SHADOWS DARKNESS

II

The entire town was gathered at the City Hall of the New Station square (NSS). There were folding chairs set up everywhere and there was a stage in front of the entrance to City Hall. The Mayor stepped up on Stage and walked up to the micro-phone.

"Thank you all for coming. Now I present to you… the heroes that saved us from the Black Arms!" The Mayor cried.

Sonic the hedgehog, who was now 18 years old walked up to the stage. Behind him was Tails, who was now 11, and behind him was Knuckles the Echidna, who was now 19, and behind him was Rouge the Bat, who was now 20, and behind her came Amy Rose, who was now 15, and behind her came Cream the Rabbit, who was now 11, and behind her came Espio the Chameleon, who was now 19, and behind him walked Vector the Crocodile, who was now 23, and behind him buzzed Charmy the Bee, who was now 9, and behind him came Tikal the Echidna and Chaos Zero.

Sonic kneeled before the Mayor and he placed a medal around the hedgehog's neck. Everyone got a Medal, and then the Mayor stepped up to the microphone.

"Let's have a round of applause for our heroes!"

The crowd cheered so loud that people miles away could hear there happy cries.

Sonic snatched the micro-phone from the Mayor, "Citizens of New Station Square! Thank you for these medals, but the real hero is Shadow the Hedgehog!" Sonic said.

"Where is he?" someone yelled.

Rouge grabbed the micro-phone from Sonic, "To tell the truth we don't really know, we've been to busy helping fix Station Square that we've been to busy to go looking for him!" Rouge said.

"Well then," The Mayor started grabbing the micro-phone, "I will make sure that this Shadow person receives an incredible award for his heroic actions! Until then, let's have applause for Sonic and his friends!"

The crowd cheered again. Sonic felt bad that Shadow wasn't getting any thanks so he started chanting: "Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! Shadow!"

Soon the crowd started to do the same: "SHADOW! SHADOW! SHADOW!"

TAILS WORKSHOP

Everyone was at Tails workshop, including Hope. Hope was now permanently living with them now, because Hope's Aunt really didn't want Hope to be living with her so she said it was okay is she lived with Sonic and Tails. Sonic and Tails were happy to have her living with them.

They were all sitting around talking.

"Man that was some party" Sonic said grinning.

"It sure was" Knuckles said and then he burped, "Man, that burger is coming back on me!"

All the guys laughed at Knuckles burp, while the girls rolled there eyes.

"That party would've been perfect if the real hero was there" Rouge said sounding a bit sad.

"Indeed" Tikal agreed.

"Hey, Shadow may have destroyed Devil Doom, but we are all heroes here!" Vector said.

Knuckles nodded.

"But Shadow is the biggest hero out of all of us" Amy said.

Sonic nodded, he would never admit it, but he could never have beaten Devil Doom like Shadow had.

"I miss him" Hope said.

"I do too" Sonic said nodding.

"I hope he is okay" Rouge replied.

"I'm sure he is fine after all he is the Ultimate Life Form" Tails said reassuring her.

It was quiet for a few minutes until Vector stood up, "Well we best be getting out of here, it's getting late"

Espio stood up and he started to walk out the door with Vector and Charmy, "If we see Shadow we will call you"

"Thanks" Hope said smiling.

"I'm going to bed" Tails said yawning, "Goodnight everybody"

"Goodnight" Everyone said.

"I should probably be getting back to Angel Island" Knuckles said. Tikal and Chaos stood up; they lived on Angel Island with Knuckles. "Tikal can you warp us there?" Knuckles asked.

Tikal smiled, "Of course" she stretched up her arms and they all disappeared in a red light.

"Sonic? Can I sleep here tonight?" Rouge asked.

"Sure" Sonic said nodding,

"Can I sleep here too? We can share a bed…" Amy asked smiling.

"No!" Sonic said pointing to the door, "Last time we did that I woke in the middle of the night and I was tied to the mattress!"

"Awww…" Amy wined walking out the door with Cream and Cheese.

Sonic showed Rouge to the guest room it was small and the mattress was hard, but she lay down and stared out the window.

She thought of Shadow and how he was doing. She put her hands together like she was praying.

Oh, lord, were ever Shadow is, please let him be safe and warm, She prayed.

She then closed her eyes and went to sleep.