The monitor's blue glow cast harsh shadows across Shadow's face as Scourge pulled up files on Dr. Magnus. "Guy was a real piece of work," Scourge was saying, flicking through images of laboratories and research notes. "Genetic manipulation, forced evolution, all the good stuff that made our princess what she—" He stopped abruptly, his eyes catching movement on one of the security feeds.

"Well, well," Scourge's voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "If it isn't your old flame and..." His fingers curled into fists as he spotted the blue blur moving alongside Rouge. "...him."

Before Scourge could reach for his communicator, Shadow stepped forward. "I'll handle them."

Scourge's eyes narrowed. "Will you now?"

"Rouge was my partner. Sonic..." Shadow's expression darkened. "We have history. They'll be expecting me to be a prisoner or under some kind of control. Let me use that."

A slow, cruel smile spread across Scourge's face. "Prove it then. Show me just how far you're willing to go for our little deal."

"Just keep studying the target files," Shadow said coldly, moving toward the door. "I'll make sure they don't interfere."

The security feed showed Rouge and Sonic pausing at a junction, clearly planning their next move. They had no idea what was coming.

"Don't disappoint me, partner," Scourge called after him, the word 'partner' dripping with warning. "Remember what's at stake."

Shadow didn't respond, letting the door close behind him. Whatever happened next, there would be no going back.

—-

"Shadow!" Rouge's relief was palpable as he emerged from the shadows. Sonic's trademark grin appeared.

"Man, we were worried that—" Sonic's words cut off as Shadow's chaos spear slammed into his chest, sending him crashing into the wall. The impact left cracks in the concrete.

"Shadow, what are you—" Rouge ducked as he aimed a kick at her, his movements precise but somehow... off. His next attack pushed them both further down the corridor, away from the security cameras.

"Scourge has Blaze," Shadow said in a low, urgent voice, before spinning and delivering a brutal roundhouse kick that Sonic barely blocked. "He's watching. Play along."

"Scourge?" Sonic wheezed, genuine pain in his voice as he recovered. "That creep is—" Another chaos spear cut him off, this one grazing his arm.

"Lower level, east wing, cell block C," Shadow continued, engaging Rouge in noticeably lighter combat. His strikes were flashy but deliberately missing vital points. "Fiona's guarding her. They've got power suppressors on her."

"Geez, Shadow, you don't have to hit me so hard," Sonic muttered, dodging another devastating attack.

Shadow's smirk was barely visible as he whispered, "Please. We both know you can take it, faker."

"Shadow, you're not making any sense," Rouge kicked back, finally catching on to his game. "Why are you—"

"He'll kill her if I don't help him," Shadow's voice was barely a whisper now, covered by the sound of combat. "Get her out. I'll keep them distracted."

"But you—" Sonic started, wiping blood from a split lip.

"No time," Shadow cut him off with another powerful strike. "I have to make this look good. Sonic, take the north route. Rouge, the ventilation system. Go. Now!"

Understanding finally dawned in their eyes. Rouge gave him the smallest of nods before taking flight. "This isn't over, Shadow!" she called out dramatically.

"Yeah," Sonic added, genuine irritation in his voice as he nursed his bruised ribs. "You're gonna owe me big time for this, buddy.

Shadow responded with another chaos spear, deliberately missing as they retreated in separate directions. "Just go," he muttered under his breath, watching them disappear.

He waited a moment before activating his communicator. "They got away," he reported, injecting frustration into his voice. "Split up and fled. Want me to pursue?"

"Let them run," Scourge's voice crackled back. "They'll be back. And next time..." His laugh was cold. "Next time we'll be ready for them."

Shadow clicked off the communicator, hoping he'd bought enough time. Everything now depended on Rouge and Sonic finding Blaze before Scourge realized what was really happening.

—-

The night air whipped past them as Shadow and Scourge moved silently across the rooftops of the research district. The target's lab was ahead – a nondescript building that gave no hint of the controversial work happening inside.

"Remember," Scourge's voice was tight with anticipation, "we need him alive and coherent enough to talk. After that..." His grin flashed in the darkness. "Well, after that is negotiable."

Shadow said nothing, scanning the security measures. Two guards at the entrance, cameras on all corners, and likely motion sensors throughout. Standard stuff. Nothing they couldn't handle.

"You know," Scourge continued, watching him. "I gotta admit, you handled Blue and his little bat friend better than I expected. Almost seemed like you enjoyed putting him in his place."

"Focus on the mission," Shadow replied coldly. "Dr. Magnus should be in his private lab. Third floor, west wing."

"Always so professional." Scourge chuckled. "Fine. You take point – I'll watch your back."

Shadow could feel Scourge's eyes on him as they moved into position. The unspoken threat was clear: one wrong move and Blaze would pay the price. He pushed the thought aside, concentrating on the task at hand.

"Security system disabled in three... two... one—"

The lights flickered and died. Shadow moved first, a blur of black and red, taking out the guards with precise strikes before they could radio for help. Scourge followed, his movements predatory as they entered the building.

"Just like old times, eh doc?" Scourge muttered as they approached the lab. "Except this time, you're the one who's gonna be the test subject."

The nameplate on the door read "Dr. Magnus - Private Research." Shadow could hear movement inside – their target, working late as expected.

"After you, partner." Scourge's smile was all teeth.

Shadow kicked the door open, chaos energy crackling around his hands. Time to add another sin to his growing list.

The door burst inward with a crash, and Dr. Magnus spun around from his workstation. His once-dark hair had gone completely grey, face lined with age and worry – but his eyes widened with immediate recognition at the green hedgehog stalking toward him.

"No..." Magnus stumbled backward, knocking over a tray of equipment. "It can't be—"

"What's wrong, doc?" Scourge's voice dripped with venom. "Don't recognize your favorite experiment?" He moved closer, savoring the scientist's fear. "I grew up real nice, didn't I?"

"Subject 126," Magnus whispered, his back hitting the wall. "But you were just a child when—"

"When you pumped me full of god knows what?" Scourge's hand shot out, grabbing Magnus by the collar. "When you tried to make your perfect little weapon? Yeah, I remember. Every. Single. Moment."

Shadow moved to secure the room, disabling the emergency alarms and blocking the exits. He kept his expression neutral as Magnus's terrified eyes darted to him.

"Please," the scientist pleaded. "I was following orders. The project was terminated, all the files destroyed—"

Scourge laughed, harsh and bitter. "Destroyed? That's cute. Shadow, show our friend what we found."

Shadow pulled up the holographic files they'd discovered. Magnus's face went pale as his own research notes flickered before him.

"You didn't destroy anything," Scourge snarled. "You just... relocated. Found new test subjects. And now?" He leaned in close, his breath hot against the scientist's ear. "Now you're gonna see what it feels like."

As Shadow moved to restrain the scientist, Magnus suddenly lunged for a panic button hidden under his desk. Scourge was faster, slamming the older man into the wall with enough force to crack the plaster.

"Bad move," Scourge growled. "Shadow, grab anything that looks important. The good doctor and I need to have a chat about cooperation."

Shadow began collecting research materials, trying to ignore the sound of Magnus's whimpers as Scourge dragged him toward the exit. The scientist looked impossibly old and frail now, probably nothing like the confident man who had ruined so many lives in the name of science.

"Your new lab is waiting," Scourge was saying, his voice almost gleeful. "Time for some... peer review."

Shadow followed them out into the night, carrying the stolen research. He could only hope Rouge and Sonic had reached Blaze by now.

—-

"Shadow," Magnus gasped as they dragged him through the darkened corridors. "Please... I know you. From the ARK files. You showed mercy—"

Shadow's fist tightened, guilt and anger warring in his chest. Every step felt like a betrayal of who he was trying to be, but Blaze's life hung by a thread. He couldn't risk her safety, not even for his principles.

"Listen carefully," Shadow muttered, quiet enough that Scourge couldn't hear. "When the burning starts, focus on your breathing. Seven counts in, hold for four, nine out. It won't stop the pain, but it might keep you sane."

"Giving survival tips, Shadow?" Scourge's laugh was sharp and cruel. "How sweet. Remember mine, doc? 'Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about.' Good times, right?"

Magnus's face went ashen.

"Poetic, isn't it?" Scourge grabbed him roughly. "Your own creation, coming back to haunt you. That feeling like your blood's turning to lava? Been dreaming of sharing that experience with you for years."

Shadow looked away, his voice dropping lower. "Don't fight the energy. It only makes it worse."

As they loaded Magnus into the vehicle, Shadow could hear him already starting to count under his breath, preparing himself for what was coming. Each number felt like an accusation, another mark against Shadow's conscience.

"You know," Scourge said as they drove away, "for someone who claims to want revenge, you sure seem invested in keeping him comfortable."

"We need him coherent enough to finish the process," Shadow replied tonelessly. "That's all."

But as they disappeared into the night, Shadow found himself hoping that his advice would be enough to keep Magnus alive. Not for the scientist's sake, but because every death, justified or not, felt like another step away from the hero he'd promised Maria he'd become.