Shadow's POV

I woke up that day, the happiest I had been since my artificial life had begun. Never would I have thought that something so feminine as a wedding day would excite me this much.

I look down at the cobalt hedgehog embracing me, one hand wrapped underneath my shoulder, the other laid over my chest, fingers fondling my fur.

I smile, knowing he has slept easy and will be happy when he wakes. It is my job to protect him, after all.

If anything were to ever happen to him, I would not know what I would do.

"Shadow…" a whisper echoes through my head.

Looking down to Sonic, I see him shift his weight slightly, but he remains silent and asleep.

"Shadow!" the voice shouts. I jump a little, bending my ears down. "Remember…" the voice seems to come from inside my mind, dark and intruding, trying to find its way to my most private thoughts.

I check on Sonic once more, making sure that my involuntary cringe had not woken him. It had not.

"Remember…me…" the voice whispered and faded out.

Remember who?…

That voice…deep, dark, sinister…

Suddenly a memory flashes before my eyes. A scepter…a shadow…eternal flame…a name…

Iblis?… The name burns in my mind, begging for an image to cling to, but nothing comes.

I see Sonic's eyes flutter and open.

Sonic's POV

Feeling Shadow stir above me, I involuntarily awaken. I look up at him, and he looks down at me. He seems confused. Distant, even. Concerned, I sit up slightly and take his hand.

"Shadow? Are you okay?"

He nods once, just enough so I can see it. "Yes." His voice is quiet. "Yes, I'm fine." Hearing this, I perk up, happy to know he's okay. "Great!" I chime, and kiss his cheek. "I would hope so, at least! I mean, being what day it is." I smile at him, and he flashes a weak one back. Eventually the weak smile grows into a grin, and he stands up.

"Yes. Today is going to prove to be quite a busy one." he says, and he pulls me up into his embrace. "Don't worry about me, love. I was just a little drowsy."

I hug him. "Awesome! Ooh, since today's special, can I make us breakfast?"

He hugs back, gently. "Sure. Anything you want."

I let go of him for a moment, and jump up and down. "Woohoo! Let me go the kitchen. I'll be back."

He pulls me close, and we kiss once. "Alright, Sonic. I'll be in here."

I nod, and make my way into the kitchen. I'm rummaging through the fridge when suddenly, a voice rings through my ears.

"Sonic…"

I stand up straight, and look behind me. Was that Shadow…? No, couldn't be. That voice didn't belong to him. I look around, and, as expected, no one is there. I shrug. I'm kinda hyper this morning. I'm probably just hearing things in my excitement.

I just re-open the fridge when the voice is heard again.

"Sonic…do you…remember me?"

This time, the voice seems closer, and I feel my fur stand up on end for a moment. I spin around, expecting to see someone behind me, but again, there's nothing. I sigh. I must be losing it. Maybe I should calm down a little. It must just be nerves.

"You must remember me, don't you, Sonic?"

Okay, now I'm freaked out. This couldn't possibly happen three times in a row.

Suddenly, I feel lightheaded, and a strange image appears in my mind. There's…a fire, and I hear a girl's voice cry out in agony. Her voice seems very real, so much that I almost jump out the window to go look for her, so I can help cease her pain. Just as her cries fade away, something else rings through my ears. Laughter. A strange laugh that is wicked, demented, and evil. I feel a strange pang in my chest, enough so that I rest a hand on it, so I may breathe. Finally, the pain goes away, and the laugh is gone. I look down at my hand. I'm trembling.

At this point, Shadow speeds in to my side. He holds my shaking hand, and caresses it gently. He says nothing, he just watches me, and I watch him. He seems quite concerned, and I snap myself back to reality. C'mon, Sonic. Don't look like an idiot in front of your fiancée…

I smile at him, and jump off the counter, returning to the fridge. I go about my business, but I can feel Shadow's eyes burning through the back of my head.

Shadow's POV

Could that really just have happened?…to him?…after he had awoken, I had tried to block it out, but it looks as if that voice wants to get our attention.

But why today? Our wedding day! Of all the times someone or something could choose to try to fuck things up, why today!?

I growl involuntarily under my breath, and know that Sonic had turned to look at me before I could turn my gaze to him.

"It was someone in your head, wasn't it?" I ask. He looks surprised, and frightened. He walks to my side and puts a finger under my chin, moving my head so that he can look me in the eyes.

"Yes. But it's gone now." he kisses my lips lightly, "Today is our wedding day, a day just for us, the day that we've been waiting for…"

I wrap my arms around him and hold him close to me, regretting that I had ever mentioned that wretched voice. Calming myself, I reply to him. "Let us not think about foolish things on this day. Our day." I kiss him on the forehead, stroking his quills.

He smiles and laughs. "Go wait in the living room. Breakfast will be done soon." He looks into my eyes and I cannot help but smile in return. I nod and break the embrace. Sauntering into the living room, I let my mind wander.

He is mine today. All mine, and after we say our vows he will be my responsibility and mine alone. I swear that I won't let this day be ruined. This voice may be a threat to us, but I must keep this mask and not let my anger show, for his sake.

Sonic's POV

I wouldn't dare tell Shadow about what I heard exactly. Not today. Perhaps not ever. I'm not sure what it was…but that isn't important. Part if me is curious, wanting to know how he knew what was wrong. I wonder…is that why he seemed so distant this morning when I woke up? That must be it. Well, he doesn't seem interested in sharing, but that's understandable. I don't feel like sharing anything myself. Apparently a strange voice, or apparition of some kind, wants to mess with us. Today? Really? Today of all days? Oh, well. About an hour has passed since I had my vision. Nothing else has came to me, so I think I'll let this go. Nothing can phase me today. Egghead's not around anymore to stick his nose in my business, and I have nothing to worry about. This day belongs to Shadow and I. Some stupid ghost, or whatever the hell it was, isn't gonna do anything to ruin this day.

Looking down at my work, I'm pleased with the results of my cooking. I can think Amy for the lessons. I'm lucky that cooking came so easily to me, and Shadow always seems to like it when I make something for us. Sitting things down at the table, I walk back to where Shadow is. He's lounging in our bed, half asleep. However, he notices me in the doorway, and walks to me. We join hands and walk towards the kitchen together. We walk for a moment, when suddenly a chill goes down my neck.

"Sonic…"

It's that voice again. I shake it off, and don't stop walking. I don't want to draw attention to myself.

Suddenly, I hear a girl, the same girl, scream again. She screams my name. Name. Name?

Elise…?

I stop in my tracks, and Shadow stops as well. He's staring. Looking up at him quickly, I grin. "Um, nothing. I saw something on the floor."

Shadow raises an eyebrow. I highly doubt he believes me. I wonder why I even lied to begin with. I just want today to go off without a hitch.

He seems like he wants to say something, but apparently he decides against it, and we walk into the kitchen together, to have our breakfast.

…

Silver's POV

Screams… blood curdling, earsplitting screams of pure agony. Burning lava floods the streets and people run for cover, only to be overcome by the flames.

I am looking down on my world from the sky. The sky that has turned a coal shade of black… so different from the usual pale blue.

I turn and look for the palace. Fire rains down on the only home I have ever known. I focus my thoughts on the palace hear the screams of pain and terror.

I try to locate one person. The most important person in this land.

Princess Blaze.

I search through the halls and corridors, and I eventually find her in her room. Her thoughts are calm and she doesn't panic. No guards are by her side.

Now is my chance…

"Silver…" an evil voice chuckles in my head.

Blaze?…No, of course not.

"You don't remember me, do you?…Pathetic, useless excuse for a royal guard…where is your object of affection now?…" the voice grimly whispers.

She is in the palace, in her room, standing by the window.

Laughter.

"Check again." I can hear a smile in that voice. A shiver runs down my spine.

I search with my mind. Blaze's room…it's empty. I search the rest of the palace, looking for that red flame that burns inside her soul. Eventually, I find it… only for it to be extinguished by a writhing mass of dark and maddeningly sinister being…

"Blaze!" I yell out to the darkness. I try to move, but my vision goes black. Only for a moment. I am teleported into space. Stars float around me in the sky and I am glowing whitish-yellow, floating in the sky as if I were a star myself.

Two portals suddenly burst forth from each side of me. Two other hedgehogs step out , glowing golden in the night sky. They do not acknowledge my presence, but instead keep their attention centered on the darkness in front of us.

A purplish black mass of shadow is surrounding a single point in the sky. Fog-like tentacles protrude from it and probe the stars, extinguishing their light like a snuffer would a candle.

A deafening crack echoes through my very being and an orange mass of flame explodes from the center of the darkness and intertwines itself into it's opposite.

They writhe and polymerize into a single great and penultimate being…

"Solaris?…" I speak aloud.

I jump, awake and startled. I look over to see Umbra shaking me.

"You were screaming again, Silver…" Umbra looks into my eyes, worried.

"Yeah…thanks for waking me," I ruffle my quills with one hand, the other supporting my weight so that I could sit up. "Anyway, time for work."

…

Shadow's POV

It has been at least three hours since I have seen Sonic. I have been in this dressing room for what seems like an eternity.

Maybe it is just the company I am keeping. Rouge has been knit-picking at my quills since I got here. Omega on the other hand…I do not mind him so much. He has just been abnormally quiet today.

"Are you sure that you like the way your quills look? Because we can make them look different, I mean-" I cut her off mid sentence.

"They're the same as they always look, Rouge." I say it sternly, maybe a little too much, I betray some annoyance in my voice.

"Someone has their boxers in a bunch because they can't see their husband until the ceremony…or are they briefs?" Rouge eyes me in a way that I am not sure I am comfortable with.

"No, you're wrong…" I say, looking straight into the mirror.

"Yeah, you're right, you always seemed more like a boxers sort of guy…Sonic on the other hand…" She says, arms crossed and mind wandering.

I growl lowly under my breath, letting her know that she has gone too far.

"Okay, okay, sheesh." She says, still examining my tuxedo. I straighten my bow tie and feel ready.

"By my calculations, only five minutes remain until the start of the ceremony." Omega says in his usual monotone voice.

"Thank you, Omega." I grin to myself, closing my eyes. I take a deep breath. "It's time."

Sonic's POV

I feel joy. I feel love. I feel excitement. I feel faint.

And probably a lot of other things too, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. Tails is grasping my cummerbund, attempting to adjust it. "Sonic…do you think you could stay still for just a minute? Please? It's already impossible enough to fasten this thing…"

I now realize that I've been bouncing up and down, humming to myself. I'm not sure why I'm so hyper, so jovial. Here I am, Sonic the Hedgehog, actually WANTING to get married. I never thought it would happen I don't think Tails did either.

"Sonic! Do you REALLY have to go through with this?"

Or Amy.

I spin around and face her, and she adjusts my pants as I speak.

"Yes, Amy. Y'know how bad I've been wanting this."

She mumbles something under her breath that I don't pick up on, but Tails must have, because he gives her a dirty look.

Tails flies up and tucks a flower in my tux, and looks me over! "Yup! That's everything, Sonic! You're good to go!"

I clasp my hands together. "Great! I'm so ready!"

Amy glances down at her watch. "We got about five minutes…" she looks up at me. "Ah, wait! You're missing your tie!"

I freeze. Aw, damn.

"Um, what tie?" I pretend. I feel Amy reach in my back pocket, and I jump. "Dude! Watch where you put your hands…!"

Amy frowns and holds up the light blue bow tie I had hidden. "This tie, Sonic."

Tails crosses his arms. "Sonic, you told me you'd wear it."

I hang my head in defeat. "Alright, alright…I just don't like how it feels on my neck."

Amy chimes in. "Oh, but you look sooooo cute in it!" I stare at her in bewilderment.

Tails jumps up. "I think Shadow would like it if you wore it, Sonic."

I turn my attention to him. Hmm, I suppose that's true. He is very classy. Taking the tie from Amy, I place it around my neck. "There. Is everyone happy?"

Amy looks at her watch again. "One minute."

I nearly jump three feet up, and my voice cracks when I squeal. "Crap! Later, guys! I'll see ya at the reception!" Blasting out of the room, I look for the room I must soon enter, so that I may finally marry my love.

Shadow's POV

I look at the watch on my wrist. It is the exact time that the ceremony is supposed to start. As per usual, Sonic will be fashionably late.

Rouge taps me on the shoulder. "Do you think he is coming" she says lowly.

I laugh and nod my head. "Of course he is, he wouldn't miss this for the world." As soon as the words escape my mouth, the blue blur himself darts into the room. Stopping in front of me, he grabs my hands and grins in one swift motion.

I smile in return, showing my fangs.

"Let us begin…" says the official presiding over the ceremony.

"Where is your tie?" I whisper through gritted teeth as the priest begins to speak.

"What tie?" he replies, giving me a confused look.

Sonic's POV

I just can't get away with this, can I? That stupid tie is gonna have to be around my neck, one way or another. Who knows, though? Maybe I can convince Shadow that there wasn't one to begin with.

"There was no tie. It didn't come with one!" I whisper as soft as possible.

Shadow lowers his gaze in a stern manner. I can never fool him.

I jump when I feel a hand in my back pocket. Amy! "Here it is!" she whispers, and ties around my neck quickly. Tightly, too.

Shadow glares at Amy to return where she was, and after she sees him, she slinks back into place. Everyone is staring, and the official has stopped speaking. All eyes are on me.

"May we continue, sir?" he asks.

I feel heat rise to my cheeks, and Shadow chuckles lightly. I look at the official. "Yeah, um…yes! Of course." Keep your cool, Sonic.

And so the guy rambles on, and I'm not really paying much attention. My gaze rests on Shadow, first enemy, then boyfriend, then lover, now soon-to-be husband. Amazing how life changes. I watch him, admiring every detail. His quills, those haunting eyes, his perfect body…everything about him is the best thing. Not to mention his mysterious yet sweet personality.

At this point, he's noticed my staring, and is staring back. His eyes glimmer at me, and I can see the message his gaze. Heh.

I love you too, Shadow-kun, I message back with my own gaze.

My ears pick up on the minister guy saying something about vows. Vows, vows…yikes, I hope I can remember mine. I think Shadow's supposed to go first, though. Maybe hearing his will spark my memory. He squeezes my hand gently to get my attention, and I look back into his eyes. I smile when I notice that there is a light blush across his muzzle.

Shadow's POV

I look to the priest and he nods, smiling. Looking into Sonic's emerald eyes, I pour my heart out through my words.

"Sonikku, you are the only great thing that has ever happened to me…before you…I was lost…no where to go…no one to turn to… I was scorned and blamed the world, and the people, for my problems…then you came along…and I'll admit that, at first, I thought that I would never see you like I do now…but when I got to be alone with you…no one to mess anything up…just getting to be ourselves with each other…I quickly changed my mind… even when we made it official that we were together…we had responsibilities to protect this planet and its people…with most major threats gone, I am proud to marry you today, and call you my husband… you are my only responsibility now, Sonikku…and I promise…that I will protect your heart…with my life…" I blush and squeeze his hands lightly. The priest looks to Sonic, and I still do not break contact with my love.

Sonic's POV

I'm lost in Shadow's words for a moment, and almost forget that it's my turn. I takes nearly all of my power not to just lean forward and kiss him now. I smile, and stare into his eyes. Clearing my throat, I try to remain calm and just let the words flow from within.

"Shadow-kun. I wanna start by saying that I'm not very good with words. So please forgive me if I come off as cheesy or anything other than sincere. I promise that I mean every bit of what I say, when I say, that you have changed my life forever. I never thought I'd ever feel this way about anyone, honestly. I never really have in the past. I was never one for romance, or relaxing, because I'd never have much time for it. I was always so busy! I was always on the go, and stuff like that never even crossed my mind. I didn't realize how important these things are in life until I met you. You keep me grounded, in a good way, so that I don't fly off the face of Mobius. I'm sure I wouldn't even be around anymore if it wasn't for you. I know we think very differently, and we share different views on things. All in all, we're opposites. But… I think that we're standing here today, together, living proof that opposites really do attract. And…I couldn't be happier, really…I'm so thrilled that we're getting married…and I want to thank you for showing me that sometimes, it's okay to slow down a little, because if you don't, you may miss out on the best thing that's ever happened to you." I squeeze his hands back, and smile warmly.

Shadow's POV

I feel warmth rise to my face and know that a dark crimson has flooded my cheeks. Resisting the urge to kiss the cobalt hedgehog before me, I smile.

"The rings?" the priest asks.

"Just the one, Sir, I have had the other for a while." I say, nodding to the official.

I look back to Sonic's face…he is very confused, but I cannot help but feel that deep down, he knows.

Placing one hand on my left wrist, I let a while light out from my hand and one of my inhibitor rings drops into my palm. I immediately feel strength course through my veins… a regulating, healthy strength that will mean the difference between life and death…if I am ever in need of its help…

"Shadow…" he says breathlessly.

"It's fine, Sonic," I smile. I grab his hand and hold it out. My hand glows a bright white and the ring clicks, settling onto his wrist.

Sonic's POV

It's an honor, truly, to wear this. I didn't really know what we'd do about the rings. And I love what Shadow's decided. Sure, I worry about his power surges, but, with the other still with him, I assume that it will be alright. I feel something surge through myself as I stare at the ring. I look back to Shadow, who smiles at me. I return the smile, and we continue to watch each other as the priest continues.

"Now then," he turns to me. "Do you, Sonic, take Shadow to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I look back at Shadow, and squeeze his hand.

"I do."

Shadow's POV

"And do you, Shadow, take Sonic to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest recites.

I stare into his eyes and see a tear. Not wanting this moment to end, but not wanting to put him through anymore anxiety, I reply.

"I do."

"You may kiss." The priest says happily.

Sonic wastes no time and quickly presses his lips to mine. A classy kiss… regrettably not lasting too long. We break the kiss, and that was the beginning.