Soul Eater but it's Sonic

Chapter 37

Sonic was paralyzed by a sense of overwhelming disbelief. Eggman smirked down at the hedgehog.

"Shadow is an asset of the Death Weapon Meister Academy. No official record of his birth exists. His citizenship is backed by the DWMA alone. He has no family or lineage. There's nothing waiting for him outside of Death City,"

Only the unpleasant hum of the fluorescent lights could be heard in the room. Each of the other weapons and meisters looked at Sonic with worry. He was in a state of hopeless awe and indignation.

"Y-you told him he could leave when he first woke up with amnesia," Sonic's voice was quivering, which frustrated him further. "He had a choice. He chose to stay and help,"

Eggman shook his head. "He exists for the sole benefit of this organization whether he wants to or not,"

A shudder ran from Sonic's head down the entirety of his body. He clenched his fists and grit his teeth.

"What do you know about his past?"

"Why would I tell you? He was never your weapon. He's always been mine,"

Sonic charged forward until Knuckles grabbed hold and stopped him. Eggman laughed with exasperation.

"You know, I really do hate stupid jocks like you. What were you going to do? Beat me up? I could easily kill you right now without consequence. Grim reaper isn't just a pet name,"

Sonic pushed Knuckles away without advancing. "Could have fooled me,"

Eggman sneered back at the blue hedgehog. "You are no longer authorized to use the Black Arm scythe known as Shadow,"

Eggman included the others in his next statement. "Information regarding the kishin's identity is classified, alongside the DWMA's possession of a Black Arm series demon scythe. You will not discuss these details with anyone below three-star clearance. You will remain in this room until an escort releases you,"

The door closed. Eggman was gone. Sonic trudged over to the mirror and struck it with his fist. A crack formed and distorted the images of all the others in the room watching him. Sonic thought for a short while. He didn't move away from the mirror when he spoke.

"You knew about the black blood, Silver?"

The pale hedgehog shrunk away. "Starline mentioned it after Shadow's surgery. He was concerned, but I didn't think it was anything serious,"

"But you still hid it from Blaze?"

Silver saw that his meister seemed frustrated. "I didn't think you'd handle it well,"

"Oh please," Blaze scoffed.

"Is he wrong, Blaze? Do you handle things like that well?"

Blaze glared at Sonic. "What kind of question is that?"

Sonic stepped away from the mirror and approached Blaze. "Well, it's just that Shadow had a sudden change of heart after he was cleared to go on missions with me again. At first he seemed fine, then he came back from his checkup wanting to give up. He said you told him he'd corrupt me,"

"I was right. He was a danger to you,"

"But you didn't know that at the time. So why did you tell him that?"

Blaze scoffed again. "You were both talking about Shadow becoming the ultimate death scythe. He's a Black Arm weapon without his memory,"

"So you think he's bad by default?"

The princess threw up her hands. "What was I supposed to think? A dream like that is idiotic and childish at best. Dangerous at worst,"

"So, the best case scenario is that you came over to our place to celebrate Shadow's recovery and heard that he had an idiotic, childish dream. Then, you ambushed him in the hospital and lied to him? That's you 'handling things well?'"

Blaze looked at Sonic with a surging anger before regret eased into her and made her falter. Sonic kept his cold gaze on the princess as he spoke again.

"Silver, what did you think Blaze would do if you told her about Shadow?"

Sonic didn't receive a reply. The door opened, and a robot they hadn't met before stood outside the doorway. This one resembled professor Gamma, but had thicker plating that was colored black. The robot's arms had blasters for hands and shield plating on the sides. The ends of the shields near the blasters had spikes protruding from them.

"E-101 Beta reporting. You will now be escorted from this area,"

The three meisters and two weapons left the area in silence. They were brought back to a more familiar part of the DWMA to submit their reports. Sonic finished his submission and left without waiting for Tails or Knuckles. He spread out his soul perception and verified that Starline was being kept in the regular medical facility. He headed straight there.

Upon entering the hallway that contained Starline's room, Sonic saw Vanilla sitting in the hall. She stood up.

"Sonic, are you alright?"

"I'm here to see Starline," Sonic stated flatly.

Vanilla seemed conflicted. "That's fine, but you should know about his condition. He's been cleared to have visitors since long term isolation worsens the effects of the madness. Starline has a sensitivity to the kishin's chaos wavelength that's affecting his mind. The kishin's chaos waves will get stronger over time. Most people won't notice a difference. Starline is recovering well, but he'll be among the first people burdened by the chaos waves. Other people will be affected as well if the kishin isn't dealt with,"

The blue hedgehog started moving again.

"Sonic..."

Sonic stopped. He turned back with an unmoving expression.

"I've been made aware of your recent debriefing," Vanilla began, cautiously. "I haven't been here long so I don't know much about your relationship with Starline. What I do know is that he believed in you and Shadow. He wanted you two to be able to keep working together. He felt guilty about misleading you. I don't think he would have done it if you and Shadow weren't so close,"

Sonic gave a look of inquisitive impatience.

Vanilla's expression saddened before she stepped aside. "I'm the only form of surveillance over Starline currently. You'll have the privacy to say what you need,"

Starline stared at the ceiling of his hospital room. It was completely covered in glowing eyes. If Starline kept perfectly still, they would all focus on him. Moving didn't deter their focus much; it only angered them. And so Starline sat motionless, staring back until Sonic walked in.

Sonic noticed that Starline did look unwell. His eyes were tired; his normally groomed hair was much messier. His orange spectacles were gone and he wore only a hospital gown.

"I feel like I'm going insane," Sonic huffed.

"What's that like?" Starline asked, watching the eyes fade away.

The hedgehog walked over to the window and calmly looked out at the other buildings.

"It mostly feels clear, actually. The last two months since Shadow's injury. I remember so many details about all the things that happened since then. Things I would have just ignored or accepted make me suspicious now. My memories are clear, but I feel angry and paranoid too. I don't feel like I can really trust anyone,"

"So you decided it would be more comforting to talk with someone who's also going mad? Or maybe you want me to apologize for lying to you and Shadow?"

"I just wanted to hear you admit it,"

"Consider this my admission,"

Starline returned to staring at the ceiling. Now that Sonic was looking out the window, the glowing eyes were returning. They all glared at Sonic once he spoke. Starline found his gaze shifting toward the hedgehog as well.

"Will the DWMA let me see Shadow?"

"Not likely," Starline replied with weakness.

"I'm expecting you to help me change that,"

Starline chuckled. "I don't know that I'll be of much use to you,"

Sonic exited the room without looking back at Starline.

"We'll see about that,"