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The end.
I've been dreading it, anticipating it. I've been worried, scared out of my wits end because of it.
It's here.
It squirms against me, cries against me. It doesn't want to let go. It knows that it's inevitable, but it still stubbornly fights against it.
It's got grayed out blue quills and green eyes that desperately try to stay open. And it squeezes my heart as it says the same thing over and over again while clinging onto me like a lifeline.
"Don't let me go. Please. I don't…"
"Shh…" I silence him while closing my eyes. He's desperate. He never pleads otherwise. Never begs unless the situation is critical and he absolutely needs to. His pride won't let him.
Yet another reason I can't stop loving that blue idiot.
"Don't shush me. You know I can't stop talking. If I do, I'll…" he trails off, and I watch his gaze glaze over with tears again. He knows. He knows I know. And he knows that what's coming is about to change things forever.
"Shadow, please. Don't let me go. I don't…"
He buries his face in my chest, and takes a shaky breath.
"I don't want this to end."
I close my eyes at the whisper, and quickly taste the salty tears. I don't either. I never did. Why do you think I sought you out for so long? Why do you think I gave you so much of me without ever asking anything in return? Our relationship is what kept me going. Our relationship is the only reason I look forward to another day.
I don't ever want this to end.
"Sonic," I voice before feeling those eyes upon me. They're wide, I know. And those ears are perked up, attentive. He's listening, focusing all his attention on me.
It makes me smile.
And gently push him away so I can face him.
"Sonic, I can't tell you that it won't end, but I can tell you this. No matter what happens, no matter where we both are, you will forever have me by your side. We have always found each other at some point in time, haven't we?"
I pass my hand along his quills as he nods. Adorable. I love him so much.
I kiss his forehead, and gently wrap my pinky finger around his.
"You told me once, a long time ago, that we are connected. Connected beyond time, circumstances and physical form," I say as he stares at our fingers.
And whispers, "The red string of fate."
Thank Chaos he catches on fast.
I nod, "So while this might be the end, it's also the beginning, the beginning of a whole new adventure. You like adventures, don't you?"
I like his chuckles. I like the way those eyes light up as the fear disappears. He's not worried, he's not scared anymore. He's ready, I know. He's ready for the new journey time has in store for him.
Doesn't matter if I'm not. Doesn't matter if I'm holding back tears that will probably drown me. He needs me to be strong, and I will be.
I pull him to my chest, and enjoy the warmth he gives off before slowly placing his ear to my chest. It's probably as quiet as it will ever be. Slow, steady, and lulling, if Sonic's features are anything to go by.
I bring my lips to his free ear.
"This heart was always yours, Sonic. Never mine. Steal it as much as you desire, I'll never hold it against you."
I feel the smile draw itself as he brings my hand to his own.
"Same for me, Shadow. Same for me."
He sounds so tired. So exhausted. And yet his eyes still have that spark of happiness I'll never get enough of.
"Does this mean I win?"
I look at him in surprise before chuckling, and trying to control the way my throat is tightening. He's ready. He really is.
"Yes, Sonic, you win. Now cross that finish line."
His eyes close, and even though he's smiling, I can feel the tears dampen my chest and that hand give one last squeeze. Part of him is still unwilling to go, I know. Part of him would prefer to stay with me until the world ends.
But time didn't plan it that way.
"Goodbye, Shadow."
And he accepts it. He accepts it and fades. His body is still there, but his heart rate is slowly, steadily dropping. The hand holding mine gently loosens its grip. The chaos signature I've grown so attuned to dissipates into the air.
For the last time.
For the very last time.
I kiss his forehead one last time. A kiss he'll never know I gave him, just like the tears that are leaving my eyes and staining the pillows.
"Goodbye, Sonic."
It's over. The end. I will never see Sonic again. Not in this lifetime.
"With few minutes left on the clock, people are…"
A hundred years. It took a hundred years since Sonic for it to come.
But it's here. The end is finally here. The apocalypse has finally come.
There isn't much left. No food in the kitchen, no books on my shelves. The only I got left is that TV that's been spewing the same insanity for the past hour and the bed I slept on. The rest is gone, either eaten or given away. Couldn't care less. It's over anyway.
I sit on the last couch I own, and trace the scars along my arms. Took me forever to get the chips out. Sonic would probably be pissed at me, seeing that I can't control Chaos Energy as well as I usually do, but he's nowhere near.
Nowhere near to watch me put on my hover skates and the gloves I used to wear with the first Sonic. The very first Sonic.
The old inhibitor rings still fits. Nice.
"Five seconds left."
I turn to the television, and notice that the newscaster is gone. I hope she got home in time. I wish to no one what I'm currently going through.
I turn off the TV and quietly step outside.
The sight is magnificent. Breathtaking. Rouge would have loved flying here. Omega would have given his approval. Tails would have wanted to set up shop here. Knuckles would have been reminded of Angel Island. Amy would have whined until someone took her to the closest mall. Cream would have been out picking flowers.
And Sonic…
He would have wanted to race me across those fields over and over and over again.
But they're not here.
They've been long gone. A distant memory. A five hundred thousand year old memory.
I wonder if they had a thought for me as they died for the last time. I know I am.
Was that…?
It was. Warmth is turning to heat. It's here. It's over.
I spread my arms and close my eyes. It's over. I don't have to worry anymore. I don't have to fake anymore smiles.
"Finally crossing that finish line?"
In exchange, a real smile. A genuine feeling of happiness that I haven't felt in a while.
"Yes, Sonic. I'm coming," I hear myself say.
It's over. No more. I can finally be with him again.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Eyelids slowly lift.
Bright light.
But the jolt forces him up.
And activates his oxygen-deprived lungs.
No air. No air!
A mask is brought to a muzzle, and the oxygen makes his way into his lung.
It burns. It burns!
He screams.
"It's alright. Breathe."
He shudders, and tries once again to open his eyes. He's alive. He doesn't how or why, but he's alive.
What is being put into his ears?
And why is the mask being pulled away?
"Well, I suppose the experiment is a success?"
"As of currently, yes. But I will have to make test to confirm if he's viable or not."
Tests? Viable? He's there, isn't he?
His head hurts. And the images running through his mind are making it worse.
"I will leave those to you. Make sure that it is still alive by the time we return, Gerald, else I will have to take unwanted measures."
But he shoves it back to turn, and look at the owner of the warbly voice.
Only to freeze into place.
What the hell is that thing? Why is it here?
And how did it just vanish into thin air?
Now the stuff in his ear is being taken out. Where is he?
"Hgn!"
In hell.
"Sorry."
Where people apologize?
"Why?"
And jump at the sound of his voice?
"Wh – What did you just say?"
"Why did you apologize?"
At least his throat is clearing.
"Well, I – I apologized because I didn't realize how much it would hurt. Your system is a lot more sensitive than normal, and if a blood sample can hurt sometimes, it must be incredibly painful in your case."
And his facial features answer normally.
"How do you know this?"
"I built you. You are living proof that artificial creations can live without life support, and part of a project to make immortality a possibility."
He blinks. Project? Immortality? According to what he knows, it's impossible.
"Am I?"
"I cannot say for sure, I'll have to run a few tests," is the answer before the man turns around to put away the blood sample.
But he's too curious.
"Does the project have a name?"
And it shows.
"The project is called Project Shadow. Now, I have some work to do. Help me, and you can ask all the questions you want afterwards."
Nevertheless, he'll content himself with that answer. He'll content himself with the name of his Project.
Shadow.
He likes it. Can he have it as a name?

Description

The end.
I've been dreading it, anticipating it. I've been worried, scared out of my wits end because of it.
It's here.
It squirms against me, cries against me. It doesn't want to let go. It knows that it's inevitable, but it still stubbornly fights against it.
It's got grayed out blue quills and green eyes that desperately try to stay open. And it squeezes my heart as it says the same thing over and over again while clinging onto me like a lifeline.
"Don't let me go. Please. I don't…"
"Shh…" I silence him while closing my eyes. He's desperate. He never pleads otherwise. Never begs unless the situation is critical and he absolutely needs to. His pride won't let him.
Yet another reason I can't stop loving that blue idiot.
"Don't shush me. You know I can't stop talking. If I do, I'll…" he trails off, and I watch his gaze glaze over with tears again. He knows. He knows I know. And he knows that what's coming is about to change things forever.
"Shadow, please. Don't let me go. I don't…"
He buries his face in my chest, and takes a shaky breath.
"I don't want this to end."
I close my eyes at the whisper, and quickly taste the salty tears. I don't either. I never did. Why do you think I sought you out for so long? Why do you think I gave you so much of me without ever asking anything in return? Our relationship is what kept me going. Our relationship is the only reason I look forward to another day.
I don't ever want this to end.
"Sonic," I voice before feeling those eyes upon me. They're wide, I know. And those ears are perked up, attentive. He's listening, focusing all his attention on me.
It makes me smile.
And gently push him away so I can face him.
"Sonic, I can't tell you that it won't end, but I can tell you this. No matter what happens, no matter where we both are, you will forever have me by your side. We have always found each other at some point in time, haven't we?"
I pass my hand along his quills as he nods. Adorable. I love him so much.
I kiss his forehead, and gently wrap my pinky finger around his.
"You told me once, a long time ago, that we are connected. Connected beyond time, circumstances and physical form," I say as he stares at our fingers.
And whispers, "The red string of fate."
Thank Chaos he catches on fast.
I nod, "So while this might be the end, it's also the beginning, the beginning of a whole new adventure. You like adventures, don't you?"
I like his chuckles. I like the way those eyes light up as the fear disappears. He's not worried, he's not scared anymore. He's ready, I know. He's ready for the new journey time has in store for him.
Doesn't matter if I'm not. Doesn't matter if I'm holding back tears that will probably drown me. He needs me to be strong, and I will be.
I pull him to my chest, and enjoy the warmth he gives off before slowly placing his ear to my chest. It's probably as quiet as it will ever be. Slow, steady, and lulling, if Sonic's features are anything to go by.
I bring my lips to his free ear.
"This heart was always yours, Sonic. Never mine. Steal it as much as you desire, I'll never hold it against you."
I feel the smile draw itself as he brings my hand to his own.
"Same for me, Shadow. Same for me."
He sounds so tired. So exhausted. And yet his eyes still have that spark of happiness I'll never get enough of.
"Does this mean I win?"
I look at him in surprise before chuckling, and trying to control the way my throat is tightening. He's ready. He really is.
"Yes, Sonic, you win. Now cross that finish line."
His eyes close, and even though he's smiling, I can feel the tears dampen my chest and that hand give one last squeeze. Part of him is still unwilling to go, I know. Part of him would prefer to stay with me until the world ends.
But time didn't plan it that way.
"Goodbye, Shadow."
And he accepts it. He accepts it and fades. His body is still there, but his heart rate is slowly, steadily dropping. The hand holding mine gently loosens its grip. The chaos signature I've grown so attuned to dissipates into the air.
For the last time.
For the very last time.
I kiss his forehead one last time. A kiss he'll never know I gave him, just like the tears that are leaving my eyes and staining the pillows.
"Goodbye, Sonic."
It's over. The end. I will never see Sonic again. Not in this lifetime.
"With few minutes left on the clock, people are…"
A hundred years. It took a hundred years since Sonic for it to come.
But it's here. The end is finally here. The apocalypse has finally come.
There isn't much left. No food in the kitchen, no books on my shelves. The only I got left is that TV that's been spewing the same insanity for the past hour and the bed I slept on. The rest is gone, either eaten or given away. Couldn't care less. It's over anyway.
I sit on the last couch I own, and trace the scars along my arms. Took me forever to get the chips out. Sonic would probably be pissed at me, seeing that I can't control Chaos Energy as well as I usually do, but he's nowhere near.
Nowhere near to watch me put on my hover skates and the gloves I used to wear with the first Sonic. The very first Sonic.
The old inhibitor rings still fits. Nice.
"Five seconds left."
I turn to the television, and notice that the newscaster is gone. I hope she got home in time. I wish to no one what I'm currently going through.
I turn off the TV and quietly step outside.
The sight is magnificent. Breathtaking. Rouge would have loved flying here. Omega would have given his approval. Tails would have wanted to set up shop here. Knuckles would have been reminded of Angel Island. Amy would have whined until someone took her to the closest mall. Cream would have been out picking flowers.
And Sonic…
He would have wanted to race me across those fields over and over and over again.
But they're not here.
They've been long gone. A distant memory. A five hundred thousand year old memory.
I wonder if they had a thought for me as they died for the last time. I know I am.
Was that…?
It was. Warmth is turning to heat. It's here. It's over.
I spread my arms and close my eyes. It's over. I don't have to worry anymore. I don't have to fake anymore smiles.
"Finally crossing that finish line?"
In exchange, a real smile. A genuine feeling of happiness that I haven't felt in a while.
"Yes, Sonic. I'm coming," I hear myself say.
It's over. No more. I can finally be with him again.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Eyelids slowly lift.
Bright light.
But the jolt forces him up.
And activates his oxygen-deprived lungs.
No air. No air!
A mask is brought to a muzzle, and the oxygen makes his way into his lung.
It burns. It burns!
He screams.
"It's alright. Breathe."
He shudders, and tries once again to open his eyes. He's alive. He doesn't how or why, but he's alive.
What is being put into his ears?
And why is the mask being pulled away?
"Well, I suppose the experiment is a success?"
"As of currently, yes. But I will have to make test to confirm if he's viable or not."
Tests? Viable? He's there, isn't he?
His head hurts. And the images running through his mind are making it worse.
"I will leave those to you. Make sure that it is still alive by the time we return, Gerald, else I will have to take unwanted measures."
But he shoves it back to turn, and look at the owner of the warbly voice.
Only to freeze into place.
What the hell is that thing? Why is it here?
And how did it just vanish into thin air?
Now the stuff in his ear is being taken out. Where is he?
"Hgn!"
In hell.
"Sorry."
Where people apologize?
"Why?"
And jump at the sound of his voice?
"Wh – What did you just say?"
"Why did you apologize?"
At least his throat is clearing.
"Well, I – I apologized because I didn't realize how much it would hurt. Your system is a lot more sensitive than normal, and if a blood sample can hurt sometimes, it must be incredibly painful in your case."
And his facial features answer normally.
"How do you know this?"
"I built you. You are living proof that artificial creations can live without life support, and part of a project to make immortality a possibility."
He blinks. Project? Immortality? According to what he knows, it's impossible.
"Am I?"
"I cannot say for sure, I'll have to run a few tests," is the answer before the man turns around to put away the blood sample.
But he's too curious.
"Does the project have a name?"
And it shows.
"The project is called Project Shadow. Now, I have some work to do. Help me, and you can ask all the questions you want afterwards."
Nevertheless, he'll content himself with that answer. He'll content himself with the name of his Project.
Shadow.
He likes it. Can he have it as a name?