Reflections - 6

An icy cold splash of water again collided with Shadow's face, the hedgehog, this time, not budging. His hands stayed where they were on his face, cupped around his eyes and cheeks as he breathed heavier than he would have liked. The clear liquid felt so serene, so calming, yet his face burned with white-hot intensity. Three times he did this; three times his cheeks remained their abnormally warm state. He could not calm down; more importantly, he could not believe himself. With every closing of his eyes he saw himself carrying Black Doom upon his back, sprinting down G.U.N.'s hallways. The images and the guilt would not cease.

"Dammit," he cursed beneath his breath as he applied pressure to his face and gritted his teeth. A throb from the side of his head agreed, cuing the hedgehog to growl the curse again and again, escalating in volume. His chest was tight, filled to the brim with indescribable emotions and words he wished to scream. All the answers had been given to him, but he was more confused than before. He swore to never look back on his past and to live his life to the fullest but his past had made an unexpected comeback. His past was sitting under a tree. His past was probably nodding off to sleep. His past had been saved by Shadow himself. His past, the monster that warped his mind against the humans in every chance there was, came back, and it was of Shadow's will that he was there now.

The mere thought sent the black blur into a fit of rage. Tightening his fists, he slammed a stained gloved hand into the small stream, breaking the smooth, easy current. A burst of water encircled his gloved hand, water droplets clinging to the hedgehog's face. His anger was beyond comprehensible; he hated not understanding what his feelings were or what his mind was truly trying to say. He just wanted out of whatever he got himself into, and he wanted out that instant.

He panted. He bled. He stared into the water, his hand still planted firmly under the surface. The water had continued its flow, simply moving around the new intrusion. Shadow watched the stream intently, crimson eyes tense as he mused upon the resurrected alien leader. Yes, resurrected…and as a hedgehog, at that. What happened exactly? Questions began to pile up in his mind, clouding his head even more.

One thing was for certain, however; he had gotten himself neck-deep in trouble with not only his conscience, but with the entire world as he knew it. Shadow worried what Maria was thinking of him, or what the professor would say. He betrayed them…but on the other hand, Shadow saved a life. He was giving Black Doom a second chance, and it was just as Maria had asked – to give second chances to those who had betrayed him.

The black hedgehog shook his head, admitting defeat. Such conflicting thoughts would never get him far, he knew, but he resolved to at least try to calm himself for both their sakes. After a minute of sitting and breathing, his vitals returned to their normal states, temperature slightly chilled with the water dripping from his face. He held his hands tightly, fingers beginning to feel icy as well. The coldness made him wonder how Black Doom was faring on this autumn afternoon with such a light coat…

He coughed, clearing his throat and wiping his face after scooping water into his dry, thirsty mouth. Easing back from the stream, he vowed to himself something he would have never thought of doing: protecting Black Doom at all costs. He would not live in the past, nor the future: he would live in the present, and that meant that he was to help someone who deserved it.

He needed this. He needed someone that was still connected with him, a bond that perhaps would be eternally strong.

With this in mind, Shadow stood, journeying back to where he had left Black Doom.

--

He watched the fire in his eyes.

"I will not let you do this, Black Doom!"

It was a shame that he used his strength and will for all the wrong reasons. The small black hedgehog approached him slowly, taking his time; he wondered if he was second-guessing himself now. To help assist in guiding him in the right direction, he snatched the hedgehog's free will up, manipulating it, molding it until it made the mammal kneel before his true master. Yes, his true master – his true father, really.

Even as the movement was controlled, that fire in his eyes never wavered. The feeling of his son's ambition made him assumed the worst; things would not end easily. One would win and one would lose, and this time, much like his other oppositions, it would be determined by life and death. So why was it that he felt such hesitation towards ripping him apart at that moment? Any other rebel would suffer that fate. But this…Shadow…

Did he want to kill him? Did he truly, honestly wish to see the life drained form this one's eyes?

No. No, he did not. But for the sake of his people – his children – he needed to. But wasn't Shadow one of his own as well?

So many questions, and yet there was no time to assure himself. He began to prepare for the toughest battles he would ever fight, not because of size or strength, but of his will and knowledge of what was right and wrong.

He heard Gerald's voice on the monitors behind him. Someone had hacked his computer system, enabling Shadow to break free from his once-flawless mind controlling ability. The fire had still not died down; if anything, they had grown. He wasn't intimidated, no, but his pride was slowly beginning to shrink into a void of uncertainty and conflict.

Shadow lunged. Black Doom teleported. He harnessed the Emeralds' powers, cursing and warning Shadow and commencing his transformation, much to his dislike. This was it – everything he had planned was spiraling out of control, and all he wanted was for everything to be perfect.

Shadow, I…

"Black Doom?" Shadow's voice suddenly broke through the alien's dream, shattering it into fragments. Black Doom opened his eyes, now finding himself fatigued beyond belief although it had only been minutes since Shadow stormed off. Now, however, he peered up at the black blur, who was offering a hand down to him. He blinked, heart stuttering over a few beats before he gave an inquisitive look upward. Shadow drew his mouth into a line, seeming embarrassed to speak.

"Come on. Let's get cleaned up a little."

Those words, especially from Shadow, were not something he wanted to hear.