A/N- Okay, I'll be lucky if this chapter even goes up today because my computer is about to die. So after this chapter I'm taking a break from updating until I get a new one which should be about a week. But don't worry, I left you guys with something good. And I do not own the song used in the chapter.

The Ultimate Lifeform Slows Down Chapter 10

Shadow POV

Needless to say, I didn't get any sleep that night. All I could think about was the look on Maria's face when I said I didn't know if I loved her. It's like the lights in her eyes went out and the light blue in them dulled. And it was all my fault. All I want to do is make her smile as much as I can each day. I wish I was in that bed with her. You know what, I was wrong. I do know how I feel, I am in love with Maria Robotnik. I'm in love with my best friend. And I blew it. Damn, why do I have to be so stubborn? The sound of my phone ringing snapped me out of my depressing thoughts.

"Hello?" I said picking it up.

"Hey buddy, it's me Sonic."

"What do you want?" I said a bit harshly.

"Okay, sounds like I'm talking to old Shadow. Anything you want to talk about?"

"No."

"Alrighty then, well my brother and sister are in town and my brother is blackmailing me into inviting everyone to a karaoke place tonight. Think you two can make it?"

"I'll ask Maria, but no promises."

"Okay, are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You of all people should know what 'fine' means. Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional. You're the last person I called, and I don't feel like dealing with Manic, so I've got all day to talk." I hate to admit this, but he's one of the two people I would ask for help about this problem. And considering the other person is Maria…

"Sonic, I think I blew it with Maria."

"I take it not in the good way." I took a deep breath so I wouldn't yell. As much.

"She is 16! What is your problem?!"

"My rock star brother woke me up at six in the morning after only five hours of sleep. So I'm a bit loopy."

"Whatever, you awake enough to help me out?"

"Sure. What happened?"

"Well, yesterday while we were watching the sunset, Maria asked me if I loved her. I said I didn't know, but now I do. What should I do?"

"Just tell her."

"But what if I hurt her feelings too much for her to still like me?

"If what Amy told me is true, she still likes you. Think about it, I blew off Amy for ten years, you only did it for one day. If you really want to make sure, tell her in a special way."

"A special way, huh?"

"Yeah. Look, I gotta go, Manic is pulling out his drum set and I have to make sure he doesn't blow my house up with it. See ya." And with that Sonic hung up. I sat back down on the couch and thought about what I could do. Then the perfect idea came to me.

Maria POV

I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing in the living room. I looked over and saw it was 9:30. That means Shadow is going to be out there. I waited a few minutes to go out there and when I did I saw Shadow sitting on the couch. There was a gleam in his eyes as he looked at me.

"What are you so excited about?" I asked amused.

"You'll see later, I hope."

"Okay," I said slowly, "who was on the phone?"

"It was Sonic, he invited us to go to a karaoke place to meet his brother and sister. You want to go?"

"Depends, what's karaoke?"

"It's where you are given lyrics to a song and you try and sing as best as you can. Or you act really silly, your choice."

"That sounds interesting, when would we go?"

"You know what, that's a good question. I didn't ask him." So Shadow called Sonic back while I made breakfast. "So, he said we would all meet up at his house at six." He said sitting down.

"Whose all coming?"

"Well Sonic, Amy, and his siblings. Then he said he invited Tails, Cream, Blaze, and Silver. And I know for a fact Rouge and Knuckles are out of town."

"Okay, although I don't think I'll be that good at it."

"As long as you're not as bad as Vector you'll be fine." He reassured me. It made me feel better. Anyway, nothing interesting happened until we got to Sonic's house. Shadow knocked on the door and an almost burgundy hedgehog opened it.

"Sonic! More of your friends are here!" She called out. To us she said, "Hi, Sonia the Hedgehog, keyboardist extraordinaire." She stuck out her hand to shake. I took it.

"My name's Maria, I take it you're Sonic's sister?"

"The one and only. So whose Mr. Short, Dark, and Handsome over here?" I didn't like her tone so I immediately got defensive and moved closer to Shadow.

"This is my best friend Shadow." I said glaring daggers.

"Nice to finally meet you. Now if you don't mind I need to get something to drink." Shadow said going inside, leaving us outside alone.

"He's mine." I said to her.

"I'm sorry if you took my comment about him the wrong way." Sonia said. "I just call them like I see them. Besides, I've got a boyfriend already." I backed off after that.

"No, I'm sorry. I've just been on edge lately with my emotions about him."

"Don't worry hon, he likes ya." Why does everyone keep saying that? Is it that obvious? Anyway, we walked into the house and I saw that everyone was already there. I also saw another green hedgehog that wasn't Scourge. When I walked up to him he tensed up like I was going to scream.

"Are you Sonic's brother?" I asked calmly.

"You bet. You want an autograph?" Huh? Is he that full of himself? Then Sonic popped over for a second.

"Manic, she doesn't know." He said before running off again.

"Well, that explains why you didn't scream like the others."

"Why would I?"

"Well, 'cause I'm a rock star. Most girls melt and scream my ears off when they meet me."

"Then I must be a refreshing surprise. Nice to meet you, my name's Maria."

"Manic the Hedgehog, world's best drummer and pickpocket."

"Pickpocket?" I asked, then he pulled out a wallet.

"I believe this is yours." He said handing it to me.

"Wow, you are good."

"The best." Then he called out to Sonic, "Hey bro, are we going to leave soon?"

Shadow POV

So, after running from crowds of screaming fan girls, we finally made it to our destination. I had the smart idea to Chaos Control everyone to the karaoke place so we wouldn't be followed. Walking in I saw Scourge sipping what looked like his 5th beer while trying to look down the waitress' shirt. Yeah, still don't like that guy. Anyway, while everyone else started singing, I leafed through the song list to see if they had the song I wanted. If they didn't I was going to do this when we got home. Luckily, they did. So after Amy took her turn I decided it was time. I told the DJ what song to play and stood up on the stage. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, so I started to tap my foot and close my eyes before beginning to sing.

My Maria

I saw Maria's head turn towards the stage when I started.

Don't you know I've come a long, long way,

I've been longing to see her, when she's around she takes my blues away,

Sweet Maria, the sunlight surely hurts my eyes,

I'm a lonely dreamer on a highway in the skies.

I was going to have some trouble with the next part since the notes are so high.

Mari-iii-a, Mari-iii-a I love you.

I was looking Maria dead in the eyes as I sang that part. She blushed so hard I almost laughed. As I sang the rest of the song I thought about how the lyrics pretty much summed up my life. Things like having blue and sorrow times, how thinking about Maria frees me from those times, things like that. Anyway, towards the end I pulled Maria up with me to dance while I finished. And I was happy, more so than ever before. When I was done singing I kept the microphone and turned to Maria.

"Maria, last night you asked me if I loved you and I said I didn't know. You seemed sad when I said that and it got me to thinking. It really hurt me to make you sad, and I never wanted to do that, ever. That made me realize something. If I feel that bad about it, and if I always want to be around you and see you smile, I must be in love. So, with all my friends, and Scourge who's smashed in the back there, as witnesses, yes Maria, I do love you, very much." I was so glad to get that off my chest. Then, Maria kissed me right on the lips. I was going to wait until we got home, but okay. I put my arms around her and brought her closer to deepen the kiss. I should have done this sooner. Eventually we broke apart and Maria started talking.

"I love you too Shady. That was very sweet of you."

"I just hope you know we have to wait a little bit before we get serious." She is only 16, as I've stated many times.

"I know, but it'll be worth it, for you."

"My sentiments exactly." After that Maria decided to try and sing. I wasn't paying attention to what she sang, but it sounded beautiful. Then after awhile we went home and I stopped before I unlocked the door. I reached up and kissed her like I had planned on. "I'm sorry again Maria, I should have known earlier." I said afterwards.

"No, it's kinda my fault. I shouldn't have asked."

"But if you didn't, I wouldn't have realized how I felt."

"I guess."

"So, do you mind if we sleep in the same bed now?" I asked with a grin.

"It's all I've wanted since the beginning."

A/N- So to recap, Shadow and Maria are now officially a couple, I'm taking a break until I get a new computer, and you guys are awesome people who read this story. But think on the bright side, since my computer is jacked up I'll have more time to write. See you sometime later.