''Breaking the curse''

Written by - ProjectCyberium

(A Shadow the Hedgehog fan-fiction meant to justify why Shadow apparently does not associate with Rouge, Omega and/or G.U.N, according to Ian Flynn. Please note the content in this story is darker, along the lines of Shadow the Hedgehog 2005, with some minor depictions of violent imagery and horror.)

Why did I join G.U.N?

To be honest with you, I wasn't sure. At the time, they were the only ones who welcomed me after I fought and stained my hands with blood. I took down anyone, my own brothers in arms, and a beast who called himself, ''my father.'' I sacrificed it all for the chance to move on. The commander seemed remorseful. He was as old as me, but he got to live with the regret for the years I was gone.

After understanding the life of someone, someone who saw you as a threat to their safety for decades, someone who held you responsible for the pain you caused, I was tired of looking at that person above me. The one they knew and criticized. The one that gave his life to Earth over the memory of a girl.

I was not that person, and I never was. He died a hero, and I'm what's left of him. I wasn't an android, but I was a ghost. Everything he held dear, his memories of a kind and brilliant doctor, a gentle friend who raised him and taught him love. I carried that burden of having to be the person he was. I was left with memories that were never mine. I had become something of a Skinwalker. Wearing someone's clothes and body as, I, the observer, really didn't know what to do. People smiled at me and welcomed me back, people I never knew or spoke to. I went with the motions and assumed they had my interests at heart.

I met two of these people, Rouge and Omega. Rouge, a bit of a self-centered woman, knew what it was like to work on her own, and she understood my independence. Omega, a forgotten creation of a brilliant man, he's the closest thing I have to a relative technically. I look at someone like him who was meant to be a tool and grew out of it, and it gives me hope. Together, we had power. I'd have to listen to some orders here and there and work for G.U.N, I never liked following orders. But they gave me many tools. I often felt comfortable with a pistol, a motorcycle, and these tools I could control and defend myself with, and my friends. To be honest, Rouge being somewhat of an exception, I think we clicked because we were outcasts. Rouge, a government spy constantly playing pretend. Who would really know her? Me? Would she even know? Who was she inside before the woman she became had to grow up and risk her life? And Omega, he had harbored this deep, genuine anger towards the Doctor, but did he ever feel joy?

And me. The calloused person who worked with the motions, turning a blind eye to those indifferent. If they cared, they would have proven it already. I have only who I need. But did they need me?

Rouge gave me companionship. She was not the most comforting or sensitive, she's an adult after all, I think she took some pity on me when she found me dormant in the Doctor's facility. Perhaps she felt responsible for the ordeal back on the Ark all those years back, since she pushed me, or rather, my Shadow to pursue my memories and my purpose. Since then, she's very direct, very intelligent but she respects me. She knows I'm not the most talkative but she's surprisingly loyal to the group. Which is why this decision was so hard for me.

I stayed with G.U.N for a good number of years. Until my last mission.

Escort mission. A while back, the Doctor tried to revisit one of his grandfather's earlier creations, the Artificial Chaos. Somehow, the blueprints leaked onto the Black Market, as the government began declassifying the Gerald case for the general public. Someone got greedy or committed industrial espionage and took the case file before it was made public. As such, we had no choice to reveal the information. We aren't sure why, but my guess is, they wanted to try to weaponize the Chaos. As such, Team Dark was deployed to extract the blueprints, find the individual who held these in storage and disarm all evidence of the creatures. Rouge surveyed the area, looking for possible threats and installing security cameras to alert me. Omega guarded the outside in case any experiments tried to escape. As such, I investigated the compound alone. The complex these experiments were in were secluded deep into a lush forest, vines overgrowing the entrance. The weather was thick, humid, and misty. I walked past the leaves and hummingbirds chirping in the distance. I tried to open the chain lock that blocked the entrance. Rouge said she was unable to pick a lock. It was bolted down tight from the inside. My body, surging with Chaos energy, I harnessed my inner strength and crushed the handle, trying to pry it open. Noting. Broke off. Finally, I opened the door, breaking it open with my leg, kicking it down. I felt a rush of cold air hit me. I was armed with a pistol holstered to my right leg. G.U.N had secured me with a night vision camera attached to my head. I switched it to on. Rouge wished me good luck and said after this we would hang out. She said she dreaded being in the heat for this long, growing antsy. I told her to be patient and to live with it. There were more important things than her comfort. She was observing me from a distance, camouflaged in a green jumpsuit that concealed her face, in case any guards tried to spot her. We communicated through a small earpiece.

The corridors were dark, spacious, and empty. My footsteps echoed in the halls. I saw a complex array of wires on the ground leading to empty rooms. It appears this complex was once an apartment. I saw rooms with mattresses destroyed and in ruins, shredded with a faint smell of dust in the air. I took my pistol in my hand and turned on the flashlight, attentively turning to each room, examining if any of the wires led there, it was empty. My radar detected no organic life. A complete ghost town. Finally, I trailed the path of the thick wires past a door, secluded at the end of the hall with a combination lock on the handle. I picked up a few tricks from Rouge, she had taught me how to pick a lock. If this didn't work, I'd likely disarm the lock and break it down, though it would exhaust some energy. I took a small pin and tried to feel the mechanisms inside the lock tick and open. Finally, a click confirming I had cracked it open. The lock was not too tight, though it felt old. The wires ran underneath the door frame, past a glowing blue light downstairs. I carefully walked, this appears to have been a storage room of some sorts, likely to maintain heat or water. I walked past the boiler room, dead and empty. Until I saw the blue light flashing behind yet another door. I was getting peeved at this point. However, it was unlocked, I carefully opened it with my left hand, holding my pistol to the entrance and I was stunned.

It was a workshop with a man's body over a desk. Papers and wires around his body. His hair was weak and frail. I poked him; he was dead. His body was sunken deep, his skin thick and leathery. He had been dead for some time. Strangely enough, the man left behind a helmet by his side. The logo on the helmet was worn out and deliberately erased. The man was wearing a bullet proof vest and goggles. Behind me, I heard a squeal and radio static, I turned around quickly and… the sight was incredible.

I saw them. They were merged together in a large bubble, small droplets formed in a secure air bubble with mechanical heads. They barely had limbs; their bodies had a tail at the end made of water. Their eyes, closed, sleeping. Beside them, a large Tesla coil that covered the bubble, surrounding it in some mystical body of plasma. It was a ball of water protected by electricity. They had been sleeping, defending themselves. I looked to the coil, the wires were powering it, but there was a breaker switch. I was still very much in shock; I had never seen anything like this. My mouth hung open a bit, as I caught my breath in disbelief. They were in deep unison, humming and singing these harmonic tunes. The music was distorted, their voices echoed through a small radio box on the top of their heads. I looked to the switch and powered it off, wanting to investigate. I held my gun aimed, ready for an attack. The artificial chaos awoke from their slumber, their eyes emanating a lucid gold, some were blue, green, or even red. But they did not meet with anger. They were gentle. The bubble popped and their small bodies rolled into balls and formed tiny legs and arms. They crawled on their stomachs to me. Greeting me. I backed away, unsure of what touching them would do. They sang continuously. One peered into my eyes. I looked with a serious glare, observing it. It wiggled its mechanical head and swerved around. One of the artificial chao looked at my gun and squealed, running, and backing into a corner. The rest of them flashed their eyes white, staring at me, sobbing through their small speaker, and running to huddle each other. I…didn't know how to feel.

I radioed into G.U.N on further orders.

''G.U.N. This is Agent Shadow. The culprit is deceased. He's been dead for some time. The experiments have…morphed into some higher being. Please advise.'' ''Agent Shadow. How many experiments are there?''

I scanned the room, there were maybe 5 to 6, I couldn't tell since they were huddled near each other. ''A good amount. They aren't harmful. They pose no threat. Please advise, G.U.N.'' ''…''

''Awaiting your orders.''

''…''

''…Roger, Agent Shadow. Exterminate the experiments. We can't have these leaking to the public. Dismantle them and we can inspect them here. Over''

My gut sank, and I could feel my skin running with chills. They were harmless. They huddled, shivering in fear as they noticed my gun, pleading. My eyes shut down, I could feel my body shake and my heart aching with anxiety.

''Agent Shadow have the targets been eliminated?''

''…''

''…Agent Shadow, please respond. Over.''

My eyes squinted, and I furrowed my brows in anger. I tore off the earpiece and crushed it beneath my heel. I took my pistol, unloaded the bullets from the clip, and broke it in my hand, crushing the bullets with my foot as well.

I sat down on my knees. The Chaos began to simmer down, realizing they were alive. Their eyes were a pale white, as they inspected me. I don't know how I looked, but I could feel helpless. I looked to them, with remorse and pain. This deep pain in my chest, I fought to subdue it with my bravery, but nothing persisted. I was helpless. They examined the area and noticed the gun was destroyed. One of them crawled to me, its brother reached its hand out, reaching for them. The chaos looked at me with its brightly lit eyes. And it sat inches away from me. I opened my palms instinctively, I'm not sure why I did, but I wanted it to crawl into my hands. It did so and I held it, it shook in fear. As I looked into its gaze, I could feel an enigmatic aura that comforted me. Its bright, vigilant eyes lowered down to its familiar blue shade. I held it in my hands, and I brushed its mechanical, little head. The touch had given me a static shock, which surprised me and the creature. But I held it near my face, looking at it. Its body was just like a real chao, but its skin and body was made out of water that flowed in my grasp. The other creatures, the chao, had returned to normal and surrounded me in a circle. I knew they could not be left here. Before we left the room, ascending up the stairs, one of the artificial chaos had looked at the dead corpse. It surprisingly growled and walked off, being the last one to follow. Intriguing.

The chaos and I left the compound, following me as they trailed behind me. Their eyes glowing the path above me. We reached the outdoor of the complex. Rouge and Omega had been waiting there. They inched closer to me as I approached the exit. Rouge yelled, excitedly and relieved, ''Shadow! We were worried. Your comms were down. Were you alright, did you find out what was- ''

I walked out with the chaos surrounding me. They both backed away, reacting suddenly, unable to process the information.

''What- What are they, Shadow?'', she asked me, tilting her head curiously.

''SUBJECT UNIDENTIFIED. UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF SUBJECTS ARE LIVING BEINGS. SHADOW, HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THESE CREATURES?'' Omega said, inquiring in his loud, monotone voice.

''Well, the spy, I presume made them. They were abandoned in the basement of the compound. He was...dead when I got there.''

Rouge crossed her arms, listening carefully.

''Interesting.''

''I found them in stasis. They were…alone. They never harmed me. They think and act like real chaos. Except, well they aren't. They are no smarter than an infant.'', I said to them. I paused, looking down and then meeting them with a furious gaze.

''And G.U.N told me to execute them.''

''What?! Are you sure?!'' Rouge said, gasping and moving closer to me, understanding my anger. ''Yes. They were told I should get rid of the evidence and bring back the parts for inspection.'', I told them.

''FIGURES. THEY WOULDN'T WANT THESE CREATURES MASS PRODUCED BY SOME BOOTLEGGER. SO, THEY WANTED IT THEMSELVES. THE QUESTION IS: DID THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFORE HAND?'', Omega inquired.

''I don't know. But I didn't want to hear it. I disobeyed their direct order.'' ''Shadow, do you realize what that means?'', Rouge asked me. ''Instant termination, I know. I'm aware of the consequences.''

Rouge looked down, holding her arms to her side, unsure of what to think or feel.

''Well, they couldn't have known! I'm sure it was a simple error but…it would not be beyond them.''

''Maybe I should photograph them for late- ''

''No!'' I said, assertively.

Rouge looked at me in surprise.

''They won't care. They'll want to chase them down. I know, they don't look…real.'' Omega looked at me.

''But they are. There's something about them, I don't know what, but I can't let them get hurt.'' ''Well, if you say so.'' Rouge said. ''What do we say happened to them?''

''Put the blame on me. I refused an order, and I let them escape.'' ''But…Shadow?''

''You heard me. I'm resigning. I don't know if they have proof of this...creature, but they wanted these parts for a reason. They aren't natural, but they aren't dangerous. They're low powered too it seems… I…''

I turned my head. ''I don't think they'll last very long anyways. They weren't built to live.'' ''Oh…'' Rouge said, solemnly.

''AFFIRMATIVE. THESE CREATURES ARE BEING POWERED BY A VERY LOW ENERGY SOURCE. IT IS POSSIBLE THEY USED THEIR REMAINING POWER AND CHARGED EACH OTHER FOR SURVIVAL.'', Omega said.

''Hmph, well, you've convinced me Shadow! I guess we're breaking the rules, haha!''

''Rouge take them away. There should be a pond nearby. They'll swim and play for the remainder of their lifespan.''

''Haha, they're awfully cute, ya know…''

Rouge's voice lowered. ''Such a shame. I wonder what they were used for. I'll be back. Shadow, you…do what you need to do. I'll take these creatures somewhere else. Then, I'm taking a look around and finding out what they were meant for… I'll ask the boys at G.U.N a few questions...''

The chao excitedly greeted Rouge and hopped on her shoulders.

''Oh! God. Don't make me feel like a mother. I'm too young for that…'' Rouge said, sarcastically.

She flew away, flapping her wings gently as they latched onto her.

''SHADOW.''

''Yes, Omega?'' I replied.

''YOUR GUN IS GONE.''

''…Yes, Omega.''

''…'' I stared at him, blankly.

''I SEE. IF YOU PLAN TO LEAVE. THEN I WILL RESIGN TOO. HOWEVER, I ONLY JOINED TO GIVE YOU AND ROUGE A PURPOSE. WITHOUT YOU TWO, MY REVENGE IS STILL WITH EGGMAN. KNOW THAT I VALUE YOU AND WILL ACCOMPANY YOU WHENEVER POSSIBLE.''

''Thank you, Omega. However, I wish to be alone again. There's this deep pain I felt when I saw those creatures. The final piece. And while I appreciate Rouge, she will still work for the Government, the people I can never associate with. I will have to leave her as well. I know you're an independent too, Omega. You won't wait for me.''

''I WILL SEEK MY CLOSURE, AND I HOPE YOU SEEK YOURS SHADOW. KNOW THAT MY TRUST IS FOREVER INDEBTED TO YOU. HOWEVER, WE BOTH HAVE OUR OWN GOALS.'' ''I understand. Thanks, Omega.''

''DO YOU WISH TO TAKE YOUR BIKE?''

''No. Get rid of it. I'll run back.''

I ran off, trailing into the distance with my rocket boots. Omega looked behind me, waving. I waved back. While on my way, I saw Rouge flying above me. She smiled and gave me a wink. Time slowed down. I…did I really want to do this? I spent years making friends. My only friends.

I could come back to Rouge someday. But as long as I was never a part of G.U.N, they'll want me dead or alive. I gave her a gentle smirk, as I saw her bright emerald eyes one last time.

She didn't know I was leaving. Omega will tell her later. I'm sorry, Rouge. Maybe that's all I'm meant to be. Alone.

When I arrived back at G.U.N HQ. The staff saluted to me but were puzzled. They asked me where the Chaos was and where Rouge and Omega were. I told them that the Chaos had been destroyed, they did not last, and Rouge went to dispose of them while Omega vanished. Which was partially the truth anyways. They were disappointed, and a few of them had a look of frustration on their face. Their look said it all. I don't know how they knew, but they knew exactly what was in there and what they wanted me to do. I don't think the Commander knew, no. I think a few of these soldiers had done their research and wanted it to themselves. As far as the Commander knew, they had just smuggled illegal cargo out into some forest, he didn't actually realize anything was built. Just thought, based on the information he was given, that some parts were being taken to construct the Chaos. If only he knew. I didn't tell him what happened, it's better he found out how corrupt his soldiers were. I told him I didn't want to be a part of G.U.N and I felt better on my own. The Commander definitely changed. He was no longer the selfish, persecuting man I knew the first time we spoke, and he acknowledged my request. But the hatred, the anger that he raised his soldiers into shared his influence. He made them, and they were beyond saving. The Commander had changed, but his actions before never made me accustomed to him. And he knew that.

As I left HQ, a few of the soldiers looked at me with spite, trying to hide their gaze behind a visor, some I saw ready to clench their fists at a rifle, I looked at them, peering into their visors. I saw them sweat and retreat. My intuition never fails.

When I left, I realized why I finally joined G.U.N.

All those years ago, the only thing I had left was the trauma of a gunshot. In order to pursue my past, I had to embrace the pain that made me. That made my predecessor, my Shadow, into the anguish seeking hero he died as. The pain that haunted me, like a phantom, the pain that was never mine, to fight the fear. The fear they made me feel. The weapons they aimed to me during my self-discovery, during Black Doom's insurrection. They judged me. They attacked me. They drew first blood, and raised me back into their arms, knowing I'd run to the only familiar thing I had left; they used me for war, for missions, for exploitation. I wielded their weapons to embrace the darkness and fight my trauma. The day they told me to fire onto something pure, with the vague intentions that cursed their organization, is the day I knew I was done chasing it. I was tired of the false sense of security I fed myself. The weapons I wielded were lies to make me feel safe. And it's the weapons G.U.N uses to divide the people they subjugate. And in turn, they made me think I could do good for the world by becoming what they wanted me to be, a weapon.

I looked at the pond, deep into the lush forest beyond Central City. I saw him, my reflection. I saw fear, sorrow, and his innocence destroyed when the weapon that took his only friend met his eyes. I saw that in him, and finally, I took my hands to the water and washed my face. As the water below me shimmered, glowing in the reflection of the sunset, I saw only me. He was gone. But it was only me.

And now you're gone. You, the version of me that people call by name. You, the person who haunted me for years. I was tormented by pain you left. I was not involved, I have no business with your past,

your past allies, your pain. I want nothing to do with you. I've never even met the people you knew. The love they had for ''me'' was never mine. I mad more friends and knew them longer than you ever did. I've beaten you, even in death. And now, I forget you. But I also must leave the people I knew, because they don't belong in my world, for now. Maybe someday, I'll see you two again.

All my life I've been manipulated and used. Rouge, Omega, you two never did that to me, but maybe this was never meant to last. I really have nobody but you. And if I truly am immortal, I'll see you die someday soon. Omega's chaos drive will wear out and die. Rouge: old age. I was designed to be alone.

I rose up from the pond, peering up at the trees that swayed above my head, dancing in the mellow, autumn breeze.

It was as if I was naked, exposed. For the first time in my life, I had erased everything of him.

Now, Shadow the Hedgehog, you are dead.