The ocean. The great beautiful blue unknown. Kids and families and other people having a good time on the golden sands. The Trio teleport on the sands. Amy has on green flounced swimsuit with roses on them. Rouge has on another type of swimsuit that's black with a skirt at the bottom. Amy has her bag of lunch while shadow holds the beach towel.

Rouge: "I have to say, this country sure is beautiful. I wonder how much it cost to spend a week or month at the finest hotels here?"

Shadow: "Probably more than what G.U.N's salary gave you."

Rouge: "Well, considering how things are doing in the United federation. It's not like it would matter now."

Amy: "I'm glad you decided to come along with us Rouge."

Rouge: "It's my pleasure doll. Besides someone's gotta keep an eye on your dark side over here."

Shadow: "I can take care of myself, thank you."

Amy & Rouge: *Mocking* "Oh sure you can."

They walk down the sidewalks and onto the sands. A bunch of people. Families, Teenagers, and College kids having fun. Shadow basks the view of the entire beach front. He hardly ever takes on trips like these. He smiles a bit seeing how lovely life can be sometimes. Maria would be jealous of him. He takes out his shades and puts them on his face. They find a beach 2 public reclining chairs able to fit the three of them until 4 guys walk up. a lynx, badger, mole, and possum mobian. Amy sets her stuff down and notices a giant cat standing before her.

Lynx: "Sorry ma'am but these are taken."

Amy: "Oh sorry, Didn't know you were using these."

Mole: "We'd be happy to share them with you two lovely babes."

Lynx: "Man Shut the fuck up. Sorry about him."

Mole: "What? I thought this was part of the pl-"

The lynx clutches his mouth. He looks at the black hedgehog standing staring them down. The two notice and get the idea.

Lynx: "Uhhh, nevermind. You guys can keep them. we can get more."

Amy: "Aww, thank you."

Mole: "Yeah. c'mon guys."

They walk off. The other two notice Shadow's death stare and they get the idea why they backed off. Shadow scoots the chairs together and lies the towel onto both of them. Amy sits down her basket of food she made she takes out her sun screen and starts rubbing it onto her arms and legs.

Rouge: "Amy, a little help with that?"

Amy: "Okay."

Shadow sits down and looks around while Amy rubs Rouge's back.

Rouge: "You better not be watching, Shadow."

Shadow: "Oh please, Like I would want a glimpse of you bats."

Rouge: "C'mon, you know it crossed your mind."

Shadow: "Yeah, but Amy is all I need. Besides aren't you and Knuckles dating?"

Rouge: "In a way, but he doesn't have the courage to just ask me."

Amy: "Speaking of knuckles, I wonder what he's doing?"

Meanwhile

Knuckles sits in his green shorts bathing in the sunlight from the boat he drove Shadow, Amy, and Rouge in. He drinks his bear while enjoying the sunlight.

Knuckles: "Man. This is the life. Thankfully a few friends decided to watch the Master emerald for me. Wish Rouge was here. Maybe I'll bring some hotties on board?"

*Ring* *Ring*

His phone goes off. He reaches for it. Tails is calling.

Knuckles: "Wassup kiddo."

Tails: "Hey knuckles. Are you still in Mercia?"

Knuckles: "Oh yeah. having the time of my life for once. Just kicking back."

Tails: "Is Shadow there, or Amy?"

Knuckles: "Oh nah. I'm on the beach. They said they be back to the beach sometime this week. I don't know where they went in this country."

Tails: "Yo dude. We just got new intel."

Knuckles: "That's cool. I won't be back anytime soon to help."

Tails: "Maybe not but you're not going to believe what just happen."

Knuckles: "Why? What is it? is angel island? Another attack?"

Tails: "No bro. Just yesterday, Shadow's brother. Not Gloom, the other one. He just showed up to my workshop."

Knuckles: "No way?"

Tails: "Yes way. He just came and gave up an operation happening in Holaska."

Knuckles: "Wait. So you're telling me that Shadow's other copy just showed up and didn't pick a fight?"

Tails: "No. In fact he helped us."

Knuckles: "What did sonic do?"

Tails: "Nothing. Terios and him just talked."

Knuckles: "How do we know that he's not luring us to a trap?"

Tails: "He gave us pictures of what they were doing. There's literally an abandon facility up there we just found out about. Something is going on up there and Terios just asked for us to investigate it."

Knuckles: "Does shadow know?"

Tails: "No. That's why I was hoping you knew."

Knuckles: "No bro. But I can get Rouge."

Tails: "Great. Just call me back when you do."

Knuckles: "I'll be in touch."

He hangs up.

Knuckles: "That's weird. Something is not right about this whole thing. Either way. It gives us a fighting chance. Gotta inform the others about it."

With Rouge, Amy, and Shadow

The two girls are out in the water. Amy is down under with her goggles getting a good look at the coral and shells. She takes a good look at the beauty of the beaches underwater unknown until she feels the need to resurface again. She swims up and gasp for air while Rouge is on her floaty.

Rouge: "How's the view down there?"

Amy: "Amazing. It's beautiful down there. You should try it."

She swims next to her floaty.

Rouge: "I'm okay being up here. The sun is tanning me up good."

Amy: "There might be treasure down there?"

She opens her eyelids and lowers her shades. Amy's smile is cocky. She knows exactly how to get under her skin.

Rouge: "What kind of treasure."

Amy: "Mother nature is a treasure."

She pulls up a sea shell.

Rouge: "Awwww. Is that for me?"

Amy: "If you want it, you can have it. What's Shadow doing?"

Rouge: "I have no idea."

While they're in the water. Shadow decides to go on a stroll around Mercia's golden sands. He finds his way up a hill near a large body of water. His arms folded. His signature posture. He stairs out into the sea. Not far from the girls. People on boats and jet ski's flying by while he embraces the beauty of the ocean. Nothing but the sunny waters of blue infinite. He thinks about the conversation Terios and him had the other night. It's like how Him and Gloom used to be on the ark.

Shadow conscience: "Never thought it be like this. I have a younger brother. Which makes me an older one now. And Gerald just kept him a secret this whole time. Does it ever just stop there? Will I ever be free from Dr. Gerald Robotniks sins?"

He takes a good look at his arm. He hasn't felt the effects of the marks in a while. He remembers when he went out of control but it was Amy always calming him down or the rings putting the beast inside him at bay. He thinks about the dark matter rings around his wrist.

Shadow conscience: "Maybe I should take these off? Nah, I think that's a bad idea. I don't know what will happen to me if I do. *Sigh* I wonder how long we'll be in this country?"

He walks away from the cliff and heads back down to the sand. He walks across the sidewalk towards Amy and Rouge. They notice the him walking towards their direction. The black hedgehog sits beside his two favorite people in the world.

Rouge: "Where did you run off too?"

Shadow: "Nowhere. Just went for a stroll."

He puts his shades on bathing in the sun while Amy and Rouge sit next to him on the sand.

Rouge: "Lady, you've been holding out on us."

Amy: "On what?"

Rouge: "You're telling me you came a rich bloodline?"

Amy: "Y-yeah. I already told you the other day."

Rouge: "I never thought it would've been like that. Geez I would've kidnapped you and held you for ransom a long time ago."

Amy: *Shocked* "Rouge!"

Rouge: "Just kidding, girl."

Shadow: "Not funny Bats."

Rouge: "Geez, you two are no fun to be around sometimes."

Amy: "I could be fun."

Rouge: "Oh I know you can. The way you're tugging on shadow right now shows how much you can be fun. Tell me shadow how is she in bed?"

Amy: *Blushing hard* "Rouge!"

Rouge: "C'mon. This morning I went to check on you guys. You were both out cold. Seems like you had yourself a fun time last night. C'mon Shadow. We're good friends. Tell me."

Shadow: "I'm ignoring you right now."

Amy: "What we do in our lives is none of your business!"

Rouge: "Oh please honey, you probably wouldn't even know what to do with it."

Shadow: "Just ignore her. She likes to talk. All loud, saying nothing."

Rouge: "Oh, you know you love me."

Shadow: "Yeah right. keep dreaming."

She looks over to see a text from Knuckles. She checks it.

Knuckles: "Call back when you can. You won't believe who showed up.

She looks at the images on her phone in Tails workshop. A video to be played.

Rouge: "Wow. Seems the boys ran into Terios last night."

Shadow opens his eyes. He takes off his shades and looks towards her in confusion and shock.

Amy: "Really?"

Rouge: "Yeah."

She shows the video of him and Sonic talking. The events that carried out in that hangar.

Shadow: "Hmph. So there's something happening in Holaska huh? Guess I need to check it out when we get back."

Rouge: "Well, seems like he has his own agenda. Maybe some tension growing."

Shadow: "Well, if that's the case we may have bigger problems. Or better leverage."

Rouge: "I'll say. Now we have new unholy alliance."

Shadow: "Maybe. It depends on him. besides it's like he said, they can't do anything until they get what they need out of that base. Rouge, you're still in touch with GUN right?"

Rouge: "Some yeah. I still have a few contacts that'll help."

Shadow: "Can you see if you can get any intel on the facility?"

Rouge: "I'll see what I can do."

Meanwhile

Eggman's base/Black comet

At the end of the world. Eggman's lair. The doctor is in his lab. Two black oaks step in front of the testing perimeter they were assigned to. On the floor, metal starts to arise and connect onto them. red and black pipes start to infuse and take shape and connect. Screws and bolts connecting onto the big buff warriors. The machines start to come close and infuse around their bodies. Protective helmets with breathable airflow on the glass starts to come down from the ceiling and screw onto their suits around their heads. Protective and able to breathe. The wires and pipes disconnect and go back into the walls. Eggman and Gloom watch them in amazement.

Gloom: "Impressive."

Eggman: "Hm-hm."

The black oaks start to walk around, feeling and getting use to the mobility of their new outfits. The doctor presses a button on the testing grounds lab and initiates the combat simulation.

Monitor: "Training grounds online; Simulation initiated."

Eggman: "Now we see their capabilities."

The terrain changes for the black oaks. Eggman robots and egg pawns emerge from everywhere. Turrets and machine guns start to come live from the ceiling. They fire at the trio. One has an axe and shield, the other has an egg hammer from one of his eggman robots armory. The other has a blaster and grenade launcher on his side. They rush in and do battle with the robots. They cut down and destroy any egg bot to pieces. The axe carrying Brutus protects the other two from the turrets. He decides to toss his axe to on of the turrets and destroys one of them. the other fires his grenade launcher from the side towards one, that explodes on impact. A bigger turret comes from the ground and fires heavy calliber bullets towards them. The axe wielder has his shield up and protects his two associates from getting pummeled by the bullets. The hammer Brutus charges and gets a boost from the axe wielder holding the shield and slams onto the turret, flattening it. The battle ends with the trio only suffering minimal damage.

Gloom: "Oh yeah. I think you made a scientific breakthrough doc."

Eggman: "Heh heh heh heh! To top it all off they only suffered minimal damage from those attacks. With your high tech armor and my improvements. We are on the brink of total world domination."

Gloom: "Hmph. Anything to get the job done. I'm deeply impressed. So now, the gas."

Eggman: "Right."

He hits another button and the area starts to fill up with the same gas materials from the Holaskan ice facility. They don't seem to take much effect on the trio. They stand in their place looking at each other ready for the other. Nobody turns just yet. They look back at the window where Eggman and Gloom reside and shrug.

Eggman: "Hmph. Seems we can call this a success."

Gloom: "Yeah. but just to be safe…"

He teleports down into the gas seeing if it works on him. He takes a deep breath in and exhales out. Nothing affects him.

Gloom: "I see. Doesn't effect me, huh. Okay."

He walks towards the trio. They bow down in front of him.

Brutus 1, 2, and 3: "My lord."

Gloom: "Congratulations on successfully comepleting the training. With this new armor. We will be able to push our agenda a little further. There's just one little thing I need to make sure of. I just want you all to know it's not personal…"

He pulls out his desert eagle and fires into the axe wielders helmet. It cracks his helmet and gashes an opening for the gas to enter. The other two witness it and are shocked. They step back and ready their weapons. The black arm tries to cover it. He panics and exaggerates breathing heavy. Gloom fires another one into his helmet until it starts to shatter and break. His head now exposed. He starts breathing in the poison and it takes hold onto him. His demeanor changes and he tries to attack gloom with his bare hands. The gunner fires into his now turned brother. He falls back as Gloom sends a few spikes onto him. The hammer brutus slams him into the ceiling and it falls to the ground. They walk close getting a good look at his face changing. Green ooze coming out of him along with blood.

Gloom: "Guess you guys now know what to expect. Put him down."

The hammer looks at Gloom and he gets the picture.

Gloom: "Trust me, I understand. Whatever he was to you then, isn't what he is now. So, finish him and put em out of his misery."

The hammer brutus looks back down and obeys his masters command. He raises his weapon up and delivers the killing blow to the head, ending him.

Mercia

Nightclub

Near the beach. There's a restaurant that sits beside a large body of water. The trio sit at a table away from the sparkling water. They enjoy the table food they ordered while they conversate.

Rouge: "This might be my go to place, if I ever need to get away."

Amy: "I'm glad you like it. This is like my second time being in this place."

Shadow: "You sure do know how to pick the right places. Food here is amazing."

Amy: "I knew you'd like it. Im surprised he would show up to Sonic first for help."

Rouge: "Who knows? Maybe he doesn't want you getting hurt, right shadow?"

He puts her fingers on Shadow's cheek and mushes his lips. He brushes her hand.

Shadow: "Ok enough. I don't know why he went to them first."

Rouge: "We saw the video. Something is preventing black arms from getting up there."

Shadow: "Oh they can get there. They can't access it. But of course Eggman is working with them."

Amy: "I still don't understand how or why he would betray his own kind?"

Shadow: "Like grandfather, like grandson. I guess. I think there is something else going on. something far deeper than any of us."

He starts rubbing his wrist and arms. Amy looks down at his arm. She thinks about the island, the ark, and the white house battle. Terios, Gloom, and Shadow.

Rouge: "Hey, big question. How's that arm of yours?"

Shadow: "Fine, why?"

Rouge: "Just asking. Haven't seen that power of yours in a while."

Shadow: "I choose not to use it."

Amy: "Why?"

Shadow: "Cause I don't know when I'll go berserk."

Amy: "I remember you didn't that one time at the white house."

Shadow: "Yeah, thanks to these rings. They protected me. Thank you, Beth."

Amy: "When's the last time you took those off?"

Shadow: "For everyone's sake never. I even shower with these on."

Amy: "Shadow, when you get a chance take them off."

Shadow: "This is the part where we're gonna have to agree to disagree."

Amy: "And for your sake, I'm not asking."

He stares at her blankly. She glares back in her serious look. Shadow feels oppressed and dominated.

Shadow: "Incase of an emergency, I will. I promise."

Amy: "Good."

A run down in her lower intestines starts surging. Her drinking that big slurp earlier did not help.

Amy: "Oh Crap!"

She stands up and walks away.

Shadow: "Where you off too?"

Amy: "Nature is calling."

Shadow: "Don't slip on yourself this time."

Amy: "Oh ha ha."

She hurries to the restrooms.

Rouge: "So, when are you heading out?"

Shadow: "What do you mean?"

Rouge: "C'mon shadow. I know you. you're gonna ditch her here in the middle of the night. that I'm sure off."

Shadow: "I don't want her to worry."

Rouge: "She already is. Believe me, I know."

He drinks the last of his wine.

Shadow: "You wouldn't mind staying here for her, would you?"

Rouge: "Of course. I got my eye on everyone. Especially you. Besides, someone's gotta tell her."

Shadow: "Thanks, always can count on you. Wonder if Gerald has something to do with it."

Rouge: "Most likely, considering his notorious. You might find something that'll help you up there. Or explain some things."

Shadow: "Maybe. Did you make the call for him to help."

Rouge: "He'll be there. he's finished being repaired after the incident at the UF."

Shadow: "Good. Maybe he could help. Do you think Cream would have a problem with it?"

Rouge: "I doubt it. She would agree with him coming along. He was ordered exactly to be at those coordinates."

Shadow: "That's all I needed to know."

He stands up stretching and looks out into the water. he leans on the side of the bar and rouge stands up close to him.

Shadow: "Y'know after so many years, trying find out who I was. I think I'm starting to get it now."

Rouge: "Oh, and what might that be?"

Shadow: "I was created not just to live, but to help put things right. Not just for the shit that happen over 50 years ago. Possibly for this moment."

Rouge: "Well he did knew they come back. And you would have to face your siblings one day."

Shadow: "Yeah. Honestly, I am scared. Really."

Rouge looks to shadow. His face emotionless. His body still. She glares at him, never to see this side of him before. The ultimate life form is afraid. How can she take that seriously? It's not like him to be open about that. She drinks her wine.

Rouge: "Since when?"

Shadow: "I was afraid the day this all started. I was afraid I was gonna die in the village. But Amy, she stayed."

Rouge: "The island. Why did you save her?"

Shadow: "I had to. I owed her that much. Long before that day took place."

Rouge: "On the prison island?"

Shadow: "A little later on the ark. During the biolizard incident."

Rouge: "I see. That explains a lot. It kinda did work out for you as well."

Shadow: "Almost."

He starts taking a look at the rings on his wrist. He rubs his wrist and thinks about what Amy asked.

Rouge: "You're gonna take them off now?"

Shadow: "No. Not yet. Not here."

She breathes in and exhales in relief.

Rouge: "Wonder what that knucklehead is doing?"

*Glass Shattering*

Amy: "Hey!"

They both turn around to see Amy being harassed by two mobian men.

Hedgehog male: "Hey babe. Why don't you sit with us?"

Amy: "Hands off."

She slaps him hard. He looks back at amy with a feral look.

Hedgehog male: "Ooohh, we got a feisty one here."

Shadow appears beside him and touches his shoulder.

Shadow: "Back off while you got the chance."

Hedgehog male: "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Shadow: "Your worst nightmare."

Hedgehog male: "Here's what I think."

He picks up his drink and drinks most of it and spits it in his face. Shadow stands there taking it. He balls his fist. Amy pushes him off from behind.

Amy: "Piss off!"

He gets shoved forward and he delivers a back hand, slapping her in the face. The crowd is shocked by what just occurred until the red and black hedgehog grabs him by the throat. He slams him onto the table breaking it. His buddy has a glass bottle ready for shadow until a bat pulls out a pistol to his head from the side of him.

Rouge: "Na-uh buddy. I'd rethink that decision."

He backs away putting the bottle down as she continues aiming for him. Shadow slams him into the ground by his neck over and over until the floor breaks and he falls through into the water. Shadow stands up as all eyes stare at him. whispers from the crowd surround him. A lot recognizing him and a lot knowing who he is. Amy stands up and walks next to him.

Shadow: "Are you okay?"

Amy: "I'm fine thanks."

One of the waiters who turns out to be the owner as well walks towards them.

Owner: "I saw the whole thing. Forgive us madam rose and no need to worry about the damages."

Amy: "Thanks. Don't worry about. It doesn't change my opinion on this place."

The male hedgehog emerges from the hole with his head bleeding and him dizzy.

Amy: "Hold on for a second."

She pulls out her Piko and slams him back down like wack a mole.

Amy: "Sorry about that."

Owner: "We'll handle it."

Amy: "C'mon let's go."

He follows her out with Rouge hurrying along tipping the owner. They walk away and head back to the estate.

Meanwhile

Tails workshop

A truck comes in with a crate on it. Rotor backs up near his hangar with Sonic guiding him in. He hops out of the truck and opens the back loads door.

Rotor: "Alright bud. She's all yours."

Tails: "Thanks for helping. This stuff may prove useful."

Sonic: "I mean you did test that laser with eggman right?"

Tails: "Yep."

Sonic: "How can we trust he didn't rig or haywire the thing last time when you fired it?"

Rotor: "It works. Trust me, we been test firing it as well."

Sonic: "Alright. let's do it."

Mercia

Rose estate

It's night time. Rob sits on the stairs cleaning his bow and arrow. The door opens for the trio.

Rob: "So how was the beach."

Amy: "It was fun. Where's mom?"

Rob: "In her room."

Amy: "Good. I'll see her before I go to bed. Right now I need a shower."

Rob: "Hey wait. I heard what happened in town. I hear you swing a pretty mean hammer."

Amy: "Hey, mess with the rose. Get the thorns."

Rob: "Damn right."

5 minutes later

She finishes washing up from the long day she had. Shadow sits on the bed waiting for her and looking at the rings around his wrist. She opens the door and looks at Shadow.

Amy: "Can you believe the nerve of those guys?"

Shadow: "I doubt we'll ever be seeing them again."

Amy: "I know. I wish I'd show him more of my piko hammer."

Shadow: "I think you sent a pretty good message."

Amy: "And so did you."

Shadow: *Chuckles* "I wish I killed him. but I didn't want to be known as the psychotic killer."

Amy: "Nah, I doubt it. I'm pretty sure the whole town already fears you."

Shadow: "Good."

Amy: "What's so good about being feared?"

Shadow: "Less problems."

She hops into bed and turns on the tv. More occurrences of the black arms happening around the world. sightings and events.

Shadow: "*Sigh* Goddammit."

Amy: "Don't worry. You'll find him."

Shadow: "I know."

Amy: "So, what are you going to do about Terios?"

Shadow: "I don't know. I don't know what he'll do."

Amy: "Did you run into him already?"

Shadow: "How makes you figure I did?"

Amy: "You seemed relaxed when he ran into Sonic on the video."

Shadow: "Who knows? He could be setting them up into a trap."

Amy: "Something tells me he's not. I'm pretty sure he'll handle it."

Shadow: "Yeah. He will."

She sits up. she looks dead at him in the eyes. She feels his chest and listens for his heartbeat.

Shadow: "What?"

Amy: "You're not thinking about going up there are?"

Shadow: "No. why?"

Clearly lying. She breathes in and exhales knowing his nature. She's gotten used to it.

Amy: "Y'know when I see you and Sonic, the things you do take my breathe away. You remind a little bit of me sometimes. Chasing after something that has a little to do with you."

Shadow: "Only thing I'm certain of is that he can't run forever. Not from me."

Amy: "Maybe that's what he wants."

Shadow: "Either way. I'll find him."

She sits up. she stares at the tv. A picture of the old president and new defenses around the world are being prepared. Protest and riots are gathered across the globe.

Amy: "Never seen anything like this."

Shadow: "One nation falls. You start a Global panic."

Amy: "I thought the GUN was dismantled."

Shadow: "Not all of them. Just the main stronghold. We also have the other united fronts and Military out there. Not all is lost for the United federation."

Amy: "Good to know. So, what happens if they win?"

Shadow: "I don't want to find out."

He sits up and walks into his bag. He pulls out maria's list. A few scratched off activities she'd like to do before she died. Her last will and bucket list she made before she died. He reads the next activity. Ice skating. He crosses it out. Amy walks over and reads it and watches.

Amy: "We never went ice skating."

Shadow: "Heh heh. You're right we never did."

Amy: "You did huh?"

Shadow: "Nope but I'm crossing it out."

Amy: "Why?"

Shadow: "Don't worry about it."

He adds something onto the list. Visit a baby infirmary. Amy starts blushing.

Amy: "Awww. Is it also something you wanted to do?"

Shadow: "Yes and no, but I distinctively remember Maria wanted to."

Amy: *Giggle* "Since when did you remember that."

Shadow: "Just now."

A knock comes at the door. Amy opens it.

Maid: "Forgive my interruption, but a phone call has been requested for you Madam Rose from princess sally."

She looks back at Shadow. He shrugs and puts his hand up front signifying for her to take it. She waves her hand across his face walking away. He holds onto her hand feels her last embrace before leaving. Remembering her scent and all. She opens the door and leaves.

Amy: "Be right back."

Shadow: "Yeah…"

She closes the door. His demeanor changes to normal.

Shadow: "Be right back…"

1 minute later

She follows the lady down the halls and enters her mothers room. Ailinda sits there with the phone to her ear.

Amy: "Hey mom."

Ailinda: "She just walked in. Hey Honey, it's for you."

She hands her the telephone.

Amy: "Hello."

Sally: "Hey pinky. How's Mercia?"

Amy: "It's wonderful. How's everything going with sonic?"

Sally: "Fine, just fine. Also I got someone else on here that wants to speak to you."

She hands the phone to the rabbit.

Cream: "Hey Amy!"

Amy: "Hi Cream."

Cream: "What's it like being back home?"

Amy: "It's amazing here. It's wonderful."

Meanwhile

While amy is on the phone, Shadow finishes writing a note. He takes off one of his Dark matter rings and places it on the bed with the note. He puts the bucket list on the bed. He takes a breath and looks at the picture on the wall. Amy as a toddler then. He looks down in despair knowing what he's doing and opens the window. He jumps out the window and rushes away across the rose garden and fields. He abandons the estate heading north to meet his contact.

With Amy

Amy: "They already headed north, huh?"

Sally: "Yeah. Tails flew off with his new plane just a few minutes ago."

Amy: "He built another one."

Sally: "With Sonic's help. He left along with Silver and Blaze."

Amy: "I assume they're heading north."

Sally: "Yep. Seems like Terios gave them a little tip about an abandon facility in the northern arctics."

Amy: "So it was true. Tails told knuckles, and knuckles told rouge, and rouge told us about it. I wish I was there helping but I'm here with Shadow."

Sally: "Speaking of which, how is he?"

Amy: "Oh he's fine. Just working on a list for us."

Sally: "I see."

Amy: "So how did you know who to call us?"

Sally: "I pulled a few favors. We tried calling you but you didn't pick up so my guys close to me did some research about you and found out who you were related to. Seems like I'm not the only person with royal blood around here."

Amy: "Yeaaahhh… Heh heh."

Cream: "So Amy when are you coming back?"

Amy: "Soon. Don't worry I'm not gone forever. How's the place doing?"

Cream: "It's fine. Just getting the place cleaned for you guys. We went by to check it for you. No one tried breaking in."

Amy: "That's good."

Cream: "Yeah. we recleaned the place."

Amy: "Wow, thanks cream."

Sally: "Anyway, we're out here at Tails workshop. we watched them all leave. I would like to stay on the phone but I need to get back."

Amy: "Okay guys. I'll see you soon."

Cream: "Goodnight Amy."

Amy: "Goodnight."

She hands the phone back to her mother and she clicks it back on the line.

Ailinda: "Must've been important."

Amy: "Yeah. They were just checking up on me."

Ailinda: "Your friends seem nice."

Amy: "You should come over and visit someday."

Ailinda: "Maybe I should. So about Shadow?"

Amy: "What about him?"

She stands up and sits at the table a few feet away. She pours herself some tea.

Ailinda: "What is he like before?"

Amy: "He was bit of loner. Bit of an introvert but he's actually a nice guy."

Ailinda: "I see. Does his behavior seemed off to you?"

Amy: "Aside from what transpired on the island. I think i changed the way he sees the world."

Ailinda: "That I will agree upon but have you noticed everything about him. His will and actions?"

Amy: "Lately, he leaves a lot. He daydreams often and talks to himself. I'm not sure if that was always him but I notice he'd dream a lot. He'd have conversations with himself. I think there maybe something he's hiding from me."

Ailinda: "Maybe. That goes with everyone. Especially him. He maybe linked to something. Something bigger."

Amy: "How do you know?"

Ailinda: "I dreamt of him and you. A dark figure that protected you. I knew one day you'd stop by and so would someone like him. A force he escaped from only to be following his shadow to get to you. I used to have nightmares and dreams. A lot while you were gone. Now I see that he may be the same dark one that protected you."

Amy: "Wow, premonitions. You knew he'd show up in my life."

Ailinda: "Yeah, but I also saw that he was a bringer of chaos. Almost everywhere he wandered he brought destruction to his wake. He seeks peace. Serenity. Finding the answers to escape his nightmare."

Amy: "What are you trying to say?"

Ailinda: "What I'm asking is can you really trust him. Do you truly believe in him."

Amy: "I do. I really do. Cause he gave me the courage to come back to you."

Ailinda: "That's good. Well you wouldn't mind that he snuck out again."

Amy: "Wait what?"

Ailinda: "He's gone."

Amy: "How do you know-"

Ailinda: "Trust me, you just know these things. Plus knowing your father before. He's no different as well."

She drinks her tea. Amy looks outside to see nothing but a reflection of herself.

Ailinda: "Don't worry. He'll be back. I'm sure of it but he might be a little bit different when he does."

Amy takes a few steps back and walks down the hall heading her mothers words. She opens the door to their room and notices no sign of Shadow but his ring and note.

"Be right Back..." Heart circled next to his name.

-Shadow

She breathes in and sighs knowing him. She looks out the window to see dark clouds. The sounds of thunder and her reflection. She thinks about him for a moment and remembers the mission he has in the arctic. She won't see him for a little while but she knows he'll keep his word. She walks away and turns off the light. She heads back into her mothers room. She's reading a book she's enjoying.

Ailinda: "Well?"

Amy: "You were right. He did leave. Left a note."

She has his ring in her hands and sits down near her mother's lap. She holds onto her sides and lets out a little sigh.

Ailinda: "Don't worry. I was like that before. He'll be fine."

Amy: "I know. I just wish he kissed me goodbye before he left."

Meanwhile

In an open field resides a cargo plane. G.U.N is marked on it and stands before him is one of the pilots rouge talked to.

GUN Pilot: "You're a bit early?"

Shadow: "Yeah. how fast can you get this thing there?"

GUN Pilot: "We'll be there under 4 hours in this baby."

Shadow: "I assume he's on board."

The robot walks from the cargo holder and looks down at an old rival. His eyes blue and arms metal. His height and figure like the average mobian. His black and yellow covered body polished.

Shadow: "Hmph, been a long time G-merl."

To Be Continued…