After exiting Roy's Castle, Shadow and Peach came to the light at the end of Cookie Forest, and upon leaving the forest, they saw a rather long stone bridge.

"Where does this bridge go?" asked Shadow.

"If memory serves me correctly, this goes to Rainbow Island."

And so, Shadow and Peach crossed the bridge to Rainbow Island, which greeted them with tropical vegetation such as palm trees.

"Shadow, what's on your mind this time?"

"I wouldn't say that Roy is lying, but he doesn't know as much as he was letting on."

"What do you mean?"

"Saphanolis – whoever he is – is definitely real."

"How are you so sure?"

"I don't know if I've ever told you this, but hedgehogs are born with a special power called Hedgehog Sense. Ordinarily, it alerts us to danger or anything that would otherwise be of interest to us, but it also allows us to detect all but the most skilled liars as well."

"But how does it work?"

"Nobody knows for sure. Even the world's best scientists haven't been able to come up with a plausible answer."

Peach smiled. "Still, as long as it helps us, I'm glad to have you on my side!"

Shadow nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome! You know, you've become a lot nicer since we started this adventure. Could your friends have had anything to do with it?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, it's just, the way you've been treating me lately, it seems to me like there's someone special in your life!"

"Well, I did mention Rouge before, didn't I?"

"You did, but I get the feeling like there's someone else you haven't told me about."

Shadow sighed. "You're right, I do have one other friend I only just alluded to. Her name is Maria, and she was the first friend I ever made."

"Tell me more about her!"

Shadow gulped. "She was the granddaughter of my creator, Professor Gerald Robotnik. We often spent time together, looking down at this planet, wondering what life would be like here. I enjoyed her company very much. It didn't even matter to me that she was a human. She respected me, and it was because of her that I learned to treat others with respect regardless of race, gender or any of that crap. Unfortunately, our friendship was not to last. Apparently, the government came to see the project that led to my creation as a threat, so they invaded the Space Colony ARK – the space station where I was born – and attempted to capture Gerald. I managed to escape, but Maria, she…she was shot and killed!" Tears formed in Shadow's eyes. "For months of my existence, I was plagued by dreams about that night! I…I can't turn them off! Sometimes, all I think about is her, a-and it hurts so bad! I…I…"

At this point, everything hurt too much for Shadow to continue, so he fell to his knees and cried. Peach gasped when she saw this. While she had a feeling that Shadow hadn't had the best life ever, and though she'd had her fair share of sadness, this sort of pain was all so new to her. Nevertheless, she said nothing; she got down on her knees and hugged him, and he hugged back. Hearing him cry made her want to cry herself, but she worried that if she allowed that to take over, then it would be harder for her to comfort him. As much as doing this hurt, it also made Peach feel like the best person in the world. In a way, she sort of felt like Shadow's mother, and she kept a tight yet comfortable grip on him as he cried. She also felt like she was holding a giant kitten that had lost its parents recently. How could she turn down such a sad, traumatized soul?

Though crying never hurt any less for Shadow no matter how much he did it, he also didn't feel any worse afterwards, so he tried to think about what Rouge said about crying being a normal thing and prayed that the pain would go away soon. He also tried to take solace in the fact that he had someone as soft, warm and cuddly as Peach to hold. If this was how it felt to hold a princess, then he figured that the Mushroom Kingdom was blessed to have her as its ruler. However, considering how painful everything was, he ended up thinking about how terrible it was that someone would willingly invade the Kingdom and do anything bad to her. On the other hand, this also reminded him about how she was one of the sweetest, most beautiful, most caring people he'd ever had the fortune to meet, and if he weren't immortal, he gladly would've died for her. Partly because of that thought, he eventually stopped crying, instead weeping softly before finally coming down to deep, rhythmic breaths, trying to take in all of her. She was one of those people in life who seemed to believe in him in spite of his edgelord nature, and he was eternally thankful for it. After what seemed like forever, he backed away a bit, but kept his hands on her and smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"Princess Peach…I love you so much."

Peach smiled, too. "I love you too…Shadow the Hedgehog."

"P-Peach…please call me Shaddy."

"Awww…that's a cute nickname! Where did you get that from?"

"R-Rouge gave it to me. Usually, I hate it when people call me that, but Rouge is my favorite person, a-and…" Shadow frowned. "Oh god, I miss Rouge!"

Shadow hugged Peach again, and she did the same.

"Shaddy, it's OK! I'm sure you'll get to see her again!"

"Y-you really think so?"

"I know so!"

Shadow backed away from Peach. "I…I want to believe you, b-but I just feel so messed up inside…"

"Is there anything else I can do to make you feel better?"

Shadow nodded. "Yes, but first…" He pulled out some tissues and blew his nose. "Now then, do you have any milk on you?"

"Hold on, let me see…"

Peach dug through her backpack for a bit and soon pulled out a packet of evaporated milk.

"Will this do?"

Shadow nodded. "Good enough. Thank you."

"You're welcome!"

Shadow took the packet of milk from Peach, took a collapsible pot, some utensils and his Rambo knife from his survival kit, and then fetched some water from a nearby pond. After setting up a fire pit, Shadow started another fire and mixed the water with the milk powder before heating it up and stirring it, sitting on the ground in the fetal position as he did so. Peach sat next to him and wrapped an arm around him.

"Shaddy, tell me about some of the things you like to do in your spare time."

"I…well…one thing I like to do is meditate in the spa at Rouge's mansion. It keeps me sane in this awful world."

"Nice! I never imagined you to be someone who was into meditation, but it's nice that you enjoy such a peaceful activity!"

"I also like working out, playing video games and watching movies and TV shows."

"You know, I figured you must work out a lot since you're so strong!"

"I actually don't need to build strength that way, but I find it makes me feel better."

"And so it should! I actually enjoy taking a morning run myself!"

"It shows."

"Shaddy, you're so sweet!"

"I get that from Rouge quite a bit."

"You know, it's really nice that she lets you stay at her mansion! She must be a wonderful friend!"

"Like I said, she can be overbearing, but I love her to death. Not romantically, mind you, but…"

Peach tightened her grip on Shadow a little. "I know exactly what you mean!"

"If you'll excuse me, I think the milk's suitably warmed up by now…"

Shadow removed the milk from the fire, poured it into his Iron Maiden mug, and then drank it. As that first gulp of milk entered Shadow's throat, he blushed and began purring. This in and of itself was relaxing enough, but with Peach caressing him, he felt extra mellow. Though he'd never forget about Maria, everything hurt that much less. Peach let out a happy gasp when she heard him purring.

"I had no idea hedgehogs could purr! You're so cute when you do that!"

Shadow lowered his mug after he'd drank all the milk and smiled. "You should only know, my dear Peach."

"Why warm milk, though? Doesn't it make you sleepy?"

"Contrary to what myth has said, science has disproven it. Nevertheless, I find that it does wonders for my shattered nerves. Try to imagine everybody you love throwing a huge party for you, doing all of your favorite things with you and then spending the night with you afterwards."

Peach giggled. "You have such a vivid imagination!"

"And you have such a wonderful sense of kindness."

Shadow gently pushed Peach onto her back, straddled her and then plopped his head on her chest, causing her to giggle.

"Shaddy, please get your head off of my boobs!"

"Why should I? They're so comfy!"

"Oh, what the heck!"

Peach wrapped her hands around Shadow's head and gently caressed his quills. With every leg of their journey, Peach was seeing Shadow not so much as a cold-blooded killer, but more as a kind, loving soul who would never give up on the people he cared about. Granted, she still had a little trouble stomaching the sight of blood, but she vowed to ask for his phone number and E-mail before he went back to Mobius so she could talk to him if she ever experienced any symptoms of PTSD.

As Shadow laid down on Peach, he felt as if he were being lifted higher and higher like a Jackie Wilson song. Even if Mario was her primary love, he was just so thankful that she'd given him her love and wondered how he'd gone so long without anyone's love. The fact that she'd seen his pain not as a disaster in his soul, but a hole to fill with her love made him feel like a far better person and helped him to transcend his dark past. While not much into dancing, he decided that if she ever took a trip to Mobius, he was going to invite her to the Glitter Palace discotheque in Emerald City and dance the night away with her.

"Shaddy…"

"Yes?"

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Very much so. I don't know how I can possibly thank you."

"I do…"

"How?"

"First of all, you can remove yourself from me."

Shadow chuckled. "Gladly!"

Shadow rolled off of Peach, who sat up.

"OK, so what's second?" asked Shadow.

"This!"

Peach got on top of Shadow and kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around her. Again, the tingly feelings that he got never abated. Granted, she didn't kiss him for very long, but for him, it was long enough.

"Peach, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met."

"Oh, thank you! You're one of the most handsome guys I've ever met!"

"Now if you'll excuse me, I feel like I could kick some serious ass…"

After Peach got off of him, Shadow unloaded his MP5, put it and its accessories away and pulled out the M16A1, also pulling out its accessories and ammo.

"Mind if I grab the Galil?" asked Peach.

"Not at all!"

After taking off her DeSantis rig, Peach handed the Uzi back to Shadow, who pulled out the Galil and its accoutrements, including the ALICE rig.

"What's that for?" Peach pointed to the ALICE rig.

"This ALICE rig not only carries accessories such as magazine pouches, first aid items and an entrenching tool, but it can also lighten the load imparted by your backpack. It's standard-issue for the Crown Armed Forces of Mobius."

"Fascinating!"

"Think you can attach your pack to the frame?"

Peach frowned and tapped her cheek. "Hmmm…I'm not sure."

"OK, so first, take off your backpack."

Peach took off her backpack.

"Since the bare frame is already attached to the rig, you'll need to secure the bottom of the pack using the webbing on the bottom of the shoulder straps," said Shadow. "Wrap the webbing around the frame twice before tying up."

Peach did so.

"Also, make sure the top of the shoulder straps go over the frame."

Once again, Peach followed Shadow's directions.

"Now, adjust the waist strap to your liking by sliding the buckle away from the front to tighten it or towards it to loosen it."

Peach put on the ALICE rig and adjusted the waist strap accordingly before buckling it.

"Wow, this already feels better!" said Peach.

"Then let's go."

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.