Shadow made it back to the Thorndyke Mansion and handed the Silver Chaos Emerald to Tails. Tails explained to him the new problems that has risen to the surface and Shadow listened, thinking that might be what's making his Chaos Powers act a little funny. He was glad he was going home however. It's what he's wanted for almost a year now since they got to this planet. But something else was bugging him about it. How would Maria handle it? They should have made it back home nearly nine months ago, yet they stayed here. And he knew why. Was she ready to let them go? Shadow shook his head, clearing out the thoughts. Maria would have to come to terms with this on her own, Shadow can't help her. Not as he is. He walked along the side of the pool, seeing Maria off to the side with her head hanging low with her bag on her back.

He couldn't just let her be alone, not like this. "Maria." He called out, getting her attention. He walked over, grabbing her hand that wasn't still in the brace. "Hold on tight." He warned as Maria smiled a little and held on to Shadow tightly before feeling the wind in her face, but it ended to soon when Shadow dropped her off at her high school.

School was the absolute last place Maria wanted to be. All she thought about was what Robotnik had told her, that everything would simply revert back to the way things were. It ate at her through the day, she couldn't stand the thought of it. She didn't want to go back. She had friends for the first time, real friends that didn't care if she was rich. And when they were gone...

.

A week went by fast as Tails and Chuck built their machine, finishing it with the help of the Chaos Emeralds. The question rose on how they'd manage to bring the Emeralds with them, and Shadow stated he could be a temporary anchor for them since his body is filled with Chaos Energy. Once Shadow stepped through the portal, the Chaos Emeralds would follow him and the link between the two worlds would sever forever.

They had set it up at the bridge connecting Station Square to the rest of the world. Maria had dressed in her dark blue dress, an opening to the side to show her leg. she kept her wrist brace on, scared that it would spike in pain again. Despite her rapid healing, she still had issues with her hand when she broke it barely a month ago.

As Maria was heading out the door, her mother grabbed hold, telling her keep her chin up and everything was going to be ok. Maria nodded as she left out the door, her face turning sour. That was the main reason she didn't want her parents at this departure, so she could avoid that stupid line.

She loaded up in the car as Tails took off in his original bi-plane Tornado since he and Chuck used parts from the X Tornado. Knuckles was already at the bridge, Angel Island floating not far away. Robotnik was also there in his normal attire, though his sleeve was still empty. Unfortunately, the machine would send everyone in a different location based on their thoughts, so it would be impossible to keep track of Robotnik. They'd have to let him go.

Maria looked over and saw a huge circle, the Seven Chaos Emeralds in cases along the outer ridge. Tails typed away, hitting a green button when the machine powered up, then shut off again. Maria couldn't help but smile a little bit.

"What's wrong Tails?" Shadow asked.

"Well, I overestimated how much power the starter could take." Tails explained. "Unless, I don't need the starter..." He said as he typed away, moving wires and making adjustments needed as he slammed down the green button again and the Chaos Emeralds glowed, opening the portal. Robotnik walked through the portal, laughing madly as he disappeared. "I DID IT!" Tails exclaimed, excited that it works.

Chuck put a hand on his shoulder. "Excellent work...Tails.." Chuck choked up, bringing Tails in for a hug and started to sob. "I'm going to miss you..." (Cue Shining Road.)

"Watashitachi no sekai wa, mahoe o, kakerarete."
Tails hugged him back. "I'll miss you to Chuck. It was a lot of fun, building things together with you. I'll never forget you."
"Aisuru tokimeki sae,namida no, fuujirareteru"

"Boy (boy) Futari de jumon o sagashi ni ikou"
Amy and Cream held hands. "I guess it won't be long now..." She stated. Ella came up to Amy, handing her a book as Amy opened it. "These are...all your recipes...Thank you Ella. You and Tanaka made us welcome in this alien world..." That's when Amy broke down, the group hugging each other fiercely before separating, as Amy and Cream stepped through the portal.
"Kinjirareta yuma o kanaerareru kuni he"

"Thank you for everything!" Cream yelled as the two disappeared.
"dare ni mo naisho de ashita machiawaseshi you"

"itsuka kotori o umeta yoake no mieru oka de"
Tails was next, flying his plane through the Portal. "It's been a blast!" He yelled as he went through, with Chuck saluting the pilot a farewell.
"Tsumetai asa mo ya kimi to Te tsunaidara"

Maria stared through the portal. "Good bye Cream, Amy, Tails...I'll never forget you..." She thought to herself.

"Hikaru micha no fuuin ga tokeruyo"
Rouge handed Topaz a box. "Take this before I change my mind." She stated, as Topaz opened the box to reveal a gem of the same color as he name. "When I saw that gem in the jewelry store I just HAD to get it for you...You could say it was a steal." She joked as Topaz nodded, holding back the mist forming in her eyes. "See ya." Rouge stated, going through the portal and Topaz broke down, saying her goodbye's to her partner.
"Hateshinaku"

All that was left were Knuckles and Shadow. "Soon we'll be back home Shadow...back home." Knuckles stated, as Shadow nodded having a yellow tint around him. "I'll meet you on the other side." Knuckles said as he glowed a green color, warping Angel Island with himself through the portal.

Shadow walked forward, but Maria called out to him. "Well...Shadow. It's been...fun." She said as she extended her hand.

Shado smirked a little as he took it. "Indeed it has Maria...Thank you...for everything." He stated, the two letting go.

"There has to be another way..." Maria thought as she watched Shadow turn. "Please don't go..."
"Once he's gone, your life will go back to the way it was before..." Robotnik's words echoed in her head as Shadow walked up to the portal. "I can't...I WON'T..." Shadow got to the entrance and Maria clenched.

Shadow stepped up to the portal when the doors shut on him and the Emeralds fell. He turned his head, not believing his eyes. Tears pouring out of her eyes, Maria's hand was on the off switch.