UlTrRa SiK pRoDuCtIoNs pReSeNtZ:
Epilogue: The Path Of Brilliance
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sega's characters….but I'd be a very happy guy if I did!
-Yeah I did say that there wouldn't be a sequel to Love's Burn however, I didn't say that there would be another story about it! (Muwahaha!) This epilogue isn't a sequel, it's…well, an epilogue!
-So yes, by popular demand, after 4 months in the making; the whole gang (And then some) is back with another adventure: The naming of a new guardian of the Master Emerald.
-And what a better day than my b-day to release a new story. So read, enjoy, leave a review, and be merry. I gotta go out to celebrate tonight!
--"Well, I guess. Now where's Sonic? He promised me that he'd beat me in some Super Smash bros. Not that I believe him for one second. I mean, he plays as freakin' Pikachu and I'm unbeatable with Samus. Samus 'the murderer' Aran."
His wife looked displeased, "...Did you just make up that nickname right now?"
"...No."
-Epilogue: The Path Of Brilliance-
The April winds passed through the city with a soft sigh; truly the first days of Spring were just beginning to come around the corner. Snow had melted from the city's streets and buildings and instead of a landscape of white snow, a flurry of colorful flowers took its place.
Today wasn't quite as lovely as the other first few days of Spring, but the addition of the April showers with the sunshine brought beautiful ribbons of rainbows to the pastel blue sky.
It had been eighteen years since the Sahara incident, where Shadow lost his mind. But the cause of his insanity had stemmed from the loss of Rouge, the treasure huntress with beguiling sapphire eyes.
Eighteen years ago, in Eggman's base located in the Sahara Dessert, the late Doctor unleashed a great evil upon the world. His final and most advanced creation was project 0012946, better known as Achilles, a cobalt-eyed hedgehog who was as gold as Shadow was dark.
Just like the Greek mythical hero he was named after, the gold hedgehog was a powerful, war-bent warrior with a wrathful fury. The only way the group of heroes: Shadow, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Amy, Tikal, Cream, and Scythe, a bad-tempered black and silver hedgehog, and an affable girl hedgehog named Daisy, were able to combat the potent Achilles through using the power of the Master Emerald.
Tikal, as one of the guardians of the Master Emerald, helped Shadow absorb the energy of the mystical jewel. This gave Shadow enough power to effectively combat Eggman's most powerful creation. But tragically, Shadow failed to finish Achilles before he slaughtered Rouge.
This loss had driven Shadow to the depths of insanity where, even after receiving a fatal wound, he beat Achilles savagely, dragged him halfway across the Sahara desert, and destroyed any villages in the process. Villagers who had seen, let alone experienced Shadow's savage rage had given him the title, "the green and black demon."
It was only through the help of a human girl named Julie Robontik, who was indeed the daughter of the infamous Eggman, that Shadow was able to regain his senses and escape a horrible fate at the hands of furious villagers. Despite being a Robotnik, Julie proved herself to be an ally to Shadow as she had saved not only his life, but that of his infant daughter…
It seemed that this had all happened so long along go…
But now Rouge's daughter, who Shadow named Rouge Maria in memory of his lost loves, closed the door behind herself. Interestingly enough, Rouge Maria was a spitting image of her mother; ivory white fur, strong build, dark wings; it was as if Shadow's genes had been denied in her physical makeup.
The only physical trait of Shadow's Maria carried were her luminous plum eyes; a mixture of Shadow's red and Rouge's blue; Shadow's little girl had blossomed into quite the stunning young lady.
Rouge Maria, Maria to close friends, had made a mad trek from her school's varsity team volleyball game as she was still adorned in the team's blue, white and black uniform top and dark blue spandex shorts.
Her trek home had been much quicker, due to the influence of rain. As she entered her house she was greeted not only to the form of her father, but to those of her Godparents, Sonic and Amy. Her other pair of Godparents were out on their shift of work.
Apparently Maria had just walked in on the middle of one of her family's chess games; Shadow and Sonic sat at one of the living room's marble tables playing chess. Shadow was reclined in his chair with a pleasant, yet smug look on his face and Sonic was bent over the board, looking as frustrated as possible.
Amy Rose was busy in the kitchen preparing a meal worthy of a Friday night. Over time, Amy had opted to dressing in a red camisole and blue jeans. The 'red dress' as Sonic had called it, was used nowadays for more formal occasions, like going out to fine dining. They all looked up to the sound of the front door opening and Sonic quickly swapped a piece from the board.
"Hey Superstar!" Sonic exclaimed.
"Well, look who's home!" Amy sang happily, drying a floral imprinted dish.
Maria grinned, "Hi Dad, uncle, and auntie. Oh man, dinner smells so good! I'm famished."
Maria dropped her bags and pulled up a chair next to her father. Once she was in reach of the ultimate life form, he gave her a high-five and ruffled her hair. Maria giggled happily as Amy crept into the room and gave the young bat a hug. Sonic opted to wink at his Goddaughter, who smiled appreciatively.
"So how did your game go tonight, Maria?" Shadow asked, as Sonic swiped another chess piece, "We all would have been there but…"
"I know," Maria smiled, "Crime never sleeps. But we totally destroyed Westopolis High! We have another game next week; maybe you guys can make it then."
"We'll be there," Shadow answered.
This time, when Sonic tried to change yet another chess piece, Shadow, without even looking, managed to pound his intruding hand with a fist.
Sonic yelped in surprise and glared as Shadow slowly turned to face him, "…Did you really think you were going to get away with all of that, Sonic?!"
"Yo momma!"
Maria giggled as Shadow shot Sonic a sly look, "Next time, try not to be so obvious."
"Next time," Sonic retorted, mocking Shadow's deep voice, "Try not to be so ugly!"
This time, Maria and Amy burst out into a full out laughter as Shadow mischievously made his way over to Sonic and began to assault him. Sonic began to return his blows and they started to play-fight each other, like two lion clubs. Amy rolled her eyes, "Oh, they will never grow up!"
The pink hedgehog smiled and placed her hand on Maria's shoulder affectionately, only to frown and remove her hand, "Maria! You're soaked!"
"Oh yeah…I forgot…"
"Well get upstairs young lady, and take a hot shower, now!"
Maria frowned, "But auntie I'm fine! I--"
Amy titled Maria's chair backwards, just enough so the young girl was leaned back. Amy looked down at her from overhead and poked the girl in the nose, silencing her, "No buts! Now up you go! A nice, hot dinner will be waiting for you, young lady."
With a sigh, Maria relinquished to Amy's will and made her way upstairs. She stopped in her room, which was relatively messy; unlike her father's room, it was inhumanly tidy. Shadow had no idea where her 'messy-streak' hailed from: he himself was a neat freak and he was pretty sure that Rouge had been relatively orderly as well.
It seemed like every time he made Maria clean her room, within an hour, it was back to the way it was before. Amy blamed that and her messy personality on Shadow's inability of raising her properly.
"She's becoming a lady, Shadow!" Amy had hissed at him, "And as so, she needs proper reinforcements in her life! It's very unbecoming of a young lady to be a sob! …Now go order burritos, and nachos for dinner…"
She tromped through a couple piles of clothes on her blue floor and plucked a few clean garments from her dresser. After absently running her hand through her sweaty, wet strands of hair, she made her way to the bathroom.
Just when Maria reached for the doorknob, the door opened from the other side and the momentum pulled her forward, "Whoa!"
Steam exited the room in thick clouds as the door creaked open and Maria found herself nearly face to face with a hedgehog. He had cyan-green eyes and a rich, sapphire blue coat that was a few shades darker than a clear sky.
The boy who was staring back at her was Flash, Sonic and Amy's son. But their relationship stemmed past that of their parents; they had played with each other ever since they could first walk.
Ever since, they've been best friends, oblivious to the fact that their best friend was the opposite gender. Although over the recent years, Maria began to notice that, as weird as it sounded, Flash was a boy.
She first realized, or had her eyes opened to this fact when Maria's girlfriends were drooling over him, her best friend since forever!
She also found it odd that everyone thought the two of them were an item, because they were always seen together laughing or fooling around. But recently, things turned just plain weird when Flash began acting differently; like going completely out of his way to talk to her, sneaking side glances at her when he was sure she wasn't aware, and the best yet, his odd new blushing and trying to play it off.
It was only when her best female friend pointed out how attractive Flash was, 'He is sooo freakin' hawt!' was when Maria began to think of him as a handsome guy.
Not to mention that it was an added bonus that Flash was a strapping, stud football player who made the floor crack under every step he took; at school, guys wanted to be him and girls wanted to have him.
Best of all, even with all the added fame, Flash was still the nice, easy-going guy he always had been. Only now Maria noticed that he was the nice, easy-going guy…
With the perfect eyes…
Rock-hard build…
And a handsome face.
It was only when Maria realized that she had almost bumped into a wet, towel-clad Flash that her face took on an added shade of rose, "Oh damn! I-I'm so sorry! I should have knocked."
Flash blinked, then laughed, "What are you talking about Superstar? I nearly swung you across the room. Anyway, I was on my way out."
He moved to the side so she could move pass, but she stopped in her tracks when he presented a question, "You had a game today?"
"Hmm?" Maria looked up until she met green-gold eyes.
"You had a game?" he vaguely motioned to her uniform, "Who did you play?"
"Oh! We played Westopolis High!" then Maria's smile turned evil, "And we beat the hell out of 'em! Serves them right for defacing our school!"
Flash nodded his head, "Well that's good, we'll play them Friday night at seven."
Maria smiled, "Man, Westopolis High is our biggest rival! When we beat them earlier today, they were all crying! That's gonna be our biggest football game of the year! There's gonna be at least a thousand in the crowd! You're gonna be so famous!!"
"Yeah," Flash replied with a sigh as he gazed away from her, "…I just hope I don't screw up."
Rouge Maria gasped, "…Are you serious? Where in the world did this self consciousness come from!? You're Station Square High's best player, if not the best in the district! You've broken most of the school's records, even some of your dad's. You're the fastest wide receiver to ever walk our school! And that says a lot, 'cause your dad, Sonic the Hedgehog, once upon a time was a wide receiver at our school."
"Good point Superstar," Flash replied, as Maria smiled back at him, "But I owe all my success to dad; he's been my coach since day one."
"Well," Maria smiled even brighter, "Your dad is…like the fastest hedgehog to run the planet…next to my dad, that is."
Flash arched an eyebrow, "Is that so? We should make a bet on that one."
Being as much as a devil dare as Flash knew her to be, Maria accepted with a dark smile, "You're on!"
"When and if our dad's race, and when my dad wins," Flash deliberately paused and looked up thoughtfully, "You'll go out on another date with me…and wear a dress."
Maria frowned; anyone and everyone who knew the girl knew that she hated wearing dresses, make up, or doing any traditional girlie things outside of hygiene; this was why she probably had a reputation for being such a tomboy.
Then, Maria answered Flash back with a dark smile, "Fine then, but when my dad wins, you'll go to school wearing a cheerleader's uniform."
Maria laughed as Flash invisibly blanched. Although Flash couldn't be characterized as macho, he still had his pride. Maria put her hand out before him, "Do we have a deal?"
Flash looked at her hand, then back at the smirking girl before shaking her hand, "…I want a red dress and high heels."
Maria burst out into another torrent of laughter as she shook Flash's hand. After the deal was sealed, the sapphire blue hedgehog looked back at her with a serious gaze, "…So on Friday night when we play Westopolis High…will you be there?"
The purple-eyed bat's once devilish smile turned soft, "Of course I will. I'll be out in the crowd of your millions and zillions of fans. Just don't let me see you fumble the ball, Flashy."
Flash laughed, "Right. Well, I better end this before it gets anymore weird, with me practically standing naked in your hallway."
Maria laughed nervously as she gazed at the floor. Briefly she wondered just how many girls would pay to be in her position. She looked up at Flash when she heard his deep, yet somehow light voice.
She looked into lucid yellow-green eyes, "…But you know, the crowd doesn't matter to me…as long as you're there, that's all I need."
If Maria had thought he was staring at her deeply before, now he was gazing into her eyes as if peering into her soul. She ignored the few stray strands of bangs that fell into her eyes as Flash gazed at her. Although his face was perfectly straight, somehow he was able to look both perfectly serious and yet passionate at the same time.
The smaller white bat suddenly felt that the rising tension between them was too much, like the temperature had increased wickedly. She took a small scoot away from him, 'Oh my goodness, what is wrong with me!? And why in the hell is he staring at me like that!? Looks like he's trying to set me on fire with his laser vision or something. Whatever, this is too freaky….I gotta get the hell outta here!!'
Maria covered her burning face as she slid passed Flash, "…Um…Excuse me…I need a shower!"
With that, she slammed the door, leaving a semi confused Flash looking back after her, "…Um…"
The rainy afternoon transformed into a rainy night. But with both Sonic and Amy's company, Shadow was not in the least bit bored. They spent most of their evening in their living room, nicknamed the 'headquarters' by Sonic, because it was the place were they spent most of their time together.
At dinner Flash, as well as Maria had joined them, then ventured to the family room to watch television. And after cleaning the dishes the three adults opted to chatting in the HQ. Amy had fixed each of them a mug of hot chocolate with a single lick of cream.
Shadow stared into his mug at the steaming chocolate, watching the cream slowly melting away. He looked away when he heard Sonic's voice. Somehow Sonic had managed to make his voice squeak with an annoying twang and Shadow almost split his drink on himself.
Ah, and who wouldn't enjoy a nice, steaming cup of hot chocolate split in their lap? Shadow glared dangerously, "What Sonic, what!?"
"Man," Sonic moaned with a hiss, "Why in the world does everyone plan on committing their crimes on a Friday!? You'd think criminals would want to take the day off! Playing hero is great, but just save me a holiday, or something."
Shadow smirked, "Well, that's what happens when you're a hero for an occupation."
Sonic sighed, rising to his feet, "Well, I'll be back in a sec. I gotta take care of a bank robbery."
Before he left, Sonic smiled and winked at Amy. In a flash of light, he darted away, zipping out of the backdoor.
The front doorbell rang as Shadow turned to face the door. Entering, where a pair of hedgehogs; Scythe and Daisy, "Honey, I'm home!"
Scythe was Eggman's second to last creation and one of the finest marks in science, as the doctor was able to create a being that was composed of both organic and robotic substances.
This allowed the dark hedgehog the mixed benefits of being both robotic and organic; with the robotic capabilities: Scythe was at least one hundred times stronger than the average male hedgehog, and was enabled heat vision, night vision.
He was also was created with an amazing, calculator-like brain that was capable of solving the most complex mathematic problems within seconds.
At the same time, through being a living, breathing creature, Scythe is capable of experiencing emotions, with his favorites being anger and contempt. Also, just like real beings, Scythe needed food and sleep.
Over time he adorned himself in a gray, more so silver blazer; although he claimed that silver was a girl's color. He always had a preference for Jordans, so he kept to the classic white and black edition.
His love of twelve years was a yellow, petite, brown-eyed hedgehog named Daisy. Unlike Scythe she had a conventional life; raised by a loving, wealthy family, grew up in a pristine well-to-do neighborhood, and attended a prestigious all girls school.
Her life only took a spiral from normality when one day as she was walking on the beach one cool Saturday morning just outside of her estate. She found, low and behold, Scythe washed up on a shore.
Then after that, it was history. The seemingly two opposite hedgehogs fell hard for each other. Although Daisy was constantly affectionate, as her bubbly personality allowed her to be, Scythe loved the yellow hedgehog twice as much as she loved him!
Whenever Daisy shared stories of how her gruff husband was loving and affectionate like a puppy, both Amy and Tikal laughed at her disbelievingly.
'So he cooks for you whenever you ask, eh?' Amy asked with a mischievous smile.
'And you also claim that your husband graciously does the dishes?' Tikal and Amy exchanged knowing smiles.
'Yeah! Hey! I saw those smiles!' then the yellow hedgehog sighed, 'Hmph! I know you don't believe me for a second. Well whatever, he's the sweetest guy around moi, and that's all that counts.'
Over time, Daisy lost the cute appeal of a young school girl for the look of an attractive young lady; she dropped the white sweater and purple skirt for a newly loved purple dress.
Shadow looked up and after acknowledging his friends, he looked away, "…Rose hedgehog that's why we lock those doors, so people like them don't come in here."
Scythe smiled wickedly, "You can kiss my--"
"Scythe!"
"…Shoe," Scythe finished lamely.
Daisy's glare softened remarkably as Scythe flashed her a silly grin, "That's better…I suppose…"
Scythe smirked, then looked at Shadow, "So how's life as a housewife, Shadow?"
"Hmph," Shadow rolled his eyes, "Just because I'm not out there on the streets fighting alongside you does not mean that I'm doing nothing."
It was known fact among his friends that after Rouge's death, Shadow had gone berserk. He went on a complete warpath and destroyed thousands of homes and several villages. He also split much blood that day. From that day on, Shadow had resigned himself to any type of violence.
However, a mundane lifestyle was still ludicrous; Shadow was recruited by an agency, where bounty hunters for hire. He was enlisted by a beefy alligator, a quiet chameleon, and a cheery bee. He worked alongside the other three detectives.
"Yeah!" Daisy piqued, "He's a good detective, so leave him alone!"
"Well, I guess. Now where's Sonic? He promised me that he'd beat me in some Super Smash bros. Not that I believe him for one second. I mean, he plays as freakin' Pikachu and I'm unbeatable with Samus. Samus 'the murderer' Aran."
His wife looked displeased, "...Did you just make up that nickname right now?"
"...No."
Amy shrugged, "Sorry, but he just left on a rescue mission."
"Well, tell him to come back from that rescue mission. He owes me a game of Smash bros!"
Scythe paused, then looked from Shadow to Amy, "…So, do any of you guys play?"
Unlike the previous rainy, wet days, this morning was beginning to unfold as a beautiful day. Overlooking the clear, crystal blue ocean was the floating Angel Island. The tropical paradise housed one of the most powerful sources of energy; the Master Emerald. And, it was even the emerald's power that kept the lovely island afloat.
Today, young Maria decided to visit her other set of family friends: the echidnas. Their floating abode was miles and miles from any type of civilization, so she had to take a mile long boat cruise to get anywhere near the island. So while boat tugged peacefully, Maria looked at the scenery thoughtfully, watching the last traces of Station Square vanish.
Every time she or Shadow went to visit Angel Island, she always ended up wondering why the Echidnas couldn't have just decided to live in Station Square just like all her other Godparents had!
Then she wouldn't have to take a two-hour cruise to and back from the nearly void island. But the Echidnas were her family just like Hedgehogs; she had known them ever since she could remember.
Although her relationship with the Echidna family was strong, she wasn't as well acquainted with them as she was with her other Godparents; most of the time Knuckles and his wife Tikal were busy guarding the Master Emerald together.
Their son Sol was completely dedicated to his Guardian training; this meant that he had practically no outside social life; no Friday nights at movies, or going to arcades. When the young echidna set his mind to something, he did it to the best of his ability.
Maria watched happily as the ship's port came into view. And just when the ship came into dock, Maria ignored the conventional exit and made her own by jumping off of the ship and gliding into the harbor.
She landed lightly on her feet and ignored the curious glances received upon her landing. With a deep sigh, she readjusted her duffel bag and headed on her way.
-To be continued!