Quick note, I've done a origin story for Shadow, but I honestly didn't like it, I hated how I rushed it, so I'm writing this when taking breaks from my other stories. Anyways, this will get uploaded in bunches, I doubt I'll upload one chapter at a time with this story, but that depends on how long some of the chapters are! Last thing, this story is told in Shadow's pov, and every once in a while I might hop into someone else's thoughts, but if I do, I'll make it clear who it is! Enjoy and review!
I own the characters Jessica and Diane, the Sonic characters are owned by Sega.
Awakened - Chapter 1 - Where the hell am I?
"Hey sleepy head, time to get up." A soft voice whispered.
Her voice sent chills down my spine, I opened my eyelids to find no other than my best friend waiting on me. Her big blue eyes and long golden hair had me mesmerized for a moment, but her voice brought me back to reality.
"Come on Shadow, grandpa needs to see you!" the voice called out, now a bit farther off.
"Coming Maria." I replied.
I got up and stretched, then walked over and grabbed a white t-shirt and threw on some ripped black jeans. I slid on my hover skates and my inhibitor rings, then walked over to my calendar.
3 years on the ARK today… does that make it my birthday?
My thoughts were broken by the call of attention from Maria.
"Shadow the Hedgehog, get in here!" she demanded. Normally, anyone who spoke in that tone with me would end up with a chaos spear through the stomach, but Maria was different. What can I say, when you're with the same person everyday for 3 years, you grow used to them.
I skated off and found Maria, who had on the exact same outfit as me… minus the hover shoes and inhibitor rings of course. In place, she wore a bracelet I made her a while back, and she wore white sneakers.
"Wow Shadow, if you wanted to twin you could've just asked!" she joked.
I smirked a tad bit, then walked over and grabbed her hand. "Do you realize what today is?" I asked as we began walking together. The ARK hallways were so dull, not much color, yet the view made up where it lacked in style. We walked over to one of the many huge windows and glanced down at Earth.
"Yeah Shadow, it's Wednesday!" she said in a sarcastic tone. "Of course I know what today is, it's your creation-day!" she said with a big smile.
I removed my hand from hers and leaned against the window.
"True, but today's also something way better Maria, today marks three years since we became friends." I responded, my smile almost as big as hers.
"AHH SHADOW! THAT'S SO SWEET!" she ran and gave me the biggest hug possible, I wouldn't dare admit it, but she was squeezing me so hard I couldn't breathe. After I returned the embrace, she pulled away and grabbed my hand.
"This causes for celebration, let's see what the chef can cook up for us!"
"After you, Maria."
After that, she took off and I followed close behind, as we walked, I couldn't help but let my mind wonder. To think I was made to protect this sweet, innocent girl. Who would wanna hurt her?
My thoughts came to an end when we reached the kitchen table, I was taken back quite honestly. A sign hung from the ceiling, handmade, Maria's handwriting. Happy Creation-Day Shadow, Make The Best Of It! There was also a vanilla ice cream cake with three candles on top.
"Maria… you did all this? For me?"
She gave a nod and a big smile. "Shadow, you're the best, so you deserve the best."
I gave her a quick hug, then we sat down and sadly… I devoured the entire cake within minutes. My stomach rumbled and I let out a loud burp.
"Woah Shadow, I don't know where all that food goes, but you never get bigger or smaller!"
"Heh, yeah, perks to being a creation I guess." I said with a smirk. It didn't bother me too much, but Maria was really the only family I had, I wasn't like anyone else, I had no mother, no father, no siblings. It was just me and my best friend, and that was okay.
After that display in the kitchen, I played a game of tag with her(Though I was clearly faster, I always let her win.), then we watched a movie. Admittedly the ARK didn't have a vast selection of movies, we had watched the same ones over and over again, but it made Maria happy, and that made me happy. Once the movie ended, we took a stroll back over to the window we had stopped at earlier.
"It's truly beautiful isn't it Shadow." She said, leaning up and pointing at the huge planet next to us.
I simply nodded, I was deep in thought as I glared out the window. I saw something I had never seen before, some sort of ship flying towards the ship.
"Is the professor expecting guests Maria?"
"No… why?" her usual happy tone was non existence, her voice filled with worry sent chills down my spine.
"Go hide, I'm going to find the professor, I'll come find you, I promise, now go!" I pushed her off into the opposite direction and then took off, dashing past scientists giving me wild looks, once I reached the professor's room, I entered to find him surrounded by GUN agents.
GUN? Aren't they responsible for the funding that created me? Why're they hurting the professor…
"There he is!" one of the agents called out, the guns that were aimed on the professor were now aimed on me.
"Easy, I'm not gonna hurt anyone, what's going on?" I replied, waving for them to put their guns down.
"Not so fast hedgehog, you're coming with us!"
"What's the problem, whos in charge here?"
"That would be me." A tall young man, with brown hair and a beard, looking to be in his mid to late 20's appeared. The name patch on his chest read "Lieutenant Towers."
"Well, Lieutenant Towers, what's the fucking problem?" I tried being nice, but my anger was boiling through the roof, and I felt the chaos power coursing through my veins. I glanced over and saw the professor trying to tell me to calm down, he knew better than anybody I can't control my anger.
"To be quite blunt with you Shadow, you're the problem. Did the good professor ever tell you why you were created?" He sat down in a chair in front of me, the agents still had their guns aimed on me.
"Of course… I was created to protect Maria." I studied the man in front of me, he had a sinister smirk. He looked over to a guard who had been standing by the door and nodded towards him. After a moment, the guard returned with Maria in hand.
I was suddenly sent to my knees, I was being shocked, I could feel my power and energy leave my body. The shocking stopped, and I couldn't even stand. I felt myself being dragged towards a pod.
"Leave him in there until we're done, then we'll take him to Earth." Towers commanded his agents. He then took Maria by the arm and placed his silver magnum to her head.
"Towers what the hell-" the professor spoke up but was hit by one of the agents. The agent then placed him in cuffs and carried him out of the room.
"Now that I have your attention hedgehog, let's get one thing straight. You were created as a weapon for the US military, not for some fucking little girl."
"SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH" I beat the glass on the pod, though my energy was almost non existent, I couldn't let him hurt Maria.
"Shadow… just listen to him, I don't want him to hurt you."
"Maria-" I started to speak.
"Shadow please,just be quiet and if they send you down there, help people, please do it for me if not for the greater good." She interrupted.
I didn't say anything, I just laid back against the pod and fixed my eyes on the Lieutenant. He released Maria and placed the magnum back in the holster.
"I don't wanna hurt either of you, I want you to submit and come back to Earth with me, and I-"
He was cut off by Maria darting towards the wall and pulling the handle to release me into space.
"MARIA!" I tried to stand up, but before I had time to react, a shot echoed the air. I found myself slowly falling into space, as I looked up, I saw the Lieutenant's gun smoking, and Maria laid out on the floor. I felt a tear roll down my face… and before I knew it, I felt myself starting to pass out.
-A few hours later.
A news reporter was seen in front of The White House, with a large crowd behind her. She wore a black dress, had long red hair, and had bright green eyes.
"I'm Diane, and I'm standing outside The White House with breaking news! Let's take a live look at what's going on behind me."
The president was seen on stage with Lieutenant.
"Good evening, today I bring you some tragic news… one of our secret facilities was attacked today, by a black and red hedgehog who goes by the name Shadow the Hedgehog. This man standing next to me saved his agents and killed the black hedgehog, so though we lost many lives of brave scientists, I must recognize the bravery of this man next to me, I'll be personally promoting him from Lieutenant to Commander."
The crowd responded with a round of applause.
The commander then took the mic stand.
"Hello everyone, I just wanted to make something very clear… while I'm commanding GUN, we won't have to worry about terrorists such as Shadow. I will work tirelessly to keep you all safe! Together, we will transform and create a better tomorrow!"
-50 years later-
A robotic voice shook me out of a deep sleep.
"Cryogenic slumber offline, system damaged. Awaken the test subject."
Where the fuck am I? I sat and noticed the ice on the glass melting, and I felt the cool air hit me as the pod opened up. The sky was bright blue, the sun was beaming down on me as I struggled to crawl out of the pod. I found myself deep in what appeared to be some sort of forest. I saw my reflection off the glass of the pod. Jeez I look like shit, I need to get cleaned up. I walked off and eventually found myself in a clearing, there was nothing but grass and some animals around, there was also a small watering hole where the animals were drinking from. That'll have to do. I skate over and jump right into the water, it wasn't the cleanest water, but I was definitely cleaner than I was before. I climbed out and shook the water off my fur, then sat down and relaxed for a moment. Is this Earth? How long have I been asleep? And where's all the damn humans? More importantly… how did I get here?
I shook myself from my thoughts and began walking off towards these huge buildings. I knew because this girl showed me a long time ago…. this girl? Who was she? No matter, I have to learn more about this planet.
After walking for what felt like forever, I finally arrived at one of the buildings, the sign read "best pancakes in town." The fuck is this? I walked in and noticed people eating food I'd never seen before. I walked up to this young girl who was wearing a silly outfit.
"Hello sir how may I help you?"
I didn't really know how to respond. "Uhhh yeah, I saw a sign outside that said best pancakes in town, what're pancakes?" Based off her response, she must've thought I was joking.
"Hahahaha, you're funny! You must be here to try the pancake challenge?"
My ears perked up at that word, challenge. I loved a good challenge.
"Why yes, of course. What does it require?"
"Well sir, if you can eat 50 pancakes, you won't have to pay for them, on top of that you'll get free pancakes for life!"
Well I can't die, at least I'll have an unlimited supply of food on this planet. "Consider it done."
After about 15 minutes, she returned with a huge plate with these flat objects on top, she also handed me a bottle "Syrup, okay!" I had no clue what it was, but the picture on the bottle showed a woman pouring it onto these pancake things, so I copied her. I began devouring the pancakes, and I was starting to gather attention. The girl who served me had her phone out recording me, after a moment I swallowed the last pancake. Her eyes were huge as she sat across the table from me.
"Holy shit! You must be hungry, only one other person has ever ate all 50, and it took them close to an hour, it took you less than 5 minutes!"
I glared at her shocked expression before replying. "Well, I'm the ultimate life form, nobody can outdo me in anything."
"Jeez you sure are cocky mister, hey, you don't happen to be related to Sonic do you?"
"Please stop calling me sir and mister, my names Shadow… and no, I no nobody named Sonic." Judging by her expression, what I was saying was almost as shocking as me eating those pancakes that fast.
"It's not everyday a talking hedgehog shows up, in fact you're the third one I've met, Sonic and Amy being the other two!"
"Sonic and Amy, can you show me these two?"
She pulled out her phone and showed me a video of a blue hedgehog and a pink hedgehog fighting robots.
"Hmph, he's slow." I merely replied as I glanced back up at her, I noticed her name tag read 'Jessica.'
"Jessica, if you don't mind me asking, what year is it?" again, judging by her expression she must think I'm crazy.
"Um, 2018? Why, are you a time traveler or something?" she said with a chuckle.
"No, I've been asleep for 50 years, that's all. I'm also on a foreign planet. I need to learn more, do you think you could help me? Or do you know someone who could help me?"
She was clearly pondering what she should do. "I can try, but if I can't help I know Sonic can for sure!"
I huffed. "I rather not meet him right now, he will only get in my way. So, where can we discuss this?"
She stood and pointed at the clock hanging from the wall. "I get off work in a hour, then we can go to my apartment."
Apartment? What's that? Instead of asking more questions, I nodded in agreement as she went back to work, while I laid back and found myself falling asleep at the table.
I hadn't had time to fully fall asleep before something forced me to open my eyes, I heard Jessica call out for me.
"Shadow, there's some people I'd like you to meet!"
I sat up and glared over to find a white bat, a purple cat, and a red echidna. The white bat wore a tight black bodysuit with white boots, white gloves and a pink heart over her chest, while the purple cat wore a yellow t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and some yellow high top sneakers. The echidna wore a white collared shirt with tan pants and brown dress shoes. They walked over and sat across from me, then Jessica sat down next to me.
"This is Rouge, Knuckles, and Blaze. They're kinda like you, except I don't think anyone has the ability to eat like you!"
"Pfft, nobody's like me." I replied quickly, examining the three in front of me. The echidna kept sending me harsh looks, while the white bat couldn't seem to take her eyes off me, and the cat, well she was looking at her phone.
"So, can these people help me?" I glanced over to Jessica. She nodded in response.
"Like you, they just showed up out of the blue one day, and they've been here ever since."
"I see, you, bat, what was your name again?" I studied her closely, she seemed like trouble, yet she wasn't the one that answered me, it was Knuckles.
"Her name is Rouge jackass, listen babe, if this guy gives you trouble let me know, I'm gonna go sit with the master emerald." he got up and kissed the bat, then walked out.
"Sorry about that sweetie, he gets grumpy when there's other men around." Rouge placed her hand around Blaze, who had finally taken her eyes off the phone, locking eyes with me. Her yellow eyes glowed in the light. My appearance must've been doing its job, she appeared shaken up. In fact, everyone I had met so far had seemed scared of me, even Jessica had that look of question and fear. I need to use this to my advantage.
"So, Rouge and Blaze, tell me, what brought you guys here, and why'd you stay?"
After a long sigh from the bat, she spoke out "Well me and Blaze didn't come onto the planet at the same time, in fact Blaze has never told anyone how she got here. Me on the other hand, I showed up when Sonic caused Chaos Control back on our home planet, sending all of us to Earth. We tend to turn lots of heads down here, I must say though, none of us look quite like you."
I shot my glance over to Blaze. "And you, what about you?"
She responded with an annoyed look. "Listen, hedgehog, I don't know who the hell you are, but I don't trust you, don't take it personal but I'm not telling you shit about me until I get to know you better. Rouge, I gotta work, text me if you wanna hang out later. Cya around Jessica." as the cat stood to walk away, I grabbed her hand and sent her a sharp look. "The names Shadow." I released her and glared back towards the bat. "Shadow huh? The name suits you!" she said with a chuckle. I wanted to ask her what's so funny, but my thoughts were interrupted by Jessica.
"I got to work a little longer, you two chat for a bit, Rouge can I get you anything?"
"I'm okay, thanks though."
As Jessica left, me and the bat me eyes. Unlike the cat, she had greenish blueish eyes. Again, my eyes were doing their part, because I could tell she was uncomfortable.
"So Rouge, what do you do here?"
She sat back and rubbed her chin, then responded "Well Shadow, I'm a part time jewel thief, full time agent for GUN."
The words sent pain through my head. GUN? Why did it sound so familiar, and why did it hurt so bad.
She must've noticed my pain, because she called me out on it.
"Shadow, you okay?"
"I'm fine, what's this GUN you speak of?"
"Wow you're really not from around here are you? Well GUN is kinda like the CIA, or MI6. We work for our government and do what's necessary."
I nodded in return. I see, now if you don't mind me asking, who should I worry about on this planet? Anyone I shouldn't trust?" She smirked in response, I knew this was gonna be interesting.
"Well, if you were to ask just anyone on this planet, Dr. Eggman would be the main concern, but ask anyone like us? After Eggman, they'd say me. I'm a master manipulator, and I always get what I want."
I didn't like her tone, she sounded like she was trying to play games. "This Eggman, how smart is he?"
"Well he's actually very smart, he just has trouble putting anything together and keeping a solid plan. Why do you ask?"
"No offense, but I need someone very smart, with access to things to help me figure out why I'm here." Based by her facial expression, she hadn't liked what she heard.
"First of all, I'm actually very intelligent and have access to all of GUNS secret files, and secondly, what do you mean to figure out why you're here?"
"Rouge, you don't have to believe me when I say this, but I've been asleep for over 50 years, I don't know how I got here, or where I came from. I don't even remember much about myself, only bits and pieces, do you think you could help me get access to those files?"
"And lose my job over it? HAHA, are you crazy? I just met you, I'm not risking my job over you, let alone someone so rude." she scoffed
"Hmph, be gone then, I don't need you anyway, I'm the ultimate life form A mortal bat like yourself wouldn't do anything but get in my way.."
She laughed in response as she stood up to walk out. "You're funny Shad, I'll see you around, I'm sure of it." she said with a wink, then left.
Shad? What the hell was that all about?
I shifted my gaze over to Jessica, who was taking off her apron.
"Ready Shadow?" She pointed towards the door. I nodded and stood. "Lead the way." I followed her for a while down the busy streets, she remained silent most of the way, until we were forced to stop due to busy traffic. She was the one that broke the silence.
"Shadow, why were you so mean to Rouge and Blaze?" She wouldn't look me in the eyes, I clearly intimidated her.
"I don't know them, and I'm not exactly the nicest guy you'll ever meet." I watched her face change, she seemed uneasy. "Listen Jessica, if you're too scared then you don't have to help me. I can figure this shit out on my own."
At first she didn't reply as we finally began to walk again, then she suddenly pulled me aside to a set of stairs leading up to a tall building. We entered the lobby, then climbed tons of stairs. Finally we arrived at a doorway.
"I assume this is your home?" I asked as she unlocked the door.
"Yes, I've been living here since I moved out of my parents place. I find it cozy." She opened up the door and waved me in. Once I entered the lights came on automatically, I was greeted by a small dog licking my leg.
"Hey baby! Mommies home!" Jessica yelled out loud. She ran over and picked up the small dog, he was brown with white spots.
"I had no clue you had a dog." I said dryly. She looked over at me with a not so amused face.
"Are you allergic or something?" She showed some concern, while I simply laughed it off.
"I know we've just met, but I don't get sick. I'm immortal, I don't age. My power is unmatched, Jessica."
She nodded and put the dog down. "Have a seat on the couch and let's talk."
I obeyed, she sat next to me and turned on the TV, the news was on, talking about Eggman and that Sonic guy. I feel like he's gonna be a problem.
"So Shadow, what is it that you need help with?" Jessica asked me, laying out on the couch.
"Well, I need to learn some things, have you ever heard of GUN?"
My words made her pick her head up. "Of course I have, why?"
I sat in silence for a minute. "Well, I don't remember why, but I know they've done something to me in the past. I don't remember when it happened or where, but I'd like to know more about them."
She sat up and pulled out a slim device from under her table, she opened it then slid it over to me.
"Use my laptop, just type GUN and it'll take you to their website."
"It's that easy?" I looked at her blankly, yet she responded with a laugh.
"Of course, it's called the internet. You'll get used to these kinda things the longer you're here. It makes life easier, if you ever have a question, look it up. It's not always accurate though."
I nodded and began searching this so called internet. I found the site I needed, then began absorbing as much information as I could. It felt like it had only been minutes, but I glanced down and noticed it was 4 in the morning. I looked over to find Jessica and her dog asleep on the couch next to me, I quietly crept out and onto the balcony, where I explored for close to an hour longer, then I decided to sit and reflect on everything that had happened.
So, this guy named Commander Towers, who sounds awfully familiar for some reason, is the leader of GUN. They run private security and are rumored to have the best spies in the world. Though I looked myself up, there was nothing anywhere about me being created. I need to clear my head.
I placed the laptop back on the table, then turned and jumped off the balcony, climbing up towards the roof to get away for a bit.
*MEANWHILE AT GUN HEADQUARTERS*
"Commander Towers sir, a blacklisted phrase has been entered onto a laptop in the downtown Westopolis. How would you like to act?" A female agent asked.
"Agent Topaz, tell me what the phrase was if you don't mind." He spun around in his chair, he was wearing a navy blue uniform, he had grey hair, and a grey beard. Topaz on the other hand wore a black field outfit, equipped with a bulletproof vest and flash grenades. They both wore black combat boots.
"The term, well, the term was "Shadow the Hedgehog sir."
The commander's face turned from concern to frightened.
"Normally I wouldn't let something such as an internet search bother me, but that comes from a forgotten project from over 50 years ago. It's Project Shadow, bring me all you can find from the archives. I'll take agent Rouge to go investigate the matter personally."
"Yes sir, right away."
As Topaz left, the commander grabbed his phone and dialed Rouge instantly. She answered with a groggy voice.
"Commander, it's 5am, is the world ending or something?"
"Agent Rouge, I'll text you an address, I need you to meet me there. I'll explain when we meet up."
"Ugh, yes sir. I'll be there as soon as possible."
The two got off the phone and prepared to investigate the owner of the laptop.
Well there's chapter 1 in the books, I hope you all enjoyed, I wrote this between chapters on my other stories when I got writer's block. I intend to make this into a series, but being a college student comes with the challenges of finding free time between the balance of studying and my personal life, with all that being said, if you enjoyed, feel free to follow the story for updates, I don't have a set schedule for this story yet, since I'm finishing up my other story Fugitive right now. If you're reading this around the time it goes up, then I hope you guys all have and fun and safe Thanksgiving holiday!