"Wishes Are Eternal"
written by Shayne Thames
Sonic and related characters © and ™ SEGA
Shalita and related characters © Star Dreams Entertainment
Chapter 38: "The Beginning of the End"
Robotnik stared at the screen in disbelief, growling.
"Argh! What's going on? Why doesn't the cannon FIRE?! What...what's
happening here?!"
On the screen a picture of a man in chains showed on the screen.
Robotnik stared. "It's...it's my grandfather...Gerald Robotnik!"
Sonic and Knux ran into another room when they heard a loud noise
and a rumble.
"What's that-that VIBRATION?!" Knux asked.
"Wait!" Sonic hushed. "Someone is coming!"
Rouge landed in front of them.
"YOU..." Knux growled. "You haven't given up YET?"
Rouge shook her head, sighing. "No..it's all over for us..."
"What do you mean?" Knux asked.
"I just recieved a message from my boss...this space colony
ARK...is currently approaching the Earth...at an incredible velocity...
it'll...probably...will impact Earth..." Rouge said slowly, bowing her
head.
Knuckles looked up, something catching his eye.
"What's that on the screen?" he pointed. They all looked up to
see an old video footage of Gerald Robotnik on the screen.
Back on Earth, in San Francisco and all over the world, people
were watching the same video footage as Gerald Robotnik spoke.
"This is a death sentance for every human being on Earth. If my
calculations are correct, the space colony ARK will impact the Earth in
27 minutes, 53 seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your
beloved planet Earth," Professor Gerald stated.
Everyone in the world started falling apart. People screamed in
terror as they looked outside and saw the gigantic firefill heading
towards Earth. Religious followers fell to their knees and prayed to
their respectful gods for forgivness and protection, some seeing this
as Judgement Day for all.
In San Fransisco, a man named Charlie, who had recently proposed
to his girlfriend, watched the portible telivision screen as he at at
an outdoor cafe, and buried his head in his arms in grief as his
girlfriend tried to comfort him, as people around him screamed in
terror.
A little girl hugged her parents in terror as she pointed to the
scary fireball.
Back on the ARK, everyone stared at the TV screen in horror.
"I plan to give you a taste of my revenge," Gerald continued.
"-once all the 7 Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this
program, it cannot be disabled. All of you UNGRATEFUL humans who took
everything away from me will feel MY loss and dispair!"
All was silent a moment until a man offscreen shouted to Gerald.
"Is there anything else you want to say?!"
"No," came the reply.
"Ready-!" came the voice again, and it was realized that this is
footage of Gerald Robotnik's execution. There was a bright flash, then
the film started over.
"What's going on here?!" Amy cried. "Who is that?!"
"I plan to give you a taste of my revenge-"
"Hey-" Knuckles interupted. "The vibrations are getting worse!"
"That was Professor Gerald Robotnik, one of the greatest
scientific geniuses in the world, and my grandfather!" Robotnik said,
walking in.
"What?!" Knux growled, turning around. "I KNEW you were behind
all this! Stop it RIGHT now, or else-"
Robotnik shook his head. "I'd of done this a LONG time ago if I
had the chance," Robotnik said.
"What do you mean?" Sonic asked, stepping forward. Robotnik
growled.
"You're pretty persistant for a hedgehog aren't you? You're
still alive, huh?"
"Hah! Just letting Knuckles pilot the shuttle on the way over
here was more dangerous than you could EVER be!" Sonic glared, as
Robotnik handed Rouge a disk.
"What is this?" she asked.
"This is my grandfather's diary..." Robotnik said.
Rouge took it and put it in the computer slot. Rouge read alloud.
"'I don't quite know what happened or what went wrong. Was it a
mistake to create the ultimate lifeform? I thought it would be
something to benifit mankind, but then the military guards landed on
the colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project
that I had been working on. My colleages at the reseach facility, my
granddaughter Maria...I hope you are all safe. The colony was shut
down, probably to keep the cannon from falling into the wrong hands.
The ARK was shut down under the premesis that there had been an
accident. I found Maria's name among those who had died when the ARK
was shut down. She meant EVERYTHING to me, and I couldn't bear the
thought that she died because of MY reseach! I lost EVERYTHING! I had
nothing more to LIVE for! I went INSANE! All I could think about was
to avenge her. Somehow. Someway. I got scared as I was no longer able
to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it
all to end. Based on my orginal projections, I was able to complete my
project, Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect...pure...I will
leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the
world, if you wish to fill the world with destruction...' Oh, so
THAT'S why you released Shadow from the base!"
"The core of the Eclipes Cannon is now highly reactive and
explosive! This is due to the Chaos Emeralds overpowering it. If the
colony collides with Earth, it will shatter into pieces like my
grandfather predicted, that mad scientist!" Robotnik stated.
"That should be YOU, right?" Amy asked with a tone of
sacasticness.
"We have to stop the space colony NOW!" Tails added.
"The space colony may have shifted in space due to the
overpowering of the Chaos Emeralds. We HAVE to stop the energy,"
Robotnik said.
"But...how?" Tails asked.
"Hmmm..." Rouge said thoughtfully. "That's IT! There IS a way
to stop the energy!"
She turned to Knuckles. "We HAVE to use your emerald. You're the
one that told me that the MASTER Emerald has the power to stop the
CHAOS Emeralds!"
Knux pulled out the Master Emerald, which had shrunk for
travelling. "That's RIGHT! If I use this, I just might be able to stop
the Chaos Emeralds!"
Tails looked up on a map of the ARK. "The reaction of the Chaos
Emeralds is moving towards the cannon's core! It may be too late!"
Robotnik reviewed the map. "There still maybe some time left! IF
we pull together, we might be able to get to the short cut that leads
to the core!"
Everyone gathered around to study the map carefully as Robotnik
mapped out their route.
"No worries, just leave it to me. I'm the world's FASTEST
hedgehog!" Sonic grinned, giving the thumb's up.
"Then let's get to work!" Robotnik said as the group broke up.
Amy, Shalita, Manic, Sonia, Omochao and the rest of the chao
stood on the sidelines.
"Now what?" Amy asked, but Shalita had dissappeared. "Where'd
Shalita go?"
"Dunno, but she looked pretty disturbed," Manic said. "Best to
leave her alone..."
Chapter 39: "The Last Mission"
Tails entered the area, and turnned on his communicator radio.
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! THE INTRUDER HAS BREACHED THE SYSTEM
AREA! INITATE DEBUG PROGRAM!" the computer shouted.
"Alright Tails!" Robotnik radioed in. "Now, destroy the security
door leading to the cannon's core!"
Tails ran down the pathway, shooting at military robots as he
went. Things were starting to look ugly around here...
"Okay Tails, there should be a security door somewhere in the
room..." Robotnik said. "You need to destory it."
"Okay, " tails said. He was low on bullets. he only had one shot
of destorying the door and scramming before more robots showed up. He
fired repeatedly at the door until it blew away.
"I'm out!" Tails said, bolting for the exit.
Robotnik ran through the doorway.
"Alright! Now it's my turn!" he said, taking off down the hall to
destory the guard bots.
"Great, Eggman!" Tails raidoed in. "There should be a security
door somewhere in this room!"
Robotnik ran over and started firing at the door, having to turn
around and destroy military bots as he went. Finally the door busted
open. Time for the treasure hunters to do their part...
Rouge ran into the room.
"Rouge! There should be an emergency switch in the dome. Drain the
liquid out of the core," Robotnik radioed to her.
She looked around and saw a huge button encased inside a red
shield. There's a switch somewhere to open it...
She found the switch a minute later, and hit it, deactivating the
shield.
"Good job, Rouge! Hurry, throw the switch and drain the liquid!"
Robotnik said.
Rouge ran for the putton and pressed it, and the liquid started
draining into the area...
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! ENERGY CORE SAFETY PROGRAM TERMINATED!
SELF-REPAIR PROGRAM IN PROGRESS!" the computer rang out
A few minutes later, Knuckles surfaced, wearing the air necklace
he got back from Sonic.
"Knuckles, can you hear me?" Robotnik radioed in. "The last
security door should be in front of you. Find the switch that opens the
door."
Knux dived into the water and swam through the hallways, entering a
room filled with lasers. He had to be careful not to get zapped.
"Knuckles! I found the switch on radar! The security door switch
is accessible from the waterway over there." Robotnik radioed.
Knux swam into a hallway and into the next room, and found the
button, hitting it.
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! PRIMARY SECURITY LOCK PROGRAMS
TERMINATED! INITATE FINAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS!" the computer sang again.
Sonic gripped the pole as he slid deep into the heart of the
cannon's core.
"Sonic, get past the enemies to get to the center of the core!
You're our LAST chance! We're depending on you," Robotnik said.
Sonic held the look of full deterimation in his eyes. He was
gonna pull this mission off.
As he ran, he spotted the center up ahead.
"Sonic, you're coming closer to the center of the cannon. It's
all up to you now!" Robotnik radioed.
Chapter 40: "The Ultimate Battle"
ARK: Abandoned Lab
6:10 P.M.
Colony Impact: 19 minutes, 50 seconds
Amy walked down the hall, griping again.
"OOOH! I hate it when they leave me behind!!!" she growled,
walking past a doorway. She stopped and backed up, seeing a figure
watching the Earth from his place by the window.
"Look, it's Shadow!" she gasped, staring. She floded her arms,
looking down. I've REALLY got to stop whining. Everyone's trying their
best to help out, and so must I!"
Amy ran into the room and to Shadow. "Shadow! We need you! Please
help us!" she begged.
Shadow stared out the window, without looking up. "It's all going
accoring to plan. There's no reason for me to help them. Besides,
there's no way to save anyone."
"There HAS to be!" Amy said. "I know that people fight over the
most trivial things. SOME people may be selfish, like the professor
said. But they're basicly good. If they try their best and never give
up on their wishes, they always have a reason to be happy! That's why
you should help them out! Saving them is a GOOD thing! Shadow, I BEG
you! Please do it for them! Give them a chance-"
Suddenly, what Amy's words said to him brought back the memory of
Maria.
"Shadow...I beg of you..." Maria gasped, slumping over the console.
"...please...do it for me..."
"MARIA!" Shadow screamed.
"-for all people who live on that planet...give them a chance to
be happy! Let them live for their dreams...Shadow...I know you can do
it...THAT"S the reason you were brought into this world...Sayranora...
Shadow the Hedgehog..."
"-now I remember it all. And I must keep that promise...that's
what Maria wished for..." Shadow whispered.
"Shadow?" Amy called.
"I got to go now! I got to keep my promise to Maria, and you,"
Shadow said, running off.
As he ran down the halls, he heard sobbing, and stopped.
Sadness...he walked to the room and saw Shalita laying on the floor,
her head buried into her arms. Shadow slowly walked in, and knelt
beside her.
"Why do you cry?" he whispered.
Shalita looked up and into Shadow's face. She stared a long time,
sniffling. "Probably...the same reason you you are now..." she said
softly.
Shadow raised a hand to his cheek. Indeed, he too found a trail
from a single tear he shed.
"Shalita...I'm sorry I ever doubted you...I remembered why I was
brought here. I'm going to save you. I'm going to help everyone on that
planet below," he whispered, holding her up in her.
"Shadow..." she whispered.
He leaned forward into her ear and whispered ever so softly.
"I love you."
Shalita's eyes widen, looking into his own eyes, and couldn't
back any longer. She kissed him. Deeply. And meant every ounce of
energy she put into the kiss. Shadow helped Shalita to her feet.
"Come on, Runt. We've a world to save!" he grinned.
"Alright...Bad Boy!" she smiled.
ARK: Center of Core
6:14 P.M.
Colony Impact: 15 minutes, 43 seconds
Sonic and Knuckles ran for the center of the core and stopped
short. It was like he was suddenly back on Angel Island.
"What's that?!" Knuckles asked. "The core looks like the shrine
to the Master Emerald!"
"They probably designed the core like the shrine, to harness
the power of the Chaos Emeralds," Sonic said.
As Sonic and Knuckles ran for the center, Gerald's words
continued to haunt the station.
"All of you ungrateful humans who took everything away from me
will feel my loss-!!!"
Sonic looked up and saw energy sparking in the center.
"Knuckles, here it comes!!!" Sonic yelped.
"-and dispair!"
Geralds voice echoed as the energy produced a creature of immense
size. A LARGE biomechanical lizard. "All of you ungrateful humans will
FEEL MY LOSS AND DISPAIR!!!!!"
Knuckles and Sonic gasped, standing back.
"Could this be the prototype of the ultimate lifeform that was
suppose to be encapsulated?" Knuckles asked.
A figure slowly walked up.
"Leave this one to me," Shadow said, as Shalita ran up beside
Sonic.
"Shadow, what are you do?!" Sonic asked.
"I'll take care of this, while you run and get the Chaos Emeralds!"
Shadow called, facing off the lizard.
The biolizard snapped at Shadow as he leapped back.
"Go for his life-support system!!!" Omochao called from a side.
"I'm on it," Shadow said. As Shadow ran circles around the beast,
he saw where a pipe came from it's mouth and up to the support system.
If he could grind up there...
A direct hit! Shadow was able to take the lizard out with ease.
A few more hits really got the beast mad, and it created energy
eggs to shoot at Shadow. Shadow dodged every one of them and leaped up,
nailing the support system. The biolizard collasped in defeat.
"GET OUT you UGLY prototype!" Shadow hissed.
"THAT'S MY SHADOW!!!" Shalita cheered, leaping into the air.
Shadow whirled, smiling at the cheering Shalita with a twinkle in his
eye.
Chapter 41: "Remaining Hope"
Sonic and Knuckles ran up the steps of the mock-up shrine and Knux
set down the master emerald into the center of the core.
"The servers are...the seven chaos..." Knuckles murmured,
remembering an old incantation to activate the Master Emerald's power.
This was only done once before a LONG time ago, and only Sonic remembers
that time. "Chaos is power...power is enriched by the heart...the
controller is the one that unifies the chaos...only you can do this!"
Knux cried as the Master Emerald started to glow. "STOP THE CHAOS
EMERALDS!!!"
The emerald glew brightly and the Biolizard got up, roaring in
pain. It suddenly dissappeared in a flash of light.
"Is it gone?!" Knux asked the others.
Shadow ran up to them. "Is that what...Chaos Control is??" he
asked, never having witnessed it before.
The rumbling throughout the station continued.
"Since we've stopped the Chaos Emeralds, why is the space colony
still on a crash course for Earth?!" Knux pointed out.
Their answer came soon enough as Robotnik called on the radio.
"The prototype is still alive! He is controlling the space colony
as it is falling to Earth! He has become one with the space colony and
is determined to keep it on its collision course!"
Sonic and Knux looked at each other.
"Sonic...!" Knux suddenly said, seeing the glint in the hedgehog's
eye.
Shalita tilted her head. What's Sonic up to?
Sonic turned towards the Chaos Emeralds, and Shadow suddenly saw
what he had in mind.
"You don't suppose-?" he started.
"I can...and I will.." Sonic said.
Shalita gasped. "NO!!!! You CAN'T DO THAT! YOU KNOW WHAT WILL
HAPPEN IF USE USE THE POWER FOR TOO LONG!!!!"
Shadow ran to Shalita and hugged her. "It's okay, Shal, shhh.....
I promise I'll come back!"
Shalita looked at Shadow. "You...promise...?"
"You know I'll ALWAYS live up to my promise," he winked, and
kissed her forehead. "I'll be careful, I promise."
"Come back to me safely, Bad Boy..." she whispered as Shadow
walked up to the shrine with Sonic, his hand slipping from hers. He l
ooked back. "I'll be looking for you, Runt..." he whispered, then
joined Sonic at the shrine.
The two concentrated as the Chaos Emeralds surrounded them. They
could feel their power swelling within them.
They opened their eyes as Sonic turned from a cobalt blue to a
golden yellow. Shadow changed from pitch black to a white gold color.
Super Sonic...and Super Shadow...
Outside, Sonic and Shadow faced the bigger, uglier, giant brute.
"Let's do this!" Sonic said.
Robotnik's voice came over the comm.
"Can you hear me, Sonic, Shadow? He's very weak without his
life-support system. Aim for the red swelling areas. You're our LAST
hope."
Sonic zoomed forward heading for a blister on the lizard's big
ugly hide, and punctured it.
The biolizard howled in pain as Shadow called to Sonic.
"Sonic! Leave it to me! I'll destroy him!" he annouced as he
took his turn. He veered suddenly as a laser shot at him from the beast.
"Where does it get all that power? Is it from the Chaos Emeralds?
Shadow, are you okay?" Sonic pressed as Shadow struck a blister.
"Now it's up to you, Sonic!" Shadow called.
"Shadow, you need rest. Let me give it a try!" Sonic called as he
zoomed forward, dodging a laser blast from the beast.
"Sonic," Knuckles radioed in. "We're in danger. The colony will
enter the atmosphere in about four minutes!"
We need more time, Sonic thought as he struck a blister. This
thing is stronger than they hoped!
"Yeah! Take that, you creep!" Sonic laughed. He looked towards
Shadow. Could he really take all this energy without burning himself
out. "Shadow, are you okay??"
"Here I come, you creep!" Shadow yelled, heading towards the
beast. This time, the lizard shot two lasers at Shadow and he veered
between them towards the blister.
"Maria! Watch me as I forfill your wish!" he called, striking a
blister.
"Shadow! How's your energy?! remember to switch places with me
if it gets too hairy!" Sonic called. "We almost got him! Now we-OOF!!!"
Sonic was caught off guard by a stray laser. He floated, stunned.
"SONIC!" Shadow cried, soaring over to Sonic. "You okay?"
"Shadow...he's stronger than we realized. I may have to use...
the Chaos Emerald...inside my body...to power me up stronger..." he said
slowly, shaking his head clear.
"Can you hear me?! Sonic, Shadow, everyone here is rooting for
you! Good luck, and give him trouble!" Rouge raidoed in.
"What do you MEAN, the chaos emerald in your body?! Sonic, were
you born with a Chaos Emerald INSIDE you?!" Shadow gasped.
Sonic nodded, his head finally cleared.
"Sonic...I have one inside me too..." Shadow said. "What does
this mean?!"
"It means we both can live forever, and make sure that everyone
can live their lives in peace. Now let's TAKE this thing down!"
Sonic concentrated, and started to glow brighter, and his wings
appeared. He was now Hyper Sonic. He opened his eyes and soared
forward, like a lightning bolt against the skin of the beast. It
roared in terrible pain.
"Sonic....I think I know what the ultimate lifeform is..."
Shadow said, watching him. "...it might be YOU!"
Sonic looked at Shadow. "Are you sure...?"
"I've never seen anything or anyone so determined and so pure
in heart as you are. You are powerful in spirit and together, we can
WIN!"
"Shadow, your power's getting weaker! Hey are you okay??" Sonic
called.
"I'll be fine. Why, what's wrong, Sonic?!"
"Shadow, at this rate, if you use your power too long, you'll
dissappear! Get back to the colony!" Sonic pleaded.
"No way, Sonic! I can do this!" Shadow said.
Tails radioed in. "You two are out of time! GET OUTTA THERE!!!"
"I can DO THIS!!!" Shadow yelled, soaring straight at the
lizard.
"SHADOW, NO!!!!!" Shalita screamed over the radio.
The lizard limped, lifeless as Shadow soared back to Sonic,
panting.
"I shall undo all of Professor Gerald's work..." he panted.
"Did you really think you had a chance?!" Sonic added, grinning.
Now to stop the ARK.
They looked up as the ARK started to enter the atmosphere.
"No way THAT'S getting through!" Sonic yelled as he and a tired
Shadow soared up towards it.
As they went up, Shaodw could almost hear Maria's voice.
"Shadow, I beg of you-!"
"Maria?" he whispered. So close to heaven. He knew he was weak
and that both of them would use a great amount of energy to pull this off.
"-give them a chance...to be happy!"
"Shalita-" Shadow called over the radio. "I'm so sorry-"
"Shadow-?! Wha-no! NO! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" she cried, running to the
window. It took everyone else to hold her back. "DON'T DO IT, SHADOW!
WE NEED YOU!!! I NEED YOU! NOOOO!!!!" Shalita cried, bursting into tears.
"-look in the drawer in the desk in the lab...Shalita...I know
why you cry now...I love you too..."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Outside, Sonic gave the word. "NOW SHADOW!"
The two concentrated and released the energy.
"CHAOS CONTROL!!!" the both yelled, and the colony dissappeared
in a flash of light.
Between the time they had between then and when the ARK would
show up again, Sonic sighed, then looked at Shadow and gasped.
He was hardly moving, as he was burnt out. "Shadow...no..."
"Did we do it...?" he whispered. "Did we save Earth?"
Sonic took his hand and held it, tears in his own eyes. "Yeah....
yeah we did it, Shadow..."
"Sonic...why do you cry...? Before, you hated me..."
"Something Shalita said. I...I don't know what it is...Shadow....
its as if you were my brother..."
Shadow smiled, weakly. "A brother...I never had a family..all I
had....was a sister...a sister named Maria..."
Sonic patted him. "I know. Come on...I can help you. Let's me
take you back to the ARK and you can get better again...!"
"Sonic, we both know you only have enough energy to get yourself
back. I don't want you to die with me.."
"But...we can't die....Shadow..." Sonic said, starting to sob.
"We're-"
"-ageless...and immortal....through natural living. I know that
we could still die, but we can never go to that special place that others
can. I don't want you to be trapped in a body full of pain. I won't hurt
anyone else anymore...Sonic...take care of Shalita for me..."
"-Shadow..." Sonic whispered, but Shadow pushed him away, leaving
Sonic only his braclet which slipped off. Shadow started to fall
towards the Earth.
"SHADOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sonic cried.
Shadow closed his eyes. "Maria...this is what you wanted, right?
This is my promise to you..."
His mind drifted, as he will forever dream of that place where
Shalita will be, and he started to cry, as he will never see her there...
The ARK finally reappeared, showing in a stable orbit around the
Earth. This was shown on TV all over the world, as everyone started to
cheer.
Religious people prayed to their gods for thanks.
Back in San Fransisco, that man named Charlie hugged his fiance,
as they could now get married.
The little girl put her hands together for the heroes that saved
her home, as her parents hugged her.
Everyone turned to face the door as it opened, and Sonic slowly
walked in.
"Where is Shadow?" Rouge asked.
Sonic didn't say a word, shook his head, and handed Rouge the
bracelet he got.
"Do you really think that the processor created him...Shadow...to
carry out the revenge on all those who live on Earth...?" Rouge asked.
"He was what he was...a brave and heroic hedgehog, who gave his
life to save this planet..." Sonic whispered, bowing his head. "Shadow
the Hedgehog."
"I guess you're right..." Rouge finally said.
Meanwhile, Robotnik and Tails were standing near each other, as
Robotnik mentioned.
"As a child, I looked up to my grandfather for all the great
things he accomplished in his life. He was my hero, and I wanted to be
a great scientist like him...but...did he really mean to destroy us?"
"I don't know," Tails said. "But what I DO know is...we all did
it...TOGETHER!"
"You're right..." Robotnik said.
Knuckles wandered up to Rouge. They have yet to finish some
things off.
"So what's next for you, Rouge? Off again to find those jewels
you love so much?"
"Nah, I think I'm gonna give up this line of work. Too much
work for too little pay!"
She slowly added, not daring to look at the echidna right now.
"Anyway, I've got something better than jewels that I'm thinking about
right now..."
Knuckles looked up to Rouge. Rouge smiled softly. "It'll all
work out...you'll see..."
Knux smiled softly himself. "If you say so..."
Sonic walked off to an area by himself to think things over.
"Created...the ultimate lifeform..." he murmured.
Amy walked over his way.
"What's the matter, Sonic?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing...come on! Let's go home to the
planet as cool and blue as me!" he grinned.
As they left the room, Sonic turned to look at the Earth one
last time. "Sayranora...Shadow the Hedgehog..." he whispered, tears
in his eyes.
Epilouge
Shalita shifted hearltlessly through the desk, tossing stuff
everywhere. Manic and the others tried to calm her down, but she screamed
for them to stay back.
Finally, she found what she was looking for. A small box marked
"To Shalita".
Shalita opened the box with her trembling hands and stopped,
picking up a note. It simply said, "To remember me by too..."
And in the box was a small handmade doll, a splitting image of
Shadow himself. She picked it up, and held it to that area in her chest
where it hurt the most.
Sonic and the others stood at the teliporter, ready for it to
take them home. Charika said she had to go home to Princess Kymira,
who was probably waiting for her. Rouge wanted to come stay with
Knuckles on the Floating Island, and he readily agreed.
Many, MANY questions awaited them when they finally came home
to Robotropolis. Sonic could only put a hand up and say. "It was the
greatest Adventure of all time...and I think only a song can put
together the feeling of it all..."
Sonic, Sonic and Manic, touched their medallions, and for the
first time in the longest, were able to preform a song, that went
something like this...
"Can you feel life, movin' through your mind?
Ooooah looks like he came back for more!
Yeaaah!
Can you feel time, slippin' down your spine?
Ooooah You're tryin' tryin' to ignore!
Yeaaah!
Oh, but you can hardly swallow, your fears and pain!
When you can't help but follow, it puts you right back where
you came!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Can you feel your life, tangle you up inside?
Yeeaaaaah? Now you're face down on the floor!
Oooooaaooh!
But you can save your sorrow!
You've been betrayed.
When you can't help but follow, it puts you right back where
you came!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the Edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Hey, Whoa Whoa, Oh yeah!
(Guitar Solo)
There's a face, searching far, so far and wide
There's a place, where you dream you'd never find
Hold on to 'What if?'
Hold on to 'What if?'!!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way!"
THE END...for now.
written by Shayne Thames
Sonic and related characters © and ™ SEGA
Shalita and related characters © Star Dreams Entertainment
Chapter 38: "The Beginning of the End"
Robotnik stared at the screen in disbelief, growling.
"Argh! What's going on? Why doesn't the cannon FIRE?! What...what's
happening here?!"
On the screen a picture of a man in chains showed on the screen.
Robotnik stared. "It's...it's my grandfather...Gerald Robotnik!"
Sonic and Knux ran into another room when they heard a loud noise
and a rumble.
"What's that-that VIBRATION?!" Knux asked.
"Wait!" Sonic hushed. "Someone is coming!"
Rouge landed in front of them.
"YOU..." Knux growled. "You haven't given up YET?"
Rouge shook her head, sighing. "No..it's all over for us..."
"What do you mean?" Knux asked.
"I just recieved a message from my boss...this space colony
ARK...is currently approaching the Earth...at an incredible velocity...
it'll...probably...will impact Earth..." Rouge said slowly, bowing her
head.
Knuckles looked up, something catching his eye.
"What's that on the screen?" he pointed. They all looked up to
see an old video footage of Gerald Robotnik on the screen.
Back on Earth, in San Francisco and all over the world, people
were watching the same video footage as Gerald Robotnik spoke.
"This is a death sentance for every human being on Earth. If my
calculations are correct, the space colony ARK will impact the Earth in
27 minutes, 53 seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your
beloved planet Earth," Professor Gerald stated.
Everyone in the world started falling apart. People screamed in
terror as they looked outside and saw the gigantic firefill heading
towards Earth. Religious followers fell to their knees and prayed to
their respectful gods for forgivness and protection, some seeing this
as Judgement Day for all.
In San Fransisco, a man named Charlie, who had recently proposed
to his girlfriend, watched the portible telivision screen as he at at
an outdoor cafe, and buried his head in his arms in grief as his
girlfriend tried to comfort him, as people around him screamed in
terror.
A little girl hugged her parents in terror as she pointed to the
scary fireball.
Back on the ARK, everyone stared at the TV screen in horror.
"I plan to give you a taste of my revenge," Gerald continued.
"-once all the 7 Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this
program, it cannot be disabled. All of you UNGRATEFUL humans who took
everything away from me will feel MY loss and dispair!"
All was silent a moment until a man offscreen shouted to Gerald.
"Is there anything else you want to say?!"
"No," came the reply.
"Ready-!" came the voice again, and it was realized that this is
footage of Gerald Robotnik's execution. There was a bright flash, then
the film started over.
"What's going on here?!" Amy cried. "Who is that?!"
"I plan to give you a taste of my revenge-"
"Hey-" Knuckles interupted. "The vibrations are getting worse!"
"That was Professor Gerald Robotnik, one of the greatest
scientific geniuses in the world, and my grandfather!" Robotnik said,
walking in.
"What?!" Knux growled, turning around. "I KNEW you were behind
all this! Stop it RIGHT now, or else-"
Robotnik shook his head. "I'd of done this a LONG time ago if I
had the chance," Robotnik said.
"What do you mean?" Sonic asked, stepping forward. Robotnik
growled.
"You're pretty persistant for a hedgehog aren't you? You're
still alive, huh?"
"Hah! Just letting Knuckles pilot the shuttle on the way over
here was more dangerous than you could EVER be!" Sonic glared, as
Robotnik handed Rouge a disk.
"What is this?" she asked.
"This is my grandfather's diary..." Robotnik said.
Rouge took it and put it in the computer slot. Rouge read alloud.
"'I don't quite know what happened or what went wrong. Was it a
mistake to create the ultimate lifeform? I thought it would be
something to benifit mankind, but then the military guards landed on
the colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project
that I had been working on. My colleages at the reseach facility, my
granddaughter Maria...I hope you are all safe. The colony was shut
down, probably to keep the cannon from falling into the wrong hands.
The ARK was shut down under the premesis that there had been an
accident. I found Maria's name among those who had died when the ARK
was shut down. She meant EVERYTHING to me, and I couldn't bear the
thought that she died because of MY reseach! I lost EVERYTHING! I had
nothing more to LIVE for! I went INSANE! All I could think about was
to avenge her. Somehow. Someway. I got scared as I was no longer able
to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it
all to end. Based on my orginal projections, I was able to complete my
project, Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect...pure...I will
leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the
world, if you wish to fill the world with destruction...' Oh, so
THAT'S why you released Shadow from the base!"
"The core of the Eclipes Cannon is now highly reactive and
explosive! This is due to the Chaos Emeralds overpowering it. If the
colony collides with Earth, it will shatter into pieces like my
grandfather predicted, that mad scientist!" Robotnik stated.
"That should be YOU, right?" Amy asked with a tone of
sacasticness.
"We have to stop the space colony NOW!" Tails added.
"The space colony may have shifted in space due to the
overpowering of the Chaos Emeralds. We HAVE to stop the energy,"
Robotnik said.
"But...how?" Tails asked.
"Hmmm..." Rouge said thoughtfully. "That's IT! There IS a way
to stop the energy!"
She turned to Knuckles. "We HAVE to use your emerald. You're the
one that told me that the MASTER Emerald has the power to stop the
CHAOS Emeralds!"
Knux pulled out the Master Emerald, which had shrunk for
travelling. "That's RIGHT! If I use this, I just might be able to stop
the Chaos Emeralds!"
Tails looked up on a map of the ARK. "The reaction of the Chaos
Emeralds is moving towards the cannon's core! It may be too late!"
Robotnik reviewed the map. "There still maybe some time left! IF
we pull together, we might be able to get to the short cut that leads
to the core!"
Everyone gathered around to study the map carefully as Robotnik
mapped out their route.
"No worries, just leave it to me. I'm the world's FASTEST
hedgehog!" Sonic grinned, giving the thumb's up.
"Then let's get to work!" Robotnik said as the group broke up.
Amy, Shalita, Manic, Sonia, Omochao and the rest of the chao
stood on the sidelines.
"Now what?" Amy asked, but Shalita had dissappeared. "Where'd
Shalita go?"
"Dunno, but she looked pretty disturbed," Manic said. "Best to
leave her alone..."
Chapter 39: "The Last Mission"
Tails entered the area, and turnned on his communicator radio.
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! THE INTRUDER HAS BREACHED THE SYSTEM
AREA! INITATE DEBUG PROGRAM!" the computer shouted.
"Alright Tails!" Robotnik radioed in. "Now, destroy the security
door leading to the cannon's core!"
Tails ran down the pathway, shooting at military robots as he
went. Things were starting to look ugly around here...
"Okay Tails, there should be a security door somewhere in the
room..." Robotnik said. "You need to destory it."
"Okay, " tails said. He was low on bullets. he only had one shot
of destorying the door and scramming before more robots showed up. He
fired repeatedly at the door until it blew away.
"I'm out!" Tails said, bolting for the exit.
Robotnik ran through the doorway.
"Alright! Now it's my turn!" he said, taking off down the hall to
destory the guard bots.
"Great, Eggman!" Tails raidoed in. "There should be a security
door somewhere in this room!"
Robotnik ran over and started firing at the door, having to turn
around and destroy military bots as he went. Finally the door busted
open. Time for the treasure hunters to do their part...
Rouge ran into the room.
"Rouge! There should be an emergency switch in the dome. Drain the
liquid out of the core," Robotnik radioed to her.
She looked around and saw a huge button encased inside a red
shield. There's a switch somewhere to open it...
She found the switch a minute later, and hit it, deactivating the
shield.
"Good job, Rouge! Hurry, throw the switch and drain the liquid!"
Robotnik said.
Rouge ran for the putton and pressed it, and the liquid started
draining into the area...
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! ENERGY CORE SAFETY PROGRAM TERMINATED!
SELF-REPAIR PROGRAM IN PROGRESS!" the computer rang out
A few minutes later, Knuckles surfaced, wearing the air necklace
he got back from Sonic.
"Knuckles, can you hear me?" Robotnik radioed in. "The last
security door should be in front of you. Find the switch that opens the
door."
Knux dived into the water and swam through the hallways, entering a
room filled with lasers. He had to be careful not to get zapped.
"Knuckles! I found the switch on radar! The security door switch
is accessible from the waterway over there." Robotnik radioed.
Knux swam into a hallway and into the next room, and found the
button, hitting it.
"SYSTEM ALERT! SYSTEM ALERT! PRIMARY SECURITY LOCK PROGRAMS
TERMINATED! INITATE FINAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS!" the computer sang again.
Sonic gripped the pole as he slid deep into the heart of the
cannon's core.
"Sonic, get past the enemies to get to the center of the core!
You're our LAST chance! We're depending on you," Robotnik said.
Sonic held the look of full deterimation in his eyes. He was
gonna pull this mission off.
As he ran, he spotted the center up ahead.
"Sonic, you're coming closer to the center of the cannon. It's
all up to you now!" Robotnik radioed.
Chapter 40: "The Ultimate Battle"
ARK: Abandoned Lab
6:10 P.M.
Colony Impact: 19 minutes, 50 seconds
Amy walked down the hall, griping again.
"OOOH! I hate it when they leave me behind!!!" she growled,
walking past a doorway. She stopped and backed up, seeing a figure
watching the Earth from his place by the window.
"Look, it's Shadow!" she gasped, staring. She floded her arms,
looking down. I've REALLY got to stop whining. Everyone's trying their
best to help out, and so must I!"
Amy ran into the room and to Shadow. "Shadow! We need you! Please
help us!" she begged.
Shadow stared out the window, without looking up. "It's all going
accoring to plan. There's no reason for me to help them. Besides,
there's no way to save anyone."
"There HAS to be!" Amy said. "I know that people fight over the
most trivial things. SOME people may be selfish, like the professor
said. But they're basicly good. If they try their best and never give
up on their wishes, they always have a reason to be happy! That's why
you should help them out! Saving them is a GOOD thing! Shadow, I BEG
you! Please do it for them! Give them a chance-"
Suddenly, what Amy's words said to him brought back the memory of
Maria.
"Shadow...I beg of you..." Maria gasped, slumping over the console.
"...please...do it for me..."
"MARIA!" Shadow screamed.
"-for all people who live on that planet...give them a chance to
be happy! Let them live for their dreams...Shadow...I know you can do
it...THAT"S the reason you were brought into this world...Sayranora...
Shadow the Hedgehog..."
"-now I remember it all. And I must keep that promise...that's
what Maria wished for..." Shadow whispered.
"Shadow?" Amy called.
"I got to go now! I got to keep my promise to Maria, and you,"
Shadow said, running off.
As he ran down the halls, he heard sobbing, and stopped.
Sadness...he walked to the room and saw Shalita laying on the floor,
her head buried into her arms. Shadow slowly walked in, and knelt
beside her.
"Why do you cry?" he whispered.
Shalita looked up and into Shadow's face. She stared a long time,
sniffling. "Probably...the same reason you you are now..." she said
softly.
Shadow raised a hand to his cheek. Indeed, he too found a trail
from a single tear he shed.
"Shalita...I'm sorry I ever doubted you...I remembered why I was
brought here. I'm going to save you. I'm going to help everyone on that
planet below," he whispered, holding her up in her.
"Shadow..." she whispered.
He leaned forward into her ear and whispered ever so softly.
"I love you."
Shalita's eyes widen, looking into his own eyes, and couldn't
back any longer. She kissed him. Deeply. And meant every ounce of
energy she put into the kiss. Shadow helped Shalita to her feet.
"Come on, Runt. We've a world to save!" he grinned.
"Alright...Bad Boy!" she smiled.
ARK: Center of Core
6:14 P.M.
Colony Impact: 15 minutes, 43 seconds
Sonic and Knuckles ran for the center of the core and stopped
short. It was like he was suddenly back on Angel Island.
"What's that?!" Knuckles asked. "The core looks like the shrine
to the Master Emerald!"
"They probably designed the core like the shrine, to harness
the power of the Chaos Emeralds," Sonic said.
As Sonic and Knuckles ran for the center, Gerald's words
continued to haunt the station.
"All of you ungrateful humans who took everything away from me
will feel my loss-!!!"
Sonic looked up and saw energy sparking in the center.
"Knuckles, here it comes!!!" Sonic yelped.
"-and dispair!"
Geralds voice echoed as the energy produced a creature of immense
size. A LARGE biomechanical lizard. "All of you ungrateful humans will
FEEL MY LOSS AND DISPAIR!!!!!"
Knuckles and Sonic gasped, standing back.
"Could this be the prototype of the ultimate lifeform that was
suppose to be encapsulated?" Knuckles asked.
A figure slowly walked up.
"Leave this one to me," Shadow said, as Shalita ran up beside
Sonic.
"Shadow, what are you do?!" Sonic asked.
"I'll take care of this, while you run and get the Chaos Emeralds!"
Shadow called, facing off the lizard.
The biolizard snapped at Shadow as he leapped back.
"Go for his life-support system!!!" Omochao called from a side.
"I'm on it," Shadow said. As Shadow ran circles around the beast,
he saw where a pipe came from it's mouth and up to the support system.
If he could grind up there...
A direct hit! Shadow was able to take the lizard out with ease.
A few more hits really got the beast mad, and it created energy
eggs to shoot at Shadow. Shadow dodged every one of them and leaped up,
nailing the support system. The biolizard collasped in defeat.
"GET OUT you UGLY prototype!" Shadow hissed.
"THAT'S MY SHADOW!!!" Shalita cheered, leaping into the air.
Shadow whirled, smiling at the cheering Shalita with a twinkle in his
eye.
Chapter 41: "Remaining Hope"
Sonic and Knuckles ran up the steps of the mock-up shrine and Knux
set down the master emerald into the center of the core.
"The servers are...the seven chaos..." Knuckles murmured,
remembering an old incantation to activate the Master Emerald's power.
This was only done once before a LONG time ago, and only Sonic remembers
that time. "Chaos is power...power is enriched by the heart...the
controller is the one that unifies the chaos...only you can do this!"
Knux cried as the Master Emerald started to glow. "STOP THE CHAOS
EMERALDS!!!"
The emerald glew brightly and the Biolizard got up, roaring in
pain. It suddenly dissappeared in a flash of light.
"Is it gone?!" Knux asked the others.
Shadow ran up to them. "Is that what...Chaos Control is??" he
asked, never having witnessed it before.
The rumbling throughout the station continued.
"Since we've stopped the Chaos Emeralds, why is the space colony
still on a crash course for Earth?!" Knux pointed out.
Their answer came soon enough as Robotnik called on the radio.
"The prototype is still alive! He is controlling the space colony
as it is falling to Earth! He has become one with the space colony and
is determined to keep it on its collision course!"
Sonic and Knux looked at each other.
"Sonic...!" Knux suddenly said, seeing the glint in the hedgehog's
eye.
Shalita tilted her head. What's Sonic up to?
Sonic turned towards the Chaos Emeralds, and Shadow suddenly saw
what he had in mind.
"You don't suppose-?" he started.
"I can...and I will.." Sonic said.
Shalita gasped. "NO!!!! You CAN'T DO THAT! YOU KNOW WHAT WILL
HAPPEN IF USE USE THE POWER FOR TOO LONG!!!!"
Shadow ran to Shalita and hugged her. "It's okay, Shal, shhh.....
I promise I'll come back!"
Shalita looked at Shadow. "You...promise...?"
"You know I'll ALWAYS live up to my promise," he winked, and
kissed her forehead. "I'll be careful, I promise."
"Come back to me safely, Bad Boy..." she whispered as Shadow
walked up to the shrine with Sonic, his hand slipping from hers. He l
ooked back. "I'll be looking for you, Runt..." he whispered, then
joined Sonic at the shrine.
The two concentrated as the Chaos Emeralds surrounded them. They
could feel their power swelling within them.
They opened their eyes as Sonic turned from a cobalt blue to a
golden yellow. Shadow changed from pitch black to a white gold color.
Super Sonic...and Super Shadow...
Outside, Sonic and Shadow faced the bigger, uglier, giant brute.
"Let's do this!" Sonic said.
Robotnik's voice came over the comm.
"Can you hear me, Sonic, Shadow? He's very weak without his
life-support system. Aim for the red swelling areas. You're our LAST
hope."
Sonic zoomed forward heading for a blister on the lizard's big
ugly hide, and punctured it.
The biolizard howled in pain as Shadow called to Sonic.
"Sonic! Leave it to me! I'll destroy him!" he annouced as he
took his turn. He veered suddenly as a laser shot at him from the beast.
"Where does it get all that power? Is it from the Chaos Emeralds?
Shadow, are you okay?" Sonic pressed as Shadow struck a blister.
"Now it's up to you, Sonic!" Shadow called.
"Shadow, you need rest. Let me give it a try!" Sonic called as he
zoomed forward, dodging a laser blast from the beast.
"Sonic," Knuckles radioed in. "We're in danger. The colony will
enter the atmosphere in about four minutes!"
We need more time, Sonic thought as he struck a blister. This
thing is stronger than they hoped!
"Yeah! Take that, you creep!" Sonic laughed. He looked towards
Shadow. Could he really take all this energy without burning himself
out. "Shadow, are you okay??"
"Here I come, you creep!" Shadow yelled, heading towards the
beast. This time, the lizard shot two lasers at Shadow and he veered
between them towards the blister.
"Maria! Watch me as I forfill your wish!" he called, striking a
blister.
"Shadow! How's your energy?! remember to switch places with me
if it gets too hairy!" Sonic called. "We almost got him! Now we-OOF!!!"
Sonic was caught off guard by a stray laser. He floated, stunned.
"SONIC!" Shadow cried, soaring over to Sonic. "You okay?"
"Shadow...he's stronger than we realized. I may have to use...
the Chaos Emerald...inside my body...to power me up stronger..." he said
slowly, shaking his head clear.
"Can you hear me?! Sonic, Shadow, everyone here is rooting for
you! Good luck, and give him trouble!" Rouge raidoed in.
"What do you MEAN, the chaos emerald in your body?! Sonic, were
you born with a Chaos Emerald INSIDE you?!" Shadow gasped.
Sonic nodded, his head finally cleared.
"Sonic...I have one inside me too..." Shadow said. "What does
this mean?!"
"It means we both can live forever, and make sure that everyone
can live their lives in peace. Now let's TAKE this thing down!"
Sonic concentrated, and started to glow brighter, and his wings
appeared. He was now Hyper Sonic. He opened his eyes and soared
forward, like a lightning bolt against the skin of the beast. It
roared in terrible pain.
"Sonic....I think I know what the ultimate lifeform is..."
Shadow said, watching him. "...it might be YOU!"
Sonic looked at Shadow. "Are you sure...?"
"I've never seen anything or anyone so determined and so pure
in heart as you are. You are powerful in spirit and together, we can
WIN!"
"Shadow, your power's getting weaker! Hey are you okay??" Sonic
called.
"I'll be fine. Why, what's wrong, Sonic?!"
"Shadow, at this rate, if you use your power too long, you'll
dissappear! Get back to the colony!" Sonic pleaded.
"No way, Sonic! I can do this!" Shadow said.
Tails radioed in. "You two are out of time! GET OUTTA THERE!!!"
"I can DO THIS!!!" Shadow yelled, soaring straight at the
lizard.
"SHADOW, NO!!!!!" Shalita screamed over the radio.
The lizard limped, lifeless as Shadow soared back to Sonic,
panting.
"I shall undo all of Professor Gerald's work..." he panted.
"Did you really think you had a chance?!" Sonic added, grinning.
Now to stop the ARK.
They looked up as the ARK started to enter the atmosphere.
"No way THAT'S getting through!" Sonic yelled as he and a tired
Shadow soared up towards it.
As they went up, Shaodw could almost hear Maria's voice.
"Shadow, I beg of you-!"
"Maria?" he whispered. So close to heaven. He knew he was weak
and that both of them would use a great amount of energy to pull this off.
"-give them a chance...to be happy!"
"Shalita-" Shadow called over the radio. "I'm so sorry-"
"Shadow-?! Wha-no! NO! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" she cried, running to the
window. It took everyone else to hold her back. "DON'T DO IT, SHADOW!
WE NEED YOU!!! I NEED YOU! NOOOO!!!!" Shalita cried, bursting into tears.
"-look in the drawer in the desk in the lab...Shalita...I know
why you cry now...I love you too..."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Outside, Sonic gave the word. "NOW SHADOW!"
The two concentrated and released the energy.
"CHAOS CONTROL!!!" the both yelled, and the colony dissappeared
in a flash of light.
Between the time they had between then and when the ARK would
show up again, Sonic sighed, then looked at Shadow and gasped.
He was hardly moving, as he was burnt out. "Shadow...no..."
"Did we do it...?" he whispered. "Did we save Earth?"
Sonic took his hand and held it, tears in his own eyes. "Yeah....
yeah we did it, Shadow..."
"Sonic...why do you cry...? Before, you hated me..."
"Something Shalita said. I...I don't know what it is...Shadow....
its as if you were my brother..."
Shadow smiled, weakly. "A brother...I never had a family..all I
had....was a sister...a sister named Maria..."
Sonic patted him. "I know. Come on...I can help you. Let's me
take you back to the ARK and you can get better again...!"
"Sonic, we both know you only have enough energy to get yourself
back. I don't want you to die with me.."
"But...we can't die....Shadow..." Sonic said, starting to sob.
"We're-"
"-ageless...and immortal....through natural living. I know that
we could still die, but we can never go to that special place that others
can. I don't want you to be trapped in a body full of pain. I won't hurt
anyone else anymore...Sonic...take care of Shalita for me..."
"-Shadow..." Sonic whispered, but Shadow pushed him away, leaving
Sonic only his braclet which slipped off. Shadow started to fall
towards the Earth.
"SHADOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sonic cried.
Shadow closed his eyes. "Maria...this is what you wanted, right?
This is my promise to you..."
His mind drifted, as he will forever dream of that place where
Shalita will be, and he started to cry, as he will never see her there...
The ARK finally reappeared, showing in a stable orbit around the
Earth. This was shown on TV all over the world, as everyone started to
cheer.
Religious people prayed to their gods for thanks.
Back in San Fransisco, that man named Charlie hugged his fiance,
as they could now get married.
The little girl put her hands together for the heroes that saved
her home, as her parents hugged her.
Everyone turned to face the door as it opened, and Sonic slowly
walked in.
"Where is Shadow?" Rouge asked.
Sonic didn't say a word, shook his head, and handed Rouge the
bracelet he got.
"Do you really think that the processor created him...Shadow...to
carry out the revenge on all those who live on Earth...?" Rouge asked.
"He was what he was...a brave and heroic hedgehog, who gave his
life to save this planet..." Sonic whispered, bowing his head. "Shadow
the Hedgehog."
"I guess you're right..." Rouge finally said.
Meanwhile, Robotnik and Tails were standing near each other, as
Robotnik mentioned.
"As a child, I looked up to my grandfather for all the great
things he accomplished in his life. He was my hero, and I wanted to be
a great scientist like him...but...did he really mean to destroy us?"
"I don't know," Tails said. "But what I DO know is...we all did
it...TOGETHER!"
"You're right..." Robotnik said.
Knuckles wandered up to Rouge. They have yet to finish some
things off.
"So what's next for you, Rouge? Off again to find those jewels
you love so much?"
"Nah, I think I'm gonna give up this line of work. Too much
work for too little pay!"
She slowly added, not daring to look at the echidna right now.
"Anyway, I've got something better than jewels that I'm thinking about
right now..."
Knuckles looked up to Rouge. Rouge smiled softly. "It'll all
work out...you'll see..."
Knux smiled softly himself. "If you say so..."
Sonic walked off to an area by himself to think things over.
"Created...the ultimate lifeform..." he murmured.
Amy walked over his way.
"What's the matter, Sonic?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing...come on! Let's go home to the
planet as cool and blue as me!" he grinned.
As they left the room, Sonic turned to look at the Earth one
last time. "Sayranora...Shadow the Hedgehog..." he whispered, tears
in his eyes.
Epilouge
Shalita shifted hearltlessly through the desk, tossing stuff
everywhere. Manic and the others tried to calm her down, but she screamed
for them to stay back.
Finally, she found what she was looking for. A small box marked
"To Shalita".
Shalita opened the box with her trembling hands and stopped,
picking up a note. It simply said, "To remember me by too..."
And in the box was a small handmade doll, a splitting image of
Shadow himself. She picked it up, and held it to that area in her chest
where it hurt the most.
Sonic and the others stood at the teliporter, ready for it to
take them home. Charika said she had to go home to Princess Kymira,
who was probably waiting for her. Rouge wanted to come stay with
Knuckles on the Floating Island, and he readily agreed.
Many, MANY questions awaited them when they finally came home
to Robotropolis. Sonic could only put a hand up and say. "It was the
greatest Adventure of all time...and I think only a song can put
together the feeling of it all..."
Sonic, Sonic and Manic, touched their medallions, and for the
first time in the longest, were able to preform a song, that went
something like this...
"Can you feel life, movin' through your mind?
Ooooah looks like he came back for more!
Yeaaah!
Can you feel time, slippin' down your spine?
Ooooah You're tryin' tryin' to ignore!
Yeaaah!
Oh, but you can hardly swallow, your fears and pain!
When you can't help but follow, it puts you right back where
you came!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Can you feel your life, tangle you up inside?
Yeeaaaaah? Now you're face down on the floor!
Oooooaaooh!
But you can save your sorrow!
You've been betrayed.
When you can't help but follow, it puts you right back where
you came!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the Edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Hey, Whoa Whoa, Oh yeah!
(Guitar Solo)
There's a face, searching far, so far and wide
There's a place, where you dream you'd never find
Hold on to 'What if?'
Hold on to 'What if?'!!
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way.
Live and Learn!
Hanging on the edge of Tomorrow,
Live and Learn!
On the words of Yesterday,
Live and Learn!
If you beg, or if you borrow,
Live and Learn!
You may never find your way!"
THE END...for now.