'Maria... Why must I feel so helpless without her? My mood has not been good lately. I even have Rouge worried. Omega doesn't seem to understand exactly, but he does what he can to leave me alone. I am glad to be back on Earth with my friends and my job, I really do. But... Pinkie's changed me.

I want to look forward to life with her. I want to be happy now, now that I can secure good for the world. ...I'm sorry I lost the diary.' He gave a sigh. 'What a beautiful gift...'

Shadow sat at his desk in his office at GUN. He had been thinking these thoughts for the past thirty minutes while dangling the necklace Pinkie had given him in his left hand.

It had been about 2 months since they left.

He still had no inhibitor rings on, as the scientists could not figure out how to make a copy of them.

His gaze was transfixed on the light blue sapphire and the pale yellow topaz gemstones.

It was Christmas Eve, and today, Shadow was really feeling down.

He briefly wondered where she got the gemstones, when he remembered she worked on a rock farm. A certain conversation came to mind, and made his hand shake slightly. He sighed, and closed his eyes, keeping his feelings down.

"Uh, Commander Shadow, sir?" Shadow opened his eyes and looked forward.

A nervous young man stood at the doorway. When Shadow looked to him, he immediately saluted.

Shadow slowly set the necklace down. "At ease solider."

The man dropped his hand.

"Sorry to interrupt sir, but, um, can I be relieved from my duties for the night? I promised my wife I'd help wrap my son's presents tonight."

Shadow exhaled heavily. He was silent for a moment, making the man even more anxious.

"You may take your leave solider. Have a good day off tomorrow."

The solider was surprised.

"R-Really?"

"Yes solider. Now go, before I change my mind."

The solider beamed. "Thank you Commander Shadow sir! Have a Merry Christmas!"

Shadow didn't reply, he just waved the solider out, and picked up the necklace again.

He stared at it for a long moment.

Abruptly, he sighed heavily and stood from his desk. He gathered up the nessecary paperwork for the night, and walked out.

...

Shadow stood on a rooftop, arms crossed. He wore his hot pink hoodie, hood over his head. He wore Pinkie's necklace around his neck. He looked over Central City with a stone face.

Sounds of feet landing on the ground was made, but Shadow was too deep in thought to notice.

"Ah, there's my favorite humbug."

Shadow's eyes popped open, a little startled.

He immediately recognized the voice. He sighed.

"Sonic. Who told you?"

Sonic smiled jokingly.

"Rouge."

Shadow sighed again.

"Of course she did."

Sonic slowly walked up to Shadow, and smiled nervously.

"Well, Shadow, everyone is having a get together at Amy's this time around, and we were wondering-"

"Thanks, but no thanks."

"Aw come on Shads!" Sonic walked up next to him.

"It's Christmas Eve! And Amy said she'd be disappointed if you didn't come."

Shadow looked down to the city below.

"Tell her I appreciate it, but I'll pass."

Sonic groaned. "Shadow, please? I know you're not the type, but it's just one party! What's it gonna-"

Sonic stopped mid-sentence. Shadow was looking away, hurt by something. Sonic suddenly realized what he had brought up in his mind.

Sonic gave a short sigh of guilt.

"Ah, hey, I'm sorry man, I didn't mean to-"

"It's... Okay Sonic."

Both stood in silence for a while. Shadow slowly sat down on the edge, and Sonic followed suit.

Sonic looked at Shadow.

His eyes were shiny, but he had not cried yet. He put his hands on something around his neck. Sonic hadn't fully registered until now that Shadow was wearing the pink hoodie he got from Equestria, and that he also wore the necklace Pinkie gave him.

Sonic gulped, and his eyes came back to Shadow's. Shadow noticed and glanced away. Sonic spoke slowly.

"Shadow, I need to know. What do you see.. In her?"

Shadow turned his head to look down on the city.

The street lights blended in with the light from the stores, mashing opposite colors into a collage of beauty and light.

It was snowing, and light flakes refracted that light, bringing it across the entire city.

He sighed, and let his hands fall to his sides.

"She's... Everything I could ever want. She's compassionate, she's caring in her own little ways, she's positive, bringing smiles wherever she goes. It's her life purpose to make people happy. She's so passionate about it too. She will do anything just to make somepony smile. She wants others to know they're not alone, as all her friends do. She's the Element of Laughter. She's not afraid, she's strong, she's understanding, although that can be hard for her sometimes. She's got spunk, she's bubbly, she's beautiful. She's..."

Shadow inhaled, and got the courage to look up at Sonic.

Sonic was surprised that Shadow had this much to say. But Shadow wasn't done yet.

Shadow chuckled, and gave a small smile to emphasize his point.

"She makes me smile. She makes me want to smile. She knows me. She is a light in the darkness of my life. She makes me feel normal, safe, okay to... Be me. She makes me happy. "

Sonic stared at him with wide, empathetic eyes.

"Shadow..."

Shadow looked away from Sonic, and started to blush.

He couldn't wipe that stupid smile off his face.

"I love her. I love her so much. I love her the way the clouds love the sky, the way that oceans and beaches touch. When our lips meet, I can feel my heart soar, and I can taste our future together."

Shadow inhaled through his nose slowly, and let it out his mouth. The air was cold and crisp, and his breath visible. His blush was pink.

"I've already told you Sonic. I truly and deeply love her."

Shadow frowned, and his ears drooped. The blush faded.

"I can't live without her... If I could give everything up just to see her one last time, I'd... I'd do it."

Sonic was blown away by Shadow's speech. Never before had he heard something so deep, so true, so...

Full of love.

Sonic sighed, and looked down to the city.

"I'm sorry we had to leave so quickly."

Shadow blinked, and turned to Sonic.

"To be honest, I never really did understand the connection between you two, even after you told me how you fell for her. But I can see now that she means the world to you. ..You... Must be suffering without her right now."

Shadow's ears drooped again. "You hit the nail on the head Sonic."

Shadow breathed heavily, but quietly. He was upset. More than upset. He had lost a piece of himself to her. As she did to him. Shadow looked down.

Sonic gulped. He frowned, and looked to the sky. He knew he shouldn't ask this question, but it was one Sonic wanted to be answered.

"...She reminds you of Maria?"

Shadow nodded, but didn't turn to him.

A tear escaped the ultimate lifeform.

"You know,"

Shadow spoke softly.

"She would ask me to sing for her. Both of them would. Pinks loves it. She said she loves my voice."

Sonic suddenly smiled. He stared forward.

"Too bad I wasn't there for it. You probably have a great singing voice."

Shadow blinked, surprised. He turned to look at Sonic, who eyed him with a smile.

Shadow glanced down, and looked left, then right. He sighed. He inhaled a breath of courage.

A heartbeat skip, relationship, inside a bubble bath,

Sonic's head snapped over to Shadow. He was singing.

Sonic looked on in surprise and awe as Shadow continued delicacy showing a part of his fragile heart. Sonic would have never expected him to do this. But Shadow was. Sonic listened closely, and realized that this really was the voice he heard that day running through the woods. Pinkie was right. His voice was amazing.

When Shadow had finished, the air was light and warm. His breath stuck to the air. He took off his hood, put his hands in his pockets.

He looked away.

"You will never speak of this to anyone."

Sonic smiled.

"Of course."

Sonic stood.

"Well, I'll leave you to your brooding."

"Shame really. Pinkie has said that your cooking would be a hit at parties if you ever did attend one."

Shadow started at Sonic in surprise. Sonic started to walk away. Just as the surprise had worn down, he felt something on his shoulder, even though no one was there. He recognized the presence.

He suddenly felt lips touch his cheek. Her lips.

His eyes widened, and his hand went up to his cheek.

It had to be a sign.

Shadow aburptly stood up and called to Sonic.

"Sonic!"

The blue blur turned, and looked at him with a smug smile.

Shadow glanced down, and put his hands in his pockets again.

"I'll.. come say hello."

Sonic's smile turned into a smirk, and he waved to follow. Shadow followed him off the rooftop.

As they ran through the streets, Sonic came up next to Shadow.

"So, what made you change your mind so quickly?"

Shadow felt his heart skip.

He inhaled, and looked away from Sonic, struggling not to smile.

"Just a feeling."

...

That night, Shadow had a dream. Maria was there. They talked for a little bit, before Maria said to him something that made his heart hurt.

"Pinkie says Happy Hearth's Warming."

As Shadow stared back at Maria, he began to smile softly. A smile of sadness.

"Tell her I say Merry Christmas. And, I'll try to be back during spring."

This one was fun, I love writing the Sonic and shadow dynamic. Song that was referenced: "Everlasting Friend" by Blue October. Write you later!