Life in the shadows pt 9

The ruby eyes that stared at the alien held a new emotion, one that left his creator perplexed, “What is it Shadow?”

“Where is your home?” The hedgehog frowned even as he spoke, “I’m sure you haven’t lived on a comet all your life.”

That it was such a simple issue troubling the hybrid caused Doom to give a rasping laugh, “Of course not.” The alien paused, “My home no longer exists, Shadow.”

The ebony hedgehog had a look of confusion about his features, “What could destroy the home world of the Black Arms?”

“A black and red hedgehog.” Black Doom muttered dryly, only to feel a strange twisting in his chest when the hybrid’s ears flattened. Cautiously he tried to repair the damage he had obviously caused the smaller creature, “You would not have been so affected by my words a few months ago.”

“I was lost then, Father.” Shadow seemed hesitant to admit he had grown fond of his alien relatives as if he feared the response it would cause.

“Of course.” Black Doom petted the hedgehog absently, “Although you could have destroyed my home world. Fortunately for you the rest of my race ensured that my home was gone before you even existed as a thought in that human’s mind.”

 “There are more Black Arms?” That he had managed to surprise his little hybrid gave Doom a strange sense of satisfaction.

“There were… once. Their greed destroyed them along with my home; only those who escaped with me remain.” The past reflections caused a strange stirring of emotion within the alien. “The humans have a lot in common with them.”

Loyal as always, Shadow growled, “Not all humans are bad.”  

“My soldiers were just following orders but the humans shot them just the same.”  Humans and their flaws were one of the few victories Black Doom refused to allow Shadow, “They would have killed you Shadow if they had known you were of my blood.”

“They tried.” The black hedgehog scowled.

Doom frowned, understanding dawning, “Maria.”

For a reason he couldn’t explain she was the human Black Doom hated most of all.