Chapter 26
Here you go, the LAST chapter. :,(
Christian Wolf27, Sonamylover6822, thanks for the reviews!
8/30 yeses so far!
I own Amara, the name Shadykins, and this story. The Sonic Crew belongs to Sega.
Amara's P.O.V.
I open my eyes and see dawn just starting outside. It's time.
"Shadow," I wake up my husband. "I want to see the sun rise."
"Okay." He picks me up bridal-style and chaos controls us to our roof. Still holding me in his arms, he sits down. We silently watch the dark blue sky slowly turns lighter, different shades of pink and orange in the horizon. I think about all the years that have passed and how my life went.
Shadow and I got married a few months after dealing with Dovarian. We moved to a bigger house in the forest a year later, not too far from civilization. Shadow quit working for G.U.N., and we spent our time together in our peaceful new house, one of the perks of having a limitless credit card. Two years after marriage, we had our first child, Maria. Then we had Micca and Vipsin.
Maria almost looks like me, with the difference of having red highlights in her hair. Micca is four years younger than Maria, and he almost looks exactly like Shadow, with the exception of having brown highlights rather than red and no white tuff of fur on his chest. Vipsin is three years younger than Micca and is truly a combination of me and Shadow. She has my magenta fur, but her hair is black with red highlights. She has her father's red eyes, but there are also flecks of brown in them. All three of our kids have a mixture of Shadow and I's personality, which can be VERY annoying, and they also have my hair/quill mixture.
We, meaning me, also made sure to stay in contact with the Sonic crew as time passed.
Silver claimed and married Blaze a year after Shadow and I got married. They have two kids and still visit their friends from the past at least once a month. They won't tell us too much about their world, not wanting reveal too much about the future, but I do know that whatever they do, they are successful.
Sonic claimed Amy and married her two years after Shadow and I got married. They had five kids. That's right, five. Three of them are supper speedsters like their father while the other two have dangerous tempers like their mother. Sonic became the best judge in Mobius, and Amy ran a hospital and a bakery. Sonic and Amy unfortunately died seven months ago. The Doctors said it was a big coincidence they died at the same time, but the rest of us know better. They couldn't live without the other.
Knuckles and Rouge were married four months after Sonic and Amy married. They had one son, and he became the next Guardian of the Master Emerald. While Knuckles guarded the emerald, Rouge worked as the best jeweler known in Mobius. Go figure. Knuckles died from old age three years ago, Rouge following two weeks later. She couldn't stand to be much longer without him.
Tails and Cream got married eight years after Dovarian's defeat. They have four kids. Tails created a multibillion-dollar company made to better the technology in the world. Saying 'I personally know the guy that created that' is a lot of fun. Cream started orphanages in every city, saving thousands of orphaned children. They still visit us often.
All of our kids grew up being good friends, and still are good friends. They refer to the other parents as 'aunt' or 'uncle', not just by their names. When the kids were younger, they defended Mobius from the villains, just like we did at their ages. There was a time or two when we parents had to step in and help, but they still did most of the work. To say we all are proud of our kids is an understatement. They are our pride and joy. Now our great-grandkids are just getting the job of protecting Mobius, their parents being there to back them up too.
It's hard to believe that I'm 84 years old now. 66 years of being in this world, and what a wonderful 66 years it's been. Shadow and I never used our Overseer forms again, for nothing was a big enough threat. Shadow and I aged well too, if I do say so myself. My hair is no longer brown, but silver, and Shadow's red highlights are a dark grey now. Our relationship has stayed just as strong as the day he claimed me, stronger even.
Last month I was diagnosed with a relatively-new illness that I still can't pronounce and was given a month to live. I've lived a long-enough life, so I accepted it. I had to comfort Shadow though. As far as he's concerned, he goes where I go, just like how Amy and Sonic died together. He can't live without me.
Now, here we are, enjoying our last moments together by watching the sun rise. The sun peaks over the horizon, it's golden rays shining on us. I start to grow cold, something I haven't felt in 66 years.
"I love you Shadykins." I lay my head against his chest. He lays his head on top of mine.
"I love you too, mon amour." He says in a strained voice.
"It's okay, Shadow. It's okay." I whisper, taking my last breath. Once again, I let Death lead me to the afterlife, the fully-risen sun being the last thing that I see.
XXXXX
Beep beep beep bee-
I slap my alarm clock off and sigh. That's the third time I've had that dream now.
Since I can remember, I have had a dream every single night, and in every single one of them, he's there. A black hedgehog with red highlights. I can never remember his name, just the nickname my dream-self calls him: Shadykins. There are others in my dreams too, but I never remember them after I wake up. Just him.
These dreams screw up my romantic life too, or my non-existent one, I should say. I can't help but to compare every guy to him, always disappointed with the difference. I am literally looking for my dream guy, and I don't even know if he exists! I told my parents about my dreams, but they don't know anything more than I do. Will I find this guy someday? Or is he something my mind created just to torture me? With everything that's been happening lately, I'm going with that last one.
I open my eyes. The first thing I see are those blasted tendril things. Why won't they go away? I never saw them before yesterday! It's bad enough that I have those dreams, but now I have to see these things too? I climb out of bed and head to my bathroom. A tendril zips out in front of me and darts into a different shadow, making me jump.
"Agh! Stupid-" I take a deep breath and continue to my bathroom. Yesterday I was walking home from getting groceries for my mom when I saw a young boy getting beaten up by some bullies. Angry, I tried to tell them to leave the boy alone, but all that earned me was a slap to the face. I turned Dark and taught those bullies a lesson, not without noticing those tendrils hiding in the shadows and the extra power they gave me. I walked the boy named Silver home to make sure he got back safely, the whole time seeing the tendrils. There hasn't been a moment since that I have not seen them. No one knows about this, for there's no way I will risk being sent to a therapist.
I try to ignore the tendrils as I get ready for school. Just one more year, one more year and I'll be sixteen and graduating. I put on my usual warm outfit: a tanktop, blue jean shorts, and gladiator sandals that matches the shirt, today's color being violet. I go downstairs and make myself some toast for breakfast. I go outside and hop in my friend's, Toby's, red car. Toby is a lion and has been my best friend since second grade. We carpool with each other to school everyday.
"You look tired Amara. Get any sleep?" He glances over at me as he drives.
"It's just one of those days." I rub my temple.
"It's not one of those lady problems, is it?" He grimaces. I punch his arm. "Ow! Kidding!" He rubs his arm. "Crabby." He mutters. I ignore him. He doesn't deserve my mood, but I can't help it. I'm a bit overwhelmed.
The school day goes by as usual, slow and boring, and it doesn't improve my mood. The tendrils are here by the hundreds. I am pretty sure I'm stuck seeing these things now. Word is spreading around the school about a new guy in school, but I don't listen. Half of it is true anyways. The only perk of today so far is it's pizza for lunch. I love pizza.
After lunch, I go to my sixth period class, Biology II. I take my seat in the back, next to Toby, and lay my head down on the desk, waiting for the bell to ring and class to start.
"You sure you're alright?" Toby asks me, concerned. It's not very often I'm tired and cranky like this.
"Yeah, I'm just really tired." I give him a small smile. I hear our teacher, Mr. Thorn, walk in. I keep my head down, knowing he still has to do attendence.
"I see we have a new student. Shadow Hossetler, I presume?" Mr. Thorn says, grabbing my attention. The name rings a bell, but I don't know why.
"Yes." My head shoots up at the sound of his voice and I find him seated at the front of the room. There, in the flesh, is the black hedgehog with red highlights from my dreams. He's real.
"Amara?" Toby nudges me, snapping me out of my trance. "You're really pale now."
"I'm fine." I quickly answer, not tearing my gaze off of Shadow. He's real!
"Amara Larkinson?" I hear Mr. Thorn call.
"What?" I tear my gaze from Shadow.
"Well you're physically here. How about mentally?" Mr. Thorn raises an eyebrow at me. A couple kids snicker. He's looking at me, I can just feel it.
"Sorry." I blush. "I'm here."
"Good." He finishes attendance. I keep my eyes on my desk, still feeling his eyes on me.
"Okay class, take out your notes..." For the rest of class, I refuse to look at Shadow again, afraid I might accidentally meet his gaze. It took all my focus though. I don't remember a single thing Mr. Thorn just taught us. As soon as class ends, I put myself in the middle of the group of students exiting the room, making sure I'm not accidentally next to him.
The last two periods fly by, my thoughts on nothing but Shadow. What do I do? What am I supposed to do? Surely he doesn't have dreams of me too? Does he feel anything for me?
As soon as eighth period ends, I leave the building as quickly as I can to get to Toby's car, not wanting to risk running into Shadow. For the rest of the day, I'm basically a mindless zombie. My body moves and does what it needs to, but my mind is far, far away. I am halfway through dinner when I can't take it anymore.
"Mom, I'm not feeling too well. I really need some fresh air. Can I go take a walk?"
"Sure sweetie." Mom casts me a concerned look. She is responsible for my magenta fur, while my dad is responsible for my hair being brown.
"Thanks." I quickly head for the door.
"Be back in no more than an hour." My dad calls after me. I take a deep breath once outside and walk to my favorite spot. We live near a lake, a forest right next to that. The lake provides a perfect view while the trees provide shade. It's perfect for relaxing.
"Ugh." I sigh as I sit criss-crossed by the lake, the moon reflecting on its calm waters. "Why? Why me?" I ask to no one in particular. Talking out loud to myself helps me sort out my thoughts. "Don't I have enough going on in my life? I'm seeing no other option but to wait it out and see how things go. If things don't get clearer soon, though, I'll... I'll..." I bury my face in my hands. "I don't know what I'll do." I mutter.
"Rough day?" I jump and whirl around. "Sorry, I did not mean to scare you." Shadow puts up his hands. Ignoring the fast pace of my heart, I compose myself. Up close, I see more details, and every detail I recognize.
"It's okay. Yeah, you could say today wasn't the best." I go back to looking at the lake.
"Amara, right?" I nod, my heart picking up speed again. So what if he remembers my name? We have class together, it's not surprising. "Mind if I join you?" I shake my head. His voice is exactly like in my dreams too. Shadow sits next to me, also watching the water. I wait for him to ask what was so bad about today, but he doesn't, to my relief. "My name is Shadow."
"I know. We have Biology II together."
"I know." We lock eyes for a second and look away, an awkward silence between us.
"So, how was your first day here?" I ask.
"It went well enough." He shrugs. Another moment of silence.
"Did you meet the school's girls today?" I smirk at him, obviously not doubting that they made sure to introduce themselves. Like every school, we have some girls that, how do you say this nicely, get around?
"Unfortunately." He scrunches up his face in disgust. I chuckle at his expression.
"Did you lie to them and say you have a girlfriend or something?" Smooth Amara, now you're trying to pry into his life and see if he's single. Totally not obvious.
"I told them the truth." He states, not taking notice of my prying.
"Which was...?" I arch an eyebrow.
"That I am already taken." He looks over at me. I hide the sudden pain in my chest. What do I care? I don't even know him.
Except for the fact that he's the reason why you never had a boyfriend, or even a crush...
Stupid inner voice.
"What about you? Is that guy you were sitting next to in class your boyfriend?" I'm unable to stop a burst of laughter from leaving my mouth.
"Toby? No, he's my best friend."
"Oh, my mistake." He sounds... relieved? Nah, it's my mind torturing me again. I just might as well admit that I'm losing my mind.
"I'm glad you have someone. She's lucky to have a guy as devoted as you." I plaster a smile on my face.
"She does not know about my feelings. I am not sure if she will reject me or not. Someday, though, I will tell her how I feel. I will tell her she is mon amour." I tense. Mon amour. I've only heard that in my dreams, and dream-Shadow called me that. I tried to look it up, but it does not exist. Somehow, though, I already knew it meant. 'My love'. I told no one else about it. Not even when I was telling my parents about my dreams. It seemed too personal to do that.
I notice Shadow watching me carefully. He dreams of me too, I realize. He has to be if he knows those two words. He might like me too...
I follow my instincts and unfreeze myself. "That's cute. She'll probably smile wide and call you some nickname, like 'Shadykins'." Shock flashes in his eyes from hearing the name before he slowly smiles. He hesitantly raises his hand and gently cups my cheek, slowly rubbing his thumb on my cheek. I automatically lean into it.
"I have been looking for you for quite some time now." He says lowly.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time." I smile tearfully. This feels so right, like I was unknowingly missing a part of myself, and now that I've found it, there's no way I'm letting it go. His smile widening, he leans in and gently presses his lips against mine.
The second out lips meet, memories suddenly flash in my head. Memories of a world called Earth, of human family and friends, of World and Chaos powers, of the Original Heroes of Mobius, and of Shadow the Hedgehog. I remember everything from my past life, from my earliest memories on Earth, to my last moments on the rooftop with Shadow. The last memory to click into place is of Shadow and I casting that spell to prevent our memories being lost.
Shadow and I break apart, the same look of disbelief on our faces.
We've been reborn. I totally forgot about Dovarian's spell.
"To think, that one little spell kept our memories safely stored away for us to find when we met again." I breathe. It's unbelievable. At least everything makes sense now. I'm not crazy.
"Even without our memories I would love you."
"And make me break past your barriers again? No thank you!" I tease and hug him tightly.
"Whatever." He says, amusement in his voice a he hugs me just as tight. I lift my head and we kiss again, love and happiness coursing through the both of us.
I'll miss my old life, but I am not the same Amara from that time, making it easier to let go. I've got differences about myself in this life that were not there my last one, but I have enough permanent things about myself that still makes me Amara. The same goes for Shadow. Who knows, maybe we'll meet one of our old friends in another life. I've already met Silver after all, but he obviously won't remember me by the time he goes back in time and meets the old me. Still, it gives me hope to see my good friends again.
Shadow and I know our destinies now. We'll die and be reborn, only to find each other again the next life, never truly forgetting the other. Memories of all our past lives will come back to us when we're ready. We'll forever be the last two Overseers, protecting this world until its end. We will lose friends and family, suffer different heartaches, we will have good days and bad, but we will go through it together.
And that's just fine with me.
The End
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