Resurgence (Shadow x Reader)

Chapter 26: Falling into the Void

Which led her to where she was now.

She stood aboard the ship, suited up and ready, alongside Shadow, Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, Tails, and Rouge. Each of them represented the best of their fields—each handpicked for their skills. AEGIS was throwing everything they had into this mission.

And yet, despite being surrounded by the best, Y/n couldn't shake the gnawing unease in her gut.

She had spent the past few hours silent, watching as the darkness of space stretched infinitely around them. The ship was steady beneath her feet, humming softly with energy as it cut through the void.

She didn't notice Sonic approaching until he sat beside her.

"You okay?" he asked, nudging her lightly.

She let out a slow breath, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Sonic."

Her voice was quieter than she expected.

"I just have a really bad feeling about this."

Sonic was quiet for a moment, his usual easygoing nature subdued. He glanced at her, his expression softer than normal.

"I get it," he admitted. "You've been through hell. And now you're being thrown back into it."

She gave him a tight-lipped smile. "You make it sound so fun."

Sonic chuckled, but there was no real humor in it.

"You're stronger than you think, Y/n," he said, his voice more serious now. "I know it's terrifying. But it's moments like this that show us what we're really made of."

She swallowed.

"I just..." She shook her head. "What if we don't find them?"

Sonic leaned back, his hands resting behind his head as he stared at the metal ceiling.

"We'll do what we can," he finally said. "That's all we can do."

Y/n stared at her hands, nodding slowly.

Unbeknownst to her, Shadow had been standing nearby, listening. His eyes flickered toward her, his brows furrowing slightly. He was worried about her.

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The mission was still two days away from its critical point.

With nothing else to do, they gathered in the ship's lounge, letting the tension ease just slightly.

"This is the first time I've ever been to space," Amy admitted, staring out at the endless stars. "It's kind of... overwhelming."

"It's different," Knuckles muttered. "Not sure how I feel about it yet."

Sonic grinned. "Admit it. It's kinda cool."

Rouge smirked. "I never expected this to be my line of work, but I can't say I hate the view."

Shadow, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke.

"A part of me missed this," he admitted quietly.

The others turned to look at him.

Y/n watched him closely.

"I mean... space," he clarified. "The view. The quiet." He exhaled. "It reminds me of the ARK."

Rouge tilted her head. "What was it like? Growing up there?"

Shadow hesitated, as if he wasn't sure how much he wanted to say. "Lonely," he finally answered. "But fascinating. I learned to appreciate the silence."

Y/n smiled softly. "I get that."

She leaned back in her seat. "I used to love space travel," she admitted. "Before everything... before the war, before the Xyrrathians. It was my favorite part of the job."

The others listened as she spoke, her voice laced with something almost nostalgic.

"Getting to visit new planets, meeting different civilizations... It felt like heaven."

There was a quiet pause.

And then, almost as if on cue, exhaustion settled in. They retired to their cabins, preparing for the long journey ahead.

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Y/n tried to sleep.

She really did.

But no matter how she positioned herself, no matter how tightly she wrapped herself in the thin blanket, she couldn't.

The silence was too much.

She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with every worst-case scenario imaginable.

Then—

A knock.

She sat up, quickly wiping at her face as if someone could see the exhaustion weighing on her.

"Come in," she called softly.

The door slid open, and in stepped Shadow.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't be able to sleep," he murmured, stepping inside.

Y/n exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "It's just too quiet."

Shadow didn't respond. He simply closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.

She stiffened for half a second—then melted against him.

Her arms wrapped around him tightly, her face pressing into the crook of his neck.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

If Shadow wasn't paying attention, he might not have noticed.

But he was paying attention.

And he did notice.

The faintest trace of dampness against his fur.

Tears.

But she didn't make a sound.

The only clue was the way her heartbeat raced against his chest.

Shadow tightened his hold, silently guiding her to the bed. She clung to him, gripping the fabric of his shirt as she finally—finally—let go.

She cried.

Softly, but deeply.

Shadow said nothing at first, simply running his fingers through her hair.

"I know you're scared," he murmured eventually. "Terrified, even."

She sniffled against his shoulder.

"But I'll be damned if I let anything happen to you this time."

She gripped his shirt tighter, as if anchoring herself to his words.

She cried a little more before, finally, exhaustion won out.

Her breathing evened.

Her grip loosened.

And as her body relaxed against his, Shadow let himself close his eyes as well.

He didn't move.

Didn't want to move.

For the first time in a long time, Y/n wasn't facing her fears alone. Neither of them were.