The Dark Knight
By: Nevermore Raven
Chapter 1
Rare Chance
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Well, once again Sonic and Tails saved the day. After such trial after trial, and so many hardships, the residents can sleep peacefully once more. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of so many others, friend and enemy alike. The time after the ARK adventure resumed a more or less normal series of events, with the occasional uprising by Eggman, but nothing grand and worth mentioning. Two years have passed since then, and I can't stop thinking about a certain someone... The true hero we all are indebted to, yet never wish to think of.
Why do others try to conceal him from view? Is it because his suffering is a reminder of the very real realities and injustices people can cause? Is it because we are all lying to ourselves about finding a good place in a loving world, even as unspeakable crimes occur to innocent people? Why do so many ignore his sacrifice?
He received not so much as a mention by celebrities or the media, not a well-deserved entry as the Person of the Year on People Magazine or a lengthy article in Time. No memorial or bronze statue, no place in the hall of fame, absolutely nothing. Though the others ignore him, the ones who met him that fateful day will never forget him, try as they might. Why not, after all? This dark, misunderstood hero is... dead.
The times I have spent shouting after the True Blue have all but ended as my interest all but vanished since a month ago, two years after Shadow fell to his death. I dream about him every night, as I keep his golden bracelet beneath my pillow and close to my anguished heart. This bracelet is all that remains. This bracelet and the green Emerald he always carried.
Why does he haunt me so? Is it the fact that he, the hardened, cold, mysterious hedgehog, done horrible injustice by the world and despising all in it, caring only about the promise he made decades ago to his best friend who died in cruel hands, broke and went soft before my eyes? Is it the fact he shared rare feelings he cherished so much with me alone before his death? 'I must go now. I must keep my promise to Maria... and to you.'
Is it the fact a precious tear fell from his gorgeous ruby-red eyes, the very eyes that pierced my heart, captured my breath, and drowned me in their immense depths? The color of his eyes was unique; haunting, and terrifying, but how could they all the while be so beautiful?
Did he merely be so kind to me at that moment by a chance? Coincidence? Dumb luck? Or, as my heart painfully beats and wishes at the thought of him, was it something more? Was our meeting only by rare chance? If something greater was at work, I would arrive at the same conclusion that would fill my eyes with tears. If he was the one meant for me, I will never see him again... He is high above in the heavens far above my vain grasp, and he will never fall back into my arms. He is with Maria at last, she was very lucky to have such a cherished place in his heart.
I had been chasing after Sonic for years. For years. And in all of that time, I would have the same routine. Chase Sonic, like I always have. I cried, "Sonic!" like I always did. He ran right past me in a wind that took my hair with it, like he always does. I sighed, like I always did and then gave myself that daily encouraging pep-talk, like I always did. Nothing unusual, see? No dramatic revelation. Sonic didn't yell at me, he didn't tell me I was a pest that bothered him senseless, he didn't sneer at me or so much as glance my way. Nothing unusual happened. It was like any other day. ...And because it was like any other day, on that daily routine where nothing happened, the revelation hit me like a slap to the face, a cheap shot that I'm still rubbing my swollen cheek over as my eyes flow in a cascade of tears. Nothing has changed for five years.
The bitter truth caused me to sit back for once and think it through. Truly think it through, contemplate, without fantasizing or looking through a thick, pink lens, obsessing over unrealistic dreams or wishing on wishes. I have grown up a little bit in the past two years. If he had feelings for me, would he not have given me a hint in all of this time? And what about me? What do I really need in a partner? Sure, he is honest and good-natured, but from looking at each and every facet of his life, is he the best for me? Will I really want to be with someone who is always on the move, never taking a rest or showing his more tender emotions to anyone?
Or would I be more content with a different person, one who remains with me through thick and thin, one who stands beside me? One who will always, always remain, as an anchor, a rock? A person who's emotional, filled with passion and feelings? One who holds undying loyalty, is full of depth and commitment? I saw a brief glimpse of someone who showed all of these qualities with resounding clarity. We may never meet again, never see where fate and emotions may have brought us, and you may be far out of my reach, but you will never be at too far a distance that my love cannot travel, no eons apart my heart cannot wait for. ...I will never forget you, Shadow the Hedgehog.
A.N. Something from a different character? Something new? GASP!! XD Please tell me what you think! :D