Chapter 9

Indeed, the two hedgehogs that were silently floating in the stormy sky were Shadow and Eclipse.

"How can it be?" Tails muttered.

The two super hedgehogs both had their eyes closed and looked to be in some sort of deep trance.

Amber was also confused at the sight. She had never seen the golden and silver hedgehog before but she recognized the red streaked one all too well.

"Shadow."

Then without warning, both hedgehogs dropped out of the sky, their super forms burning away as they sped towards the wet, rocky ground.

Sonic was the first to react. In a flash, he jumped past boulders and rocks and sped towards the falling Shadow.

Seconds before Shadow hit the ground, Sonic scooped him up in his arms and sped back to the group while Eclipse landed on the ground with a loud crash, cracking the rock in which he made impact with.

When Sonic reached the group, he gently lay Shadow down in the wet dirt as the rest of the group huddled closer.

"Is it really him?" Knuckles asked.

The dark hedgehog's eyes were still firmly shut.

Rouge was also standing with the group, looking down upon Shadow. She couldn't believe it. He was back. After one miserable year, Shadow had returned from the dead. At that point, she didn't care how or why, she could only feel the relief of seeing him alive, just as she had before.

FLASHBACK

The huge metallic door slid open to reveal a lone blue hedgehog standing there with a sad look on his face.

"Where is Shadow?" Rouge asked.

Sonic only lowered his head and shook it. Sonic walked up to her and placed a golden bracelet in her hands.

END FLASHBACK

She also remembered the tiny bit of hope that he survived.

FLASHBACK

"So what's next for you Rouge? Off again to find those jewels you love so much?" Knuckles asked.

"Nah I think I'm going to give it up. Too much work for too little pay. Besides, I got something better than jewels that I'm thinking about right now." Rouge said glancing upon Shadow's bracelet.

He had to have survived.

"It'll all work out, you'll see."

"If you say so." Knuckles responded. He knew she was talking about Shadow. He wanted him to have survived too, but that was impossible.

END FLASHBACK

Rouge sighed and kneeled in front of the hedgehog. She remembered the joy after discovering he had survived the ARK incident.

FLASHBACK

This must be it, I've found Eggman's secret treasure!" Rouge exclaimed happily as she entered the dark room. She began typing at a console in front of a large green pod.

The pod lifted off the ground to reveal a black and red hedgehog.

"Shadow!"

END FLASHBACK

Rouge raised her hand and brought it to the dark hedgehog's forehead. She began to softly stroke it with the back of her hand.

"Wake up, my dark prince."

Suddenly, Shadow's eyes began to twitch and his body began to stir.

His vision was fuzzy at first as he opened his usually fierce looking red eyes. However, they could not have intimidated a kitten at this point.

Ruby met emerald as Shadow looked directly into Rouge's eyes.

"Rouge?"

Rouge nodded. There were small pools of water now forming at the edges of her eyes. Her tears were released as she flung herself into Shadow's arms.

100 Yards Away

Icy, silver eyes also began to open as Eclipse began to grasp onto reality. The weary hedgehog weakly pushed his upper body up using his sore muscles. His legs were still on the ground.

'Wha-What happened? The last thing I remember is this giant white light and screams and…….Shadow!'

At that point, as of by some higher power, all the energy returned to Eclipse's body as he threw himself off of the ground. His white and silver fur looked more darker due to the rain and his quills drooped down. This didn't bother him however. His mind was fixed on one thing alone as he sped through the rain towards the group of heroes a few dozen yards away. Shadow.

With Amber

She could not believe it. Her brother, the one that was supposedly dead was laying there, surrounded by his companions….and that bat. Anger began to boil in her beautiful body. HE had cheated death. He had actually mocked the grim reaper and played god.

'Why am I not surprised?'

It had always been like this. Shadow could pull himself out of anything. And this had proven it once and for all.

"Good, not that he's back, I will have the pleasure of eliminating him for good."

And with that said, Amber raced towards the group.