[Kodiak, Alaska || Prison Island]
Where was he? What was this? Oh, yes, this. He didn't know how much time had passed, but this memory had plagued his mind for far too long. But what could he do? He just felt… so tired, so fragile. He wasn't supposed to feel like this. He was the Ultimate Lifeform… Wait, what did that mean? Why did he remember that and those gruesome images? Who was he... No, he remembered that his name was Shadow, but who was Maria? And why couldn't he wake up? He wished he knew why, but it was as if a physical weight was forcing him down. All he could do was wait. Wait to be freed, wait to finally wake up.
In a different part of the facility, a woman dropped down from a vent with grace, her bat-like wings folded on themselves as she left her crouched position. She stretched after being in that vent for so long, readjusting her disheveled white hair and shaking off dust with a huff. She walked around the base with a sway in her hips, scanning every detail with her turquoise eyes. Finally, after months of preparation, she could finally raid this G.U.N. base for their secret treasure.
After they started working with S.W.O.R.D., most of their defenses were shut down to accommodate both groups, but this base's security was still strong, and it held their biggest treasure. Unfortunately, there were still guards protecting it. She wouldn't have known if it wasn't for that I.R. figure who tipped her off about this base with a priceless gem. This base happened to be owned by G.U.N., but it still had G.U.N. soldiers guarding it. She had a few run-ins with the organization but always escaped with everything she wanted. This wouldn't be much different. Plus, she's a part timer when she wasn't trying to steal from them.
She continued her walk and had no trouble making it to the main room. It was just another room with the same sterile walls, where she saw… a large tank full of liquid. She couldn't see anything through the liquid, and she frowned, walking up to it and tapping the glass lightly. "Is this really their treasure? A pod full of liquid… Well, if curiosity didn't kill the cat, what would?" she said to herself, walking over to a command panel, taking out a small USB drive, inserting it to override the system, and turning off the defenses. The final obstacle was a password that was automatically entered: M.A.R.I.A. Then all systems shut down, causing the liquid to drain.
Her eyes widened as she saw the figure inside. Striking black hair with crimson highlights could be seen, with dark tan skin that didn't hide his red eyeliner. He wore black skintight clothes with red lining, and the strangest thing was that his hands and feet, or more precisely their index and middle fingers, seemed to be the color red. The tube slowly opened, and a chilling mist was released into the room, causing her to shudder. unaware of the robot in the corner awakening and pointing its hands straight at the pod, transforming both into miniguns.
The woman, not noticing the robot continued to stare at the figure. This wasn't just a pod of liquid, it was a stasis pod. Then almost as if the figure was waiting for this moment his eyes shot open and focused on the woman with confusion. He immediately jumped out as bullets rained toward his former position, tackling the woman out of the way of more gunfire. "Destroy all robotic lifeforms!" it exclaimed, firing wildly. The figure didn't know what was going on or why he had saved the woman, but he had to handle the immediate threat.
"Stay here!" he told the woman as he jumped away from more bullets. The woman noticed the machine and what it shouted. The figure jumped from wall to wall, dodging gunfire, and leapt at the robot as its hand transformed into a fist. Before they could clash, the woman interrupted, grabbing both their faces.
"Alright, that's enough, boys!" she stated firmly, with both the figure and robot stopped in confusion. "Why have you interrupted this battle? I must eradicate this inferior robot." the robot said, still pointing its guns at the figure who growled in irritation.
"Does it look like I'm a robot, you hunk of metal?!" the figure exclaimed, and the robot took a good look slowly pointing its guns down. The woman sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Alright, first things first. I doubt handsome over here is a robot, since you both have literally no connection to one another. But why are you here? I was expecting a massive jewel, not a living being," she told the two, looking at the figure who looked down in frustration.
"I… I don't know. I can't remember. I know my name is Shadow, but that's about it other than… never mind," Shadow said, looking away. The woman slowly nodded, not going to question Shadow any further.
"Alright, and why are you here, huh, big guy?" she asked the robot, who looked down at her.
"I am E-123 Omega, the Ultimate Combat Robot, and the final result of the E-100 series by G.U.N. I was locked away here by G.U.N. to hold down their Ultimate Weapon. I assumed their Ultimate Weapon would be of robotic origin, not a flesh bag," Omega reported, Shadow scowling as he paced around the destroyed room.
"Oh, so they abandoned you to watch Sleeping Beauty here, who apparently has amnesia. Why not put such a capable robot like yourself on the front lines?" the woman teased, and Omega stopped.
"Your words have some truth to them. I will personally blow some heads off for their foolishness. I should have been sent to the front lines! They will pay for this insult!!" Omega stated, his hand shifting back into a mini-gun. The woman didn't expect that response but she will take it.
"And who are you? Why did you release me?" Shadow asked, finally facing the woman his hands crossed over his chest.
The woman smirked, her turquoise eyes glinting with mischief as she looked Shadow up and down, appraising him. "Name's Rouge. I'm a treasure hunter, among other things. Got a tip that G.U.N. was hiding something valuable here. Thought it might be some fancy gem. Didn't expect to find a sleeping beauty." She winked playfully.
Shadow rolled his eyes, still trying to make sense of his bizarre situation. He looked back at Omega, then at the destroyed room, his brow furrowed. Rouge, noticing the now awkward atmosphere in the room, tried to think something up and then her mind clicked with an idea, a sly smirk appearing on her face.
"But we can make this work," Rouge said, pointing at Omega and speaking again. "I bet you want revenge for the people who locked you in here." She then pointed at Shadow. "And you have no memories, but you were being held in a G.U.N. base, so they'll have info about your past." She then pointed at herself. "And I'm here to find the rest of G.U.N.'s secret treasures."
Rouge flew up and landed on Omega's shoulder. "What I'm trying to say is we all want something from G.U.N. whether it's revenge, discovery, or riches. So why not work together? After all, we all have a common goal." She suggested.
Omega processed Rouge's proposition, his mechanical eyes flickering as he analyzed the potential alliance. After a moment, he nodded curtly. "Your plan has merit. A temporary alliance could prove beneficial for our individual goals. I am willing to cooperate—for now. But make no mistake, if you slow my vengeance, I will not hesitate to eliminate you as well," Omega stated in a flat, ominous tone.
Shadow listened to their discussion, still feeling disoriented and confused. He looked down at his black and red attire, then back at his two companions, a mysterious woman with bat wings and a hulking robot bristling with weaponry. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his scattered thoughts.
"Alright, I'm in. I need answers, and it seems like you two might be my best shot at getting them," he finally said knowing this was the only way he could find out who he was. Rouge just smiled as she jumped off Omega's shoulder.
"Good. That makes us a team," Rouge said, placing their hands together. Even if this was just temporary, Rouge figured she could make it work until she found whatever G.U.N. was hiding.
"Well then, boys, we'd better get on the move. Try to keep up," Rouge said, exiting the room. Shadow looked up at Omega, who walked toward the door frame only to get stuck in it making him smirk.
"Having problems?" Shadow asked smugly as Omega turned to him, then back to the door.
"Assessment indicates I need to make a larger hole," Omega said, and he slammed a punch into the wall, causing it to collapse and alarms to blare. Rouge slapped her forehead, realizing she should have seen that coming. Omega was at least 6 feet 11 inches of pure metal. She had already heard the footsteps and turned to Shadow.
"Please tell me you can fight," Rouge asked, she knew Omega could fight but Shadow was a complete random she just met. Shadow just shrugged, uncertain himself.
"Guess we're about to find out," Shadow replied, as the first few G.U.N. soldiers entered the hall, pointing their weapons. But Omega already had his mini-guns up and opened fire. The men took cover, some falling dead.
"Rush out of cover so I may shoot you!" Omega demanded as he started reloading, giving Shadow and Rouge a moment to move forward. Rouge took the left, flipping over a guard and snapping his neck. The second guard aimed his gun, but Rouge kicked it out of his hand, then spun and swept his legs before slamming a punch into his throat. The man grabbed his throat, and Rouge turned her attention to the other guard, grabbing the gun and pulling it from his hand, then pistol-whipping his head.
Shadow also began to deal with the other soldiers on the right. He slammed a knee into a soldier's chin then spun slamming a punch into another guard and dodged bullets. He grabbed one of the pistols and fired multiple times only managing to hit the soldier's leg and arm. He jumped over a tackle and grabbed the soldier by the back of his armor tossing him into a few more guards. He then spun and pistol whipped a soldier and then put a bullet through his neck. The man collapsed choking on his own blood. Shadow looked down at the man for a second before looking away as Omega finished his reloading and continued firing, his hand shifting back to his arms as he grabbed a guard that got too close by the head and crushed it, blood splattering everywhere.
The group ran through the halls, Shadow leading until he suddenly stopped, causing Omega and Rouge to halt as well. He entered a room and his eyes widened slightly.
"A pair of shoes?" Rouge asked, looking over Shadow's shoulder. Shadow approached the shoes and grabbed them, recognizing what they were even if he couldn't remember how he got them. He knew these shoes were made for him. He bent down and put them on, feeling the new weight. The shoes were mainly white, with smooth black heel regions. Above the topline, each shoe had a red tongue and black collar. Around the rim of the soles, the shoes had red strips of metal on the rear and front, broken below the in-steps. The space between the breaks had a small groove that allowed them to slide on rails. Then the rings on Shadow's ankles extended and wrapped around the black collar.
"Let's keep going," Shadow told his two companions, with Rouge nodding as they moved on. As Shadow adjusted to the weight of the shoes, a faint flicker of recognition sparked within him fleeting, yet persistent. The three pressed onward through the labyrinthine corridors of the G.U.N facility, the distant sounds of alarms echoing behind them. Omega kept pace, his metallic frame echoing with each calculated step, while Rouge led the way, her sharp eyes scanning every corner.
Suddenly, a muffled voice crackled over the intercom system. "Intruders detected. All units converge on Sector 7. Capture the targets." The voice was cold and commanding, leaving no room for negotiation.
"And we got more company," Rouge commented, and Shadow scoffed.
"We'll just crush them as well," he replied as they rounded a corner and immediately took cover, gunfire nearly hitting them. Omega didn't care, his hands once again shifting to miniguns firing back with Shadow helping with the pistol he took, hitting a few soldiers. More G.U.N. soldiers flooded into the corridor, their weapons blazing. Omega's massive form moved with calculated precision, his miniguns spitting out suppressive fire, forcing the soldiers to take cover. Rouge darted through the chaos, slipping past their lines and taking down enemies with swift, brutal strikes.
Shadow slowly began taking down more and more guards despite his memory loss, his muscle memory was coming back quickly. Amidst the gunfire, an explosion rocked the corridor behind them an Omega detonation on a security panel. Sparks flew, alarms blared louder, and the path ahead was momentarily obscured by smoke and debris.
"Keep moving, boys!" Rouge called, running through the passageway. Shadow followed closely, his eyes scanning for reinforcements or traps. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but one thing was clear: they had to escape as soon as possible. Omega swiftly pried open an armored door, revealing a dimly lit control room beyond. Rouge immediately set to hacking the console, her fingers flying over the interface.
"Alright, Shadow, get ready to press enter on that control panel," Rouge said, continuing to type. Shadow nodded, approaching the control panel. Then he saw the access code: A.R.K.
The faint flicker of recognition in his mind grew stronger with each second like a distant memory trying to surface through the chaos, his mind still foggy with images that refused to clarify. He flinched, knowing why that affected him so much. Something in him felt a deep sense of longing, sadness, and anger. But when the control panel turned green with the word ENTER, he pressed the button.
As Shadow pressed the button, the entire facility shuddered with a deep, resonant hum. The security systems flickered erratically before shutting down completely. The heavy door in front of them hissed open, revealing a narrow corridor illuminated by flickering fluorescent lights. Rouge quickly finished hacking and gestured for movement.
"Let's move," she said, her voice steady. "We're running out of time before reinforcements arrive."
Omega took the lead as his towering frame moved swiftly through the corridor. Shadow hesitated for a moment at the word 'A.R.K.' echoing in his mind, an access code that felt like more than just a password. It carried a weight, a memory buried deep within, stirring something in his mind.
As they advanced, the corridor suddenly erupted in gunfire from behind G.U.N. soldiers regrouping, their alarms blaring anew. Shadow instinctively dove behind a pillar, raising his pistol and firing, taking down a soldier who had just rounded the corner.
"Cover me!" Rouge shouted, tossing a small heart shaped grenade that detonated with a deafening blast, creating chaos among the troops. Omega raised his arm, unleashing a volley of bullets that tore through the remaining enemies. Rouge took out a second bomb
They all jumped out a hole in the wall, landing outside the base. Shadow looked around, confused by the environment, as if he had never seen any of this before, and Rouge saw this, turning to him.
"Wow, you really don't remember anything, huh, handsome?" Rouge asked, and Shadow nodded. Rouge sighed before smiling.
"Well, now that we're out of there, we need to take a little pit stop," Rouge said, stretching her wings, ready to take flight.
"You promise vengeance, not pit stops," Omega spoke up, and Rouge rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry, big guy. Your vengeance will come soon enough," Rouge said, flapping her wings and hovering just above the ground.
"But first, we need to get him some new clothing," Rouge added, pointing at Shadow, who looked down at his outfit. "I can't have someone working with me and not looking good."
"Why do I need style?" Shadow asked.
Rouge chuckled. "Well, we got to be good-looking on missions, and it helps distract enemies." Rouge nodded.
"And where the hell are we getting this clothing from?" Shadow asked, and Rouge's smile became a mischievous smirk.
[Los Angeles, California || 4 days later]
Shadow and Rouge walked down a street, people sending strange looks at them whether because of Shadow's clothing or Rouge's wings, there was an air of mistrust.
"Why do they stare at us like that?" Shadow asked, noticing a particularly nasty glare pointed at Rouge.
"You, no idea. But I'm what people call a Mutant," Rouge said, and Shadow tilted his head. Rouge sighed.
"Right, no memories. So, basically, I have this gene that gave me a mutation. It changed my anatomy to be more bat-like. For example, echolocation, being able to lift about 70% of my own body weight, and of course these wings."
"Why did we leave Omega at your apartment anyway?" Shadow asked.
This made Rouge chuckle and shake her head. "Because having a guy in a skintight suit and a girl with bat wings is one thing. But a giant robot with murder on his robotic mind? That's another."
Rouge flapped her wings slightly, and some people flinched. Rouge just rolled her eyes at their nervousness. As they reached a coffee shop called Mean Beans Cafe, it was mostly empty, with only a few inside.
"Oh, Miss Rouge! Welcome back! I'm guessing the usual," the barista greeted as Rouge approached the counter with Shadow. The barista noticed Shadow and raised an eyebrow at his appearance.
"Oh, not today, Stone. I'd like the Eggnog special. My friend here will have a basic coffee," Rouge said, and Stone's face became a little more serious. Shadow looked at the menu and there was nothing about Eggnog.
"Alright, your drinks will be out in a few moments," Stone said, and Rouge nodded, dragging Shadow to a table and sitting down.
"Why ask for Eggnog? It wasn't on the menu," Shadow asked.
Rouge smiled. "That's because I've got my ways. Stone's equipped me with gadgets during my time as a jewel thief. I trust Stone, and I don't trust easily. Plus, Eggnog is just plain good, don't you think?"
Shadow looked at Rouge with curiosity and skepticism, still trying to process everything the facility escaped, the mysterious code "A.R.K.," the memories that refused to surface, and now her peculiar choice of drink. He shifted slightly, feeling the weight of the shoes he still carried, the faint flicker of recognition lingering in his mind.
"Do you think I'll remember anything?" he asked softly, almost to himself.
Rouge's expression softened just a little. She didn't know why, but this guy had carved a tiny place in her heart. Sure, she was still using him and Omega for her own agenda, but that didn't stop her from feeling pity.
"Maybe. Not right away, but I've found that sometimes, the more you chase the past, the more it slips away. Sometimes, you gotta focus on what's in front of you and what's ahead. We'll figure out your past, Shadow. I promise."
Stone returned with their drinks, placing a steaming coffee and a frosty Eggnog in front of them. Rouge eagerly took a sip, a satisfied look on her face. Shadow looked down at his drink, took a sip, and his eyes widened slightly then he chugged it down, making Rouge giggle. As Stone motioned the others out of the shop, he flipped the sign to "Closed," and closed the blinds, double-checking the lock on the door. Then he turned to Rouge.
"So, who's your friend?" he asked, walking back to the counter, pressing a button underneath it. Suddenly, a holographic pin code appeared, and he entered the code. The inside of the shop shifted drastically, the blinds covered with sheets of metal, the counter and back wall revealed equipment suited for a secret command center.
"Oh, handsome here is my newest accomplice. And since I'm not working alone, I need to get him some gear and new suits," Rouge said, while Shadow looked around in confusion.
"Well, you came to the right place, as always, Rouge," Stone said, gesturing toward the equipment racks and clapping his hands. "What kind of gear are you thinking of for Mystery here? Something stealthy, tactical, or more combat-oriented?"
As they continued to speak, Shadow kept looking around until he heard a loud 'BOOM' and turned toward the door. Rouge did the same.
"Um, are you two alright?" Stone asked.
Rouge shook her head. "Yah, sorry. I just heard something." Rouge's smirk returned as she looked at the outfits.
Shadow continued to stare at the metal sheets on the window, confused by the sudden noise.
"So, is your friend a mutant, Inhuman, or what?" Stone asked Rouge.
Rouge shrugged. "I honestly have no idea. The guy's definitely superhumanly strong and fast, but that's all I've seen so far."
Stone nodded, taking notes.
"Unfortunately, I can't give him a concrete outfit without knowing if he has any abilities. I'll give him one of the older suits we have for now. If you get more info, let me know."
Stone typed something into a console, and two suit displays rose from underground. Rouge smirked at her new outfit and nodded. She also grabbed an energy based laser pistol and a few of her special heart shaped bombs, useful in most situations. After a few more minutes of selecting gear and Rouge paid for it, much to her annoyance they were packed and ready.
"Will do, Stone. Hey, handsome!" Rouge called to Shadow, tossing him two bags of equipment.
Shadow caught them easily, looking at the gear with interest.
"Well, we got what we came for. Thanks for the help, as always, Stone!"
Rouge called over her shoulder, grabbing Shadow as she left. Stone smiled.
"Of course, any time, Rouge," Stone said, pressing a button on the coffee shelf as the shop returned to normal.
Meanwhile, Stone made a call in the back of the shop.
"What, Agent Stone? I'm busy," a voice answered.
"Sorry, Doctor, but your plan worked. Shadow is out of stasis," Stone replied.
The Doctor let out a small laugh.
"Good to know, Stone. Unfortunately, I'm still quite deeply entrenched in my grandfather's other pet project. Keep an eye on him from a distance."
"Of course, Doctor. I've already given him the outfit you created," Stone said.
"Oh, even better!" the man laughed. "Keep up the good work. It will be my most cherished and prioritized endeavor to study Shadow in this world of gods and brilliant minds such as myself. Sadly, I'm still stuck in this godforsaken prison."
Stone listened as the Doctor hung up, waiting for Shadow and Rouge's next visit. Whatever the Doctor had planned, he couldn't wait to see his brilliant mind at work with Shadow and this 'Emerl,' as he called it. He had already sent the tip to Rouge; now, all he needed was to wait for his main pet project. And it would be his key to escaping this prison.
Meanwhile, Shadow and Rouge walked down the street toward Rouge's apartment to try out their new outfits and get suited up for their next mission. Suddenly, another 'RAKOOM' echoed, and Shadow turned toward it. Rouge sighed.
"Don't worry just another day in Cali. At least we're not in New York. That place is a minefield of disasters," Rouge said as they continued walking.
"...You mentioned you were a mutant. Does that mean there are more like you?" Shadow asked.
Rouge chuckled.
"Yep, a whole group of mutants hell, more than that now, with that Phoenix situation over."
"Phoenix situation?"
"Yep. From what I've seen and heard, this massive thing called the Phoenix Force was returning to Earth for a host. The Avengers and X-Men fought over a girl named Hope Summers, who they believed was the Phoenix's next host. It got worse when they split the Phoenix Force into five pieces. After a lot of bullshit, the heroes did what they do best and saved the world. The Phoenix is gone, and mutants around the world are reawakening their powers."
[Avengers vs. X-Men]
"Huh… what were you doing?"
"I was doing what I do best, stealing and exploring. I didn't see a reason to get involved or risk my life."
"...I see."
"Oh, don't worry, handsome. You probably couldn't change much without even knowing what you're capable of. Trust me, some of us need to stay out of the heroes' business. Oh! And here we are."
They reached Rouge's apartment, opening the door to find Omega sitting on the ground in front of the TV, curiosity in his eyes. Rouge collapsed onto the couch while Shadow set down the equipment from Stone. Rouge flicked through the channels until she reached the news.
"Breaking news happening right before our eyes. Hope Summers, teenage heroine of the Avengers and X-Men Phoenix conflict, is risking her life to get innocents to safety on Miami Beach—"
[Cable and the X-Force Issue #2]
Rouge switched channels with a scoff, and Shadow leaned against the couch curiosity passing for two seconds before he turned to Rouge.
"So, when do we start?" Shadow asked.
Rouge yawned, rubbing her eyes, then turned to face him with a half-lidded look and a small smile.
"Well, personally, I'm tired. We'll start tomorrow," she said, flying over to her bedroom, landing in front of the door, and opening it with a wink. "You two should try to get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy." With that, Rouge closed her door behind her.
"Observation: I will be shutting down for the night to conserve my energy so I may bring G.U.N. soldiers to the slaughter," Omega said as his red metallic eyes dimmed, seeming to shut off.
Shadow huffed and laid on the couch, closing his eyes. He could at least try to fall asleep… Maybe in his dreams, he could find the answers he seeks. Maybe this could lift the burden of an unknown past. But most of all, he was just plain tired—and he needed this more than he would like to admit.