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 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.]

Tsh, like that's gonna be hard! C'mon, I expected a challenge!

[As if on cue, Sonic took off running after the black hedgehog, always up for a little friendly competition especially if it came to running. But as he did run along side him, he thought about why Shadow insisted on calling him what he always had. That was something else about Shadow that he knew was strikingly different: the manner in which they addressed others. Formalities, titles, and ranking aside, most everyone had a name. That was normal, but for some reason, Shadow hardly ever said Sonic's.

Was it out of habit or some evidence or proof of their rivalry? Or perhaps it was just to maintain some distance between them, some distinction after being compared to each other for so long. There was obvious emphasis on their color contrast, let alone personalities.

Sonic hadn't minded though as he was proud to be true and blue. Though wouldn't being addressed by name also show another difference between them?]

I do have a name, y'know! You should use it once in a while!

It's not as though you don't know who I'm addressing. [ Looks at him. ] There aren't many other blue hedgehogs in the world, I imagine. [ Not that Shadow knew; he was foreign to Earth. Sonic and his friends were the only other creatures that resembled him that he'd ever seen. A hedgehog that was just as fast, just as strong and even resembled him... it was remarkable.

But he couldn't see him as an equal yet. Maybe a better... Shadow didn't feel that speaking to him with his name was called for. They were not equal. ]

We're not equals, blue hedgehog. [ Still cold, still hard to crack the surface of his protective shell, hiding away his inner feelings... even if Sonic had seen him at his most vulnerable, there was still embarrassment and shame where once there was the feeling of superiority. ]

Hey, yours truly is the one and only, so 'course I know! [Sonic winked at the black hedgehog and gave him a thumbs up. That may have changed given their current circumstances, but from what he knew from his world, he was the only one.

Shadow was as terse as ever. Perhaps Sonic hadn't minded that either as he could rely on that consistency. The blue hedgehog's bright smile changed subtly, becoming a bit more gentle, which in turn made the tone of his voice less so much on the teasing and a bit more reflective or thoughtful, though he may not have realized the change himself.]

Yeah, then what are we? You can't just say things like that and leave it and expect me to get it. Cuz if we aren't one thing, we're definitely somethin' else, y'know.

[Shadow frowned. He wasn't sure what to call Sonic. He shakes his head somewhat.]

...

[Despite not thinking of Sonic as his equal, Shadow did hold respect for blue hedgehog. Enough so that calling him by name was an option... Maybe even an honor at this point.]

There it is, Sonic. [ He points at the telescope, able to see it quite clearly now, though he's more focused on how strange it is to say the other's name. ]

[Sonic had looked up to where the observatory and telescope were as Shadow pointed it out, but took his eyes away from it a second later to look back at the black hedgehog. He had seen the observatory before in the distance, but never up close. While typically he may have been fascinated and would have scrutinized the new sight before him, he was just as focused as Shadow had been on the use of his name.

Sonic smiled a little more.]

Heh, that wasn't so bad, right? Thanks.

And hey, just so we're kinda clear? We might not be equals to you, and I can get that. But you're you and you're still my friend. And being or not being equals or whatever doesn't matter to me.

[He offered the same smile, but then quickly turned his attention back to the observatory. He beckoned to Shadow to have him head toward it.]

Now c'mon, you wanted to check this out, right? Let's get inside! I wanna see how this works!

[ Shadow looked at Sonic a moment, thinking over his words. How can this boy be friends with him so casually? Despite the things he's done, the people he's injured?

Even the relationship the hedgehog has with the Doctor isn't quite to the point of hating one another... After all, Eggman had expressed some hesitation in putting that plan to work, as he'd confided in Shadow.

What a strange kid. ]

Very well.

[ Shadow began to head up towards the observatory, not bothering with running. For Shadow, running was a means to get from one place to another quickly... but it was starting to grow on him as being fun instead of just a means of transportation.

He could tell that for Sonic it was always fun. Probably even more so in the face of death. An interesting thought.

The large telescope caught Shadow's eye once more, and he quickly headed inside the observatory in order to get a better look. No doubt he was going to feel some pain at looking at the ARK... but it would be worth it. ]

Hey, even if it isn't all right with you, it's the way it's gonna be!

[If Sonic had been asked to explain why he felt that way, the answer might have been so simple. He gave the benefit of the doubt and had always seen the good part within everyone, as overshadowed as it may have been by ambiguous morality. There was always a way to bring that good part out. And Shadow had done it all on his own at the very end, right when it counted the most.

Sonic followed Shadow into the observatory, now the curiosity and fascination of being inside the structure catching his attention. He whistled, impressed with the giant telescope. It had to be awesome, it had to show him all of space, maybe even all the way out to the edge of space! How awesome! The world out there was huge, which only meant there were so many more adventures waiting for him.]

This is so cool... Hey, hurry up, Shadow! What's takin' you so long? Let's go!

[Heading over to the giant telescope right about now because patience, what is that?]

[ At the requesting of the blue hedgehog, Shadow let out a disgruntled sigh, walking over to the telescope. Part of him didn't want to go. ]

This is no mere telescope. There was something similar aboard the ARK, though it was incomplete. You'll be able to see even the most minute details on whatever is orbiting the planet, something you'd never be able to see on a regular telescope, or even others that tried to be used for space.

I recognize this model. It's old; perhaps just as old as the one I know.

[ He gestures to Sonic. ] Go ahead and take a look.

[Sonic whistled again, also just as impressed with Shadow and his knowledge about telescopes. Shadow would be since he was interested in astronomy at all. The blue hedgehog looked again at the viewing device, then up toward the rooftop, out where the telescope had extended.

He did pause though before using the telescope. He didn't quite know how to use it or focus it correctly. Not that it intimidated him, but it was like the library's OPAC or online catalog. This was all Shadow's terrain, being knowledgeable about these kinds of things.

Shadow had been the one who wanted to come visit the observatory. Why did he suddenly not want to take the first shot at looking through the telescope?]

... It's still out there, isn't it?

[ Shadow watched Sonic tinker with the telescope, somewhat amused. He didn't offer to give the other a hand, since he knew that the hedgehog would rather do things his way.

But at the question, Shadow nodded. ]

It should be. Unless this world we're in hasn't included it. The Eclipse Cannon was designed as a form of defense, against what I wasn't told, but it was something that the Professor feared would "destroy the Earth".

[Looks at his hands.] Aside from that, it was a way to orbit the Earth, watch over it. But I suppose the Professor's intentions fell on deaf ears.

[Sonic didn't like to think that this wasn't their world. It resembled it so much, it was almost cruel. That world at home was the one he had fought to protect, the one that they both had protected. The resemblance should have been comforting, but it was all the more a reminder that this wasn't home.

The blue hedgehog quieted, looking up again at the telescope. His sight seemed to pierce through the observatory rooftop and through to the sky, to space. If it was still out there, it was so far away, a remnant of the past, immediate and distant.

Sonic turned back to his darker counterpart now. He had to try this. If he didn't, he would never know.]

Hey... So what was it like up there?

[ Shadow's gaze was piercing now as he stared at Sonic. ]

Of course you wouldn't have paid attention while you were there.

[ He sounds somewhat offended, but he can't blame Sonic entirely. The ARK as it is now is nowhere near what it was like 50 years ago... Back then, it was home. Now it was just an empty shell. ]

[So defensive. Sonic also couldn't blame him back. Perhaps he hadn't been clear. Time to make it crystal then.]

You're doin' it again, the thing where you're not listenin' to me.

... What was it like up there. Before. Before any of this.

[It was as crystalline as it was going to get. He always found himself skirting around the issue. It was a sensitive topic, secretive and hidden and concealed and yet something Sonic had wanted to know more about, but always found himself blocked at the gate. And Shadow was a vicious sentinel and gatekeeper.]

[ Shadow shook his head, eyes closing. ]

I don't have time for this.

[ He was closing himself up again, upset by the sudden questions. What difference would it make being able to tell someone what it was like? It could never be that way again. It would always be cold and empty now. Filled with government robots and old research projects gone rogue.

Just like him. ]

... All right, then don't worry 'bout it, and forget I asked.

[Sonic shrugged lightly, having anticipated the door being shut and remaining shut. It was the same with the issue of immortality. Things that Sonic didn't and probably couldn't ever fully understand. Was it too soon or was there never the correct time for it? Maybe he would never know.

Instead, he did what he did best and changed the subject, bringing back the signature upbeat tone in his voice. Fiddling with the controls of the telescope right about now.]

If you're still up for it, show me how this works! Everything's still all blurry, I can't see anything out of this!

[ His defenses were raised quite high, but when Sonic dropped it, the black hedgehog slowly lowered them again... He wasn't ready. Not yet. Sonic may have seen him when he was at his most vulnerable, but now Shadow wasn't feeling quite so open.

He approached the telescope, reaching for the lens wheel. ]

Turn this. Adjust it until the image is clear. If you move this... [ He gestures to a nearby winding wheel.] You can change the direction you're looking in.

[Sonic had left the issue alone. It was Shadow's to share, and he had no right to pry, even if he had tried to see if the Ultimate Life form was ready to open up at all.

He did as Shadow had instructed, and the picture was much clearer than before as promised!]

So you've seen other planets and stuff? How do you find these things out there? Isn't there some kinda chart or somethin'?

[Ooh, and does Saturn actually have, get this, rings around it for real? Pictures and photographs said they did, but really? What would it look like through a telescope?]

[ Shadow decided to only answer one of those questions, since there were three and they were listed too quickly. ]

I've never visited another planet, but aboard the ARK we'd been able to identify other planets and observe them... Chaos Control was also a helpful benefactor in this process.

[ He reaches a hand out, sliding his palm over a part of the telescope. ]

[Not as though Sonic noticed since having any questioned answered was good and probably led to more questions anyway.]

So cool... Heh, it's kinda neat. Not a lot people can say they got to see stuff like that.

[Sonic moved over now, a little bit away from the scope itself.]

Don't you wanna take a look at what's up there?

[ Shadow looked at the scope, then at the ground. He knew he came here to do just that, but now he wasn't so sure anymore. Despite his earlier words, he knew it would be up there.

Knew it, and was still afraid to look. ]

... [ But now wasn't a time for fear. He pushed back any thoughts of anxiety and approached the scope, fixing his gaze into the lens to take a look. He began to adjust the wheel, having been so used to the ARK's orbit that he knew where to find it at what time of day. Eventually, he stops adjusting the winder wheel and stares into the telescope in silence.

He could see it. Calm, peaceful.

Shadow, what do you think it's like on Earth?
The Professor said his life's work was dedicated to... all of those who lived down there. He once told that the reason for his existence was making people happy through the power of science.
Shadow...
Maria, I just don't know anything anymore. I often wonder why I was created; what my purpose is for being here. Maybe if I go down there I... I will find the answers. ... Maybe.

Shadow pulled away from the scope and began to head down the steps away from it. ]

[Shadow tinkered with the telescope so adeptly, it looked as though it was second nature, and it had to have been. The black hedgehog took less time than Sonic thought he would have. There wasn't anything else he had wanted to see? ... He was always so fixated on the past.

Silence. Sonic was never really used to silence. Tranquility, peace, serenity, that he could handle. Silence was something else. Silence forced Sonic to be much more introspective as there lacked any outside stimuli to pull his attention away from himself.

But perhaps he could stand to learn to be silent once in a while. One of those times seemed to be now as he quietly followed Shadow down the stairs. He was concerned for Shadow, without a doubt that was true, yet chose not to vocalize it.]

[ Once Shadow moved toward the exit, he stopped and looked to Sonic. His gaze seemed somewhat distant, like his mind was elsewhere, but he was trying to focus. ]

Is there somewhere else you'd like to go? This place has many warp rings.

[ If the ARK was here... then surely there was a way to get to it. Shadow felt that if he had to, he'd go and see it. He should, shouldn't he? ]

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i may make a new post in specialzone today /o/