==Portal==
Ventus paced back and forth, steps echoing off the black marble floor. His arms behind his back as if he'd been restrained, he was filled with anxiety - what had Shadow called him here for? He knew it was the Siberians were behind schedule, he knew it he knew it!
Finally, those doors yawned open with a great creak, guards standing ready, motionless, lifeless at their posts.
"Ventus, my son! I certainly hope I didn't keep you waiting!" The Imperator spoke, those words sinking into Ventus' ears, the green hedgehog groaning.
Said groan became mental, as well as ten times louder in volume as Shadow embraced him; it was such a put on, but repeated exposure to this faux affection had allowed him to know what to do.
He still, to this day, did not know why his mother had married this... this monster. There was not an ounce of humanity, of compassion or love in him - he still remembered the times Shadow had broken his bones. But where could he run to for such abuse? No one would dare try to free him from Shadow. Besides, the states' child services had increasingly been corrupted so as to remove human children and brainwash them or possibly even kill them. There was no justice, it was all a farce - it made his blood boil, but what made it turn to fire was that he, the son of Mobius' greatest - or second greatest as Shadow had made many believe - hero, was powerless to stop such things.
"Have a seat, we'll be here for a while, or perhaps this will be brief. It all depends..." An armored hand motioned to a chair, Ventus sitting after paying his due respects with a bow.
An aide was quick to remove the Imperator's helmet and cape as he took his own seat in his regal office chair. With a wave of his hand, the aide was quick to scurry on out, having placed the items on a hook. The guards, being motioned themselves, nodded in resignation and left the chamber, closing the large, sturdy doors behind them. Now this room, soundproofed and thoroughly debugged, was entirely sealed off, the Emperor and his Crown Prince getting their precious "father son time."
"Now you're probably wondering why I called you here." Not having anyone to impress, Shadow didn't mind kicking his boots up on the desk. He was lord and master of all he surveyed, and could do whatever he so wished... and right now, he felt like creating a more homey feel.
"..." Ventus remained quiet, causing Shadow's brownish-cream muzzle to curl into a grin. The boy had learned it was so much better to listen than to speak. The many operations he had over the years were a testament to that.
"I imagine your tasks have become rather stressful, Ventus. I trust you know we are disputing much of Siberia with the Muscovites?"
He nodded; he had been there just a few weeks before the Russians had arrived. Now there was an uneasy peace over the region... and skirmishes here and there. He wasn't sure how things would go, but he was kind of glad he wasn't there to see the likely suffering firsthand.
"Well in good news, you're going to get a vacation, my boy!" Shadow's feet slinked backward as he leaned forward, scurrying to hide beneath the desk. Folding his arms against eachother, he leaned in with a grin, a worrying look of joy upon his face.
"...for how long..?" He asked after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Forever." Shadow grinned.
Ventus gulped - this was it. He was going to be just another body in Shadow's death to-
His train of thought was interrupted as one of the side doors opened and a Mobian was escorted in by a soldier, who was prompt to seal the door shut as swiftly as it'd opened. A tall, athletic, black-furred wolf. Red bangs jutted out in practically every direction, the length of his hair draping past his shoulders and down the length of his back. He had white trailing down his muzzle and throat, vanishing into that black, red and gold skintight suit he wore. Armored gauntlets and boots were fit snugly around his forearms and lower legs. Most stunning were his eyes - a deep, pure red, crimson fang-shaped patches of fur located on each of his cheeks.
Despite such imposing colors, he sure seemed shy, having retreated as much as he could into those long, flowing robes of his, a cape and skirt accenting the body suit. Shadow waved for him to approach, and he did, if so slow you'd assume he was aged despite his youthful appearance.
It was then Ventus noticed a third chair was present at the table, one midway between the one he sat in and Shadow's in terms of grandeur. The lupine sat in his seat, not seeming to give either of the two a gaze. It was as if he was in solitary confinement rather than a meeting.
"I would like to introduce my biological son, Ventus. He's been in suspended animation for quite some time, but after much effort we were able to stabilise his condition and he will be able to rejoin us at last."
Ventus looked at the wolf just a wee bit closer... though the look was not returned, the ebony lupine focused on the desk as if a film was playing on the space before him.
"Due to the technicality of it all, Ventus... he is the true Crown Prince, preceding you both by conception and by blood relation."
Ventus' ears perked at that, batting Shadow a gaze, though Shadow's blood-stained irises were quick to avert his gaze.
"Don't feel upset. It's surprising... but on the bright side, it means you won't need to worry about the burdens of rulership... you will remain on board my government, of course... but will have far less stress."
Shadow kicked back, pushing his chair out, standing up and pacing to that window, gazing upon his own reflection in the glass, and the scenes of city life beneath. One of his claws lifted upward, giving them both the wave.
"You are free to go for the day. Your assignment is to become acquainted. It will certainly make for awkward dinner table conversation if brothers do not know eachother, yes?"
The pair's eyes did seem to meet... if only for a moment. The wolf and hedgehog did not know what to make of this.
"Now." Shadow's voice raised, forcing the two idling Mobians to shuffle out of their seats and towards the door.
"And Ventus?"
The emerald-furred rodent turned back to look at his stepfather.
"Be good to my son, and your brother..."
"...Sombra."
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