Before I begin, I must apologize for one mistake that Knuckles didn't know exactly Volt's serial number…It was Shadow who informed it. A friend of mine once told me he disliked Knuckles from the newest game, assuming that he was more unintelligent there. Therefore I made him more knowledgeable…and aware of most things.

To Ana the Hedgehog, the last chapter of Sonic's Basic Information was found in spindash(dot)net I didn't reply message immediately because once thought the site was taken away, but it seemed to be return…(sadly all the profiles had been suffered an unknown error)

A small info about char's age, I forgot about how old Rouge and Knuckle are. Sonic was officially 15 from all of the sources, and so was Shadow despite I'm very disagree about this. This story was taken one year step where Sonic here was portrayed 16, with Shadow who physically shared the same age. There was one source saying he was still growing in spite of his immortality. Silver was 14 though to me he seemed a year younger. Volt was the same age with small differences of generation and also few months older than his partner. Both of the Time Masters didn't grown a year, reasonably because they're time travelling.

Amy's age…the year of 13 was my best reason to pick the time. Thirteen was considered a bad luck number, or mythical age, the age where children become teenagers, it was also a sign of the beginning of a conflict…

--

The reality of the other person lies not in what he reveals to you, but what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says, but rather to what he does not say. - Kahlil Gibran

--

"Silver…What are you doing?"

Silver's eyes opened slightly. His amber eyes were more like flickers of fire that started awakening. He noticed his crossed legs sitting position. His area was clouded with his cyan power aura. His conscious was more aware to his surroundings. And He was on top a building where they temporary stay. He looked to the sky to see the big clear blue sky. The albino hedgehog then turned to see the voice owner but a bit hallucinating on what in front of him.

In front of him was Blaze with her own amber eyes staring back to him…

Or so what it was… His cyan power aura slowly dimmed. The figure faded replacing Amy Rose who bent her back forward slightly, curiously observing him. Silver sighed, it's not her. It's different, Blaze's eyes more to judging the universe while Amy was just a mother figure who concerns most of things.

But it was a development. This meant Amy had put a total trust to their guidance, returning more to her own personality. This sudden 'guardian' job was more like a vacation journey ever since she joined. Sometimes they're wondering in faraway hotels in each in different room per hedgehog. On rare occasion they got room services most of the time she cooks. She even stops by their room to boil some hot chocolates in the morning. (AN: Yes…that was my mother's habit during our travelling days)

Somehow jumping time to escape hadn't crossed to Volt's mind. The Cyborg didn't seem to care much about hunting the emeralds. They often travelled on top buildings, making it hard to be detected, or tracked. In most of time Volt was seen wearing a modern oversized jacket with a hood that amazingly can fit his quills inside. This was a serious matter due to his artificially body can easily attracted people's attention. But his money could bribe any service to ignore him. Curse to all money lovers…they're easily manipulated.

How long could they keep this? The Cyborg should've been known, they can't hide Amy long enough for eternity. He had made the promise to return her…therefore he never broke this promise. Still…time is a question while waiting is the most boring thing to do in your life.

"Did I disturb you?" She asked again afraid to offend him.

"Ah no…" He gave a wry smile, "I'm just done meditating."

"Oh…?" He head titled, "Is it like yoga?"

He raised both of his shoulder, "Perhaps… But my meditation is crucial for Summoners. To calm our nerves and restrain our powers."

"What is a summoner? I've never heard of that."

Of course she knew…but she didn't know the real name. Somehow Silver's brain reminded him to not telling further. But seeing Amy Rose who carefully listened to him, he started took interest in telling her more than that.

"A Summoner is…People who could summon an old mythical creature."

"Ooooh are they're like superheroes?"

Silver raised an eyebrow in confusion. She thought Summoners were like valiant beings though in his time they were more to be feared. He noticed it was her nature to give an optimistic response. A wide eyed kid on a candy store…much like Volt was...

"N…no…They are immortals who were bound to the cursed creatures." He corrected.

She titled her head obviously didn't understand his explanation very well. Even so this triggered him to continue. He was started to enjoy this, telling her like a storyteller. This motivated behavior was caused by his cheerless childhood experience. Back in his real home he was underestimated cause of his young age and only Blaze who was willingly listened to him. Now there's actually someone is paying attention to him beside her.

Well Amy was fairly younger than him. Sometimes it's nice for not being the youngest of the pack right now…

"I live in a far future where technology and magic amalgamated, time travelling there is common." He continued positioning himself to a storytelling gesture, "Most of my generations are vagabonds carrying large amount of powers. The rarest breed is Summoners, those are the strongest kind. Though once they're feared few years ago, now they could more like normal beings and able to civilized."

"You could do that? Summon a mythical creature?"

"Not really… I'm the Carrier, the second generation. It was my father who was a Summoner, those are the Genesis. Somehow mythical creatures cannot be surpassed to the next generation unless they died, but it gave tracks of powers from it. Carriers are more popular breed, but not immortal."

"Whoa!" Amy's eyes glistened, her body moved forward in admiration. "This must've been awesome since you're so powerful."

The albino hedgehog gulped, now he understood why most males avoiding her. There's no way anyone could able resisted any of her request. She was asking questions which he was forbidden to tell. But his tongue was tingling because she pled to be answered. No wonder Sonic often runaway, he's too nervous confronting her! Volt was somewhat lucky to facing her without breaking any sweat…well there is a reasonable cause for that.

"Well…I guess this was more like lots of people give too much expectation from me." He turned away in shame, "I mean, my life was seriously crowded. It's not only my father was Summoner my mother was too, they both are Genesis. Then, there were their fathers…my grandfathers in laws. Even both of them are Summoners."

"I didn't know you life with much family tree?"

"Ugh…" Silver sighed, "Basically I didn't know either about them…Volt told that. Aside my parents, I have no clue. I mean, I live separated from them."

"Oh I'm sorry."

"No, not in a tragic way…don't worry. See here…they both are Genesis, you know? Like 'when there's a great power' comes a greater responsibility'? They're busy because their jobs and that was the same things happened to me. I bounded myself to a princess and promised to be guard forever."

"It's Blaze isn't it?" Amy nodded it concern, Silver often talked about her yesterday, "But how did you ended up with Volt?"

That happened to be the only question he wasn't eager to answer.

"That… It was happened when Blaze sent me to be train a Time Master. It's kinda long how I ended up meeting Volt. He put some bet and I accepted it…big mistakes…he always won these kinds of games. I stuck to him for a long time ever since." The albino hedgehog massaged his forehead with one hand in distress.

"Um…FWAAAAAAAA!!

And suddenly Volt appeared out of nowhere glomping Amy's neck.

"That was scary!!" He gave a whiney tone, and playful made up scared expression, "Especially the part of Summoners!! It must've been a myth!"

"Volt!" Silver snapped because of his partner's childish interruption."You know that wasn't a myth!! My father was…"

Silver caught Volt's meaningful wink to him. It was then he realized that he's been talking too much…blabbering information...

"…was?" Amy's eyes still wondering. In strange occasion she wasn't surprised to be hugged lightly by the cyborg.

"…was…telling me…so…when…I was…a…kid…" the albino hedgehog gave a sheepish tone as the rest of his sentences trailed off.

"Well!! I see the cafeteria's on this hotel has opened. Let say you should find something to eat there Amy!" Within saying the magic words Amy eyes widened in excitement. She quickly ran off to the stairs.

"Volt!" Silver called again catching his time travelling partner's shoulder, before he followed Amy.

He then gave a strange gesture, intimating a runner using one of his hands. His Cyborg partner then narrowed both of his eyes. He understood what he meant suddenly.

Silver wanted to talk about Sonic…

"Aren't you boys coming?" Amy's voice called, in the halfway to the stairs.

The cyborg's expression suddenly changed quickly, "We'll catch up! Silver's just wanted to use my phone connection to call his girlfriend."

Silver snorted; perhaps there will be no day without a tease from his time travelling partner. As the rose colored hedgehog approved her guardian's excuse, she skipped to the stairs in joy.

Volt then turned back to face his time travelling partner again, "Now what did Mr. Cranky say about telling things?"

"She's so….persuasive…those big…eyes…" Silver's spoke the last sentence like chants in horror, imagining Amy's eyes as some swirling hypnotizing tool.

His time travelling partner gave a slight tongue jerked out from his mouth, "Can't blame you. I mean even Shadow the Hedgehog fell for that."

"How can you exactly talk to her lightly? She even trusted you completely!"

"Simple… She always trusted anyone."

"I don't think hitting you back then is considered an instant reliance."

"Oh that? First time is not a charm…" Volt give a shrug, "She obviously afraid of my Cybernetic parts. It sort of childhood trauma, does Metal Sonic rang any bells?"

"Well, speaking of trauma… Sonic's got a serious case."

The Cyborg bent his organic ears again, "Well, he obviously disturbed by Amy's absence."

"Disturbed this…? His heart was unstable again."

"How worse…?"

"Worse than Shadow was… Far deeper…"

You're keeping in step, in the line
Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
Because you do
What you're told
But inside your heart it is black

And it's hollow and it's cold

Another song rang to Shadow the hedgehog's head again. He stopped right before he remembering all of the lyrics, wasn't sure if he would stand the rest of the lyrics. He used to think it was just a song, created some band for fun. But now it creep him greatly…to have some song would represent what happen in your real life. The beat of the song that hums in his head followed the rhythm by the steps of his shoes. He then stopped thinking back about the song, realizing that he's been walking faintly through the jungle. He didn't know how long he would stop his steps.

What just happened?

Usually he refused to think about it again. But he kept wondering why the sudden change of behavior? Sonic had never gone that far before? Shadow was his worst rival that he fought him long enough to know his main personality. He may hated him, but he never desire to harm anybody, even to his enemy. So why the sudden violence?

…And those sudden changes of colors…

Shadow shook his head. His eyes must've been deceiving. There's a possibility at that time, his vision didn't function right. His brain lacked of oxygen, because Sonic choked him near to death.

Choked him…

It's your fault

He stopped.

The ebony hedgehog made his sense working again after gazing to long. He discovered…his senses slowly become more sensitive. He could hear the rustling grass, howling wind, chirping birds from afar, and few crickets.

But he didn't found where that sudden voice come from.

Shadow felt…some strange sensation crawling from his neck. The body part where Sonic almost choked…

I spy…I spy… little man-made rodent

"Who…Who goes there!"

You are those scientists's biggest mistake, you shouldn't born…

The creeping voice crawled again. Shadow spin himself, but he still no sign of any life form except himself and finally, his vision gone blank. The feeling on his neck became worst as it stung and burning.

Out of Shadow's insanity: He felt all of the people circling him. He can't see their face because they're tall. But he could feel all of their eyes watching him…staring him…judging him.

"I…I didn't…"

That bullet was meant for you…

Shadow's eyes widened, this is something he didn't want to hear.

But she died instead…

"S…STAY AWAY FROM ME!!"

He clenched one of his ear (or perhaps head) with his hand to make sure he didn't lose control while his others touching the burning neck. Seeing it's useless to stay there, he fled. But he still felt those eyes watching him.

It's your fault!

Shadow saw Tails airplane right where he parked before. He quickly slammed the button as the glass container opened automatically. After he jumped inside, he quickly closed it, locked himself inside. He cried silently inside. Tears didn't fall but his heart aching. He covered his face in shame, while rooking back and forth to calm his nerves.

Why do you still live?

"Because…because she wants me too…"

The sound didn't reply as Shadow felt there's a slight chance.

"Because… She gave her life to me. That's unfair... yes…and I deserved to live in hell… But…I can't do nothing to it, it's already happened."

Shadow's pain became lighter. He looked up; the eyes didn't looking for him again

"You can't revive anyone, sooner or later she died. But…to honored her I had to live. To make sure her sacrifice will be worth it, all I can do is to do the right things…even helping my friends. That…that's why… I want to live."

There is no burning again on Shadow's neck. His vision suddenly cleared out. He then slumped to the chair in exhaustion.

"But yes, it was my fault… No one can deny that."

A beeping voice was heard from Tails airplane. He paid no mind to what it is. However, as the monitor blinked it finally caught his attention. He slowly raised his head again. His crimson eyes widened slightly on what he saw in the monitors.

The computer opened a window. What he'd heard from Tails this was an instant email messenger, like telephone only with text. But these text are written in Monotype Corsiva and light blue colored.

"Don't worry about the rumors. Don't worry about it! )"

If that wasn't strange enough the avatar was a photo of Maria…

--

"So…they're looking for Nazo? Why didn't they just find it rather than aftering Amy?"

"Like I said Rouge, I don't know why they did that. I mean among all of us we only know Cream and Shadow's past. What about me? Tails? Amy? Well…I don't know about you, but I'll bet it's not as strange as Sonic's. Sonic was fairly different. I may his one of closest ally, but he never speaks his mind."

"Yeah that's true… But do you think you know what happened to Nazo?"

"Not sure… During those devastating war among Anynomist, Nazo was the last to be punished. Master Emerald's function was to neutralize all of the Chaos Emeralds. Nazo was the conscious mind of it, he has the total control of all Anynomist, that what makes him the strongest. You don't need to wake every Anynomist to demolish living things in this world. All you have to do is get Nazo and end it all."

"He sounds like a tough guy with an attitude problem…"

"Oh you'll be surprised. The Ultimate One did have hard time to defeat him, since he was last to be punished. Nazo loves destruction. Among Anynomist he hated living things the most."

"So…his punishment?"

"Hm… let's see… So usually the other Anynomist was punished based on their crime. Like Mephiles, he once boiled the world with his fire; he then punished to become shadows for eternity. Nazo was just…cruel and obviously didn't tolerate to any living creatures… Maybe…just maybe he was forced to live inside some living thing and stuck to it."

"A summoner?" Rouge's titled her head.

"Who knows…?" Knuckles raised both of his shoulder, "There are a lot of mysteries in this world. That's how Nazo got his name. Nazo means mystery."

A bird suddenly flew off from the bushes. The flapping wings sound alerted both them. Rouge's eyes blinked, realizing she's been paying too much attention to Knuckle's explanation. She was kneeling facing the sitting echidna. Well, she could close enough for any physical contact.

"Ah…" The ivory bat swung back her body, she look to another direction, "That was quiet some myth."

Rouge was about to retreated until she felt her hand was caught.

"Rouge…" She turned back and easily recognized Knuckle's gloves holding her, "Those aren't myths…"

"Oh…" She gulped and felt something was wrong.

His grip slowly tightened, "I asked you not to tell anyone about this…"

"…What?"

"I'm serious…Rouge." He called her name once again, with his amethyst eyes locked to her.

"Then…why are you telling me this…?"

"Well…" He sighed and let go of her hand, "I have to admit that you're not the trusted among us, but that's the whole point! You're the only one who won't be so fuss hearing this. Yeah, I know Shadow is close to you. But that doesn't mean you would tell him everything."

"What about Tails?"

"How could I…?" Knuckle's face faced to her again with guilt, "How could I tell him? What would he thought if I tell him that I don't trust Sonic anymore?"

-

--

-

The avatar was…a photographic picture.

Shadow known it as human's strangest invention. The creator was a camera…funny, how it could catch some part the time of your life. It's funny that it becomes the witness. This witness showed the truth. The truth he faced however…was hard to believe.

He remembered that photo, Maria on Lily…(well artificial Lily garden)

That photo was taken 50 years ago. It was something personal, hidden between files of Robotnick's family chronicles, wilt and forgotten. Even GUN couldn't find that photo. Who would've set the joke that the avatar was using that photo? Computer can't lie, these tiny pixels prearranged into electronic image.

He positioned himself in front of the plane's computer.

"Who are you…?" He typed.

New text appeared after few seconds. Whoever this is, they must've a good internet connection.

"Silly hedgehog" there was a cute animated smiley laughing, "You remember my avatar…the photo?"

"How did it get there?" He slammed the keyboard, frustrated.

"I've been keeping it, this is my favorite."

Maria's favorite, she claimed it because it was taken from the little curious Shadow the hedgehog. Back then he was a little infant often experimental on things, especially a device that could capture some photo.

Now in front of Tails plane Shadow was in distress. There's no time to convincing if this is real or not. He must find the answer himself.

"Where are you?" he typed back.

"Up here…"

Not comprehensive enough…

"On where?"

"Up here!! Come here I've missed you."

Then out of nowhere the system shut down…

Great timing…and just when he was getting answer. The ebony hedgehog then yelled in frustration bang the dead monitor hoping it would turned back on.

"Damn it!!"

No luck, it still blank.

Shadow thought he must've find the problem by opened the operating system. It probably got corseting or temperature problem inside. Whatever it is, first thing to do is open the cover and to do that he knew he had to find the screwdriver. He then opened the plane's glass contained then moved to front seat to look for the screw driver. He opened all the drawers and cabin hastily with no luck.

"Where the hell, did that fox put that screwdriver??"

Then the wind whooshed behind him…

Shadow was staggered for a while and then turned back.

A screwdriver was dropped there…

It was clattering and spun on the plane's metal base. Out of nowhere it was put right exactly the time when the ebony hedgehog needed it. Shadow narrowed his scarlet eyes to his left side seeing the bush rustling. But then he chose to ignore it, gingerly took the screwdriver.

Then someone knocked the glass container.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

He yelled but only to see Tails who was sitting in Omega. The fox was obviously scared, both of his long ears flattened in apprehension.

"I'm just checking if you guys all right…" He spoke feebly.

Shadow's glare softened, "I'm sorry… I was frustrated because I think I just broke your plane's operating system."

The fox blinked, "You what…?"

"It was turned off suddenly."

He opened the plane's glass container. Tails then jumped to inside the plane as the ebony hedgehog scooted to give him some room. He let the fox examine the system, "How did it happen?"

"An internet message came out suddenly."

Tails turned to face him and raised an eyebrow, "Sudden internet connection?"

"Y…yes?"

"What was the message about?"

"I have no idea."

Shadow thought, he didn't lie didn't lie? He didn't exactly know what it was. Even though he know who the contact was…

"Do you know where it came from?"

"No…"

That was another fact; he didn't succeed finding the source.

"Maybe it was a spyware…"

"What?"

"Well, I can't explain how it can turn on suddenly. But my plane's computer was programmed to turn off whenever there's an unknown data, the purpose was to avoid spyware's spreading. It should be all right within minutes…but the power switch on was inside the main operating system. You should open the swathe and turn it on…Oh! Good you found the screw driver."

Shadow blinked, he then narrowed his eyes, "Aren't you the one who give this?"

"Uhm…no? I just got here? You mean someone…"

Shadow cut Tail's sentence by a sigh "…Nothing… It was nothing… I think, I'd better fix the computer myself. It was my fault after all."

"Okay…If you insist. But why did you go to plane suddenly?"

The ebony hedgehog was about to reach the computer's cover but his hands stopped in the middle, "Sonic and I have a fight. He runaway after it got worst. I ended myself in this plane."

"Typical…he always ran away from quarrel. But how worse it was? I've seen the trees were broken, did both of you…?"

Shadow froze…

Two trees, one was broken by him.

The other was the one Sonic choked him against with.

Realizing he was immobile, the fox called him again, "Shadow…?"

"It was me… I was so pissed that I hit the tree in frustration." He spoke in haste.

"You hit two trees at the same time?" One of Tail's eyebrow raised.

"Look, I was blind by my madness. I could've hit anything!"

"…but not Sonic."

"…"

"You almost kill him twice during your first meeting. Now, this time he's treating you like nothing. Yet, you're still patient with him?"

"I…"

"You may feel guilty about Black Arms returning. But there's more than that, isn't it?"

Shadow felt both of his hands moving by it opening the computer's cover. It was like an autopilot, his real thought debating whether he would tell or not.

"I…liked Amy…

Tails blinked.

"You know…? I really liked her…a lot."

Of all reason he would never thought Shadow would say that.

"…that would be a problem..."

"I know…" Shadow sighed again, "No one knows about this realizing that Sonic would be irritated about it… Well…Amy knew it already."

"She did?" the fox blinked his eyes as he turn to face the ebony hedgehog again, "What did she say?"

"She was happy…and said she liked me too. But she only saw me as a brother. And then she said…she's not the one whom I love the most."

"Those are strange words to decline someone."

"I don't think she rejected me…" Shadow slumped to the chair, looking to the sky, "She was trying to convince me that she was right. But you know…? She is right, I only see her as a sister. My affection to her started basically to replace the absence of my heart from my long departed friend."

"Shadow…" Tails felt both of his ears flattened. He didn't need to guess who his friend was.

The ebony hedgehog straightened his sit and continued to fix the computer.

"I notice this…after my fight with Sonic. He never let her go, he was serious about her. I never thought he would…"

Shadow faced the fox again as he give a quizzical look, "I don't get it. Aren't you supposed to hate him more?"

Unexpectedly he gave a sarcastic chuckle, "True… Supposedly I have lots of reasons to beat the crap out of him."

"…is it another reason?"

"When I see Sonic…right now…" His voice paused for a while, "…I see myself in the edge of fatalness…only for some reason…I felt this was a lot deeper. I thought if I try to help him hoping he might not fell to the same mistake I've made. To me this was sort of: helping myself, by helping him."

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"Of course not, you're too blind only hoping to see the goodness from him."

Shadow was more expecting to see the fox to be confused or annoyed. But what he saw on his blue eyes: it wasn't reflected an introverted child. It was more like a blazing blue fire, narrowed like clear blade. For long years experienced he recognized those look, those who always hides lots of secrets.

"I have a right to believe."

Tails gave a simple denial, yet painted with his intelligent accent. This marked Shadow's warning for underestimating another debating opponent.

"So…you're already known there was something wrong with him? And you still keep pretending that nothing is happened?"

"…because he's my brother!" Tails look at him daringly, and a slight raise of voice, "You can choose your friends but not your family. Family always accepted their member no matter how bad their choice was."

"He's not your biological brother and if he's gone under you will follow his track no matter what?"

"What do you know? You don't know how it feels like being abandoned when you're kid. Sonic was the only one who cared about me back then, because of him I met Knuckles, Amy, and Cream as well. I feel a real family, even it's not biological. Now you have a sister figure from Maria Robotnick but she's not your real sister either… If I ask you, will you still trusted her if she's not what it seemed?"

Shadow had gone silent, his scarlet eyes widened slightly.

The young fox didn't wait for his answer thus he jumped out to Omega's head once again. He then ordered the robot to go back where Knuckles was and leave his brother's worst rival alone in the plane. But Tails always the peace maker… Even if he was offended, he still turned back to see Shadow as his azure eyes turned back to innocent child again.

As if he was saying, 'try to think about it'

The black hedgehog felt his grip to the screwdriver was tightened. He didn't want to feel guilt but knowing that Tails was right. Shadow then go back to his work to fix the computer to run away from his guilt. As he managed to open the machine's cover, he grunted, realizing something's missing.

"Oh joy…" he spoke sarcastically, "Now I forgot to ask the kid where he put his wrench…"

Another wind whoosh behind him…

…and as he turned back again the wrench was there dropped, clanking, and hitting the plane's metal surface.

Shadow narrowed his scarlet eyes again, but his hand took the wrench leisurely. He raised the tool to his eye level, close enough to be observed by him. His ears perked up hearing another bushes on the right side.

He sighed, "Come out faker, I know it's you…" wretch and wrench that fix.

BUMP!

Before he knew it a loud bump was heard to the wing part of the plane.

…and Sonic was there sitting on top of it…

His position was far considered to match his personality, sitting straight with his feet swung slightly down. The azure hedgehog sat with his back facing his black doppelganger. His head was a bit lifted high as if he was looking to the sky…no one knows what he really seeing.

Shadow's calling somehow succeeded. His rival was never like being called faker, but that was a slight signage of a normal conversation. He didn't say anything for a while, even didn't ask the azure hedgehog to face him. He knew eyes could be piercing…eyes could kill you like dagger. The eye's language could easily misunderstand than words. Thus to cover the silence Shadow continued to fix the plane, giving him time to calm down.

"How…do you know it was me?"

"The sudden silence and sound of wind blowing passed me? Even an infant could tell only the fastest thing alive can do that."

Another silence clouded again other than sound of metal clicking by Shadow.

"You didn't tell Tails what happen…"

Shadow sighed, he placed the wrench with a slight force, "…because it's unimportant…"

Sonic was about to speak. He finally faced him, "But…"

"STOP IT!"

But suddenly Shadow just swung his wrench and threatened him with the sharp edge nearly touch his nose…

It was sort of sheathing a weapon in meaning to make the debate opponent to pay more attention to him more seriously.

"You are a miserable fellow…"

"…" Sonic only straightened his seat position but none action taken. Shadow thought this was another development; at least he's not going to lash out again.

"You often masked out everything…" he continued, "You didn't want them to know who you are because mostly you are afraid of they would pity you. But then the fact that someone would leave you is more frightening reality, isn't it? The best example was just happened right now. You want to apologize to me but you can't face me. I don't know if it's some pride or you just too coward. However…you are more to a doer, believing some good deeds will fix your mistakes."

A very slow nod…and both of his ears bent.

"Well I know what I did is unforgiving…"

"Shut it…" He growled, "I'm not your damn friend, Sonic!"

Sonic blinked…he was a bit surprised by what Shadow said and this time, the edge of the wrench touching Sonic's nose.

"I'm not your friend who would pity or leave you if you do terrible things. Yet, I'm not your enemy who would laugh on your mistake or dragging you into misleading turns. I'm just your worst rival, who wants things gone straight and the way it was. We always compete almost everything…even Amy."

"…I…"

Shadow lowered his wrench, "I cared about Amy a lot, but apparently my affection is not enough compared to you. If I can't have her, I might as well just take care anything that's important to her. Yes, that means you, I envy that. At least you still have a family that trusted you, no matter how disheartened you are." The ebony hedgehog returned to repairing again.

One point was given to Tails…

It was then Sonic semi-faced him. As Shadow's scarlet eyes observing him again it seemed he was beginning to be himself. His lime eyes, still dull and anxious…but it was sign of improvement.

"Look…about what happen…"

"…I'm not going to ask you about that." Shadow quickly interrupted, and that statement rewarded with Sonic's slight surprised expression, "Maybe I was too pushy. But next time you could've just say that you're offended, rather than killing me."

A faint wince from Sonic was heard, remembering his mistake, "I heard…voices…"

He was silent.

"What voices…?"

"From afar… I don't know where it came from. These days, I suddenly can sense most of things like… How fast the wind could blow through my fur and your conversation with Tails somehow can be heard to me clearly…"

"…Well, aren't it supposed to be gift…?"

"…I see when you're surprised because you received a message from someone you thought was death."

A loud sound of clanking metal, it came from the wrench which Shadow faintly dropped.

"H…how…?" the ebony faced his rival with scarlet eyes widened in fear.

Sonic's lime eyes are still dull, but he was standing, "I recognize the picture few times when I visited Eggman."

"…but it… It might be a prank or something."

"You didn't think of that…" He continued but his voice are lower, "I never seen any of those in Eggman's data. This one is a rare photographic picture."

Shadow felt it again, a sudden rush of energy made him weak. He took steps back away from Sonic but slumped down again to the seat.

"What do you think it was?"

"I'm not sure." His blue doppelganger's ears bent down again, "Some things can't be explain."

"I'd rather believe in something with explanation! It's not like someone could rise after the death."

"Maybe she didn't die in the first place…"

And suddenly Sonic's chest fur was caught by Shadow (AN: I could mean he was grabbing his "collar" but male hedgehogs didn't wear any shirts… sighed). However this was different, it was meant to make him serious about this conversation rather than lashing him. The ebony hedgehog realized this sudden gesture… He almost lashing out on him, the same mistake he did. Likewise, sometimes there's no difference between him and his rival.

"I saw her death…" He then loosened his grip and slowly releasing him, "And it took years for me to accept it. You can't expect me to accept her being alive again."

Sonic's eyes are still unreadable. But he wasn't offended by Shadow's action. He just acting like a lifeless doll as his innocence started to sparked through his eyes.

"Why…?"

He turned away, "What if this is not real? What if it's not her?"

"Well…there's one only way to find out…"

The ebony hedgehog knew what his rival meant. They need to investigate.

"First seeing her death and now she's alive? I don't deserve any of this…"

"I guess… We always get what we don't deserve…even the good ones."

Shadow turned to face him in, surprised by his words that was spoken by him. He observed Sonic's lime eyes once again, and to his surprise, it turned lucid.

…and a small genuine smile grown slightly…

"So you believe what I saw it's not illusion?"

"Well, you believe me even though I almost kill you?" Sonic's smile grew to a grin. His personality started came back to normal.

Shadow snorted, "Look who's talking…? You've done the same thing with me from the fact that I almost kill you twice."

He heard Sonic's faint laugh behind him.

It felt…like almost a miracle.

Nevertheless, Shadow managed to close the cover of the computer. It rebooted itself.

"It won't return…" the ebony hedgehog sighed in disappoint, knowing the message had been missing from the monitor.

Sonic scooted closer to see the monitor, "Tails said if the computer turned off forcefully, none of any current activities was saved."

"Maybe I just need more clue… She says she's in 'up' place. Not sure what it means. But, for some reason, I feel I'm getting closer to her whenever I help you."

"So this means you will help me find Amy?" the fastest thing alive looked at Shadow in disbelief.

"I don't know if that was wrong or right thing to do. But then again I still don't care. I can't just leave you stranded there, can I? You pathetically just snapped out because Amy was taken away from strangers. It is clear to me that it was you who needed her more than she needed you."

"Look… I just mad back then, okay?"

"Well, that was just a small problem… If something bad really happened to her then what would you do?"

Shadow turned back to see Sonic finally facing him. His lime eyes are still gleaming normally, but he then goes apprehensive as showing from his bent down ears.

"I…don't know…"

-

--

-

So Sonic and Shadow finally ceased fire. But on the other side of the floating island. The danger lurked out…

"Rise my creation… I, Erazor Djinn summoned all of you to invade this place. Mephiles say I can't kill that blue rat… But that doesn't mean I cannot torture him, can I? Let the hunt for emeralds and those rodents…begins!"

-

Why? Because I'm a MSN Messenger addict…down to Yahoo im, they sucked!!

The lyrics was another one from "Nine Inch Nails – The Hands that Feeds"

Next would be the first start of Time Travelling: The Past.

Sorry for my grammar mistake, etc.