Chelia's POV
I fell into a forest after Shadow threw me through his ring portal. He joined me a few seconds after I dusted myself off.
Me: You really hurt me, Shadow!
Shadow: You can regenerate, can't you?
Me (pouting): Yes, but that's not an excuse!
Shadow: Alright, shall we go?
I followed him, but I couldn't help but ask him some questions.
Me: Can I ask you a question?
Shadow: You get 10 questions. You have 9 left.
Me: Do you know this place?
Shadow: No.
Me: Do you know GUN?
Shadow: Yes.
Me: Can you tell me more?
Shadow: GUN is an organization that deals with extraterrestrial threats...
Me: Like you and Sonic?
Shadow: Yes, but can I at least finish my sentences?
Me: Oh, uh, yes, sorry.
Shadow: As I was saying, GUN handles extraterrestrial threats. Besides Mobians, they have dealt with multiple threats.
Me: When they talk about infinite darkness, what do you think of?
Shadow: Myself.
Me: You think you are the darkness?
Shadow: With my name, it's obvious.
Me: I don't necessarily think your name means darkness.
Shadow: .....
Me: Hey Shadow, is it still far?
Shadow: You've asked 10 questions.
Me: Really? When?
Shadow: Just now.
We continued walking for five minutes in silence before I decided to break it.
Me: Hey Shadow, have you ever done a mission for GUN?
Shadow: No, and I'm quite curious why they chose us.
Me: Are we still far from the base?
Shadow: Yes.
Me: But we've been walking for hours.
Shadow: It's only been five minutes.
Me: I'm exhausted; I can't keep walking.
Shadow: Then go back.
Me: Shadow, why are you so mean?
Shadow: I'm not mean, I'm honest.
He crouched down to pick something up, and I took the opportunity to jump on his back.
Shadow: What's going on?
Me: You're going to carry me on your back until we reach our destination.
Shadow: Okay.
Me: Really?
Shadow: Yes, anyway, you're replacing the cockroach that was on my back.
Me (hitting his head multiple times, even if he didn't feel anything): Did you just call me a cockroach?!
Shadow suddenly skated at full speed through the forest, and I couldn't help but scream.
Shadow: Could you stop screaming? That's not how animals will fall for your charm.
Me (panicking): Shadow, I hate you!!!
We arrived in front of a cave. It was very dark. He put me down and helped me fix my messy hair.
Shadow: Satisfied?
Me: Are you kidding? You could have hurt me!
Shadow: Okay.
Me: You could at least pretend to apologize!
Shadow (walking into the cave): Are you going to keep talking, or are you coming in?
Me: Every time he talks to me, he makes me so mad… but that's also something that attracts me to him.
I entered the cave. It was so dark I couldn't even see myself, and even the exit disappeared.
Me: Uh, Shadow, are you there?
I felt something touch my shoulder, and I immediately launched a punch wrapped in black wind at the person, only to realize it was Shadow, who blocked my attack effortlessly.
Shadow: At least you have good reflexes.
His rings on his arms glowed, lighting up the entire space.
Me: Why are we here?
Shadow: Because this is where I'm going to show you the Seventh Heaven.
I blushed intensely. He really wanted to do that here???
Me (embarrassed): S-Shadow, t-this is kind of sudden, d-don't you think?!
He pinned me against the wall with his left hand.
Shadow (reaching with his right hand): Don't move...
I closed my eyes, waiting for whatever he was going to do. He activated a lever to the right, opening a door behind me, which made me fall.
Me: Ouch! Shadow, what's going on?
Shadow: Welcome to the "Seventh Heaven" base. This is our meeting point.
Me (shocked): Are you kidding me?!
Shadow (pointing to the logo): No, I assure you. Look.
I stared in amazement at a large base with soldiers passing by.
Shadow (offering his hand): By the way, are you sick? You were blushing earlier.
Me (snapping back to reality): I'm perfectly fine, don't worry!
Shadow: I wasn't worried.
We walked into the base and saw a man standing on the main balcony, watching us approach.
???: So you're the mages from Fiore who accepted our request.
Me: Yes, I'm Chelia Blendy, a member of Lamia Scale, and this is—
??? & Shadow (at the same time): No need to introduce him. We know who he is. / No need to introduce myself. They know who I am.

???: I'm Abraham Tower but you can call me Abe, I'm the Chief of GUN. It's been a long time, Project Shadow.
Me: Project Shadow?
Shadow: Indeed. I knew you needed me when you sent that request to my guild.
Abe: Always perceptive. But I didn't expect you to bring company. Not a lone wolf anymore?
Shadow: She's just here for sightseeing, don't worry.
I elbowed him. What does he mean I'm just here for sightseeing?! I thought we were partners!
Abe: Well, let's not waste time. I'll explain the mission.
We sat side by side in an office while the Chief stood in front of a large screen.
Abe: The mission is simple. You must find a seal containing an unidentified monster with divine abilities, capable of destroying the environment or altering space-time.
Me: What do we do when we find it?
Abe: You bring it back, and we will contain it.
Shadow: So it can break free even stronger and more destructive?
Abe: Unlike you, it won't escape this time.
Shadow: I doubt that. But if it does return, we'll just eliminate it.
Abe: Can I count on you?
He looked at me. I glanced at Shadow, who had his arms crossed and eyes closed.
Me: You mean us?
Abe: No. We can always count on Shadow. I was asking if you could assist him.
Me: Oh, of course! I'm a God Slayer, after all.
Abe: Perfect! You'll head to Soleanna tomorrow. You'll stay here for the night.
Later, we entered a suite that looked like a five-star hotel room. I passed by the kitchen and threw myself onto the bed, face first.
Shadow: You should go take a bath. I'll make dinner.
Me: Oh, you can cook?
Shadow: You can't?
Me: Of course I can cook!
Shadow: Okay.
He started taking spaghetti out of the fridge, and I went to take my bath. The shower was incredibly large, with both a bathtub and a shower, and even hot water…
Shadow's POV
I had just finished making the pasta. I was wearing a white apron to avoid getting dirty. I heard the shower door open—she had finished her bath and was already dressed.

Chelia: So, is the meal ready?
I couldn't stop looking at her…
Chelia (understanding why I was staring): Do you like what you see?
Me: No. Couldn't you wear something less revealing?
Chelia (teasing me): What's the matter? Are you afraid someone else might seduce me instead of you?
Me: That's not what I meant. Why do you always bring everything back to love?
Chelia: Because love is one of the best feelings in the world. Have you ever felt it?
Me: Yeah, when I was peacefully with Yuki at the guild.
Chelia: You really like Yukino, huh?
Me: I'd rather not answer in case you're recording me.
Chelia: What? No!
Me: Anyway, the meal is served.
I placed the plate in front of her and sat on a chair farther away. She took the first bite.
Chelia (amazed): Wow, this is delicious! You're an amazing cook, Shadow!
Me: Thanks.
Chelia: Did Yukino teach you how to cook?
Me: No.
Chelia: Did you learn on your own?
Me: No.
Chelia: Then who taught you?
Me: Someone.
Chelia (pouting): Are you sure you don't want to tell me?
Me: Yes.
Chelia: Well, I think we need to talk a little!
She sat on the edge of the couch and patted the spot where she wanted me to sit. I looked at her for 15 seconds before getting up and sitting on the far edge of the couch.
Chelia (giggling): Why are you so far away? I won't bite—come closer!
I moved just a millimeter closer, but she moved herself until she was close enough to touch me.
Chelia: Why did Chief Abe call you "Project Shadow"?
Me: …
She snuggled against me, looking up with puppy eyes.
Me (sighing): I was once captured by GUN because they thought I was too dangerous…
Chelia: And were they right?
Me (almost irritated): Yes. Can you let me finish?
Chelia: Sorry…
Me: I was the most powerful creature they had stored there. One day, I broke free and decided to take revenge by gathering the seven Chaos Emeralds.
I realized she had rested her head on my shoulder.
Me: Could you move your head? It's bothering me.
Chelia (blushing): Oh, um, okay.
Me: Eventually, I decided to change after meeting Yuki. She showed me that revenge would lead nowhere…
Chelia looked sad for a moment but quickly pulled herself together and stood up.
Chelia: We've talked enough about you! My turn now—I am…
Me (interrupting): Chelia Blendy, a God Slayer, 15 years old, a member of Lamia Scale since she was 10, clumsy, and in love with Lyon despite the fact that he's in love with Juvia, the water mage.
Chelia (shocked): Wow… You know a lot about me…
Me: Don't get the wrong idea. I just researched all of you before the Grand Magic Games.
Chelia: I see… (starting to blush) Say, do you want me to make you feel good?
Me: What do you mean?
She went to the room and came back with a pack of cotton swabs. She sat down and patted her lap.
Chelia: Come on, let me clean your ears!
Me: Aren't we supposed to use a sponge and soap for that?
Chelia: No, silly! Come here!
I rested my head on her lap, and she inserted the cotton swab into my ear. I suddenly shivered.
Chelia: Everything okay?
Me (trying to see her face): Everything's fi… (I turned my head away).
Chelia: Shadow?
I wanted to look at her face, but her chest was so big that I couldn't even see her hair. I had shivered because I had never felt something so good in my ears before.
Me: How are you doing this?
Chelia: Feels good, huh? No one ever cleaned your ears before?
Me: No.
Chelia: Want me to stop?
Me: No.
Chelia (smirking): If you don't beg me, I'll stop.
Me (sitting up): Then stop, because I'm not begging.
Chelia (pushing me back onto her lap): Okay, okay, lie back down. You're no fun.
After minutes of bliss—I mean, cleaning—she let me go, and I went to take a bath. When I came out, Chelia was already lying on the bed.
Chelia: You took your time! Come on, get in bed!
Me: Don't even think about it. I'll sleep on the couch in the living room.
Chelia: Are you serious? The bed is big enough for both of us. (Smirking) Or are you afraid you won't be able to resist me?
Me: No, I'm more afraid that if you touch me in bed, you'll end up sleeping in the forest. Good night.
I left without waiting for her reply.

The next day, we were in Abe's office before leaving. Chelia was wearing a white top, a blue skirt, and had tied her hair with yellow ribbons. I was still in my black pants, white top, and black jacket with red trims.
Abe (handing me a map): Here's the location you need to head to.
Chelia: Thank you for your hospitality! We'll come back here to report after our mission.
Abe: I hope so.
He turned away as Chelia and I left his office.
Chelia: Shadow, it's quite far. Do you think we can get there in a day?
Me: Yes.
We entered the GUN garage and saw various vehicles—tanks, cars, motorcycles, planes…
Chelia: Oh! Which one are we taking? A car? A plane? A tank?
I didn't answer because I was already starting up a motorcycle.

Me: Well, are you coming, or are you going to give me a lecture on vehicles?
Chelia (surprised): Hey, wait for me!
She hopped on behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I sped off into the forest.
Chelia (shouting): I thought Dragon Slayers got motion sickness!
Me (showing my left arm): See these rings? They suppress my magic, making me weaker—so I'm not strong enough to get motion sickness.
Chelia: But why do you wear them?
Me: …
Chelia: Oh, I see! That's why they say you're dangerous!
Me: I have a question for you. Do you think I'm dangerous?
Chelia: Of course not! You're super nice, and I'm really happy to be your friend.
Me (surprised): Your friend?
Chelia: Of course! We're friends, right?
I didn't have time to respond because I sensed enemies approaching us. Robots emerged from the bushes and started chasing us.
Chelia: Who are those?
Me: Robots!
The robots fired their machine guns, and I swerved left and right to dodge the bullets.
Me: Blendy, can't you attack instead of screaming like a damsel in distress?
Chelia: I'll try! Roar of the Celestial God!
She unleashed a black wind wave that sent the robots flying, but two more appeared out of nowhere. Instead of bullets, they fired missiles.
Me: Alright, you know what? Take the handlebars!
Chelia: Huh? But I don't know how to drive!
Me: Just hold the handlebars!
I shifted into my hedgehog form and teleported. Chelia grabbed the handlebars while I performed Homing Attacks on the three robots.
I destroyed them, but before the last one exploded, it launched a missile that hit the motorcycle—and Chelia. She was flung into the air by the explosion, but I caught her before she hit the ground. She had landed in my arms like a bride and immediately wrapped her arms around my neck.
Me (feeling her fear): Blendy, it's okay. I'm here. Calm down.
Chelia (frightened): I was so scared! That was too much excitement at once!
I set her down on the ground and realized we were inside some kind of ancient temple. I noticed a pedestal with an eagle claw holding a strange violet vial.
Chelia (getting up): Is that…?
Me: I have a feeling it is.
We approached the pedestal and got a closer look at the vial. I glanced at Chelia, and she nodded for me to take it. I reached out and grabbed it, and suddenly… nothing happened.
Me: Strange… Shouldn't there have been some kind of ancient security system?
Chelia: We should leave before those robots from earlier come back.
She started to move, but I stopped her. The robots had already surrounded us. Then I saw a round machine descend from above, with a man inside. I recognized him immediately.
Dr. Eggman: What a pleasure to see you again, Shadow! I actually need that vial. Would you be kind enough to hand it over?
Chelia: Shadow, you know him?
Me: Sort of. (Turning to Eggman) That vial doesn't belong to you. We have no reason to give it to you.
Dr. Eggman: Don't make me use force. (His robots prepared to fire.) Hand over the vial!
Me: You want it? Then go fetch it!
I threw the vial into the air. Eggman flew up after it, but I had already thrown Chelia even higher than him. She snatched the vial mid-air and blasted the evil genius back down with a Gale of Wind. The robots fired at her, but I teleported and shielded her with an energy discharge.
We landed, but the missiles were faster. They exploded on us, sending us crashing into a wall. The vial slipped from my grasp and rolled to the center of the temple. Suddenly, it started glowing, and a wave of violet light burst out, obliterating the remaining robots. Darkness filled the room.
Dr. Eggman: Oh no! Retreat! Retreat!
He fled with his remaining robots while Chelia and I approached the vial. The light faded, and the vial was now empty. After being momentarily blinded, we looked around but saw no one. The darkness had vanished.
Chelia (pointing at the ground): Shadow, look!!!
I looked down and saw my shadow growing larger, even though there was no sunlight. It started swirling, emitting smoke as it disappeared. A silhouette emerged. It looked like me—a black-and-white version of myself with emptier eyes and no mouth.

??? (tilting his head to the side): It's been a long time, you two.
Me: Who are you?
???: Have you really forgotten me, Shadow? Because I remember you and that girl very well.I'm Mephiles, Mephiles The Dark
He raised his hand. I stepped back two meters, keeping Chelia behind me. A violet orb appeared in his palm—it looked like a miniature black hole.
Mephiles : This time, I'm the one who's going to seal you away for good.
The orb grew in size, expanding to fill the entire room. In an instant, we were teleported somewhere far away… into another space and time…
The chapter sets the stage for the Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 arc, focusing solely on Shadow's episode. The story won't cover the Sonic episode because he's dealing with the Spirit Eclipse arc at the same moment and I won't do Silver's episode. I hope you'll enjoy the upcoming chapters and the evolution of Shadow and Chelia's relationship!