Chapter 3

The next day, I met Halley and her friend at the mall. "Hey," I said as I walked

towards them.

"Hey, Shadow," said Halley. "This is Jackie the Raccoon." Halley turned to her



friend. "Jackie, this is Shadow the Hedgehog."

I shook the raccoon's hand. "Nice to meet you…Jackie."

"Same to you," Jackie replied. She handed me a wrapped up package with a black

bow on top of it. "I made this for you."

I unwrapped the package and opened it. Inside was a model that almost looked like

me. I thought it looked great. "Thanks."

"Well, it's really not the best model, but I was trying to remember what you looked

like. I didn't know you had those wrist rings on you."

"It's okay. I like it anyway."

"Well, you two have fun," said Halley. "I've got to find Knuckles."

Before she left, I grabbed Halley's arm. "Wait. I need to talk to you, privately."

"Why?"

"Please. It's important."

Halley sighed and turned to Jackie. "Do you mind if I talk to Shadow, just for a few

seconds?"

"Sure," Jackie replied. "Take your time."

Halley and I walked a few inches from Jackie so we could talk to each other.

"What's up?" Halley asked.

"I need to know where to take Jackie out for our date. Got any suggestions?"

"I suggest an ice cream parlor or a movie theater."

"Alright. By the way, where are you going?"

"No where important. Just to hang out with a certain guy."

"Are you going to try to kiss him?" I laughed.

Halley slapped my hand. "Shadow, shut up!"

"I'm just joking with you. Anyway, have fun."

"Thanks." Halley walked away from me and I walked back to Jackie.

"So, what do you want to do?" I asked.

"Well, I think I'll let you choose," Jackie replied.

"Um…well…" I was trying to think of a place that Jackie and I would both like. Then, I



thought of something. "Do you like ice cream?"

"Sure. How about Friendly's?"

"No problem."

"Okay, I'll just quickly run home and get us some money so we can take a taxi

and—-"

"We don't need any machinery to get there."

Jackie looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Trust me. I know a better and faster way to get there. Hold onto me."

"Okay." Jackie wrapped her arms around my neck and I took out a Chaos Emerald.

"Chaos Control!" The emerald flashed brightly and in a few seconds, Jackie and I

disappeared from the city.

In just a couple of seconds, we appeared in front of Friendly's. I put the Chaos

Emerald away.

"Whoa!" said Jackie after she let go of me. "That was so cool. How'd you do

that?"

"It's just an ability I learned. Nothing to important. C'mon, let's go get some ice

cream." Jackie and I walked to the ice cream parlor and one of the servers was standing by the

window.

"Welcome to Friendly's," she said. "What can I get for you?"

"I'll have a scoop of chocolate ice cream on a sugar cone," said Jackie, "with

chocolate sprinkles."

"I'll take the same thing," I said, "except without sprinkles and one a waffle cone."

"Be right back," said the server.

As she was getting our ice cream, Jackie said, "Hey, Shadow. I was just wondering,

have you ever gone out with any other girls besides me?"

"No," I said, "not really. You're actually my first one. Have you gone out with a lot

of boys lately?"

"Yeah…a few. I thought they were really nice and handsome. But, it turned out



that they didn't really care much about me. They called me a pushover."

"That's a darn shame. They shouldn't have treated you like that."

"Yeah, well…I get over it at times. The truth is, I'm not really like other Goths.

They're mostly very quiet, but I'm usually a chatter box. You know, it's really a crazy thing."

"I can understand that."

The server came back with our ice cream. "Here you go, you two. Two chocolate

ice cream cones. One with a sugar cone and sprinkles, and one with a waffle cone."

"Thanks a lot," I said as I took the two ice cream cones.

I handed Jackie hers. "Thanks, Shadow," she said. We walked away from the

parlor, still having our conversation. "So, I've heard that you're the Ultimate Life Form, am I right?"

"Yes," I replied. "Did Halley tell you that?"

"Yep. She's a really great friend. She's living with me until she finds her family."

"Why, what happened?"

"She doesn't like to talk about it too much, but they kind of got separated during a

hurricane about seven years ago. I feel sorry for her."

"That's too bad. I kind of know how she feels."

"Really? Who did you get separated from?"

I hesitated for a few seconds because I don't like to talk about the people I used to

know. "My creator, Professor Gerald Robotnik and his twelve-year-old granddaughter, Maria Robotnik."

"Did you say your 'creator'?"

"Yes. I was created on a space colony known as ARK. That was over fifty years

ago."

Jackie looked surprised. "Are you kidding me?!"

I shook my head.

"Oh my God, I'm dating an old dude! But you look like you're about fifteen. Why's

that?"

"Because the professor gave me the power to not age. That's why I'm known as

the Ultimate Life Form."

"So, you're saying that you're an immortal?"



"Well, I actually died once, but I sort of resurrected. Dr. Eggman rescued me, and I

had amnesia. A year later, I figured out who I was and I didn't really trust the doctor anymore."

"Good. 'Cause that guy's a dip wad, I tell you. An old, cranky dip wad with a huge

mustache."

I laughed when I heard her say that. "I didn't think I'd meet someone who'd call him

that."

"Well, it's true."

"I sort of agree." I finished the last of my ice cream and threw the cone in the

garbage can.

"You know, they give you the cone so you could eat it."

"Yeah, but I'm really stuffed."

"Whatever you say." After Jackie ate her cone, she licked her fingers, tasting the

sticky ice cream. "Where do you want to go next?"

I went dumbstruck. I had to call Halley for that idea. "Wait here. I need to use the

men's room. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay."

When I left for the bathroom, I took out my cell phone and dialed Halley's number. I waited a few seconds for her to pick

up.

"Hello?" said Halley from the other line.

"Halley, it's me."

"What do you need, Shad?"

"First off, don't call me 'Shad'. Second, what do I do now?"

"I don't really know. What's your idea?"

"Why do you think I called you in the first place?"

"For some advice."

"Corecto. So you must think of something."

"Alright, geez. Let me think. Hmm…I've got it. Go on a little walk with her near a

park. You two should get closer there."

"I guess I'll take your advice."

"Good. I've got to go now. See you later."

After I turned off and put away my cell phone and walked out of the bathroom, I saw



Jackie. "Hey, you want to go for a walk near a park?"

"What the heck," said Jackie. She took my hand and smiled at me. I smiled back as

we went for a long walk.

At about 7:45 p.m, I used Chaos Control to warp us back to Jackie's house.

"Thanks for hanging out with me," said Jackie.

"Sure," I said. "I just wanted to do something nice for you."

"I really liked it." Jackie kissed me on the cheek and hugged me. I didn't know why

though, but I sort of liked it. She let go of me. "I'll see you tomorrow, right."

"We'll see about that." After Jackie went inside her house, I said, "Chaos Control." I

warped myself back home and went to sleep in my room.