Prologue
It was over. Of that, Shadow was certain. As the agent of G.U.N surveyed the remains of what was once Robotropolis, Shadow couldn't help but feel an air of finality surrounding him. He remembered how he himself had gotten involved in that war. Having been created by one Professor Gerald Robotnik to be the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow had been placed into a cryogenic sleep and suffered amnesia from the traumatic loss of a friend. Fifty years later, he was found by Julian Robotnik, whom referred to himself as Dr. Eggman. Eggman was the descendant of Professor Gerald, and had sought to use Shadow to conquer the planet in the name of his "Eggman Empire". Thankful for being awakened, Shadow had helped him. To this day Shadow had felt remorse for his actions for they had almost destroyed the planet, had it not been for one certain annoying, superspeed capable ball of blue fur.
"Thinking about me?"
Shadow whirled around to see Sonic the hedgehog, the very hedgehog he had been thinking about. Sonic stood about Shadow's height, having solid blue fur and red running sneakers. His quills, which had grown slightly longer over the course of time, laid flat against the back of his head, which gave a clear view of the golden grown that sat above his brow.
"It's been a long time, Faker." Shadow jeered. "Or would you rather I called you "Your Highness"?"
It would have been a lie. After many years of fighting a war, and a few weeks of prompting from his friends when the war finally ended, Sonic had finally worked up the nerve to slow down and ask his friend since childhood, Princess Sally Acorn, to marry him. Now, one whole year since Eggman's final fall, Sonic has become what several have decreed as the greatest king Mobius, and already he and Sally were expected a pair of twins to be born.
"Save that last bit." said Sonic. "I have to deal with that enough back home. So what are you doing here?"
Shadow looked back out to the ruins of Robotropolis.
"I and an assortment of G.U.N troops have been assigned to clean up the surrounding area, and, might I add, its about time. What about you?"
"Stress relief," Sonic admitted. "With the worries and responsibilities that have fallen onto me as both king as a soon to be father, I almost miss the old days, and I emphasize the word "almost"."
Shadow chuckled at this. Even when he was slowing down, Sonic had to be moving at lightspeed.
"Do as you wish, but don't get in the way. My men and I have work to do."
Shadow made a move in the direction of the ruins, but was stopped by Sonic laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, Shadow. How about once through the city for old time's sake?"
There it was, as Shadow was expecting. Sonic just couldn't pass up a chance to challenge Shadow to a race, and, in some cases, he could understand why. Sonic was, by self-proclaimed title, the fastest thing alive. The only person that could match his awe inspiring speed was that of Shadow's speed. Therefore, when the two were alone, Sonic would pester the ebony hedgehog until he conceded to his whims. So, rather than dragging up any old arguments he could have used, Shadow knelt down into a starting position, with Sonic kneeling alongside him.
"Ready."
"Set."
"GO!"
In two blurs of gold and blue, the hedgehogs were off. As they surged through ruins, they could see several big machines with the G.U.N logo printed on the side as they salvaged and cleared through the refuse. Ever the prankster, Sonic would occasionally pass by some of the workers, and knock them over with a sonic boom. Shadow would then go and help his men to their feet. This continued on until the two reached the other end of the city, where they came to a stop.
"I'll give ya this, Shads." Sonic said, panting slightly. "You haven't lost your touch."
"Same to you." grumbled Shadow. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"General Shadow."
The hedgehog looked up to see one of his soldiers walking up to them.
"What is it?"
"You may want to see this for yourself, sir."
The soldier led Shadow to a section where the soldiers had been working, and directed his attention to a small hole in the wall of a half-way fallen building; the sight that met Shadow was astounding. It was a mobian baby, roughly a few weeks old. Though wrapped tightly in a pink blanket, Shadow could make out that its body was covered in a light layer of chestnut colored fuzz, and had the makings of blonde hair forming onto its head. With the hands of a surgeon, Shadow gently reached down and gathered it up. When the child wiggled in his arms, Shadow felt relieved that it was still alive; further inspection also revealed it was a girl.
"Thank you for your assistance, corporal." Shadow said to the soldier. "You're dismissed."
The soldier saluted, then went about his business. Sonic walked up at this time, and his face revealed that he was just as surprised as Shadow had been to see the little creature.
"Didn't expect to see that here." He remarked after a moment of silence. "Would you like for me to take it back to Mobotropolis?"
Shadow mulled that one over. He wasn't completely sure why, but for some reason he could bring himself to comply with that idea. It wouldn't have been too difficult: just give the kid to Sonic, and he'd never have to worry about it again. But, as strange as it may have seemed, Shadow couldn't bring himself to give her away; it just felt right to hold her in his arms.
"No." he finally responded. "You and Sally have enough to worry about with two of your own on the way. Besides, Amy and I are holding our wedding ceremony next month, and she has already been talking about having children."
This raised Sonic's eyebrow. Amy Rose, a kind girl with a fiery temper, had once upon a time chased Sonic constantly to obtain his love, though Sonic saw her more as a sister rather than a girlfriend. To hear that she was now engaged to Shadow was interesting. But, in retrospect, it made sense. In many ways the two evened each other out, and it just seemed to fit.
"Congratulations. It may drive you crazy sometimes, but I can promise you it will be worth it."
Sonic then looked down at the baby.
"So, got a name for her?"
Shadow thought that one over. He remembered his time upon the ARK with his best friend, Maria Robotnik, and recalled how she had once said that, if she ever had a daughter, she would name it Gabriella; the reason why escaped him.
"Gabriella." Shadow stated. "An angel named after an angel."
