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curetapwater · 1 month ago

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Red. Hot. Rage. A blast of Chaos magic so massive that it hurt to leave Shadow’s body. It crushed the ice around him and sent Eggman flying so far back that Shadow was certain he’d flee to his castle and wouldn’t be returning if he knew what was good for him. A foreign, yet sickly familiar magic licked up his limbs in red sparks. His boots stood firm in the melting snow beneath them.

Sending Eggman away wasn't enough. All Shadow could see was red, and all he could think of was the furious declaration that had just torn through his throat. Death to all who opposed him, indeed. His fingers twitched. His teeth grit. He set a foot behind him, ready to pounce.

Senses blunted by rage, he did not register the rumble of the snow tumbling down on him until he was buried beneath harsh, frozen white.

Shadow’s eyes opened to empty void. The chill of that wretched frozen white was gone, but so was the heat that had just radiated from his flesh. What… was that? Had one of the Chaos Gems done that to him? A final curse before signing his death warrant?

…Would he be reunited with Maria soon?

His face fell into his hands. What had he done?

"Fuck," his voice rang out. "What have I done?"

Wracked with guilt, it took Shadow a moment to realize the cry had not come from his own throat. He looked up from his hands, but saw no one. Was this strange space tormenting him with his own voice?

"Who's there?" he called. He turned around to find a figure lying on the ground, a ways away from him.

The sobs stopped short. The stranger lifted their head.

"What the hell are... get out!" They swung their arms in the air wildly. "Leave me the fuck alone!"

Shadow stumbled back at the roar that sounded all-too-familiar to the one he had just unleashed before bringing this mess down on himself.

They turned, and scrambled up upon seeing Shadow, backing away.

Shadow stood up, too, prepared to defend himself, when he realized that the other's quills raised into a distinctive star pattern. A pattern he had only seen in his own reflection.

He stepped forward, on edge. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Who... Who am I..." A dark chuckle rumbled out of them as they echoed back the question. Heavy boots echoed throughout the void as they stomped towards him. "Who am I?" They planted their feet in place, and stood up tall. "I am Shadow the Hedgehog!"

"Tch," Shadow scoffed. "Impossible." He marched closer to this... imposter. "I am Prince Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform. You will cease this disrespect of my name at-"

He cut himself off with his own gasp, stopped short.

The sight before him was impossible, indeed. Perhaps a cruel vision meant to torment him in the eternity that surely followed that deadly spill in the mountains. A twisted version of himself, glowering at him in the wicked red that Shadow had glowed when he'd sealed his own fate. Clad not in lavender loaned from the Moon King, but in black leather.

This… other Shadow’s red eyes flew wide just as his had. But then his tension fell. In fact, he began to laugh. "What are you, some sort of lame joke?"

Shadow's quills raised in offense. "Excuse me? Perhaps you didn't hear me the first time, but I am the Ultimate Lifeform." He shoved down the thoughts of his failure swirling through his mind at the declaration, screaming at him at just how inaccurate a title it was. "You dare mock me?"

"I'm the mockery?" the other scoffed, "You look like a prissy little princess dressed you. There's nothing ultimate about being fragile and stuffy." He chuckled again, and clapped slowly. "And the crowd goes wild for the most underwhelming parody of myself." His head craned up above them, a mirthless smile marring the otherwise familiar face. "Pure fuckin' comedy gold here."

The smile fell, and suddenly those red eyes pierced Shadow with malice. "So, why are you really here? Did you think you could taunt me or some shit? 'Cuz you're the sorriest excuse of a fake I've ever seen."

The ember of anger that Shadow's outburst had left burning in his heart ignited anew. His hands curled into fists. He refused this vision the satisfaction of hearing him admit what happened out loud. That his presence here – wherever "here" was – was his own fault.

"Clearly, you're either a punishment of the next world or my mind playing tricks on me," Shadow said. He couldn't hold back his growl as he spat, "And what do you know of princesses?"

"Let me think," his mirror said, voice dripping with sarcasm. He counted on his fingers, and Shadow blanched at the sight of gleaming claws. "That they're sensitive and gullible and run away at the littlest of problems." That wicked grin spread once more. "And they're so easy to take advantage of. Like taking candy from a baby."

Each word cut a new wound in Shadow, as if they both still stood there in the snow, as if that monster was kicking Shadow's limp, ice-cold sister on every insult.

He knew what this exact rage had wrought last time. But oh. To hear such vile words in his own voice. He had grabbed that faker by the collar before he could possibly reason with himself.

"You monster," he hissed.

He seized up when those calloused hands flew to his shoulders, and curved claws dug into him. But he didn't dare let his expression do anything but darken further, as that hunter’s gaze bore into him. He swallowed back a shudder.

The claws sank deeper. He leaned in until Shadow’s nose wrinkled from hot breath hissed out between bared fangs.

"That's what it takes to be ultimate."

Enlarged canines he'd always kept tucked behind pursed lips, shone as the fangs they truly were on his wicked copy. He choked on fumes of smoke and leather. He cursed his sudden habit of starting fights he couldn't finish, but he couldn't back down from this creature even if he'd wanted to.

He didn't want to.

No curse Shadow could ever learn with his faulty, untrained Chaos abilities could compare to the satisfaction of kneeing that faker in the stomach.

The blow knocked his copy back. He grunted as he hit the ground.

"Not that you'd know, pretty boy," he growled, then stood up. He rolled up his sleeves, and Shadow realized he had dived to deep to back out of what he’d just started.

Still, he couldn’t back down. "You're one to talk!" Shadow cried. He raised his fists before him in mimicry. "All that talk of taking advantage of others... that is true weakness! What good is a supposed Ultimate Lifeform who only brings ruin?"

He was deeply unprepared for when the other punched up into his stomach. Shoved his chest. Caught him by the small of his back.

Shadow felt ill at the uncanny sight of his own face looking down at him, twisting into a nasty scowl.

"All this talk about weakness when you don't even know power," he growled before dropping Shadow to the floor. A heavy, black boot pressed down into his stomach, holding him to the ground hands-free.

All air left Shadow's stomach in one sharp oof-

Shuddering, wheezing, he lifted his arms to claw uselessly at his copy's leather boot and pant leg. He'd never felt so crushed, and he'd just had tons of snow land on his head. No, this was precise. Localized. Intentional. Unable to speak, all he could muster was a rhythmic, hopeless wheeze. The disgusting things he'd just heard in his own voice played over and over in his head.

"Awwwh," that monster mocked in a high-pitched baby voice, "look at the poor little prince, can't even handle getting stomped on."

He pressed down harder, right beneath the ribs. Shadow’s wheeze became a shocked squeak-!

"You wouldn't know power it ripped out your guts and-"

Shadow banged his fist against his assailant's shin in a last-ditch effort to get him off.

The other hissed and jerked his leg up.

Sweet, merciful air filled Shadow's lungs anew. He scooted back before that monster could right himself. He kicked out his legs, and his stomach twisted with sick satisfaction when his soles collided with that monster's shins.

The fake hit the ground on his hands and knees. He looked up, and they mad eye contact with near-identical expressions of loathing.

Shadow’s veins still stung from that burst of magic that had exploded from him before this encounter began. His muscles fought against the sparks that ignited anew in his anger. He despised the sensation. He couldn't resist it.

"You don't know my power," Shadow seethed.

A chilling sobriety washed over those red eyes. Then they sparked anew, as another sick smile curled across that faker’s face. He pushed himself back onto his feet and loomed above Shadow.

“Yeah?” he challenged. "Show me, then, Ultimate Lifeform."

The growl sitting in Shadow’s chest rumbled, threatening to escape. He shuddered on his hands and knees, nails he hadn't clipped in three days of failure poking at his gloves, clawing at the ground beneath him. He could demolish this imposter with the same power that had finally blown Eggman away from him.

...The same power that had brought that mess down on him.

The same power that had done nothing to save his sister, who surely still lay cold beside his own icy grave.

Teeth gnashing, he looked up at the monster who towered over him. His own face, contorted in a snarl he should never have matched. That's not what he was made for.

He swallowed hard, and stood up. Princely posture restored, fists clenched with power he knew sat there, regardless of whether this broken mirror saw it. "I'll prove my power as soon as the kingdom is saved. And I'll remove all who stand in my way. Including such a weak-minded vision of myself."

That dashed the smile from this imposter’s face. He scrunched up his nose and said, "You really are a joke, huh. You're not even fucking funny. You really expect victory to be handed to you on a platter?" He threw up his hands. "You think you can just up and take the prize when you never ran the fuckin' race?"

Shadow grit his teeth once more, his fists tightening. That hunger with which this copy spoke... all teeth and sneers. He swallowed back his disgust and prayed the other couldn’t see how he shook. "You dare lecture me? A mere imitation? You speak of greatness, yet you can't have done anything worthy of my title."

That calculating gaze returned to blood red eyes. Shadow didn’t much appreciate being appraised like prey for a hunter. Nor did he appreciate the smug smirk the copy made.

“Have you?”

Shadow scoffed, and hoped it sounded more annoyed than terrified. Snow rushed in his ears, dark magic stung his veins. But you're right was the last thing that could leave his mouth.

"At least I am devoted to something," he settled on, and cursed the way his voice faltered, the way Maria's snow-covered body flashed in his mind's eye. "What are you but an ambitionless brute?"

Red eyes dulled of all amusement, but the smile didn’t fade with it. It widened, split open. An ear-splitting cackle burst forth. Such a monstrous sound, in Shadow’s own voice yet like no one he had ever heard.

It snapped to a sneer as quickly as it began. "I will put everything I have into tearing this Chaos forsaken kingdom down. Brick by brick."

Horror struck Shadow's core. The shock carried onto his face before he could try to hide it.

"Starting with you!"

The copy lunged for him.

Eyes wide, Shadow stumbled back and just barely managed to catch this monster by the wrists (were those claws at the ends??). His stance was poor, his leverage weak. But he pushed back against the raging assault. Grit his teeth right in that nightmarish snarl...

Nightmare.

This copy was his worst nightmare.

Nightmares could be woken from.

His knees crumpled under his struggle, but he grit his teeth and tried his damndest not to give in. He'd never destroy his kingdom. He'd never be this villain.

"I see now..." he growled in his effort. "You are exactly what Eggman wants me to be." With a final heave, he shoved the monster off of him. "Weak-willed and complacent," he spat.

The copy’s eyes widened. He – no, it wasn’t real – it stood there, dumbfounded.

Any satisfaction the sight brought was dashed when the vision started barreling towards him.

Adrenaline shot through Shadow's veins anew. He was paralyzed between stand your ground and RUN.

"YOU BITCH!"

He chose RUN.

The screams rang out into the empty space around them, as Shadow ran, ran, RAN and seemed to get nowhere in the expanse of nothing.

Then the copy started swinging fists at his head. "YOU'LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING! YOU'LL NEVER DO WHAT IS REQUIRED! YOU'LL NEVER BE STRONG ENOUGH TO GET YOUR WAY!!"

Nightmare... it's only a nightmare, Shadow repeated in his head like a desperate mantra. He's lying. It's not true, it's not true it's only a nightmare it's not true.

One of those claws whizzed right past his ear.

RUN.

The void was endless. Bare. Nowhere to hide, nowhere to stop. RUN. RUN. RUN.

Shadow's scalp stung at a sudden yank at his quills. His head snapped back.

As one claw released from his quills, another shoved into his back, knocking him forward. His chin hit the ground with a sickening clack of his teeth.

Please wake up.

That wasn't his voice.

Pressure between his back spines. Right on his spine. Down, down, down, until the air was squeezed from his lungs anew. That damn boot again.

"YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT! YOU'LL NEVER FIND SUCCESS! YOU'LL NEVER HAVE YOUR FEAST!"

Harder. Harder.

"WHY?"

Shadow clawed at the ground. His vision blurred. He couldn't breathe.

Harder. Harder. Harder. Until a leather-clad knee sat beside his head, and suddenly chapped lips were close enough to make his ears flick back with a harsh whisper.

"Because you don't get the one thing I do: Everyone else is just a stepping stone to your victory. "No person...”

Harder.

“No enemy…”

Harder.

“No authority…”

Harder.

“No so-called friend is worth anything more than what you use them for. "And anyone who believes otherwise will be shriveled under my heel."

"N-n..." Shadow tried, but the pressure was unbearable.

Please. Still not his voice.

"I am Shadow the Hedgehog. And I cannot, never will be weak like you."

Shadow spread out his palms, tried to push up even just an inch, only to slam back down. He couldn’t tell whether he could no longer see, or if there was simply nothing to see in the void. Any protests left this mouth as pathetic squeaks.

Shadow, come on!

"Sonic?" Shadow gasped. He squirmed beneath the boot. "Sonic-" he wheezed again.

“What was that?” the nightmare teased.

He was dreaming! He was dreaming! He needed to get out! He had a kingdom to save! Teeth gnashing, he sucked the air through his teeth. Forced air into his lungs.

"SONIC!"

The pressure didn’t leave. But it became a touch lighter. For but a moment.

Then it came down so hard that Shadow saw stars.

"I DON'T NEED ANYONE!!!" the nightmare screamed. "ANYONE!!! I DON'T NEED A SINGLE FUCKING PERSON IN MY LIFE!!! NONE!!!!"

Its voice was growing hoarse from the tantrum it was throwing, Shadow thought distantly.

"I DON'T NEED FRIENDS," a claw pinned down Shadow’s wrist, "I DON'T NEED FAMILY," then the other, "I DON'T NEED LOVE," they dug into fabric and fur and flesh, "I DON'T NEED ANY OF IT!!!!"

It wasn’t real. The pain shooting through his spine, his ribs, his lungs. The screams of something he refused to become. This… thing that only spat lies.

"I AM THE ULTIMATE LIFEFORM!!! I AM EVIL, VICIOUS! I'M SELFISH AND CRUEL!" One of those claws released its vice grip. "I DON'T NEED HIM!!"

Phantom fingers enclosed around his hand. Hardened, calloused. But not claws.

Shadow grit his teeth, and sucked new life into his chest. He needed to wake up. He would wake up.

Something thrummed from deep in his chest. It didn’t feel like the warm energy of Angel Mountain, nor the cold magic from Eggman’s scepter. It burned hot, like a flame held just behind him. Above him…

"I'LL KILL HIM AND I'LL KILL YOU TOO!!!!!!!!"

One hand free, Shadow shoved himself up just far enough to look up at that wicked sneer. Toxic green sparked in that faker's clenched palm. Shadow's eyes widened as green flames snapped into the shape of a spear.

Shadow wrinkled his nose one final time. Called out to who he knew was guiding him out of this nightmare.

"SONIC!"

He had no time to flinch back as it plunged down. All he heard was an otherworldly scream in what hardly sounded like his own voice. All he saw was green.

Then black.

His eyes blinked open to Sonic’s face melting from concern to relief.

—

Who was that...

—

takes place between Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 of Shadow and the Magic of Pegasus

art by @solitarydoomsday

Vote for Descendants AU here!

SONIC AU COLLISION: ROUND 1

click to see full image

Shadow Barbie AU belongs to @curetapwater [link to fic series]

Content Warnings: kidnapping, unethical experimentation, and mind control/loss of bodily autonomy

Descendants AU belongs to @a-dream-journalist

Creator Note: CW along all three acts include child abuse, fantasy racism, drugging [sorta], attempted murder, and suicidal ideation.

Explore each world below the cut!

Shadow Barbie AU:

Shadow the Hedgehog is the prince of a kingdom filled with magic, wonder, and danger. Born from the cauldron of genius sorcerer King Gerald to heal Princess Maria, he is dedicated to defending his kingdom from the many challenges it faces. He discovers hope, love, and the power that dwells within him.

An in-progress, four-part saga told via increasingly loose adaptations of 2000s Barbie movies. The first installment is Shadow and the Magic of Pegasus, and upcoming is the sequel, Shadow and the Diamond Castle.

Descendants AU:

Mobius has lived peacefully for nearly 20 years, but soon-to-be king Sonic is ready to shake the culture. His first proclamation: invite the children of the Isle of the Lost, erected 20 years prior to punish scoundrels and almost-innocents alike, to the mainland for a better life. Even the progeny of the most malignant Black Doom is invited, and the chance simply cannot be passed up. With thirst for vengeance and a spellbook in hand, Team Dark sets their sights on the Emerald Scepter that formed their island prison and whispers of release for the villains.

Yet this world whispers something else as they adjust to their new life. Omega isn't as quick to bare their cannons, Rouge quite enjoys her work being appreciated, and Shadow is taking way too nicely to this pestering blue hedgehog in the way of his plans. Perhaps the poison apple falls further from the tree than they thought.

Magical hijinks, familial trauma, fae politics, prissy pink princesses, and love spell cookies are a must.

#shadow barbie au #sonadow descendants au #sonic au collision #shadow and the magic of pegaus

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