The prism energy shook again, swirling and emitting an invasive glow that made Shadow and Sonic cover their eyes and take a few steps back. It was real, though, it was working. All the other versions of the people Shadow once knew were literally sucked into the chromatic dispersion. Some quietly, some yelped, crying in understandable anxiety. One was sure: it would soon be over.
Light beamed and the glow expanded, until it finally released, making their bodies tremble. Something was flying at Shadow and he realized it in the last second, luckily readying himself to catch the figure.
He'd catch her every time.
Rouge.
He gritted his teeth at the impact when aided by the energy of the prism, the bat girl's body collided with him pushing him backwards and down. He gripped her firmly and looked down at her. Her. Just like the day he last saw her.
"Rouge" His voice was soft, calling her name to awaken her. The experience she went through must have taken a toll on her. On all of them, slowly coming to, as Sonic was gathering his friends. Shadow didn't pay them any mind. He didn't notice Sonic's voice growing frantic by the second too.
Rouge's blue eyelids slowly opened while she groaned, hand reaching to her head.
"Ow"
"Easy. Everything is fine."
The teal eyes turned to focus on the hedgehog. She seemed confused, but Shadow suspected it would be the issue. After all she had been through… All of them.
"Hey" Shadow greeted her, his mouth forming a slight smile, relieved; glad to finally see her again. Because, no matter where the winds of fate took them, they'd always find a way to find each other again. Like this time.
Rouge returned a small unsure smile, her eyelashes slightly shaking. "Hi."
The dark hedgehog released a short breath, fighting an emotion he couldn't name. He was about to speak again, but the white bat opened her mouth before him.
The three words she voiced suddenly came crashing at Shadow, making his heart stop for a second. It felt like it wasn't real. Yet her lips moved and eyes searched his with genuine emotion.
Uneasy and scared.
"Who are you?"
And Shadow couldn't breathe.