Leaves danced around her feet, the rose female stood alone as her thoughts crossed her mind. Those emerald eyes searched the park as she patiently waited. Her bangs adorned her forehead, her lips as pale pink petals and quills that embraced her neck and shoulders as the wind grew stronger. She stood before the magnificent view of the changing of colors of sunrise, the rays of lights slowly complimenting her colors. Her grey wool coat hugged against her thighs and her black high-heeled boots tapped against the pavement. A smile grew across her peach muzzle as three female creatures approached her.

Just wrapping men around her finger would amuse this seductress, but she believed with staying with one man and one man only. With her figure and aqua eyes couldn't help men fantasize and desire the white creature. The other walked with a flare in her step. The cat creature was tainted lavender, her gold eyes sparked as the sun rose and she possessed the element of fire. Lastly, a brunette creature, a sweet little thing. Positive energy surrounded her figure. With the smallest laugh, it made a heart skip a beat.

"Rouge! Blaze! Ella!", the pink female spoke, her soothing voice enough to make a child dream.

"Amy!", the white bat said.

The females embraced each other, laughing and crying.

"Hope we didn't make you wait too long.", the sweet brunette, Ella, hugged Amy.

"Oh no, don't worry, I just got here.." Amy lied as she wiped away her tears. Waiting in the cold felt like an eternity, "…now let's go, my house is right down the street.

They patiently waited at the cross light, conversing about their lives after the ARK incident. Amy went back into her mind again…

Amy's P.O.V

There's that feeling again…that wretched feeling of which made me grow depressed. I missed them. I missed us all as a team again…I just hadn't seen the others in awhile…no… 2 years wouldn't go under 'awhile'..

Most of all, there was someone I missed the most, one of my friends that I admired. He is a hedgehog as I am. Ebony with red strips that graced his body. Ruby eyes that truly sparkled with determination and courage, eyes that could see into your soul or even poison a mind with insanity. Thoughts only filled his mind and only kept to himself. Yes, I was infatuated with this creature but I honestly I doubt he would let anyone into his life again..

"Amy?....", A husky voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned my body around only to see four figures. Could it be? The blue hedgehog spoke with a shocked expression over his face, his green eyes sparkled as if a child's eyes would while playing with a new toy. A smile grew across his face. He ran to me and picked me up in his arms, hugging me. I don't know how many he said my name but I was too happy to notice. He placed me back on the ground…

"Hello Sonic", I smiled.

I looked around, everyone's face was shining and they embraced one another, I mean I hadn't seen everyone in 2 years. This was what I wanted, now I didn't have to live thinking as a pessimist. I felt my old self come back to me again…

I was approached by two figures. They were like older brothers to me and I loved them as siblings. One, a grey hedgehog with fur that shined like silver and the other, a red echidna, who gave anyone the impression that he would gauge your eyes out but he was a caring person at heart.

"Silver…Knuckles.." I embraced them both and they hugged me back. They felt…different, their bodies felt tight and strong, " …how have you been?"

"We've been great…but Ames, you really have grown." Said Silver

It was true, I had changed. I had grown a bit taller. I was not the 12 year old I was before. I had matured, body and mind. My short quills were know beyond my shoulders. I had curves in right places but none that measured to Rouge. The red outfit I wore as a child, I had discarded, my wardrobe was now more modern and sophisticated. I did not speak in a high, preppy tone.

"I guess I have.." I answered.

Then a pair of arms wrapped around Knuckles' neck, "Hello Knuckles.", Rouge smirked and kissed his cheek.

"You just can't stay away from me, huh?" Blaze laced her fingers with Silver's. He snickered and hugged her.

Knuckles had been dating Rouge and Silver was dating Blaze. They were the only ones who had kept in touch. I saw Sonic and Ella, with their backs towards us, talking and giving small laughs.

"It's been a while hasn't it, Rose?"

A voice as smooth as velvet spoke behind my neck. It spent a tingle down my spine and my ears perk up to the music. I turned around…I truly loved this feeling..

"Shadow.." I looked into those eyes, those beautiful eyes. I tried to open my mouth but no word came out, my lips were frozen.

The seconds turned into minutes. No, I didn't want it to be like this. Suddenly, I couldn't contain myself. I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought him into an embrace.

Shadow's P.O.V

She took me by surprise and embraced me. Usually I'd find this awkward, but this one was so gentle and caring. I felt the warmness of a blush grow upon my cheeks. I wrapped around her slender waist and laid on her shoulder. A faint rose scent overwhelmed my sense, my heart was flying. Her eyes opened, those emeralds twinkled as if they were under a trance.

"I've missed you so much, Shadow", she grinned.

"I can say the same thing, Rose.", I stroked her hand. The last time I seen her was 2 years ago.

Amy's P.O.V

"This is great!" I heard Sonic yelled, "We're back together again!"

I couldn't agree more. We didn't realize that the traffic lights had changed about three times and drivers were giving us questioning looks wondering if we would cross the street or not. Sonic looked at his watch and his eyes flew open.

"We should get to my place, guys. The game is going start in a few.." he told them, "..we have to get together sometime"

We all agreed. I saw Sonic give Ella a soft peck on the lips before he left. Were they together? We said our goodbyes and crossed the north street as the guys crossed west. I stayed silent for the rest of the walk. It has 4 years since that horrible day. I replayed the ARK incident in my head…

4 years ago..

It was the time that the world would end. We were all there. An obese man by the name of Eggman had plotted this scheme and I started to believe that 'home' would not exist anymore. Sonic and Shadow were out in space, preventing the power of Eggman's new weapon from coming in contact with Earth. Gold auras surrounded their bodies…they glowed like gods. They looked so determined, giving everything that they had to save everyone. They both were in conversation. I noticed that Sonic was yelling at Shadow, his eyes filled with worry. Shadow stayed calm, eyes closed…I couldn't understand what was going on.

The power was beginning to stop. It brought relief back into my lungs. What I saw next shocked us all. Shadow lunged at Sonic and punched him in the gut. Sonic was unconscious, he looked so handsome as he floated around in space. Shadow took his body and pushed it towards the ARK ship. Knuckles and Silver ran towards the hatch to retrieve Sonic. I looked back out the window…Shadow was deep in thought.

A hiss of the automatic doors perked up my ears. Sonic's weak body was supported by Knuckles and Silver, he was conscious.

Everyone gathered around him, asking him questions of sorts. I pushed my way through.

"Sonic! What going on!?..", I asked hysterically, "What is Shadow-!"

"Ames..", He cut me off, "..he is giving up his life.." The room went completely silent.

"What?.." I whispered.

"I tried to talk him out of it, but he's not going to stop…He said.."

"The humans are to be given a chance to be happy and I almost destroyed that chance. I am going to fulfill Maria's wish, Sonic, and you're not going to stand in my way.."

I saw the fear, the worry, the sadness, all in Sonic's eyes. He looked away from me. I backed away from the crowd.

"My God…MY GOD!!" , I screamed.

I looked back out the window, just in time to see Shadow fly up higher into space.

"Shadow!!" I screamed as I ran out of the room. I had to get to him! I had to stop him!

I ran up the stairs through all the levels 'til I finally reached the top level of the ARK ship and there he was. He looked so beautiful…I saw him in the process of his sacrifice, he took off his energy wrist rings and let them float off into space.

Tears escaped my eyes and I screamed. I ran towards the window and began to bang my fists against the plexiglass, hiccups in between my sobs. As I hoped…I caught his attention. He looked at me, he had never seen me like this, no one had. I pressed my hand against the window..

"Don't go.." I whispered.

He gave me one of his smiles and pressed his hand against the glass, "Thank you..", his lips formed the words. I had reminded him of his promise…

"Please don't go." I whispered again.

He looked away from me. He flew further away from the ARK colony, now he was in the middle of everything. His view was focused on the energy source. The power was beginning to grow stronger again. Just as the power was about to hit Shadow, he yelled out and then…

All I could remember was white. A bright light that filled out into space and blinded me .A frequency noise deafening me. The light gave me a warm feeling. I felt like all my burdens were lifted off my shoulder. The lights quickly went out and I came back to my senses. I looked out the window and saw Shadow's body fall towards the Earth.

"Shadow!!" I pressed my body against the glass. No! He couldn't die like this! No! I watched in horror as his body disappeared.

He was gone…

I slid down the window. I lost the feeling in my body. My throat burned from all my screaming. I never felt like this. I hated this feeling! Damn it! Part of me was taken away…and once again, I let the world hear me…

"SHADOOOOW!!"