specialzone | you live an endless life forever

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you live an endless life forever

[ 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.

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[ Shadow walks over to the Audio Book selection. There's a computer nearby, and he quickly accesses the Library Database. ]

In this program, you can access literature and audio books depending on what you're interested in. For example... [ Shadow clicks on the tab "Newspaper Articles" and types in "Dr. Eggman". The page is suddenly populated by articles found in the Library that include many newspaper clips and stories about the egg shaped doctor. ]

It's possible to narrow the search down. Click the tab "Audiobooks" and type in something you're interested in. When you find a title that looks compelling, we'll go from there.

[Sonic followed Shadow as the black hedgehog obviously knew what he was doing and his way around the library. He watched as Shadow maneuvered through the library's OPAC and listened to the explanation.]

Okay, gotcha. ... Huh, I don't know, somethin' like... [Sonic took a hold of the mouse and clicked per Shadow's instructions. He thought he was rather predictable and typed in the word "adventure" just to see what would happen. Some scrolling took place through the results, but it didn't take long until something somewhat familiar showed up such as "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."]

Oh, hey, what about that one? That one looks kinda cool... [He pointed to the result on the screen.]

[ Shadow gives a bit of a smirk when Sonic types in 'adventure'. Of course he would. The black hedgehog looks at the genre. ]

Detective fiction. Section B20. [Motions for Sonic to follow him as he goes to look for the right audiobook.]

[Sonic dutifully followed Shadow again, though taking a look around him as well. It was possible he could get used to this. At least the place had windows to look outside of and let light in and the layout was expansive enough. It didn't seem as closed off or claustrophobic as he initially thought it would.

He looked over to Shadow, a little curious, but not making a great show of it.]

... You're way more patient now. Kinda chill, actually.

I have always had more patience than you.

[He's blunt, but not mockingly so.] I don't mind taking my time on something that doesn't have a deadline. If I have something that takes precedence over my own hobbies, then I will complete it as quickly as I can, while making the necessary amount of effort needed.

Sounds 'bout right. [Sonic chuckled, knowing that was true. His answer was fair enough. Logical. Rather befitting for the black hedgehog. But from it, he could see that Shadow could... relax. Some things didn't have to be so rushed all the time.]

I think what's different is that you have more patience with me now. But hey, not that I mind, it's kinda nice, I guess, when I think about it.

[They had opposed each other for so long and seemed to be polar opposites. Maybe, just maybe they could stand to have some moderation and not be so extreme. Maybe Shadow could regain or relearn innocence anew and Sonic could mature and learn to be optimistic yet realistic. He thought maybe he didn't mind the latter part that applied to him, but how ready was he for that, he wasn't entirely positive.]

Don't misunderstand; I would have had more patience with you before, but you always encountered me at the most... inopportune moments. [He says the last bit through gritted teeth.] I was very interested in you, but at that time, I had more important business.

[ If the mission to destroy Earth hadn't been timed, then he would have taken some leisure time, but the Professor had planned it all and Shadow would never let himself be sluggish for things like that. ]

Now I have more time... [ Looks at Sonic. ] and I can study you, as well.

[Sonic shrugged lightly, seeing and hearing a bit of Shadow's irritation.] Heh, totally had to crash your little party there, y'know. Can't let you get away with anything! And hey, it's not like you made my life a walk in the park either!

[Whenever he spoke with Shadow, Sonic always seemed to become even more curious about him. When did he ever have a chance to speak with him like this? Is that what the black hedgehog meant by studying, that in turn, Sonic could also study him? He looked back at his darker counterpart unflinchingly, but his eyes might have betrayed him, ever so slightly revealing some deep-seated concern.]

Heh, go for it! I toldja before though that what you see is what you get! But I do wanna ask: Just... how much time do you have?

[ At Sonic's question, Shadow stared at him for a few moments before turning to finger through the Audiobook selection. ]

Here it is.

[ Slowly, he takes out the selection and hands it to Sonic. ] It's on compact disk, but I'm sure you can transfer the data as needed.

[Sonic furrowed his eyebrows just once and quicker than lightning at the black hedgehog's reaction. He held onto the disc in both hands now, looking it over once.]

Thanks. I probably will, it's way easier to have it on an MP3 player or somethin' like that...

[Sonic decided that it was probably best to go back to looking at the disc. It was better than the alternative and bringing it the subject again. All that talk about being the Ultimate Life form, was all that talk about immortality for real? And if Shadow had said on several occasions that the blue hedgehog might be the one instead?

No, it probably wasn't true. Sonic never liked to think about his own mortality since he strongly held onto the belief that he was invincible and had to exude that belief to others. He shook his head and pushed those thoughts away and started to browse the rest of the selections.]

Hey, help me find another one! There's gotta be somethin' around here that should be just as cool!

[ Shadow gestured to another nearby computer. ]

You understand how the program works now, don't you? You can find more audiobooks this way. You won't have to memorize how the system for finding books works either, this way.

[ Shadow never wanted to talk about how deep the Ultimate Life form deal was-- being in cryogenic freezing taught him how easy it was to lose time in life. Losing fifty years of a person's life was hard enough. ]

[Sonic turned back to the black hedgehog now and nodded, giving him a grin. It seemed to be a sensitive subject for the both of them, thus why he hadn't minded dropping it. For now. Sonic realized for himself that while he did trust his friends with his life, there were some things that he kept bottled up. He didn't need to burden other people, not when he was supposed to protect them.]

Yeah, thanks! This whole... system thing is kinda complicated, heh, but I got it now!

You were gonna stay here longer? Didn't you have that huge pile of books over there? [He indicated toward the table they previously had occupied.]

[ Looks over at the books. ]

I've finished half of them. I suppose I'll put them back for now... [ Looks back at Sonic. ] Do you have some other engagement?

Already? Jeez, you're gonna burn through all the books at this rate, and then what'll you read?

[At the question, Sonic's eyes looked up and he rubbed the back of his head in thought.]

Hm? ... Well, no, other than hangin' out with you, heh. Why? [He returned his gaze to Shadow and gave him another smile, somewhat teasing, but he would comply with the request had Shadow wanted it that way.] ... Did you want me to leave you alone?

I didn't say that. [ Shadow folds his arms again, looking away slightly. ] I only asked since you seemed adamant on having me try new things.

If not, then I'll take care of the Chao for a few hours.

[Sonic tilted his head slightly as he looked back at Shadow.]

Huh.

[Just the image of Shadow taking care of Chao was... all sorts of amusing. But never mind that!]

So you're really up for tryin' something else! No problem, just gimme a sec to think what we could do! But hey, I thought we were doin' what you wanted this time 'round since I picked last time. Fair's fair, y'know.

And here I thought you'd consider my teaching you how to use the OPAC would count as something done together. [ He smirks. ] Very well, I'll choose something.

[But what DID he like doing? If he had an objective of some kind, it'd be easier to find something to do. He wasn't really a "spur of the moment" kind of guy like Sonic was.]

There are many different zones in this place; warp rings that hold many destinations. I might have a better idea if we return to the hub, unless something in Station Square has caught your eye.

The O-what? Oh, that thing! [Sonic glanced over at the computer.] Hey, that was cool and all, and thanks for that, but it was just lucky since I found you here in the first place, heh.

[Going back to the hub was an interesting idea. But did he really see a warp ring for... ARK? Really? Why would... It was strange to think about. Sonic just began brainstorming, thinking of all the places they could potentially go.]

There's always somethin' to do in Station Square! But I gotta know what you haven't seen either! Like oooh, there's the arcade too next to the casino, or that art museum you were kinda interested in... An aquarium near the beach... I think there's an observatory with a giant telescope or somethin' like that too, but that might be kinda boring to you, huh?

An observatory?

[ Shadow is interested by that last bit; despite having lived in space aboard the ARK, he was still interested in lookout out at it. ]

Where is the observatory?

[Sonic's ears perked up briefly once Shadow answered.]

It's not in downtown, I can tell ya that. It's outside the city a bit since it's gotta be up high, you know? I can show you where it is if you wanna go there on your own some time.

You wanna go there now?

[Somewhat handwaving the checking-out materials of the library part here if they do.]

[ Looks towards the exit of the Library. ]

I forget that it won't be very interesting for you. After having been on the ARK, you've already experienced space enough.

[ For Shadow, it held deeper meaning to look through that telescope. To be able to see the ARK from the Earth... It would be like going full circle. ]

[Yes, he had experienced space. Even from his past adventures he had to hold onto various rockets and space shuttles just to fight his battles. Even fly through it. This last one had the same theme.

But space itself was so vast. That was the reason for constructing observatories and building rockets at all. To explore it all, all of which seemed unlimited in scope. He may have experienced it, but he didn't know much detail about it. Sonic shook his head, his eyeridge furrowing a bit as he did so.]

Hey, hey, hold up, I didn't say anythin' about how I felt about it yet! 'Course I'll go and check it out with you. I think it'll be interesting either way!

[Sonic gave Shadow a smile, using his head to motion toward the exit.] So are you gonna come along or what?

[ Shadow walked right past Sonic, eying the books he left on the table. He'd deal with them some other time... he had the feeling that they weren't going anywhere. ]

If all I'm looking for is a giant telescope, it shouldn't be too difficult to find.

[Sonic watched as Shadow walked past him. Perhaps today was just a day to follow the black hedgehog around. It wasn't a matter of resigning himself to it since he was usually the one to lead, but more of a way to observe the black hedgehog and the decisions he made. Thus he did follow after Shadow.]

No, but I'm still goin' with you. [There was a reason Shadow had been adamant about seeing it.] 'Sides, I've never been there to see it myself.

If you want to go with me, then you better be able to keep up with me, blue hedgehog. [Shadow gives Sonic a look before activating his jet shoes, taking off into a skate-run, the flames scorching some of the pavement. He hadn't had a good run all day, and if Sonic was around, it was a good enough time as any to get a work out.]

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I am so making stuff up I am so sorry if this is wrong

LOL maaan that is a-okay. Station Square gets bigger in every game.

True! Thank you. <3

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