you live an endless life forever

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ For Shadow, as far as he'd met, there were two Sonics that he trusted more implicitly than the rest. Implicit trust did not come easily for the black hedgehog, and trusting enough to tell another some of his past, though mild, was more trust than he'd give anyone casually. One Sonic he met while in Johto, who he was able to share some of his story with, and come to a point of understanding, especially at a time when he was trying to decide what to do with himself since two very important people had disappeared from the world.

The other blue hedgehog was one that had found him while Shadow had been suffering from hallucinations and intense fear, showing a side he never showed anyone else. That Sonic had stayed by him and managed to bring Shadow back to his former self.

Now, Shadow had holed himself up in a Station Square library, reading a few books. He had a pile of them on a table and was steadily working through all of them... But at the same time, he thought about his recent actions, recent decisions. Was he becoming what the Professor wanted him to be? What Maria wanted? Was Sonic right; that he should be whoever he himself thought was best? Living for oneself was something Shadow never did before. It would certainly take some getting used to.

He flips another page, catching up on history and technological advances made by mankind and different parts of the world. The information was greatly appreciated, allowing him to learn about the people he was supposed to help... for Maria's sake. ]


... Hmph.

[ He reads a quote at the bottom of one page. ] “We can do no great things; only small things with great love.” Mother Teresa... [Shadow leans back against his seat, thinking about the quotation he read.] Is that really true, I wonder.

Comments

[wecanhavesouls.livejournal.com]

| Warp Rings, yet not quite. That was the purpose of the objects to found in the 'lobby' area. Gamma found himself perplexed, unable to process any real purpose, benevolent or malevolent, behind it all.

And he could still find no answers in these locations through the rings at first glance. Logic dictated that in lieu of individuals with knowledge of the situation that could be contacted, and without Robotnik's centralized database he could access for data, more traditional hubs of information were the most likely source of explanation.

So that was what brought the robot to the library. The . . . occupied library. Occupied by a familiar face. Without the slightest bit of resevation, Gamma walked right up him, standing over the Mobian. |

Shadow the Hedgehog.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[Shadow turned his attention to the large robot, staring up at him without any look of being intimidated.]

What do you want?

[This robot... It seemed to be part of the Doctor's E-100 series. Shadow hadn't had much contact with them, as he really didn't have to, but it wasn't unheard of for one of these robots to actually know who he was.]

[wecanhavesouls.livejournal.com]

. . .

Do you . . . not recognize me?

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

You are one of the Doctor's E-100 series. [Eyes him.]

[wecanhavesouls.livejournal.com]

Yes, and we have met before.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

I don't remember meeting any one of you in particular... [Checks the number] E-102.

[wecanhavesouls.livejournal.com]

My name is Gamma.

| The robot seemed oddly insistent on that point. |

You attempted to prevent my destruction, and arrange for my joining of the G.U.N. organization.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

... [Eyes widen and he glares furiously.] What?

[wecanhavesouls.livejournal.com]

| Somehow, Gamma managed to display an expression of surprise at Shadow's reaction. What was going on? |

At the time we met, you were acting as an agent of G.U.N. Under their orders, you made contact with me and on their behalf, offered repairs to my systems and a position within the organization.

[anuvatajava.livejournal.com]

[As was normal for this particular blue hedgehog, Sonic had spent some of his day outside. He chose to go running along Emerald Coast (while avoiding the water!) and while he might have ended up somewhere he might have considered more fun after finishing that, after his conversation with Shadow and spending time with him... Sonic thought he might as well give this a try. It was only fair as well, and it might have been good for him in a way, if just to understand the black hedgehog more.

Thus Sonic found himself in the library, and coincidentally and not to his surprise, also found Shadow there. His darker counterpart looked pensive, and of course it had made the blue hedgehog that much more curious as to why.]

... Hey. You okay? What's up?

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ At the familiar sound of Sonic's voice, Shadow focused his gaze on the blue hedgehog without turning his head. He was surprised to see the blue blur here of all places, having not expected him to actually try something Shadow enjoyed. Still, he manages to hide his surprise as he usually did. ]

I'm fine. [ A pause. ] Still digesting that ... "cotton candy". [ ... Shadow attempting humor? Fairly dry, but it's there... ]

[anuvatajava.livejournal.com]

[The library was new to him. That much was certain. He had glanced at the inside of it on occasion when the doors would be open and when he heard that one could check out more than just any of the old tomes or textbooks on the shelves, but media such as DVDs or video games as well. But something had always distracted him away from the place of learning and scholarship. Yet this time, it drew him in instead.

Sonic had to remember he was in the library and to keep quiet, but he had to snicker at the response. He appreciated that attempt, not expecting it, and rewarded the black hedgehog with a knowing grin.]

I'm surprised you even tried the stuff. Toldja they'd have it. You do know we're gonna hafta go there again some time.

[But not yet, not in a long while. It was Shadow's turn now, after all. His green eyes glanced over at the stack of books on the table as the blue hedgehog took a seat nearby, then looked back to Shadow.]

So what're you readin'? Care to enlighten me or tell me somethin' I don't know? I might learn something, heh.

[Perhaps it was a way to learn about what Shadow was interested in reading too without having to ask him directly in those terms.]

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ Shadow makes a bit of a smirk in return for Sonic's grin, closing the book he was reading and gestures to the others. ]

I want to learn more about the Earth and its people; I only knew one side of them... There must be more people in the world like the Professor and Maria. [Places the palm of his hand on one book ("Discourse on the Method" by René Descartes).] I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time here... Philosophy isn't one of my strengths, but I've decided to scratch the surface of it.

[He eyes Sonic.] You seem to make your own philosophies; I respect that.

[anuvatajava.livejournal.com]

You know that the world's got lots of people in it! [Sonic had considered saying that no one was perfect, but... perhaps there really was that one person that Shadow had considered perfect. He wasn't sure if he should bring it up or not.] There's more people out there that are good than you think there are. It's just probably kinda hard to see it right now, but I think you will!

[Sonic considered Shadow's words for a moment, his foot tapping lightly, a slow yet steady pace against the ground, as if that helped his thought process. Or perhaps because he couldn't sit completely still.]

It's just me livin' by my own feelings, heh, that's all. [But he did tilt his head slightly as he looked at the title of the book Shadow had in hand. It was hard to wrap his mind around what it meant as he spoke.]

You're kinda philosophical already. You're just takin' your time to see what points of view you like and makin' it your own. Or you should be.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ Shadow nods, pushing the books aside for the moment. He's sure he has a pretty good idea about what Sonic might like to read, but decides on asking anyway. ]

You don't strike me as a reader, but you must read sometimes... What kinds of literature do you read?

[anuvatajava.livejournal.com]

What, do comic books not count as literature? They're important too!

[Sonic laughed quietly, knowing it wasn't exactly what Shadow had been asking. He looked over at the books, and indicated toward them with a finger. Something in the back of his mind, way in the back of his mind, flashed for a second. Perhaps it was okay if he did slow down and not go full throttle or full speed ahead all the time.]

It's all this stuff that I don't get, heh. Don't know, maybe if readin' didn't have to be so... just sittin' around so much, I might like it better. Or if it's a good story or something, I could get into that, I guess...

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[Leans back in the chair, then stands up, gesturing to another part of the Library.]

Perhaps audiobooks would be more suitable for you. All you have to do is listen to them on an audio device and still take in the same amount of information.

[ Points. ] This Library has a decent selection over there.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ Hearing the echoed voice, Shadow sighed, putting the book down. He refused to respond back in the same manner, since this was a library and he appreciated the quiet for now. ]

...

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ Shadow stood up from his seat and began to walk towards the voice. When he comes into view, he looks not only irritated, but severe. ]

This is a library; keep your voice down.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

... [ Another person claiming he was part of G.U.N? ]

I would never ally myself with the military. You have me confused with someone else.

[no1canbreakyou.livejournal.com]

[ He keeps his eyes on her. ]

Then you really must have me confused with someone else... I have never taken part in any 'war', nor have I worked with those murderers.

Don't waste my time.