homeless

[endless_life_forever]

Leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you.

If I'm needed, I'll come of my own accord.

Comments

[heardyoucall]

You won't have a choice. It's best to be ready, not to avoid the unavoidable.

[endless_life_forever]

I'm always ready.

[heardyoucall]

Is that so?

[He gives him a look.]

[endless_life_forever]

[ Shadow looks right back, his eyes old and tired, but without hesitation. ]

[heardyoucall]

You won't always be ready. No one is.

To be able to respond, however, is another matter.

[endless_life_forever]

I've eliminated all distractions. I am ready. I've protected the Earth for the past 200 years.

Nothing will stand in my way.

[heardyoucall]

Anything can happen here.

You'll find distractions have a way of resurfacing.

[endless_life_forever]

Then I'll just have to try harder to ignore them.

[heardyoucall]

That won't work. Not forever.

[endless_life_forever]

It hasn't failed me yet. [ He was numb, now, but it was better than being consumed by his sorrow. ]

[heardyoucall]

You can't rely on what's worked for you before now. This is a new playing field.

[endless_life_forever]

I will fight as I always have, and I will adapt.

[heardyoucall]

Know your limits.

[endless_life_forever]

You don't have to tell me that.

[steadfastheartofgold]

It's not really your choice, Shadow ol' buddy. Trust me, if it was, I wouldn't be developing Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome in one thread.

[endless_life_forever]

[ Shadow stares at Sonic for an uncomfortably long time. ]

[endless_life_forever]

[ And then he looks away. ]

Go away. [ He's done with hallucinations by this point. ]

[steadfastheartofgold]

Hey! That's not very nice!
[ Sonic crosses his arms. ]

[endless_life_forever]

[ He's not very nice anymore. Though it's mostly his front that he's built up for the last 90 years. ]

You're not real.

[enjoys_plan_b]

I SEE THESE MUNDANES ARE GIVING EVEN YOU TROUBLE, SHADOW.

[endless_life_forever]

[ Omega, huh. Well, it wasn't as though he didn't expect to see the other again. He was the only ally he had left, even though he'd pushed the robot away. ]

I won't let them get to me. I've been fighting too long to let their antics throw me off.

[enjoys_plan_b]

AFFIRMATIVE. BUT DO NOT DEAL WITH MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE, COMRADE.

[endless_life_forever]

There's nothing I can't handle. Not anymore.

[enjoys_plan_b]

BE CAREFUL, SHADOW. YOU MAY BE PROVEN WRONG SOMEDAY.

[endless_life_forever]

I was a long time ago. But I've grown since then. I won't allow myself to become distracted... I won't let myself fall apart.