Shadow
[The scene opens on a shot of the narrow gauge railway as Peter Sam is shown passing through a wooded inlet, humming cheerfully to himself]
Peter Sam: I'm Peter Sam, I'm running this line, I'm Peter Sam, I'm running this line…
[The scene cuts to the inside of the coaches where various passengers are seated; Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Peach, Samus, Quick Draw, Wally Gator, Lola, Tina, Petunia, Johnny, Jack, Bill, Pina, Tao, Kibi, and at the back is Shadow on his lonesome, leaning against the window, lost in thought]
[Shadow looks up at the sight of a waterfall as the train crosses over a stone bridge. He then lowers his brows in disinterest before looking away]
Shadow: Hmmmmm…
[Cut to Peter Sam passing by Luke on the opposite line with a train of slate trucks. Before it cuts to a shot of Poplar Station as Duncan is waiting on the opposite platform with his own coaches. Mordecai, Rigby, Chance, Jake, Trixie, Starlight, the Teen Titans, and Tiana are standing on the platform conversing with one another as Peter Sam pulls up to the platform and lets off steam]
Peter Sam: Here we are, mind the gap, please.
[The carriage doors open and the passengers disembark from the train. Shadow is one of the last to leave his seat and crosses his arms as he looks around the station]
Shadow: …Pretty standard, really. [sighs] Ah, well, guess I'd better find this so-called "peaceful trail."
[Shadow walks away from the station and follows a path leading towards the nearby forest. Duncan takes notice of the black and red furred hedgehog's demeanor]
Duncan: Och, he's a bit of a grumpy git, isn't he?
Peter Sam: Sounds a lot like somebody I know, Duncan.
Duncan: Peter Sam…put a cork in it. Besides, at least I know how to smile.
[Duncan's guard blows its whistle and the yellow engine departs from the station. Peter Sam merely rolls his eyes]
[The scene pans down from the trees to show Shadow walking down the path, the sounds of nature are the only ambience around him as the hedgehog looks around the forest]
Shadow: Hmmmmmm…admittedly…it's peaceful…lets me focus more on my thoughts. Just need to find a space to sit down.
[Shadow continues walking for a little bit longer until he comes across a bench in the middle of two trees. The hedgehog stops and takes a seat in the center of the bench, leaning back and looking up at the sky]
Shadow: I suppose this is nice…no one around…just the sounds of nature…perhaps Knuckles had a point to this whole…serenity thing…[sighs]...just the gentle breeze in the air is all that I need…peace at last…
[Shadow closes his eyes as his mind begins to drift off…the image of a bright green field fades into his head, with the occasional dandelion to be found in various parts. The sky is blue with a few clouds passing by, and in the center of the field is a girl with blonde hair and a blue dress. As she turns around, the POV is treated to Maria Robotnik smiling back at them]
Sonic: [V.O.] Hey, what's up, Shadow?
[Cut back to reality as Shadow opens his eyes, his expression immediately souring as his eyes look to the right. Sitting next to him with his default smirk is Sonic. Shadow closes his eyes once more in pain before giving a sigh and opening them once more to a half-lidded expression of annoyance]
Shadow: …And to what do I owe the pleasure, Faker?
Sonic: Oh, ya' know, just came here for a little adventure in the woods, get some of that fresh air if ya' know what I mean.
Shadow: You couldn't have at least taken one of your little friends for company instead of pestering me? Where's that little fox of yours?
Sonic: Tails is busy helping Rotor and Bunnie today, they're working on some new project in the workshops.
Shadow: You're telling me Amy wasn't available?
Sonic: She's gone off with Rouge to mine some new gems for her collection. You know how it is.
Shadow: Knuckles?
Sonic: He told me he was gonna meet up with Sally and Antoine for some training exercises.
Shadow: Well, isn't that just peachy? I'm stuck with you then.
Sonic: I don't see what's so bad about that, if anything, you could use the company. After all, it's no use being all out on your lonesome.
Shadow: I like my solitude, thank you very much.
Sonic: I mean, no offense or anything, but you tend to isolate yourself a little too much for your own good.
Shadow: And you tend to get up in people's business when they don't ask for your presence.
Sonic: It wouldn't hurt for you to at least humor people a little bit. I get being cold and stoic is your thing, but lighten up, won't you?
Shadow: Shh!
Sonic: What?
Shadow: Shh! Do you hear that…?
[Sonic pauses and listens closely, the only thing he can hear is the light breeze and the sounds of birds chirping]
Sonic: …What am I listening to exactly?
Shadow: It's the sound…of you not talking.
[Sonic scowls at this]
Sonic: You know you don't have to be rude nine times outta ten.
Shadow: It's not being rude, it's being honest.
Sonic: There is a way to be honest without coming off as rude.
Shadow: You sure you're the best person to lecture me on that topic?
Sonic: Excuse me?
Shadow: You don't exactly have a track record with being a prime example of kindness.
Sonic: Bro, sure I sometimes boast, but I'm not a major jerkwad or anything.
Shadow: Are you sure about that? Lest I pull up specific examples?
Sonic: First of all, those are exclusive to certain timelines, second of all, I acknowledge that I can overstep the line at times, but I'd never physically seek to harm someone who never slighted me.
Shadow: Well, at least you have one moral standing.
Sonic: …Okay, nope, nope, I ain't havin' this. I wanna know why you've lately been more of a stick in the mud than usual.
Shadow: I'm the same as any other day.
Sonic: Don't give me that, Shadow. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
Shadow: I don't see why my own personal matters concern you in the slightest.
Sonic: Um, hello, my guy? We've known each other for ages by this point? I would think you'd open up a little more by now. And don't tell me that you haven't, I've seen it.
Shadow: You're pushing it, hedgehog. Tread carefully.
Sonic: Hey, you wanted honesty, I'm giving you honesty. You've been more reclusive as of late and it's quite frankly bugging me.
Shadow: Why do you care?
Sonic: Because we're built of the same breed, you and me.
[Shadow suddenly points at Sonic with an accusatory glance]
Shadow: Let's make one thing very clear. We are not the same in any capacity. We're only tied to the same species, but we are nothing alike.
[Sonic blinks and puts his hands up]
Sonic: Why are you so defensive? It takes literally nothing to get you riled up.
Shadow: Are you trying to piss me off? Because I will gladly throw hands and beat your ass right here and now!
Sonic: Whoa, whoa, whoa! I didn't come here to fight!
Shadow: Then stop provoking me.
Sonic: Why do you keep doing that?! Why do you insist on shoving aside anyone that reaches out to you? Are you really that dead-set on being a loner that you'll reject a simple conversation? Because let me tell you; that is extremely pathetic!
[Shadow's eye twitches, his teeth bare, and in a split second, he shoves Sonic right up against a tree with such force that the entire structure shakes and the birds squawk as they fly off the branches]
[Cut to Sonic and Shadow deadlocked in a staredown as the blue hedgehog tries to keep his composure against the black hedgehog's hateful glare]
Shadow: I don't need your pity! I don't want your pity! I do not wish to be another social butterfly in your little ring of "friendship", and I especially don't need a snarky, obnoxious, loud-mouthed pin cushion telling me how to act, as if he knows exactly how I feel!
[Sonic blinks as Shadow shoves him off to the side. The two stare in silence for a few seconds before the latter breaks it]
Shadow: Get out of my sight…
Sonic: …Fine…be that way.
[On that note, Sonic turns and slowly walks away from Shadow. He doesn't look back, but has a feeling the other hedgehog is watching him until he's out of sight. All on his own once more, Shadow clenches his fists and kicks at the dirt]
Shadow: God…FFFFFFFRMHH!
[Shadow sits right back on the bench and plants his fists down on it]
Shadow: Haaaaaaaugh, calm, calm, calm…calm down, you idiot…why am I calling myself that? UGH! I am not self-deprecating…
[The camera shows a pan-out shot of Shadow sitting by himself. With no one else around but the forest ambience, the environment is rather…lonely. Shadow closes his eyes and hisses]
Shadow: Why does everyone keep trying to pretend like they know how I feel…no one understands my case…is it so bad that I want to be left alone? I'd rather have solitude than be surrounded by superficiality…
[Shadow puts his paws over his face as he groans]
Shadow: I'm the Ultimate Lifeform…and yet I'm talking to myself like a goddamn idiot…how far have I fallen from grace…?
?: I would say a pretty substantial amount.
Shadow: Huh?
[Shadow looks over to his left and sees Rouge, with Amy behind her carrying a sack]
Shadow: I thought you two were off treasure-hunting…
Rouge: We were passing by, but at the sound of raised voices, I couldn't help but overhear.
Amy: Were you being confrontational again?
Shadow: Don't see why it's your problem.
Amy: Hey! Watch your tongue…
Rouge: Amy, dear, let the professional handle this.
[Rouge flutters up and the bat takes a seat next to Shadow]
Rouge: What's with the hostility, sourpuss? Ya' look grumpier than usual, if that was even possible.
Shadow: What is everyone's problem today? My personal business is my personal business.
Amy: Well, you are one of us, it's only natural we should worry about you.
Shadow: Don't start that up again, I've already heard enough from Sonic.
Amy: What is up with this attitude of yours lately, seriously?
Rouge: I've an idea for why Mr. Black and Blue here's been acting all moody.
Amy: Why? Did someone poke off a couple of his quills? Is he trying to act cool? Is he too good for basic communication?
Rouge: Well, it's a bit of a combination of those, but I've a hunch the main reason is-
Shadow: Not another word.
Rouge: First of all, do not ever cut me off. And second of all, you're gonna sit down and you're gonna listen. Got it, tough guy?
[Shadow narrows his eyes at Rouge as the white furred bat does the same]
Rouge: …You're feeling inadequate…and just who does that tie you to?
Shadow: Don't you dare bring her up.
Rouge: You are going to hear it!
Shadow: You will not utter her in vain!
Rouge: Because this is exactly how she would like to see you, wouldn't she?!
[There is a long silence as Amy covers her mouth. Shadow's eye twitches, but Rouge holds firm]
Rouge: For all that yapping you've made about her, you're not following well on that promise you made.
Shadow: You know she's a sensitive subject, how dare you-!
Rouge: How dare you keep up this stupid charade of actin' like you're above having friends! We literally were partners in crime before we met the others, and even then, you can't even be bothered to humor me with a conversation!
[Shadow holds his tongue before Rouge speaks again]
Rouge: I know this whole "cold as stone" personality is cute and all, it's not the only side to yourself. Where's the compassion, where's the vulnerability, where's the freaking ability to at least smile?! Is this really the path you wanna go down…?
[Shadow blinks and his mind goes back to several instances of recent media…cut back to reality as another long silence fills the air. It is at this point, Amy comes alongside Shadow, not as brazen as before]
Amy: We're only saying this because…we care about you, Shadow…I know it might not mean much to you, but it's true…
[Shadow continues to remain quiet as he turns his head to look straight ahead]
Rouge: I see that's stunned you into silence…at the very least, take what I said with a grain of salt, that's all I'm asking…c'mon, Amy.
[Rouge hops off the bench and Amy follows on, casting a look of understanding at Shadow as the black hedgehog is left on his own once more…he looks down at his paws…]
[We transition to a flash of Maria smiling at the POV, presumably Shadow before it flashes back to reality]
Shadow: …What have I done?
[Shadow lays back on the bench with an almost shell-shocked expression on his face. He suddenly feels a hand on his own…he looks to the right and sees Maria sitting next to him, a warm smile on her face. Shadow blinks and the blonde girl has disappeared]
Shadow: …Have I really fallen this far…I forgot my promise.
Maria: [V.O.] "Bring hope to humanity…"
[A small tear forms in Shadow's eye and then drips down the side of his face]
Shadow: Maria…I'm sorry…I've been letting you down…I can't even keep my own word…
[Shadow buries his paws within his face, hissing into them before slowly pulling his hands down]
Shadow: Why must I insist on being so…resistant to everyone around me…? Am I really above those who I deem as lesser…?
[Shadow looks up at the trees]
Shadow: Or am I merely at the same level as everyone else…if not lower…?
[Shadow plants both fists on the bench as he takes a deep breath]
Shadow: No…I am not beating myself up over this…I've come too far just to act so pathetic…I admit, I have made many mistakes…but, I'm not made of stone…I have every right to express myself…and I shouldn't be concealing it…even if it pains me, I can't hold onto this facade any longer…I need to breathe, I need to express…
[The scene transitions to Sonic propped against the wall back at Poplar. He lazily turns his head to the right to see if the train will be coming…he then turns to the left and flinches upon seeing Shadow standing right next to him]
Sonic: GEH! Don't creep on me, much?!
Shadow: I need to speak with you.
Sonic: [sighs] Alright, what have I done wrong this time?
Shadow: Actually, this isn't any fault on your part.
Sonic: Pardon me?
Shadow: It's…more on me.
Sonic: …Okay, who are you and what have you done with Shadow?
Shadow: Look, it's complicated to understand, but…I admit, I feel like I'm in some sort of…identity crisis…
Sonic: Identity crisis? How?
Shadow: For some reason, I've just had this…expectation to act the way I appear…cold…reserved…emotionless…
Sonic: What's been enforcing this?
Shadow: Something in the back of my head, like a small voice constantly telling me to withdraw, to hold back sentimentality…I've tried to act like I don't care, but at the same time…it's internally painful…
Sonic: Oh…well…you don't have to be this way…you've shown before that you're capable of letting your guard down.
Shadow: I understand that, it's just…it's hard to keep up this wall around me when I know I can be more expressive…I'm not even sure what I'm trying to prove in that regard…especially…her…
Sonic: …I mean…you've shown that you're willing to fight on the side of honor…that's pretty noble if ya' ask me.
Shadow: Perhaps…
Sonic: Personally speaking, I wouldn't mind if you came out a little more. We've known each other for a long time, what's the point in hiding things from ourselves?
Shadow: …I might not agree with you on a lot of things…but this is one instance where you have my attention, hedgehog.
Sonic: I wouldn't mind being called "Sonic" more often, too. Ya' know, it feels a bit more natural than just "hedgehog" or "faker".
Shadow: Alright then…Sonic…
Sonic: There ya' go, that's the spirit. And don't forget, you can talk to any of us if you need to. We're a unit together.
Shadow: Hmmmm…perhaps we are…
[Sonic smiles as the sound of Peter Sam's whistle can be heard in the distance. Porky, Petunia, Priscilla, Penelope, Diaspro and the KND are standing at the platform waiting to board as the train comes into the station. Once the passengers have climbed into the coaches, the little green engine blows a "peep-peep" before setting off from the station]
[Cut to the interior of one of the coaches as Sonic glances over at Shadow and smiles at him. The other hedgehog returns a small half-lidded smile of his own]
Shadow: Perhaps…I don't need to worry about appearances…
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Rouge the Bat, Maria Robotnik, Antoine D'Coolette, Bunnie Rabbot, Knuckles the Echidna, Rotor Walrus, Sally Acorn, Tails the Fox - Sonic the Hedgehog
Peter Sam, Duncan, Luke - Thomas and Friends
Bill, Jack, Kibi, Pina, Tao - Beastars
Chance Furlong/T-Bone, Jake Clawson/Razor - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron
Johnny Bravo - Johnny Bravo
Mordecai, Rigby - Regular Show
Numbuh One/Nigel Uno, Numbuh Two/Hoagie Gilligan, Numbuh Three/Kuki Saban, Numbuh Four/Wallaby Beetles, Numbuh Five/Abigail Lincoln - Codename Kids Next Door
Porky Pig, Lola Bunny, Tina Russo, Petunia Pig - Looney Tunes
Princess Bubblegum, Marceline - Adventure Time
Princess Peach - Super Mario Bros
Priscilla and Penelope Pinkpaws - Angelina Ballerina (2002)
Quick Draw McGraw - Quick Draw McGraw
Robin (DC), Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Cyborg - Teen Titans
Samus Aran - Metroid
Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Tiana - The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Wally Gator - Wally Gator
