The Reunion
Shadow wondered. He wondered what life would be like with Maria. Ever since she was killed, murdered by those ignorant soldiers, Shadow felt as if a part of himself had died along with her. Now, every happy moment, every milestone, every single memory, had a sort of hollowness to it that always hung in the back of his mind. Nothing was right anymore. As he wandered through all of these thoughts, his mind was too clouded to see the tree that he walked right into. He staggered backwards into the tall, swaying grass and cursed loudly as he hit the ground.
He stood up and admired the trees that engulfed him on all sides. He was in a hollow in the middle of a forest near Station Square. Tall wildflowers of purple, pink, blue, and white danced with the grass at his waist. It was like a dream, so why couldn't he be happy? It wasn't fair. He knew he should be grateful that Maria gave her life for his, but why did she have to do it? If Shadow was created to aid mankind at all costs, why couldn't he have saved the only human that meant anything to him at all?
He punched the tree and it creaked and groaned against his amazing force. "I am Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Life Form, created by Gerald Robotnik, and yet I can't save a twelve-year-old girl!" He punched the tree again and it tilted as the roots fought against the black hedgehog. "I'm an embarressment!" With a final punch, the tree came crashing to the ground with a huge moan and a cloud of uprooted dirt. Shadow slowly inhaled and exhaled, not to catch his breath, but to calm himself down. Controlling anger had never been a stronghold of his. "I have to keep this off my mind." He admitted to himself as he activated his jet-soled shoes. In one swift movement, he was gone, leaving nothing in his place but the dead, mangled body of an oak tree.
"Hey, Buddy! Whatsup?" Was the first thing Shadow heard when he reached the bustling sidewalk of the square.
"Ugh. What do you want, Blue Hedgehog?"
"Hey, hey! I was just wondering what was happening in your life! Man, can't you take a joke, Faker?"
"Faker?" Shadow mumbled, "I think you're the fake hedgehog around here! You're not even good enough to be my fake..."
"Ah, let's cut the trash talk, I'm not in the mood for it." Sonic responded with a sly smile, "So, you never answered my question. How're ya doin'?" Sonic asked again.
"I don't have time for this. Run while you still can, Hedgehog." Shadow growled.
"Okay, alright. I get it." Sonic said jokingly, his hands up in the air, "I'll leave you alone. you must have so much to do. Heh-heh."
"I swear, one of these days..." Shadow threatened, "I will hurt you so badly..." Sonic looked unconvinced, but now, irritation began to grow in his eyes.
"What? You gonna keep talkin' trash, or do ya wanna go?"
"THAT'S IT!" Shadow screamed at the top of his lungs, "YOU'RE DEAD!" He reached for his inhibitor rings as Sonic readied himself into a battle stance.
Click! Click! Shadow's inhibitor rings fell to the ground as he released them from his wrists. They clattered on the pavement as Shadow's mouth turned up in a wicked sneer. Sonic lunged, but Shadow was just too strong at his full power. He began to glow with a bright crimson aura that matched his wrathful spikes, and in a single punch, Sonic was knocked onto his back. Shadow wasn't done yet, though. He delivered a powerful blow to Sonic's ribcage and Sonic cringed in pain when Shadow's foot collided with his side. Shadow pulled his foot back a second time and was about to kick the helpless hero in his face, when Shadow remembered to control his fury. He took a few deep breaths, picked his inhibitor rings back up, clipped them back in place, and walked away. Sonic was left on the sidewalk. Police cars were starting to gather on the side of the road as people gasped when they got a clear look at him. Defeated by Shadow's pain and anger. Such a pitiful sight.