Chapter Text
Fifty years had come and gone in the blink of an eye. Hours ago he had been holding his lifeless sister in his arms, praying for a miracle. Shadow hoped that the Professor, a G.U.N. medic, literally anyone could fix the damage caused by a single stray bullet. The pain in his grandfather’s voice when he quietly confessed that they could do nothing filled him with despair.
Maria had died in an accident that he caused, all because that damn guard blasted his damn Chaos container when they were trying to escape. Now she was in a casket, 6 feet under God knows where. Was she even buried? What did they do to her body after he was put to sleep? Shadow may never know.
Fifty. Fucking. Years. She wouldn’t appreciate his swearing, but then again, Maria wasn’t around to scold him anymore. This situation called for a little more than a simple damn.
It was a welcome surprise to find that Professor Robotnik was alive and well, and an even better one to learn that he would help Shadow avenge Maria. They also met with his grandson, Ivo Robotnik, who was assisting them with their plan. It was important that he be kept in the dark for as long as possible so that no one could prevent the Eclipse Canon from causing Earth’s destruction while he and his friend still served some purpose.
It would’ve been so simple if it was just left at that.
They had taken up residence at the old base where she had…where the unfortunate events had occurred. Shadow had no idea what possessed the Professor to return here. For the time being, he slept in the Crab Mech. That was until he was called into the infirmary for some important news.
“I’d like to introduce you to my most useful tool. Several years ago, G.U.N. soldiers were able to identify and capture another hedgehog with similar abilities. Now, it’s unclear how he got to Earth as he refuses to elaborate but I theorize that there is another power source from his planet-“
The Professor’s rant fades into the background as a figure steps out from behind the tattered curtains. Quills as blue as the sky above filled his vision, with vibrant green eyes that reminded him of the grassy plains in Maria’s nature books.
One day we’ll go see them together, Shadow.
That, however, was the last thing on his mind. What caught his attention was not his physical features, but the familiar golden insignia on his uniform. Just the sight of it filled him with rage.
“-but I’m getting ahead of myself. They’ll be plenty of time to entertain the idea of technology more advanced than mine. In the meantime, I’d like you to familiarize yourself with Agent Nix.”
Shadow could feel his skin crawl. He opened his mouth to object, but the Professor refused to acknowledge the hedgehog’s obvious discomfort. “He’ll be a valuable asset as our mole. As soon as we’ve gathered enough useful information on the whereabouts of the keycards, we’ll strike. Anything else we need will be easy to steal, now that I’ve modified his restraints.”
A tense silence falls between them. The Professor leads them to the labs for a more in-depth discussion on their plans for the Eclipse Cannon, but ruby red eyes never leave sky blue fur once. Agent Nix paid him no mind as he marched alongside the two of them.
How can he stand to wear their uniform? Does he feel pride when he dons the badge? With no answer, Shadow is left to make his own assumptions. He was told to “get along with him,” per the Professor’s orders, but how can the boy partner up with a potential murderer?
Days pass by rather uncomfortably. Not a second passes where his quills aren’t at least slightly raised in apprehension for the inevitable fallout. The other’s emotionless stare, practiced salute, and overall demeanor felt so uncomfortably familiar. Every moment they spent together only raised Shadow’s hackles more. Thoughts drifted to the strange looking duty belt the soldier brought. What weapons did this one bring along? Did he carry a firearm with him?
The sight of G.U.N.’s logo staring him in the face every day certainly didn’t help either. Memories of falling debris and chemical fires resurfaced in great detail, along with the heavy odor of pennies. Logically his mind was aware that Agent Nix had nothing to do with what happened 50 years ago, yet hate flowed through his veins all the same.
One of Maria’s killers was in his presence, and, even worse, Shadow wasn’t allowed to do anything about it.