A month passed, and Sonic didn't reappear. Though his friends still clung to the hope that he was still alive, the mayor of Empire City decided to hold a twilight memorial service for him.
Amy didn't attend the ceremony, not feeling well that day, but Tails, Cosmo, Shadow and all the others attended.
The mayor had asked that Tails give a speech at the ceremony, and the kitsune had worked hard on a way to convey his feelings, abandoning all projects for the time being to fully focus on it.
The ceremony was in the park, and thousands attended. Tails took several deep breaths as he looked out over the crowd. "Chaos, that's a lot of people...! I don't know if I can do this...!"
"You can." Knuckles replied, "Do it for him..."
Tails nodded, then stepped out as the crowd looked up to him.
"Good evening, everyone... The mayor asked me to give a speech about Sonic, since I was one of his closest friends..."
He looked down at the papers, then took in a deep breath. "Sonic was a very special person to me... He was a brother, a friend... And a hero to all of us. I met him as a little kid, when he chose to help me become a better mechanic and person. He was a mentor to me...
Sonic loved adventure. He loved meeting new people. But most of all, he loved helping people. He didn't care about the risks he'd be taking to help others...not even in his final hours.
He cared about everyone, regardless of who they were or where they came from...He'll always be remembered, and he wouldn't want us to be sad about his absence.
He once said "If you have time to think about your problems, then run."
Perhaps that was what he did sometimes, but he always used those times to help others.
He's my hero...and he always will be."
He bowed as the crowd applauded, then he went back behind the curtain, where Cosmo hugged him tightly.
"I'm so proud of you, Tails..." She whispered, "We'll find him, I promise."
Tails nodded. "I hope so, Cosmo...I sure hope so."
"But where do we even start looking?" Cream asked. "Sonic could be anywhere!"
"I...I'll see if I can find the Chaos Emerald he had when he left. It should come up on my scanners somewhere."
Shadow nodded. "You have full access to GUN's sensors and sattellites for your search, Tails... I'll keep in touch with you all if I find anything myself."
Silver sighed. "This event is an anomaly... This whole war never happened in the future... Is this my fault?"
"No, of course not!" Blaze took his hands. "Why on Altearth would you think that, Silver?"
"If I hadn't decided to stay here in the past, could this whole thing have been avoided...? Sonic wouldn't be hurt, Eggman wouldn't have destroyed everything-"
"Time is fluid, Silver. It twists and turns as it encounters obstacles." Tails replied, "This fight is just another obstacle we went over and around... Now let's work on finding Sonic and fixing the world now, okay?"
"...You're right, I'm giving myself too much credit. Let's find Sonic."
"And we will find him..." Shadow murmured, "...Somehow."
"Due to your assistance in taking out Eggman and his forces, GUN's Head Council is willing to drop all charges on you three, just as long as you quit your thefts."
You're seriously going to drop everything if we stop now? Jet asked, Just like that?
"Yes, Jet... We made a similar deal with Rouge years ago. Are you willing to accept?"
Eh, we're running out of space to collect stuff anyways, with all of Eggman's stuff. Speakin' of which, are we able to keep any of it?
"Weapons are to be locked up by GUN or destroyed, depending on what they are. But computers, tools, anything that is useful, you can keep."
Alright then, Shadz. You've got yourself a deal.
"Good. I'll be keeping in contact with you in case you try to back out, Jet..."
Shadow shut down the connection, then looked up as there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Shadow already knew who it was by the yelp they gave as they tripped over their own feet and nearly ran into the table entering. "What is it, Private Galaxino...?"
"S-Sorry to interrupt your grieving, sir..." The skunk murmured nervously.
Shadow opened his mouth to tell him that he wasn't grieving, but he knew it was true. It was also common knowledge around the base that lying to him was pointless, since he could not only immediately know, but he'd involuntarily let everyone else in the vicinity know as well.
"...What is it?" He repeated.
The Private pulled out a stack of folders, "Here are a few more files that they want you to look over concerning cleanup overseas."
"Alright..."
"And Dr. Robinson called the desk again."
"Right...She's beginning to bother me, with how often she asks you to check in on me..."
"She said something about asking you if you needed any therapy after everything that's happened."
"I...I don't know, to be honest... I think I'll get over it, but I just don't know yet."
"Of course..."
The private started back out of the room, but then paused. "Have you ever met her personally before?"
"No. Why?"
"No reason... She just looks a lot like the girl in that photo."
Shadow looked up from his papers. "...what?"
Honesty picked up the photo on Shadow's desk, of him and Maria on the ARK. "Your friend here."
Shadow stood up. It couldn't be... "What's Dr. Robinson's first name?"
"Uh...Either Maria or Mariel, why?"
Shadow got up from his chair, "...I'll be right back."
"Yes sir."
Shadow left the office and headed down the hall to the stairs.
If he was right, and his sister had been working under his nose all this time...
He dashed down the stairs to the fourth floor and straight to Dr. Robinson's lab. "Dr. Maria Robinson...?"
The scientist was currently writing something down on a clipboard, but she paused and looked up with a smile, adjusting her glasses. "Commander Shadow?" She asked.
Her blonde hair was back in a ponytail and it was streaked with red, but there was no denying that familiar glint in her eyes.
It was Maria. His sister.
"Can I help you with something?" She asked, taking a few steps towards him.
"I...I don't know what to say right now." He replied, "...I just... Maria-"
Maria sighed, "I know...I have a lot of explaining to do- and I will, I promise! Only you, I and Tower know who I really am...or was."
She sat down on a stool, her posture relaxed. "It's a long story, but I've got time to explain..."
"I hope so..."
Shadow found himself hugging her tightly, tears threatening to slip. He didn't let them fall however, just soaked in her touch as she stroked his quills with a gentle hand. "...But for now, I'm just glad you're back."
"Me too, Shadow...me too."
