort to biting?”

“It yields similar results to that o’ vampires: a taste o’ blood reignites one’s carnal desire for more. But as ya can imagine, that could prove dangerous. If ya aren’t able to combat that desire an’ keep it leashed, ya might wind up on a feedin’ frenzy.”

That was a lot to take in at once. He’d never had to bite someone before, much less consume their life essence. And it brought with it the risk of losing control of himself? A part of him began to understand what made this “Lycanthropy” so dangerous. ‘Rationality over instinct’. Exactly what Tonya had been facing for most of her life. He could sympathize with her in that regard, now…

Once the talons of his exhaustion had relinquished their hold on him, Shadow righted himself to look upon their last obstacle. An enormous Medieval iron gate separated them from the final tower–the largest of them all by far. Meant to keep them out, or keep something IN, they couldn’t be certain. During his observation, he noticed that some of the bars had been dislodged, forced outward to the point of breaking.

Something HAD been trying to get out.

He used these broken sections to his advantage. Clawed hands secured around them, he wielded his monstrous strength to bend the iron barricade, forming a wide hole for the pair of them to enter through. He permitted Tonya and her “steed” through first, the next to follow as they approached the tower. Whatever the “something” was, it had done everything in its power to escape its imprisonment. Claw marks littered the tower’s exterior, surrounding the mouth of its single door. The massive structure was sealed off from the outside by an intricate locking system. What this creature was, it had been forced within the tower against its will!

The werehog located the iron lever protruding from the wall beside the door. Sparing a glance to his partner to affirm they were both prepared to proceed, Shadow took hold and gave it a rough pull. Both it and the heavy locks squealed in their displacement, yet still functioned and opened for their “guests” as they were designed to. The massive door–no longer bound–loosely swung open outward. Following it was a warm blast of air and the irritated grumble of the creature locked within.

Shadow pried the obstruction open, Tonya remaining overhead and out of range. The interior, previously too dark to view, seemingly responded to their intrusion with the illumination of a number of torches. The tower itself, although the tallest and widest of all they’d explored, was void of any decor or living thing–save for the giant one at rest in the tower’s center. Cracked stone made up the grounds of this enclosed arena, the beast they were to fight secured in place by an iron collar of chains.

The creature itself rivaled Black Bull in terms of size, its black and red hide confirming its identity as another of Doom’s lackeys. A serpentine head, bearing four yellow eyes, was attached to an elongated neck and a bulky, heavily-scaled body. It rested upon four limbs, its front two boasting a folded pair of bat-like wings. Behind it trailed a crocodilian-like tail, red osteoderms lining the expanse of both it and its owner’s back. Snake-like scales lined the beast’s stomach, running upward to the underside of its jaw. Disturbed from its sleep, the dragon-like alien blinked in brief bewilderment, fish-like fins spreading to adorn its head like ears. Another angered growl rumbled from within its chest as it stood, its four optic orbs catching sight of the intruders.

In a spike of rage, it severed the chains holding it in place, finally able to stand upright and spread its blood-red wings in a display of challenge. The opposing duo only exchanged a knowing glance.

It was time to face the “Black Drake”.

*********************************************************

Their attack pattern took shape and fell into formation sooner than they’d anticipated. One bound to the ground, the other able to remain airborne, they’d quickly devised their counter measures.

Rather, TONYA did.

Aware to remain on the move, they both split up to prevent the beast from focusing on one over the other. The werehog had little choice but to run laps around the large creature, observing the dragon’s battle strategy and looking for a weak point to attack. His airborne companion, meanwhile, kept the creature distracted by commanding her steed to zip through its field of vision.

She’d mentioned a “Hogwarts” previously, Shadow remembered. He presumed it to be another castle of some sort. Did that imply she’d some knowledge of fantasy beasts as well? “I take it this is more your ‘field of expertise’. Would you happen to know anything about combating these things?” Shadow called up over the frustrated roars of the drake. He was doing his level best to avoid its swinging tail and stomping limbs.

“About dragons? You’re talkin’ to the gal who used to daydream ‘bout ‘em!” the fox shouted back, occupied with steering her mount out of range of the drake’s snapping jaws. “They’re all mentioned in fable to have soft underbellies. That’s another reason they hoarded gold: to use it to shield their weak spot!”

Another close observation allowed Shadow to spot this apparent weakness. Exposed flesh trailed from the armor-like scales that covered the drake’s neck and chest, but conveniently wasn’t protected in the same manner by design along the beast’s stomach. NOW he knew what to aim for. He just required the opportune moment to strike. It was then that Tonya hatched their plan: she’d keep the beast distracted, seizing her chances to leap from her steed to the drake’s head and hook her modified whip to its fin-like appendages. A prolonged discharge of electricity stunned the drake long enough for it to fall over, exposing its weak spot to Shadow. Every time it fell, Tonya would leap clear and land back upon her winged steed.

It granted the werehog precious time to dash in and land several swipes at the Boss’s weak point. An effective counter strategy for a time…until the drake caught wind of this plan. Stumbling back onto its four limbs for the third time, the enraged drake lashed forth with serpentine speed, capturing Tonya’s Black Hawk in its maw. It barely missed seizing her, as she was forced to abandon her mount to land upon the drake’s head for a final time. She held on only thanks to her whip, but with it needing to recharge, she could not shock it a fourth time. The drake, meanwhile, thrashed its tail in an attempt to pummel the furry hybrid at its feet, repeatedly failing in part of Shadow’s quadrupedal speed and agility. There was something about this beast that felt familiar to the werehog. As if he’d battled a creature like it before…

The gaping maw, the sluggish movements, the wildly-thrashing tail. He recalled the darkness of space, as well. Was this…? It couldn’t be! Was this the Biolizard reincarnate?!

He heard Tonya shout his name, snapping him from his distracted stupor in time for him to halt the taloned foot the drake attempted to stomp him with. It bore down with the whole of its body weight, causing the hybrid to stumble with his footing. With the vixen’s whip undergoing a cool-down, she couldn’t simply shock the drake out of its assault. It fell upon Shadow to fend the creature off, or be crushed in the process.

‘Let your anger consume you,’ he recalled Tonya telling him. Preposterously easy, now that he was quite literally under pressure. Clenched fangs were bared and his pupils narrowed to slits. Reddened energy coursed through his fur, a familiar warmth spreading through the muscles of his arms. Pointed claws dug themselves in the drake’s scaly flesh, an ominous aura claiming the werehog’s body. With a monstrous snarl of his own, Shadow wrenched the drake’s appendage in a manner it was never intended to turn, an audible CRACK confirming its ankle broken.

The affected beast roared in pain, simultaneously fumbling backwards and throwing Tonya from its being. She luckily landed herself upon a ridged ledge, tugging her whip back to her awaiting hand. The drake stood on its remaining three limbs, favoring its broken one as it lashed out with snapping jaws. Just as easily, the Rampaging hybrid caught the drake by its teeth, wielding its own body weight against it to slam it to the ground. This exposed its underbelly once more, granting the hybrid a final opportunity to land the decisive blow.

The combination of rage and instinct drove him to leap and plunge his claws into the alien dragon’s underbelly. But this time, the raking of those claws wouldn’t be enough. Instead, they held him steady as he bared his fangs. Tender flesh was viciously ripped apart.

The last of the drake’s roars reverberated within the tower’s walls.

Chapter Text

All had gone still in the aftermath of the drake’s defeat.

Its body lay limp and lifeless, the metallic scent of its blood filling the air. Its taste…filled every crevice within his mouth. He’d long since separated himself from the corpse, but his focus remained glued to his blood-coated claws. He’d been frozen in place for several minutes, his body and mind caught between wanting to dry-heave and wanting to taste MORE. The latter of the two urges–the instinctual half–won him over as he slowly lifted a hand to his snout.

His tongue slipped from between sets of fangs to lap up what substance still clung to his claws. His mind couldn’t decipher whether or not it found the flavor pleasant. It WAS the life essence of his own kind, after all. At least, what little of them made up his genetic code. Did they ALL taste this way? He growled and shook his head of that thought. While far from overpowering, Shadow understood what Tonya had warned him about. This sensation he was now struggling against…the desire for warm blood…

He could fight it. He WOULD fight it. Not just for himself, but for the safety of those around him as well. Particularly since he picked up the scent of the only other living being with him. Something warm, a cross between citrus fruits and wildflowers. Tonya’s scent. His wolfish ears pinned back as he tried to shut out the little voice in his head.

‘What did HER blood taste like?’

He would NOT indulge the question. Yet, as he heard her descent from the tower ledge, a brief panic set in. This was easier to resist so long as she kept her distance. He disregarded whatever her next words were, bracing himself on all fours as his temporary distress surfaced on his face. “Remain where you are!” he ordered, not wanting to chance an uncontrolled assault against her. He heard her steps halt, caught the desperate tone in his own voice. Perhaps that came out a bit harshly, but his inner turmoil was a struggle. She HAD warned him, but he needed their battle to end quickly. Effective as these fangs were, they…they practically frightened him. These urges were horrifying! How’d the fox manage to keep THIS under wraps?!

He’d a newfound respect for her, that was certain!

“...I’m not sure if I can control it,” Shadow further explained, refusing so much as to look at her. The urge to rip and tear made his muscles grow tense. Carnal instinct longed to do it all again. It was different from the assault on the lower-class lackeys. For one thing, he never had to draw blood, never had to taste it. Powerful swipes and punches sent his opponents flying. But in this case? He’d needed to terminate the immediate threat quickly, and the soft flesh of the drake’s underbelly held no resistance to his sharpened fangs. Effective…but perhaps it had been a mistake.

He desired to do it again, but the only other in his presence was his ALLY.

He HAD to fight this.

Doom’s words filled his mind as he kept his ears pinned back, beastly gaze forcibly fixated on the empty space before him. He’d called him a monster. Implied that THIS form had already been hard-coded into his DNA sequence. That at any given time, Doom could seize control over him and force him to do his bidding. Was the warlord right about him? If THIS had always been a part of him, just dormant…then…what ELSE remained to be awakened? Would they prove worse than the Werehog?

The metallic scent was growing stronger. He needed to depart from the tower.

His head was kept turned away from Tonya as he retreated to the tower’s gaping door. The fresh air assisted in toning down his primal desires as it swept the scents from his snout. His ears caught the meager tone of the vixen’s voice.

“Your folks are workin’ on the means o’ keepin’ this on a leash. It won’t be an internal battle, forever. Have a lil’ faith in ‘em.”

He honestly wished he’d never revealed this form to them. Granted, it was beyond his control, but…if he had just caught the fox’s suggestion AHEAD of the Emerald’s offering, he wouldn’t be fighting this, now! The fear he saw in Maria still haunted him. He NEVER wanted her to look at him like that. Could he even go back, now that this bloodlust had surfaced? Was he strong enough to wrench back his control?

Beastly eyes opened as the dark aura subsided. The simultaneous blossoming of nausea and hunger began to fade with the absence of the scent of blood. No amount of “training” would enable him to keep these urges under thumb. He couldn’t ensure his own family’s safety–and he despised himself for it. He despised Black Doom for it.

“...Perhaps he was right about me,” Shadow expelled between soft pants. “Maybe I was created to be nothing more than a weapon. A monster intent on destruction. Some…harbinger of death. This…BEAST I’ve become…it’s existed within my genetic code since my creation. Yet I’ve no true command over it. If I can’t best it…then who can say I can best whatever else may lie dormant within me? What if whatever’s next is worse than THIS? I could endanger Maria, the professor…even YOU.”

Tonya stood silently within the tower, close enough to hear the werehog speak, but far enough to honor his boundaries. Behind her, the drake’s body had turned to a darkened vapor, dissipating with the wind. With it gone, she noted the entry to the ascending stone stairway winding up the height of the tower. Their “prize” awaited them. The pulsing ache in her brain told her exactly what. But that could wait.

She understood what Shadow experienced; she’d experienced it herself for the first time, ages ago. The first time she’d gone Feral, had snapped on the patron who had dared to set his hands on her at her first public performance with her brothers. She remembered the scent of blood, the panicked screams of those who witnessed it, the horrified cries of the man she’d injured. She remembered being carried out by her brothers, her body shaking in their respective arms as she was handed off from brother to brother. Screams were accompanied by police sirens. She’d heard one of her brothers try to explain the situation to the officers as an ambulance carted the injured away.

It frightened HER, too. She let the memory play out as she lowered her head and shut her eyes. She understood how he felt. But what she WASN’T going to allow was for him to belittle himself like this. This form, these powers…they were all FORCED upon him. They weren’t HIS fault. And this manipulation of his fears and feelings…THIS was what Black Doom had hoped to instill. THIS was why he’d forced Shadow into a werewolf-esque form. He wanted to play into the hedgehog’s fear and rage, to blind him from the truth about what he TRULY was. SHE knew he was intended to be the cure for an ailing young girl, her best friend. But opposing forces were trying to ingrain the thought in his head that he was no more than a weaponized monster.

The polar opposite of her own situation.

He had been created–WANTED–by numerous parties for their own benefits, yet had everything taken from him. His family, his home. She had been created–ultimately UNWANTED–by a ‘Professor Gerald support group’, yet had everything given to her. Her family, her home. In comparison, he’d suffered enough. She hated to hear him tear himself down any further than humanity already had. It ANGERED her, even.

Her coiled whip returned to its place along her belt. In this situation, she knew Maria would usually be there to comfort him, to tell him exactly what he needed to hear to understand that what humans claimed about him was NOT true. To understand what Black Doom claimed was NOT true.

Annoyance clung to her brow as she adjusted her hat and straightened up her bow. She could not offer up any more gentle words.

SHE was no Maria.

“Shut the ever-lovin’ fluff up, Shadow!”

The sharp tone in her voice caused his ears to perk, a stunned glance claiming his features as he turned around to face her. It had been the first time she’d ever raised her voice at him! Why was SHE so angry?

“Now that I’ve got your attention, ya better listen well–‘cause I’m only gonna say this once! I don’t care WHO it is: the G.U.N. commander, that three-eyed Dementor imposter, or ANY o’ the folks who made ME to assist YOU. The next time ANYBODY tries to tell ya you’re nothin’ more than a tool, a weapon, a monster, remember this!” Tonya ranted, all but storming up to him to jab a claw at his snout. “You are POWERFUL, you are BEAUTIFUL, you are ADORABLE…” Emotion got the upper hand. “An’ I LOVE you…!”

Perhaps a tad too aggressive, as the admission swept the wind right out of her own sails. Her anger quickly evaporated, the spilling of her own words leaving her nerves rattled and body shaking. It was heard in the way she drew in her next breath. But her mother didn’t raise a wuss. She tried just as quickly to grasp her courage once more, restructuring her own facade. “Am I clear on that?”

Shadow hadn’t the foggiest on how to process this. Surprise still clung to his altered features, brows raised and eyes acceptably widened. Between her raised tone and the delivery of her words, that easily had to be THE most aggressive presentation of encouragement and uplifting he’d EVER heard said to him. How…how was he expected to feel? Startled by her tone? Empowered by her admittance of how she viewed him? Touched by the reveal of her emotions?

Did…did she just say she “loved him”?

“Ya hear me?!” she snarled again. Left speechless, all he could do in response was give her a few rapid nods. Oh, he HEARD her, all right. His brain just hadn’t processed it, yet. “Ya darn right!” Tonya resumed, her facade failing once again as she turned away from him and pulled the hat from her head. “Ya darn right…”

He caught the cracking of her voice, saw the shiver of her body. Her admittance must have taken everything out of her. Had she planned this emotional bucket-dump, or was it accidental? Either way…he no longer felt the carnal urges tugging at his mind. Kudos to the vixen for accomplishing THAT much! But…NOW what was he to do? Nobody had ever gushed to him about romantic feelings before. The only person who ever claimed to love him was Maria–and that was more of a sibling love. Something familial. Something between best friends, between a lab experiment and the granddaughter of its creator.

He couldn’t just dismiss this, either. Not after such a stern delivery! What was he to say? In figuring that part out, he allowed himself to stand upright, freeing his hands so that he could hesitantly reach for her. How strange it was, to feel his own heart pounding in his chest the way it did. What should he do? Pull her close? Embrace her?

A thought process left interrupted, as he saw her reach her free hand to press against a specific spot on her head. The shard in her brain was probably firing off, again. “The next stone’s close by. We probably should start headin’ back,” the vixen confirmed, resetting her hat in place between her ears. She didn’t cast him another look as she left for the spiraling stairs. Shadow remained in place a moment longer, letting his arm fall once more. This wasn’t over. But for now, he’d let it go.

He eventually trailed after her in stunned silence.

Chapter Text

The silence was heavy as the two ascended the stairs, soon entering the chamber in which their “prize” was kept. The room was drastically smaller than the arena, containing only an iron chest. Tonya was the first to approach, wordless as she unlocked and lifted the lid. The ache in her brain intensified.

Nestled among royal-colored cushions was the yellow Chaos Emerald.

‘Now WHY didn’t Black Doom claim this if he already had it within reach?’ the vixen wondered to herself as she collected the gem. It was possible that this was because Doom planned to test Shadow’s skills as his new abilities were unlocked. Maybe he wanted to observe a prime demonstration? The guy DID have eyes everywhere. Eyes that Shadow tried his hardest to escape, to keep his family protected from.

Whatever the excuse, they had the fifth stone. And with its acquisition, their portal to the White Ruins opened for them, once more. Tonya finally cast Shadow a glance before passing through, likely to confirm he was still close behind her. But as they returned to Doom’s realm, the werehog’s focus shifted to the giant orb in the sky. They’d emerged in the ruins’ primary clearing, vulnerable and easily spotted by the ugly eyes above them. Eyes that weren’t concerned with the orange fox, instead fixated on Shadow.

Almost as instantly as the opposing sides met each other’s gaze, the werehog snarled in anger, fangs on full display. Whatever more Doom wanted him to endure, he wanted no part of! In his display of rebellion, he swiftly yet carefully lifted his companion in an arm, dashing off out of sight of their spying ‘host’. He could wait a little longer for his precious offering. He at least could “rest assured” that they had it to begin with.

They’d soon returned to the safehouse, safe and undetected. Rouge allowed them inside, quick to note the tensity between the duo. Did something happen between them?

“We’ve been anxiously waiting for you both. The professor has developed a prototype serum he needs Shadow to try,” the bat explained, casually leading them to the second floor. “If it works, he can set to producing it in more potent batches. That ideally should be enough to help keep the ‘werewolf tendencies’ under control.”

That sounded hopeful. With luck, it’d prove enough to reverse the transformation.

“How goes the progress with the ‘mind-control prevention’?” Tonya spoke up, mind still plagued by the knowledge she’d have to clarify her confession eventually. That WASN’T how she’d wanted him to know, but it was how it played out. Now that he knew…would he contemplate rejection? It was never something he was given, despite Gerald having admitted it was once something the hedgehog had asked him about, so it would only be natural for him to deny it, to insist he could carry on without it.

She had to mentally prepare herself for the confrontation. There was ALWAYS the chance he’d say no–and she’d have to respect it. Even if it hurt.

But…if on the off-chance he was still open to exploring that path, she was interested in walking it with him.

“Still testing the limitations of the professor’s PDA. He’s decided it best to be assembled in the format of a wristwatch, something to be worn. Not exactly preferred, but since Shadow and Black Doom share DNA, well…it’s virtually impossible to prevent the warlord’s influence. At least a device could emit a counter signal and negate the mind tactics,” Rouge told her as they emerged in the upper floor’s lab. The trio arrived to find Gerald positioned beside a cylindrical machine, its glass dome open to expose several sealed vials of yellow and purple substances.

On the computer monitors behind him, diagrams of Shadow were displayed–one of them of his werehog form, the other of his base form.

“Impeccable timing, as always,” the professor greeted them. “I believe I may have a temporary serum to assist in the reversal of this transformation. A ‘prototype’, as I’m sure Miss Rouge has told you. If proven successful, I can proceed with a more potent, longer-lasting solution. I was informed you had raised concerns about the effects of Doom’s mind control, as well. Preoccupied with the wolfsbane serum, however, the most I could accomplish was designing the blueprints for the counter device. But the silver-lining is, Maria accepted the task of its construction.” As he spoke, he gestured to the young girl at the room’s center.

She was also garbed in a lab coat and hunched over a small device on an exam table, a desk light shedding extra illumination over her project. At her grandfather’s mention, she peered over at the group with a shy smile.

The reveal actually surprised Tonya. Out of all activities and hobbies a child could partake in, robotics was NOT among those on her list. “Wait…ya mean YOU’RE…?” the vixen attempted, but fell short. The girl merely giggled and set down her tools. “Of course. What did you think I do around the labs? Draw?” Maria kindly returned. Tonya found shame in herself for thinking that. The kid was just that: a KID. She kinda thought a kid would be doing normal kid activities. Her silence and inward shame urged her to pull her hat from her head and lower her ears.

“It’s fair for you to assume that. Don’t feel bad, Tonya,” Maria pardoned, stepping around her table to approach them. “Besides, Grandfather may have a way to change Shadow back to normal. If you’re ready, I can help him get settled in the capsule…?”

Rouge and Tonya both spared the werehog a look, as if awaiting his answer. He said nothing, but permitted a nod and followed the girl’s lead. Stuck between appreciating and disliking the new form thrust upon him, he was personally eager to revert to his base form. As Maria assisted in getting him situated for the upcoming experiment, Gerald resumed conversing with the remaining women. “Just to be clear, the serum won’t completely rid Shadow of this form; it will still be a part of his genetic code. Nor will it ensure he won’t transform into it once more in the future. But if the trials with his blood samples are any example to go by, the serum should calm the chemical imbalance within him, granting him full control.”

“And that, by extension, should grant him the capability to revert his form?” inquired Rouge.

“If my calculation is correct…” Gerald confirmed. “I’ve done all I can to chemically simulate the composition of the wolfsbane plant. Along with a few chemical suppressants to tame the Dra’Karm DNA in his genetic sequence. It should be enough to give him full control, even if he’s forced to transform again.” He acknowledged Maria’s physical cue that the werehog was ready, proceeding to approach the control panel for his capsule. A few presses on the respective keypad had the glass tube close around the seated hybrid, a few medical tubes inserted in one of his arms.

With everyone as prepared as they were going to be, Gerald selected one of the yellow fluid vials and proceeded to insert it within a hatch on the capsule’s side. Once closed, he initiated the injection sequence on the panel’s keypad. The serum was drained from the vial and traveled through the medical tubes to be introduced into Shadow’s blood. Minutes passed after the serum had run out, yet nothing seemed to have changed about the hybrid.

“Is…is it working?” asked a somewhat-worried Maria.

No one was sure.

“What are you feeling, right now?” Rouge questioned Shadow, unconvinced the serum was doing as it was designed to.

“...There’s a slight burning sensation under my skin,” the hybrid replied as he looked himself over. “It’s gradually spreading throughout my body. Beyond that…”

So it WASN’T reverting the process? Had there been a mistake made somewhere? The bat sent a look the vixen’s way, as if consulting her in silence would somehow offer an answer. Surprisingly enough…

Tonya set aside the Emerald and her hat, then rushed up to the capsule. “Do ya recall everythin’ ya felt when ya first transformed? Everythin’ that hurt?”

Wolfish ears perked towards her, a dumbfounded expression on his face. “Well…to an extent.”

“Okay. If I know my monsters…that burnin’ sensation? It’s supposed to be temporarily weakenin’ the beastly influence over your body. It’s to grant ya time to mentally reverse the transformation. What pain ya remember? Mentally undo it.”

Shadow’s look turned incredulous.

“Just humor me. Please? What pain ya mapped out while turnin’ INTO this thing, map it out again–but in reverse. Just…prepare yourself. It’s gonna hurt as much as it did when ya turned into this beastie.”

Ironic that the only person who knew anything about monsters and reversing the mutation into one was an experiment, herself. But if she knew what she was talking about…he had to believe her. His eyes closed as he dug through his memory, recalling what pain he’d felt during his physical alterations. Recall them and reverse them?

Well…

He felt the urge to gasp for air, the pain from before beginning to flare and grow. It spread through his limbs, running the length of his spine and building within his skull. His jaws clenched to cope with the pain, but he persisted with Tonya’s instructions. ‘Recall and reverse it’.

Bones cracked and popped within his skin, his ribcage feeling constricted. Burning muscles ached, his body feeling compacted down in a smaller frame. Just as before, he didn’t force himself to witness the reversion until the sensations ceased. The pain released its grip, landing him against the back of his capsule. Red eyes finally opened, returned to their normal state. Panting in his recovery, Shadow looked himself over.

The “werehog” was gone.

Chapter Text

The feeling of relief was mutual among those present in the lab.

The professor carried out a basic physical exam on Shadow, just to ensure nothing permanent had resulted from the transformation. Everyone–including Maria and Shadow himself–was glad to hear all seemed normal. Well, except for the four fangs the hedgehog sported. Those would likely continue to be a resulting feature. But if that was ALL, then it’d be something the hedgehog could live with.

Shadow was given a set of replacement gloves soon after his release, since his previous pair had been destroyed by his monstrous transformation. The group then proceeded to focus their collective attention on the assembly of the PDA, the selected device that would emit the counter signal to block any of Black Doom’s mental attempts to seize control of his “ultimate lifeform”. As for the Emerald they had obtained, Shadow assumed its responsibility.

Now that he’d regained access to his Chaos reserves, he could better protect it from thieves–at least until it came time to give it up to the alien warlord. The space-born demon could wait a little longer for his offering.

Yet, throughout Maria and Gerald’s explanation of the PDA’s assembly and programming, the hedgehog couldn’t help but notice the accompanying vixen avoided eye contact with him. A heavy pit in his stomach told him why. The time spent with those inhabiting the safehouse, their sanctuary, was but a mere distraction. Eventually, they’d have to address the “elephant in the room” that was the tender feelings Tonya apparently harbored for him.

He still didn’t know how to handle it. How did one accept a confession about a subject they’d never faced before? Of course he’d been curious, once; had even gone as far as to question his own creator of it. However, there was little Gerald could share with him. It was “just a feeling he’d have when the time was right”, as the professor had told him. Likely an excuse to discontinue that conversation, as the scientist seemed rather flustered about the topic.

It was easy to give up anyway, as there were no other creatures like Shadow at the time for him to pursue such a thing. But…NOW there was. And the one to confess first was a lab creation just like him. Certainly, HER adoptive family explained to her the whole concept of “love”. Certainly, SHE could prove herself a guide down that mental rabbit hole. Right?

His frown worsened as he peered away from Tonya. Not because he was ashamed of her, no. It was because he was ashamed of HIMSELF. He, who held the established title of “The Ultimate Lifeform”...and yet he couldn’t stand against the heartfelt phrase of “I love you”. To a degree, Black Doom WAS right about him: he WAS built and designed to be a weapon, a warrior.

A…a monster.

And Tonya knew this, firsthand. SHE had been his original target, months prior. SHE witnessed the frightening side of him, knew exactly how far he’d go to accomplish his goal. He’d even aimed a space-bound cannon at the planet she called home, intending to fire it but never did.

And yet…she still…?

“Well, I suppose that’s enough chatter for now. You’re all probably eager for some rest, hm?” the professor soon enough announced. “Why not take the remainder of the evening off for yourselves? Get some decent sleep for once?”

Shadow tuned out the others’ muttering, far too caught up in his own thoughts. He hadn’t moved from place as they began to depart for the lower floor, surplus lights being turned off to signal their leave. Only when Maria set a hand on his shoulder did he snap to his senses.

“Come on, I’ll help Grandfather make something for everyone to eat,” she claimed.

Right. Perhaps it was due time to make another supply run? He could use the prolonged time–and another distraction. And he had a Chaos Emerald in his possession to do so. It was decided. He’d make his temporary leave after their next meal.

The normally-vocal vixen was just as silent throughout the course of dinner, speaking only when someone addressed her. She still avoided eye contact with Shadow, which was fine by him. He hadn’t bothered to ask her questions throughout the conversation, either. After volunteering to tidy up afterwards, he informed the group of his planned run, taking his leave by teleporting himself out.

That left those who remained to prepare themselves for sleep. Nobody thought to pester Tonya about her strange silence at dinner, convinced she was simply exhausted by their last mission in Kingdom Valley. Fighting an alien dragon wasn’t thought to be a small feat!

The time had come for everyone to rest, yet Shadow still hadn’t returned. And while sleep came relatively easy for some, it didn’t for Tonya. She remained garbed in the outfit she’d borrowed, her boots by her bedside and accessories hanging off its frame as she stared up at the ceiling. Anxiety felt heavy in her gut. A restless mind prevented her from drifting off, far too occupied with replaying the day’s events.

She’d only meant to apply some “tough love” and get him out of his “mind funk”. She hadn’t originally intended to spill like that. MAYBE she’d been a little harsh with its delivery. It was all true, but…harsh.

Nausea and a nervous itch made her get up from bed. Socked feet slipped back inside her boots, her whip equipped but hat left behind. Perhaps some air would help? The cover of night would help mask her from Doom’s wandering minions. Her bushy tail flickered as she cautiously stepped through the sanctuary doors. A winged creature had zoomed by, but never once stopped to inspect her activity. The door was closed as quietly as Tonya could manage, blue eyes searching for the nearest shelter.

She wanted time out of the safehouse, but not where she could be spotted! Luckily for her, there was another form of shelter nearby. A smaller chapel-like structure, constructed with stained-glass windows, but lacking any doors. Not ideal to keep any nosy aliens out, but so long as they didn’t know she was there…

The orange moon lit her way as she hurried to get out of sight. It wasn’t entirely full, so it posed no risk of another “werehog” incident. The furthest from her mind, as she ducked inside the chapel. The building was equally empty as all the others that made up the ruins, the only things littering the stone floor being a few broken decorative pillars. The odd moon’s light filtered in through the glass windows, all there was to illuminate the vacant space. Empty…and just as silent. Exactly what the fox needed to sort her thoughts.

She kept her steps soft, wanting not for those outside to catch her bootfalls. Ears momentarily held high, she listened for the approach of any other living being, relaxing when she heard nothing. So began the mental flood of thought. Tonya sighed quietly and slowed her advance through the beams of moonlight. Clawed hands combed themselves through her brown mane, a light grimace claiming her gray muzzle and tightly-closed eyes. Why had she SAID IT like that? Sure, to snap him out of it, encourage him to stop having those thoughts, but…

Was it for the best that it had presented itself as it had? Would a gentle approach have been better? Or easier? Would he have taken her seriously if she’d been more like Maria? Oh…oh, heavens. There was NO way she could ever be like that kid! The kid was innocent, childishly mischievous. Yet, she kept her calm and warmth around Shadow, even when he got to be like this.

Tonya was…

Well, there was no sugarcoating it. She was an unstable experiment. Not so much “unstable” in the sense that she would physically break down and deteriorate, but in the mental sense. A constant walking combination of sentience and rationality against a feral nature by blood. She’d no special ability, no super powers. Nothing like her newly-adopted brothers had. She’d no enhanced speed or strength, and she certainly wasn’t as smart! Sure, she could craft a gadget or gizmo, if she had the spare parts to do so. But that was nothing compared to the plane that Kitsune–that “Tails” had built for himself. Not only did it FLY, but it could TRANSFORM as well! And he was younger than her! A talent she almost envied!

…She wondered what they were getting themselves into, right then. Were they all okay? Was the family safe? Was the trio busy trying to figure out where their sister had been taken? Were they seeking the means to–

“You know you shouldn’t be wandering about on your own,” a familiar voice startled her. She’d frozen in place by its tone, lips pursed and eyes closed, as if she’d been caught violating some secret law. Perked ears guiltily lowered. She expelled a knowing breath through her nose. Blue eyes opened, dark eyelids rising but halfway to allow her irises to shift in the voice’s direction. ‘Looks like the time’s come,’ she thought. Her head barely turned enough for her to glance over her shoulder.

The black and red hedgehog stood with purpose in the chapel’s open archway.

Chapter Text

The authority in Shadow's voice was deceiving, completely absent from his expression. He still held tight to his disapproving frown, but the sharpness of his eyes had eased. They’d gone soft, his brows in their default position. He seemed more perplexed than infuriated.

Her absence must have been noticeable upon his return.

“I didn’t take the risk o’ walkin’ out, unarmed,” Tonya replied, excusing herself with a few shakes of her dangling coiled whip. “‘Sides, I made sure I wasn’t seen, an’ it’s not like I wandered far.”

He didn’t comment, only entering enough to prevent being noticed from the ruin-dwellers. His tone became more hesitant as he dared to pry the answers from her. “...Did you mean what you’d claimed? Back in the valley?”

Her own posture hadn’t changed. In fact, the slight smile she bore was hidden from him as she turned away. “About ya bein’ powerful, beautiful an’ such? O’ course. I’ve no reason to lie ‘bout that.”

“That’s not what I meant. You know that. In fact, I suspect it’s the reason you aren’t slumbering, right now. It’s kept you awake, hasn’t it?”

His voice wasn’t cruel by any means, as he wasn’t attempting to bully the information out of her. On the contrary: he was experiencing the same feeling. It’s what delayed his supply run, as he’d found himself caught up in a web of those thoughts. All he needed to know was whether or not that confession was genuine. If he had grounds to pursue it or not.

Silence settled between them like walls of glass. She had chosen not to answer straight away, but he could wait. Patience was among his various specialties. In his wait, he allowed his gaze to wander over her, drawing in her every detail. She still wore the same tan boots and partial gloves, but her outfit was not the same. It was a temporary selection, while her standard tank top and jeans were laundered. A bushy tail of orange fur gradually transitioned into black fur halfway down, trailing to its tip. The legs of her pants had been hastily shoved inside her boots, likely ignored in favor of getting her out of the safehouse quickly.

The shirt she’d borrowed hung over her beltline, a strip of blue fabric replacing the yellow ribbon she previously wore around her neck. The orange fur of her shoulders and upper arms transitioned into more dark fur on her forearms and hands. This was no doubt the same pattern that coated her clothed legs. A mane of brown fur, filling the role of hair, covered most of her head like the hood of a cloak. He hadn’t noticed it before, or was simply too preoccupied to: the way the back of her mane gently swept upward in soft spikes, while the front swept backwards from her forehead. Almost as if it were an odd nod to his own spikes.

Primarily-orange ears were tipped with the same semi-glossy black fur, barely shimmering in what light the moon provided. The same shade as his own coat, but his lacked the glossy texture. Blue eyes–almost as dark as the blue Emerald he’d already offered up–gleamed over her short muzzle of deep-gray fur. Tufts of it, too, swept upward at its corners, in contrast to the downward nature of the yellow fox’s. Her body structure wasn’t quite thin and slender, as a fox normally would be, but it was FAR from overbearing; caught in-between some “happy middle ground”.

Enough so that she’d tank a hit or two, yet would still allow her great flexibility and agility. Speaking of, he’d failed to notice that previously, as well: how her arms were lengthened in design to allow quadrupedal movement as well as bipedal. Not “Mobian” exactly, as he himself had been designed, but exceedingly passable. And then there were the claws and soft gray pads of her hands. The former matched the shade of the latter, jutting from the tips of dark-furred fingers. The latter…he couldn’t deem plush-soft or rough from years of farm work.

“It’s been plaguin’ the grey matter, yeah,” Tonya finally spoke. “Been bouncin’ back an’ forth, tryin’ to reason with myself if what I said was fact or fiction. Brain thinks it was too soon…but the heart?” She turned herself far enough to comfortably look at him. “Both are at a standstill.”

Words he wasn’t just going to eat up and run with, no. He HAD to make sure hers were true. He casually proceeded closer, yet kept enough distance between them so she had a chance to prove herself to him. If she ACTUALLY cared, she’d close the gap, herself. Cruel as it seemed, he had to test her first. “You can’t expect me to buy into that by word, alone. You once voiced your displeasure in knowing that you only exist…because of ME.”

She visibly recoiled at the reminder. Yes. She DID say that, once. This had to be just as honest. “I DID say that. But in hindsight, I never should have. I was wrong to have said that. It wasn’t your fault; NONE o' it ever was. I was just…mad…at the folks who so carelessly took to my creation. What they’d planned to do with me after I’d served my purpose. You were the ‘poster project’, an’ I was only intended to make ya better. That’s it. An’ I ended up misdirectin’ that anger, pointed it at ya as if ya’d wronged me.” She straightened herself once more, daring to own up to the consequences of her past actions. “Truth be told, I was the one who wronged YOU, in doin’ that. An’ for it, I sincerely apologize. It wasn’t your blame to carry. Truth is, I only exist BECAUSE o’ you, because my blood-brother met an unfortunate end, an’ I haven’t the right to take that for granted. The only other thing I shouldn’t take for granted is…how this blasted thing here feels ‘bout you.” She tapped at her own chest in emphasis. “My brain an’ heart may be at war with each other, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pick a side. An’ I WANNA pick the right one. It’s just…”

She drew in a breath to calm her nerves. “Honestly, I’m petrified.”

“By what?” Shadow inquired, patiently silent as he heard her out.

“By the chance you’ll say ‘no’. O’ the risk my confession poses that you’ll reject it–reject ME, by extension. I went my entire life, believin’ I was the ONLY one o’ my kind to exist. Then the day came when you showed up, an’ everythin’ got flipped on its head. I have brothers now who are just like me. People who CAN understand what I go through, what I deal with, an’ how I feel.” Another small breath, and she glanced away. “But not only are they younger than me, they’re family now. I couldn’t explore ‘branchin’ paths’ with ‘em if I wanted to. But…I could…with YOU. An’ I’m not just sayin’ that as if I have no other options, no other choice. I–”

She paused, wishing she’d brought her hat to throw down in her visible struggle. ‘She’d have to make the first move’, ‘she’d have to make the first confession’. Frustration overrode her fear, yet without something to throw down in front of her, all she could do was motion with her hands. “Fluff it all! Y’know, I’ve caught myself longin’ so badly to draw ya close in embrace, nuzzle my snout in that patch o’ fluff ya got there. I’ve fantasized ‘bout snugglin’ up to ya, give ya lil’ scratches behind the ears. I wanted to shower ya in as much affection equal to the dedication I gave in standin’ beside ya on the fluffin’ battlefield! Only had one MONTH o’ combat trainin’; I’m not exactly cut out for battles, just yet. An’ I took on a fluffin’ DRAGON with ya! Absolutely pales in comparison to what I’m doin’, this very moment. This right here? THIS is terrifyin’! An’ I’m by no means fluffin’ fantastic at expressin’ my inner-most feelin’s. But ya know WHAT? Mama didn’t raise a wuss,” the vixen confessed, a finger jabbed at him as she did, indeed, close the gap between them–yet remained an arm’s length apart. “The humans might’ve been afraid, but ohhh, not me! No, SIR! What I said back in the valley? You bet your FLUFF I meant every word!”

By that point, the frustration that fueled her began to die down. Rattled nerves left her shivering, once again.

“...I don’t…I don’t blame you for what the humans had planned. Not anymore. I never should have. An’ while the grey matter may be in panic mode, I WANT to love you. Because everythin’ I’ve learned ‘bout ya from THEM–it’s all wrong. You’re NOT a weapon. You’re NOT a monster. You’re a lil’ girl’s best friend an’ part o’ a fluffin’ family that cares ‘bout ya! They didn’t want to see that…but I DO. So…tremblin’ as I may be, I’d love nothin’ more than a chance to walk that path with ya. If, o’ course…you’ll have me.”

There it all was. Stretched out on the imaginary table for him to witness. Little had changed about his expression than his frown. It wasn’t a smile, but…it was far more considerate. As if he were contemplating his response to her emotional reveal. Red eyes flickered over her, briefly reading her blue ones for any traces of denial or deceit. Yet, her eyes remained unchanged, having not turned a deep gray to mask her inner fear. She was being honest. Truthful. He finally drew in a breath of his own and momentarily turned from her, eyes closing. That was still among THE most aggressive confessions he’d ever heard…but at least it was GENUINE. It had taken great courage for her to spill it all to him.

Maybe…it would take HIS efforts to help her be more…what’s the word? ‘Compassionate’ with her next emotional delivery? There was just one tiny restraint holding him back.

“...I won’t refuse long-term, but…for now? Despite how much I may want to, I’m afraid I can’t pursue such a meaningful connection between the two of us. Not while Black Doom watches our every move, and not until I’ve come to understand who and what I am,” he admitted, his own ears somewhat lowering. Tonya felt emotionally deflated, fully understanding where he was coming from and the concerns he had. But she’d be lying if she said his words hadn’t hurt her in the slightest.

“But…” he continued, opening his eyes again to look at her. “In an attempt to NOT fully refuse…I have a question to ask.”

“Hm…s-sure?”

“Your subspecies is the type to…‘mate for life’, isn’t it?”

“...MY subspecies is, yes.”

“...I’d like to make it my promise to you.”

Her wide ears perked. “M-me? What?”

“I may not be able to walk that path with you NOW, but I have no desire to leave you believing I WON’T ever walk it with you in the future. So I wish to use it as a means of promising myself…to you.”

She nearly swore her heart had stopped. Not because of the sentiment, but because of what he was IMPLYING. “Ya DO realize what it is you’re askin’?” she responded, lowering her voice and leaning closer to him. “It’s basically the same as a weddin’ ring, except more permanent. ‘Mates for life’ means exactly that! An’ while I’m not against the idea…I just want YOU to understand what it entails. Once it’s done, there’s NO goin’ back--for either o' us! We’ll be imprinted on each other, you an’ I.” Her gaze somewhat narrowed, steadily focused on him. “Are ya SURE that’s what you want? ‘Cause I’m givin’ ya fair opportunity to back out.”

He would not. He’d made up his mind. “If you’re still willing to have me…” he countered.

Shadow took the wind out of her sails, yet again. However…her shaking had ceased. He really WAS in it for the long-run, wasn’t he? Next question was…was SHE? The courage she required pulled through for her. In softening her gaze to meet his own, she again braved the closing of the distance between them, ears lowered. A hand rose slowly, hesitating but one time before gently settling its palm against his cheek. It was for several short seconds, but she gradually leaned close to seize his lips with her own.

Those seconds felt like an eternity. However, it was not reciprocated. Her immediate thought was that she’d done something wrong, as she began to pull back from him. But her ears caught the beastly, rumbling growl rising from within his chest. It didn’t sound threatening…

He successfully ripped a gasp from her as he set his arms around her, hands against her back. In that same moment, he took advantage of that gasp to lock her in another kiss, pulling her against himself. She returned no resistance, eyes closing along with his as she slipped her arms over his shoulders to tuck them underneath his spikes. Only when he felt they were both comfortable did the hedgehog gently coax her backwards by stepping forward, deciding it better to remove the both of them from the revealing beams of moonlight and hide their “private agreement” from prying eyes in the chapel's darker corners.

Chapter Text

Abrupt growls and screeches from rousing Dra’Karm servants were what woke the hybrid hedgehog from sleep. The concept of night and day cycles, completely fabricated and imitated in Doom’s realm, left those in its clutches wondering if time was even still passing. A false sun lit up the reddened sky, simulating daytime.

Awakened alien creatures once more resumed their scouting of the ruins, ever their mission to track Shadow for their master. Their cries were distant, but still too close for the hedgehog’s liking. He was the first to emerge from within the chapel, gently tugging his gloves back in place as the grip of sleep loosened its hold. His boots somewhat ground at the stone beneath him as he allowed himself to stretch, stiff muscles easing their tension. Covered hands busied themselves by brushing back and smoothing his spikes.

It was strange how he felt that “morning”. He felt…rather good. Despite the circumstances he and his “family unit” faced, he felt…at peace, at the very least with himself. Like some inner itch deep within had finally been scratched. The tension he’d previously felt, the weariness from battle…all of it had gone. Left in their place, however, was the petulant sting on his left shoulder. Gloved fingers tenderly touched at the furry flesh around the stinging’s source, he barely angling his head to observe its cause.

Four claw marks, barely gleaming with dried dark-purple blood, ran deep within the flesh of his shoulder. They stretched the length of his shoulder blade, reaching up and over the crest of his limb. Deep enough to leave lasting scars, but not so deep as to rip through muscle. Mateship marks. TONYA’S mateship marks. Left behind as a badge of their commitment to each other, a reminder of their shared promise of passion. His healing wounds boasted a light sheen as his blood coagulated, reminiscent of a purple gemstone’s surface exposed to light. He wasn’t concerned with the risk of infection; the professor had designed the contents of his blood to resist such as it healed any topical injuries. The marks itched, but he resisted irritating them. All a part of the healing process, but…THESE would be scars he’d be proud to own.

His eyes closed to allow him a moment to savor the memory of the “night” prior. All the sounds he’d heard her make, the warmth of her body, the softness of her fur…

The taste of her blood.

He’d finally given in, but barely. He remembered sinking his four fangs in her fur, easily breaking through the flesh underneath. It went no further than that, but it allowed the metallic flavor of her life essence to wash over his tongue. He’d found pleasure in it, but would indulge the darker thoughts no more. They got what they’d sought. The rest of her was intended for HIM.

By the end of it, she would go on to sport a couple sets of bite marks. Future scars to stake his claim over her. THOSE would potentially require medical attention, as he’d simply licked her wounds clean in the aftermath of their covenant. Did he regret having made his decision? Was it, in fact, too soon to establish such a pact? Well…

No. He didn’t think so. Something about it DID feel…right. And after replaying the highlight of the previous evening in his mind, he knew he’d made the right choice.

“Say it, again,” he’d said, almost breathless. He recalled his voice sounded more like a plea. “...Like you mean it. I NEED to hear it.”

He’d felt the brushing of her fur against his, after he’d removed his bared teeth from the back of her shoulder. Her lips hadn’t been but a breath away from his cheek. Her words still filled his ears.

“...I love you.”

His red eyes eased open, once more. Maybe THAT was why he felt at peace. Someone genuinely loved him. Someone besides his sister-figure, Maria. Someone who understood what he was, who wasn’t afraid of him. Guilt held no weight on his shoulders. He could not pursue something more meaningful with her YET, but with this, she’d sworn to him she’d wait. It was all the reassurance he required.

He just had to ensure she survived this ordeal with Black Doom, first.

His pointed ears flickered as they detected sounds of movement. Not from the creatures that lurked the ruin grounds, but from the top step of the chapel behind him. Shadow silently turned, finding the orange vixen had also emerged from inside. She’d finished redressing herself, wincing in slight pain as she completed the retying of her neck bow. Her left hand went for her right shoulder, where her new bite marks resided.

Shadow made a mental note for himself: he’d get the professor to examine those marks. Just to be safe.

Upon spotting him, Tonya permitted a soft smile, slowly and quietly descending the stairs to join him. He wordlessly offered a hand to her, patient as he awaited for her to accept it. “Remember that we’ve an agreement in place,” he reminded her.

That smile of hers assumed a rather bittersweet aura. “I know, I know. Don’t ya worry, I can wait. Agonizin’ as it may be…” she half-heartedly sighed.

He provided the smallest of smirks. He understood her “plight”, but the warlord observing them had to be dealt with first. “It won’t be forever,” he promised her, placing the lightest of kisses to her hand. A moment’s pause gave him time to rethink it, as it would be an undetermined amount of time before they could be “together” again. If only to indulge in it a few seconds more, he gently pulled her closer to plant another kiss to her lips.

Hesitant as their eventual separation was, the two had to release each other’s hand–despite how much they hated to. They had to return to the safehouse and prepare to meet Black Doom for his fifth offering.

**********************************************************

Shadow refused to permit either Maria or Rouge from popping in during the exam, having stoically planted himself at the top of the lab’s stairway. Arms crossed and back pressed to the wall, he silently waited for the professor to finish inspecting Tonya’s wounds. Neither of the other two occupants needed to know the exact reasoning for the hedgehog’s insistence of this procedure–especially not Rouge.

He’d already a deep feeling she’d never let him live this down, should she ever find out about this. It was why he didn’t make a show of his own wounds.

“Rather brash of a decision, don’t you think? And all a bit soon, given our circumstances?” Gerald lightly berated, unable to see their reasoning behind such a permanent action. He was as gentle with his tone as he was with his words, careful with the inspection of her bite marks.

“We’ve our purpose for doin’ it. Somethin’ we discussed in private,” Tonya softly stated, seated upon the exam table. “But, hey…at least there wasn’t a full moon, out.”

She hissed in brief pain as Gerald tilted a marked bottle over her shoulder, letting a stream of clear liquid trickle over her wounds.

“Now that, you have no need to worry about. The experiments conducted with Shadow’s blood samples bore more results than I originally anticipated. While the ‘werehog form’--as we’ve taken to calling it–mimics the cursed nature of the actual Lycanthropy affliction of myth, it is not a true tribulation. It is but a mere mockery of the condition,” Gerald explained, patting her wounds dry with fresh napkins.

“Meanin’...?”

“While his new form mimics the nature and behaviors of a werewolf, it is not the genuine article. For instance, the virus that would see to the spread of the affliction through a bite is not present in Shadow’s saliva. Rather, it is weaved into the formation of his DNA. Exclusive to him, you see. It cannot be spread by biting.”

“What about the introduction o’ silver?”

“It would do him no more damage in its base state than it would you or I. He could touch it without consequence.”

“But if it were fired at him?”

“Ah, I have once tested his reflexes in the early days of his trials. He could just as easily halt a bullet in its tracks, if he so desired. However, on the off-chance he doesn’t, I have already taken the liberty of rendering his hide resistant to them.”

“Sooo…I wouldn’t have to worry ‘bout exposure to his blood, then? Monster lore states its consumption–intentional or otherwise–to yield the same results as a bite.”

“Ah-ah! I would strongly advise AGAINST that. Not simply to avoid any mutation incidents, but because Shadow’s blood is, well…to put it bluntly, a concoction of substances both organic and chemical. We know not what more it may contain in Shadow’s case, what else yet awaits him. But in the case of those such as yourself and yours truly, it may as well be but a cocktail of death. Poison, if you will.”

Oh. So THAT was why Shadow refused a bite mark of his own. Even HE knew his blood was potentially toxic!

“But…” Tonya dropped the volume of her voice, the awkward nature of her next question bleeding into her expression. “But, uh, matin’ is okay…?”

She sensed the awkward shift in the scientist’s demeanor as well.

“Er…I…I suppose so. The results of such a ‘union’ are foreign, even to myself. Nonetheless, I trust you both took ‘care’ not to let it get out of hand, either way?”

“Not to worry. The ‘basilisk’ didn’t leave any ‘eggs’ in the ‘chamber’,” Tonya clarified as PG as she could explain it. The pair of them had agreed beforehand: it wouldn’t have been fair on either’s account to go about offspring, when they still had a colossal threat looming over their heads. They’d found ‘alternate means’ of topping off that evening’s ‘union’.

“One less matter to plague our concerns, then.” Strips of gauze were wrapped around her shoulder, all that Gerald could do to properly dress her wounds. “I’m afraid that’s the best I can offer you. They’ll need time to heal on their own, but to best any infection, those dressings will need changing in the near future. For the time being, I’ve seen nothing about them that requires dire attention.”

That was a relief to both of the Anthros–Shadow, especially. He finally left his position against the wall to approach them, silently aiding Tonya from off the table and handing her back her loaned shirt. Good–his primary concern was given a clean bill of health. Now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

He permitted the vixen to return to the first floor, assisting his creator in tidying up after the exam. But as Creation and Creator finally descended the stairs, the former held up a hand and summoned the yellow Chaos Emerald to its palm. He knew what had to do next. “I’ll be out but for a short while. I’ve some personal business to handle with our ‘host’,” Shadow informed the others as he made his way out.

“What? Goin’ by your lonesome? Shouldn’t ya take some–” Tonya began, originally going to insist that Rouge at least go with him. Yet, she was halted by the raising of his hand.

“No. I can handle this much on my own. You stay here with the others. I shouldn’t be long,” the hedgehog refused. Before anyone could object, he’d used his energy reserves to teleport himself out. For this next offering, he didn’t wish to risk anyone else’s safety. Not when the last one yielded rather hairy results…

That left Tonya in the company of Rouge and the two people Shadow considered his family. They would have to entertain themselves until the hybrid hedgehog’s return. But…what were they to do? An idea almost immediately lit up the imaginary bulb above the vixen’s head. It was probably a mistake on Shadow’s part to leave HER alone with a fellow mischievous spirit such as Maria.

“So,” Tonya began, her plan hatched. “Anyone here interested in a fantastical lil’ place called ‘Hogwarts’?”

Chapter Text

Another panicked screech announced the rapidly-approaching demise of the Dra’Karms soldier that had been launched into the air, the dark form of Shadow teleporting in beside it to deliver a final kick. The strike sent the flailing creature into the stone that constructed the massive tower Shadow had decided to ascend. Chunks of the material fell as the alien’s body turned to vapor, leaving the hedgehog behind to stand and view the entirety of the ruins.

His wasn’t as tall as Black Doom’s, the tallest tower standing beside the warlord’s ‘Black Moon’. The latter was his shelter from the inhabitants that dwelled within the ruins he’d created, while the former was where he’d make his physical appearances. No doubt that tower was where Tonya had originally been dragged upon her initial capture–as it had also been where both he and Rouge were taken during Doom’s interception.

The warlord wasn’t one for revealing himself, opting instead to project himself in holograms. The coward’s way of passing information, Shadow felt. He knew Doom opted for this method as a means of avoiding physical confrontation with the hybrid hedgehog. Was the warlord just too weak to face him, physically? Was that the reason he’d planned to claim everything Shadow was for himself? An ageless new form with the potential to wield unlimited power?

Whatever the reason, Shadow possessed no intentions of giving Black Doom what he wanted. Besides…he’d technically already been ‘claimed’ by someone who cherished and appreciated him infinitely more. He literally had the marks to prove it.

The hand that clutched the yellow Emerald rose so that he could take a close look at it. For an instant, he wondered whether or not it was real, as he recalled the yellow fox–“Tails”, his name was–having created an exact imitation of one of these stones. An imitation that served its role in stopping the Eclipse Cannon from firing at the Earth. Shadow was secretly thankful for that proverbial wrench in those plans, else he’d have made a terrible mistake.

Surely, Black Doom wouldn’t have sent them after a fake. Yet, its contribution to botching Doom’s plans would have made it all the more sweeter.

The ugly red sky flashed with lightning and cracked with the rumble of thunder. The wandering creatures below didn’t seem to pay heed, instead impatiently waiting for their master to send them back to Earth for feeding. Perhaps the simulated storm was to hint at Doom’s reawakening?

A familiar yet unwelcome laughter at his back filled Shadow with disdain. Without so much as a word to his target, the hybrid let his energy flow into his empty palm. Reddish-orange volts flickered across its surface, quickly warped into the shape of a spearhead as its wielder swiftly turned to throw it. The energy spear collided with the hovering, multi-limbed eye that had been sent to spy on the hedgehog. The reddened eye in the star-shaped entity’s center rolled about in its socket, dazed by the attack.

Quick to follow this, Shadow tapped into one of his newer abilities, forming an energy sphere in his empty palm. This, too, was thrown at the entity. Upon collision, the orb expanded into a swirling void, dragging the flailing eye into the black hole it had created. Only when the eye vanished did the void shut in a rush of vapor and smoke. Satisfactory for Shadow, if the floating eye didn’t simply materialize mere feet from him. Red-tipped appendages writhed as the spying eye kept its distance, gaze still locked on the hybrid.

“Accustomed to your new abilities, I see. I wouldn’t have expected my finest creation to face difficulty in their mastery,” Doom’s voice projected through the entity.

“HIS” finest creation. What a joke.

“Don’t attempt to play coy with me. I’m aware of your motives,” Shadow replied, unshaken by the entity’s taunts. “You’ve violated the terms of our arrangement. I find you the Emeralds, you leave those close to me alone and unharmed. Instead, not only did you attempt to assume control of me, you also tried to turn me against those I care for, most.”

Doom’s eye quivered with an audible rumble. “And I’d have succeeded by now, if not for the vixen. You appear to have shrugged off my influence rather effortlessly. All in part of the young human in your company, I would assume.”

The mentions of either Tonya or Maria rubbed Shadow the wrong way. “Don’t chance dragging them into this. The agreement was between you and me. You swore to ensure their safety, as long as I continued the search for the Emeralds. Instead, you made a monster of me!”

The eye shivered with another sinister laugh. “A monster was all you have ever been, Shadow. It has been ingrained into your genetic code since your creation. All I have done was awaken its potential. How amusing it was to witness, as that vixen of yours enhanced its strength with the knowledge of an unleashed rampage. I’d have been intrigued to uncover more of such knowledge, were her usefulness not so soon exhausted.”

“You swore off harming them…!” The fur along the hedgehog’s back rose with growing agitation.

“A vow, I have long since rescinded. You forget your place. This realm bends to MY will. And with two Chaos Emeralds remaining to be discovered, my plans will soon be fulfilled. You’ll find them, else my servants will cleave those you treasure, piece by piece.”

New fangs were bared, jaws clenched in anger as Shadow’s grip on the yellow stone grew firmer. If only Doom hadn’t any influence over Maria and Gerald’s existence in this world. He could easily warp Tonya and Rouge free, but the two humans? They were tied to an alternate period in time, an era long past. Their forms could not sustain themselves in the current day. They’d been ripped from a point in the past before the Ark’s tragedy, destined to meet a terrible fate. As much as he longed to, Shadow knew he couldn’t save them. They were only here now because Black Doom wanted them to be. Merely the “bait” keeping Shadow on his hook.

There was no sense acting on anger, no sense in retaliation–just yet. This “eye” was just a tool for the warlord. Expendable. Easily replaced. Until he’d revealed his true form, Shadow couldn’t truly deal him any real harm. He drew in a breath, enough to calm his enraging state. “Violence couldn’t answer everything,” as Maria had once told him. For defending one’s self, absolutely. But for proving a point? It was what Doom wanted: for Shadow to submit himself as nothing more than someone’s monstrosity.

Well…if Doom could so easily break HIS promise…then so, too, could Shadow.

The hedgehog cast another look at the jewel he still held, weighing his options. He could take off with it. Just completely vanish, warp back to his hideout with the others, and let Doom stew in his own fury for a time. Or…he could give it up, then delay the search in spite. With the alien mastermind's goal practically within sight, the anticipation could eat him alive.

He had people who cared in HIS corner, according to Tonya. It was time to believe her. His mind made up, Shadow approached the Altar, ignoring the watchful eye as it flew to hover overhead. Just as before, an ominous energy reached from within the oblong object to claim the gem from him, drawing it to its core. Its smooth surface cracked and shattered, gusts of the dark energy swarming the hedgehog. The pain that gripped him was all too familiar by now, bringing with it the promise of a new power.

Above them, he heard the storm’s thunder grow. A bizarre tingling spread within his skull, the building of his energy instructing him to select a target. He muttered not a word, gave no hint toward his next move. What he DID do was lock his red eyes on the large orb in the sky, and Chaos energy briefly flickered across his vision.

There came a brilliant flash, and reddened lightning struck the airborne object serving as Doom’s refuge. It broke chunks from the dark orb’s surface, revealing the layer of energy swirling within. The secondary security measure Doom had taken to protect himself. It wasn’t enough to directly damage the warlord, but did its job in proving that he wasn’t as untouchable as he claimed to be.

The hovering eye squinted as Doom’s voice produced but a mere snarl in disapproval. ‘Doom Storm’ wasn’t intended to be used AGAINST him! Yet, with no control over Shadow, there was no preventing this rebellious act. At least satisfied with himself, Shadow returned a confident smirk.

“You negated the terms of our mutual agreement, relieving me of my own. I am aware of the strings still attached to those brought here by your influence, but the acquiring of the final two Emeralds will commence by MY decision. Enjoy your extended wait, if you can. That fifth Emerald will be all to satiate you until I’ve decided the wait is over.” As the hybrid spoke, he casually strode by the flustered entity. “Have fun, cleaning up the mess.”

His final word spoken, Shadow vanished from sight in a flash of reddened light. The limbs of the floating eye fell slowly with its master’s growing fury. “...You will pay for this insolence,” Black Doom swore, having little choice but to summon his spying eye back to his damaged refuge.

A minor setback. All would fall in his favor, once those last two stones were collected…

Chapter Text

Chaos energy momentarily crackled as its wielder reappeared within the confines of the safehouse. A sense of victory filled the dark-furred hedgehog’s body, minor as his act of defiance may have been. It wasn’t the same as taking down the warlord altogether, but utilizing the powers he was granted to make his own intentions clear? It would suffice.

It also made him curious: would he still possess these powers after Black Doom’s defeat? The Dra’Karms leader DID state they were all encoded in his genetic blueprint. But he’d also said they were reactive to HIS dark influence. The “Werehog”, for instance, was merely a matter of “Let’s see what happens”. A hurdle for the hybrid to face–and face it, he had. Not only that, he’d MASTERED it. A worthy effort, if not for the fact that the wolfish form negated access to his Chaos energy.

He was thankful for Tonya’s lessons, which showed him how to channel his energy in a more physical manner. Speaking of the fox…

She was nowhere to be seen. NONE of them were. Gerald, Maria, and Rouge were also gone. From his position near the entrance, Shadow searched the safehouse, from the beds to Gerald’s primary computer, and finally the gathering area and kitchen. He noticed the door to the ascending stairs was left open, his ears picking up the muffled sounds of voices. Silent and intrigued, he casually approached the base of the staircase, catching Gerald’s gentle tone providing instructions to the others.

Almost as if he were a teacher in a classroom.

“Now, add your sassafras extract, syrup, and oil. Make sure to stir thoroughly. Don’t allow your mixture to burn.”

Curiosity tugged the hedgehog’s expression into a suspicious frown. Brows furrowed, he climbed the stairs, the clinking of glass against a solid object the next sound to reach his ears. What were they doing up there? He’d soon enough reached the landing of the upper floor and turned to his left to peer into the connecting room. At first, he wasn’t certain what he was witnessing–and it made him pause in the archway.

Professor Gerald was once more garbed for lab work, standing by the table upon which Maria had previously tinkered with the watch-like devices, resuming their construction while simultaneously instructing the others with their own project. The trio of women, meanwhile, were situated around a chemistry set on a separate table, the largest of their equipment resembling a small…cauldron?

The three of them were dressed in black coats, blue ribbons tied in bows around their necks–much like Tonya’s. None of them happened to catch Shadow’s return, nor did they acknowledge his presence in the room’s archway. He said nothing to draw their attention, perhaps too curious to know what it was they were enraptured by.

“Once you’ve mixed every ingredient together, carefully pour it into the molds I’ve provided you. Emphasis on ‘carefully’; it will no doubt burn you if touched,” Gerald spoke, sparing the group long enough of a glance to ensure they were listening. Maria gathered rags to safely clutch the cauldron by its handles, easing it from the Bunsen burner it had been stationed over. With assistance from Rouge, she maneuvered it to a flat, rectangular device hooked up to a battery pack by wires. On it sat the apparent mold that the professor mentioned.

“Take care that you don’t make physical contact with the unit, either. If you’ve been regulating the temperature correctly, it should be chilling to the touch. Too greatly so for mere body warmth to counter. Use the ladle to pour your mixture into the mold.”

Tonya, who had planted herself on the other side of the table, took it upon herself to grab up the ladle and carefully scoop the scalding “potion” to pour into each of their available molds. Hot met Cold, resulting in the formation and rising of steam, which brought about a short-lived giggle fit from both Maria and the orange fox.

“Give it but a minute to finish the cooling process. In the meanwhile, check behind yourselves that you’ve cut off the fuel to your burner. We wouldn’t want to chance any burns during the tidying up,” Gerald finished as he resumed the devices’ assembly. Maria complied with his instructions, eager to see the results of their “experiment”.

“You don’t think this’ll appear on the O.W.L.s, do you?” she asked, mimicking a British accent. “Because I’m not sure I’ve yet memorized all the required ingredients for this particular potion.”

“An' risk infuriatin’ Snape? Ah reckon we would nevah hear the end o’ it,” Tonya replied, using that ‘Southern Belle’ impression she’d once mentioned practicing. “We were supposed to be studyin’ the Wolfsbane potion, were we not? Would be points from our House if he evah found out, Ah do declare.”

There was something about her impression that made Shadow’s inner ears tingle–and a warmth fill the pit of his stomach. Well, THAT was new. He wasn’t yet convinced he liked this sensation. But…he DID like that tone of voice. Why was she only just NOW using it?

Dark-blue eyes pinpointed his location at long last, a sly smile crossing the gray muzzle below them. “An’ bless mah stars! Look who’s runnin’ late for Potions Class~”

The others finally looked to notice Shadow’s presence, Rouge just as content as Gerald to allow the two “role-playing students” to engage.

“Better be grateful that Professor Snape is absent today. He’s been in an intolerable mood, all period!” Maria playfully scolded her sibling figure, still maintaining her student accent. “You’re fortunate Professor Robotnik volunteered to host class, else it would have been points from Ravenclaw.”

Gerald didn’t speak up nor partake in their little game, but simply smiled in response to his granddaughter’s claim as he continued to work. At least she was having fun.

In stunned silence, Shadow could only stare at the “class” before him. What was this, a cult of some sort? Dark coats? “Potions”? And who was ‘Snape’? What was ‘Ravenclaw’, for that matter? And a “point deduction”? What–

Wait…

His partially-open mouth shut and his ears perked as he instantly glared at Tonya. Her own half-lidded eyes met his in turn, a sly yet knowing grin spreading across her muzzle. Guilty as charged~

“Well, since you’re here now, you can help us clean up and prepare for ‘Magical Creatures’. Madame Rouge here was tasked with giving us a quiz afterwards, so we’ll have to pay close attention and remember to take notes,” Maria continued to pretend, setting down the now-empty cauldron.

“But before that, why not see how your potion turned out?” Rouge prompted, speaking for the first time that “session”.

The reminder convinced Tonya to break eye contact with Shadow, she cutting the power to the unit and carefully removing the mold tray from its surface. “Would it be deemed safe to extract the final product from the tray, Professor?” the fox resumed playing along.

“By now? Yes. Just proceed to do so slowly,” the elder replied, at least still listening for his prompts. Having been granted permission, the trio set to emptying the mold, gentle in pulling free what seemed to be coin-like gummy candies. Tonya popped hers into her mouth first, her “classmates” being more reserved as they nibbled theirs. “Hey, wouldn’t cha know? Root beer,” she played. “Ah’d say with a lil’ tweakin’, we could probably make our own flavors o’ ‘every flavor beans’. Ah’ve yet to try a ‘butterbeer’ flavor.”

“Or what about a ‘pumpkin juice’ flavor?” suggested Maria. “Oh, but then we’d need a bad flavor to offset them, wouldn’t we? What about ‘polyjuice potion’?”

“Oh, you’re sick! Ah love it!” Tonya giggled, the both of them laughing briefly at the idea. As they calmed, the orange fox glanced from the candy to Shadow, quietly offering one to him.

His glare softened to mere annoyance. He let slip a sigh.

“And YOU need to put on proper robes before our next class. Madame Rouge isn’t going to tolerate such indecency,” Maria resumed, earning a soft chuckle from the bat in particular as she proceeded to gather another coat from a supply crate nearby. Momentarily dropping her “roleplay voice”, the girl explained as she presented the coat to Shadow, “We don’t, uh, have any actual robes on hand, so coats will have to do. And since I don’t have any other colored ribbons, we’ll all have to be in the same ‘house’.”

“Mine’s actually ‘Hufflepuff’,” Tonya piped in, a hand raised. “Ah took the house quiz three times to be sure.”

Shadow stared between the two with partly-closed eyes. There was MUCH the hybrid would willingly put himself through. ‘Playing pretend’ was NOT one of them. Pretending to be a student attending this fictional “Hogwarts” was even more so! Bearing a rejecting frown, he started to turn his back and head down to ground level. He’d much rather wait for their little game to end. Maria once again stopped him.

“Come on, Shadow. When’s the last time we ever did something together? Besides homework?”

She succeeded in halting him. His frown eased. She just HAD to bring that up, didn’t she? Because she DID have a point. Outside of the experiments and tests run on him on the Ark, they had very little time to spend together. Perhaps for stargazing, fantasizing about their future activities on Earth. Or for reading sessions together, where they’d take turns reading chapters aloud. Beyond that and meal time…they weren’t simply enjoying one another’s company. And Maria DID seem to be enjoying herself…

Shadow planted a hand against his face, dragging its palm down over his muzzle in mild annoyance. It was for her. It was for HER. He forced himself to face them once more. Accusing eyes lingered on Tonya before he dared to speak. Based on her sly expression and wagging tail, she KNEW she was responsible for this. And he'd only been gone HOW long? “...You’re a curse,” Shadow softly muttered.

“But not an Unforgivable One, right?” she countered, persistently smiling as she dropped her roleplay voice. “Besides, ya got me all wrong. I’m a gremlin in orange fur~”

“That’d be more befitting…”

Her grin didn’t falter. “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good~”

“Ah-ah! ‘Mischief Managed’, Tonya,” Maria played back, getting the vixen to redirect her impish smile. She was patient as Maria took that time to hand Shadow what he’d need for their next “class”: a coat and a textbook. “I’m not humoring any voices,” he conditioned, accepting her offerings. Nothing that Maria would pressure him into–so long as he was willing to play along. “You don’t have to. Tonya and I will have that part covered,” she said, casting a smirk the vixen’s way.

“An’ we only have that one book, so we’ll have to share,” Tonya clarified as she began cleaning their station. Dressed to play the part, Shadow said nothing as he assisted in the clean-up, mentally too occupied in telling himself that this was all for Maria. He could tolerate this much for her. At least, he’d kept his composure up until the three of them were seated at their table, “Madame Rouge” assuming her position by the main computer.

“If we’re all ready to begin,” the bat stated as she turned to tap upon the computer keys. “Open up your book to Page 394.” There was no treasure involved to repay her for her role, but getting to witness a genuine interaction between “the Ultimate Lifeform” and his human sibling in person? Well, that was a reward in itself.

And the slight tease that the recommended page provided didn’t hurt either~

Rouge couldn’t fight her smile as she heard Shadow’s groan and the instant follow-up of his head audibly thudding against the table’s surface. Tonya’s “evil” gremlin laughter immediately replaced them.

She knew EXACTLY what she was doing.

Chapter Text

The vixen’s mind buzzed with the events of their evening as she prepared for bed. All but a memory now, it failed not to put another smile on her gray muzzle. She’d had her original outfit returned to her on the group’s descent to the ground floor for meal time, their imaginary lessons in Hogwarts for now postponed for a later availability. She’d redressed in her tank top and jeans, having rejoined the others as their meal was prepared.

The subject of “entertainment” came up in conversation, prompted by Maria in their wait for nourishment. Tonya had jokingly referenced music, but it was enough to convince the young girl to depart the “kitchen” temporarily to vanish within the safehouse. She’d soon after returned with a guitar in hand. Where she’d been storing it, Tonya hadn’t attempted to ask.

The kid offered to play for them, but since she was intent on assisting Gerald with their dinner, Tonya volunteered to play in her stead. She recalled the look on the kid’s face, as if she were surprised to find out she wasn’t the only one who could play a guitar. Curiosity got the better of Maria, and she’d ended up handing off the instrument. She’d resumed lending a hand with dinner as Tonya tuned the guitar. If she’d done her mental math correctly, Maria and Gerald were from the early 70’s–or at least, THESE versions of them were. She had to select something from that time period.

The size of the instrument compared to the one the fox owned was hardly significant, so long as Tonya had remained seated. This one had been intended for a HUMAN to play, rather than a Mobian knock-off. But it was nothing the vixen couldn’t make do with. She’d ended up picking a ‘Johnny Nash’ title–something she, herself, HAD previously heard before. The pads of her fingers easily pinned the respective strings, while the claws of her other hand strummed the notes. To nobody’s surprise, Maria recognized the tune, almost instantly abandoning her task to seek Shadow’s involvement from across the room. Amused giggles and grins were the result of the hybrid hedgehog reluctantly being pulled to his feet, Maria singing the lyrics as she urged him to dance with her.

As if he hadn’t been embarrassed enough ALREADY…

Tonya remembered Rouge having seated herself beside her, absorbed with the sight before them. “How I wish I’d brought a camera,” the bat had smiled, leaning the fox’s way to keep her voice down. The sly grin plastered on Tonya’s face hinted at her mutual amusement. “You’re never gonna let him forget this, are ya?” she murmured back.

“Oh, never. Not for the rest of my life~”

Shadow never heard their exchange of words, but he could tell they spoke of him. Growing humiliation warmed his ears and muzzle. It was one thing for him to dance with his sibling figure when they were ALONE, but in front of other people?

He couldn’t say no, though. Everything he did, he did for Maria. Whatever made her happy and kept her mind off her illness. It was also a good thing Gerald saw this act coming and carried on with meal-prep on his own. At least Maria was enjoying herself…

All had gone silent, now. Gerald had situated himself on a bed against the corner wall, a rag soaked in cold water over his eyes as he softly snored in slumber. Rouge had taken the one on Tonya’s right, comfortably at rest with her back turned toward the vixen. The fox herself had claimed a middle bed, still reflecting on the events of dinner as she fluffed her pillow. Her boots, gloves, hat, and whip were set either by the bed or on its frame. Maria still occupied the bathroom, readying herself for bed. Since there were only four available, it was assumed Shadow and Tonya would have to share one.

A less than awkward concept, now that the two were a mated pair.

Speaking of whom…

The sounds of dinnerware at the sink had silenced. Tonya caught the familiar crackle of Chaos energy before she felt the mattress shift, a hand clutching the back of her head. She emitted a canine yelp as she was pinned to the bed–but the shock swiftly melted into pure amusement. Her telltale smile repaid its visit, bat-like ears lowering under the grasp of a familiar gloved hand.

“You did that on purpose…” Shadow’s voice stated rather than accused. He hadn’t yet let her off the hook.

“Did what?” Tonya replied coyly. “It was Maria who offered to play, if you recall. All I did was opt to do it for her. The rest was all her~”

“Not THAT. I left you alone for a short time span, and I come back to a roleplay?” Words that held no malice, but they still ripped guilty snickers from the fox under him.

“Mischief not managed~” She felt him lean close to her ear.

“Did we not discuss this before? We aren’t to inform them of anything to link back to our respective time frame. Nothing that will jeopardize the timeline!” he stressed, his voice low.

Tonya turned her head to allow herself to peer up at him, a soft huff expelled from her nose. “O’ course I know when ‘Harry Potter’ came to be, but Hogwarts itself? Do ya know exactly HOW old that castle is? An’ all I said were professors’ names an’ roles. I never said WHEN exactly they were teachers. All Maria knows is who taught what class, not WHEN they taught ‘em,” she responded, her voice kept low as well.

Shadow didn’t look convinced. He may have been in stasis for fifty years, but even HE knew a little about the franchise. It was something from Maria’s future. Her STOLEN future. The books themselves couldn’t pass as exposure to the fantasy world, as they wouldn’t come to be for another twenty years!

Sly as her own species, Tonya knew a way out of this confrontation. “Hey, Maria?” she softly called out.

The girl didn’t appear from the bathroom, but the door did crack open in response, casting light from within. “Yes?”

“Pop quiz: when was Hogwarts founded? Shadow apparently doesn’t know.”

“Um…you said ‘the Middle Ages’, right? And it’s enchanted by magic so normal people could never find it.”

That smile formed a grin as Tonya lifted her right hand to point up at Shadow. “Boom. Checkmate!”

A location older than Maria’s time, and she couldn’t go find it even if she were able to. Same went for Gerald. After all, there was no researching a topic that had yet to exist for them~

Shadow’s frown eased but didn’t vanish as he let off the pressure on his mate’s head. The whole thought of “playing pretend” wasn’t outside the realm of normality for Maria–and it wasn’t as if he’d NEVER roleplayed a fantasy scenario with her before. Last time, she was a powerful magician. He, the foul dragon. He, er…wouldn’t speak of THAT any time soon. With a sigh, he relinquished his hold on her.

Tonya’s grin never faltered. “Why, what were ya intendin’ to do to me, ya brawny bruiser? Teach a gal like me a lesson?” she spouted, once again utilizing her ‘Southern Belle’ tone. She hadn’t any idea what the impression did to him, but he wasn’t about to clue her in to the warmth that settled in his stomach. Yet, if he allowed her to make it any worse, he’d have to teleport the BOTH of them from the safehouse. He opted instead to emit a soft groan and leaned close to his mate’s neck, nuzzling against her bandaged shoulder and licking the short fur of her throat.

Her snickering was muted to keep from waking the others.

Their impromptu display of affection ceased before Maria could witness it. With bedding arrangements limited, Shadow had to accept the fact that he’d have to reveal his shared relationship status with Tonya to the others. That, or sleep elsewhere. He had his doubts Maria would understand his decision NOT to share a bed, when she’d insisted he have one. Tonya just so happened to pick the one he’d claimed. Or maybe that had been intentional. They WERE animals, after all; they had their means of acknowledging each other’s physical claims.

The remaining three were wordless as they settled in their respective beds, Shadow rather hesitant as he watched his mate rest on her right side, her back to him. He was FAR more comfortable doing this when it was just the both of them. Up to that point, they’d only done it once. Since Tonya’s unplanned arrival, he’d taken to seeking rest elsewhere in the safehouse, just to give her a proper bed to sleep in. But they now had an “agreement” established. He couldn’t just…NOT upkeep his end of it.

He finally planted himself beside her, gradual in reaching to wrap an arm around the vixen’s body. A curious glance was cast Maria’s way, red eyes peeking over Tonya’s shoulder. It was as if he’d questions he couldn’t then ask.

‘Is this okay?’

‘Does this bother you at all?’

Since Tonya had already shut her eyes, she didn’t catch the muted glee on Maria’s face. It wasn’t meant for the fox anyway, purely a silent exchange between siblings. Shadow could tell by the excited way the girl bit her own lip: she found this adorable! His curious gaze then fell to his partner. Well…if Maria was okay with this arrangement…

Heavy eyelids eventually closed as he rested his head on Tonya’s shoulder, his arm hugging her close to him. The gesture alone made the vixen open an eye but for a moment, a pleased smile on her muzzle as she tugged her tail free from between them to drape it over him like a blanket. A beastly growl reverberated within his ribcage, as if mimicking a purr. A sound Tonya had never heard him make before, but quickly grew accustomed to, while Maria had only ever heard him produce it whenever he was content. Drifting off to sleep during their reading sessions on the Ark, for example.

The young girl had to fight the strong urge to squeal at the cuteness she witnessed. How her “little brother” was growing up!

Chapter Text

Shadow was no longer beside her upon her waking. A discovery Tonya made as drowsy dark-blue eyes eased open. Dawn had barely risen, but it shed enough light for her to notice Gerald’s bed was empty as well. Maria and Rouge still slept, undisturbed by the soft voices the fox’s ears quickly picked up. Voices of the absent two.

She hadn’t woken up in time to catch Shadow’s comment, but listened in silence all the same.

“...I’m afraid I haven’t the answers you seek, Shadow,” the professor spoke in a hushed tone. “Try as I may, I’m unable to determine the means to sever our connections to Black Doom’s influence. Based on my recent findings, I’m convinced we’ve an even divide between whether or not we will remain in the aftermath of his absence. He’s responsible for ripping us from our respective timelines. Without him, we would simply return to our own points in time. Whether or not our memories would remain intact is…another story.”

Tonya refused to make a sound, intent to listen. Trying her best not to draw attention to herself, she slowly and casually rolled herself over, now able to peer over Rouge to find the two males standing at the other end of the safehouse. The glow of the computer monitors outlined their silhouettes. Shadow stood with his arms crossed, but lowered his head as he muttered his response.

“I understand your frustration. But on the off chance that we DO retain our memories of this realm, it’s for the better that you do not inform me of what awaits us in the coming future. What has transpired must always be, regardless of the desire to change the outcome. It is what fabricates the flow of time, itself,” Gerald attempted to sympathize.

“...What if we simply remained here? Nevermind what Black Doom wants,” Shadow suggested, hands held to expose empty palms. “I could keep us all safe, fetch whatever supplies we will require.” His voice sounded as though he were growing desperate to keep his family together.

“You would rather keep us locked away in a realm brimming with dangerous threats? Sooner or later, Doom will uncover our refuge. We couldn’t remain in hiding forever. And what of your companions? Surely, you wouldn’t be content to keep Miss Rouge and Tonya trapped here?”

“I could teleport the both of them back to Earth as needed. And as long as your device is functional, we needn’t worry about Doom’s mind-control. I don’t mind fighting for as long as I need to.”

The professor simply shook his head in refusal. “Time isn’t a concept in this realm. It never passes, therefore progress would never be made. Certainly, I could still invent, still pilfer what current data I could from available databases…but if time never marches on, new discoveries could never be realized. My research would eventually hit a wall I could never surmount. Maria’s illness, while unable to worsen here, also would never be cured. You would be robbed of the life I have granted you, as well. Forever stuck worrying about our safety and wellbeing…and what of the creatures that have invaded Earth? So long as Doom lives, the planet would never be safe from his tyranny.”

It didn’t take a genius to piece together the current ongoing. Creation and Creator must have awoken near the same time, the former concerned about the latter’s progression in this assessment of their captor. Had Gerald found the means to cut the ties connecting them all to Black Doom’s power? Well, from the sound of things…no. The warlord had been the mastermind behind this realm’s creation, as well as their presence within it. All of this, with the intention of keeping Shadow on his strings. So long as Maria and Gerald were there, they could avoid their terrible fate aboard the Ark. Time would never pass here, so their respective timeline would never know of their absence. A mere night’s sleep would pass as their excuse, for example.

Rouge was the closest to a friend that Shadow now had. She’d been there with him throughout the Emerald-collecting with Eggman. And Tonya? Not only was she the companion experiment to assist him in finding those Emeralds, she apparently now held his heart. She swore to understand him in ways even beyond what Maria was capable of. She’d promised to teach him love, to walk that path alongside him. That much was unknown to Doom, but she was there by his order to accelerate his plans to possess Shadow and conquer Earth.

She estimated the Dra’Karms would devastate the planet, then leave those who remained for another fifty years to rebuild and repopulate. Not a long-term solution, if the aliens persisted in repeat invasions. Humanity would eventually die out, as would every living thing on Earth. And then what would the planet become? Just another casualty as the Dra’Karms sought universal domination? What would become of the Anthros, like herself and her younger brothers? If Black Doom got his way, the vixen would be bound to HIM via pair-bonding. She wouldn’t be able to simply leave him. The thought sickened her! The alien leader could not love, so she hated to consider what more he’d do with her.

Perhaps he’d just have her fed to his minions. That would prove a better fate than the alternative…

“I understand how much this means to you to have Maria back…and I am exceedingly grateful for the bond that you both share,” Gerald resumed in Shadow’s silence. “However…as noble as it is for you to promise her peace and happiness, I implore you: do not make it the only purpose you strive for. A bond that strong can teeter on obsession, and I care not to have it drive you to madness. I not only granted you life, but free will as well. They’re yours to do with as you deem fit.”

Tonya could see it in Shadow’s posture: how it killed him inside to be unable to share his knowledge about their impending future with them. All he’d ever wanted was to go to Earth with his sibling figure. To see and experience all it had to offer with her by his side. Guilt nestled itself within the fox’s chest, a frown tugging at her mouth. He was basing that dream off a fantasized version of the world. He hadn’t known it long enough to understand that Earth wasn’t the harmonized paradise he and Maria had come to believe it to be. Tonya knew the truth all too well: opposing beliefs brought the humans to war, to lay waste to one another.

She was extremely fortunate to have found her “paradise” in the secluded mountains–far from the troubles of the world.

Shadow muttered something more, but it was far too soft for the vixen’s ears to detect. All she caught were the lowering of his arms and the tightening of his fists.

“I’m doing all that I can, Shadow. But do not be convinced that a single mind such as my own can best an entire species, alone. How Black Doom has been able to pull all these strings, even I cannot determine. All I can make claim to is, he must have been planning all of this shortly before your creation. It wears on me as well, not having the answers to this onslaught of mysteries. But I can assure you, I’m doing all that I can to assist you in this matter. In fact…the anti-control devices we’ve been toiling with are now complete. With them, you should be able to track down the remaining Emeralds without worry of Doom’s mind-control. I’m…afraid, however, that I’ve only had the components to make three of them. We’ll have to decide who will receive the other two, one of them meant for you,” the scientist finished, undoubtedly unable to comfort his anxious creation.

A yawn forced its way out of the vixen, its canine tone audible to the conversing pair. Rather than continue to fake her slumber, Tonya chose to rise from bed and pretend that she hadn’t been eavesdropping. The soft pad of a palm rubbed at an eye as she peered over at them.

“Oh! My pardons, Miss Tonya, if we’ve disturbed your rest. I do hope you’ve slept well,” Gerald apologized, for now ending the conversation with Shadow.

“Feel like I could snooze a lil’ longer,” she admitted, but got up out of bed to put her boots on, anyway. “But I’ve a feelin’ this is more important. Considerin’ we’re only two stones away from completin’ the mission…have we any Plan B’s to counter the Dementor’s?”

The distraught on Shadow’s face faded as he addressed his mate. What plagued his thoughts shouldn’t also plague hers, as they both had enough to worry about as it stood. “That might be our best next step to formulate while the others rest. The professor was just telling me the devices have reached completion. The three of us could discuss our next move–after he’s given his presentation,” he stated as Tonya finished donning her gloves and hat, then proceeded to join them.

“As we should. We ARE approachin’ the endgame, after all. An’ if what Rouge told us was true…then we can’t just hand over the final gems without a backup plan. I’m sure I speak for us all when I say nobody’s eager to lose ya,” the fox replied.

“That much is certain, Miss Tonya,” confirmed Gerald. “It IS Black Doom’s goal to seize Shadow for himself. The conclusion to the deal I’d agreed to, so long ago. However, I never actually intended to uphold my end of the bargain. All of this…had been for Maria’s sake. I just wanted to see her healthy again.” The scientist spared the slumbering girl a hopeful glance. Once Black Doom was done for and they’d returned to their respective timeline…perhaps he could FINALLY discover that cure intended for her. “Well, if you’ll both come with me to the lab, I’ll show you what we’ve been busy assembling. Then we’ll focus on our countermeasures, eh?”

Neither hedgehog nor fox disagreed with him, the former allowing the latter to proceed up the stairs after the scientist before him.

Chapter Text

**CENSORED 'FOUL MOUTH' IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER! READERS, BE ADVISED!**

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The devices reminded Tonya of those fancy watches often advertised on television, back home.

Shiny copper atop darkened bands, their screens crystal-clear. They looked like they’d cost a fortune if sold on the modern day market. Only when she was permitted to did the vixen gather one from the table on which they were placed. She found the bands were actually quite flexible. An accommodation, depending on who wore them.

“I’ve simply taken to calling them ‘PDA’s’, for lack of a better name,” the professor began as Shadow also claimed one. “They were designed as personal computers, as well as communicators. Damage-resistant in design, and I’ve already taken the liberty of transferring a copy of all my current data to their individual libraries. That will include the recipe for the Wolfsbane serum, Miss Tonya.”

Pleasant news to hear! She could at least replicate the serum to keep Shadow’s newly-awakened instincts in check. Well...maybe with Kitsune's help, that is.

“Now, the batteries themselves are unique, in that they function not off of electricity–but off of Chaos energy. I’ve crafted each after the original designs of my Chaos Drive project. Your means to recharge them will actually be from Shadow’s reserves,” Gerald continued as he took hold of the third device.

A slight tease Tonya couldn’t help but humor. “Turned the ‘Ultimate Lifeform’ into a chargin’ station, did ya?” she faintly smirked.

“Er, well, not with cruel intentions, might I add. Bearing the blood of the ‘Immortal Lifeform’ himself, Shadow naturally cannot age. His natural development of an energy-producing organ seemed ideal as an unending supply for the PDA batteries. So long as Shadow has energy, so too will the devices.”

Something in what he’d said made Tonya pause, then spare a look at the hedgehog before meeting the scientist’s lensed gaze. “My pardons: ‘immortal lifeform’? Ya mean to say…Black Doom can’t die?”

“Not by the influence of time,” Gerald corrected with the brief wave of a finger. “Age cannot affect him. That doesn’t imply he cannot be slain.”

She expelled a relieved breath. So…an alien “Dracula” situation is what they faced. And through alien blood, Shadow himself was also immortal. Such knowledge wasn’t helping her subconscious. Just the idea alone that she’d one day be gone and he’d be alone, once more…

“But his introduction of DNA into Shadow’s biology means he wields a level of control over his mind. That’s where the PDA’s come in. Granted that they remain charged and are kept equipped, they will constantly emit an inaudible signal meant to counter Black Doom’s mind powers. This signal is amplified, depending on how many of the devices are present,” the scientist carried on. Known to ask few questions, Shadow merely strapped his device to his left wrist, tucking it beneath the cuff of his glove.

“I’ve also made the elastic straps a feature, should Shadow decide to make use of his ‘Werehog’ form in the future,” the hedgehog’s creator added.

“That way, he could use its strengths without worry o’ the warlord takin’ possession o’ it, again,” Tonya summed up.

“Precisely! And just for the benefit of the increased frequency, it may be in our best interest that you keep a second one for yourself, Miss Tonya. It’ll prove enough to keep the warlord at bay during your hunt for the final Emeralds.”

Something Shadow knew would infuriate Black Doom. As if his little jab earlier wasn’t enough to ripple the water’s surface. “Only a means to level the battlefield,” he finally spoke, his arms crossed. “Black Doom will face the beast he created, soon enough.”

“Not without a backup plan of our own, he won’t,” Gerald refused. “I would not want all of this preparation to be put to waste. We’ve solved the mind-control dispute. We’ve yet to determine our best course to counter Doom’s ambitions. Two Emeralds are all that separate him from his rebirth within you–as well as the annihilation of Earth. I fear he may attempt to take more desperate measures, going forward.”

Tonya kept quiet as she listened to the pair speak, strapping on her own device to her right wrist. If she could do little else, just being there to prevent Doom’s mental seizing of Shadow would suffice. It gave her a little peace of mind to know she at least had the means of snapping him back to his senses. Not just with Gerald’s invention, but with the memory of Maria as well. The hedgehog had once told her he’d seen it in those blue eyes of hers. It was within them and Tonya’s decision to remain behind that had him stop the firing of the Eclipse Cannon. Maybe this would serve them well in their future endeavors?

“Then I’ll simply keep the remaining two for myself,” Shadow stated. “Black Doom shattered the terms of our agreement in trying to deal harm to those I care for. He no longer has a say in when I gather the final two. I can wield their energy against him in our upcoming confrontation.”

“But…HE’S the one responsible for openin’ the portals,” the vixen acknowledged. “If ya don’t give him his offerin’s as we go, he won’t allow us to gather the last stone.”

“Should he choose to deny us this, he’ll never acquire all seven, and his plans would all be for nothing. Neither side would seize the advantage. We would be at a standstill,” the hedgehog clarified. “G.U.N. is too preoccupied with the resistance of the Dra’Karms’ forces. Even his meager servants could not bring him the Emeralds he desires. It has to be me.”

“Or he gets nothin’,” Tonya deduced, earning a confirming nod from her mate.

“The professor is right about one thing: Black Doom won’t make our progress easy. He’ll attempt to get in our way. I at least need to keep one Emerald in my custody if we hope to counter him.”

‘At least one’. Well…what if…he technically already had one? The shard in the vixen’s brain wasn’t JUST a piece of a lost Chaos Emerald. It was the CORE of a lost Chaos Emerald–the heart that emitted Chaos energy! A fact that she couldn’t remind him of with the professor standing with them, as THIS version of Gerald hadn’t yet parted with the shard, nor had he shared knowledge of his possession of it. But if and when the right moment came, she’d give him the reminder he’d need. “Hey–so long as you’re with me, you’ve always got one,” she smirked, instead.

Then it was decided. They’d seek the final two stones for themselves, and then it’d be up to Shadow to confront their captor. They just had to be prepared for the last two ‘zones’ the warlord intended to send them. This was all but a game to the alien mastermind; he thought he’d figured everything out. They, in time, would prove him vastly incorrect.

With Rouge remaining behind with the Robotniks to monitor Dra’Karm activity, the group decided to leave the third PDA with her. Considering Black Doom would prove himself a barrier blocking their path from then on, Shadow knew it best not to leave any of their corners unchecked. It wouldn’t be too much longer until their refuge was discovered. An evacuation plan had to be hatched–an act best left in the bat’s hands.

She was a government spy; escape plans were her specialty. And if push turned to shove, she was a capable warrior as well.

A comforting thought Shadow took with him as he and Tonya finished their preparations and left the sanctuary. Ignoring the thundering storm over their heads, he noticed how quiet the ruins had become. The darkened white landscape lacked any peeping eyes, the sky void of avian aliens. Perhaps Doom had called them all to his service?

Red eyes searched the sky as they walked, eventually pinpointing the still-broken exterior of the Black Moon. Angry orange and red eyes glared back at him from their orbit around the Dra’Karm leader’s shelter. This time, Shadow didn’t vote for teleporting himself and his companion out of view. The breaking of his deal with Black Doom meant he wasn’t still bound to the alien leader’s demands. He would be working under his own terms from now on. He simply met those eyes’ burning stare, one of his own eyes narrowing in a disappointed scowl.

‘Just open the d**n portal’, he thought. He’d enough of his donor’s little games.

Almost as if the warlord had read his mind, another ominous portal tore through into existence at the heart of the ruins, beckoning the hedgehog and his fox to it. Neither spoke, but they exchanged confirming glances, knowing not what awaited them on the other side as they jumped through.

Chapter Text

A strong gust of wind clawed at the vixen’s fur as she landed on the portal’s other side, boots meeting something metallic with an audible clatter. Angry storm clouds blocked out the sky, occasionally flashing with a red light.

More of Black Doom’s influence. And without any doubts, more of his servants had taken to invading their next “zone”.

But just WHAT was the next “zone”? Deep-blue eyes took in the vast sight of another cityscape, not yet destroyed, but spewing smoke in the distance all the same. Illuminated windows of buildings flickered with failing power. Visual cues that hinted at the progressing invasion. And then, Tonya realized just what she was standing on as she heard Shadow emerge from the portal.

The darkness from the clouds made the view difficult to see, but…there was no mistaking the red metal underfoot, nor the body of water that lay below it. They were up on a bridge. A rather FAMILIAR bridge. Tonya’s breath caught in her throat and she dryly swallowed, her heart pounding. Maybe looking down hadn’t been her brightest idea…

She couldn’t help the uncomfortable noise that ultimately slipped its way out.

“What’s wrong?” questioned her mate, apparently having heard said noise. Mild embarrassment had her lower her ears as she managed a look back at him. “Um…heights aren’t a problem, so long as I’ve my broomstick with me. But without it…?” she answered, unwilling to move beyond her stationary location. It seemed a foolish thing to have a fear of, what with her being a humanoid fox possessing all of the speed and agility the animal kingdom could offer her. But unlike her Mobian brothers, flight was not among her natural gifts. She also couldn’t just curl into a ball form to lessen the impact of a fall, or glide to slow her descent. THAT much confidence came from her broomstick. Without it…

Well, she felt helpless. It was quite pathetic, she believed.

A hand gently closed around hers. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise,” Shadow reassured her, a master at masking any mockery of her fear–if he’d any to display. She was acrophobic without her aerial device, that much he understood. Nothing he felt she should be ashamed of, however. “Just…maybe refrain from looking down,” he added, hoping it was enough to comfort her.

Tonya didn’t release her hold on his hand, needing the extra encouragement to keep her focus off the open water below them. Was there truly NOTHING he feared? She thought to ask, but decided against it. Right then wasn’t the right time. Her attention shifted to the distant city, instead. Something about it was painfully familiar. “We’ve been here before, haven’t we?” she prompted.

Shadow didn’t reply, preferring to let his gaze drop. They HAD both been here once. The very first time they’d met, face to face. Both of them in pursuit of a Chaos Emerald, when he’d taken advantage of her team’s distraction of G.U.N. forces. “The supply depot,” he eventually reminded her.

“Oh! Uh…r-right. That…it wasn’t quite the ideal ‘first meeting’, was it?” she remembered, vivid memories flashing back to the destructive wake that followed his violent burst through the second-story floor. She recalled how terrifying he was, the sight of his hovering form alit with sparks of Chaos energy as he’d fixed his glare upon her. A far cry from his presentation now. He’d never look at her that way again, no matter who provoked him! “But it’s not where we’re at now. That’s what’s most important,” she corrected, making her point by lifting his hand to her lips. He didn’t smile, but she caught the relief in his eyes. He was silently thankful she no longer feared him.

The aura of “mateship support” between them was shattered by the rapidly-approaching rumble of helicopter blades, a bright light shed upon them. It was enough for Shadow to instinctually pull the fox behind him before he released his hold, his other hand lifting to shield his eyes from the light. He caught sight of the G.U.N. insignia on the aircraft’s side. They must have seen the ring portal open atop the bridge and sent a squadron to investigate.

“Attention, all ground units! Project Shadow has been spotted on the South bridge! Northbound units, be advised and primed to apprehend the fugitive!” they heard one of the soldiers onboard inform the awaiting units. From the sound of it, North was going to be their only way through the city. And because they appeared wherever Doom sent them, G.U.N. might have pieced together the assumption Shadow and the alien invaders were on the same side!

Either Rouge had left the hedgehog’s name out of the equation, or the commander simply didn’t care. Considering the military had been responsible for apprehending both Shadow and Gerald all those years ago and the former had essentially been stolen from them by Eggman, it was more than likely they sought only to put him back in their containment. Not something either of the anthro-animals wanted, as they both picked up the sounds of encroaching sirens. Deciding they’d wasted enough time, Shadow swiftly gathered Tonya in his arms and hurried to leap upon one of the bridge’s supports, the metal of his boots sparking against the surface of the bridge as he rode its stretch down to the connecting streetways. He set the vixen back on her feet as blaring red and blue lights signaled the arrival of racing police vehicles.

Roadblocks were impending.

“Don’t fall behind,” Shadow instructed, taking lead as he ‘skated’ off for what clear roads remained. Tonya tightened the chin strap of her hat, quick to follow on all fours.

***************************************************

It was clear that the hybrid knew these roads far better than anyone, easily breaking through what roadblocks had been set up by the authorities. Winding streets lined by red barriers slithered their way through the city like a giant serpent, occasionally broken by unfinished and missing segments of asphalt.

The absent sections of basic bridges were no obstacle to Shadow, who was able to leap the gaps with ease. For the occasions where he deemed them too wide for Tonya to clear, however, he simply teleported them both across. All the while they waited for her shard to respond to the presence of the sixth Emerald, they had little choice but to avoid speeding police vehicles and the ever-watching eyes of the helicopters above them.

Back roads eventually spat them out into the heart of the city, where they finally caught sight of the invading Dra’Karms. For now, their numbers were manageable, their invasion still early compared to that of the farmstead. Armored vehicles blocked the path, preventing the advancement of the space invaders as the military exchanged fire with their opposition. The heavy artillery hadn’t yet been called in. It was either that, or they just hadn’t yet arrived. Yet, because the Dra’Karms’ numbers were fewer than previous invasions, those soldiers who spotted Shadow were easily able to turn their firearms on him.

Their own vehicles proved the best shields against the onslaught of bullets. He just had to make sure Tonya didn’t meet with a stray one.

Thankfully, it was during one of these moments when she finally flinched at the throb of pain within her head. “It’s close by,” she determined in response to his expectant look. That meant he’d have to let her take the lead. But to ensure she’d do so safely, he opted to launch their “vehicular shield” at the soldiers as cover. They heard the humans’ shouts to take evasive measures to avoid the following crash, neither of the lab-born animals looking back to inspect the damages. The distraction was enough to permit them a clean escape as they fled down narrow alleys.

Tonya’s shard led them on, eventually bringing them both to what appeared to be a…construction site? Abandoned scaffolding and the exposed skeletons of unfinished buildings hinted at their being a recent project, rather than the remnants of destruction. Beyond all this, the lot around them was vacant. Why would the shard lead them HERE? They soon enough received their answer.

Padded fingers pressed their claws to her head as the fox struggled to pin the gemstone’s location. Its signal…it appeared to be MOVING. “It has to be here, but I can’t lock down WHERE,” she stated, ears perked as she observed their surroundings. “It’s almost like somethin’ is carryin’ it. Like it’s movin’ around.”

They could cross any Dra’Karm soldier off the list, Shadow knew, as there weren’t yet any of them to be found, this deep into the city. Most of G.U.N.’s forces were doing well enough to resist what numbers Black Doom had sent from his pocket dimension. But that didn’t rule out HUMAN activity. Word from the original helicopter had surely gotten around, by now. They were corralled in this direction for a reason–hence why Shadow refused to drop his guard as Tonya struggled to determine exact location.

Another blinding light was thrown across the stretch of lot, sourced from an airborne vessel different from any helicopter or jet plane. Rather, this one–from what either of the animals could tell–was more space saucer-shaped, kept in the sky by powerful jets. Half of the bulky vessel could rotate, readying a multitude of missile pods. Full details were a challenge to make out, but the dark green and gray of the vessel’s exterior, along with the insignia painted in white, informed the pair that this was another of G.U.N.’s heavy artillery.

“Central command, the fugitive has been located. Requesting clearance to engage and capture,” another masculine voice barked over radio communication. A brief pause was broken by a feminine voice.

“Clearance granted.”

The force of the vessel’s jets drove the duo back as it flew near, both of them still shielding their eyes as Tonya drew her whip. An exchange of glances confirmed a battle was inevitable: the Emerald was INSIDE that thing!

Chapter Text

Inexperience was taking a physical toll on her. Work on the farmstead was of no comparison to back-to-back battles. Even with a little of Knuckles’ training under her belt.

She was thankful Shadow was there, able to keep the opposition’s attention off of her for the most part. Overused muscles were burning below her furry flesh, so Tonya resorted to recovering on the raised scaffolding she’d been running along over the duration of the fight.

Below her, the remains of the flight mech lay in a blazing heap, its pilot long clear of the impending crash. They had to tag-team this one, with Shadow distracting the repeated launch of missiles while Tonya sought the mech’s weak points. The assistance of her whip allowed her to swing her way onto the backside of the mech, where she ripped loose some of its exterior armor.

It was only after she’d jumped clear that the hedgehog followed up with the wielding of the very missiles fired at him. His ability to teleport was especially useful this time around, as he’d used it to practically guide those missiles back to their sender. Exposed weak points sustained heavy damage over time, enough so that the pilot had to eject himself as the machine was felled.

The blaze was bright in contrast to their darkened environment. All that the vixen could peer down upon as her body screamed for rest. Dark smoke was lost to that of the sky. Among the burning wreckage, a figure moved. Its display of striped spikes tipped off the confirmation that it was Shadow, who could wait no longer for the flames to fizzle out so that he could extract the Emerald buried within. Orange light illuminated his dark fur and red eyes, the latter fixated on the exposed carapace of the mech that he could access. Residual sparks flew with his prying and digging, but he soon enough retrieved the light-blue gem they’d been looking for. With it in hand, he instantly teleported himself to Tonya’s location, taking hold of her arm before teleporting them both from the appointed battlefield.

Flashing red and blue lights signaled the approach of the pursuing officials. But they’d arrive to find they’d missed the opportunity to apprehend their fugitive.

The couple hadn’t teleported far from the scene, hidden amongst the unfinished structure that would become a future building. They’d sat in silence for the past twenty-five minutes, watching the scene below them. Shadow had stationed himself against a support beam, their treasured Emerald clutched in one hand. The other was at rest on the vixen’s upper arm, as she’d settled herself against his chest, her snout slowly nuzzling its patch of white fur.

It hadn’t been HER idea to remain a while longer, but HIS. In fact, he’d insisted upon it. For HER sake. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t a good idea to return to the ruins with her energy so drained. If Doom had any traps lying in wait, it was best they both had the strength to counter a potential ambush.

“I dunno how ya’ll manage to keep at it like this,” Tonya softly spoke, its breaking of their otherwise comfortable silence barely making the hedgehog flinch. His only movement otherwise sourced from his head turning to look at her. “Hoppin’ from fight to fight…barely needin’ a moment’s respite. An’ here I am, feelin’ like I’m dyin’. How do ya’ll do it?” she clarified, barely shifting against her pillow of fluff.

“You weren’t built for combat,” Shadow softly stated, his own posture unchanging. “The scientists intended only for you to track sources of Chaos energy, but nothing more.”

“Oh, I didn’t just mean you, specifically. I was talkin’ ‘bout my younger brothers, too. You’ve fought with two o’ them in the past.”

‘Younger brothers’? “You’re implying the red echidna and blue hedgehog are…family of yours?”

“The kid fox, too. Yes. If I haven’t brought it up before, they were ‘adopted’ by my folks. An’ I’m sure ya’ve witnessed it personally that they wield Chaos energy, themselves. Just…not as intensely as yours.”

“...A Mobian characteristic, if I were to guess. It’s the genetic blueprint my creation was based off of.”

“Ya mean the mural Professor Gerald once saw…?”

“...It’s…where my designs originated from, yes. Maria may have had a hand with my…specific details, but my basic form stemmed from the professor’s inspiration,” the hedgehog muttered, briefly lifting his hand from her arm to absentmindedly inspect it.

“Which were the ‘steppin’ stones’ the scientists later referenced in MY design. Explains why I look Mobian, but am not. But…I still have to wonder why I don’t have any special powers, if my creation was based off the success o’ yours?”

“...They likely hadn’t any access to a source of that energy. In my instance, the source was…genetic. Cellular. Weaved into my DNA.”

“But…Gerald surrendered the gem core they’d implanted in my brain…?”

“Without the rest of the Emerald to amplify that power, it’d be insufficient to grant you a Chaos ability. It’s enough on its own to detect the energy signals of the remaining Emeralds.”

“Then…what o’ my brothers?”

“I do not know their histories well enough to confirm anything…but if they’ve all originated from Mobius, I could only assume they were each exposed to a source of Chaos energy at some point in their early lives. Whether that be through a ritual involving a Chaos Emerald or by other means.”

That had Tonya thinking. “Does that imply there’s a link between the Dra’Karms an’ the Emeralds? You acquired your abilities through Black Doom’s DNA, right? Its introduction resulted in the formation o’ your Chaos energy organ.”

He…honestly had never stopped to think about it. The warlord had to already know something about the Emeralds, if their acquiring was part of Doom and Gerald’s deal. Was it possible Doom had tried experimenting with the stones in the past, just as Gerald had? Or had Gerald offered a temporary payment in the form of his developed Chaos Drives for the warlord to study? Tonya was on to something: there HAD to be a connection between the two! Perhaps it was worth a try to question the professor about it.

“I may require another full conversation with the professor for those details. But either way, don’t assume you are in any way inferior for lacking a special ability,” Shadow advised her, finally coaxing her to lift her head enough for their gazes to meet. “You never needed one.” His smile was faint, but it at least prompted a genuine one from her. His hand shifted from its place on her arm, its gentle scratching at one side of her muzzle meant only to comfort her.

What a pleasant surprise it was to hear her emit what he could only refer to as “fox cackling”. It was coded into her genetics, of course, but to hear it come out of HER for the first time? It instilled a sensation within him he hadn’t felt in numerous decades. Contentment? Amusement, perhaps?

He didn’t get his chance to explore this.

Interrupting the pair was the formation of another of Doom’s portals. Ominous shadows swirled in pattern above them, effectively grabbing their attention and urging them to their feet. As if their summoner had grown impatient, serpentine black and red tendrils emerged from the portal, swiftly catching the two hybrids and hoisting them through to the connecting realm. It spat them out once more in the vacant heart of the ruins, where Shadow’s suspicions were proven valid.

As the portal closed below them and left them struggling to regain their bearings, the hedgehog stood in time to catch sight of something garbed in gold accelerating towards him. It moved too quickly for him to react, colliding into him with enough force to separate his recently-obtained treasure from his grasp. In that same motion, the dark blur snatched up the stone and took flight once more, pausing long enough to let the two below identify it as an armored variety of the winged Dra’Karms. With the Emerald in its jaws, it quickly flew off into the ruins–its destination unknown, but speculated.

Letting slip an irritated growl, Shadow quickly pursued, a mildly-stunned Tonya not far behind him. Although the former attempted to shoot down the winged beast with Chaos Spears, it instantly proved useless against the creature’s golden armor. This was PLANNED, a setup by the warlord. There was somewhere he wanted Shadow to go, and his armored pet was ensuring he’d go with the theft of the Emerald.

Their hunch was soon confirmed. Up on a hovering stone platform…was another of the Altars.

Chapter Text

What followed happened in rapid succession.

Rising platforms led up to the Altar above them, exactly what Shadow used to reach the winged creature that had lured him there. Tonya remained on ground level, thinking it best not to burn through her energy reserves to follow him. She saw him launch another Chaos Spear, this time successful in striking the creature and causing it to drop its cargo. The effort would be in vain, as both Shadow and the falling jewel would disappear from view on the Altar’s platform. The breaking of the Altar’s seal and the return of the ominous energy informed the awaiting vixen of its activation, the loss of their prize.

She was denied a chance to act, another golden flash not only knocking her off her feet, but lifting her from the ruins’ grounds. Another of the armored aerial creatures had caught her in its jaws by her clothing, carrying her away from the activated Altar. She did not see her hedgehog companion, the sight of him blocked by the vortex of dark energy, before her captor carted her off around the towering pillars that were the ruins’ stone structures.

Where this thing had been instructed to take her, she wasn’t willing to find out. Sharp claws proved useless in her defense, however, as they weren’t able to bypass the creature’s armor. It shifted its head too much for her to scratch at its face…but it didn’t take her too long to realize how vulnerable its wings were.

THEY were not clad in any of its golden protection, black and red flesh exposed to her natural weaponry. Tonya forced a canine snarl as she struggled to swing herself in time with the creature’s flapping wings. A successful attempt saw her claws dig into a wing on its downward flap, effectively catching it and pulling it towards her awaiting maw. The aerial alien screeched in its rising distress, unable to keep the both of them airborne. They crash-landed on a railed tower balcony, the impact separating the two and knocking the vixen’s hat from her head. They were somewhere along the outskirts of the ruins, but in which direction…the fox herself didn’t know. The reddened sky darkened, more of the ominous mist masking the rest of the realm from her view.

A worry that would wait, as building anger pushed her to stand and locate the fallen Dra’Karm that dared to abduct her. She found it collapsed nearby, its wounded wing bleeding dark purple. She ignored its pitiful screeching, viciously pinning it under a boot to finish what she’d started. Vengeful rage urged her to snap its torn limb, leaving it unable to fly as she then grabbed it by its tail and swung it off the balcony’s edge. She was rapidly growing to detest these creatures!

Rage alone would not be enough to fend off the hoard of Dra’Karm minions that loomed over her on an upper ledge, though. She noted their presence only after recollecting her hat, finding many hungry eyes peering down at her. There were so many, too many for her to fend off alone. Sensing another confrontation at hand, Tonya grabbed her whip from her belt, her wide ears pinned back and lips pulled in a sharp-fanged snarl.

The onslaught began as one of the smaller bipedal aliens jumped down to her level, wielding sharp claws of its own as it attempted to swipe at her. She avoided these attempts, returning a slash with her one available hand. The strike knocked her opponent backwards, granting her the space she required to latch her whip around its body. A rough yank with both hands ripped the creature from its feet, the whip releasing its grip as its victim was launched over the balcony’s edge. But where one was felled, several more took its place. Apparently, the “dinner bell” had been rung…

The pouring of Dra’Karm minions–eager to feast–quickly overwhelmed the orange fox. While not very fast or powerful on their own, a hoard of them easily proved too much for the non-Mobian to counter. Her last resort was to evade their slashing claws and grasping hands. At first, this was effective–so long as she kept moving and hopped from exposed head to exposed head. Her goal was to leave the balcony and seek shelter within the tower. Yet, this was dashed as a scaly hand caught her by her tail and whipped her back onto the balcony’s white stone.

The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, which she struggled to regain in her weakened state of resistance. Coughs wracked her body as she meagerly scratched and kicked at the hands that sought to grab hold of her limbs and rip her apart. But with so many of them swarming her, breathing became increasingly difficult. She didn’t even know where she had dropped her whip.

Over the chorus of screeches and grumbles, she heard it. Faint, but growing louder. A repetitive sound, like the beating of wings. What hands took hold of her had ceased their pulling–seconds before something tugged her from their clutches, and darkness clouded her vision. It suddenly grew silent, the only sound to meet her ears being that of her own harsh panting. Her heart pounded so hard, she thought it would break through the confinement of her ribs!

Dark colors flooded her field of sight. Black, red, the occasional vein of purple. And against the back of her neck, she felt breathing. Her movement was slow as she turned her head–and her blood ran cold at the sight of glowing red eyes and gleaming fangs on full display. These were NOT the Werehog’s fangs, they being too narrow and needle-pointed. Reminiscent of a syringe, ready to draw blood. The enraged growl that increasingly grew louder from behind those parted fangs sent a crawling sensation up her spine. The wall of darkness soon parted from around her, the red light of the storm-cloud sky enabling her to identify it as a pair of wings.

Tonya didn’t glance behind her, gaze focused on the swarm of carnivorous aliens that had been so eager to tear into and feast upon her. They had spaced themselves from this interruption, either too stunned or too hesitant to resume their assault. Not a one of them was looking at her, clearly intimidated by whatever or whoever was crouched behind her. She heard nothing more, but felt the brief spark of pain from the shard in her brain as the world around her suddenly filled with a shade of green. The hoard before her? They had all been frozen in place.

Yet, while they couldn’t move, SHE still could–and as the being at her back rushed over her with a gust of wind, she could do little more than curl her weakened form defensively on one side. Morbid curiosity kept her eyes open, but all she could make out were two large wings and a whip-like tail attached to a dark mass. It was simply too fast to track. One by one, however, the members of the ravenous hoard began to fall, each bearing horrific wounds on their necks and shoulders.

The ones on the balcony weren’t the only victims. Those of the hoard still perched atop the uppermost floor also began to fall. Some of them, quite literally, as they were thrown from the tower to meet their demise. The bodies of those who had fallen on the balcony quickly began to vaporize. The sounds of frightened Dra’Karms abruptly silenced. All had gone deathly calm by the time the green tint that signaled the use of Chaos Control had vanished. Shaking, Tonya uncurled from her defensive posture, just as quietly recollecting her hat and whip before daring to scale the protruding platforms leading up from the balcony. She peered over the edge of the landing and nearly gasped at the horrifying sight.

Corpses turned to mist around the winged mass, which was hunched over the dying form of a Warrior. Its wings masked its activity from view, but judging by the way said Warrior was unceremoniously dropped, Tonya could only suspect it had been draining its victim of every drop of blood. The image of those fangs flashed back into her memory, but she resisted another shiver. Through the rising vapor, she could make out its features.

The wings were large, larger than the mass itself, and were bat-like and dark-fleshed by design. The wing tips were jagged and crimson in color, veins of a visible dark purple stretched throughout like branching vines. Light reflected off these veins, giving the wings a sort of ethereal glow. The dark mass they were attached to stood taller than Tonya, rivaling that of the werehog. Its long, dark, whip-like tail transitioned into red as it neared its barbed tip, which resembled the shape of a spear’s head…or a blade.

The wings had taken the place of his back spikes, but thanks to his familiar boots and red-striped head spikes, Tonya recognized the winged creature as– “Shadow?!” Her voice was kept low, possibly to prevent her shocked tone from grabbing the hybrid’s attention. He paid her no mind, his large wings folding on themselves as he turned from the vanishing corpse of his prey. Red eyes were locked on his gloved hands, which now sported pointed fingertips from sharp claws hidden underneath. From her new angle, the vixen made out the rest of his altered features. Just as with the werehog, his prominent fangs jutted out from under his upper lip, his eyes boasting narrow pupils and ears resembling a bat’s. The warm tan of his muzzle had also paled in color. Almost as if he were…

Undead.

He cared not as the alien blood that clung to his fur turned to vapor, lifting a fist to his mouth to wipe away a rogue purple droplet. “I feel…complete…” he muttered to himself, his strength swiftly returning in the wake of his feeding frenzy. One of his ears twitched with the detection of movement, and he instantly peered Tonya’s way.

Her body froze in place, mind undecided if she should withdraw in fear or slowly emerge from hiding. The only thing she could let herself do was nervously claw at the landing’s edge. Her ears lowered as Shadow righted himself, then silently extended a clawed hand out to her. Wordlessly beckoning her to him, it seemed.

“A-are ya…still ‘you’?” she asked before her brain could resume reason.

“The professor’s invention is functioning as designed, despite Black Doom’s best efforts,” the altered hybrid confirmed, posture unchanged. “He thought he’d the strength to corrupt and control me. But when he couldn’t, he resorted to trying to throw you to his ‘wolves’ while he had me incapacitated. I followed the scent of blood right to you.”

Her jump to clear the ledge was kept restrained, cautious gaze still locked on him. “So…you’re, what, a vampire now? A companion form to the werehog?”

“I will refrain from feasting upon you, if that’s what worries you. The bloodlust is…satiated, for now.” If Black Doom had plans to have him consume anyone’s life essence, he’d make sure it’d be that of the warlord’s own minions! “But nevermind that. Are you unharmed?”

Tonya wasn’t entirely convinced by his claim, having witnessed the frenzy just a few moments ago. The image of those fangs filled her thoughts, once more. If he had WANTED to feed upon her, he’d had his opportunity to do so. He just…didn’t. His anger must have fueled him rather than the bloodlust. It hadn’t been her aim to fill the role of “damsel in distress”, to be a nuisance in that moment. But it had all happened so fast…it overwhelmed her. Her grip tightened on her coiled whip. Shame prevented her from looking at him. “Sorry ya had to come save me. There were too many o’ ‘em, an’...” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She knew how close she’d come to death. If Shadow hadn’t found her in time…

She expelled a breath. “I tried.” Tried not to become a hindrance. Tried not to be the ‘wrench’ thrown in Shadow’s overall plan. Tried not to be vulnerable, his weakness. But she wasn’t yet as strong as she thought she was. She detested that she couldn’t defend herself on her own, not like Shadow or Rouge.

His hand found her empty one, gentle in pulling her close. His height hadn’t changed too drastically, but it was enough for him to easily engulf her form. “Neither of us predicted it. Don’t blame yourself. You’re alive and uninjured. That’s all that matters to me.”

The vixen didn’t know what swept over her. Yet, in that instant, the proverbial mask slipped from its place. The terror instilled by the swarm finally got to her. The whip fell once more as she let herself break down in his embrace.

She wasn’t yet as strong as she believed she was.