Setting; Sonic - Has a bit of Sonic X anime in here, but then it goes into Archie territory. A mix and there are other elements in here as well. In No Way Canon!

OC; Flora, Female OC, Worked As A Florist, Died At 24 Years Old

Death; Murdered During A Robbery Happening At Her Home/Work

Reincarnated As; Female Metal Sonic with a surprise twist to it (Mobian!Fem!Metal Sonic)

Pairings; ??????

I am going to be diving right into the story! But don't worry, there will be a ton of flashbacks in this story as time goes on, as well as explanations on why certain things happen the way they are.

Also, even though Sonic X happened, it happened differently in some ways, because this AU is mostly based off of Archie. Meaning, that when the others came back from Earth, that was it. Eggman decided to up the war and Chris never went to Mobius or anything like that. While Shadow's and Flora's past is like Sonic X's backstory for Shadow, other things are either different or not used. For example, because Shadow and Flora never woke up in Sonic X on Earth, the Arc was never used by Eggman.

Warnings to be shared; Flora and Shadow are not alright. Obviously, I mean, what happened on the Arc wasn't pretty for them or a walk in the park. So, they are going to have issues and be codependent on one another - therefore, Shadow might be OOC compared to his canon counterpart. With Flora being here and being who she is in this AU, this causes a butterfly effect obviously. I also might be going dark in this story, we'll see as time goes on.

Any OCs are made and owned by me unless stated otherwise.

-Start Chapter-

-----------MOBIUS; FIFTY YEARS AFTER THE ARC, ONE YEAR AFTER SONIC X--------------

Flora woke up with a choked gasp, tears in her cherry red eyes.

- "Goodbye, Shadow, Flora." -

Quickly jerking up, her eyes widened at finding she was in some kind of lab. Placing a shaking on her chest, Flora could feel her heart beating as if she had been running on one of the treadmill on the Arc for a speed test.

Sniffing gently, all Flora could do was try not to all out sob.

'I thought I died again.' Flora giggled brokenly, her free hand shaking violently as she used it to cover up her mouth. Closing her eyes, she could still see her worst nightmare that had became reality not too long ago. 'I thought I was going to die again. But no, instead Maria did I what I did before!.... I can't even be mad about it, can I?'

How can she, when she did something similar in her first life?

Flora could still remember it. Working in her flower shop when suddenly a robber was there with a gun, pointing it at a child who had been separated from their parent in the chaos that followed. No thought was needed; One moment she was at the counter, the next she was in front of the child, taking the bullet with a smile on her face. She died surrounded by her flowers, to a child's cries.

She woke up surrounded by water and to the sounds of muffled chatter not too long after her heart had stopped for what should have been the last time.

Waking up as a weirdly colored hedgehog wasn't the best thing in the world. Never mind that she recognized Shadow slightly. By that, she means that she knew where he was from. Sonic. It wasn't a total leap to tell her where she woke up in. But, it was something that she was going to take to her second grave; the knowledge that she died once and woke up alive, and as a different species with weird powers and speed levels living in an Arc in space, in the 1950's at that. That alone showed her that she could throw the history she once knew out the window.

But, over time, she came to love her new life in a way. Maria became her best friend, like a lovely sister. Dr. Robotnik was like a grandfather that only wanted the best for his family and was weirdly funny in a way. Shadow was something explainable, but he was her best friend and someone close and dear to her heart.

Everyone living on the Arc was nice in a way. Life wasn't the best up in space, it was too different from her last life, but it wasn't the worst and certainly not bad.

So, why was it, that once everything was looking up, did it fall down once more?

'Maria....why?' Flora couldn't be mad, not really. Not when Maria gave herself up to die just so that she could save her and Shadow. It was something she had done for a stranger, even if they were a child. But, while she couldn't be mad, it didn't mean it didn't hurt any less.

"....Flora?"

Freezing at the sound of a familiar dark, smooth voice, Flora blinked away a few stray tears. Finally opening her eyes once more, she lifted her hand from her mouth and looked up and to the right side of where she sat in the escape pod.

Crimson red eyes stared at her, focused and filled with too many emotions for Flora be able to make out.

"S-Shadow...." Flora choked out, feeling more than a little relived that he was there and close by. Gulping, she removed her hand from her chest and lifted it up as if to touch the darkly colored hedgehog even though Shadow was in another escape pod next to her, not close enough to just reach out and touch. "Where.....Where are we? E-Earth? T-The soldiers-!"

"You two are no longer on Earth." A new voice called out from above them.

'No.' Feeling as if she was made out of metal, Flora could only move her eyes to look to where the new voice came from. And who she saw made her want to cry and scream.

A round, almost egg shaped man sat in a round metal carrier that floated closer to them. Once closer, the metal carrier lowered down closer to the ground, giving them a better view of who it was who called out to them.

After living with Dr. Robotnik for so long, it was like looking into a slightly warped mirror. The man had similar dark glasses on and a long, orange mustache instead of a brown or grey one, and was in no way wearing a lab coat of any kind. He was also more rounder than the Doctor she lived with before everything hit the fan.

But, for all Flora didn't know about Sonic, she did know the bare basics.

"D-Doctor...." Flora breathed out, eyes small.

'Doctor Eggman....'

-----------------------------------------------

"Ah, you must have me confused for my Grandfather; Gerald Robotnik." The man grinned, one hand rubbing his mustache. "I am actually his grandson; Dr. Ivo Robotnik! But, I go by Eggman now."

"What do you mean, no longer on Earth?" Shadow lowly growled out before anything more could be said, eyes in a glare. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Flora's frozen form, eyes small and her body lightly shaking. Fear and something else was radiating off of her. It was so thick that he could taste the bitter fear coming off of her, coating his tongue.

Shadow has seen enough fear coming from her to last a lifetime, he never wanted her to have to feel it again.

If this man, no matter if he was related to the doctor and Maria, was a threat to them, Shadow would kill him. Happily so, if it meant that the only one he has left was safe.

He already lost so much, he couldn't loose Flora too.

-------------FLASHBACK---------------

"Shadow, take the girls and run! Get out of here!" Dr. Robotnik yelled out, voice panicked as gun fire rang out all around them. "Get to the escape pods! HURRY!"

Running at his fastest speed was out of the question, not with gun fire coming from almost everywhere and people either running or dying from the gun fire all over the place. Because of this, Shadow quickly figured out that he couldn't just lift Maria and tell Flora to run right by him, it would make them a bigger target than they already are.

So, within a second, he grab a hold of Flora's and Maria's hands, leading them as quickly and safely as he could to the escape pods - knowing that this might be the last time he sees the Doctor who created him and Flora, and the Arc he called home for as long as he has been breathing.

While rushing to the escape pods, he could hear Flora's near silent sobbing and Maria's soft voice shaking in fear as she tries to comfort her and herself. Tightening his hold on their hands, Shadow swore that he would get them both out of here if it was the last thing he did.

Before he knew it, they were in the room that held the escape pods.

"Flora!" Shadow quickly let go of their hands to grab Flora's arm and waist, rushing her to one of the escape pods before the girls could even stop to breath. "Hurry, get in!"

"B-But what about you?!" Flora questioned him, tears flowing from her cherry red eyes, making them look even brighter. She was shaking, flinching at every gun shot that seemed to echo all around the Arc. "Someone needs to pull the lever to activate the pods! I-I should be the one to stay behind-!"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Eyes going dark, Shadow had to refrain himself from hitting something to take all his anger out at the very thought of that happening. Now wasn't the time to lash out, so he held himself back. He had to get them out, Maria and Flora, had to keep them safe even if it meant his life ending. 

"Don't worry about me, just get into the pod!" Shadow nearly snapped out, his worry overtaking him. Luckily, Flora was much too panicked to fight him as he lifted her and placed her into the pod, the glass shutting around her to encase her. All the while, her bright cherry eyes gazed at him, her faze twisted in sorrow, worry, guilt, and compassion. He knew this was killing her, because she wasn't stupid.

Flora knew what he planned to do. And there was nothing she could do to stop him.

Turning, he knew that he needed to get Maria next. But, before he could do anything, he was shoved into the next pod!

Eyes widening, he could only look at Maria's face as the glass shut around him. It was only when she was at the lever to make the pods drop did he finally find the strength in him to move. Slamming his fist into the glass, it didn't even scratch.

But he couldn't stop. Kicking and hitting, Shadow tried everything he could to get out of the pod. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Flora placing her hands on the glass gently, forehead on the glass, tears rolling down her muzzle as she softly saying something he couldn't make out.

"Please...."

Stilling, Shadow gazed at Maria as she smiled at him and Flora.

"Shadow, Flora, please I'm begging you two, do it for me."

"Maria!" Shadow noticed how she was shaking, face pale. From the corner of his eye, he could see Flora's hands curling while they shook.

They both knew that these would be Maria's final words.

"I'm....I'm sorry I won't be able to see Earth with the two of you. Seems our plans for touring the Earth won't happen." Maria tired to smile, but it came out sad and brittle. "Take care of each other, and please, for me, for all those people living on that planet-"

Bangs sounded out, making it impossible to hear the rest of the words she was saying. The whole Arc shook, as if warning them that it was time.

The door to the room slide open, making Maria glance over before turning her attention back to them.

"Goodbye, Shadow, Flora." With a smile, Maria pulled the lever.

*BANG*

"MARIA!" Shadow howled out, seeing her fall, blood everywhere. Then, the pods dropped. While the sleeping gas entered the pod, Shadow's head jerked to see Flora staring back at him with tear filled heartbroken eyes from within her own pod that was filling with the gas. As if in slow motion, just before the pods entered space, Flora smiled, mouthing 'Goodbye'.

"FLORA!"

Before his body gave into the sleeping gas, all he could think was that he failed.

-------------END FLASHBACK-----------

Shadow was one of the Ultimate Lifeforms, he would do everything in his power to protect the only one he had left, and make everything right.

"You two are now on Mobius! A parallel universe if you want to get technical." Eggman grinned, although he seemed to be sweating a bit. "I found the two of you while I, myself, was stuck on Earth. But, before I could wake you both up, I was sent back to Mobius. Leaving you two wasn't really an option, as everything in my lab on Earth was being destroyed at the time, so I took the two of you with me."

Some part of him could admit to being grateful that this...Dr. Eggman found the both of them. The escape pods didn't really have a destination to fall to, and even if they did, they were not really tested for that. They could have landed anywhere, could have landed in two different places. One of them could have been safe, the other in an dangerous place that could lead to death.

Then, Eggman's next words are really what got his mind thinking.

"I had been hoping the two of you could have helped me out on Earth, I had a plan for the Arc you know." Eggman sighed, shaking his head in dismay. "But with that Sonic, his gang, and the Chaos Emeralds, it didn't pan out the way I wanted. Luckily, I have been making ground in Mobius - my empire is growing!" Here, he beamed brightly. "And now the two of you are awake! I must say, I was always a big fan of my Grandfather's projects, especially METAL SONIC. You know, I based a few of my own projects around you? Truly an honor to meet you!" Flora blinked in shock at this, and Shadow kept a close eye on the man as he rambled on.

Glancing over, Shadow could see Flora relaxing a bit, but still looking fearful. Taking in a deep breath, Shadow slowly gained a thought, a plan. But, for it to work, he'd need more information.

"For waking us up and keeping us safe, I'll grant you one favor." Shadow spoke up, cutting off the rambling, making Flora turn to him with wide eyes and for Eggman to grin even wider. "As you know, I am Shadow The Hedgehog, Project Shadow. This here is Flora The Hedgehog, Project METAL SONIC. Between the both of us, we could grant you any wish. Just name it."

"Perfect! I do have a plan that I want to put into motion, but to do so, I need all seven Chaos Emeralds. They are scattered across Mobius, but I do have one." The man pulled out a red emerald from his pocket, showing it to the two of them. "They hold Chaos Energy, the same thing the two of you were created to hold and use. There are seven in total, and a Master Emerald. I need all seven for my plan to even be considered. All I need is for the two of you to gather them for me, and the favor you offer me is done and over with."

"All I ask for is the freedom to do what is needed, access to any information we need, and the necessaries that is needed to live on this....Mobius." Shadow tacked on, mind whirling and a smirk growing on his muzzle. "This is after all, a new planet for us."

"Hmmm..." Tilting his head, eventually Eggman nodded in agreement with a laugh. "I agree! One of my robots will show you two to a room to stay in for the night while I set everything up." With a chuckle, he started to float away in his metal carrier, a robot coming in through the sliding door. "Sonic won't know what hit him!"

'Sonic...? Like Flora's project name; METAL SONIC?' Shadow frowned, getting out of the pod. Once out he moved to help Flora out, who was staring at him with eyes that screamed 'WHY?!'.

A shame he couldn't tell her why, couldn't tell her the start of a plan forming in his mind. Flora was much too forgiving. No, it was best to keep it to himself and protect her along the why.

Shadow the Hedgehog will not fail a second time.

-------------------------------------

Flora didn't know if she should either cry, scream, panic, or do all of the above.

'This isn't our war!' Flora could read between the lines. While she might be an overemotional wreak, she wasn't stupid. She knew that in the basics, Eggman and Sonic always fought. But, when looking around, the way Dr. Eggman said he had an empire, it was obvious that there was much more than just fighting going on. More than likely, people, mobians, robots, and whoever the hell else have died on both sides in this fighting.

There was a good chance that they were going to die fighting for control of a planet that wasn't even theirs. A universe that wasn't even theirs. A planet and universe they weren't even born or created in!

But, no matter how much she wanted to just scream, Flora let Shadow help her out of the pod. She clutched his arm close as they followed the little red robot that came to lead them to their room. She couldn't speak, too much in a daze as everything caught up to her. She rather just let Shadow deal with it all now, because she knows that if she opens her mouth now, all that is going to come out is a dry sob.

"This here is one of the guest rooms, created for females in mind mostly, Ms. Flora can-" The floating red robot started to say, only to get roughly cut off by Shadow.

"We'll be sharing a room." This wasn't a statement, but a fact and demand. Flora could hear it in his voice, and didn't blame him for it.

There was no way she would be able to stay alone, not after everything that had happened. From the Arc being taken, dead bodies and gunfire everywhere, to waking up on a new planet/dimension, there was only so much she could take. She can still see Maria falling, blood everywhere.

A little part of her wondered if that was how she looked when she was shot in her first life.

Shadow was the only one left. If she lost him, what would she do? What could she do? All she knows, is that she would most likely breakdown mentally at the least.

At the least.

"Come on, Flora." Shadow softly whispered to her, leading, more like nearly dragging, her into the room.

The robot left them after shutting the door. Flora didn't even pay any mind to the room itself. She just sat on the large bed and blankly looked at the wall.

Then, everything caught up to her.

Tears came pouring out. Curling up where she sat, Flora screamed into her hands as she closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the memories flashing before them. Everything that seemed like just a second ago came rushing back. For the world it might have been around fifty years, for this world it might not of happened at all, but for her?

The Arc, Maria and Dr. Robotnik dying, bullets being shot everywhere, dead bodies littering the floor - that all happened not even an hour ago for her.

Strong arms wrapped around her, making her flinch back a bit. Peeking open her eyes, she was able to make out a blurry Shadow looking at her with concern. Sniffing, Flora closed her eyes once more, curing into Shadow's arms and embrace. Everything is gone. The place she called home, the people she called family. Even the Earth is gone.

Everything but Shadow was gone.

Sobbing into her hands, Flora could only shake and shiver, sobs wreaking her body.

"Don't worry, Flora." A gloved hand softly ran itself down her quills, the other hand firmly holding her close. She let Shadow's darker voice wash over her. Trying with all her might to keep her head above water as she cried for those she has lost, and those that never had a chance. She had been so close to saving Maria, so close to being that cure - and now it was all gone.

As she slowly lost consciousness, sleep trying to take her, she heard one last whisper from Shadow - who sounded so far away even though he was the one holding her.

"I'll make everything right. For you, and for Maria."

-End Chapter-

Here it is!

Realistically, Shadow and Flora are going to have issues to work through. I mean, what happened fifty years ago was just a few hours ago at the most for them. They might be created to be adaptable and hardy, but that doesn't mean it doesn't effect them.

They are all they have left - they only have each other right now. So, of course, they are going to cling to one another. More on how they interact with each other, as well as flashbacks on their time on the Arc, as time goes on.

In any case, I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did making it!