It was cold... So cold. It felt as if my entire body was throbbing with the inconceivable need for warmth. Any kind of warmth. I didn't really care if I need to set my fur on fire... Just, please dear chaos...

MAKE IT STOP.

Finally, after a few lengthy minutes of internally screaming in pain and rage, I had found the courage and energy to open my eyes. A vast slew of iridescent white powder covered any and all formations, including myself. Rocks, trees, and even animals were stationary in space and time as if the entire planet had spontaneously frozen. The cold glacial air was rushing at what felt like hundreds of miles per hour right over my lying frigid-cold body. Amongst the whispering wind, that I swear was telling me to just go back to sleep, was a voice. It was sweet... Beckoning me to follow it. I don't really know how I got the idea but... The voice felt warm. As if the sound of its loving and calming words somehow emitted heat. This being said, logic was not in my brain at the moment, and I slowly tried to stand from my lying position. Unfortunately, my legs were completely numb, making it nearly impossible to stand without wincing in sheer agony and collapsing to my knees. Frozen icy drops of water started falling from my eyes as I had come to a very stunning and real conclusion. I was going to die... There was absolutely no doubt about it.

Just as the wind calmed a little, it suddenly kicked up again with more ferocity than ever before and once more it sounded like it was trying to lull me back to sleep. I wanted nothing more than to obey its wispy command as I contemplated lying back down in the snow again. If I was going to die... I might as well die in peace and end this horrible torture. However, that passionate voice picked up again... Somehow convincing me that it wasn't my time even though I really couldn't hear a word it was saying. I gained my courage once again and tried to stand up more... The electric shocks of my tired and frozen muscles waking my foggy mind almost instantly. It was then that I realized that I was nowhere near my house. Heck, I wasn't even sure if I was in the same country or continent. It never got this cold where I lived. Even when it snowed, it was usually icier and would melt almost instantly. So where in the world was I?

I took a long and profound breath, the freezing-cold-dry air making my lungs burn and sting with unbelievable discomfort. Wherever I was, I needed to find civilization and fast.

"Sonic... I know you can do it. Do not give up. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise." The voice continued to beckon sweetly, giving me a slight sense of comfort.

I took a single step, my soaked red and white sneakers slipping about five inches below the surface of the snow. I definitely couldn't run now, especially in my current state and unfortunately, I could tell by my inconsistent heartbeat and rather concerning chest pain, that my chaos energy was running very low and having trouble keeping my heart beating. So, I decided to bite down on my lip and bear the pain. All be it until I could find someplace to warm up.

The voice kept calling as I moved forward, not certain which direction I was going but not really caring, to begin with. Its words kept getting louder and clearer as I started to get exhausted from the shocks of sheer agony running up my spine. I never thought I would ever reach this point in my life, where I wanted nothing more than to die and even desiring to lie in the snow and wait for the sweet embrace of death. But the voice continued to persuade me otherwise. And before I knew it, after taking a few more steps while I dragged my rather useless body across the empty wasteland, I could see a figure. It was barely visible with my foggy vision, but It was definitely another Mobian and my mind finally started to think positively again. I began sprinting towards it, ignoring the pain and limited chaos energy in my body before finally meeting with my possible savior. It was Shadow... It had to be Shadow. Although, his face was warped in a very odd manner and hidden by the flurry of snow rushing past my eyes. I just assumed it was my blurry vision playing tricks on me, but he kind of looked unsettling.

"Why, hello there, Sonic the Hedgehog." My ebony lover stated unaffectedly as he slowly crossed his arms over his body as if he was lecturing me.

"Shadow... Please, help me get out of here! I think I'm close to passing out." I quickly wrapped my arms around his slim waist, expecting his body heat to instantly warm me up but surprisingly got little to no comfort.

He was just as cold as me... If not colder. How was that possible?

"Why would I help such a shitty boyfriend like you? You think I'll just forgive you after what you said to me? You make me laugh." He continued mocking as his unemotional body language really bewildered me, making me realize he didn't understand how dangerous this situation was.

"Shadow, this is serious! Do you really want me to die? I'm so freaking cold, please help me. I will do anything!" I cried out violently before grabbing his shoulders and attempting to stare into his beautiful ruby eyes... However, I couldn't seem to locate them on his face as the blizzard continued to blind me.

"Quit complaining. You know I hate that about you. As well as your snappy attitude. Be more respectful to your elders." He scolded sternly while calmly removing my hands from his shoulders and sighing as if I was overreacting.

"Shadow... I'm sorry for everything I have done, but this is downright evil. Please take me to somewhere with warmth!" I begged desperately before falling to my knees and erupting in tears and pleas.

Every drop of snow onto my body would send a shock of pain through my limbs. I never felt so desperate... So helpless... So scared in my entire life.

"I have better things to do than worry about your problems. I have much more important manners to attend to." Shadow countered as he replied with his traditional hmph and sassy roll of the eyes.

"Shadow, please... I don't want to die. Didn't you say that you wanted to keep me alive as long as possible since you practically live forever? Please,for all that is beautiful in this world, come to your senses." I could barely muster any more words to come out of my mouth as I could feel my heart start to slow and breathing start to become completely unpredictable.

For a second, I felt strangely mellow. The world became distorted and almost alien-like. I was going to freeze right in front of my love, wasn't I? How strangely poetic except for the fact that Shadow had completely lost his mind.

Suddenly, almost as quickly as the freezing cold came, it ended. The warmth returning back to my starving flesh. The snow receded quickly as if winter was placed on super fast-forward and the ground and trees were fully visible within a minute or two. My eyes widened as I looked up at the charcoal hedgehog with a combination of shock and relief clearly evident in my lavish emerald eyes.

"Shadow, how did you?" I quickly came to my feet and immediately smothered the other hedgehog as tightly as I could, not noticing that I was digging my hand into his quills with practically no sense of pain.

I could wait to vent on how unbelievably inconsiderate and stupid Shadow was for not realizing that I was dying and practically begging for help for another time. For now, I was just so thankful. My body felt warm and vibrant, and my heart was finally returning to a normal pace.

"I saved you. Be thankful." Shadow replied plainly as he gently pat my shoulder and pushed me away from his body as if he was irritated with myoverreaction.

"That doesn't answer my question. How did you just end winter like that?!" I exclaimed loudly as I suddenly became agitated with the inconceivable knowledge that he still didn't understand how tremendously scared I was back there.

"I can do many things. I am the ultimate life form, after all." Was his simple answer as my body started to become slightly weak and vulnerable again but this time in an oddly comforting way.

Abruptly, the entire area blurred and we were teleported to a new location. The smell went from pine trees and soil to the intense scent of cleaning products and plastic. It didn't really fit the environment completely as the pain I felt a few minutes ago vanished like the icy tundra. I could hear quick, violent footsteps as many Mobians and even a few humans were visibly seen rushing to wherever they needed to go, and the intense whoosh of air from outside the window in front of me caught my attention. I noticed that Shadow was still staring at me with his traditional unconvinced scoff.

"Well? You going to say anything?" He asked plainly as objects became more readily visible and the atmosphere a lot more emotionally saddening.

"Um. Thank you for saving me, Shadow. I certainly owe you my life." My gloved hand quickly met with my chin as my words and actions were filled with confusion and skepticism.

Where in the world could I have gone too, now? Did I use Chaos Control without knowing? Did I suddenly lose some of my memory?

"Saving you from what? Boredom? Don't get all sassy with me. All I did was ask you to see me off." His head tilted slightly as I was more than happy to see his beautiful crimson eyes again.

A large commercial plane started wheeling towards the clean and completely see-through large window, gracefully parking itself as close as possible to the exterior walls of the seemingly never-ending room without fail. I tilted my head back to Shadow as I noticed that he was no longer standing but sitting in a slightly dull black chair with his legs crossed and arms gently resting on the armrests. His little suitcase was placed right next to him as the air got violently caught in my lungs. I knew exactly where I was...

But why?

"Geez. Don't die on me. I don't want to get a call from Rouge that you went into cardiac arrest while I was on my mission." Shadow teased slightly as his tone seemed to remind me of how we used to be... His voice echoing with the undeniable truth that even the thought of talking to me was making him irritated.

"So you decided you were going to go then? When do you leave?" I replied coldly, not really feeling like I needed to ask him about what the hell was wrong with him and instead get the information I so desperately needed.

"I have to. It's my job, and unfortunately, I can't bypass this opportunity just because I have a life here. Things change... And I change, for that matter. I have to be there for the people who need my incredible powers and strength. Plus, we discussed this weeks ago. Granted, I really didn't want to talk to you until now, but we still had a lengthy conversation. Also, the plane leaves at eleven twenty so you better hurry this up." He answered matter-of-factly while calmly resting the back of his hand against his cheek as if this was not affecting him in the slightest.

It was certainly bothering me, though... My inner conscience kept screaming at me to tell him how much I loved him and that he shouldn't go, but I made the decision to stick with his choices. He could have been a lot more sensitive about it, though.

I could feel my chest burn slightly as I almost felt embarrassed... That simple sentence was enough for me to practically lose my sense of self-worth. Why try when all the hard work I went into gaining Shadow's trust meant nothing to him anymore?

"I see..." Was all I could really respond with, my heart and soul wishing nothing more than to go back to the snowy wasteland of death.

"You look upset. Quit acting so weak. It's too late now so put on that poker face you are so well known for and pretend to be happy, alright? Your sadness is making this harder for me." He sighed softly as he shook his head in disappointment.

Pretend... That awful... Hideous... Tortuous word.

That's all I really know how to do anymore, isn't it? Pretend I'm not in pain. Pretend I'm not terrified. Pretend I'm not unhappy. I have to for the sake of the team. If I am invincible and strong minded, then my friends will think they are too. In other words, I have no choice. I never have had a choice. My life has been controlled by the outside world my entire life or at least for as long as I can remember. The world chooses the hero, not the hero chooses the world. He who is strong enough... Powerful enough to destroy those who are evil... Is the one that gets chosen. You don't just decide to be a hero... Not that you would want to really be one if you could. Trust me, it is not worth it in the slightest. If you die, the entire world collapses with you and you live with that mind-destroying fact for the rest of your life.

If the pressure doesn't eat you alive then surely your own ego will.

More disheartening than that was Shadow's words and more so the way he said them... They hurt more than almost freezing to death in an abandoned glacial tundra and before I knew it, I was on my knees, sobbing to no end once again. Not really caring if the paparazzi were on my tail. Let them get a good look at who I actually am. Pitiful, right? Who really cares anymore, anyway?

Why should I try?

I know Ivo... Better than probably anyone. He wouldn't completely destroy this country and run it into the ground, would he? I could just leave and never come back and let him finally win. Why do I keep torturing myself?! Why the hell do I keep fighting?!

Why... Dear Chaos, why.

Shadow's face changed instantly concerned as my sobs were different than any I can ever remember. It sounded like pure, unfiltered desperation... And I just wanted the pain to end. Mentally... After all these years of hiding my inner demons, I had finally cracked.

Abruptly, the ebony gently got to his knees and wrapped me into the tightest hug I have ever been given and this time, I could feel his warmth... I could smell his wonderful scent and sense his powerful chaos energy. However, my body had become strangely frozen as I desperately wanted to just pin him to the ground and give him some real good tough love for being such an ass to me. However, I couldn't do anything at the moment, and when he finally released me from his grasps, he went back to sitting.

"I am here for you... Don't be afraid. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not the media... Not your friends. Not even your own heart. I am here for you." He mumbled sweetly as his words came off muffled and not really attached to the ebony hedgehog speaking them, who seemed to have his usual unemotional face on.

However, I knew it was Shadow. It had to be Shadow... I wouldn't mistake his voice for anyone but as soon as those words were uttered my love completely vanished. Practically disappearing from the scene entirely as my eyes glanced at the clock... Eleven thirty. He had already left, somehow. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I wanted to at least give him my email or something. He said he would be here for me, and then he just leaves without telling me?! How the hell did I just space out like that, anyway?! None of this makes any sense! I hate this! I hate every second of this stupid, pitiful existence. Just end it! END IT RIGHT NOW.

Silence and darkness... Without a doubt, the two most beautiful things on this planet.


Notes:

Are you guys a tad confused? Well, this part is titled Is This Reality for a reason. Comment what you believe is reality and what isn't! I can fully assure you that this sequence is not completely fake and not completely real. This is based off of tons of psychological research on dreams and hallucinations. I am a person who suffers from chronic night frights where I see things in my room that seem like they are there but disappear in a span of a few seconds. This was obviously inspired by that and I hope you guys enjoyed the suspense and fear throughout the entire chapter! Certainly, one of my best and most interesting pieces of literature i have ever written.