A Shadow of Myself
Chapter 1: Chaos... Revival... Reflection

As Sonic and the others returned to Earth, Sonic couldn't help but let tears come to his eyes. The only thing Sonic ever wanted was someone to match him- match his speed. Sonic needed a rival; Knuckles and Tails were no match for him. Amy tried to cheer him up with her usual bubbly self, but nothing worked.

"Sonic, Shadow's gone," Tails explained. "There's no changing it so get over it. What would Shadow do?"

What would Shadow do? Good question- what would he do? Get revenge? But that's not me... Sonic thought. I can't do anything. The voice inside- it stopped. I'm not the ultimate life form- but if Shadow was... how could he die? Tears continued to flow from Sonic's eyes. Knuckles who wasn't one to let you cry on his shoulder, walked over to Sonic. "Don't you have to go Knuckles?" Sonic asked.

"The Master Emerald can wait. What's up Sonic?" Knuckles, for once, worried.

"I don't want to talk about it. Go," Sonic had to run; get everything out of his mind- wipe it away. So he ran.

Meanwhile...

Ultimate... chaos... Maria... Sonic... Sonic... Shadow thought. Still in his super form, Shadow fell. He could see red and a pain went through his body. He immediately yelled, "Chaos Control," with the last strength that he had. Then he appeared in a black area with only Maria standing before him. "Maria… I-I can move; I'm still alive…" Shadow stuttered. "Where are we?"

"Shadow, we are in a special area. An area where only certain people go. You're one of those people, Shadow. This is between life and death. And I think you deserve life. People want you back," Maria smiled.

"No one wants me. Eggman used me, and Rouge..." Shadow mumbled.

"And Sonic?"

"Sonic hates me,"

"Sonic loves you Shadow. You're the only one who is able to keep up with him. You must go back- now Shadow!"

"But Maria..."

"Use Chaos Control!" "Chaos Control!" Shadow coughed and disappeared. The pain flowed through his body and he felt like he was burning.

"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog," Maria whispered. As Shadow fell to Earth, he saw memories of Sonic, Amy, Tails, Eggman, Rouge, Knuckles, and Maria flashing before him.

Maria, save me... Maria... Shadow didn't what was happening or what was going to happen. Shadow just fell, then it struck him. Maria wanted me to fulfill... Shadow fell unconscious into the water. His super form wouldn't last and he couldn't do anything about it. Shadow's power was so low that he couldn't move his arms to swim. So he fell. Nearby, Eggman was flying around in one of his machines and he saw Shadow in the crystal clear water of Emerald Coast.

To Eggman, he appeared to be unconscious so he slowly approached him. Eggman snatched him by the body and flew off. Shadow flinched a few times, but then lay still. The last motion of Shadow was the closing of his left fist. Sonic ran, faster than he had ever run before. "Shadow, come back. Race me. Beat me." Sonic whispered between sobs. "Shadow..." Sonic tripped from going so fast. "You were a great person to know. Please Shadow," Sonic mumbled. Sonic stood up and stopped. "I'm stupid. I can't change anything. What was I thinking anyway? But... Shadow..."

Kitty: So how did you like it? You can leave flames, whatever. Well, whatever.