Author's Note: My sister, Little Tin Wings, challenged me to write 100 stories with different themes, in 100 days. I am calling this challenge '100Ts&Ds' to make things simpler (placed in the summaries to identify the stories written for the challenge). Since they may be from different fandoms, I decided to group stories from the same category into single stories, to make things more manageable. As I have not yet completed this challenge the stories will be mostly unedited, and the characters may be OOC. As such, any critiques on grammar, etc., would be appreciated. The theme for the stories will be placed as the chapter titles, and the story titles will be placed as headers before the actual text.


Shadow of Shadow

It wasn't supposed to end like this. He was supposed to be the ultimate life form. He was supposed to be immortal. He wasn't supposed to die.

Sonic looked out the window of the Ark, staring at the earth he had protected so many times; the same earth Shadow had nearly died for on multiple occasions, the same window Shadow had looked through more times than could be counted. It seemed like just a few minutes ago he was teasing Shadow about his faulty memory, trying to get him to lighten up a little. He never thought to worry about Shadow, he always seemed so invulnerable. Maybe that's why it was such a shock when he died; maybe that's why no one ever believed he would kill himself.

That's not really true, is it Faker? You always hoped I would die, then you could be the only supersonic creature on earth; just like before. You were always jealous of me, of my chaos powers. You thought they gave me an unfair advantage. You were upset it was so difficult for you to use chaos control, while for me chaos manipulation was as natural as breathing. You only hated me even more when you learned that Black Doom was my father, never thought how hard it was for me. You never cared that the G.U.N commander used that as 'proof' that I was helping the Black Arms; that he tried to say I was the 'prince' of the aliens, leading the invasion. You were too busy hating the fact that my heritage made me immune to the poison gas, that I was the only one on the entire planet capable of defeating the invaders. You hated the fact that your friends liked me, that they went to me for help instead of you. Face it Faker, you're glad I'm dead. The only reason you're upset is because you would have liked to kill me yourself, instead of me taking the 'cowards'' way out.

Sonic shook his head to dispel the voice. It was lying, he knew it was. He had been distraught when Shadow died; had cradled his body despite the fact that there was blood everywhere, stroked Shadows face while tears streamed down his own. Sonic would never have tried to kill him, was never jealous when Shadow made some much needed friends. If he had known what was going on, he would have helped all he could.

Sonic stared at the figure of Shadow standing next to him, leaning against the window with a smirk on his face. He'd been with Sonic ever since his death, right after Sonic ran because he couldn't take looking at Shadow's broken form anymore. Maybe it was punishment for being weak, for not noticing until it was too late. Maybe if he'd been worried like Vector was, maybe if he had been strong like him, Shadow would've left him in peace.

Are you remembering Sonic? Are you remembering how you denied what happened? How you scorned Vector's concern? Are you remembering how my blood covered you and tainted you with guilt? You should Sonic, you should remember. It's your fault after all, you're the reason I'm dead.

Sonic did remember, and it hurt. After the Black Comet exploded, everyone went to Club Rouge to celebrate. He remembered how Rouge commented that she hoped Shadow was alright, and Amy responded confidently that he was Shadow, of course he was alright. He remembered the jealous twinge that spread through him at that. Amy was supposed to be his fan; she should think he could do anything, not Shadow. But Amy knew there were things he couldn't do; she had seen him paralyzed by the gas after all, she had rescued him in the past. But Amy believed there was nothing that could beat Shadow, nothing he couldn't take. Even when he was sick, and Rouge wouldn't let anyone see him, Amy was confident that Shadow would be up and about before anyone knew it. Too bad she was wrong. Too bad Shadow couldn't take the emotional pain no one knew about. Maybe they just hadn't wanted to know. Maybe it really was Sonic's fault he was dead.

Sonic remembered when the Chaotix came to Club Rouge shortly after everyone else, how frantic Vector was. Vector told everyone what Shadow had said about himself before he went to fight Black Doom, but Sonic thought he was just over dramatizing. He didn't really think Shadow hated himself. He didn't think there was anything to worry about. Everyone else went with the Chaotix to look for Shadow and Amy had scolded him for not helping. When they found him, Tails had called. He hadn't been able to complete a full sentence, he was sobbing so hard. Sonic had had to use the tracking system on the communicators to locate them. Sonic would never forget when he found them, all gathered around Shadow's body. Rouge had her hands full, trying to comfort both Amy and Cream, and she wasn't doing too well herself. Knuckles and Espio were trying to soothe Tails and Charmy, but they were moving like robots - stiff and numb with shock. Vector was the only one who didn't break down. Maybe the fact that he expected this had given him time to accept it. Just before Sonic ran, Vector picked Shadow's body up and started preparing for the funeral. Sonic never attended it.

Of course you didn't. That would be admitting you missed me, but you don't do you Sonic? You only wish I would leave you alone, so your life can go back to the way it was before you met me.

Sonic stared at the ghostly figure next to him, his face hardening in determination. "You're not Shadow."

The figure looked at him in surprise. And what makes you so sure of that?

Sonic looked at him in disgust. "Shadow wouldn't taunt someone like you are; he knew too well how it felt. He wouldn't blame someone for his death when he hated himself as much as he did; he probably thought he deserved worse than death."

Sonic took a deep breath and tried not to dwell on how true his last sentence probably was. "You are just a figment of my imagination, probably part of my super form, trying to drive me insane so you can take control. You may be a part of me, and you may be glad Shadow's dead, but that doesn't mean I am. Now leave me alone."

The figure scowled before disappearing. Good riddance, now maybe Sonic could have some peace.

Sonic started when he saw Shadow's form running down the hall, laughing as he was chased by a young girl and an old man. He stopped next to Sonic and smiled, then with a wave and a wink he ran off again. Sonic smiled as well. Maybe Shadow was immortal, always haunting the Ark and those who enter, but if it was this happy version of Shadow, Sonic didn't think he would mind so much.