Don't have much to say. I may end up in this play my school is doing, but I'll give you all a heads-up if I'll be late. Homework shouldn't be a problem, though. For now, the stuff's easy, and I never take long with homework.

As for this chapter, I have one small note. This is a special chapter, alright? It will be showing what is going on from the POV's of Shadow, Gemini, and Ciel, to show what they are thinking. If it's regular font, that's them thinking. If it's in italics, it's Maria (or in Ciel's case, himself). I hope that's not too confusing. Anyway, enough rambling. Chapter 13 is here!

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Shadow's POV

Damn… that was a dirty trick. How could Eggman have done this so easily? He must have been planning for a while. And I let him come, without any concern.

How stupid could I be?

What the professor said about me…how could it be true? I've always been told that a soul is what makes people alive. So, if mine is a fake…does that mean I'm not really alive? Maybe…maybe I'm a fake after all.

It hurts…oh god Maria, this hurts. Who knew that being shocked to death could hurt so badly? At least you had it easy. You were only shot. I'm not taking this nearly as well as you took yours. Some Ultimate Lifeform I am.

Shadow...please, promise me…

Maria? Wait a minute, what am I thinking? I can't feel sorry for myself now! I've put my past behind me, haven't I? I have to get out of here, and make sure Eggman doesn't cause any more havoc. I must put an end to this. That's what Maria would want me to do.

Thank you, Shadow…

Don't worry Maria. This pain won't stop me. Nothing will. I am the Ultimate Lifeform, after all.

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Gemini's POV

Ouch…damn electricity. I can't believe that stupid human actually caught me! Eggman, didn't they call him? He's a descendent of Gerald. What a disgrace. After I kill Shadow, I'll go after him.

Gemini...

Who is that? It sounds familiar. It can't be…Maria?

Gemini, why are you doing this? You were created to help people, not kill!

I am only destroying those who need to! Eggman is an evil scientist, and a disgrace to your family name. The world would be better off without him.

What about Shadow, then? Why are you trying to kill him?

He tried to kill me first! Back on Space Colony Ark, remember? He tried to kill me using his damn Chaos Magic! I only used my magic in self defense. It was Shadow's fault that I was kicked off the Ark, not mine. Stupid Gerald just couldn't see that I had control of my power.

Gemini, stop lying to yourself. You know very well that it was not Shadow's fault.

What are you talking about? Maria, don't stick up for him, just because he's your favorite.

I am not. Gemini, think about it. Shadow had never used his Chaos Magic until then. Why would he activate it for no reason? And even if he could, why would he try to kill you?

Because…because he did! All he has ever been is a soulless little fake! Even when he was Lex, he still had no soul. He probably just tried to get rid of me, so that he could be the Ultimate Lifeform.

You know just as well as I do that he wouldn't. Please Gemini; try to remember what happened that day. Do it for me, and don't try to cover it up.

Flashback

"This is the end of the line, Lex," screeched a black hedgehog with blue stripes. Again, this was Gemini over fifty years ago, back when Shadow was known as Lex.

"Gemini, what are you doing?" The past-Shadow asked, backing up against a wall. The gaze his brother was giving him was intimidating, and he didn't know what was wrong.

"I am just getting rid of a little fake," The magician hedgehog snarled, charging up a spell in his hands. "You don't deserve to be the Ultimate Lifeform, so I'm taking you out."

"Gemini, this isn't funny," Shadow said, trying to back away further. "This isn't like you. Come on, snap out of it."

"Only when you are dead will I snap out of it," Gemini replied, grinning with pleasure. "Time to say goodbye, brother. Unleash the power of Darkness, Dark Destruct!" As he said this, Shadow's face suddenly turned blank, his eyes pure red. As the glow of Gemini's hands turned into a black explosion, Shadow spoke only two words:

"Chaos Blast"

End Flashback

I…I'm the one who tried to kill him? So, I've been wrong about this all along. Maria, I can't believe I did that.

Your brother has gone through much more than you think, Gemini. I believe he has earned the right to be the Ultimate Lifeform fairly. Maybe, someday, you will understand what else is needed to be the Ultimate Lifeform.

I guess I still have a lot to learn. What about you, Maria? I haven't seen you anywhere.

When Shadow is ready, he will tell you where I have gone. For now, I must go. Fare well, Gemini.

Maria…that's it. I'm going to help Shadow take out Eggman, and then I shall find a way to redeem myself. It's the least I can do to make up for my mistake.

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Ciel's POV

This is all so strange. All this lightning around me, and I don't feel a thing. I suppose that's because vamparagians like me can't feel pain. "A shell of a living creature, only able to take life energy from other lifeforms." That's what I read in one of Gemini's books.

Gemini…I can hear Gemini and Shadow screaming. It hurts my ears, it's so loud. I wish it would just go away.

Wishing's never done you any good, now has it?

No, I suppose it hasn't. If it did, I wouldn't have died in the first place. Too bad wishes don't work. Why won't they stop screaming, though?

It hurts them, stupid. They can actually feel pain. If you could, you'd be screaming louder than the rest of them, because you are weak.

I am not weak! I'm not listening to you, alright?

You know it's true. Don't deny yourself, Ciel. Your weakness is why you died in the first place.

La la la, I'm not listening! I'm just going to do something stupid if I listen to you.

On top of that, you are childish. See your brothers? They are taking their pain, but they actually have faced hardships. You just allowed yourself to take the easy way out. You died, and now you are just a useless little kid.

No I am not! If I was useless, why would Gemini revive me?

He wasn't trying to revive you as a vamparagus. Fortunately, you can use it to your advantage.

I can? But how?

Allow yourself to give in to your vamparagus form. If you do, will be powerful enough to destroy this machine that has you trapped. You can get rid of Eggman, as well.

But…my vamparagus form is evil. It's mean, and creepy, and it makes me hurt people. I don't want to.

Too scared to take a risk, I suppose. Oh well, I guess your brothers will have to suffer.

It's not right! I can't, I won't, I-

Your brothers have given up a lot more to save others. Are you too selfish to save your family?

Of course I'm not!

Then do it.

Well, I guess if it's to save Shadow and Gemini, then I suppose it is okay. Alright then, here I go. I just hope I don't do anything too bad…

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Okay, there we go! I hope that wasn't too confusing, or bad. Basically, Shadow has come to terms with finding out about his soul, Gemini has come to terms with his mistakes, and Ciel…let's just say, you'll have to wait until next chapter to see what happens. Either way, see you next time!