Assassination (Shadow x Reader)

-Chapter 20- (Nine & Shadz)

Shadows POV

I grasped the chaos emerald tightly, looking into the reflections that it gave off as I heard incoherent mumbling from inside where Y/N was. I felt an uncontrollable rage, they had just been freed, and now they may never wake. I wasn't sure what to do, except make the ones who had hurt them suffer.

Footsteps approached me slowly, and I heard metal clinking, 'I know you better than you think, Shadow.' Nine said at my side, 'Something's up.'

I cast a glance toward him, my thoughts racing as to what he could mean by that, but I remained calm, 'What's it to you?' 

'I'm more observant than you'd believe I am. It's what I do.' Nine gave a soft, awkward smile. He was definitely aware of our bad blood, yet he still tried to make common ground.

I shoved the Chaos Emerald in his face, pushing him back more, 'What are you even talking about?'

'You're afraid, Shadow.'

'I am the Ultimate Life Form!' I immediately hissed out, 'I do not feel fear!'

Nine sighed, 'Ultimate Life Form this, Ultimate Life Form that. If you really are the Ultimate Life Form, maybe you should treat your life like it is a life. Because right now, you're acting as if you're the only Mobian who matters.' He flicked a metal tail at me, 'We all have a common goal, and you're being as impulsive as Sonic usually is.' He gave a light-hearted laugh, 'We'll formulate a plan, I promise. It's what Y/N is very good at, actually.'

I turned my head, 'Really?'

Nine nodded, 'Y/N may not have Sonic's speed, your strength, or my mind, but they're quite good at thinking before leaping. They set up half the things that you ran into blindly.' Nine chuckled, 'With my assistance, of course. But- when they brought you coffee beans, all the way to when they were remembering their past. I could see it. Y/N always had a plan. To get into your head. And it worked most of the time.' The fox explained, his eyes gazing at the rising sun, 'And even better. Y/N doesn't even know they're planning it. They do it subconsciously, making it second nature for them.'

I growled, 'So Y/N got into my weak points from time to time, what's it to you?'

Nine shook his head, 'Y/N is our trump card. They could be in a fight against Infinite with full power, and they'd be able to knock him off his feet with just their strategies.'

I scowled, still resistant to the idea of relying on someone else, even if this someone was a master strategist. 'I don't need anyone analyzing my weaknesses.'

Nine's eyes met mine, a subtle intensity in his gaze. 'It's not just about weaknesses, Shadow. Y/N sees your strengths too, and they know how to amplify them.'

I crossed my arms, a bit annoyed by the implication. 'I don't need anyone amplifying anything. I can handle my battles on my own.'

Nine sighed, a mix of frustration and amusement in his expression. 'Shadow, this isn't about proving your strength. It's about saving the world... And besides, they have a knack for getting through to you in ways the rest of us can't.'

I shot Nine a skeptical look. 'What do you mean?'

He shook his head, 'Y/N felt genuine happiness when hanging out with you, Silver, and all the others. Y/N may have been putting on an act at first, but they do feel truly at home with you guys.' I heard his voice break, 'I envy that.'

I sighed, 'Whatever. Tell me when Y/N is awake again. Then I'll listen to their plan. But stay out of my way, fox.'

Nine nodded, then turned and walked back to the small cabin Y/N was in. I thought of what Nine had said, getting through to me? 

It didn't make sense. Y/N was just a Mobian. One who had a goal at first to kill me. But then they wished for freedom. What was it that Nine had meant?

I took a step towards the sun that was now above the horizon, making my way towards my cave. This would not be the end of our conversation, Nine. You have several things to explain.