Chapter 9: Reunions

Disclaimer: I'm not gonna say it! I won't, I won't, I WON'T!

13 year-old sister, Marine the Hedgehog: Yes you will! Or I'll tell mom you've snuck onto MSN again!

Me: (crying face) FINE! I don't own Sonic, any of his friends, or Dr. Eggman. Sonic Team and SEGA own them. However, Melody as well as any of the settings that I made up until now are mine (i.e. the forest they were in a while back, the cliff, etc). Before I get in trouble for this, I want to make one thing clear. I made up the idea of my lake before I found out there was a similar one in Sonic X. Curse my ability to predict future episodes of shows (anime happy face). So that lake is mine. From this point on though I am going to write about some stuff from Sonic X and the rest of the Sonic Universe. You can pick out that stuff for yourselves, but whenever I do this (like the actual lake from Sonic X), it isn't mine so don't think that I should get in trouble for such nonsense. Man, that was long…

Reviewer's Replies: o.0 o.0 ………o.0 5 NEW REVIEWS?! WOW! Ok, I'm going to respond to them from oldest to newest.

To Ryuko: I could go on forever about the BBMak topic, but I'll keep it short. I am in love with their music! Ok. Now that that's out of the way, lol. About chapter 7, no offence taken. It was a difficult chapter to write, and to be honest, I didn't really want to put it in. But I felt that the story needed a bit of a break from Shadow and Melody, especially since the following chapter was so long. According to you though, it seemed to have worked. And thank you about the "choker" misspelling. I corrected it. That chapter is just full of mistakes. I don't know if you caught it before I took the story down, but I accidentally typed in "Cream, sweaty" instead of "Cream sweetie". MAJOR XD !

To Chibi Yoshi: Thanks for noticing that "human" thing. I didn't realise it until you brought it up. I fixed it now though, so that should be good. Thanx for reviewing, your reviews are always welcome!

To Daikonran: This is kind of pointless, since you know I always accept your reviews. Thanx for reviewing!

To Sonic Killer: Thanx a lot! Oh, and you might want to check the reviews for your story soon… ;)

To Mystica: Thanx for the comment!

To wrap this up quickly, a big thank you goes out to all y'all who review! Make sure to tell your friends about Eternal Melody! Oh, and btw, I'm going to start up a new story this summer! Mystica, you already know, so don't spill! I want it to be a surprise for everyone!

Author's Note: Whenever I feel like it (like now, for instance) I'm going to cue a song. This pretty much means that, well, if this was a movie, I would have this song for this particular scene. I think I might post a link if I feel like it too, so you can listen to it while reading. Obviously, whenever I do this kind of a thing, the songs aren't going to be ones that I've made. Actually, I've never made any (sweat drop)

Cue "Growing Wings" from NiGHTS (oh, how appropriate [anime smilie])

For some reason, FanFiction is still having problems with the URL links. Until this problem is fixed, just go to Google and type in "Music/Saturn/Nights.htm"

Duh, find "Growing Wings" on the list. Just skip the jungle part

Melody leaped into the air and immediately took off at full speed, not waiting for Shadow to catch up. Shadow took to the air too, but he followed leisurely behind Melody. He didn't want to zoom off after her. He wanted to savour the beauty of the planet that he hadn't gotten to know, and he knew that Melody couldn't get into any trouble.

Melody wasted no time in discovering the vast opportunities of her new wings. Air rushed past her as she did everything that she wanted to do in the air: loop-de-loops, barrel rolls, dives like those of an eagle, and flying backwards and upside down. She loved her new capability to fly. She loved the feeling of the wind flowing all across her body, ruffling her wings, fur and clothes. And when she was gliding without the use of her majestic wings, she loved the heat of the Sun on her back, and on her face when flying upside-down. She loved the sent of the enticing scent of the wind with the trees below her. She loved to hear the wind blowing around her. She loved the taste of the wind that she got when inhaling the air and loved slowly exhaling it when pushing her wings effortlessly to go on. Most of all, she loved the sight below. She had to slow down to prevent the blurry mosaic effect from the cliff from coming back, but it was worth it.

She was now flying over a lake similar to the one by her cabin. It was clear blue and a little bigger than the one Melody had spent part of her life at. She allowed her wings to coast as she glided over the island in the centre of this lake and noted the white sparkles at the top of the mountain. 'Those must be the flowers,' she thought. 'I would love to see them with Shadow some time.' She spun around and looked at the sky, gently flapping her wings to remain airborne. She hadn't gotten used to flying upside-down yet, but was quite content with practicing anyway. She gazed at the blue sky with snowy white clouds overhead and once again felt the warmth that the sun had given her. She loved being able to fly.

Shadow had noticed how excited his friend was when she had gone off to explore and perform new stunts in the air. He noticed how eager she was to fly. Shadow was different in the way that he just wanted to savour the beauty of the planet. He hovered a little more closely to the tips of the trees to explore the forest below him. Although the dark green was quite obvious, so were the specks of bright magenta and other odd colours of tropical plants that stood out from the foliage. He admired the bird-song as he slowly flew by, along with the gentle hum of insects that he had somehow missed while rushing through the White Jungle.

His goals were different then. Driven by hate and the desire to fulfill Maria's wish that he hadn't remembered quite clearly. Wanting to kill innocent humans, wanting to help Eggman take over the world, wanting to defeat Sonic. He knew that those reasons had blinded him from the true splendour of planet Earth, and now he was determined to live life to the fullest. He planned to appreciate everything the planet had to offer, and he planed to make sure that foolishness would not get in his way. Life was too good to spend miserable. Life was too good to just sit and watch it go by. Life was too good to be wasted.

He looked up to see that Melody was flapping her wings to stay airborne in one spot. Wondering what was wrong, he flew up to see a worried look on his companion's face.

"Something's coming," she said. "And I don't think it's good. I can sense it." She turned to Shadow, who looked back at her. "I'm worried," she said.

Shadow could sense her fear and looked to where Melody was looking a moment ago. A shiny object had glinted in the light, and it was indeed coming closer. When it was close enough for him to decipher the object, he put an arm in front of Melody, indicating for her to stay back.

Melody was confused by this at first, but that was only until the object had gotten close enough for her to recognise. The bottom half of a ball made of metal, with the top half missing. Instead was an unmistakable figure seeming to control the device. And when that figure had gotten close enough for her to see, she gasped. "Is that…"

"Dr. Eggman," Shadow had finished.

It was indeed the mad scientist in question, flying in his metal ball with wings. He certainly was an impressive sight to behold: his red, white and yellow plastic like suit shimmering in the sunlight, along with his goggles and tiny bald head. His moustache didn't improve his appearance though: it just made his head look smaller compared to his gigantic body, which shook as he chuckled. "So, Shadow. You survived, eh? Now how did you manage that?"

Melody was a little scared. She had seen Dr. Eggman all the time on the news, but she never imagined that she would be so close to the menace in real life. Her left hand automatically found it's way to her mouth, showing her fear.

Eggman noticed it. "Perhaps it has something to do with your girlfriend. Well?"

Shadow merely growled. He didn't like the fact that Melody was with him. She was in danger.

"Well, if you won't talk, I'll try your girlfriend over there." He hovered closer to the couple and looked directly at Melody. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. I'm sure you already know who I am. But what about you? I don't recall ever seeing you around Sonic or his furry pack of annoyances." He waited for a reply, but Melody remained silent. He grew impatient. "Well, I can't wait all day. Who are you?"

Melody put on a fake act of bravery. "Why should I tell you? Does it matter who I am? Shadow and I just want to move on, so you better let us keep going before you get hurt."

Eggman came even closer, and Melody shrank behind Shadow. He laughed his demented laugh and smiled. "Such big words for such a little hedgehog. Well, would you like to prove it in battle then?" He was well aware that Melody was not capable of fighting, so the tormenting was pleasing him.

Shadow however wasn't pleased. "So Doctor, what have you been doing with yourself lately? Gone to jail yet?"

"Well it's nice to hear that you haven't lost your voice, Shadow. Maybe you haven't lost your touch either. What do you say? Would you like to come with me and take over the world like we had planed?"

Shadow made no attempt to hide the disgust on his face. "Thanks for the offer, but my original plan sounds better. Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way."

Melody was impressed by how well Shadow had handled the situation. She wanted to go ahead, but Shadow wouldn't remove his arm from across her body. She looked to his face for an explanation, but it looked as grim as when he was talking to Dr. Eggman. She then noticed that although Eggman had moved backwards, he was still there. He had no intention of leaving. She got scared again.

"I said get out of the way Eggman. I'm growing impatient."

"You are, are you? Well that's too bad, because I was hoping to get some more information on that jewel of yours."

"What jewel?" Asked Shadow curiously. Melody stiffened.

"That jewel that your girlfriend has on her wrist there." He pointed to the battle bracelet. "My radar is detecting power similar to, if not greater than that of the master emerald, and it's coming from that bracelet. Intriguing, eh?"

"Greater than the master emerald?" Both hedgehogs said at once. Shadow had known about the great abilities of the master emerald; he had experienced it first hand on the ARK.

Melody had only heard of it through old legends that her grandmother had told her and the story she had heard from Shadow. She could only imagine the great powers it possessed.

And the fact that her bracelet might have a power stronger than the master emerald made her grow more curious. It also made her a little more protective of the bracelet. She knew what Eggman was getting at. "You can't have it, so don't try. The battle bracelet is mine!"

"The battle bracelet?" Eggman inquired.

Melody punished herself inwardly for her stupidity. She had just blurted something out that would be quite useful to the evil scientist if he knew just what he was dealing with. Shadow turned his head around. Melody assumed that he was going to get mad, but instead he gave an it's-alright-don't-worry-about-it look. Melody shook her head. She didn't like this.

"Well that wasn't quite the information I was looking for. Care to tell me more about this battle bracelet of yours?"

Melody wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. She clamped her mouth shut.

Eggman was disappointed. "You know, I'm getting impatient. And you don't want to see me get impatient." He flipped a switch, and a bunch of hidden missiles of various types from all over his flying metal ball emerged. "Well, I'm waiting for some information!"

Melody was terrified, and Shadow felt it. Eggman had gone on far enough. "You're not getting anything else, so leave Doctor."

"I'm afraid that's not an option Shadow. Either I get the data I need or I blow you sky high."

Shadow smirked. "If you mean higher than we already are, than you can try."

Eggman chuckled.

Shadow turned to Melody. "Get as far away from here as you can," he said.

Melody slowly shook her head, petrified. She was in no condition to be moving at all. She was frozen with fear from seeing Eggman's massive amount of weaponry he had brought with him. Her wing flaps were automatic to her like breathing was, and that was the only reason she had not fallen from the sky a while ago. She wasn't going anywhere.

Shadow was getting frustrated, but he knew getting mad wouldn't help. He tried to be as sincere as possible. He put his hands on her shoulders, which seemed to get Melody back to reality. "It's not safe here. If you leave, you'll be safe."

Melody was at least thinking clearly now. "But what about you?"

Shadow spoke bravely. "I'll be fine, but you won't be if you stay. Just back off, OK?"

Melody nodded her head and forced her wings to move her backwards. Shadow smiled, silently said, "I'll be alright," and turned back to Eggman, who was quite amused.

"Well, that settles it then. I never knew you could be so gentle with another living creature, Shadow. She must be your girlfriend."

Shadow's face hardened. "It's none of your concern who she is. I suggest you back down while you can. You know my true power, and I'm not afraid to unleash it on you."

"Whenever you're ready, Ultimate Life Form."

(1 star. Back at the Thorndyke's house)

"Sonic! Sonic!" Tails ran around the house looking for the blue blur. Chris found Tails and asked what was wrong. "I have to show Sonic something I saw in my telescope! Right away!"

"I think I saw him up on the roof, taking a nap again."

"What? But that's where I was with my telescope!"

"Up on the balcony? And he wasn't there?"

"Obviously not!" Sonic had run into the kitchen where the other two were talking. "You really have to learn by now, Chris. I'm usually out running more than anything!"

"Sonic! Come on, I have to show you something!" The two tailed fox grabbed Sonic by the wrist and led him upstairs to the balcony outside of Chris' room. "Look here!"

Sonic put his eye against the eyepiece of the telescope and was surprised by what he saw. Dr. Eggman was in his floating metal ball firing deadly missiles at a moving yellow blur in the sky. He saw it, but he didn't believe it.

"Do you think it's him?" Tails asked.

For the first time in the last three months, Sonic looked like his old self. He smiled and said, "I don't know, but there's one way to find out!"

(1 star. Back with Shadow, Melody and Eggman)

The sun had started it's decent across from where Shadow and Eggman where having their battle. The fight basically consisted of Eggman firing missiles and Shadow dodging them at first effortlessly, but as Eggman got more desperate he fired the missiles more frequently. By this time, Eggman had run out of missiles, and Shadow was a little tired. Breathing heavily, he noticed the expression on his opponent's face when he tried firing another projectile. "Out of missiles already Eggman? I was expecting a challenge from you!" He was relieved that the potential threat was gone, or so he thought.

"Shadow! That was amazing!" Melody had watched the whole thing from a safe distance and was now making her way towards the black hedgehog. She noticed his panting and moved a little faster. "Hey, are you OK?"

"He might be, but you won't!"

Melody turned her head just in time to see Eggman fire a small laser gun he had hidden from view earlier on. She felt a sharp pain on the tip of her left wing and lost consciousness.

"Melody!" Shadow saw her falling and quickly dove like an eagle. He noticed a couple of white feathers floating downward and that her wings had retracted when she began her decent. Catching her swiftly in his arms, the black hedgehog flew back up to Eggman's altitude, only to see his foe slowly making his way into the setting sun.

"Once again, you unwillingly gave me some information that I needed," he called over his shoulder. "My associate will be very pleased to hear this. Farewell, Shadow. Until we meet again!" And with that, his figure disappeared into the scalding brightness of the now orange orb in the sky.

Melody groaned and slowly opened her eyes, seeing Shadow looking grim against the pale yellow sky. When he noticed Melody had regained consciousness, he started to descend towards the ground, looking concerned. "Are you alright?"

"What happened? Did Eggman get away?"

"Yeah," he said as he descended toward the ground. "But are you alright? Did your wing get injured?"

Melody closed her eyes and shook her head. "I was born with fast reflexes. I was able to contract my wings quick enough for him not to get a direct hit. The laser just clipped my wing a bit, that's all."

"Pretty fast reflexes," Shadow said relieved. He slowed down a little, as he was getting closer to the ground. "Can you stand?"

"I can try. Just don't drop me."

He gently flipped her so that she was clinging onto his shoulders perpendicular to the ground. She felt the ground underneath her feet and tried to stand up on her own, but quickly collapsed back onto Shadow's shoulders. "Don't worry," she said quickly. "I'll be fine in a bit."

"If your sure," Shadow said as he looked ahead to see something quite unexpected.

A young boy with brown hair and blue eyes was standing mouth agape along side many others. Tails, Amy, a young rabbit with a chao, and the one he was the most anxious to see for a long time. Sonic. The blue hedgehog was standing in front of his friends, and was standing a few feet away from Shadow, who looked just as surprised as Sonic did.

Melody had unwillingly broken the silence by lifting her head from Shadow's shoulder and opening her eyes to see the famed animal and stared. Sonic noted the new face and nodded toward her as he said, "Did I miss something? Since when do you have a girlfriend?"

Shadow looked slightly baffled, but quickly recovered and shot back a response to prove that he was still tough. "That's how you say hello after all this time? After all that's happened? I thought you'd be glad to see me again."

Sonic put his left arm on the back of his head in embarrassment, like all anime characters do. "Sorry. Guess it's still a little hard to believe. You wanna start over?"

Shadow grinned. "Sure."

Sonic outstretched a hand toward his black counter part. "Welcome back," he said.

"Good to be back." The two hedgehogs shook hands in the setting sun, both secretly thrilled to see each other. At long last, the two heroic hedgehogs were reunited.

Author's Note: Awwww! Sonic and Shadow are back together! But is this the end? Far from it! Didn't you notice Eggman saying "My associate"? Who could that be...stay tuned for chapter 10!