Scourge twirled the syringe between his fingers, the liquid inside catching the dim light like captured flames. "But here's the real kicker, Stripes. Your princess here? She's just the bait. The warm-up act."
He gestured down the dark corridor beyond Blaze's cell. Shadow could just make out other cells, empty and waiting. "See, I've got a list. Every scientist, every bureaucrat, every blue-blood who signed off on turning guys like me into lab rats. The ones who thought Project Shadow was such a brilliant idea." His grin turned predatory. "And they're all going to get front row seats to what their 'research' feels like."
Understanding dawned on Shadow's face. "You're going to—"
"Make them feel exactly what they put us through?" Scourge's laugh was sharp enough to cut. "Give the man another prize! But here's where you come in." He pocketed the syringe, stepping closer. "You're going to help me round them up. Every last one of them."
Shadow's eyes narrowed. "And why would I do that?"
"Because," Scourge nodded toward Blaze, who was still weakened from Fiona's specialized bullets, "if you don't, Fiona here gets to finish what she started on that hotel balcony. And this time?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "No more playing around. One shot, right where it counts."
"Shadow, don't," Blaze managed, trying to push herself up despite her dampened powers. "You can't—"
"Can't what?" Scourge cut in. "Can't give them exactly what they deserve? Come on, Stripes. You should be thanking me. These are the same kind of people who treated you like a weapon, who locked you up in stasis for fifty years. This is as much your revenge as it is mine."
Fiona stepped forward, patting the gun at her hip. "Think about it. All those nights you spent raging against G.U.N., against the scientists who played god with your life? Here's your chance to make those kinds of people understand exactly what that felt like."
Shadow stood frozen, caught between Blaze's pleading eyes and the cold logic of Scourge's words. The worst part was, he could see the justice in it—twisted and cruel as it was. These were the people who had treated lives like laboratory data, who had caused so much suffering in the name of progress.
"Hurry up, cellmate," Scourge's voice cut through his thoughts. "What's it going to be? Help me deliver some karmic justice, or watch your princess take one final bullet?"
"I want to speak to her alone," Shadow's voice was tight with barely controlled fury.
"Fat chance," Scourge barked out a laugh, leaning against the wall with practiced casualness. "But hey, she's right here. Go ahead and chat—consider it a conjugal visit." His grin turned cruel. "That's what they called it in prison, right, Stripes?"
Shadow moved so fast even Fiona flinched, but he stopped himself just short of Scourge, chaos energy crackling dangerously around his clenched fists. For a moment, the only sound was the low hum of the facility's lights.
"Aw, did I strike another nerve?" Scourge taunted, though his hand had instinctively moved to a defensive position. "Relax. Talk to your girl. Fi and I love a good show." He wrapped an arm around Fiona's waist, both wearing matching smirks.
Shadow forced himself to turn away from Scourge, kneeling down by Blaze's cell. The inhibitor bullets had left her weak, her usual fierce presence diminished but not extinguished. Even now, her golden eyes held that same determination he'd always admired.
"Blaze..." he started, very aware of their audience.
"Look at that, Fi," Scourge stage-whispered. "Brings back so many memories. All those prison visits from Rouge, him getting all broody and dramatic at the bars—"
"Shut up," Shadow snarled, not taking his eyes off Blaze. The situation was spiraling, and for once, he didn't see a way out that didn't end with someone getting hurt. And right now, that someone would be Blaze if he made the wrong move.
Fiona's hand rested casually on her holstered gun, a silent reminder of what was at stake as Shadow struggled to find the right words under their mocking gazes.
Shadow's fingers moved to wipe the blood off of Blaze's cheek, lingering there for one final moment. "You're wrong," he said quietly, only for her. "About all of it. And I'm sorry I ever made you doubt that." His voice dropped even lower. "I'm sorry I lashed out at you before. You didn't deserve that."
"Shadow, please—" Blaze tried one last time, but he was already standing, turning to face Scourge.
"I'll help you," Shadow said, his voice cold and controlled. The words seemed to physically pain Blaze, who slumped against the bars behind him.
Scourge's grin spread wide across his face. "Now that's what I like to hear! See, Fi? I told you he'd make the right choice."
"Smart boy," Fiona purred, her hand finally moving away from her holster. "Looks like the Ultimate Lifeform does have a weakness after all."
"When do we start?" Shadow asked, ignoring their taunts, his face an emotionless mask.
"Right now," Scourge pushed off the wall, pulling out a folded paper from his jacket. "And our first target? Doctor Magnus from the Sol Dimension. One of the lead researchers on the royal family's little genetic enhancement program. The one who helped cook up the princess's fancy fire powers in the first place." He cast a meaningful glance at Blaze. "Thought you might appreciate the symmetry."
"Shadow..." Blaze's voice was barely a whisper now, a final plea.
"Keep her alive," Shadow demanded, not looking back at her. He couldn't. "That's our deal."
"Cross my heart," Scourge made an X motion over his chest, his grin never faltering.
"Now let's go deliver some justice, partner."