Chapter 37: Maria

"What's the fucking point? Why do I do this? why am I back? Why do I still fight for her? She's gone. She died in this place. This Place use to be a good. Discovery, Knowledge, Exploration. I no longer deny the possibility of an unseen power. I guiding hand, helping me to my destiny. Every day when I wake up, I feel disgusted seeing me in the mirror. I think of you, all I know is failure. I failed to protect you. I failed to save you. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't quick enough. I wasn't good enough. As I stand in this place, I feel like screaming. I feel… Angry. Sad. Alone. I am not the ultimate creation. I am nobody. And this pain proves it. I feel fear. Why do bad things happen to good people? I guess it might be a constant war in life between good and evil. Now I'm contemplating in my head thinking. Dark clouds over my head and my heart's racing. Suicide? Nah, I'm better than that. I Know I am. Knowing wherever she is, she want's me to keep going. But everyday it's too much. Too much to take in. I feel I might go insane. I might scream at the top of my lungs, but what's that gonna do? Its not gonna make anything better, its not going to bring you back. I hate me. everyone does. They see me, they see a walking weapon. What really hurts is the fact that I was meant only to be served as nothing but a weapon. To be used for war, and profit. What's my fucking point? What is existence? What is life? What am I here for? I know how this is going to play out. Still, I keep your memory alive. I cherished every single thing you ever taught me. I remember all of it. Every word, every moment. The remembrance of your kiss on me at times when I needed you the most. The sounds you make. Your breath. And the Shadow of your Hair. I still see that blond long flailing hair of yours. I remember your soft hands. Your dress. I remember the way you moved. I remember you singing to me. I want you back more than anything. I wish you were back. But your gone. Nothing but only a memory. Just know, what I do. I do only for you. I'll fight for everything you stood for, even if its for the last time. So to this moment, this me… It will be gone. One way or another, I will be free from this. From this burden I possess. This constant pain I suffer. I… I…Can't take it anymore. So I… Maria. I love you. And I miss you."

Tails ship lands into the Cargo hold. Shadow leans against the window while Amy is sitting next to Rouge while she's talking with Knuckles about their last encounter they had here. Amy stares at shadow is looking out into the place. Amy feels a sense of Despair in her heart.

Amy's conscience: "Shadow. I know you're in Pain in that shell of yours. I just know you're scared. You're all alone. Screaming about Her. I just hope you understand I'm here for you when you need it."

Sonic: "Alright Guys. Let's make ourselves home."

Knuckles: "Alright, So what are we doing here?"

Tails: "We're looking for something like this."

Tails pulls out the image of the black vile on his desktop screen.

Knuckles: "Don't we already have it?"

Shadow: "There's another on this station somewhere."

Tails: "The smart thing to do, is to check Professor Gerald's lab first."

Vector: "We'll check it out and the control room."

Rouge: "Omega, go help them out will ya?"

Omega: "Affirmative."

They all walk off the ship and 3 guards come up. They're different than the other G.U.N Forces. They're dressed in black. They have Red G.U.N symbols on them and they have red helmets. One of them is helmetless. He looks a bit older than the other two and he has a scar across his eye. His suit looks different. He has writing in red on it. "The Oak Killer". He has slick black hair and he has Shades on.

Cal: "Project Shadow. We're here under your protection to finding whatever it is on this base"

Shadow: "I don't need your protection."

Cal: "Orders From commander Abraham that we would watch your every move. We have this place under surveillance and protection. I assure you there's nothing here for you. Whatever you need my soldiers already found out about."

Shadow: "Anything like this?"

He pulls out the Blood Vile and Cal takes a good look at it.

Cal: "I'm sure I would've found out about it. I went under every section and room of this place. Whatever it is you're looking for is not here."

Shadow: "You didn't look in the right places."

Cal looks at shadow in annoyance. He pulls of his Shades.

Cal: "Listen Black Arm Scum, I read your file. I know everything about you. How do we not know that you brought us here to waste time? Unless you and your identical twin are working together?"

Shadow balls his fists and steps close to Cal who takes the challenge both looking into each other like Lions challenging each other to be the Alpha. Amy steps in and close separating the shadow from him a bit.

Amy: "Listen, he wouldn't be at this place for nothing if he wanted to lead us off."

Rouge: "Hold it Captain. As a fellow soldier of G.U.N I am pretty sure Shadow is on our side. And there is something here. Have you found any data or secrets about Gloom here?"

Cal: "Well no but-"

Rouge: "If he exist, something in this place has to have data on him."

G.U.N Soldier: "She has a point sir. There's gotta be something here for us?"

Sonic: "Maybe it's not even here, but it'll lead us to it?"

Cal: "Fine, but just know that I will have my eye on you hedgehog. All of you. You'll find some other scientist and Doctors in the Research area. Maybe they'll help find whatever it is you're looking for?"

Tails: "Yeah that'll be great. We should head to the control room and see if we find some data on Gloom?"

Vector: "We'll be helping scoping the place. Do you need our help?"

Tails: "Yeah and also, after all that crap we found from the other piece of the comet maybe there will be anything related to what we found. Shadow will you- Shadow?"

They all noticed he disappeared off somewhere. Amy looks around and remembers the one place he might be.

Amy: "I think I know where he might be. You guys should go on ahead, I'll go look for him."

Sonic: "I don't blame him. He probably needs time to catch up with the place. We'll be helping Tails."

Cal: "Just make it quick."

Omega: "I shall assist with the intel Tails gathered."

Rouge: "Fair enough. I'll be around."

After every one splits up, Amy walks towards the one place she knows he'll be at. She heads down a long hallway with rooms. They all look so full of guards and new researchers and scientist.

Amy conscience: wow, last time I checked this place was a ghost town. Ever since after the invasion, I guess they fixed the place.

Female Scientist: "Ow, stinkin contraption! (Boom) WOAH!"

Amy hears the ruckus and runs towards the sounds of an extinguisher putting out a fire. She runs towards the room and sees a lady with brown hair with freckles and glasses. Gun soldiers reach the room to see the commotion.

G.U.N Soldier: "Dr. Cross, are you okay?"

Beth: "Yeah, almost made a breakthrough. Almost."

Amy: "Are you sure you're alright?"

Beth: "Yeah, yeah I'm fine just… Oh, I didn't know we were having guest today."

Amy: "Sorry, I heard an explosion here and I thought there was trouble."

Beth: "Oh no you're fine. Really. What's your name."

Amy: "Amy Rose."

Beth: "Wow that is a pretty name. Wait are you the same pink hedgehog that chases after Sonic?"

Amy looks annoyed but can't deny the truth that she did used to do that to him.

Amy: "Geez, yeah that's me. Used to chase after him."

Beth: "Wow. You are actually my favorite out of all of them."

Amy: "Aww, thanks."

Beth: "My name is Bethany Cross, but you can just call me Beth."

Amy: "Nice to meet you Beth. And what pretty name."

Beth: Thanks. So what brings you here?"

Amy: "I'm with the other freedom fighters and shadow to help find-"

Beth: "Wait Shadow the hedgehog is here?"

Amy: "Y-yeah."

Beth: "Please take me to him?"

Amy: "I was just looking for him."

With Shadow

While those two are looking for him, He walks into a room that he knows. A bed is in the middle, an old blow dryer and hair brushes with Maria DNA on them. The room looks dusty and there's a doll and teddy bear on the bed. He walks into the room and his heart stops from seeing the whole place. He's fighting or control of his emotions. He leans against the doorway with his elbow and tears form around his eyes. He sucks them back in and breathes in and out. He walks into the room looking around seeing old pictures and drawings of her and him. No sight of Gloom anywhere. At least she kept the secret of him as well. He walks to a perfect drawing of maria like it was art. It's when Shadow was taking in art on his own and he drew Maria. She looks so happy to be there.

Shadow: *Chuckling* "perfection at its finest."

He looks around and sits on her bed. He sits and rubs the fabric remembering how she left it. He looks at the pillows remembering she would always sleep there. He looks over at a chair in the room with a window showing the outside. He walks towards the chair and sit there remembering she would always have nightmares and he'd sit there watching her and making sure she's secure. Shadow looks around and grabs something off her dresser. An old photo of her and Shadow. A selfie photo of her and him. Before camera phones were invented Gerald gave her a camera for her own. She'd always talk about traveling and photography if they ever went down to the planet. He gets up and goes towards the tape recorder. He finds one of maria's favorite songs in a box. An old song, beautiful one. "Nino Precioso."

Dear reader. Play this while reading. ( watch?v=gFwRf0oKgKE)

Shadow, plays it and he remembers this song was in Spanish. He listens to the sound of the melody and the sound of it's beautiful Soft sounds.

"Niño precioso, más que el armiño
Risueño niño, Dios del amor
Duerme tranquilo, duerme entretanto
Eleva el canto me humilde voz"

The music echoes down the hallways of the Ark. Some people hear it and some don't. They don't hardly pay no mind to it. A 12 year old Rabbit along with her partner Chao is walking down the Ark exploring the place a bit. She hears music and proceeds to follow it. She enjoys hearing it and follows the sound of the harmonic music. She reaches a room that looks a bit identical to hers but not exactly like it. She sees a good friend and teacher lying on the bed listening and he notices her at the door.

Shadow: "Hey."

Cream: "Hi Shadow. Was this her room?"

Shadow: "It was."

She walks in a takes a look around seeing dust and drawings.

Cream: "It could use a make over a bit."

She hops onto the bed and crawls next to shadow. Cheese picks up one of Maria's stuffed animals and dances with them.

Cream: "What was she like?"

Shadow: "She was beyond comprehension."

Cream: "C'mon, a little more details."

Shadow: "Hmph, she was beautiful, Smart, Caring, Loving, Enthusiastic. She would always be there during our hardest times. She knew when I had my worst days and how to fix them. She tried everything to fix me and my brother. She… she…"

Cream sits up and lies next to him.

Shadow: "She had so many ideas. So many things she wanted to do when we ever got to the planet. She had dreams. She wanted everyone to be happy."

Cream: "She wanted you to be happy?"

Shadow: "Yeah. She made me happy. I just wish I could've saved her."

Cream: "So… I know I shouldn't be asking this but…"

Shadow: "But?"

Cream: "I know I shouldn't ask you this but how did she die?"

Shadow gets shocked from hearing that but he understands her curiosity. He tries to let it out but he can't. he tries to push it out of him. he tries to explain but he just can't find the right words.

Shadow: "I… You see I… could've…. I-I tried to-"

Cream: "It's okay if you can't. I understand."

Shadow: "She died, protecting me."

Cream: …

Shadow: …

Cream: "I see."

She sits up and lies upside down with her feet up on the bed and her down by his legs.

Cream: "Y'know, my mom once told me about what it's like to lose someone. You know after when you lose someone, you lose a part of you. Like everything that gave you purpose just comes to a close. The end of the world already hit before anything else. You see, when you lose someone that gave you purpose, It's like the most painful feeling you could ever have. I can imagine it could be rock bottom. Enough to make you go insane. Keep you up screaming. Sometimes, it consumes you. Maybe you just have to let it go. It'll be hard, but you gotta start from somewhere. It may not be perfect but it'll be better. Each day it gets better."

Shadow: "Yeah, but I just wish she didn't die bleeding out on that filthy floor."

Amy: "So that's how she died?"

Shadow and Cream look at the doorway while the music goes off. She walks in and sits next to shadow. She reaches towards him and kisses him.

Shadow: "How much did you hear?"

Amy: "All of it. So how does it feel being back up here?"

Shadow: "Haunting yet homey."

Amy: "So did they ever bury her?"

Shadow: "They did."

Amy: "Where?"

Shadow: "I'll show the both of you later."

Beth: "Sorry for interrupting."

They all look at beth who walks in and stands next to Amy. She reaches out her hand towards Shadow.

Beth: "I just wanna say, I am so sorry to what happened to maria and I am such a huge fan of yours."

Shadow: "Uhhh… T-thanks."

Beth: "My name is Beth, Bethany Cross."

Shadow: "Nice to meet- Wait was your grandfather Anthony Cross?"

Beth: "I knew you'd remember him. My father told me stories about you and him. I always wanted to finally meet you."

Shadow: "So did he survive?"

Beth: "He did, but he passed away years ago before you came back. I always wondered what happened to you.""

Shadow: "So he did have a kid? Nice to meet you."

Amy: "You had a relative that worked here?"

Beth: "Yes, my grandfather Anthony. He was master of geneticist and physicist. He worked for Gerald and managed to escape before they arrived.

Shadow: "Well. At least I know there are others out there that made it."

Beth: "If it makes you feel better, Elizabeth is still alive."

Shadow: "Not surprised. She was never the fighter type. She dead too?"

Elizabeth: "Nope. But she's slowly getting there."

Meanwhile at Spagonia at an old lady's house

A knock comes at her door and old granny in her 70's walks towards the door.

Elizabeth: "Hold on I'm coming, I'm coming."

She opens the door and sees a shadowy figure in the night she didn't believe alive.

Elizabeth: *gasps*

Gloom: "Hey Liz."

Elizabeth: *Faints*

Gloom: "Looks like she's seen a ghost."

15 Minutes later in her room

She starts to regain consciousness in her bedroom. She wakes up with tea made next to her. it's dark and raining outside. The light is on and her cat hops onto the bed.

Gloom: "Rise and Shine."

Elizabeth: "Ooohh. H-how are you… What happened to you?"

Gloom: "It's alright. I haven't changed at all."

Elizabeth: "No. I mean where did you get those tattoos? You look like an average punk."

Gloom: "First meeting back after 50 years and you're worried about my look? Sure, okay."

Elizabeth: *giggles* *crying* "What happened to you?"

Gloom: "I'm a black arm. That's what happened."

Elizabeth: "That I knew. But where have you been?"

Gloom: "I've been asleep is all. I woke up. Gerald's grandson Ivo found me."

Elizabeth: "Hmm. I see. So how was the black comet?"

Gloom: "Sad and lonely. Without Shadow and Maria."

Elizabeth: "Did you catch up with him? He's still out there."

Gloom: "Yeah. Me and him duked it out last week."

Elizabeth: "So is it you making a mess of the whole world with those creatures now?"

Gloom: "Yes ma'am."

Elizabeth: "You will stop at once."

Gloom: "I'm sorry but I can't. I gotta complete my mission to the black arms."

Elizabeth: "Well. I know no matter what I say or do will change your mind but just know that you will make the right decision in the end. *Cough*.

Gloom: "You alright? you're not sounding to good."

Elizabeth: "Oh it's fine. Just old is all. So, how do you like the planet?"

Gloom: "It's beautiful here."

Elizabeth: "I'd knew you love it."

Gloom: "I would like to remind the inhabitants who they are though."

Elizabeth: "You won't change us. We're stubborn creatures. You can't change human nature so easily. We're better than that."

Gloom: "I know. But not if I rule it."

Elizabeth: "You'll have to beat shadow and his friends before that happens."

Gloom: "Yeah lady already met them. Pretty sure I can take them out easily if I wanted to."

Elizabeth: "We'll see."

Gloom: "I just wanted to see you before I go to the ark."

Elizabeth: "What's up there for you?"

Gloom: "Shadow's there with his friends to find something I might use for myself."

Elizabeth: Before you go. I just want you to know, everyone including me on that station is proud of the both of you. We love you dearly no matter what you choose."

Gloom: "I do it for you and Maria."

He holds her hand and kisses it.

Gloom: "Gotta go."

Elizabeth: "I know."

Gloom: "Goodbye."

Elizabeth: "Bye."

He teleports out of the room and She sheds a single tear for him.

On the Ark

After they left maria's room they went to see the others. They all meet the control room.

Beth: "Wow being in person, in front of the fastest thing alive. Never thought I see the day."

Sonic: "Nice to meet you too. So question, Why did they get this place back and operational?"

Beth: "In honor of Professor Gerald. This place is back operating again for all the damage they caused here by killing the scientist. This time they're here to pay homage for him by letting new researchers and world's greatest minds come together inventing and creating new things."

Sonic: "Sounds pretty useful. Wish egghead would use his brain only for this."

Beth: "So you guys think there's another Black arm essence on this station?"

Tails: "Yes. And we're trying to find it."

Beth: "If it's here, we would've found it."

Shadow: "Oh it's here somewhere. I know it is."

He starts remembering the flashbacks of it and the dreams he had on the island.

Beth: "Of all the times I looked over this place."

Vector: "As a detective, i think he might be right."

Beth: "What makes you think that."

Vector: "C'mon, you really think the world's greatest mind would ever tell you all his secrets. He didn't leave anything to tell us about gloom."

Beth: "Oh right Gloom? He looks so interesting."

Shadow: "How interesting?"

Beth: "As in interesting enough I want to experiment on him."

Shadow: …

Everyone stares at Beth and tries not to take her seriously.

Beth: "Did I say something wrong?"

Amy: "Listen we're trying our best not to kill him."

Beth: "Oh I get it. Family. I understand. Really, I do."

Tails: "We could use your genius to figure out a way to stop him."

Beth: "Oh you're so sweet. Really you shouldn't have."

Sonic: "No really your help would help would be much appreciated."

Beth: "I assume you guys have fought him already?"

Knuckles: "Yeah. The guy is cunning and sneaky. It's like he has every trick planned out before we even attack."

She pulls out a notebook and pen and starts writing Glooms name.

Beth: "So tell me his abilities."

Shadow: "Teleport."

Beth: "Obviously."

Amy: "Ability to summon weapons."

Beth: "Arsenal."

Sonic: "Can grow spikes out of him. not like hedgehogs, its different. More deadly. Actual spikes."

Shadow pulls one out of him for example to Beth.

Beth: "Very interesting."

Cream: "Can summon portals."

Beth: "Classic."

Shadow: "Can somehow bring people from the dead and force them to fight on his side."

Beth: "We seen that before from other similar black arm creatures."

Amy: "Can summon black arm oaks."

Beth: "Minions."

Shadow: "Spells. Able to chain enemies."

Beth: "Root like those grass characters from comics. Keep it coming guys."

Espio: "Able to use black creatures to spy on us."

Beth: "Specialty to spy."

Vector: "Fire resistant."

Shadow: "Doesn't know how to swim."

Rouge: "Hard to take down as well."

Amy: "one of his weakpoints is his Nuts."

Few people including sonic and amy giggle to themselves.

Beth: "Same as us."

Sonic: "Did we forget to mention he's able to use chaos energy."

Beth: "Chaos Energy."

Shadow: "He can get tranqued easily."

Beth: "Like the average animal. Okay this is all I need. I'll see if I can cook up something or see if I can find his weakness."

Shadow: "Try your best to have it Nonfatal."

Beth: "Brb."

Sonic: "Okay man, why are you trying to defend this guy. I'm just saying he has his intentions. Lets just take him down."

Shadow grows spike out of his back and arms signifying as a threat.

Shadow: "You… will…. Not… touch him."

Sonic: "Listen man, I understand that's your family and all but what about your new one?"

Shadow: "What?"

Sonic: "Have you seen what he did to our friends at home and them?" pointing at chaotix."I understand it's not easy but what happens if he kills one of us?"

Shadow: "I'll deal with it."

Knuckles: "With all due respect Shadow but I'm gonna have to agree with him on this one. It's only a matter of time when we don't have a choice in the situation."

Amy: "Now wait a minute guys. We can't just kill him. we have to beat him first. We don't have to kill him."

Espio: "Maybe not, but it'll come to the point sooner or later when we don't have a choice."

Shadow: "Hmph."

The spikes on him move back into his body and he folds his arms.

Vector: "I say we give it more time. Trust me, he could've killed us when he had the chance back in metropolis. He didn't. Maybe he let us live for a reason."

Tails: "He also said he wasn't a kid killer. He could've killed me and Cream a whole bunch of times but chose not to."

Shadow: "My brother is better than that."

Sonic: "So about the whole massacre he left to innocent civilians in downtown metropolis day one when he showed up?"

Shadow: "He's better than that. He just got released and he was pissed."

Sonic: "Oh and the massacre of the innocents of the village and reanimating them into their worst nightmares."

Shadow: "I don't need this."

He walks out.

Sonic: "Oh walk away. Sure yeah, always leaving everyone in the dark."

A hammer is thrown across the room towards the blue blur hitting him in the stomach and sending him back a few feet back lying on his back holding his stomach. Amy marches over two him and Kicks him making him cough up blood and a broken nose. She holds his chin on the ground and looks him in the eyes with rage. He looks at her in confusion and fear. Everyone watches in fear, confusion, and shock.

Amy: "From this point on Sonic the hedgehog, you will not talk. You don't know him. you don't know the pain he's going through hedgehog. He's grieving and he's in pain. Something you wouldn't know about. That's if you ever understood anyone else's point of view. You lack patience Hedgehog. You don't understand, that's if you ever did. You never stopped and looked at what others going through. You never looked back at the real problem. So here's what's going to happen hedgehog. You're going to either take a fucking ship back to mobius and wait it out until we give further instructions or you're going shut the hell up and do as he demands? Got it?"

Sonic: "Y-yeah, I'll shut up."

Amy: "You always thought you were the fastest thing alive, yet you can't escape your problems. You can't escape your own depression can you? You can't run forever Sonic, sooner or later you're gonna learn what stopping permanently feels like. Someday you're gonna crash into that brick wall called inevitability. Learn what its like to lose what you love and then talk to him about it."

She stands up letting him breath and he coughs up blood. He sits up and rubs his face. He catches blood on his gloves notices. Tails and Cream help him up.

Tails: "Are you okay Sonic?"

Sonic: "Yeah, I'm fine. Hugh man she packs a mean punch. Is there a doctor in the house?"

The G.U.N soldiers escort him to the infirmary for a patch up.

With Shadow at the empty room with the glass window

At the one place to get a good view of the planet spinning around and around, Shadow takes a good look He stands there watching blankly at it with his arms folded until his other half walks into the room finding him.

Amy: "is everything alright shadow?"

Shadow: "They're right y'know."

Amy: "What?"

Shadow: "He's right. Sooner or later I'll have to end him if I have to."

Amy: "If you have to."

Shadow: "Yeah I know, but it's the unavoidable."

Amy: "Which is also this. About Maria."

Shadow: "what about her?"

Amy: "It wasn't your fault."

Shadow: …

Amy: "It wasn't your fault Shadow."

Shadow: …

Amy: "It wasn't your fault.

Shadow: "I…I didn't"

Amy: "You tried alright."

Shadow: *Crying*

She grabs hold of him. She hugs him close as all his walls crumble. A line of tears crawl out of his eyes. As he wails like a baby he holds onto her as he lets out his inner emotions. He cries out while she rocks with him as the Planet they live on moves bringing in the light from the star of the solar system. She lets out her inner emotions as well as a tear drops from her eyes as well. Her head leans on his shoulder as he lets it all out of him. Meanwhile while they're having their little moment, Gloom is watching from the vent. He's overheard everything understands next time he can't sit this out.

Gloom: "I understand completely brother. I understand."

A certain idea pops up in his head remembering the conversation he had yesterday with his trustworthy ally.

Flashback

?: "I'm staying here."

Gloom: "Why?"

?: "I have what you call a plan."

Gloom: "Well, spill it."

?: "I know what drives the blue one. What makes him have purpose. Might I suggest a hostage situation?"

Gloom: Go on?

End of Flashback

Gloom: "As soon as he gets the chipmunk, i can begin."

He sits and waits in the vents and looks at his little brother breaking down in tears.

Gloom: "Why am I here? What am I doing here?"

Shadow and Gloom: What's the fucking point? Why do I do this? why am I back? Why do I still fight for her? She's gone. She died in this place. This Place use to be a good. Discovery, Knowledge, Exploration. I no longer deny the possibility of an unseen power. I guiding hand, helping me to my destiny. Every day when I wake up, I feel disgusted seeing me in the mirror. I think of you, all I know is failure. I failed to protect you. I failed to save you. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't quick enough. I wasn't good enough. As I stand in this place, I feel like screaming. I feel… Angry. Sad. Alone. I am not the ultimate creation. I am nobody. And this pain proves it. I feel fear. Why do bad things happen to good people? I guess it might be a constant war in life between good and evil. Now I'm contemplating in my head thinking. Dark clouds over my head and my heart's racing. Suicide? Nah, I'm better than that. I Know I am. Knowing wherever she is, she want's me to keep going. But everyday it's too much. Too much to take in. I feel I might go insane. I might scream at the top of my lungs, but what's that gonna do? Its not gonna make anything better, its not going to bring you back. I hate me. everyone does. They see me, they see a walking weapon. What really hurts is the fact that I was meant only to be served as nothing but a weapon. To be used for war, and profit. What's my fucking point? What is existence? What is life? What am I here for? I know how this is going to play out. Still, I keep your memory alive. I cherished every single thing you ever taught me. I remember all of it. Every word, every moment. The remembrance of your kiss on me at times when I needed you the most. The sounds you make. Your breath. And the Shadow of your Hair. I still see that blond long flailing hair of yours. I remember your soft hands. Your dress. I remember the way you moved. I remember you singing to me. I want you back more than anything. I wish you were back. But your gone. Nothing but only a memory. Just know, what I do. I do only for you. I'll fight for everything you stood for, even if its for the last time. So to this moment, this me… It will be gone. One way or another, I will be free from this. From this burden I possess. This constant pain I suffer. I… I…Can't take it anymore. So I… Maria. I love you. And I miss you."

Shadow's perspective: "I'm sorry, I didn't save you."

Gloom: "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

Shadow and Gloom's promise: "I'll make sure your dream lives on."

To Be Continued…