Yo, readers. Awhile back I've been looking for Sonic fanfics that might make some Shadow the Hedgehog game reference. Seeing as there is very little of it, I've decided to write one myself.
I've decided to exploit Shadow's breakdown after fighting Black Doom at the ARK's Computer Room.
In this fic, the breakdown happens at the Last Way.
Reviews are welcome.
FIRE-IN-THE-SKY FESTIVAL.
The day when Black Comet flies across the Earth, once in every 50 years. But things hadn't been good for the whole planet lately.
A day before that, the comet's inhabitants - Black Arms had invaded the Earth and went on rampage for everything that stood in their way.
Their supposed enforcer: Shadow the Hedgehog was supposed to bring them 7 Chaos Emeralds for their Day of Reckoning. But the black hedgehog had amnesia, which led him to some doubts whether to complete this "promise" or not.
In hopes of recovering his memory, Shadow began his journey at emeralds' retrieval and following the clues given by the Black Arms leader, called Black Doom.
At the Black Comet, Shadow was commenting his goal's accomplishment
"Finally... I've found All of the 7 Chaos Emeralds! Now, I can uncover the truth about my past. All of it..."
Although he couldn't help but to remember the message of his creator: Professor Gerald Robotnik.
(Flashback)
The ARK was another clue about his past, which is why he couldn't allow its collapsing.
Alongside with Vector the Crocodile, Shadow searched the main computer room in order to stop the ARK's destruction. It was difficult pathway, but they've made it.
However it wasn't over yet.
The computer also had a video footage. Shadow and Vector had turned on the video, which reveals Professor Gerald Robotnik, who made a very important message for amnesiac hedgehog.
"Shadow, my son. If you're listening to this then the worst has happened... you need to know the truth."
Though emotions were overwhelming him, the black hedgehog has kept his focus on video for the information, that he searched for the last 2 years - his amnesia period.
"The government plans to shut down our research facility... and imprison all who know about you. I made a terrible mistake making contact with that comet. Now listen very carefully... Every 50 years, the Black Comet flies across the Earth... The Black Arms try to harness its power to destroy this planet! The only way to stop them... was to develop a way to use their new soon-to-be power against them."
That piece of information has triggered Shadow's confrontation with G.U.N. Commander not too long ago.
(Confrontation)
Once the hedgehog entered the ARK, the Commander faced Shadow in person.
Letting out his sorrow over his friends' and family's death when he was a child, he gave a clue about Shadow's origin.
Shadow the Hedgehog.
The artificial black hedgehog, created at the ARK, by professor Gerald Robotnik with Black Doom's help.
Surprised Shadow couldn't confirm nor deny Commander's claim. Just as fight was about to begin, Shadow had convinced the 2-colored eyed man to give him some time.
"If what you say is true then I will respectfully accept my fate."
Being in his late 50's gave him a knack to catch lies in interlocutors' voices. Shadow's voice bore none.
Confused, Commander asks "You mean to tell me that you REALLY don't remember a thing?"
Shadow's departure gave him an answer. "But. I just need some time... to uncover the REAL truth."
Despite him being strict soldier, he wasn't close-minded. Which is why the G.U.N. Commander had let Shadow go.
(Back to the message.)
"Shadow... It's up to YOU and only YOU can stop them! I developed the Eclipse Canon... It's the only weapon that can destroy that Black Comet. Shadow, you are the only hope... to save mankind as we know it. The future of this planet depends on... YOU!
A teenaged girl, who appears to be blond-haired, blue-eyed and dressed in blue, shows up on the screen next to professor, joining the message.
"Don't worry grandfather. Shadow will protect this planet."
As if she's talking now, Maria turns her look on Shadow and asks
"Right, Shadow?"
Another piece that triggers Shadow's memory.
It was his time with Maria while she was still among the mortals: Meeting, Friendship, Dream's share, the Artificial Chaos massacre, their escape from the G.U.N. soldiers.
And her last words.
(Last words.)
Shadow's gruesome image continues.
Right after Maria got shot, she had collapsed on the ground and crawled to Shadow in order to speak with him for the last time.
"Shadow, not everyone are irredeemable. Please, give them a chance to be happy again."
If Shadow had heard her, he didn't show it. His priority was to get out of the escape pod. But he couldn't. The pod got launched to it's destination.
Back to the present.
The last destination was Black Comet. Shadow wanted to hear Doom's POV in Professor's project.
But Black Doom saved him a trouble of search.
"Well done, Shadow... Our ritual can now commence as planned. Give me the Chaos Emeralds."
Expressing his desperation, Shadow commenced.
"Black Doom... I need to know the truth. Am I the one the humans refer to as The Spawn of Black Arms? Tell me... I need to know!"
Doom's answer had to wait, as uncalled guests crashed the party
"SHADOW!"
Turning around, Shadow discovered the identities of uncalled guests. They appear to be: Sonic, Knuckles, Eggman, Rouge, Tails and Amy.
After their claims about why Doom can not lay his hands on emeralds, Black lord reveals his plan.
"Hahaha... Ignorant fools. We're here to save the humans from their own demise. We offer... salvation."
Curious Shadow asked "What are you talking about?"
Religion of Black Doom.
"Their greed, thirst for power and affinity for betrayal has them on a path of self-destruction. Their actions will lead them to extinction of their species. We're here to save them from themselves... with our perfect order... allowing them to live through their desperate lives in peace. Humans are a great energy source for us... they will be well kept."
The mobians were overwhelmed with a surprise, which gave Black Doom enough time to take the Chaos Emeralds.
"Now, let begin our ritual of prosperity. Chaos... Control!"
The surroundings went flashing. Once the flash was gone, surprised Amy asks
"What was that? What just happened?"
Astonished Sonic replies
"Those black creatures just warped the comet down to the surface of Earth using Chaos Control!"
Rouge joined the astonished party
"No! That can't be!"
Returning to his senses, Shadow states
"So that's why you needed the Chaos Emeralds."
Laughing for his soon-to-be victory, Black Doom explains
"Precisely. The comet's velocity isn't powerful enough to pass through Earth's atmosphere. The emeralds amplify the space-time control of Chaos Emeralds. We need them to charge to full power. That's why I needed the professor to help me..."
Knowing what professor was mentioned by Doom, everyone expressed their astonishment.
"Now that leads me to your first question, Shadow. The professor was in development of the ultimate life form but he needed my help. So we made a deal... I helped him and he promised to deliver me the 7 Chaos Emeralds. That's how you were created, Shadow. You would help us do both!"
Doom's statement about the black hedgehog's origin astonished everyone again.
While overwhelmed Shadow processed last piece of the information, the Doctor speaks.
"That can't be! He betrayed his own people for research? For Black Doom?"
Determined Sonic and Knuckles prepare to fight
S: "Big deal... We can't just stand there doing nothing!"
K: "Yeah... Let's do this! I'll crush that cosmic rock ball!
Jab, jab, uppercut later, Knuckles freezed like statue. Soon the rest of mobians and Doctor joined him.
Safe to assume, that Black Doom was behind this.
"A special weapon... this gas, once released is quickly absorbed into your blood stream. In a moment, total paralysis will hit your nervous system. The end is near."
Black Doom made another sinister laugh.
"Now my dear offsprings. Eat and devour those savory dishes."
Black Leeches crawled toward heroes, who tried to release themselves. The Heroes had no success so far.
Until one of the Leeches got stomped by none other than black hedgehog. Black Doom wasn't happy about it.
"What is this defiance!"
Coming back to his senses, Shadow turned his half-numb look toward Black Doom. Uttering his choice
"If that's true, then I'll have to accept my responsibilities for my crimes. I will avenge the victims, who died that tragic day."
Shadow destroyed the rest of leeches and attacked the leader of Black Arms.
Before the hedgehog could land a hit, Doom teleported himself away, leaving Emeralds behind and responding
"Those humans seem to have convinced you with this absurdity. So be it... prepare to meet your maker! Your past, present, and future ends here... TODAY!"
Taking the Chaos Emeralds, Shadow focused on his life source that absorbs the Chaos energy. And so his fur turned from black to yellow, making him Super Shadow.
Before flying to the battlefield, Shadow had teleported mobians and Doctor away.
AN: If you know, how much time has passed between Sonic games, please write the information on the reviews.