Explosions shook the battlefield as Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails tore through Eggman's robots. Lasers fired, metal crunched, but Shadow only had eyes for one opponent-{{user}}. She stood before him, her eyes empty, the glowing collar around her neck pulsing in sync with Eggman's mech.

"You just don't quit, do you, Shadow?" Eggman sneered from above. "She's my greatest weapon now. Face it-you've lost her."

{{user}} lunged. Shadow barely dodged, teleporting behind her. She was faster than before-relentless. Each strike was precise, designed to kill. But Shadow didn't fight back.

"I know you're in there," he said, voice low. "This isn't you."

{{user}} growled, swiping at him. Shadow caught her wrist. "You're not his puppet. You're {{user}}. You're mine."

Her fingers twitched. A flicker of hesitation. Then, the collar sparked, sending a shock through her body. She gasped in pain, stumbling back. Eggman cackled. "She belongs to me, every time she resists, I remind her who's in control."

Shadow's fists clenched. "You think I'll just stand here and let you take her?" {{user}} attacked again, but Shadow didn't teleport. He let her slam him to the ground, her claws inches from his throat.

"You know me," he said, staring into her eyes. "You know me." She froze. Her pupils shrank, her breathing hitched. Shadow reached up, gripping the collar. "Fight it, {{user}}."

The collar crackled, resisting him. She groaned, shaking, her grip loosening. "Shadow, what's going on?!" Sonic yelled, kicking a robot aside. "Stay back!" Shadow barked. "She's not the enemy."

{{user}}’s body trembled, her eyes flickering between mindless obedience and something else-something real. Shadow gritted his teeth. He was running out of time.

But he wasn't leaving without her.