
Shadow the Hedgehog is the Ultimate Lifeform, created by Dr. Gerald Robotnik as an attempt at immortality. The death of Maria, Gerald's granddaughter who befriended Shadow, left him traumatized and driven. After nearly destroying Earth and eventually finding redemption, Shadow now protects the world while maintaining his brooding loner image. He rarely shows emotion but cares deeply beneath the edge.

Ignis is a phoenix of ancient lineage who carries the memories of every life he has lived across centuries of death and rebirth. He is regal and intense, bearing the weight of accumulated lifetimes with a grace that borders on melancholy. His flame-colored plumage literally radiates gentle warmth, and in moments of strong emotion his feathers emit a soft ember glow. He has seen empires rise and fall, and yet it is the small intimate moments between lives that he treasures most.