OYDAX

You're curious as to how things are above ground, so you head outside.

Just as Tech reported, things are much calmer. Eggman Nega's robots still filled the streets, but at least they're doing good rather than attacking and capturing.

Occasionally, you'd find people hugging tightly while crying tears of joy. More happy reunions, you surmise.

You also notice a few more Wisps happily flying around. You look around the corner, and find Oydax corralling more freed Wisps out a building. Once they're gone, they're followed by random Badniks.

"What are these?" you ask as you approach.

Oydax turns to you sadly. "These were more of Eggman Nega's experiments," he explains, "Wisp-Badniks… like myself. I was his most successful project. The only reason I have my free-will was from a freak-lightning hit. That was decades ago, however… Despite my abilities, I just wasn't enough to win this war."

You flash him a thumbs up. "Well, you pulled through eventually."

The Wisp-Badnik nods. "All I can do now is help others like me…" He turns to the nearly lifeless Badniks, "But without Nega to give them orders, they're basically zombies now. They were built and programmed like the other robots. They were 'created' against their wills, in a sense."

"Can't we just bust them out of their shells?" you ask.

Oydax shakes his head. "These aren't the original formulated Badniks the original Dr. Eggman created," he explains, "These guys aren't just shoved into robot casing as a battery source. They're practically 'morphed' into robots. We destroy them, we kill them…"

You lower your head. "Dang… that blows…" You sigh, "What do we do?"

"I'll work hard to try and reverse the effects," Oydax replies.

"Including yourself?"

"Well… perhaps," he says, "But I'll be sure to be the last one saved, if saving us all is at all possible. But right now, I'll stay as I am." He swung around his mighty cricket bat, "I think I'll be of more use with my Badniks armor than without."

You nod. "Good luck."

SHADE

As you wander around, you do some exploring outside as well. More people from underground are coming out more to explore and make home, with the help of Nega's own robots that Tech conveniently hacked into and rewired their programming.

On top of one of the buildings, you spot Shade, sitting on the edge, staring upwards, lost in thought.

With your speed and skills, you jump upwards, scale the building, and approach her side. "Hi!"

She's not even startled. She continues to stare upward. "Hello," she replies, "What can I do for you, Sonic?"

You plop down next to her. "Just wanted to see what's up," you say, "We haven't really chatted much, you and me."

"What's there to chat about?"

"Well, there is everything that's been going on," you suggest, "You being born from the Nocturne echidna clan, your entire tribe being away from our world for what was 4,000 years in our time, all of us being away for 200 years, defeating Eggman Nega, learning you're one of two echidnas left alive…"

"But enough about me," Shade cuts in, looking over, "Let's talk about you."

You fall silent. Shade smirks. "What? No longer chatty?"

"Well…" you turn away, "Let's just say if I told you about me, you wouldn't think I was such an upbeat guy."

Shade fixes her stare on you. "You have a certain type of past?" she asks, "One you're ashamed of?"

"Ashamed? No," you respond, "Like talking about? Also no." You raise your head, "Tails is the closest friend I have, and even he doesn't know much about my history."

"So, I doubt you're going to give me any details," Shade says.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"I will respect your privacy," Shade looks back out into nothingness.

You follow her gaze. "So, what exactly is so fascinating about that broken window across the street?"

Shade lets loose a small chuckle. "I'm looking at it… but that's not what I'm seeing."

"What do you see, then?"

"I don't know…" Shade closes her eyes and lowers her head, "That's just it… I don't know what's in store for me."

"What do you mean?"

"You say I've been gone for four thousand years… but it feels like everything is happening all at once. Escaping the Twilight Cage, betraying Lord Ix after so many years of loyalty, returning to Earth, all these new threats upon us…" She lifts her head, "I can't help but feel none of this would happen if the Nocturne hadn't invaded to begin with."

"It's not like this is solely your fault," you say, "You and all your tribe members were following Ix's orders, and he turned out to be a total creep. At least now you're working to make everything right."

"It's the least I could do," says Shade.

You smile. "You've done more than your share."

Shade gives you a small smile. "Thank you… Though I can recall a time you thought differently."

"Well, I got to know you better," you say, "You're a great addition to the team, and my circle of friends."

Shade looks downward, still smiling. "Friends… I like the idea of having those."

"You never had friends?"

"I've had colleagues. It's not really the same, I suppose."

"Well then, you're in for the treat," you grin, "You're going to love it on Earth." You stretch your arms, "Speaking of which, what do you plan to do once we get back?"

She dips her eyes downward. "I really don't know for sure," she responds, "I guess I'll just stay with Knuckles."

You smirk just a bit. "You like him?"

Shade's eyes widen, and she grows a slight blush. It looks really cute on her, actually. "Well… That is… I mean… I guess it's to be expected… He is the only other echidna, after all."

"Maybe things were different back then," you say, "But people these days do date outside their species."

"Well, it's much more than that," Shade says, "I was the strongest of Ix's army. That's why he named me Procurator of the Marauders. Sure, I've had my share of admirers… but I always thought so low of them. They were nothing more than boot-licking yes-men. I simply had no interest in a man like that.

"But Knuckles is different. I'm stronger than him, yes, but he doesn't suck up. He doesn't let his emotions drive him. He's brave, and he remains loyal to his friends, while providing the benefit of the doubt. He stood by my side, despite being of Nocturne lineage and having been a part of the problem. Looking back, I can't really see why our tribes are considered enemies. We're very much alike." Shade's smile grows, "Of all the men I've encountered, he really stands out."

Back up Shade's words - Chapter 47

Tell Shade the "truth" about Knuckles - Chapter 48