Chapter 10: Aftermath

Everyone on Mobius and on the ARK rejoiced in happiness as the catastrophe was avoided. But then, Sonic arrived back in the command center, he looked rather distraught. "Sonic, where's Shadow?" asked Rouge hopefully.

But Sonic just gave a sad look on his face, and everyone's mood changed. Sonic then gave Rouge one of Shadow's rings.

"He gave his life for a good cause." said Sonic.

"How ironic as well." said Luke. "After what he did, he saved us all in the end."

"I have to agree." said Leia.

But as everyone grieved, R2 beeped: "He says that the Millennium Falcon is approaching, and General Solo has something we should see."

Everyone set off for the hangar where the Star Tornado and Shadow's Escort Shuttle was parked as the Falcon came in for a landing in the hangar. Chewie then came out and led everyone aboard the ship. Then Han and Chewie presented Shadow, who was now resting in the Falcon's medical bays.

"Is he…" asked Rouge.

"Dead? No." said Han. "In a coma? Yes. He lost a lot of energy in that fight and to keep the ARK from falling any further. I don't think he'll wake up anytime soon."

"I sense the spark of life in him still." said Luke. "Let's go home. We'll let the Republic decide his fate."

As the Freedom Fighters exited the Falcon and climbed aboard the Tornado, Rouge gazed at Shadow's ship. "Ya know, he never did name this thing." she said.

"So what's it's name gonna be?" asked Sonic.

"I think I'll name it…the Black Maria. It'll be homage to Shadow's friend and to his life…" said Rouge as she climbed aboard the newly christened Escort Shuttle.

The three ships exited the ARK as Republic Ships got to work on putting troops aboard it to ensure security.

The three ships flew down towards Mobius, and they took Shadow to a high-security medical bay, where the medical droids thoroughly examined him, though no treatment would help Shadow recover quickly. Kaylor then exited the bay after speaking to the medical droids.

"Shadow is fine, aside from a concussion he sustained. But at the rate his energy is recharging, it could be months, maybe years before he'll come out of it." said Kaylor. "But I know he'll make it. I can feel it…"

Luke knew what that meant, but said nothing about it. Instead, he replied: "I don't know what his true fate is, but I sense that Shadow still has a role to play in events to come. The Force is strong with him, and that's what's keeping him alive."

"If you say so Luke. But what of the ARK and the Eclipse Cannon? We should destroy them before they can be used again!" said Sally.

"No…." murmured Leia. "We never did figure out what the true role of that weapon was, and I think it was built for a whole different reason. Let's leave it alone for now. It's secrets may prove beneficial to Republic Science."

"You're right Leia. Let's wait and see what role the ARK has to play in the future." said Luke.

"But you haven't forgotten that Forell has escaped." said Kaylor. "We think that he and the Apocalypse fled to a nearby sector, but so far, we've been unable to track them."

"No worries. We'll find Forell at some point, but he's not the least of the Republic's concerns." said Leia. "We have plans for Coruscant soon, and we need all of our best forces to converge there…"

And so with that, mostly everyone left, except Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, and Rouge. "Do you think the Professor created him. Shadow, just for revenge?" asked Rouge.

"I dunno. But there had to be an original reason why Shadow was created, Rouge. Who knows?" said Sonic.

"I just hope….well….he recovers soon…" said Rouge.

"Like Kaylor said, it could be a long time before Shadow fully recovers." said Tails. "We'll see."

With that, the 5 left the chamber, as Shadow laid in a stasis chamber, slowly recharging his energy. Meanwhile, Sonic thought: "What a day this has been, and what a birthday too. Saving the world is the best gift I could ever have!"

But things were about to get much more surprising, for soon, within the next day, everyone went to the wedding of Bunnie Rabbot and Antoine D'Coolette, and it certainly did turn out to be a happy ending thanks to Shadow. They would take a moment of silence to remember that Shadow allowed for that moment to happen.

However, deep within the far reaches of the Outer Rim, the Apocalypse was meeting up with the rest of its fleet, and Admiral Forell was called to a secret room aboard the ship, and he then sat in a chair in a very dark room with only a single light. "Welcome back Admiral." said a voice. "I presume you acquired the necessary data from the ARK?"

"Yes, Grand Admiral. The mission was a partial success. But we haven't destroyed Mobius because of Sonic and his allies."

"No matter about Sonic." said the voice. "We have come a step closer to achieving our goal. But for now, like we always have Admiral, we wait. Wait for the Republic and the Remnant to be worn down by their war. When that happens, we will strike. And that Sonic, and his friends, and not even the Jedi will be able to stop us!"

"Y-y-y-yes, Grand Admiral. I have uploaded the information to you." said Forell.

"Very good Admiral. Remember, nobody sees me, but I see and know everything, so do not fail me…" said the voice.

And with that, Admiral Forell left the room, making sure no one spotted him. He didn't know who the "Grand Admiral" was, but knew that whoever he was, he was doing everything he could to avoid a personal meeting. The Apocalypse and its fleet continued toward a hidden base somewhere in the Unknown Regions.