I dunno what started things off between Sonic and Eggman in a world where he isn't an alien Eggman wanted to dissect and harvest for resources. [His tone is a very dry and quirking an eye ridge.] Maybe Sonic did drive him mad. Maybe he wanted to take over the world. Maybe Sonic broke the wrong robot.

But I spent years hiding and running. He was the one who didn't let up when he caught a hint of me.

And as Shadow proved, I was right in being paranoid.

I'm not going to apologize for not wanting to be treated as a tool at best, but probably killed since they had a sudden spare.

And even I have to admit, Robotnik wasn't someone I could play around with to get off my back. He kept up. Not many can do that. He wasn't giving me a ton of options.

[His expression softens.] And Gerald was going to happen no matter what. [A station like that isn't built in less than two years.] At least he realized there was someone who cared with the way things played out. For such a smart guy, kind of slow on the uptake there.

[He nods.] Time is all weird. Shadow is right after the explosion. I'm a few months.

....I dunno if other Shadow get the popsicle treatment, but the way he's about Maria... [He frowns, looking to the side.] That part is consistent.

I don't think Maria knows, exactly, when it happens, if she knows it does. This Maria is sick. I'm not sure ours was.