I Will Always Return

by Austin Seville

On the anniversary of Maria's death, Shadow makes his yearly trip to the graveyard where she now rests. When he returns home to the ARK, however, his grief sets in motion the fulfillment of his heart's deepest longing. Song is "I Will Always Return" by Bryan Adams and is not mine.

DISCLAIMER: The song is "I Will Always Return" by Bryan Adams. It is NOT mine.

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I hear the wind, call my name,
The sound that leads me home again,
The sparks of the fire,
A flame that still burns,
To you, I will always return

Shadow the Hedgehog stood at the gates of an old graveyard. The night was as black as his fur; the moon as white as snow. Rain fell lightly from the sky; a calm shower. Shadow strode somberly past many graves, to a small area in the rear of the yard. He crouched in front of an old tombstone, dating back almost half a century, and placed a flower at the base. Crouched in front of the stone, he cried as he read the engraved name: Maria Robotnik.

I know the road is long,
But where you are is home
Forever you stay,
I'll find the way!

Shadow stayed there for a moment, and prayed. Then he returned to the Space Colony ARK, the old ship he called home. That night, he slept on the floor in Maria's old room, and cried himself to sleep.

I'll run like the river,
I'll follow the sun,
I'll fly like an eagle,
To where I belong!

The next day, Shadow looked gloomily around Gerald Robotnik's old office. As he sat behind the desk, he noticed one of the drawers was open. A certain file caught his eye, so he pulled it out. Its contents led him to the Doctor's old cloning machine, and a Master Emerald shard called the Soul Catcher. Apparently, if Echidna lore was right, Maria's spirit was inside it.

I can't stand the distance,
I can't dream alone
I can't wait to see you,
Yes I'm on my way home.

Shadow placed the gem in the machine, and then realized he would need a DNA sample. Then, it hit him: even if he revived Maria, she would eventually die again. If only she could be immortal, like him. Shadow looked into the empty DNA donor tube, and realized the simple solution.

"Like me..." he whispered. He activated the machine, and dashed inside the tube.

Now I know it's true,
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness,
Your light gets me through!

The machine whirred for about 30 seconds before Shadow was released from the tube. He rushed to the other chamber, hoping against hope to see his love. The metal door slid away to reveal a beautiful, yellow hedgehog. She had long, blonde hair, and luscious, blue eyes. Shadow turned away, as she lacked clothing, and handed her a dress he had readied. Maria quickly put it on, and then they embraced.

You run like the river,
You shine like the sun,
You fly like an eagle,
Yeah you are the one!

"Maria, I missed you so much..." Shadow sobbed, tears rushing from his eyes.

"I missed you too, Shadow," she replied, holding him close. After what felt like an eternity, they separated. Maria had returned, free of NIDS, and immortal to boot. Neither she, nor Shadow, could possibly have been happier.

I've seen every sunset,
And with all that I've learned,
Oh, it's to you I will always...
Always return...