Finally, by the third day, the doctor had released Shadow from his chains and he was allowed to interact with the childish azure hedgehog. The Chaos energy surrounding the cell was still in effect, preventing any hope of escape. But at least he could talk with the little blue toddler now. Oddly enough, the first thing they did when the charcoal hedgehog approached and stared at each other in slight hesitation before the tiny cobalt hedgehog finally had the guts to reach out and attempt to touch him. Unfortunately, he was immediately rejected by a cold stare and growl as the ebony hedgehog reacted with slight suspicion. Čelik countered with a slight smile as he found this denial somewhat charming.
"I'm surprised how skeptical you are. In my dreams, you always seemed so passive. In fact, your name practically translates to peaceful." The child uttered quietly as he wished with every fiber of his being that he could move and tackle the ebony hedgehog right to the ground.
"What name? The princess has a name?" Shadow asked in slight confusion before kneeling down to listen closely to what the young child was saying.
"Yep. It's Miran! And the prince, that being me, is the great and powerful Voziti. Not to stroke my own ego or anything but I'm quite a handsome fellow according to the legends." He articulated confidently as he flashed a heroic pose.
(Wait a second! Miran, that's the name from my nightmare... The hell? Does that mean what the kid speaks of is true? That can't be possible?! There must be some crazy voodoo going on here... How the hell could I have heard the name Miran without even knowing she existed at the time... Unless the story somehow is...) Shadow remained still, completely shocked by that thought that the kid was speaking the truth.
"Wait... So what you're trying to tell me is that this is based off of some kind of fact? I thought this was a made up thing that you and the doctor came up with." The charcoal hedgehog questioned, still in complete astonishment.
"You really think I'm THAT imaginative. Of course, I didn't. However, this is only what the mustached man told me. But it must be true! Because when I'm near you, I feel like it's the way things are supposed to be forever and ever. I'm so happy, Shadow." His eyes started to tear up little as he put his palm over his mouth.
"Now... Now... No need to cry. You're okay." Shadow comforted as he gently patted Čelik's shoulder once again fighting the part of him that desperately wanted to hold this poor child as tightly as he could.
"I'll stop crying if you cuddle me and tell me you're my princess..." He responded cutely as he flashed his emerald eyes teasingly before wrapping his arms around Shadows hips.
"Fat chance kid." The ebony responded irritably as he pushed the child's hands off his body.
"C'mon... You're no fun!" Čelik complained mockingly as he crossed his arms over his body in frustration.
"Do I look like a clown to you?" The charcoal hedgehog replied irksomely before gently rubbing his fingertips against the temple of his forehead.
"With how good you are at acting, maybe!" The tiny sapphire hedgehog cleverly retorted as he decided to grab his paintbrush and continue painting the beautiful ball gown of the princess on the wall.
"Why thank you... I think." The ebony responded sarcastically as he decided to sit next to the toddler and watch his incredible painting technique.
"So, this Voziti character? What is he exactly?" He added, watching very closely to every stroke as if he was watching Leonardo Da Vinci paint a masterpiece.
"Well, he isn't really considered a god or a divine entity but he has the ability to manipulate Chaos energy. So I would consider him, and you for that matter, prophets of Chaos. You control or prevent Chaos energy from destroying everything and inhibiting the development of life and Voziti does the opposite. He kind of keeps things random and spontaneous by freeing it. Both are necessary in creating a perfect society." The child replied happily as he adored the attention Shadow was giving him.
"So when I say Chaos control, I'm actually adjusting Chaos energy? Wait but Sonic can do that too... Even though he was using a fake emerald, which always confused me." The charcoal hedgehog answered attentively as he felt somewhat puzzled.
"Just because you say the words chaos control doesn't mean that's what you're doing. You could be saying anything and it would have the same effect. However yes, you are the controller of Chaos and Chaos energy. That is your purpose." The little hedgehog glanced back at Shadow before tightly grabbing his hand, never wanting to let go.
"So, can Sonic use Chaos control too? Or is he actually doing something else and just not realizing it?" He glanced away shyly as he felt slightly uncomfortable with the child touching him even if he did look adorable when doing it.
"How would I know? I've been trapped in this twenty by twenty cell ever since I first opened my eyes." Čelik stated mockingly as he pulled on the ebony hedgehog's hand, desperately wishing for him to come closer.
"Well, sorry. You seem to know a lot more about this world then me, so I just assumed. And I know... Don't worry, I'll find a way for both of us to escape." He responded sympathetically as he stood sternly not giving into the child's loving actions.
"Really?! You mean it?!" The little blue hedgehog exclaimed happily as he gave Shadow a sweet smile.
"As long as you promise to behave... I have a funny feeling like you're normally very dangerous." The charcoal hedgehog uttered as he stared intensely, trying to decide once and for all, if Čelik was a threat.
"Oh... What? All I want to do is to destroy everyone I deem unworthy for our future as King and Queen of anything and everything? How is that DANGEROUS?" The child reacted to the staring by teasingly glaring back as he batted his eyes sweetly attempting to look as innocent as possible.
"All I'm saying is there's a reason Ivo locked you up. You have to promise that you will not harm ANYONE unless it's an absolute emergency." Shadow responded coldly emphasizing every word very clearly as to not confuse the blue youngster.
"But what is the point of creating a perfect world if we have to leave the bad people here?" Čelik complained with a very annoyed childlike tone.
"There are no BAD people. There are only different opinions and situations. Like a snowflake everyone is diverse and even a prince has no right to take another's life just because they are unusual or unconventional." The ebony hedgehog replied firmly.
"You really are just like her. So ethical, supportive and understanding. I really do envy that. I kill everything that looks threatening without a single thought. I know I'm horrible, but sometimes I wish there was a way for me to live happily and not be trapped in this prison." The little azure hedgehog murmured sadly as he looked up at the charcoal hedgehog with his eyes radiating with hopelessness.
"With me here, I can assure you. I will find a way to help." Shadow replied as he gave a somewhat loving expression before placing his hand on the tiny cobalt hedgehog's head.
"Really...? How can I possibly do that when all I do is kill?!" The child asked fearfully as he his voice emphasized the complete desperation and despair resting deep inside his heart.
"If you trust me... I can assure you that everything will be fine." He responded while gentling stroking the youngster's short quills.
"You're my princess. Of course I trust you..." Čelik answered affectionately as he purred in response to the gentle petting.
"Then you will be fine." Shadow patted the top of his head before winking, completely convinced he would find a way.
He was surprised to notice the kid's expression quickly change from cheerful to slightly ashamed as he pushed the ebony's hand off his quills.
"Shadow, there's something I didn't tell you..." He admitted frightfully while staring at the ground, deeply apologetic for not telling the bad news sooner.
The charcoal hedgehog responded with a slight tilt of his head.
"Two Vozitis cannot live in this world at the same time for very long." Čelik continued before flickering his emerald eyes back to Shadow's, not too surprised to see his angry and slightly confused expression.
"What...!?" The charcoal hedgehog exclaimed in complete denial and frustration.
Now everything made sense... This is why he created Čelik!
"If me and the other Voziti live on this planet for too long, everything will collapse and there will be no more." He whispered as his face started to become slightly emotional.
Shadow braced himself, as he was quite aware of what the child was trying to say. There was a long pause as Čelik's eyes turned fearful.
"One of us HAS to die, Shadow."