Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic or anything related to the franchise. They are rightfully owned by Sega.

Here's Part 4 the Ebony and Lavender. I wasn't very ecstatic with this part when I first made it. Hopefully you guys will enjoy it though. Anyway, thank you for reading my story and keeping up with it, and as always, I hope you enjoy!


1st Person POV:

The air was very sour and humid. It was hard to breathe in this...what is this place? A black void? There was no sign of light anywhere. Darkness covered all in its vicinity. It seemed impossible to escape and it was suffocating. I tried to make a sound, but nothing came out of my mouth! I'm on the verge on panicking!

'Swissssshhhhhhh!'

Suddenly, a strange force rugs around my body, then it pulls me through the black void. I close my eyes accepting my fate expecting the worse to happen, as I was being pulled around like a rag doll. Then, all of a sudden it stopped. There are stars covering the black void. Am I in...space? I grew even more confused as I look around, trying to figure what's going on.

Then, a sudden 'thing' materializes in front of my face. It grew rather large. I stared at it as the details of the object finally forms around the outer surface. I finally realized what was in front of me. Ark? So I really am in space...but why? I continued studying the place searching for something. I noticed something moving around at the windows. I looked closer as I also realized it was two people being chased by a few...gun soldiers?

'Swoooooosh.'

I thought I was still looking at the Ark from afar, but now I'm running all of a sudden.

"Huff, huff, huff, huff."

I hear heavy breathing behind me as I was running. I didn't realize I was holding someone's hand behind me. I turn around to see who it was. My eyes grew wide.

'm-Maria!?'

Her baby blue eyes looked at me as I looked back at her. Her eyes were filled with fear and desperation. I know that look all to well.

'Swiiiiiiiish.'

Now I'm in a capsule. I punch the glass in an attempt to get out. I struggled more and more as I punch and kicked against the glass. Nothing was working. The amount of punching and kicking appeared to have done nothing.

"Maria!?" I call out to her. Shocked that I found my voice finally.

I look to see her smiling weakly at me as she had her hands on the lever. She was moving her mouth, but I couldn't hear her. I tried to muster up my Chaos energy, but I couldn't tap into it. I looked down at myself and realized I was a lot smaller than I usually am. As if time had reversed my body.

'Bang!'

I look back up. Horrified, despair, anguish... too many words that describes what I'm feeling right now. Tears rolled down my face as I seen blood pouring out of the wound of my dearest friend. It... it hurts... Why am I seeing this? Before I crumbled apart, Maria looks at me with a look that's been engraved into my mind for decades.

"Shadow... I beg you... please, do it for me... for a better future..." as she got up with whatever power she could muster and yanked the lever down.

"MARIA!"

3rd Person POV:

Blaze was the first to wake from slumber. Bags were under her eyes as she looked around. She walksaround aimlessly as she walked into the kitchen.

She looks at the clock to see the time, "5:40 AM?" Blaze groans, then she walks to the fridge.

She grabs the orange juice and pour some in a glass. As she walks around taking sips from her drink, then turns her gaze towards the Black Arms sleeping in their corner.

'Cute,' Blaze thought as she walks quietly pass them, so she wouldn't wake them.

She was on her way to her room, but she notices a photo of a much younger Shadow the Hedgehog and a blonde haired human girl standing next to him. Shadow's smile in the photo seemed so innocent. Blaze could tell their was true happiness in Shadow's face in this picture.

'I wonder when was the last time Shadow smiled like this,' Blaze thought, then she shifts her gaze to the human girl.

She has never seen her before and Shadow never bothered mentioning her before. 'I wonder who she is, and what she is to Shadow,' Blaze thought as she studied the photo.

"MARIA!"

Blaze ears perks up as she heard the scream. She put the glass down and move towards the place the sound came from. She opens the door to see a heartbroken Shadow while he had his hands in the air, as if he was reaching for something. Tears were streaming down his face as he cried out more.

"No, no, no... why... why did this happen!?" Shadow croaks in pain still reaching out into the air.

Blaze did not know what to think or do. She has never seen Shadow like this before. Or anyone for that matter. She walks over to Shadow and shakes him a little bit.

"Shadow, wake up," Blaze said, trying to stay calm as she try to wake her friend as he was crumbling in front of her. Her first attempt didn't work, so she shook him a little hard.

His eyes opens wide as tears continued streaming down his face. He seen a pair of amber eyes staring back him. He realizes that he's back to Earth in his home. Shadow sat up quickly and wipes the tears from his face, hoping Blaze had not seen him in such a state. Blaze shifts her body, while she looks at Shadow with a worried expression. She never seen him like that, so to see him like that is very concerning to her.

"Shadow... Are you alright?" Blaze asks, feeling somewhat anxious.

"Yes, I am," the ebony hedgehog replies trying to suppress his emotions. He finally looks back at his feline friend with an emotionless expression. That somewhat irked the lavender cat as she eyes him.

"Shadow, what's wrong?" Blaze asked.

"There's nothing wrong Blaze," Shadow answered, keeping his calm demeanor. "There's nothing to worry about."

Blaze was starting to get a little annoyed as Shadow continues to put his walls around him, closing her off. Blaze clenches her teeth as she stares at her ebony and stoic friend.

'Now I know how Amy and Cream feel, when I keep my emotions at bay,' Blaze thought as she looked into Shadow's eyes. Yesterday, his eyes glistened. They were alive and filled with compassion. Now, they seemed somewhat dead.

"Shadow... how much longer do you plan on keeping this charade up?" Blaze asked as she furrowed her eyebrows.

"What charade? Blaze, there is no reason for you to be concerned. I don't need it," Shadow states, still trying to hide the anguish he felt a few seconds ago.

That remark made Blaze's blood boil. She struggled to keep her feelings in her imaginary bottle as she tried to help the stubborn hedgehog.

"Blaze, I think you're still tired," Shadow said as he stood up from his bed. "Let me walk you to bed."

Shadow motions her to follow him, but instead she got up and blocks the doorway. Shadow looks at her in bewilderment, confused with her actions. Using Blaze's facial expressions to understand her motives were not helping his situation either.

"How can you say that," Blaze exclaims as she glares at Shadow. "Do you think I'm dumb!?"

"No, I don't think you're dumb..." Shadow says calmly.

"I seen the little scene you made in your sleep! How do you expect me to ignore that!?" Blaze's was becoming louder and louder.

Shadow sighs heavily, then he looks the lavender feline in her amber eyes, "Just pretend it never happened," Shadow said calmly. "I just had a bad dream. That's all."

"A bad dream!? No bad dream would make you wallow in anguish the way you have tonight!" Blaze still not backing down from him.

Shadow winces a little as he struggles more to stay calm. He looks around trying to find a distraction, but he had no luck.

"Shadow... don't close me out..." Blaze's voice came softly.

Shadow turns back to Blaze in shock at her tone. 'Wasn't she just angry a few seconds ago,' Shadow wondered as he studies her. Blaze's expression soften significantly, as she looks at Shadow.

Shadow couldn't find words as he eyes her. He didn't know what to say or do. Blaze, however, decided that there's one thing she could do if she wants to crack Shadow's shell. Without hesitation, she walks up to Shadow and wrapped her arms around him. Shadow's eyes widen in shock as Blaze's action shook him. She embraced Shadow tightly as they were chest to chest. They could feel each other's hearts race faster and faster as Blaze held Shadow. Shadow didn't know what to do. He couldn't think clearly at all. Without realizing it, a tear was rolling down his cheek onto Blaze's arm. She felt the tear touch her fur as she held him tighter, realizing that hugging him might have worked. Shadow's eyebrows furrows; trying his hardest not to breakdown in front of Blaze, but more and more tears started streaming from his eyes.

"Shadow, it's ok. I'm here for you." Blaze said softly in Shadow's ear and she rubs his back.

With that, she broke through his shell. Shadow returns the embrace as he close his eyes letting the pain flow. It felt like an hour as they stood with each other. Shadow was shivering as he sobbed quietly in Blaze's arms. Even Blaze started to become misty eyed as she tried to keep her ebony friend from crumbling apart.

"I hate it..." Shadow's voice shakes as he close his eyes.

"What do you hate?" Blaze asked, trying not to let her own tears fall.

Shadow grips Blaze tighter as he answer, "I-I hate how weak and feeble I was," Shadow stammers as he slightly raise his eyelids. "I-I was utterly helpless when I was n-needed the most."

Blaze was quiet as she tried to recollect her thoughts while listening to her pained companion. She finally pulls apart from Shadow, although Shadow tried not to let her go. Blaze took a seat on Shadow's bed and motions him to sit with her. Shadow did so and wipes the tears on his face, so it wouldn't leave a stain.

"Tell me everything," Blaze said as she smiles softly at Shadow. The smile gave Shadow a sense of reassurance.

"Well you know how I told you that I'm the ultimate life form?" Shadow asked as he looks at Blaze.

"How could I forget? It was your favorite phrase for years," Blaze teases to lighten the mood.

Shadow chuckles to himself a little bit, "Well, as I said am... or was supposed to be the ultimate life form," Shadow states quietly, then he close his eyes.

"My name, Shadow, comes from this operation called Project: Shadow. A project meant to create a creature with access to immortality. This project took place on my birthplace, Space Colony Ark. I was the final product of Project: Shadow." Blaze listened attentively as Shadow told his story. Sonic and the others always mentioned the Ark whenever they talked about Shadow and how gigantic it was.

"When I was born, I met my creator, Professor Gerald Robotnik and his granddaughter, Maria Robotnik," Shadow said as he reminisce his memories aboard the Ark.

"Robotnik?" Blaze asked, accidentally interrupting Shadow. "Like Dr. Eggman Robotnik?"

Shadow nods his head and smirks a little, "Yes, Professor Gerald is Dr. Robotnik's grandfather."

"No wonder you've always treated his name with a sense of respect," Blaze said as she put some pieces together.

"Yeah, but anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, so I met both Professor Gerald and Maria," Shadow continues. Blaze notices how softly he mentioned Maria's name. "When I met them, Professor Gerald told me the reason for my existence.

"I was made to create a cure for Maria Robotnik. Maria had a disease called Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, or NIDS for short. It was a rare terminal, incurable and a fatal disease. Sadly, Maria of all people had to suffer from such a disease at an early age." Shadow explain as a bit of sadness was shown in his face. Blaze took Shadow's hand to reassure that she's here for him. Shadow glances up at Blaze and a small smile curls on his lips.

He continues, "NIDS caused Professor Gerald to create the Ark, so that the disease would not spread to others because it was very contagious. G.U.N. was funding Professor Gerald as he came up with the idea to create an immortal being. G.U.N. seen the professor's idea as a potential weapon they could use to their benefit which is why I have the powers I have now. So, he explained it all to me and transferred information into my brain. During my time on the ark, I developed a deep friendship with Maria. I could not ask for a better best friend. We had so many happy moments together. I even promised her that we'll find a cure for her whenever she lost hope.

"Eventually, we successfully made a serum that could suppress NIDS for a certain amount of time. If only it was permanent, but that serum was a huge step as she could finally interact with other people again. All was going well..." Shadow's voice trails off, then he looks down at the floor. "Then... the incident happened. G.U.N. soldiers infiltrated the Ark in means to shut Project: Shadow down. They killed anyone who wouldn't cooperate in cold blood.

"I didn't know why they came at the time, so I was scared and confused. The professor told me to run and escape with Maria to Earth. We ran, but on the way we found a few soldiers, so they tailed us as we made our way to the escape pods room. Once there, I got the escape pod running to prepare for departure. As I walked in and reached for Maria's hand, she pushed me in and closed the capsule.

"I struggled to open it as she set the capsule's coordinates to Earth. I felt helpless as I tried to change Maria's mind to come with me... She shook her head in disagreement, as she won't have the serum if she leaves with me which will result in the disease affecting everyone else. She still worried about the people on Earth, even when her own life was threaten by the soldiers aboard the Ark. Eventually, they found the room and threatened to shoot if she didn't move from the lever. She began to pull it...so...," Shadow croaks as he felt a lump in his throat. Blaze tighten her grip on Shadow's hand softly as he struggled to continue.

Shadow swallows the lump and continues, "They... they shot her... I saw her body fall to the ground as I looked at her horrified. I never felt so helpless... so useless, as I stared at Maria as she looked at me. She spoke to me about how much she wanted to visit Earth, but couldn't. About our dreams to see the Earth together. Then, she begged me to protect the people of Earth, despite what they were taking from me in front of my eyes... with the last strength she could muster, she stood and pulled the lever while bleeding to death before the soldiers could stop her as I yelled her name... that moment has scarred me since I made my way to Earth..." He fought the tears stinging his eyes.

"I had multiple nightmares involving the incident for so long," Shadow said as he closed his eyes. "I haven't had a lot of full night rests, as this happens constantly. Lately, these nightmares happen occasionally now, after I tried to put my past behind me, but it still haunts me."

After the last remark, there was a long silence that filled the air. Blaze felt a pang of sympathy as she could somewhat relate to Shadow's story. She never knew there was someone who could fully relate to her pain as Shadow had considering her past wasn't all happy go lucky either. This gave Blaze a whole new outlook on Shadow as a man. She lean towards Shadow to give Shadow a warm embrace.

"I understand your pain Shadow," Blaze said softly as she held Shadow close to her.

Shadow returns the embrace, then buries his face in Blaze's shoulder.

Blaze continues, "I'm sure that if Maria seen you now, she would be proud of how much you've done to protect Earth. And what a good hearted person you've developed into."

Shadow looks up at Blaze in bewilderment as he replayed the last sentence in his head. "Do you really mean that?" Shadow asked as he stared into Blaze's amber eyes.

"I meant every word," Blaze said with a enthusiastic smile.

A small smile forms on Shadow's lips as he finally felt relieved. It's been a long time since Shadow actually felt a sense of happiness that he hasn't felt since his time on the Ark with Maria.

A set of eyes were watching Blaze and Shadow as they had their sentimental moment. Those eyes belongs to Eclipse who woke up when he heard Shadow screamed. He would have went in to help, but he left it to Blaze to help.

'It's a good thing I'd let her handle it. They've become more closer than ever now,' Eclipse thought as he studied them at Shadow's doorway. 'Their relationship has taken a huge step forward. Maybe, I won't have to do anything to push them together after all. Well, better leave before they notice me,' Eclipse thought as he walked quietly to his room.

Riiiiiiiiiiing!

Shadow's alarm went off. He turns it off, then shifts his gaze to Blaze. "Blaze... thank you... you helped me a lot tonight," Shadow said as he gave her a small smile.

Blaze smiles and nods her head, "Anytime, besides I'm sure you'd do the same for me."

Shadow smiles, then he made his way towards Eclipse's room to wake him up. Once Eclipse woke up from his fake slumber, the trio did their usual hygiene routine for the day. Shadow decided to make breakfast today as he took out raw bacon, pancake mix, and eggs.

Eclipse walks up to Shadow and studied him for a second, "You seem to be in a good mood today. Did someone throw Sonic in an ocean or something?" Eclipse said teasingly.

Shadow chuckles a little, "That would just be icing on the cake," Shadow said with enthusiasm.

"Icing on the cake? What cake?" Eclipse asked in confusion.

Shadow laughs at that question, "It's a figure of speech, brother."

"Oh," Eclipse said feeling a bit dumb for asking that. Eclipse walks over to the calendar as Shadow started cooking. "4th of July is tomorrow Shadow," Eclipse said as he looks back at his brother.

Blaze walks in as she overheard their conversation. "4th of July, what's special about that day?" Blaze queries as she looks at Eclipse.

"Its a holiday humans in our country celebrate called Independence Day," Shadow explained not moving his attention from the food cooking. "A holiday they've celebrated for centuries. They also shoot fireworks during the night as a climax to the celebration."

"Yeah, you'd love it if you see it. We also have a day off from work as well." Eclipse said as he sat at the kitchen table.

Blaze walks over to the kitchen table to join Eclipse, "Can we see the fireworks tomorrow?"

"Sure," Shadow said as he prepared plates for breakfast. He walks over to Blaze and Eclipse and placed their breakfast on the table.

The Black Arms sat at the usual corner awaiting the meal Shadow made. Once he put the food down, they've swarmed over the food.

Eclipse looks at his brother as Shadow sat down with his plate, "I forgot to mention," Eclipse started as he swallowed a bite. "Sonic called yesterday."

Shadow's ear twitches in annoyance at hearing the Faker's name. "What does he want?"

"He wanted to see if me, you, and Infinite wanted to come to his little get together for tomorrow to see the fireworks." Eclipse said as he works on his bacon.

"I'd rather not go," Shadow said as he took a bite from his pancake.

"Why not?" Blaze asked.

"Social gatherings are not my forte," Shadow said as he took a sip of his water. "You two could go, but I'd rather stay home."

Blaze frowns at Shadow in dismay. Eclipse shrugs his shoulders, then continues eating.

"Come on Shadow, it won't be so bad," Blaze said. Shadow frowns at the lavender princess.

"No," Shadow said stubbornly. Blaze's eyebrows furrows as she glares at Shadow.

"Shadow come on." Shadow shook his head as he as he took a few bites of his eggs. "Please?" Blaze begs hoping his mind would change.

Shadow sighs, then looks at his feline friend, "Give me one good reason why I should go."

Blaze attempts to come up with a reason that he couldn't refuse. She couldn't find any good reason though. Eclipse and Shadow watch Blaze as she struggles to come up with a reason. Eventually, she sighs in defeat and Shadow smirks in triumph.

She shot Shadow challenging look, "Give me a reason why you will not go." Shadow looks at Blaze with an annoyed expression.

"I don't like Sonic, I don't like his friends that much, I hate social gatherings, Sonic annoys me, Sonic aggravates me, and Sonic bothers me." Shadow stated.

Blaze chuckes a little bit, "The last three reasons are basically the same, plus you've been around them too many times. Only reason you don't want to go is Sonic."

Shadow's ears twitches again as he sees the blue faker in his head. Shadow shook his head in aggravation as he ate the rest of his food quickly.

Eclipse finally decides to put his two cents in, "I just think he's scared." Shadow snaps his head at his brother. Eclipse ate his food nonchalantly, not giving any attention to Shadow's ice, cold glare. "I always thought he was afraid to be around Sonic and the others." Eclipse continues as he finishes the last of his food.

Shadow glares daggers at his brother, "I'm not afraid of anyone."

Eclipse laughs at his brother as large smirk forms on his lips. "Don't look at me like that, my dear brother. It's ok to be afraid Shady boy."

Blaze looks at Eclipse with wide eyes. She slowly turns to Shadow and boy was it not a pretty sight. Shadow had his fangs bared, his hands were clenched tightly as Chaos energy started sparking around them, and if he looked like that any longer, a blood vessel would pop possibly.

"What did I tell you. About. Calling. Me. Shady boy!" Shadow hissed.

Eclipse shrugs and continues taunting his brother, "Well, maybe if you weren't so afraid, maybe I wouldn't call you that." Eclipse loafed around as he put his dish in the sink before he looked at his brother.

Blaze looks at the both of them thinking this will get ugly. Shadow continues glaring at his brother as he got up from his chair.

"And I thought you were bad with Sonic." A voice sounds off in the distance.

They all froze from the unexpected voice. Shadow look towards the front door to see that it was Rouge the Bat who stood at his doorway. Rouge laughs at them as she walks over to them.

"How long were you there," Shadow asked as he took his plate to the sink.

"When you said you wouldn't go to Sonic's party sweetie," Rouge said as she continued to laugh.

Shadow rolls his eyes, then walks pass Eclipse, shot him a quick glare, then continue towards the living room.

"What brings you here?" Eclipse queries as he walks over to Rouge.

Rouge finally remembered why she was there, as she was so caught up in the two brothers bickering that she nearly forgot why she was there. "I came to inform you that I found one of your winged Black Arms thingy lying in the garage."

Eclipse mouth gapes open as he looks at Rouge. Shadow also made a similar face from hearing this news. "Just when I thought we were the only ones of our kind left," Eclipse said with a sincere smile on his face. "How is it doing?"

Rouge shrugs, "I'm not sure. It didn't like me at first, until I fed it some meat."

"Bring me to it," Eclipse said.

Shadow shook his head in disagreement, "Don't have time. We got to get to work in 20 minutes." Eclipse pouts somewhat which made Rouge laugh.

Rouge laughs out loud, "You two really are brothers huh," Rouge said, then she rested her hand on the ebony alien. "Don't worry, Omega's schedule is clear so he's nurturing it as we speak."

Eclipse looks at her and smiles gleefully, "Thank you Rouge."

"No problem hun," Rouge said seductively. "Well, let's get to G.U.N. I'm not one who likes to be late."

Shadow nods in agreement, then shifts his gaze over to Blaze. "What do you plan to do since the commander is still searching for the Sol Emerald?"

Blaze thought for a moment before answering, "I'm not sure."

"Maybe she can stay in Team Dark's office while we handle whatever assignments are given today," Rouge said as she walks over to the front door.

Blaze looks at Rouge for a second. She still does not trust Rouge a lot, but she is trying to do better with Rouge for Shadow's sake since she helped Shadow a lot in the past.

"I guess that's fine," Blaze said as they all made their way outside.

"Alright, Eclipse and Blaze hold onto me, so we could get there quickly," Shadow said as he reached out to them. Then, he looks at Rouge, "Think you can keep up?"

Rouge looks at Shadow and smirks, "I'm more than capable handsome."

Shadow smirks at the challenge. And with that, they made their way to G.U.N. rapidly to start their day.