1 year later...

Scene 1: Return of a Hero??

Place: Tails' workshop
Time: 10:00 AM

"Where is Sonic?" Tails says. "I told him to be here at 9." There is a knock on the door. Tails goes and answers the door.

"Hey Tails!" Sonic says.

"What took you so long, Sonic?" Tails asks.

"I overslept," Sonic replies.

"We are going to be late for the ceremony," Tails answers.

"I know. I know. Still can't believe it has been a year since Day X," Sonic responds.

"Let's hop in the Tornado and head to Capital City," Tails says.

Sonic and Tails fly in the Tornado to Capital City for a somber celebration. The whole world is remembering Day X, the day that Shadow sacrificed his life for the Earth. Sonic sighs.

"What's the matter, Sonic?" Tails asks.

"I still think about what on Day X. I wonder if I did the right thing and let Shadow defeat the Finalhazard. I was weak, but Shadow was weaker than I was. He wanted to keep his promise to Maria. He did keep that promise after all."

"Don't worry Sonic. You did what you thought was right. No need to think about it anymore."

Sonic and Tails arrive at Capital City Airport. They leave the airport and head to the ceremony. Sonic and Tails arrive at the ceremony. They can see the crowd of people that arrive at the ceremony. As they go though the crowd, they see a familiar face.

"Hey Knuckles," Tails says.

"Hey guys," Knuckles responds. Knuckles is little more muscular than he was a year ago.

"So the treasure hunting biz working good for you?" Sonic asks.

"Yeah. I have found this lifestyle a little more interesting," Knuckles replies.

"Come on. Let's head for the stage. The President is waiting for us," Tails declares. The three proceed to the stage and hear the roar of the crowd. The President is about to make speech to the crowd. As he readies the speech, Sonic says, "Where's Rouge? She should be here as well."

Knuckles responds, "Oh. She is on assignment and can't be here today." The President begins to address the crowd.

He says: "Citizens of Capital City, we are here today commemorating the one year anniversary of Day X. You all know that one year ago, Sonic and his friends saved our world from being taken over by the Eggman Empire. The one that did the most to save this world would be Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow made the ultimate sacrifice to save this planet. If it wasn't for Shadow, we all would be dead. Today I would make a declaration that this day to be forever known as Shadow Day." The crowd roars loudly. "I would also like to present to you, citizens of Capital City, this statue that commemorates this day." A statue of Shadow appears from an underground passage. "Citizens of Capital City, you shall always have a reminder of the heroic deeds that Sonic and friends did on that trying day. Please enjoy the free food and drinks that are provided."

After the ceremony, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles begin to catch up more. They all talk about what they have done in the past year.

"It seems to have been a productive year for all of us," Tails says.

"Let's go see Shadow's statue before we leave today to honor his memory," Sonic replies. The three head to Shadow's statue. Sonic is quiet as they head to the statue. Knuckles and Tails continue talking. As they walk toward the statue, a laser comes out of nowhere.

"Whoa!" the three yell as they dodge the laser. The laser misses and hits the statue.

"The statue is damaged by the laser," Tails says. They notice a shadow fly over them as this happens.

"Tails get up in the air and see if you can find the shadow," Sonic commands.

"Knuckles, we'll pull up the rear." Tails flies while Sonic and Knuckles run as fast as they can. Tails eventually found the shadow and a familiar foe appeared. "I guess I missed my targets," the voice says.

"Eggman!" Tails shouts.

"Where's your machine, fox boy?" Dr. Robotnik asks.

"It's not with me now," Tails retorts.

"I guess you'll be my first victim. HAHA!!!!" Robotnik snaps back. "DIE!!!!" Robotnik fires a laser at Tails. Tails barely dodges the beam. "Sonic!!!!!!!!!"' Tails yells. Eggman continues his assault on Tails.

Sonic hears Tails' scream. "Knuckles, I have to save Tails," Sonic says.
"Okay. I'll get there when I can," Knuckles responds. The two separate and Sonic heads in the direction he hears Tails' scream.

"Sonic will not save you this time!" Eggman shouts as he picks up his laser assault.

"I can't keep this up. If I'm hit, I will get injured badly," Tails thinks. Dr. Robotnik's assault proceeds to the point where he has Tails right where he wants him. "You are very tired now. Too bad you have to die. Laser to full power. Ready? Aim, fire!!!!!!!!" The laser comes out with full force.

"Sonic should be here. Sonic, help!!!!!!!!!" Tails thinks.

"TAILS!!!!!!" Sonic yells. He jumps in the path of the laser. "Move Tails! Hurry!" Sonic yells. Tails does what he is told. The laser heads straight toward Sonic and hits him head on.

"Ughhhhhh. That hurt Doctor. You're getting better with your devices, I see," Sonic says. "You're becoming a better villain."

"You will die! If I kill you, the Robotnik Empire will be born again." Eggman retorts.

"Didn't you learn anything a year ago?" Sonic asked.

"No. Now die. Ready? Laser Fire!!!!"
Sonic is hit by the laser's full power. Sonic screams at the top of his lungs.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! The time has come for you to die. Farewell, Sonic and Tails!" Robotnik yells, "Laser fire!!!!!!!" Just before Eggman can execute his command, a black streak flies though Dr. Robotnik's machine and destroys it. "What? No!!!!!!!! I must retreat. I was so close. We will meet again, Sonic."

"You guys have gotten soft," a voice speaks. "I thought Sonic and Tails were the greatest duo on Earth." The streak begins to form and a hedgehog's body begins to come to place.

"Who was that?" Tails asks.

"I don't know," Sonic responds.

End of Scene 1