「 light in the darkness. 」

≻ . light

There was a moment, though brief, where Shadow found himself at a loss for words. It was not out of awe or anything of the sort, but it simply out of slight shock. He was given so little time to process, he'd half expected the chamber to hold nothing. Certainly not something so similar to himself. Of course he knew he was far from being the only hedgehog in existence, after all, Sonic did exist. But he hadn't expected another so similar to himself. A product— no more than that.

It wasn't moving.

The form had almost slumped over due to the lack of fluid providing it support. It was a ball of purple, streaked with gold. The soaked material clinging to its form led him to believe it was female. This, however, was only confirmed when it — or her — eyes opened.

Pale green eyes shot open wide, the female one panting heavily. Her own shock had her tumbling out of the chamber and to the metal floor, gloved hands feeling around as though it'd help her regain her breath.

"Wha—"

The voice was soft, mostly hoarse due to being unused for so long. Shadow could only assume how long she'd been in that state, given as he'd never had knowledge of her and if she had been still within that chamber to this day, then it must have been an extended period. He'd been in his for 50 years, give or take. By chaos, if he were to guess how long she'd been asleep..

"Who the hell are you?"

Shadow's low voice rumbled within the female's ears, startling her and causing her gaze to immediately flicker upwards. Once her sight was set on Shadow, she crawled backwards, head shaking.

"I don't— you're him."

Confusion spread across the male's visage, features still harsh, which didn't help the female's state of unease.

"Excuse me?" Shadow asked, arms folded across his chest and a brow arched.

"I know you," came her response as she slowly pushed herself to stand. She was a little wobbly and therefore used the equipment to keep herself upright until she regained her balance.

"Shadow. The ultimate lifeform.."

This had the male hedgehog's expression twist into one of slight annoyance. How did she know who he was when he'd had to spend all this time recovering his memories himself?

"Who the hell are you?" Shadow repeated his question, stepping forth which made the other hedgehog step back in turn.

"They called me Light," she began, perching upon the open chamber to use as seat to save herself from standing. "I was meant to be what you are. However, the professor could not engineer me to do what he wished. I do not have immortality nor the ability to harness the power of the chaos emeralds, so—"

"—so essentially, you are useless."

Shadow's interjection had the other hedgehog, Light, nodding.

"I am a failed product. The professor did not have the heart to terminate my life and so, because I pose no threat, simply put me to sleep in hopes that his next result will prove more successful.. and I see it has." A gloved hand would gesture towards Shadow who simply scoffed.

Despite his clear disinterest now, a hand would reach out, snatching Light's wrist and raising it so that it would rest within both their sights as he spoke, "Then what use are these?"

Light's emerald eyes studied the golden ring around her wrist, just light the ring around her other wrist. "It was a precaution in case I was able to harness chaos energy. Unfortunately, I was not. I suppose it did not occur to the professor that there was no use of me wearing them any longer. I suppose I should remove them."

Shadow's eyes narrowed for a moment, examining the inhibitor ring around Light's wrist before he released her, then turned his back to her. He didn't speak, but simply fell into a state of silence, eyes shut as he thought for a moment. It was only by curiosity that led him to releasing her.. but what was he supposed to do with her now that she was out?

"Why did you take me out?" Her voice cut into his thoughts, causing a grunt to escape him as he watched her from over his shoulder. She was intimidated by him, of course, but that didn't seem to keep her from interrupting when he was clearly in the process of thinking.

"Will you put me back into the machine now that you are aware of who I am?"

The question, though so simple, had Shadow turning to her again, head tilting in question.

"What? You want to go back in?"

Shadow didn't exactly care what she wanted, but the idea of someone willingly placing themselves into suspended animation, with no guarantee of ever being woken from it, was a surprise. He knew he wouldn't willingly go back under.

"Well, no. But if you have no use of me, then I suppose that—"

"—I have no use of you," the male hedgehog cut in, "If you want to go back in, be my guest. Or don't. It doesn't matter to me. I took you out only to satisfy curiosity. Now that I see it was a waste of time.."

The words would have hurt her feelings, had they not been so truthful. She admired his honesty, no matter how brutal it may be.

"I see. Well, perhaps you may leave me out of suspended animation while you do as you must?" Her voice held a hint of hope. She wished to enjoy the freedom she never had, now that she had a chance to do so.

"Then you may do as you please." With that, Shadow began walking. He'd already wasted time here when he could have already been on his way by now.

"Wait!" Fast footsteps approached behind him and the male hedgehog paid her no attention and simply continued walking.

"Where are you going?"

"Earth."

The purple coloured hedgehog's features seemed to light up at that, her speed picking up so that she may walk at Shadow's side, peering up at him, a hopeful beam spreading across her face. "The professor and Maria used to talk about earth all the time!" Her voice was cheery, but Shadow's had become the complete opposite at the mention of Maria.

"You knew her?"

He seemed to stop then and so did Light.

"I did.. I met her when the professor completed my engineering. I only knew her for a few days while the professor studied me and made notes for improvement for when he created you. She was very sweet and she spoke of earth many times. I spent my last day apologizing to her for not being able to cure her like the professor intended," she explained, but Shadow didn't seem to be listening. He seemed to be zoned out, but he was very much paying attention.

"You failed her. As did I."

He began walking again, steps slower, but still moving ahead. He didn't spare her a glance, not even for a second, but the words he spoke were very much directed towards her.

"Come with me."