This idea was suggested by my wonderful friend Thunder Croft, so credit goes to her. Again, thanks to everyone for reviewing because they are appreciated.
9. Death
Shadow didn't think it was possible to hurt so terribly, to feel pain like this on such a level. Was he really feeling this, or was it something his grief-stricken mind conjured up? When he glanced down at the girl in his arms, when he took in her limp, frail form, he knew that this was not part of his imagination. This was reality, and it hit him hard.
How could he let this happen? How did she manage to slip through his fingertips? Did he cling too tightly to her, or was she destined to be lost to him?
"Sally." His voice sounded unfamiliar to him, so unlike what he was used to sounding. Once, his voice thrived with life, filled with so many emotions. Now, however, it sounded empty and void of all and everything. Where was that spark, that flaming fire? Perhaps, when she left, it left with her, leaving him feeling chilled and frozen like ice cubes.
Only silence greeted him, and it was then that he realized he was alone. She was his safe haven, his muse, his life, and now that she was gone, now that death had cruelly snatched her away, he had no one but himself and the fond memories they shared. He felt broken and torn up, like shredded paper waiting to be thrown away.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he forced himself to look away from Sally's lifeless form and stared into emerald eyes burning with pain and grief.
"Shadow, you need to let go." Sonic sounded so unlike himself too, and it occurred to Shadow that he wasn't the only one suffering from the loss of his princess. Like she did with him, Sally impacted everyone she met. She loved her friends to death, and her death hurt them all, Sonic probably more than him. After all, he and Sally were like siblings, and her dying, them being unable to save her from Metal Sonic's attack, wounded him deeper than any weapon.
Shadow heard Sonic's words and knew he was right, but he couldn't force himself to move. He couldn't let her go. She was all he really had.
"I know, but it's hard. I… I loved her, and just when things were finally looking up, just when I thought I had finally found true happiness, I lose it before I really had a chance to enjoy it." Sonic's eyes widened at his declaration, and his heart went out to his rival and friend. He didn't know if he could truly bear living life without Amy by his side.
"Sally loved you too, and I know she loved you enough to want you to be happy, even if it was without her. Don't let this destroy you; you owe it to not only her, but yourself to want to keep moving forward and enjoying every chance life graces you with," Sonic said, trying his hardest to console Shadow as he was not used to seeing him so defeated and lost.
Shadow looked at the girl in his arms, then back at Sonic before taking a deep breath, eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, he looked back at Sally, a small smile gracing his face as he forced himself to swallow his heartache and stand up. He carried her body carefully in his arms as he stood beside the blue hero.
"Let's go." Sonic nodded his head, preparing to speed off when Shadow held up a hand. In his hand was a Chaos Emerald, and its red hue illuminated the darkness that was around them. "Sonic, thank you. With time, I'll heal." Surprised, Sonic gave him his signature grin. He reached forward and grabbed Shadow's arm; with a "Chaos Control", they disappeared.