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Who: Shadow the Hedgehog and Iris
Where: Violet and Goldenrod respectively.
When: The night of January 12.
Summary: After he takes a nasty spill, Shadow calls a worried Iris with his new gear to let her know he's all right.
Rating: PG
Log:
Iris was curled on her hotel room bed, absently playing with her Gear. She had tried calling Shadow again earlier, but to no avail. She really was concerned about her friend, but she hoped fervently that he was alright. She thought guilty about the conversation they'd had once. Shadow had told her that although she had rushed to Phoenix's side when he was in need, she wouldn't do the same. She bit her lip, ignoring the voice inside her head that said 'Isn't that exactly what you're doing now? He could be hurt or sick or dead and you're just sitting here. What kind of friend are you?'

Iris shakes her head, biting her lip harder. 'No! Shadow's a strong person and he had his Pokemon with him. I'm sure he's just fine...Just fine...He's just fine.' She repeats the thought over and over in her head like a mantra, her fingers tightening around her Gear. 'He just has to be!'

But the sound of the Gear's static as she called haunted her, and she felt tears building in the corners of her eyes. "I'm so sorry Shadow." she says aloud, attempting to wipe the tears from her eyes only to have more replace them. "I've been a horrible friend to you. I-I don't deserve your friendship. This all happened on my watch, and I could have done something to-" She breaks off, tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so very sorry!"

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Meanwhile, in Violet City, Shadow took hold of his replacement PokeGear and stared at it a few moments. He'd already replaced most of the information he'd installed on the previous model he'd received back in New Bark Town, but he felt like he was forgetting something.

Mawile stood nearby, looking sheepish. She hadn't meant to break the wall, she only wanted to wake Shadow up... And felt entirely responsible for the incident. Like Shadow, she was entirely too stubborn for her own good and refused to be in her Pokeball, but also refused to interact with her Master, leaving them both sitting in the darkness of the Pokemon Center Lobby. A few lights were on, but nothing too immediate. The door was always open for those that needed a quick heal for their Pokemon, there were couches available.

But it still felt like they were forgetting something. Pressing a few buttons on his Gear, Shadow opened up his rarely used Address Book, slowly clicking through names... Upon landing on 'Iris', he stopped, his eyes widened a bit.

"Iris..." That's right, she saw him fall, she was probably wondering where he was, if he was alive, no doubt. He moves to call her, but a voice in his head answers first.

Why are you going to call her? She said if you were injured, she'd come to you, but she's not here. She's not Maria, stop thinking of her like that, you're just going to get corrupted by these humans.

Shadow leans back somewhat on the couch, "... She's not Maria. But something about her is. I feel like I need to remember something important... Every time I talk to her, it's like I know who I am, what my purpose is for being here."

You have your purpose now; you're the Ultimate Life Form, you're meant to take revenge on all of those ungrateful humans.

The once-hog smirked, dialing the number, "Hmph. I haven't forgotten that." There was no way he could be corrupted by humanity... This body might have been human, but he was still Shadow. He was still going to keep his promise to Maria, no matter who got in his way.

The last words she had spoken to Shadow and his cry of pain. He had looked like he was in agony, and he kept saying that name. Maria. She couldn't bare to think that Shadow was dead, dead with his last moments full of pain. And it was all her fault. The tears steamed down her cheeks faster. She had been trying her hardest to help Shadow. And she only succeeded in making things worse.

Iris jumps as the Gear her fingers are clasping suddenly alerts her to the fact someone is calling her. 'Shadow?' was her first thought, but she quickly shakes her head. No it couldn't be. She had tried calling Shadow's Gear earlier, and all she had gotten was static. It couldn't be. Bu then who? Most of her friends were in Goldenrod with her and knew where to find her. Who would be calling now?

She picks up, neglecting to check the caller ID. "Hello?"

Hearing her voice, Shadow doesn't speak immediately. The low hum of lighting in the Center is the only response for now. What was he going to say? If he told her that he was fine, would he have to listen to her cry? Would the situation just repeat and repeat?

Shadow frowned, keeping the gear to his ear but not responding yet. Maybe she'll say something else, maybe this will become easier the longer he waits. Mawile tilted her head, not sure what's going on, or why her Master is waiting so long.

Iris is a little unnerved by the silence. "Hello?" she says again, looking at the Gear in confusion.

"Is anyone there? I think you might have the wrong number." When there is no response to this she continues, slightly nervously. "I'm sure you meant to call one of your friends." She moves to hang up, but pauses for a second, hearing the hum of noise in the background. Maybe all this person needed was someone to talk to. Maybe she should wait a few more seconds...

I'm sure you meant to call one of your friends.

Shadow closed his eyes at that, letting out a soft sigh, before he finally spoke. "Iris." He doesn't say much else, already expecting the answer he'll get... Was it easier for him to be so far away from her? Was it more difficult? He couldn't decide.

Still, he wondered why he even cared... Constantly he had to remind himself that she wasn't Maria, but everything she did...

It wasn't fair.

Iris was pleased she was able to convince the stranger to speak. But that voice. It seemed familiar somehow...."S-Shadow?!" Her grip on the Gear tightens and she nearly falls backwards in shock and relief. She can hardly form complete sentences at this point but she manages a "H-How?"

He smirked, despite the connection only being in voice, "Did you really think something like that would keep me down? I am the world's most Ultimate Life form... Escaping that place was no major feat."

Ultimately, however, it meant Shadow wasn't going anywhere quickly for the next couple of days... Though he planned on defeating Falkner for good this time.

"Of course." The smile is evident in her voice. "Oh, I'm so glad!" Shadow couldn't see them, but tears of joy and relief were running down Iris' cheeks. "I was so afraid. A-Are you hurt? Has Nurse Joy looked at you yet?"

"I have been tended to, with enough bandages to keep me from moving anywhere I please." Shadow was a little bitter; he wasn't used to the fragility of a human body, after all.

"This means I won't be able to arrive in Goldenrod for some time." It also meant any plans he had with Dahlia were completely out of the question... Perhaps another plan to rendezvous could be made.

"Oh dear...H-How badly were you hurt?" She bites her lip, trying not to picture Shadow in pain, limping to a Pokemon Center. "A-And your Pokemon? Were they injured as well?"

"That's alright. Just being able to talk to you like this makes me happy." She smiles. "I was so worried, but I should have known you'd be just fine."

Shadow listened to her worry about him, and he closed his eyes. It was nostalgic to him.

"Nothing you need to worry about. My Pokemon have sustained no injuries."

No need to tell her about the splint for his leg-- He didn't want her to worry more than she needed to. Shadow was rather bad at comforting others, he didn't exactly know how to, and though he'd once told Iris he doesn't try to comfort people, she became his exception.

"I'm glad to hear it." She smiles, but it's clear she's still a little upset.

"I was so frightened..." Iris bites her lip, and her face falls. "And...I want to apologize. F-For causing all this. You wouldn't be hurt now if it wasn't for me."

Shadow closed his eyes, not wanting to look at her when she was sad. He knew by now that he was suffering a form of PTSD, and that her emotional state could trigger the once-hog into being thrown back into flashbacks of Maria... This had happened before he'd been transported to this world, and he was sure it could happen more often here.

"You didn't mean to do anything. Mawhile caused the collapse, not you. It was pure coincidence that it happened at the same time."

Iris shakes her head rapidly, despite the fact that Shadow is unable to see it. "No...No it was my fault. I...told Mawhile to help me and she was just doing what she thought was right."

"I-I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen but...it was still my fault." She attempts to stop crying, but is unable to, tears still running down her face.

The Ultimate Life form let out a sigh, exasperated. He didn't know what to do, but he had a feeling getting angry with her would only make the situation worse. He'd never had experience with this before. Taking in a deep breath, Shadow held the Gear so he was staring at it, seeing her tears, and he smiled at her.

Though it was one of his usual frightening smiles, he still tried.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

And Iris smiles right back. "Y-You smiled...." It wasn't the most beautiful smile, but it was Shadow's smile and she was so happy to see it. She had been so afraid she would never get the chance.

"Thank you. For forgiving me. I...don't don't know how I could ever make it up to you."

Shadow's eyes narrowed somewhat and he focused on Iris, looking quite serious suddenly.

"When I tell you, I want you to leave to come to me, or leave Goldenrod. There's no room for doubts or rejection."

Iris bites her lip. She had so many friends in Goldenrod but...if that's what Shadow wants, she feels that she should repay him. After all, she has never been forgiven for her sins before... "I'll...I'll try my best."

"Good." Shadow responded, frowning. He wanted to make sure she didn't get hurt during his... future business. The only one that was supposed to get hurt was...

"Have you met with your friend?"

"...My friend? Oh! You mean Phoenix." Iris' face falls a little. "Only briefly. He...doesn't want to see me right now." It looks like she's going to start crying again before all of a sudden her smile's back and she's talking again, although the smile as well as her cheery attitude seems forced. "But he's doing a lot better now!"

That made Shadow a little upset... Or rather, disheartened. He glared into the Gear, though it's more directed at the thought of Phoenix rather than Iris.

"You journeyed all the way to Goldenrod to see him, and he doesn't want to see you. I imagine it's because you and your sister look the same?" Shadow wasn't unfamiliar with this concept, after all, he and Sonic looked rather similar from a distance.

Iris shakes her head, Adamson. "It's not his fault! It's mine. And yes...that does have something to do with it...But that's not the main reason! I...I lied to him. I didn't tell him that Dahlia and I were sisters and I didn't warn him about her true nature before she...."

"He...has a right to be upset with me..."

"Stop blaming yourself for everything." Shadow snarled into the feed, "I'm tired of it. Humans are always looking for ways to cast off blame, why are you so different from them?"

It was frustrating... Shadow always looked for more reasons to hate humanity, but Iris kept... Apologizing. Always apologizing. No one had ever apologized for the incident 50 years ago, yet she had.

Iris jumps, eyes starting to sting at Shadow's tone. "B-But I..." She doesn't know what to say. She's been apologizing for others for as long as she can remember. How can she not blame herself? "I-I just want to help others and I don't want to see sins sully other's souls. My sister, Phoenix, no one deserves pain or sins on their soul. That's why I...try to help. Even though, it never seems to help much...it's the only thing I can do for them."

The feed suddenly shuts off. It's like that for a full minute... and eventually turns on again. Shadow's voice is calm, collected. The expression on his face is one of musing.

"If you didn't have a sister, you wouldn't have to apologize, right?"

Iris is shocked when the feed disappears. She nearly panics and dials the number again. But then, she remembers Shadow's angry tone and she just can't do it. Just as she's gathering her courage to dial the number, the gear turns on again.

"I-I...suppose I wouldn't have to no. But if I didn't have my sister then...I wouldn't have any family left that I could speak to."

"Pathetic." Shadow sighed, changing the feed to voice rather than video. "Your sister doesn't care about you. She's obviously using you as the scapegoat. Someone like that... is better off not existing." Shadow and Sonic didn't share this relationship... after all, they both wanted each other to disappear. Plus, they weren't even family.

It's a good thing video isn't on anymore because tears are now running down Iris' face again. You are not very good at comforting people Shadow. "....Maybe she doesn't. But she's still my sister, and she already has so many sins on her soul...."

"Forsake her." Shadow lived in a black and white world; those who hurt you deserved to die. That was all there was. Revenge. That's all that mattered.

"She'd never do the same for you."

"I-I can't! I've tried...I've tried so hard to hate her for what she's done. But...I can't. She's my sister and I can't abandon her. If I do, she'll have no one!"

"Then you'd rather live and be forsaken by everyone else?" The Ultimate Life form couldn't understand this... Why would someone choose to live in suffering? Why would a HUMAN choose to live in suffering? And more importantly... Why did he care? For so long he didn't care what happened to humans, as long as they suffered for what happened to his family 50 years ago. But instead... Here he was, caring. It frustrated him so much.

"....I don't think I'm forsaken. I have many friends here and...even if every single one hated me, I would be content to know that they were all healthy and happy."

Shadow couldn't understand her. How could she be happy with something like that? Something in the back of his mind was telling him that her reaction was important, but he didn't know why.

He frowned, "Only one will be forsaken."

"...Only one will be forsaken? What do you mean?"

Shadow shook his head a moment, then spoke abruptly.

"I have to go now."

"S-So soon? I didn't offend you did I?" Iris gives him a sad and almost desperate look.

Shadow shook his head. "No. But I shouldn't waste anymore time. I need to get to Azalea."

"...I understand. I'm grateful you were able to call...Will you stay in contact?"

"... Yes."

Iris smiles. "I'm glad. ...I suppose I have no choice than to let you go...Don't push yourself too hard alright? It will only make your injuries worse."

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Yeah, pretend that "Adamson" is adamant. ....I have no idea how that happened.

damnyouautocorrect.com? XDDD

That would fit right in. I am in tears reading some of these things.

LET ME EXPOSE MYSELF

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