Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the sonic the hedgehog characters or locations. I do, however own this what if story.

"Come on! We gotta stop this thing Shadow!"

"Got it." For Maria, he thought. Although, he couldn't figure out how he and Sonic were actually talking, as there was no air in space. This was quickly brushed aside, however. They had much bigger problems to deal with.

"Chaos CONTROL!!" They both cried in unison; even in their super forms, this would take a herculean effort to accomplish. They braced themselves.

"Shadow...-nnn- need a little help!..."

"We'll get through this...just keep pushing it back!!"

Thunderously, the great ARK came to a halt, averted from its plummet to earth. It had stopped. Unfortunately, Sonic hadn't.

"No! Don't give up on me now faker..."

His golden aura was quickly dissipating and his eyes were slowly closing...but still Sonic chuckled weakly at that insult/joke.

"Ha... you're gettin' good Shad..."

"NO!!!" It was both a mental scream and a physical one, deafening and rage filled.

Shadow tried desperately to catch up with his ever falling body, but he wasn't fast enough. Never fast enough.

Never fast enough...

That was a week ago. It haunted him in his dreams...how could he fail a true hero? If this is what life truly was, it was hopeless.

But through all this, Shadow couldn't help thinking that his grief paled in comparison to those who knew Sonic deeply. After all he had only known Sonic a few days, and he was consumed by sorrow. Shadow closed his eyes, and fitfully and reluctantly drifted into an uneasy sleep.

-Flashback-

Shadow silently made his way back to the observation deck, keeping his head staring at the floor as he moved on.

"Shadow! Nice one!"

His faced cringed at Tails' voice. How would he tell them?

"Where's my beloved Soniku? Is he hiding again?

Everyone started laughing. They won't be soon, thought Shadow.

"I..." Shadows voice quivered uncertainly. " Have to say something..."

Knuckles caught the pain in Shadow voice and immediately signalled everyone to hush.

"What is it, Shadow?"

"Knuckles...um...Sonic fell..."

The echidna was clearly confused, as were everyone else.

He...helped me stop the ARK...but he lost his power...he fell toward the Earth..."

Now they knew what he meant. And they all fell deathly silent, horrified at the truth laid before them.

"I tried to...rescue him...wasn't fast enough..."

Upon saying this, Shadow fell to his knees.

Amy was the first to speak. Despite sobbing and shaking out of shock, she managed to be heard.

"You Bastard!...y-you let him...fall because you were jealous of him!"

"Amy...I never...I'm sorry..."

-End Flashback-

It had been a tough week. Surprisingly, Tails took him in, believed in him. But the wound were still fresh. Tails was a nervous wreck, Shadow couldn't sleep, and judging by the way that no-one had seen or heard from Knuckles in a week he was definitely taking it badly.

Shadow couldn't help but think...

Who will save the world now?