Ok, now that I "calmly and reasonably" talked Pinkie Pie out of destroying my house
(apparently all she wanted was to see the first chapter of this story) then that's exactly
what we're gonna do.
Before we go on, just remember, this story is a companion read-along with the main story
More To Me Than That. It's recommended that you read that story first.
This chapter of this story, for the record, is what happens right after
the last chapter of More To Me Than That from Shadow's perspective. Pay attention to
some parts of both stories overlapping from time to time.
Anyhow, with no further ado... (and no Pinkie wrecking my house today) ...Here we go!
Determination of the Strong
Chapter 1: Shadows of Irrelevance
As if this whole experience over the last couple of years weren't tough enough for
Shadow, what happened tonight had to take the cake and rub it in his face. First; he
happened to see Twilight chatting with (and making friendly to) Tails of all Mobians at the
ice-cream parlor, Second; he saw and heard Twilight confess her love to Tails, Finally;
after telling her how he really felt, he was met with how Twilight truly felt about him (or
simply emotional rage to get him off her back, he couldn't tell anymore.) And to think his
bad luck would have started with something that seemed so good.
Flashback ... 3 months before the Mobians arrive in Equestria ...
"Shadow the Hedgehog, do you read me, over?" Shadow was leaning against a wall
inside Dr. Eggman's new and improved lair, holding a radio in his hand. The voice on the
other end, was none other than the commander of G.U.N. or the Guardian Unit of Nations,
a secret agency designed to protect Mobius from all sorts of evil. Unlike Sonic and
friends, who Shadow joined on their missions from time to time, G.U.N. was a legitimate
agency funded by the government to complete top-secret missions to protect the
freedom and interests of Mobius.
Shadow on the other hand, was never completely loyal to the standards of G.U.N. or any
standards for that matter. He was never wholly an evil villain, despite being created by
evil alien blood as a part of a scientist's plan to discover the secrets of immortality, but
he's never the straight-up model of "good" either.
The most accurate description of Shadow's moral allegiances are that he is loyal to what
he thinks and believes is good. An anti-hero. "I read you loud and clear commander."
Shadow responded on the radio. The commander continued "Shadow, we need you to
find the weapon room's main computer and find a way to destroy it.
Our spy has told us that Eggman has set up a launch date for a new missile projection
system and he plans to test it in an abandoned field in West Metropolis and..."
"Say no more Commander." Shadow interrupted the radio broadcast and turn off the
device. Although he could teleport, he also can go very fast and float on his hover-shoes,
which he elected to do in this case because he wanted
the challenge of whatever robotic or technological weaponry anyone would send in his
Way.
He enjoyed the thrill of the challenge that came with being the Ultimate Lifeform. He was
so powerful, that he actually had to create golden arm bracelets and golden anklets that
inhabited his all-powerful Chaos energy as not to scare anyone around him because of
who he was at full power.
If things came to the worst possible outcome for himself or someone else, or if the world
really needed a powerful hero in times of crisis, he would usually take off only the
bracelets; but then also take off the anklets at a later time if he ever really needed to
unleash himself. Sure enough, as Shadow continued down the path he was on, he saw a
gigantic television screen with a map of the entire
Eggman Facilities showing. Shadow scowled. "Hmph. Looks like the Doctor made it a
little too easy for me today." Just then, he heard familiar laughter echo over a
loudspeaker. Deep, dark yet utterly annoying laughter. As if he had to make himself clear,
but didn't need to because everyone knew who the laugh belonged to. "Beginning
Explosive Weapon KX-70 Explosiosa Launch in T- 10 minutes..." the voice projected over
the screen.
"Hmph!" Shadow thought to himself. "So it sounds
like Eggman is gonna hide the true launching weapons on one of his bases and has
given me plenty of time to find a way to destroy his labs whilehaving a real team take
care of the bad doctor."
Back to the present...
Shadow shook his head rapidly to get that memory out. He wanted to reflect on it some
more, but he had other things to process now. Such as the undeniable truth nagging at
his head.
He had always been better in life with at least one person who was always by his side.
Listening to him and fully understanding him.
Someone who understood that he would be more than willing to understand his
ways of doing whatever it takes to get the job done; to understand his anti-heroish state
of mind.
Not necessarily accept it, but tolerate Shadow's way of thinking, and hopefully gain more
perspective from it rather than mock it. Believe it or not, things weren't as antagonizing
as they were when Shadow left Twilight's tonight. She was actually one of Shadow's
closest friends and allies during the year since Sonic and crew first decided to stay there.
It was only very recently that she started having a close affection for Tails. Normally,
Shadow wouldn't have minded his friend having
affections for another friend; but something felt a little off about this. Was it that the two
were too similar perhaps? Or was there something he himself lacked? He tossed every
single reason for such an outcome on its head, dissected it, bissected it, examined it,
re-examined it, attempted to discover new possibilities (well, you get the idea). Shadow
imagined just about every single outcome and none seemed to be a suitable explanation.
Maybe there was one he might discover later, but he shoved
that aside.
But after everything that happened and peacefully parting with Twilight on reasonable
terms, he wondered; who would be his best friend now? And would that one last or be
beneficial enough for him? Maria was killed after G.U.N. agents (from a time when G.U.N.
was more corrupt than it was) found about Dr. Robotnik's intent with Shadow and she
ejected him into space to save his life, Rouge the Bat was killed in nearly cold blood in
Shadow's latest G.U.N. mission before he could do anything about it. And now this.
"Another one bites the dust, as it seems." Shadow thought
internally, as he continued to mindlessly wander the Whitetail Woods. It was then he felt a
communication device vibrate, so he picked it up. "Agent Shadow the Hedgehog." the
voice calmly yet seriously spoke. Shadow let out a small grin in relief of having finally
having contact from the agency. "Well it's about time." he said in relief. "When and where
is my next mission?" There was a brief silence over the radio, so Shadow hit it against
the palm of his hand for a bit.
"Maybe there's a connection problem here." Shadow thought out loud to no one in
particular, before he heard a brief sigh over the radio.
"Sorry Shadow, it's not the radio signal. We're just trying to find the best way to
tell you this." Shadow, always up for a challenge, pumped his fist and grinned
determined; as if getting ready for a war.
"That's just it Shadow. There is no more G.U.N." Shadow's countenance
turned from one of being pumped to one of being utterly shocked as the G.U.N
Commander continued on.
"Let us explain. Ever since you
and Sonic helped the Equestrians destroy Discord last year; the Equestrians have been
challenging all of the good planets of the universe with a new ideological theory. Instead
of trying to make everyone better through innovation in technologies or protection; they
have been challenging us to actually improve ourselves. Through kindness, unity,
compassion and honor. The whole universe around us has been in a state of just pure..."
"Harmony?" Shadow guessed in annoyance. "Yeah, that's it." the commander continued.
"So what does this mean then, there has to be something I can do. Some evil in the world
we can vanquish..." before Shadow could finish, the commander interrupted again. "Let
me stop you right there and catch you up on the significance of what I just said. Our
world, the whole universe in fact, is practically purging itself of its own petty issues.
Reason has been the main source of action and our ways of diplomacy have improved
thanks to the Equestrians. It's no longer motivated by greed or
territorial ambition anymore; but what benefits the whole world. We obviously can't stop
all wars on all worlds from happening, but wars have been decreasing in every planet in
the Unified Universe since last year." "Unified Universe?" Shadow asked confused,
which turned into edge as he shot out two simple words to the commander. "Prove it." A
link was then sent to Shadow's communicator in an e-mail form from the commander
with the words, "here's your proof." on it, along with a link.
He clicked it and then found the history of what the universe was like since he
came to Equestria. As it turned out, Shadow did Mobius a HUGE favor in his last mission
with G.U.N. in destroying the Eggman Empire a few days after Sonic and crew arrived.
Because of how well Sonic and friends have represented themselves in valor and in
strength, and Equestria inspired the leaders of Mobius as a nation to look to relationally,
diplomatically and as a whole world altogether; an alliance between two of the universe's
most powerful planets was forged.
Soon enough, billions of planets were inspired by this "harmonious strength" of the two
planets and those who were inspired to take after their cause, united in support and thus
called themselves the United Universe.
"So, it turns out the commander was right. There's really no need for me on Mobius
anymore. But that doesn't mean everyone should live in this ignorance that Equestria set
up for everyone. Just because there's not as much evil in the universe doesn't mean it
can't grow over time." He thought internally.
Shadow told the commander he understood how things were going to be, thanked him,
promised to come back to Mobius if he was ever needed again. "Of course," the
commander replied, "And if you ever need me for anything else, just let me know.
Commander out." Shadow then hung up the communicator. "Well
then, Twilight's no longer going to be an option for researching the United Universe
because she's already made it clear about the 'no problems' policy on her life; so there's
really only one other pony to ask." he thought out loud, then looked towards where
Celestia and Luna's castle was off up in the clouds in the distance. "Make that two." he
said, smirking at how this royal encounter would turn out.
Well guys, there you have it. All in all, I say it was a very great start to "Determination of
the Strong" and...
P.P: Are you KIDDING?!
L.A.E. (LoveAndEdify): *moans* Oh boy, here we go again.
P.P.: That was the most awesomelistictastic opening to any story I've ever SEEN!
*P.P then proceeds to playfully tackle L.A.E to the ground*
L.A.E (LoveAndEdify): Ok, first off. I haven't even gotten into the rest of the story yet, so
hold your horses. And second, I thought you said you weren't gonna bust into my house
if you saw the first chapter.
P.P.: Ok, first off yourself; why are you so lazy that you're calling us by our initials...
LoveandEdify: *facepalms and sighs* Really, that minor issue?
Pinkie Pie: Second, I wasn't going to destroy your house; which I didn't. I never said
anything about never coming back in again. You gotta proofread your intros and really
listen and finally..."
*Pinkie starts bouncing up and down excitedly on LoveandEdify*
Pinkie: "When's the next chapter? When's the next chapter? I don't mind you only calling
me Pinkie if Pinkie Pie's too much for you, but seriously, I'm excited! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Tell me When, Tell me When, Tell me WHEN!"
*LoveandEdify moaning like someone abused after Pinkie Pounds the Cake out of him.
:-(*
LoveandEdify: "Well, definitely after the next chapter of "More to Me Than That" is
finished. But I really can't say anything beyond that and I'm not making a promise, even a
Pinkie one, that I can't keep.
But you can come over for the next chapter and if you want to sometime in all this, we
can do a Q&A Review chap for all the readers... Oh no, please don't!"
*Pinkie almost jumps on LoveandEdify but stops about a few inches short in the sky,
then walks it down like stairs.*
Pinkie: "Okie dokie broskie. Since you said please. Also, can you not talk about yourself
in the 3rd person and can I bring somepony along for the review?"
Me: "Alright then about the third person thing, and yes you can bring in someone for the
review."
Pinkie: "Sweet. I'll bring ALL my favorite treats and probably ALL the Mane 6."
Me: "How about we start with 1 for the first review and when we do the final review for
both the stories, yes you can invite your friends and I'll invite Team Sonic. But seriously
though, I need to go to bed now; so I'll see you for...Wanna be around for "More to Me
Than That"or stick around for this story?
Pinkie: "Hmm...Probably for this story 'cause I wanna see if I get shipped with Shadow
and if things go well for him or not. I wanna see him happy after all."
Me: "Fair enough then. As for the rest of you, I will be seeing you around next time for the
next
chapter of "More to Me Than That."
Keep Loving, Keep Edifying, Keep LoveandEdifying...
Pinkie: "And always keep your Pinkie Promises. :-D"
Me: "Pinkie, for future reference; the outros are my thing until I say otherwise, alright?"
Pinkie: "Alrighty Whitey."
Both: "Goodbye! :-D"