Sonic the Hedgehog

In Too Deep

Full of anxiety, her mind stuck in a battle long over, Rouge snaps awake and sits up on a cold, plastic table. This isn't where she was. Her mind takes a moment to sync with her memories, and when it does, she plops back down and takes a breath of relief. It appears she and the others made it back. Waking up in a cold, empty storage room is better than waking up in a jail cell.

"Rise and shine."

Rouge tilts her neck to the doorway. Leaning against it is Shadow, arms crossed, eyeing her.

"How long have you just been standing there?" Rouge asks. "You know, that's kinda creepy."

"The Doctor tasked me with gathering everyone once you've awakened. How's the head?"

"I'll live."

The weary bat uses her wings to levitate slowly off the plastic surface, lowering gently until her feet touch the floor.

"I assume the emerald is long gone?" she says.

"No, actually," Shadow responds. "That metal hedgehog managed to retrieve it. We're on our way to the next one now. Though, you won't be receiving any pay for our failure tonight."

The loss of jewels isn't what puts an uncomfortable weight on the spy's heart. An event rarer than the beauties she collects. No, it's the realization that this exhausting job is not over. Eggman's plan for world domination is still very much in effect. And he's closer than ever to achieving what originally seemed like a far-fetched desire.

"Shadow-?"

"You wish to defect," he says, surprising Rouge. "I doubt that's what you were going to say, but it's clear you want to. What that echidna said in the ring- it's all true, isn't it?"

"What? That I'm some 'honorable' warrior?"

"You don't wish to see the Doctor succeed. Despite what you may say, or what you may think, you care for the people of this world. Is that why you saved the war hero back at the mountain?"

"What are you-?"

"Or why you stopped me from obliterating him and his friends with a single strike? It's clear as day. You've had your reservations since the moment you took the job. Tell me, Rouge, what was your plan? Did you think you could simply steal the emeralds once he obtained enough? I assume by now, you've realized that is no longer a possibility."

"And that doesn't bother you?" Rouge retaliates. "You're not blind, Shadow. You know Eggman is a monster. Everything that happened all those years ago... you were there."

"I was. And that's why, unlike you, my conviction has not wavered. I've witnessed first-hand the full extent of human cruelty. They're not too different from the man they all fear. They are a cruel, violent species who'll do anything to achieve their selfish desires. Even if it means turning on their own."

"Do you think that applies to every human? Every Mobian? Because that's who's gonna suffer once this is all done. Is it fair to punish an entire civilization over the order ONE man gave?"

"Funny. For a world you claim gave you nothing, you seem pretty adamant about defending it. What changed?"

Rouge at first is unsure how to respond. She looks to the floor, before finally opening her mouth.

"It did. It gave me two people I care about."

Shadow recoils, remembering the words that came from the fox earlier.

"And I don't want to see one of them do something they'll regret," she finishes.

"I see. That's why you interfered with me and that brat from earlier. Don't worry about me, Rouge. I've accepted the consequences of my involvement. You, on the other hand, should consider leaving while you have the chance. Because if you get in my way, there'll be no one there looking after you."

...