[ Old times... yes. They were his most cherished memories, even the difficult times. Being with his friends, his important friends. It was those times that he would never forget and remember always. Being unable to die, he had to surround himself in these precious memories in order to be optimistic about the future.
But that became harder and harder to do... especially as they each disappeared, one by one, until his future was filled with darkness, like his heart. He had always protected the Earth, and though it was filled with light and beauty, he held disdain for it because his loved ones were no longer there, and no one seemed to remember them...
When Sonic held his wrist, it stirred Shadow enough for him to look at the blue hedgehog, see those bright green eyes... so youthful and filled with life. Shadow was a mere relic in comparison, much older than the one from this Sonic's present, no doubt. So much more cynical... ]
I...
[ He pulled back, wiping his eyes on his arm roughly, not wanting to continue this embarrassing act. Crying like this... what kind of Ultimate Life form was he? He wasn't supposed to cry, wasn't supposed to break down like this... ]
I'll... be fine...
[ Maybe. It wasn't so much a lie as it was an attempt to gather himself together. He had to be strong... he couldn't afford to let this happen again... but even so it felt good to let it all out. ]
It's been... so long since I heard your voice... Surely I would have forgotten you, eventually... But you're here... as impossible as that is, you're...
[ He could feel the tears coming again and he turned away-- the realization was hitting him. If Sonic was here, then his friends were also alive, right? Younger versions of them, right? ... But not his versions. That second part kept him grounded, and somewhat distanced from what was going on. ]
no subject
But that became harder and harder to do... especially as they each disappeared, one by one, until his future was filled with darkness, like his heart. He had always protected the Earth, and though it was filled with light and beauty, he held disdain for it because his loved ones were no longer there, and no one seemed to remember them...
When Sonic held his wrist, it stirred Shadow enough for him to look at the blue hedgehog, see those bright green eyes... so youthful and filled with life. Shadow was a mere relic in comparison, much older than the one from this Sonic's present, no doubt. So much more cynical... ]
I...
[ He pulled back, wiping his eyes on his arm roughly, not wanting to continue this embarrassing act. Crying like this... what kind of Ultimate Life form was he? He wasn't supposed to cry, wasn't supposed to break down like this... ]
I'll... be fine...
[ Maybe. It wasn't so much a lie as it was an attempt to gather himself together. He had to be strong... he couldn't afford to let this happen again... but even so it felt good to let it all out. ]
It's been... so long since I heard your voice... Surely I would have forgotten you, eventually... But you're here... as impossible as that is, you're...
[ He could feel the tears coming again and he turned away-- the realization was hitting him. If Sonic was here, then his friends were also alive, right? Younger versions of them, right? ... But not his versions. That second part kept him grounded, and somewhat distanced from what was going on. ]