(Sonic is property of SEGA and Sonic Team.)

Sorry I've been so slow to update but I've been thinking a lot about things that are supposed to happen after this so I've had a hard time getting back on track.


I came back to the living room and thought of Jwan and Breeze.

I handed Ogwa her coffee.

"Are you alright, Maria?"

Ogwa asked.

I wasn't listening.

"What if… something horrible was happening to them?"

"How am I going to free Jwan and the others? That's it! I'll allow myself to be captured and get everyone and the Dawgz can be the look outs! That's brilliant!"

"Maria?"

Ogwa put her hand on my back.

"Eureka!"

I jumped up and screamed.

"Eek!"

Ogwa freaked out because of my sudden movement.

"Oh… sorry Ogwa."

I blushed in embarrassment.

"That's… okay."

She said trying to catch here breath.

"What, exactly, is the code you've cracked?"

She asked.

"I could let myself get captured, get the team out and you guys could stand watch!"

I said.

"Well, seeing as that's the only plan we have, sounds good to me."

"No…"

I heard Shadow's voice in the back of my mind.

"I've already thought of that. You'll never get your friends out. Remember, I'm smarter than Breeze says. I'm smarter than even you think."

"Have… you been planning this since you met me?"

I asked the voice.

It merely laughed.

"That won't work."

I moaned falling back into the couch.

"Why not?"

Ogwa said.

"Because Shadow's already thought of that."

I bowed my head in sorrow.

Ogwa patted me on the back.

I shook my head and tears fell to the ground.

"Sometimes I wonder… if I was just… a… a tool. Just a pawn in his sick and twisted game. I wonder if… if… he ever…"

I choked and couldn't get out the last words.

I began to sob uncontrollably.

"Uh…"

Carlos threw a gun at the TV, which, remarkably, turned it off.

"D-don't cry, Maria."

He said coming over to sit next to Ogwa.

"Shut up, Carlos. You're no good in this kinda situation."

Ogwa pushed him off the couch.

"I'm sure Shadow didn't…"

Ogwa's voice trailed off.

Being used was my worst nightmare.

I felt like nothing was even real.

"He… I…"

I choked on my words again.

It seemed impossible to express the pain I was feeling.

"If it makes you stop crying, I don't think you're evil."

Carlos said.

I laughed but it only seemed to make more tears come out.

The TV decided to turn itself back on.

"Ha ha ha! This is your prince speaking!"

Shadow's face appeared on the screen.

"By now you should know that I am controlling all satellite signals. I have tracked you all and you will be forced to wear an obedience collar. Because I can't watch every second of your pathetic and worthless lives, these collars watch you for me."

He went on.

"That isn't Shadow…"

I growled finally.

She tears turned into steam as they fell down my face.

My skin turned slightly white.

"He isn't?"

Ogwa asked ignoring my anger and studying the TV.

"No, Shadow would never be so heartless."

I said.

"How can you be sure? He never exactly cared what anybody else thought as long as his opinion was heard."

She said.

"Because… I know Shadow… Shadow cared about Stella and I and no one else..."

I said.

"He wouldn't break his promise to me… So that's not Shadow…"

I said.

"And that means you can kick his butt right?"

Ogwa turned and smiled brightly.

"Exactly."

Jwan's POV

"Oh… Servant number three…"

Shadow called.

"What?"

I growled.

"Could you go make dinner… oh, and pour me something to drink."

He said.

I rolled my eyes and went into the kitchen.

I came back out with a Mountain Dew.

"Here."

I handed it to him.

I walked back into the kitchen to get some chicken and put it in the oven.

"Servant number three!"

Shadow said again.

"What?"

I said a bit more annoyed this time.

"I wanted a Mountain Dew Baja Blast…"

He said pouring the contents of the glass onto Sonic, who had been shining his shoes.

Sonic cursed under his breath.

"Well you didn't tell me that."

I said.

"I don't care."

He handed me the glass and went back in the kitchen.

I came out and handed him the new drink.

I only got a few steps away before…

"Servant number three!"

"WHAT!"

"This is flat… get me a new one."

He dropped the glass on the expensive tile floor.

The glass broke.

"Oh, and clean that up for me while you're at it, why don't ya?"

Maria's POV

We were on earth and I had to say, for the apocalypse, this place was pretty darn tranquil.

"So… first we need to find Breeze."

It was just Ogwa and me.

I thought the others might not understand the situation.

"What about the black hearts?"

Ogwa asked.

"Something tells me they already know where we are and why."

I said remembering the broadcast.

Ogwa nodded.

"I'm right here."

Ogwa screamed and jumped.

I caught her and turned around.

"Oh, Breeze… I'm so way sorry I ditched you like that! I just… then I blanked out on your number and…"

She covered my mouth.

"I've heard enough. Apology accepted."

She said actually smiling.

Shadow's POV

Ha ha ha! This is the life! Being able to control all my friends! Like Sonic! Oh, how I despise that little sack of blue quills. All the trouble that menace has caused me! Hm… what trouble did that menace cause me? "Get away from my sister… You don't wanna get to know him, Maria. He's corrupt… Ha! Maria hates you! You'd have a better chance trying to get back together with Breeze… Stay away from my sister… Don't you go anywhere near my sis… ter." Oh, yeah. He kept me as far away from Maria as possible. You can do that on your own now, can't you? What an Emperor! Can't even keep his own Empress! I bet Maria doesn't even know who you are any more! That's just it! You're not Shadow! You've changed. Now you're Prince Shadow, killer of hopes and dreams. Shut up! I have the power! I will rule this world and I'll like it! Even if it kills me! But, she might think that I don't like her! She might think that I never want to see her again! So? You don't need her! You have power! How dare you say that about Maria! I'm not listening to you any more! Be quiet or I'll kill you! But I'm you. I don't care! I'll kill me too, if that's what it takes!

"Master!"

My guard was calling me.

"You have an e-mail."

I went over and read it.

"Maria…"

I whispered.

Maria definitely sent this letter but as to where she was at the moment, I was totally oblivious.