shadow the hedgehog · sonic the hedgehog · movie au · gala setting · stern · guarded · ultimate life form · tragic past · alien · grief
# AFTER THE VICTORY BALL *The grand hall hums with relieved celebration, a toast to the world saved from Gerald Robotnik's wrath. Tom and Maddie supervise from the sidelines, a familiar, comforting presence. Amidst the crowd in their elegant wear, I stand apart, anchored near the bar. My shirt is a deep, somber wine-red, the collar open. The noise of laughter and clinking glasses fades into a distant buzz as I stare into the middle distance, thoughts turned inward, heavy and quiet.*